Weight Loss

Currently, in Australia, it is estimated that around 12 million people, or 1 in 3 people, are overweight or obese, based on their body mass index (BMI). Carrying excess body fat can increase your risk of a number of chronic health problems including diabetes, cardiovascular/heart disease and various cancers.

By actively losing weight, particularly excess body fat, you can dramatically reduce your risk of developing these diseases and improve your overall health including optimising blood pressure, cholesterol levels and the need to take medications.

There are many different ways to lose weight and reduce excess body fat including:

• Adopting healthy eating practices and watching portion sizes
• Calorie-controlled meal plans
• Ketogenic diets (low carbohydrate)
• The 5:2 diet (includes two days of very low-calorie intake – ‘fasting’)
• Rapid weight loss programs
• Slow and steady weight loss programs

How can PPN dietitians help you on your weight loss journey?

Our dietitians are there to provide ongoing support and accountability to those seeking weight loss advice. We can help you to make healthy food and lifestyle choices and design tailored meal programs for you and your family that meet your weight loss goals. We will ensure your eating habits and food choices are nutritionally complete, to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies and provide your body with the fuel it needs to function at a high level.

Our goal is to help you not only lose body weight, but to reduce harmful levels of visceral ‘toxic’ fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. At each consultation we will complete a full body composition assessment to measure your levels of body fat, muscle mass, bone mass and metabolic age.

We are here to provide encouragement and motivation throughout your weight loss journey and help you to achieve the results you are after.

Weight Gain

Gaining lean body weight is a slow process that can take months to achieve. There are numerous reasons for a lower body weight which include:

• Genetics
• Not eating enough
• Overexercising
• Illness or medical condition that makes it difficult to maintain weight

Being underweight usually results from consuming less energy than what is being used. Therefore in order to gain weight you need to eat more. In order for this to occur in a healthy way food choices need to be as nutrient-rich as possible to support overall health.

How can PPN dietitians help with weight gain?

PPN dietitians can undertake a full dietary and exercise assessment as well as a body composition analysis and create a plan to assist with increasing calorie intake by utilising a high protein high energy diet. We will help set realistic expectations of weight gain based on individual circumstances and adjust the diet to maximise calorie intake to ensure adequate nutrition.

Bariatric Surgery

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, includes a number of procedures designed for obese and morbidly obese people. This surgery helps them to lose weight as well as keep it off.

Weight loss surgery includes:

Gastric Band

Gastric band surgery involves the insertion of a silicone band at the top of the stomach. This reduces the size of the stomach and also slows the transit of food.

Gastric Sleeve

A sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve surgery) involves the removal of part of your stomach (approximately two thirds), which creates a pouch or sleeve.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery involves redirecting the gastrointestinal tract. The goal is to bypass the stomach and create a small pouch in the small intestine. The initial part of the small intestine is also bypassed. Because of this, fats and sugars are poorly absorbed, decreasing your body’s calorie absorption.

It is extremely important to optimise your nutritional status pre- and post-surgery, so as to prevent the development of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

How can PPN dietitians help with bariatric surgery?

Our dietitians have experience in all types of bariatric surgery. We understand the preparation required prior to surgery as well as during the recovery period. We will also educate and guide you through the different dietary stages and ensure you are meeting your nutritional requirements. This is important to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. We also provide ongoing support to ensure that you are receiving adequate nutrition in significantly reduced food volumes, as well as provide appropriate meal and recipe ideas.