Weight Loss Surgery

Find yourself

Is surgery right for you?

Happy woman in a navy polka dot shirt celebrating success, showcasing confidence and achievement with rfynd's weight loss programs.
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Weight loss surgery and you

It's more than frustrating when you've invested years of your life into your health but haven't experienced lasting change.

Surgery may be the solution to help you achieve your goals, develop healthier habits and feel encouraged.

If you've not done it already, complete the questionnaire (it only takes 5 mins) and discover if surgery is right for you.

We consider all aspects of Weight Care

All Aspects of Weight Care
Support
Nutrition
Mindfullness
Activity
Sleep

rfynd’s Weight Loss Surgery Program

Rfynd Kiwi Apple
1. Evaluation

As part of the rfynd Discovery Program you'll partake in a detailed evaluation to assess your suitability for the rfynd Surgery Program. Meet with a Specialist Surgeon to discuss your weight goals and determine the most effective and safest procedure for you. Delve into the depths of your nutrition with your Dietitian. Work with your Psychologist to facilitate a shift in mindset and create positive change.

2. Surgery

The next step is surgery. With the rfynd Surgical Program unlock the potential of a tailored surgical approach that reduces cravings, promotes feelings of fullness and modifies the body's metabolism, resulting in significant and sustained weight loss. Feel confident with close clinical and biochemical monitoring from your rfynd expert team.

3. Coaching and Lifestyle Essentials

Receive extra support from your Health Coach who will assist you to build sustainable habits in nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mindset that fit your lifestyle and develop lifelong positive change.

How Weight Loss Surgery leads to sustained weightloss

Fullbody SVG
Brain

Targets hunger centre and reduces cravings.

Stomach

Restricts the amount of food so you feel fuller sooner.

Liver

Alters biochemicals to enhance metabolism of fat.

Gut

Decreased absorption of excess calories improves gut microbiome boosting metabolism.

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Stop putting your life on hold and start living the life you want.

Weight loss surgery has unparalleled positive impacts on not only your weight but other health conditions.

rfynd offers the best evidence-based operations to support your weight loss and wellness journey.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Illustration of a stomach with directional arrows, explaining the process of digestion and bariatric surgery options offered by rfynd.
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Food
Orange arrow icon pointing right, symbolizing direction, progress, and moving forward with rfynd's weight loss programs and support.
Digestive Juices
Pink location pin icon with a question mark, representing rfynd's weight loss questionnaire to assess individual health and goals.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

What’s Involved?
The gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that has great results; with around 30% weight loss at 3 years.

It also has the lowest risk profile among the surgical options.

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Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Green arrow icon pointing right, symbolising progress, forward movement, and the positive journey with rfynd's weight loss solutions.
Food
Orange arrow icon pointing right, symbolizing direction, progress, and moving forward with rfynd's weight loss programs and support.
Digestive Juices
Pink location pin icon with a question mark, representing rfynd's weight loss questionnaire to assess individual health and goals.

Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass

The One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass is a simplified version of the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass. A narrow stomach tube is created and is connected on to a ‘loop’ of small intestine. This means that anything you eat bypasses (or ‘skips’) the first part of the small intestine. Average weight loss at 3 years is roughly 35%.

Pink location pin icon with a left arrow, symbolizing navigation, guidance, and support for clients on their weight loss journey with rfynd.

Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric bypass

Laparoscopic Roux En Y Gastric bypass
Green arrow icon pointing right, symbolising progress, forward movement, and the positive journey with rfynd's weight loss solutions.
Food
Orange arrow icon pointing right, symbolizing direction, progress, and moving forward with rfynd's weight loss programs and support.
Digestive Juices
Pink location pin icon with a question mark, representing rfynd's weight loss questionnaire to assess individual health and goals.

Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric bypass

The procedure involves creating a small stomach pouch and joining it to a portion of the small intestine. In contrast to the one anastomosis gastric bypass, an additional join is made with the small intestine.
Average weight loss at 3 years is roughly 35%.

Pink location pin icon with a left arrow, symbolizing navigation, guidance, and support for clients on their weight loss journey with rfynd.

Invest In Your Well Being

Step 1

rfynd Discovery Program

Whats involved?

  • Consultation with your Surgeon. Virtual or in-person. $380 NZD

  • Review of Metabolic and nutritional blood tests.

  • Pre-operative consultations with psychologist and dietitian.

