North Eastern Weight Loss - Bendigo

Has extensive training in advanced minimally invasive surgery as applied to the upper abdomen and abdominal wall. He has a particular interest in laparoscopic surgery involving the stomach and oesophagus.

Is a bariatric surgery specialist and offers the full range of surgical solutions to weight loss including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion as well as revisional surgery.

Trained in minimally invasive and upper gastrointestinal surgery and has specialised in weight loss surgery since 2003. His specialist training includes two years in the UK learning advanced laparosopic surgery.

Has extensive experience in all the key bariatric procedures including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and stomach stapling. He is a member of the executive council of the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand (OSSANZ). His current projects include research on maladaptive dietary changes after gastric banding and applications of robotic surgery to the field of bariatrics.

Is an accredited practising dietitian with nearly 20 years experience in bariatric surgery ranging from stapling, banding and bypass, to more recently, the sleeve gastrectomy. Merril is an active member of the DAA obesity interest group and the convenor of the ‘Dietitians Working in Bariatric Surgery’ group.

First dietitian member appointed to the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and NZ (OSSANZ) executive, a role that further promotes the importance of Allied Health team members in improving outcomes for bariatric patients.