Dr Ivor Funnell

21/07/2025

Bariatric patients have lower healthcare costs vs non-surgical counterparts out to five years

Bariatric surgery patients save nearly $2,500 annually in healthcare costs compared to non-surgical peers, according to a Duke University study. The long-term savings, driven by reduced medication use, especially benefit those with diabetes—highlighting both health and economic advantages of surgery over 5.5 years.

https://drivorfunnell.com/2025/07/21/bariatric-patients-have-lower-healthcare-costs-vs-non-surgical-counterparts-out-to-five-years/

19/06/2025

Find out how Dr. Ivor Funnell’s holistic bariatric surgery solutions address South Africa’s rising obesity crisis, offering safe, effective, and life-changing weight loss supported by expert multidisciplinary care.

Why Bariatric Surgery Should Be Part of the Conversation in South Africa... Read More: https://drivorfunnell.com/2025/06/19/why-bariatric-surgery-should-be-part-of-the-conversation-in-south-africa/

Find out how Dr. Ivor Funnell’s holistic bariatric surgery solutions address South Africa’s rising obesity crisis, offering safe, effective, and life-changing weight loss supported by expert multidisciplinary care.

20/05/2025

Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You? A Guide to Eligibility and Expectations
Bariatric surgery isn’t just about losing weight—it’s about reclaiming your health. But it’s not for everyone. Let’s explore who qualifies, what’s expected, and how to know if it’s the right step for you:

Bariatric surgery isn’t just about losing weight—it’s about reclaiming your health. But it’s not for everyone. Let’s explore who qualifies, what’s expected, and how to know if it’s the right step for you. 1. Are You a Candidate? You’re typically eligible if: 2. Are You Mentally Prepa...

21/04/2025

South Africa is facing a significant obesity challenge, with a national obesity risk score of 8/10.¹ Here are some key statistics:

21/04/2025

Obesity in South Africa: Rates and Percentages
South Africa is facing a significant obesity challenge, with a national obesity risk score of 8/10.¹ Here are some key statistics:

South Africa is facing a significant obesity challenge, with a national obesity risk score of 8/10.¹ Here are some key statistics:

25/03/2025

Understanding Ghrelin: The Hunger Hormone

This month, we’re diving into hormones—not the ones that make you fall in love, but the ones that regulate your appetite.

Ghrelin, often called the "hunger hormone," signals your brain when it’s time to eat, while leptin does the opposite by telling your body when you’re full. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at ghrelin—how it works, what affects its levels, and how you can manage it for better appetite control.

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Ghrelin is a hormone your stomach produces and releases. It signals your brain when your stomach is empty and it’s time to eat. Ghrelin levels increase between mealtimes and decrease when your stomach is full. People who have obesity often have low ghrelin levels, while people who significantly re...

17/02/2025

After bariatric surgery you are recommended to eliminate eating from drinking. You have to drink your liquids at least for 30 minutes before a meal, and for 30 minutes after a meal. People ask, is it forever? Yes, it is forever.

After bariatric surgery you are recommended to eliminate eating from drinking. You have to drink your liquids at least for 30 minutes before a meal, and for 30 minutes after a meal. People ask, is it forever? Yes, it is forever.  Here’s why it’s not recommended to eat and drink together after b...

15/01/2025

THE BIG DEBATE: OZEMPIC VS. BARIATRIC
https://drivorfunnell.com/2025/01/14/the-big-debate-ozempic-vs-bariatric-surgery/
Durban Bariatric Surgery

There has been a lot of talk lately regarding Ozempic and whether or not it will replace bariatric surgery as a weight-loss treatment. The short answer to that question is No. No, it will not be replacing Bariatric Surgery any time soon. Certainly not in South Africa.

Send a message to learn more

09/12/2024

It's the start of the festive season and we all know that it is a time of overindulgence. With that in mind here is a " gentile reminder" of the Consequences of Obesity:

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and impaired quality of life it is an important underlying cause for number of serious and chronic disease conditions Risks to psychological and social well-being Difficulties with day-to-day living Source Credit: https://www.ifso.com/conseq...

18/11/2024

Do you suffer from high blood pressure and obesity?
Weight-loss surgery may help people with obesity better manage high blood pressure:

People with obesity who had weight-loss surgery were able to better manage their high blood pressure in the long term than those using medications and lifestyle changes, a new analysis finds. The research, being presented Friday at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions...

12/10/2024

Bariatric surgery more effective and durable than new obesity drugs and lifestyle intervention. A recent study of medical literature between 2020 and 2024 show that bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic or weight-loss surgery, produces the greatest and most sustained weight loss compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists and lifestyle interventions.

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Systematic reviews of medical literature between 2020 and 2024 show that bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic or weight-loss surgery, produces the greatest and most sustained weight loss compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists and lifestyle interventions. The study was presented today at the Ameri...

14/09/2024

People considering weight-loss surgery often ask if it is possible to safely incorporate alcohol into a healthy diet and lifestyle after surgery. The short answer is “yes,” but gradually and with modifications. Below are reasons why:
https://drivorfunnell.com/2024/09/14/can-you-drink-alcohol-after-weight-loss-surgery/