Dr Phil Le Page

Dr Phil Le Page is Head of the Bariatric Surgery Department at Northern Beaches Hospital and is an experienced Bariatric and Upper Gastro-intestinal surgeon. He has extensive experience in the management of bariatric surgery (over 10 years experience and over 2000 patients), gallstones, hernia, reflux, hiatus hernia, gastric and oesophageal cancer, Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy and other general surgical conditions. His primary appointments are at the Northern Beaches, Concord and Sydney Adventist (SAN) Hospitals where he has operated for over 10 years. The Weight Loss Surgery options include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, single-loop (or mini) gastric bypass, Roux-en-y gastric bypass, Gastric banding and Single Anastomosis Duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI).

Patients are seen by Dr Le Page initially to discuss the appropriateness of surgery and what option suits a particular individual. The Body Mass index (BMI) is determined along with the health impacts of the obesity such as  diabetes, high cholesterol or fatty liver. Other non-surgical options also discussed including dietary measures, Gastric ballooning, Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), and medical managements (such as Duromine, Ozempic and Saxenda). Patients are seen local to the Northern Beaches Hospital and have supportive care around the time of surgery and beyond. The surgery has been performed by Dr Le Page at the Hospital since  it's opening in 2018 and the most advanced technology is available (including robotic surgery where indicated), along with experienced trained nursing and theatre staff.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is implemented to encourage early recovery from surgery, a better post surgery experience and earlier discharge home. Complex cases such as revision bariatric surgery are also commonly seen. There is a link with obesity and Reflux and Hiatus hernia surgery (which is common for both obese and non-obese patients) and with gastric and oesophageal cancer (more common in those with reflux/obesity). Dr Le Page was one of the first graduating trainees with the Australian and New Zealand Gastro-Oesophageal Association (ANZGOSA), formed in 2010. He undertook a further advanced year of training in Edinburgh, UK in 2013.

Surgery for reflux or hiatus hernia is laparoscopic (or keyhole) and repairs the hiatus hernia defect with fundoplication. Gallstones surgery is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy and advanced techniques performed include choledochoscopy for removal of common bile duct stones. Hernia surgery is usually undertaken laparoscopically including recurrent hernias. Depending on the location, Cancer surgery can involve laparoscopic, open or robotic techniques and can be accessed by transabdominal or transthoracic approach.