About
The Weight Loss Specialist Clinic provides evidence-based weight loss solutions on the Gold Coast, offering medical and surgical weight loss options with a multidisciplinary team including dietitians, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and specialist physicians.
Procedures Offered
Also offered
Surgeons at This Clinic
Dr Phil Townend
Bariatric, General & Upper GI Surgeon
Dr Catherine Quirk
Bariatric Physician | Surgical Assistant
Hospital Affiliations
Gold Coast Private Hospital
QLD - private
About the Surgeon
Dr Phil Townend
Bariatric, General & Upper GI Surgeon
Dr Catherine Quirk
Bariatric Physician | Surgical Assistant
Dr Jessica Triay
Endocrinologist and General Physician
Dr Victoria Matheson
Paediatrician & Emergency Medicine Specialist
Procedure Information
Sleeve Gastrectomy▼
A sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a type of weight loss surgery where about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow, tube-shaped stomach. This new stomach still connects normally from the food pipe (oesophagus) to the small bowel, without changing the natural path of digestion like in a bypass surgery.
Single Anastomosis Gastric Bypass▼
In a single anastomosis gastric bypass, the top part of the stomach is separated to create a small pouch. This greatly reduces how much food the stomach can hold. Then, the first part of the small intestine is bypassed, so food takes a shorter path through the digestive system.
Revision Weight Loss Surgery▼
Revision surgery is done when a previous weight loss procedure needs to be changed or adjusted. This might happen if you're not losing enough weight, have regained weight over time, or are experiencing issues like reflux. The revision can involve converting your original surgery to a different type or making changes to improve the results. It may be done in one or two stages, depending on your situation.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)▼
This procedure creates a small stomach pouch, about the size of an egg, limiting how much you can eat. A section of the small intestine is connected to the pouch, so food bypasses most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Digestive juices join the food about 1.5 metres further down to aid digestion. This surgery helps reduce food intake and calorie absorption, supporting long-term weight loss.
Loop Duodenal Switch (SADI-S or SIPS)▼
This surgery combines two powerful weight loss methods. First, the size of the stomach is reduced by performing a sleeve gastrectomy, which means you'll feel full with smaller portions. Then, a part of the small intestine is bypassed, so your body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients from the food you eat. This combination helps you lose weight by eating less and absorbing less, while still allowing for good digestion with fewer long-term risks than older versions of the duodenal switch.
Hernia Surgery▼
The only way to fix a hernia is with surgery. Depending on the type and size of the hernia, the operation can be done in two ways: Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, using small cuts and a camera, or Open surgery, with a larger cut directly over the hernia. Both types of surgery are done while you're asleep under general anaesthetic, and your doctor will choose the best method for you.
Patient Testimonials
“The entire team at The Weight Loss Specialist Clinic have been incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and have delivered on what they promised. I have lost a huge amount of weight already, eating healthier and feeling a lot more positive for my future. This is so much more than...”
“I have been a patient for 6 months and have always been treated with genuine care and respect. From my initial consultation right through to post op care the support I have received is incredible. I highly recommend the clinic and am so grateful to have found Dr Townend and his...”
“I cannot recommend Dr Townend and his amazing team highly enough. From the moment I had my initial phone call with Steph who was so compassionate, to my initial consultation with Dr Quirk, to meeting Dr Townend, Dietician Jen and Psych Rachel my whole process has been...”
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about this weight-loss clinic. From the moment I walked in, I felt supported, understood, and genuinely cared for. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate. Dr Phil Townsend , Dr Catherine Quirk, Jen Hoult principal dietician...”
“Everyone is so supportive, from Steph at the front desk to Dr Townend, Dr Quirk and Jen and Megan. They will celebrate your wins and make you feel as though you are 10ft tall when you walk out.”
+ 1 more testimonials on their website
Support Team
Dietitian
Psychologist
Exercise Physiologist
Bariatric Physician / GP
Endocrinologist
Opening Hours
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8 am–4 pm
Tuesday: 8 am–4 pm
Wednesday: 8 am–4 pm
Thursday: 8 am–4 pm
Friday: 8 am–4 pm
Other Weight Loss Surgeons in QLD
Esh Jeyarajan
Cairns Surgical Collaborative
Cairns Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital
“Cairns Surgical Collaborative is a team of passionate surgeons providing holistic, collaborative and comprehensive surgical care for patients of Far North Queensland, working both publicly and privately across a range of surgical specialties including bariatric, upper gastrointestinal, endocrine, colorectal, hepatobiliary and general surgery.”
Mikhail Mastakov
Dr Mastakov Surgery
ST STEPHEN'S Private Hospital, Sunnybank Private Hospital
“Dr Mikhail Mastakov is a general surgeon specialising in sleeve gastrectomy, hernia repair, and other general surgical procedures, with clinics across Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Hervey Bay.”
Dr Ben Dodd
Brisbane Upper GI Surgery
The Wesley Hospital, North West Private Hospital
“Brisbane Upper GI Surgery is the practice of Dr Ben Dodd, a Brisbane-born laparoscopic upper GI and bariatric surgeon with over 15 years of experience, providing non-judgemental, evidence-based surgical management of weight excess, reflux, gallbladder and hernia diseases.”
Dr Suzanne Ma
Gold Coast Private Hospital Bariatric Surgery
Gold Coast Private Hospital
“Gold Coast Private Hospital offers a holistic approach to bariatric surgery that goes beyond the surgical procedure to embrace long-term care, with a team of world-class surgeons, dieticians, psychologists and nurses providing high-quality care from diagnosis to treatment and aftercare.”