We are thrilled to announce the return of our popular Free Weight Loss Information Seminars in an in-person format at our new location, The George Centre. Since 2012, these seminars have been a cornerstone of our service, providing valuable insights and support to those considering weight loss surgery. 

Our seminars began a decade ago, with the goal of educating and empowering individuals on their weight loss journey. The seminars quickly became a sought-after resource, offering expert advice, indepth discussion, and a platform for questions and answers. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved to online webinars via Zoom but now we are thrilled to reconnect face-to-face, offering a more personal and interactive experience.

These seminars are more than just informational sessions; they are a starting point for your transformative journey. Whether you are just beginning to consider weight loss surgery or seeking deeper insights, we welcome you to join us at The George Centre.

Click here to read more about our weight loss surgery seminars, available dates and how to book. 

We are excited to share some wonderful news with you! In our continuous effort to enhance our healthcare services, we have expanded our practice to a new location. Alongside our Campbelltown consulting rooms, we are now also consulting and operating at The George Centre, located in the beautiful area of Gledswood Hills.

New Practice Location Details:

Location: Suite 14, The George Centre, Gledswood Hills,  
Consulting Days: Mondays and Wednesdays

Convenient Parking Options:

We understand the importance of convenience when it comes to accessing medical care. That's why we're pleased to inform you that The George Centre offers ample parking facilities. You can choose from:

On-Site Car Park Building: Easily accessible and provides quick access to our facilities.

On-Street Parking: Available in the vicinity of the hospital for those who prefer this option.

Booking Your Appointment:

Scheduling your appointment at The George Centre is easy. You can contact our main office on 024625 4745, and our staff will be happy to assist you with booking consultations or operations at this new location.

Ali Zarrouk is a New Zealand and Australia trained surgeon based in the Macarthur region in south west Sydney. He specializes in Laparoscopic, Upper GI and Obesity Surgery. 

He operates at Campbelltown Public and Campbelltown Private Hospitals. Dr Zarrouk is also a senior lecturer at the University of Western Sydney. 

He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is a member of Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand (OSSANZ) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).

In the years 2008 to 2010, Ali Zarrouk completed two post specialization fellowships:

• Upper GI and Obesity Surgery fellowship at St George Hospital, Sydney
• Upper GI Cancer Surgery fellowsip at Bankstown Hosptial, Sydney

Ali Zarrouk is a supervisor of the local Australian Surgical Trainee Registrars and medical students at Campbelltown Hosptial. 

Dr Rachel Kirby is a laparoscopic upper gastrointestinaI and bariatric surgeon based in Campbelltown, NSW.

Dr Kirby graduated with honours from University College Dublin in Ireland in 2005. She completed her MRCSI (Ireland) surgical exams in 2008 and emigrated to Australia. She completed her general surgical training in 2015 obtaining her General Surgical Fellowship having rotated through Liverpool and St.George hospital network. Dr Kirby subsequently completed a two year fellowship program in mixed hepatobiliary and upper Gi units in Melbourne and RPA Hospital in Sydney.

She is a member of ANZHPBA ,ANZMOSS and is GESA accredited. She has presented her research projects at both national and international meetings and is active in teaching.

Dr Kirby is dedicated to providing the best in patient care.

Alison is a Registered Nurse, graduating in 2007 from University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Nursing.

She has over 10 years experience in both medical and surgical nursing and has worked in both public
and private hospitals.
Since 2015, Alison has been working in Campbelltown Private Hospital looking after a variety of post
operative patients but has developed a keen interest in obesity surgeries and the pre + post operative
management of baraitric surgery patients.

You will see Alison from your first appointment onwards. 

What is Grazing?

Grazing or snacking is a habitual behaviour of eating small meals and snacks all day in-between or instead of full meals, in other terms, it is eating little and often. Grazing is an important cause of obesity and it also can develop insidiously after weight loss surgery.

How Does Grazing Affect My Weight Loss After Surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy is an effective weight loss operation. Many patients often report increased burping or beltching after the gastric sleeve. In this article I describe burping, its association with sleeve gastrectomy and ways to manage it.

There is no question that weight loss surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. The goals of surgery are:

1. Significant and durable weight loss
2. Resolution or improvement of obesity related health conditions
3. Improvement in quality of life

Successful Weight Loss

Weight loss surgery is considered successful when a patient loses 50% or more of the excess weight. 

Here is how the calculations are done.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when stomach acid or content flow back into the oesophgus. This acid irritates the lining of the oesophagus and causes heartburn and regurgitation.

GORD and Obesity

GORD occurs in about 20% of the general population.  Obesity is a known risk factor for GORD, hiatus hernia, ulceration in oesophagus and cancer of the oesophagus. Approximately 60-80% of patients undergoing weight-loss surgery have symptoms of acid reflux and about 15% will have a hiatus hernia. This is because obesity causes a chronic increase in the intra-abdominal pressure and this induces reflux (back-flow) of stomach content through the weakened lower oesophageal valve. The increased abdominal pressure also leads to delayed emptying of the stomach into the intestine and pushes the stomach through the oesophageal opening in the diaphragm resutling in a hiatus hernia. Thus increasing the chance for acid reflux into the oesophagus. 

GORD after Sleeve Gastrectomy