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Nicola Drabble - Bariatric Dietitian South Africa

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Johannesburg
Nicola Drabble - Bariatric Dietitian South Africa

I specialize in bariatric surgery, obesity, diabetes, gastroentology and group wellness programs Hello! I’m Nicola. Perfection! It was hard work but a lot of fun.

I was first introduced to dietetics at a careers evening at my school when I was in Grade 9. I met a dietitian there and after hearing about what she does, I thought it was the perfect job for me – I get to help people and talk about food all day! After practicing for 23 years, I still love what I do. My career started at the end of 2000, 2 days after writing my final exams, I flew over to Switzerland where I worked as a private chalet girl, preparing menu plans, doing budgets and cooking 3 course meals for up to 20 guests. I did that for a couple of winter seasons and in the summer and for the 8 years that followed, I worked in the NHS in the UK seeing inpatient surgical patients and outpatient clinics working with obesity, weight loss, diabetes, gastroenterology. After many grey rainy days in the UK, in 2008 I moved to sunny Spain and had a private practice working alongside a surgeon who was practicing Bariatric Surgery. I loved this field of medicine as it was a marriage of my two loves – surgery and diseases of lifestyle. It was there that I started to specialize in bariatric surgery. I moved back to South Africa in April 2010 and joined an internationally accredited bariatric center. I’m an anti diet dietitian - I don’t even have a scale in my office. You wouldn’t think that with my specialities! I like to focus on overall health, centimeters, gut health, sleep and energy ensuring you can live your best life. After working with so many different people over the years, and acknowledging how hard it is to change lifestyle habits, I have put together a 12 Fixes to Healthy group challenge. Small changes, made over a 12 week period are sustainable in the long term and will help improve overall quality of life, energy levels, concentration, boost gut health, loose centimeters and age well. So get some friends together and look out for those starting days! My other loves are my two kids, Maya (5) and Jordan (2), my husband Jono who is my #1 cheerleader, triathlons, mountain biking, travelling and of course all things food! I’d love to hear from you,
Nicola

nicoladrabble@gmail.com

28/08/2025

Hi, I’m Nicola 👋

I’m a Bariatric Dietitian (qualified in 2000, specialising in bariatrics since 2008 – yes it’s a long time) so I’ve worked in high-volume bariatric centres for nearly two decades!

I’m also a mom to Maya & Jordan, and my fur babies Nala & Rio 🐾

A few fun facts:
🍞 I love bread so much that my husband proposed at a bread-making workshop
🥛 I can’t live without tea, cereal, and all things dairy.
🥜 I tell patients daily to use peanut butter for protein… but I can’t even stand the smell!

My husband, Jonathan, is my biggest cheerleader — and me his 💕
After years of struggling with his weight, he had a in July 2024. Ten months later, he took 45 minutes off his 70.3 Ironman time 🚴🏊‍♂️🏃‍♂️! He has just finished his coaching course, and is already training some of my post op bariatric patients, one of which did her first 21km in 2 hours 32min!

If you are a beginner and looking to getting into running, cycling, swimming or even triathlons, then he is your man! No words can tell you how proud I am of him ✨️

I became a dietitian to help people and I’ve never seen anything help people as much as bariatric surgery. That’s why I love what I do. Not just to help you lose weight… but to help you gain confidence, self-trust, and freedom to live fully again. You don’t need rules that make life smaller — you need tools that make life bigger 🤸🏻‍♀️

💬 If you’re new here, say hi in the comments so I can meet you! And if you’ve been here a while — thank you. YOU are my why 💫

PS this is one of my all-time best songs!

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25/08/2025

Regaining weight after bariatric surgery isn’t failure — it’s feedback.

When pieces of the post-op puzzle are missing, it can show up as:
⚠️ Stalls
⚠️ Cravings (especially for sweets)
⚠️ Weight regain
But → you’re not broken, you just need the full picture.

My 6 week course You Only Better. Your bariatric wellness blueprint, is NOT a diet or 6 weeks of unaffordable foods and meal plans!