Step 2

rfynd Surgery Program

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

$19,990 NZD

Plus+ Program $22,490

Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass

$23,900 NZD

Plus+ Program $25,500

Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

$24,990 NZD

Plus+ Program $26,500

All Packages Include:

  • The Operation
  • 1 night stay in Hospital
  • 24 months of in-person and virtual check-ins with your rfynd team to ensure you’re staying track.
  • This includes, 6 x consultations with your Dietitian, 4 x consultations with your Nurse Practitioner, and 1 x consultation with your Surgeon.


Plus+ Program gives:

  • Access to 24 months of the Wellness Essentials Program which includes monthly, one on one, Health Coaching consultations (24 sessions in total).
  • Full access to the Centr app which provides recipes, workouts, meditations and sleep management support.
  • Consultation with an Exercise Physiologist for a personalised movement program.


*Some insurance companies may contribute to the cost of surgery and the consultations.
We are happy to help you with this.

All prices are GST inclusive.

The rfynd Surgical Journey

1. Meet your Team

Meet with the rfynd team including your surgeon, psychologist and dietitian as part of the Discovery Program.

You get to know us, and we would love to get to know you.

2. Get Ready

Take some time to process the information and make sure this is right for you.

We know it's personal and we want to keep it that way.

3. Get Prepared

In the 2-3 weeks before your surgery, you'll start your pre-surgery diet, and we'll make sure you're fully prepared for what happens after surgery.

4. On the Day

Your weight loss surgery will take place at one of our Affiliated Specialist surgical centres. Our partner centres have a proven track record for safety and provide our clients with excellent care.

You'll stay for 1 night after your surgery to make sure you are comfortable and confident before going home.

After The Surgery

After surgery you're not alone. You will have regular contact with your team (Surgeon, Dietitian and Nurse Practitioner) for the next 2 years to help you adjust to your new life.

For our PLUS+ program clients, you will also have 24-month access to additional support through the Wellness Essentials Program:

• Monthly 1:1 personalised health coach sessions + instant messaging.

• With our partners at Centr enjoy:

  • 1000+ Simple and easy recipes for fresh inspiration. Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Whateveratarian.

  • Access 4000+ workouts, including HIIT, strength, core, yoga, pilates and much more.

  • Clear your mind with guided meditations and breathing techniques.

  • Sleep and stress management strategies.

• Goal tracking through the App.

• Private community to connect with others on a similar journey.

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Metabolic Surgery Has Been Used By Hundreds Of Thousands Of People Worldwide To Help Get Their Health Back On Track And Keep It On Track.

Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery

Why might I consider Weight loss Surgery?

Because you’ve tried everything else without success!

You're not alone. Evidence shows that 50% of individuals living with obesity have attempted at least 4 serious weight loss strategies, often more (Diabetes Obes Metab. 2019). Despite best efforts, many find themselves stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, where lost weight quickly returns, and often brings along even more. Our patients tell us that they are exhausted from constantly thinking about food, navigating restrictions, and feeling disappointed when progress stalls.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires more than willpower to treat. Humans have evolved complex mechanisms to keep weight on, and prevent losing it.

Weight loss surgery has repeatedly been shown in the medical literature to be superior for the treatment of obesity in terms of overall weight loss and improvements in weight-related health conditions, when compared to other treatments including lifestyle measures alone, weight loss medication and endoscopic procedures. Weight loss surgery is included in obesity management guidelines around the world because of it’s proven efficiency (how well it works) and durability (how long it works for).

The additional benefits are innumerable and the clinical evidence (Scientific Reports, 2024) is robust. These includes:

  • Improved social and sexual life, improved fertility.

  • Reduces the risk of developing cancers by 10-50%, in particular breast cancer.

  • Decreases the risk of dying.

  • Improves the chance of coming off diabetes medication, medication for hypertension and medication for cholesterol.

  • Improving fatty liver disease and decreasing progression to more serious liver disease like cirrhosis.

  • Reduces the risk of having a heart attack and stroke.

  • As a "bridge"  to joint surgery, hernia operations and organ transplantation.


With surgery we hope to achieve an improvement in your quality of life, prevent the development of weight related complications, and improve any that you may have already.

It’s important to remember that the long term health benefits of weight loss surgery are seen when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. That’s why we compliment our comprehensive surgery program with our Wellness Essentials to improve your chances of success.

