Good Morning I was booked into see Circle of Care in Feb 2011 but unexpectantly fell pregnant with my first baby and had to cancel. I am still quite set on having the procedure and was wodnering how long after giving birth (I plan on a natural one) would I be able to have another look at surgery.

You can continue all the appropriate lifestyle changes for weight loss (eating smaller, healthy meals and exercising regularly) while you are pregnant, and our team can provide you with support during that time, too.

Life with a new baby is challenging enough at the best of times: you will know when you are ready for tackling the requirements of surgery better than any one else. From a purely surgical point of view, I would recommend waiting at least six weeks before having an operation. Remember that the operation is probably the least of your challenges at that time, though!

At Circle of Care we are looking for potential candidates for the latest Clinical Trials in weight loss. Please contact us on 02 9639 1033 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out more or to register your details.

Watch the videos to see what a few of our surgeons discuss the Circle of Care program.

Find out more by seeing what some of our patients say about Circle of Care >>

We simply can’t say it any better than our own patients. Read what they have to say, not only about us but their< procedure and outcomes. We’re already looking forward to adding your comments here one day soon...
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It will be our pleasure to guide you through the first steps to a new you!
The Institute of Weight Control is proud to have helped thousands
of people regain control of their weight and enjoy a happier, healthier, longer life.
Our Sydney clinics offer world-class care and expertise,
assisting you with a holistic treatment regime.

Find out how to Get started, or Read our Patient Stories here.

This short video will introduce you to some of our patients. Let them tell you how they started their Weight Loss journey and hear what a difference it’s made to their lives.

Patient Information Seminars will be held at our Baulkham Hills clinic.

Please call (02) 9639 1033 to book, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Gastric banding has given me back my life!

I'm 55 years old and really have been somewhat over weight for most of those years, but became really obese in my thirties. I spent thousands of dollars at Weight Watches, Slim U, Jenny Craig, on joining and rejoining and then joining again, at dieticians and chemists on special food, encouragement tapes, diet drinks and wonder pills. I could manage to lose 10 to 15 kilos sometimes but within months it would be all back on with a few extra kilos each time. By now I was terrified to go on another diet because I would just fail again and gain more weight on this terrible merry go round. Eventually I weighed 118 kilos, was in size 24 to 26 clothes, had so much pain in my knees that I could hardly walk and my blood pressure was so high even after 5 tablets a day that I was in danger of having a stroke or heart attack. 

I started hearing stories about this new idea of gastric banding. I saw a show on T.V. and so I sent for some literature. My daughter accessed the internet and printed me off heaps of information. I thought about it for 3 years. I moved out of Sydney and convinced myself that I could lose the weight once I changed my lifestyle and settled in to our new home at Lake Macquarie.

I gained 6 kilos!
I rang the Institute of Weight Control. I spoke with Laurita and I was treated with genuine interest and respect. My questions were answered and I made an appointment. She rang me before the appointment date to make sure that I was Ok about coming down from Newcastle. My first meeting with Dr Brancatisano was amazing, with both my husband and I asking questions that were answered honestly and easily. My husband was impressed with the fact that the operation was both reversible and adjustable. My obesity was being treated as a serious and legitemit problem and not a joke! I was really nervous and somewhat sceptical about the claims of success of the band, and so afraid of failing yet again, but I drew some inner strength from somewhere and went ahead with it.

I was operated on the 29th of August 2004. Everything went well and I was treated so well by all the staff. I found the notes provided by the Institute invaluable and I followed them word for word. I must say I hated the puree weeks and I had some trouble drinking as much as I was supposed to, but by Christmas 2004 I was 17 kilos lighter.

The best thing is that this is a liveable lifestyle, I feel that I don't miss out on anything. The band allows me to be successful at lifestyle changes that I could not cope with before. November 2005, and I have now lost 31 kilos and still losing. I walk 3 to 4 times a week for 45 minutes (first time in my life) because I'm able to do it. I still eat most my meals from a small plate, as this seems to help me realise what I eat. I still have to slow my eating down sometimes, as old habits die hard. I enjoy a glass of wine or 2, but now I always drink before I eat and I have 2 wine free days a week. An extra bonus for me was that I met a wonderful lady through this operation who happens to come from the Hunter as well and we have been great support for each other and travel down to Baulkham Hills together comparing notes all the way.

I must have been addicted to food....especially take away, salty food. I used to crave some foods, think about them all day, wait for the next meal. This has stopped.....I feel like Dr Brancatisano has operated on my head! I can't tolerate salty or oily food anymore. I don't finish a normal 'pub meal' anymore, but eat what I want and then push the plate away happy knowing that I have paid for the right to leave some on my plate! Food does not rule my life anymore...I do!

Many thanks to Dr Roy Brancatisano and staff for making this all possible for me.

Sandra Banister