Patient testimonials
My decision to have weight loss surgery has had a profound affect on
my life. I believe that all aspects of my life have improved and would
find it hard to think of a downside to having surgery. The frustration
of years of dieting recedes into the memory banks, and I now just begun to
enjoy life once again. I have no regrets apart from not making the
decision earlier to have surgery.
Mrs C.M. aged 50
My only regret is that I did not do this at least 10 years ago. I feel so much more confident, happier, fit and healthier. I would recommend this surgery to anyone. Regarding the cost I considered it as an investment in the rest of my life. I do believe if I had carried on the way I was I would not have been around in five years’ time.
Mrs D.R. Aged 41
Surgery was worth every cent it cost. I couldn't believe how well and pain free I was in the days immediately following surgery, and even better, I didn’t have to take Metformin for my borderline Type 2 diabetes. In fact, my insulin levels are now that of a normal person and I no longer have to attend the Diabetic Clinic. I can walk up Wellesley Street by AUT without getting out of breath. Both Grant and Liz are only an email away and respond to any questions or concerns promptly.
Ms K.A. Aged 56
The surgery was completely painless and I was back at work in a week. I had some muscular weakness afterwards, but was never sick. I lost over 30kg in the first 6 months.
Mr J.S. Aged 56
Having weight loss surgery has changed my life and I wish that I had been able to have the surgery years ago. I had a complication with my surgery but the follow up and care was fantastic. I was in safe hands and well cared for. It takes some time to recover and begin eating normally again but it does happen and the follow up appointments were reassuring. I was guided through the stages and whenever I had a concern these were dealt with quickly. Thanks for everything.
Mrs M.F. Aged 62
With insulins and other medications I not only found my weight was
going up but increasingly hard to shift in spite of good eating habits
and exercise. I found both the surgeon and dietician incredibly
helpful and approachable. The surgery was straightforward with no
complications or infections, something which - as a diabetic - is unusual
for me. Followup with Richard post surgery was empathetic, helpful and
again straightforward. There were no negative surprises.
Mrs D.C. aged 57
My experience with Auckland Weight Loss Surgery has been positive, and
the procedure so far a complete success. I am enjoying an improved
lifestyle and have been freed from the tyranny of dieting by the
simple mechanism of reduced capacity. The surgeon and team have been
approachable, friendly and very professional. If you come to the
conclusion that a permanent physical solution is the only answer for
you then I would highly recommend Auckland Weight Loss Surgery.
Mrs P.B. aged 54
Since deciding to have surgery and having had it I have lost a total
of 35kg. My life is so different from a few short months ago. Auckland
Weight Loss Surgery made it all so simple. I have absolutely no regrets
at all. I run and do things I hadn't done in years. My only regret is I
should have done the surgery years ago and saved myself a lot of heartache.
Mrs J.P. aged 42
The Auckland Weight Loss Surgery staff are professionals who take
particular personal care of patients. Whether dealing with the
surgeon, anaesthetist, dietician or nurse, information is relayed
clearly; you are kept informed; and the best outcome for you is
pursued where possible. Auckland Weight Loss Surgery has far
exceeded my expectations, and I thank Dr Babor and his team
for their work and kindness.
Mrs J.M. aged 48
I had tried many different ways to loose weight and, although they
mostly worked, none of them allowed me to keep the weight off. I am
pleased that I chose to have the surgery when I did ( I was a size
22-24 and weighed about 106kg) as I think my skin has been able to
shrink with me, mostly. I am happier in myself, able to exercise more
easily and enjoy it better. As of this weekend I am now a size 12.
My confidence has also improved as I see myself as 'not different'
Ms B.W. aged 56
This surgery has changed my life!
I have always struggled with excess weight and after having my
children it became impossible to budge. In fact, despite doing Weight
Watchers and taking Reductil and doing heaps of cardio exercise,
to my horror my weight was slowly inching up. I felt helpless,
frustrated and unable to control my own body. I was looking
ahead to a future of getting heavier and heavier and the
thought was appalling.
