Weight Loss Program in Melbourne
Dr Kaleb Lourensz offers assessment for surgical and non-surgical weight management, with consultations in Windsor and Moorabbin. He works with Dietitian Louise Becroft to help you consider your options and plan ongoing care.
Your starting point is an individual assessment of your health, previous treatment and goals. You do not need to have decided on surgery before making an appointment. The summaries below explain where each pathway fits, with links to the full information.
Weight loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery. Dr Lourensz offers both surgical and non-surgical pathways, with the same team supporting your ongoing care.
Explore your treatment options
Comparing weight loss operations
An introduction to sleeve, bypass, band revision and other revisional surgery. The choice depends on your history, health and individual assessment.
Compare weight loss surgery options
Gastric sleeve
An operation that reduces the size of the stomach without rerouting the bowel. Read about suitability, reflux considerations, risks and recovery.
Gastric bypass
Dr Lourensz performs Roux-en-Y and one anastomosis gastric bypass. Read about the differences, risks and need for long-term follow-up and supplements.
Lap band management and revision
Review and adjustment of an existing band, investigation of symptoms, and discussion of removal or conversion to another operation where appropriate.
Lap band management information
Non-surgical weight management
Assessment and ongoing care for people who prefer to avoid surgery, are not ready to decide or are not suited to an operation.
Non-surgical weight management information
Locations and parking · Information for referring doctors
Why There Is More Than One Option
Obesity is a chronic disease, not a failure of willpower. Genes, altered metabolism, hormones, medications, sleep, stress and environment all play a part, and sustained weight loss without intervention is extremely difficult.
Some people do best without surgery, some with it, and many need different things at different times. Because Dr Lourensz and Louise offer both, you can change course without starting again with someone new.
Your Care Team
Dr Kaleb Lourensz, Upper GI and Weight Loss Surgeon. Dr Lourensz assesses you, talks through every option with you, performs your surgery if you both decide it is the best option, and looks after your follow-up.
Louise Becroft, Dietitian. BSc, MNutrDiet, Accredited Practising Dietitian. Louise has worked in nutrition for upper GI and weight loss surgery for more than 15 years, in major hospitals and in private practice. She helps you get ready for surgery, guides you through the diet stages afterwards, and keeps an eye on your nutrition for the long term. She sees patients at Suite 7, Level 1, 517 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, and by telehealth. Visit Louise Becroft Dietitian
Psychology. Many people find it helps to talk with a psychologist about eating, mood or adjusting to change. If that would help you, you may be referred to a psychologist with experience in weight management.
Medical review. If you have diabetes, sleep apnoea or a complicated medical history, a physician or endocrinologist may see you as well.
Your GP. Your GP stays involved throughout and receives a letter after each stage.
Without Surgery
This pathway is for people who aren't sure about surgery, aren't suited to it, or have decided not to have surgery. You see Dr Lourensz for a medical assessment and Louise for a structured nutrition program, with psychology or medical review if required. Your treatment options are discussed with you at your appointment.
Reviews are every six weeks to start with, and the plan is adjusted as you go. If surgery later makes sense, the same team can talk it through with you.
More about Non-Surgical Weight Management
Weight Loss Surgery
There is no single best operation. The right one for you depends on your medical and surgical history, other conditions such as reflux or diabetes, and what you want from surgery. You and Dr Lourensz decide together after a full assessment, which usually includes a gastroscopy.
The Pathway to Surgery
- Seeing Dr Lourensz. He goes through your medical and surgical history, related conditions and what you have tried before, and covers every reasonable option, including not having surgery.
- Seeing Louise. Usually one or two visits to check your nutrition and prepare you, including the pre-operative diet.
- Other reviews if needed. We may recommend a pre-operative review with a psychologist or Physician to optimise you for surgery.
- Choosing the operation. You and Dr Lourensz decide on the procedure together. You receive a written cost estimate before anything is booked, have any tests you need, and follow a pre-operative diet for two weeks.
- Surgery. At The Avenue Hospital or Calvary Holmesglen Private Hospital. Most people stay in hospital for one to two nights.
- Follow-up. You see Louise several times in the first months as your diet builds back up, and Dr Lourensz at regular intervals. After that, you are reviewed at least once a year.
Comparing Operations
For the differences between gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band removal or revision, see the weight loss surgery comparison.
Pregnancy and Contraception
Pregnancy is not recommended for 1 to 2 years after weight loss surgery. Discuss your plans before surgery.
After either type of gastric bypass, the oral contraceptive pill may be absorbed unreliably, which may affect its efficacy. Non-oral contraception is recommended; discuss a suitable method with your GP.
After Surgery
Weight loss surgery changes how your body absorbs vitamins and minerals, so you will usually need supplements and regular blood tests for life. Your follow-up appointments are scheduled for you, and your GP receives a summary after each review. You stay with the same team for as long as you need.
If you had weight loss surgery elsewhere, including a lap band, and need follow-up or advice about revision, you are welcome to make an appointment.
Fees and Rebates
Dr Lourensz and Louise bill separately, so you can claim whatever rebates you are entitled to.
- Appointments with Dr Lourensz: see Patient Information for fees and Medicare rebates. Up to six appointments in the first two years after weight loss surgery are at no cost to you. You need a current referral from your GP or specialist to claim the rebate.
- Appointments with Louise: $200 for the first appointment (60 minutes) and $100 for a review (30 minutes). With a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (previously called a chronic disease management plan), Medicare pays back $63.40 a visit, so you pay $136.60 for the first appointment and $36.60 for a review. The plan covers up to five allied health visits a year, shared across all the allied health professionals you see. You can claim through private health extras instead, but not both for the same visit.
- Surgery: before anything is booked, you receive a written estimate covering the surgeon, assistant, anaesthetist and hospital. Gold hospital policies cover weight loss surgery, and some lower-tier policies offer it as an option. Check your cover and any waiting periods with your health fund.
- Superannuation: if you are paying for surgery yourself, you may be able to use some of your super. See Using Your Superannuation.
- Without surgery: appointments are billed per visit, and the cost of any treatment is discussed at your appointment.
Getting Started
Whichever path you are leaning towards, the first step is an appointment with Dr Lourensz. Ask your GP for a referral, then request an appointment or call the rooms on 03 8584 2399. We look forward to meeting you.
Reviewed by Dr Kaleb Lourensz · Last reviewed October 2026