It’s a wellness program that puts every missing puzzle piece back in place - your blueprint for food freedom and confidence post-op PLUS group support from like minded patients who want the best out of their surgery.

📲 DM me “FREEDOM” or WhatsApp me to join the September course because you didn’t come this far to only come this far 💫

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22/08/2025

Maya thought this was the best thing ever and was so excited, and Jordy refused to eat it!

We have breakfast for supper often! No masterchefs here, just quick, easy nutritious meals!

Add grated cheese to increase your protein and have some mushrooms and tomatoes for your veg! (And of course the wholewheat carb)

Do you know which book it is? Hint: It's a classic!

17/07/2025

One week to go!

Join us for our FREE webinar session
Date: Thursday 24th July
Time: 7pm

The theme of this months’ “Ask us anything”: Navigating the emotional and relational journey of bariatric surgery.

Register via the link on the Obesity Community Fund Website (Link in Bio)

We are here to support you on your bariatric journey

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb

03/07/2025

I posted this last year for winter but find myself sending it to so many patients as the months get colder so thought I'd repost it!

While some of you maybe off soups for life after your liquid phase, in this cold weather you may start thinking of including it again. Bearing in mind, there is no need to liquidize it after the first 2 weeks post op

Here are some quick and easy ways to increase the protein of your favourite soups. Ive used the woolies soup but baring in mind you can get these soups at most supermarkets. Just remember to read the label. You are aiming for less than 3-5g fat oer 100g...

Enjoy and keep warm

PS you can use these combinations in your pre and post op diets too - just liquidize them!

12/05/2025

❗There are a lot of misconceptions about bariatric surgery

🤔 Previously there was an operation called the JIB, which was causing continuous diarrhoea, malnutrition, and in some cases death. This operation is actually illegal now but unfortunately other surgeries have been tarred with the same brush.

🚧 Safety Stats for Bariatric Surgery:
• Mortality rate is approximately 0.1% (1 in 1,000), which is lower than gallbladder surgery (0.7%) and comparable to or safer than hip replacement surgery (0.3%).
• Long-term, the benefits far outweigh the risks, with significant reductions in obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and heart disease.
• According to the ASMBS, bariatric surgery is one of the safest surgeries performed today, especially when done laparoscopically by an experienced bariatric team.
🇿🇦 In South Africa, make sure your bariatric team is SAMMSS accredited.

🍽️ Most op the side effects you may have heard about like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, low energy and weight regain are ALL dietary related.
Compliance with your bariatric diet, will reward you with an increase in the quality of your life and by doing things you never dreamt you were able to do 💫

24/01/2025

Turns out ChatGPT knows there’s no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss!

🍴 Diets can be trendy, but what matters most is getting a balance of whole foods and switching your thoughts from quick weight loss to long term health gains (weight loss is a by product of this!)

What’s a diet trend you’ve tried (or thought about trying)? Drop it in the comments for a laugh—or a ‘me too’ moment! 😂

PS even though ChatGPT mentions wine in the Mediterranean diet, post op bariatric patients must be cautious of their alcohol consumption.

10/12/2024

It's taken a few months, but I finally have the replays of my webinars online!

I'm sure you will have a little extra time during the holidays to watch my free webinars. You can go to my website www.nicoladrabble.co.za (link in bio).

Happy watching - you are welcome to DM me if you have any questions!

05/12/2024

✨ As 2024 comes to an end, I’m reflecting on my journey and my “why.” ✨

When I created this course, my vision was to give back to the incredible community of post-op bariatric patients. My goal was to make expert guidance, support, and education accessible and affordable—so that more patients could achieve their health and lifestyle dreams.

These testimonials are a reminder of why I do what I do. Thank you to my incredible course members who trusted me with their post-op journeys. Watching you thrive and transform has been a highlight of my year.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, let’s make 2025 the year you take control of your health and well-being. 🌟

Address

Intercare Sandton, 200 Rivonia Road
Johannesburg

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 19:00
Wednesday	08:30 - 19:00
Thursday	08:30 - 19:00

Telephone

+27791533262

Website

http://www.nicoladrabble.co.za/

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