Ten months ago I had a total meltdown over my weight and over
how self-conscious I was over it to the point that I couldn't bear
to go to a family BBQ that afternoon where a super slim personal
trainer aunt would be attending. That was the catalyst I
needed to start looking at more drastic options.
Fortunately I had the support of my wonderful husband and
were searched it together, eventually deciding that the gastric
sleeve was the right surgery for me. I had my surgery at the start of
six months ago and haven't looked back since! My BMI is now
under 24 and I am fitting size 10 & 8 clothing. I have more energy,
more confidence, and more zest for life.
It has been a hugely life-changing experience and one that I am so
grateful and happy that I was able to go through.
Every day has little milestones, such as having to remove a link
from my watch or buying a dress that looks even more
sensational on me than it does on the hanger. I love my gastric sleeve
and I love the new life that it has given me! And so do my husband and
sons as I have so much more energy and joie de vivre to pour back into
our family life now that I have been unshackled from the difficulty
and frustration of dealing with obesity.
Mrs K.B.
Auckland Weight Loss Surgery has been transformational physically and
emotionally. Improvements to selfconfidence and self motivation have
created positive changes in me and in my family’s lives.
Mr J.M. aged 44
I would recommend the gastric sleeve operation. I have found it very
good. I eat similar foods to what I have always eaten, but less of
them. The weight really dropped off.
Mr J.B. aged 48
Having this surgery has changed my life. As the weight drops off, I
feel energised and happy about the way I look for the first time in a
very long time. I get compliments all the time, which is great for my
self esteem. I am enjoying exercising and just feel fantastic! This
surgery is a journey but really worth it! I would recommend it to
anyone that has struggled with their weight. Go for it!
Mrs K.J. aged 50
What a year it’s been. A fantastic, joyful amazing year of discovery and
re-discovery.
So I’ll take this from the morning of surgery. I weighed
in at 120kg (264lbs). I was strangely calm, yet quiet and reflective.
I knew this was something that I wanted to do. I had thought about it and
planned for it and whilst I didn’t have a goal weight in mind, I had goals.
That’s what kept me focussed.
Flying for me was not only uncomfortable, but painful and embarrassing.
So my first and most important goal was to fly with ‘relative’ comfort
back to South Africa in time for my mother's 95th birthday.
Next I wanted to kayak with my husband. I wanted to dance but I
didn’t have the puff or the stamina to lug my weight around.
I used to love windsurfing but I could not longer haul myself onto the board,
which meant that if I fell off while offshore I wouldn’t be able to get
back on again. I used to ice-skate, but I wasn’t even able to do
the boots up. Let alone skiing, which I had never done before.
So how did things change? The weight started to drop off after my
gastric sleeve operation. Six weeks after surgery I started Zumba classes.
I was the oldest, fattest and most uncoordinated there, but I didn’t care.
As time went on I shrank and learnt the moves, and my increase in
stamina meant I could outdance some of the younger ones!! I started to get into
clothes that I had kept in suitcases for years. Then with Spring came
kayaking, nervously at first and then with growing confidence. (Now I
have my own kayak - plastic not cedar - but still fast). Then I gave
windsurfing a go.
Our trip back to South Africa was amazing, right from the first when
I fitted into the airline seat. A precious memory is a microlight
flight over the Victoria Falls ; a year ago I wouldn’t have made the
weight restrictions. On New Year’s day I did a paraglide off Lion’s Head,
part of the Table Mountain range in Cape Town. So beautiful, it truly was
like flying - breath-taking. Again a year ago I wouldn’t have
met the weight restrictions, let alone been able to manage the hike up
to the takeoff point. And I wore shorts!!!
I went for a horse ride along the beach with my husband and daughter.
I had not been on a horse for about 20 years. I hadn’t want to subject a horse to my
weight - animal cruelty and all that. Riding up through the dunes and
along the cliff edge, watching a pod of dolphins frolicking in the
waves was a truly magical experience. For my mother’s 95th birthday. I was
delighted to keep my promise.
