Dr Gert Du Toit - Specialist Surgeon Durban

19/02/2026

⚠️ Stomach cancer under 50 is changing — and the inequality gap is growing.

A major global analysis (1990–2021) shows early-onset gastric cancer is declining overall, but low-income regions are falling behind as disparities widen. In 2021 alone: ~125,000 new cases, ~78,000 deaths, and ~3.86 million DALYs were recorded worldwide. Biggest preventable drivers? High-salt diets and smoking.

👉 Takeaway: Prevention + early detection must match local realities — salt reduction, smoking control, and H. pylori action where feasible, plus stronger screening access in under-resourced settings.

Read More: https://drgertdutoit.com/2026/02/19/global-study-reveals-disparities-in-early-onset-gastric-cancer/

19/01/2026

Big shifts are expected to keep reshaping the weight-loss world in 2026, driven by ongoing research into GLP-1 medications and other emerging approaches. Several weight-loss specialists predict a handful of changes that could stand out most in the year ahead.

READ MORE: https://drgertdutoit.com/2026/01/19/weight-loss-experts-predict-5-major-treatment-changes-likely-to-emerge-in-2026/

17/12/2025

Take a look at the most recent report from the World Health Organisation on Obesity & Over-Weight.

Obesity is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a chronic, relapsing disease arising from complex interactions between genetics, neurobiology, eating behaviours, access to healthy diet, market forces, and the broader environment.

In the last decades, obesity has expanded globally as countries have experienced greater food security, socioeconomic development, and shifts in diet, physical activity, and societal and individual behavior driven by globalization and industrialized food systems.

Read More: https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/12/17/obesity-and-overweight/

23/11/2025

What happens to your weight after quitting glp-1-anti-obesity drugs?

A major meta-analysis finds that patients who discontinue anti-obesity medications quickly regain weight, yet, crucially, they still retain some of their original weight loss a year later, spotlighting the challenges and promise of long-term obesity treatment.

Read more: https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/11/23/what-happens-to-your-weight-after-quitting-glp-1-anti-obesity-drugs/

25/10/2025

October is Cancer Awareness Month, we take a look at New imaging technology helps Stanford Medicine surgeons reduce repeat breast surgeries:

https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/10/25/new-imaging-technology-helps-stanford-medicine-surgeons-reduce-repeat-breast-surgeries/

28/09/2025

For many South Africans living with severe obesity, bariatric (metabolic) surgery is a safe, evidence-based treatment that does far more than help with weight loss. It can improve diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, fatty-liver disease and overall quality of life. But who truly qualifies—and how do we decide which operation is the best fit?

In this post, I’ll unpack the current criteria and outline how we tailor procedures to the individual, drawing on international guidelines and our team’s long-standing experience in Durban.

Read More: For many South Africans living with severe obesity, bariatric (metabolic) surgery is a safe, evidence-based treatment that does far more than help with weight loss. It can improve diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, fatty-liver disease and overall quality of life. But who truly qualifies—and how do we decide which operation is the best fit?

https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/09/28/who-actually-qualifies-for-bariatric-surgery-and-which-operation-fits-whom-2/

21/08/2025

https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/08/21/who-actually-qualifies-for-bariatric-surgery-and-which-operation-fits-whom/

Bariatric (metabolic) surgery isn’t a shortcut; it’s a medical treatment for a chronic disease. The latest indications broadened access because the evidence for health benefits is strong. In 2022, international guidelines from ASMBS/IFSO recommended surgery for anyone with a BMI ≥35 kg/m², regardless of comorbidities, and to consider it from BMI 30–34.9 kg/m² when metabolic disease (like type 2 diabetes) is present. PMC

21/07/2025

Anti-obesity medications can raise testosterone levels in men...Read more:
https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/07/21/anti-obesity-medications-can-raise-testosterone-levels-in-men/

The real bottom line here is - whether you use weight loss medications or weight-loss surgery or a hybrid between the two...as a man if you really want to increase your testosterone and your libido you need to start by loosing weight!

19/06/2025

Explore how Dr. Gert du Toit’s evidence-based bariatric surgery approach is helping South Africans achieve lasting weight loss and better health in the fight against the country’s growing obesity epidemic.: Read more: https://drgertdutoit.com/2025/06/19/bariatric-surgery-in-south-africa-a-life%e2%80%91changing-solution/

Explore how Dr. Gert du Toit’s evidence-based bariatric surgery approach is helping South Africans achieve lasting weight loss and better health in the fight against the country’s growing obesity epidemic.

20/05/2025

Bariatric surgery is more than a weight-loss tool—it’s a medical intervention that can dramatically improve your overall health and well-being. For many, this procedure offers a second chance at life, health, and happiness.:

Bariatric surgery is more than a weight-loss tool—it’s a medical intervention that can dramatically improve your overall health and well-being. For many, this procedure offers a second chance at life, health, and happiness. 1. It Helps Manage Chronic Diseases Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, ...

25/03/2025

Bariatric surgery reduces liver complications in obese patients with cirrhosis

Patients with obesity and fatty liver-related cirrhosis who had bariatric (weight-loss) surgery significantly lowered their future risk of developing serious liver complications compared with patients who received medical therapy alone. The results were published in Nature Medicine journal.

Read more:

  Bariatric surgery reduces liver complications in obese patients with cirrhosis Cleveland Clinic study shows that patients with obesity and fatty liver-related cirrhosis who had bariatric (weight-loss) surgery significantly lowered their future risk of developing serious liver complications compar...

18/02/2025

f you’ve been struggling with severe obesity and traditional weight loss methods haven’t worked, you might feel stuck. This is where bariatric surgery could be a life-changing solution:

  The start of a new year brings a chance for fresh beginnings, especially when it comes to setting health goals. Weight loss resolutions are often at the top of many people’s lists. However, sticking to these resolutions can be tough. Studies show that only a small number of people—less than 8...