Read more:

Diabetes
The Lancet, 2021
New England Journal Of Medicine, 2017
Diabetes Care, 2022

High blood pressure
Hypertension, 2019
Obesity Surgery, 2022

Fatty liver disease
The Lancet, 2023
Clinical Liver disease, 2022
Gastroenterology, 2022Cardiovascular disease
European Heart Journal, 2022
International Journal of Cardiology, 2023

Cancer reduction
British Journal of Surgery, 2023
Annals of Surgery, 2022
Obesity Surgery, 2021

JAMA, 2022


Extending life
The Lancet, 2021  
New England Journal Of Medicine, 2020

High cholesterol
Metabolism, 2021

Joint operations/orthopaedics
JAMA, 2022

Improvements in ovulation and fertility
Annals of medicine and surgery, 2022

Improved overall quality of life and sexual function
International Journal Of Obesity, 2022
BMC Womens Health, 2024

Am I a good candidate for weight loss surgery?

If you’re motivated for change , then you’re well on your way to a healthier you!

Recent international guidelines (Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2022) recommend weight loss surgery for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 35kg/m2 or more, or a BMI of 30 kg/m2 with a metabolic related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. For Asian populations, surgery is recommended for those with a BMI greater than 27.5kg/m2. This is because it’s recognised that in certain Asian populations the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is higher at a lower BMI than in the non-Asian population.

The decision to undergo weight loss surgery requires more than meeting a BMI threshold, though. You will undergo a thorough medical and surgical evaluation assessing your overall health to ensure surgery is appropriate and safe for you. We know the decision to undergo metabolic surgery is a personal one and an important part of the evaluation process is for you to ask questions and gather information to ensure the surgical pathway is right for you.

How do I know which procedure is right for me?

The most common weight loss procedures include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Each of these procedures works differently and has its own benefits and risks. For example, the sleeve gastrectomy is favoured for its lower risk profile, however, the procedure may not be appropriate for those with severe reflux or higher grade reflux oesophagitis. During your consultations the rfynd team will discuss your personal weight loss goals and any medical conditions you have. We will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and evaluate any laboratory tests. Based on this information, our expert team will make a recommendation on the procedure that is best suited for you.

It's important to acknowledge that most, if not all clinical studies, including those mentioned above, have limitations. The reported results may not directly apply to your specific situation, and no intervention guarantees a particular outcome due to the numerous individual factors influencing results. We want to be honest and truthful with you about this because whilst some people achieve their desired outcome, others may not.

What are the potential side effects of weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery, whilst considered safe, like any other surgical procedure, has risks of complications. The most common symptoms after surgery include, but not limited to, fatigue, dehydration and nausea. Depending on the type of procedure specific complications may arise. With a Sleeve gastrectomy, potential complications include acid reflux (heartburn), bleeding, stomach leak, development of gallstones or gallbladder disease and nutritional deficiencies, for example. Gastric Bypass has the added risk of gastric ulcer, narrowing of the join between the stomach and small bowel (anastomotic stricture) and dumping syndrome, when high sugar foods move too fast from the stomach to the small intestine. With significant weight loss after surgery, excess skin can be a concern for some patients. Some choose to have body re-contouring surgery to address this.

The rfynd team will go through all the risks specific to the procedure so you’re fully informed and comfortable with your decision. You will have a thorough assessment with rfynd's expert team to discuss the potential benefits and risks of metabolic surgery and to determine if surgery is right for you.

What can I expect during the recovery process?

The recovery process following weight loss surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure you have and your individual health status. Here are some general guidelines on what to expect during the recovery process:

Diet:
You will have a liquid diet for the first few days after your surgery to allow your body to heal. You will gradually progress to a pureed diet, then to a soft solid diet. rfynd’s dietitians will guide you through this.

Getting back to exercise:
You should avoid strenuous activity for the first few weeks after your surgery. You will be able to gradually increase your activity level as your body heals with guidance from your Exercise Physiologist if you choose the "Plus+" surgical program.

Getting back to work:
Most patients are able to get back work after 2 weeks. We’re happy to provide a medical certificate if required. It's also important to understand that the recovery process can take several weeks or months, and it may take time to see significant weight loss results. It is essential to be patient and to stay committed to making the necessary lifestyle changes to support your weight loss and wellness goals.

Don't rush back to work. Take time for yourself to adjust to the change.

How long will it take to see results from the surgery?


Most patients start to see significant weight loss within the first three to six months after surgery. Weight loss is often not linear and differs between individuals.

