Patient Testimonials

14th October 2010

After my son was killed in a car accident in 1995, my weight ballooned to 156kgs, due to depression etc.
I read about Dr James Ritchie’s Gastric Banding in a magazine and I went to my general practitioner to get a referral to see him in 1998. The operation was a huge success and I ended up getting my weight down to 60kgs, a massive loss of 96kgs. I followed the instructions fairly closely. My weight is now stable and has been for many years having band adjustments sometimes to let the band out and sometimes to make it tighter. Dr Ritchie has always been very nice at all times and has always made himself available to talk to me at any time. He has become like a real friend to me over the years. I would highly recommend his professional approach to all matters regarding Gastric Banding and other surgery. There has been an amazing difference to my lifestyle, health and all round get up and go. If you want to speak to me you can phone me on 0403227732. Dr Ritchie would be the only one I would recommend as he was the pioneer in this surgery and very well respected in the medical world.

Robyn Wright

To whom it may concern

I had lap band surgery approximately 7 years ago. Before surgery I was at a weight of 200.5 kg, I was very overweight and very uncomfortable with myself I had constant injuries which were swollen ankles, sore knees, constant back pain migraines not to mention depression from being recluse.I had enough of yo-yoing and tried several diets or eating plans with little or no success, I have lost approximately 80 kgs and feel I could loose more, though I sometimes have the urge to indulge in very rich foods, but considering I'm from a Greek background and I am also a chef this tends to slow the process down a little.

It wasn't only the lap band that allowed me to loose this weight, Dr James Ritchie advised me that if I was prepared to deliver 50% then the lap band would deliver the 50%, with this little bit of advice from a chap who had only his services as a professional to offer, I underwent the surgery, I then followed the dietitians advise for the first few weeks and then started on a lite walk every day, followed by a small swim and then a lite walk again, it sounds like I did a lot of exercise, but no I didn't I just moved a whole lot more than I ever did before, I parked the car further in a shopping centre, used stairs instead of escalators, took trips to the park and basically explored bush tracks and walks ,I eventually purchased a mountain bike and started to ride,started dancing started to wear fitted clothes with buttons and never felt out of place in public places. I should have had this surgery many years ago.

Just a little note to all the people thinking about this surgery, if your scared then don't be, there are risks everywhere,I found Dr James Ritchie to very professional at all times, Dr Ritchie answered every question I asked he was available for follow up advise. This procedure was very quick and I was up the very same day and came home the next.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like some advise from a patient. please note I am a shift worker and I will return your call at a time that suits.

Sam Perras 0425 285 285

After having my 3rd child 8 ½ years ago, I found that my eating became uncontrollable. I was at home a lot more and my weight ballooned to a whopping 93 kgs which for me was at least 30 kilos over what I should be. My husband was so supportive and loving that he too put on 25 kilos in sympathy. I tried many different diets all of which were fabulous in the short term but once I had a "bad day" this turned into a "bad week" and so it went on until all the weight I’d lost, I quickly found again. A colleague of mine had lost a fortune of weight and after crying to him about my own weight issues, he quietly told me how he’d achieved such wonderful results. It was then that I went home to my husband and told him that I was now considering Gastric banding as I felt desperate and felt that I had no other choice than to do something drastic. As it turned out, this procedure is far from drastic. This procedure changed my life. This procedure saved my life. After consulting with Dr Ritchie, I felt so excited and calm about my decision and couldn’t wait to start my new journey.

Dr Ritchie was incredible. He explained everything to me about what to expect before/during and after the operation and he was a total professional every step of the way. The procedure was a piece of cake and the few weeks afterwards were easy. I didn’t know how I would survive on just liquid and "mushy foods" for 4-6 weeks but of course I did and have since lost the 30 kilos I’d put on plus another 5. I feel like a new woman, attractive, healthy and fit. My husband was again so supportive of me that he went 1 year later and had the banding done as well. Now instead of being the 2 chubbiest people in the room, we are the most confident fabulous people in the room. I can’t express enough how this procedure was the best thing we ever did and how incredible Dr Ritchie was throughout. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is really struggling with their weight, not only are the health benefits huge but the new lease on life you feel is incredible.

Does not want to be named

21 years ago I found my eating to be uncontrollable. I would wake up in the morning and think everyday it would be a new day and I would watch what I eat but by mid morning I would be so hungry I would eat anything in sight. I tried every diet available but nothing worked. If I had to go out shopping I would try to avoid anybody I knew because I felt so terrible about myself and my weight. Then one day after hearing about the surgery Dr Ritchie did I took the step to make an appointment with him regarding having Lap Band surgery. This was the best thing I ever did. I went ahead with the surgery and have never looked back. I lost over 20kgs and now feel very confident in everything I do. Dr Ritchie has been just wonderful throughout the whole time. He has always been there when I have asked questions and he was just the best surgeon. I would recommend this surgery to anybody who is struggling with their weight and would not have anybody but Dr Ritchie peform the operation.

Beryl Watson