Since our return to New Zealand I have started rowing. I have
noticed an increase in muscle tone and stamina. I can fit into a
wetsuit that was custom-made for me 30 years ago. I went rollerblading
along Tamaki Drive... I have started skiing and love it.
What are some of the other changes? Although I considered myself a
generally positive person, I didn’t expect the increase in self-
confidence and baseline happiness to crank up a few notches. People
remark on my ‘presence’ and how I carry myself and interact. I have
developed a cross-addiction - clothes-shopping. Fortunately I am a
bargain-hunter and seldom pay the full price for anything. I seek out
sales or buy secondhand designer outfits.
What are the negatives? I vomited water three weeks after surgery
after unthinkingly gulping it down. And then at five months, I vomited
after bolting down steak and drinking water afterwards. And then I had
a bout of gout. I manage it by drinking water and eating cherries if I
get a tingle; I haven’t taken any medication for it. My hair started to
thin from about three to six months after the operation, but I was the only
one who noticed. Loose skin – who cares? I don’t.
The only part that others see is on my arms.
Regrets? Only that I didn’t do this years ago. If I had started the process sooner I
could have got it done for free through the local district health
board instead of paying for it myself, but I don’t regret the investment in
getting a life. Richard, Liz and Craig were great. Oh, and by the way,
I’ve lost 50.9kg (112lbs) since surgery and 63.4kg (139.5lbs) since my
heaviest ever and now weigh 69.1kg (152lbs). My BMI is now 24.8. I
haven’t seen those numbers since the mid-1980s.
Mrs F.T. aged 50
I have been overweight all of my life that I can remember. I have
tried several diets over the years and found nothing really seemed to
work. I found when I got disheartened with the lack of results I ended up
putting on any weight I had lost and more.
Two of my family members got referred by their doctor for various health
reasons to have the surgery so then when I saw the amazing differences
in their lives I wanted that too. I wanted the surgeon who had done my
Dad because he did such a fantastic job with him so I tracked him down
at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery. That surgeon was Richard Babor.
I (along with my dad) cannot speak more highly of Richard if we tried.
He is the most fantastic surgeon I have ever come across. He is highly
skilled and competent at what he does; totally trustworthy to have your
life in his hands.
Aside from his professionalism and skills, he is a genuinely nice, caring
person all-round. He puts you at ease about everything throughout
every step from the initial consultations to the surgery to the follow-up
afterward. You are not just another number to Richard: he empathises with
your situation and he wants to do all he can for you to help you better your life.
Richard is passionate about what he does and seeing people's lives
changed for the better.
Working alongside Richard is his lovely nurse Yvonne & dietician
Liz. All three of them are lovely caring competent people who make a
great team. I highly recommend Auckland Weight Loss Surgery Centre to
help you make a positive change in your life. I am so happy. I'm
loving life and would recommend this surgery to anyone.
Ms C.H. aged 34
I felt very comfortable discussing my weight issues with Richard
Babor. He was very helpful about the different options of weight loss
surgery. I had a gastric band that I had had in for 2 years with no
success (was fitted elsewhere) Richard did surgery to remove the
gastric band and I am now on the waiting list through the public
system to have a gastric sleeve with Richard. I would recommend
Richard to anyone thinking of having weight loss surgery.
Ms S.K. aged 31
Choosing Auckland Weight Loss Surgery was the best decision
I have ever made. Richard Babor unequivocally understands
weight and food issues. He is a fantastic surgeon and his support
and rapport makes the whole experience straightforward and
relatively painless. I cannot recommend Auckland Weight Loss
surgey highly enough.
Mrs K.T. aged 50
After wanting this surgery for many years I can highly recommend this
to any person who has struggled with weight issues. I wish I had done
it sooner. Richard Babor was a great surgeon who answered all my
questions before and after surgery. Since starting the liquid opti
fast diet and the having my gastric sleeve surgery five months ago, I can
finally say I have lost over 30 kgs and my weight according to my BMI
is normal weight range. I am more confident now. I am always smiling
and love the new refreshed relationship I have with my family. My
children can finally put their arms around me! Thank you.
Mrs C.E. aged 37