In addition to weight loss, weight loss surgery can also result in improved health outcomes, such as improved blood sugar control for individuals with type 2 diabetes and a reduction in high blood pressure. Medications for these conditions will need to be adjusted, and perhaps ceased, along the way.

What nutritional deficiencies can occur after surgery?

Weight loss surgery, especially procedures that alter the anatomy of the digestive system such as gastric bypass, can result in several nutritional deficiencies. Some of the most common deficiencies that arise include iron, B1, B12, calcium, vitamin D and folate.

At rfynd we do all we can to support you to maintain your nutritional status by providing you with:

  1. Regular dietitian consults and nutrient-dense meal plans that you can follow after surgery.
  2. Advise on suitable vitamin and mineral supplements specific for your surgery. Taking the right multivitamin can help prevent deficiencies occurring in the first place.
  3. Regular blood tests to monitor your vitamin and mineral levels. These can help identify any deficiencies early on so that they can be promptly addressed.
Is pregnancy safe after bariatric/metabolic surgery?

A clinical practice guideline by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE), The Obesity Society (TOS), and the ASMBS recommends that pregnancy be delayed from 12 to 18 months after surgery. This is because rapid and significant weight loss, and potential nutritional deficiencies, may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Delaying pregnancy helps identify and correct any nutritional deficiencies and also allows patients to achieve their full weight‐loss goals.

It is, therefore, important to consider contraception use after weight loss surgery. An intrauterine device is recommended due to the possible reduced effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill due to malabsorption. We recommend this be considered at least four weeks prior to surgery. We also recommend that the oral contraceptive pill (oestrogen-containing)  be ceased at least four weeks prior to surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots.

A pregnancy-specific, post weight loss surgery Dietitian consultation is available at a cost of $300. Additional nutritional blood tests will likely be required, and necessary adjustments to your nutritional supplements made. Your dietitian will formulate a specific nutritional plan that can be given to you, your GP, midwife, and/or obstetrician.

Will I re-gain weight after surgery?

Despite best intentions, most patients regain some weight after their lowest weight has been reached.  In a recent study, between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 people regained >10% of their lost weight at 5 years. (Surgical Endoscopy, 2023)   

Patients who are committed to making lifestyle changes have greater chance of maintaining their weight loss. That’s why we compliment our comprehensive surgery program with our Wellness Essentials to improve your chances of success.

Because some weight-regain is likely, some people complement their post-operative journey with the use of weight loss medication, like liraglutide (Saxenda®) which has been shown to support further, clinically significant, weight loss. (Langenbecks Arch Surg, 2023; Obesity Surgery, 2024).

Do I need to complete the Discovery Program as well as the Surgical Program?

Yes, the Discovery Program is required to determine whether the Surgical Program is appropriate and safe for you. In addition to a detailed wellness and medical review the Discovery Program includes:

  • Comprehensive information on pre and post-operative nutrition

  • Guidance on modifying eating habits pre-surgery for a smoother recovery

  • Customised recipes and meal plans provided

  • Suggestions for beneficial supplements, including fibre and protein powders

  • Tailored recommendations for vitamin and mineral supplements based on your surgery

  • Review of blood work and prescription of necessary vitamins and minerals pre-surgery to optimize nutritional status


All of this is to help prepare you as best as possible for surgery and ensure you feel confident embarking on this journey.

How soon after the Discovery Program might I get surgery?

Most surgery can be performed within 4 week of completing the Discovery Program.

What happens after 24 months?

After 24 months, you have the choice to continue with our Wellness Essentials Program to support your healthy lifestyle habits. We would love you to stay on the team!
We also recommend you have yearly blood tests with your general practitioner to check your nutritional and metabolic health.

Does the rfynd Surgical Program require insurance?

No. However, if you do have insurance we’re happy to provide details of the service to assist in your claim. The BMI and co-morbidity cut-offs for Insurance coverage  for weight loss surgery may differ from the new international guidelines, so it is important to check with your insurer.

When do I need to make payments for the Surgery Program?

The Surgery Program needs to be paid in full two weeks prior to the surgery date. This is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to surgery, after this time, a $1000 cancellation fee will apply.

Is Weight Loss Surgery How You Find Yourself?

Take the quiz

Why Am I Not Seeing Any Testimonials Or Reviews Here?

The rfynd Programs are overseen by a team including medical specialists, dietitians, health psychologists and nurses.
Under New Zealand regulations, these professionals are unable to use reviews or testimonials to advertise their services.

If you have any questions about our services and how they might benefit you, we'd love to talk.

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