Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast

• Testing Your Metabolism: The Missing Piece in Weight Management with John Wright

  What if you could stop guessing what works for your body and actually see what's happening inside? John Wright from Metabolic Health Solutions joins me to talk about something we don't discuss enough: metabolism and how it actually works. We dig into why the number on the scale doesn't tell us much about our health, and how testing your metabolism gives you real information you can use. John explains what his ECAL technology measures, how it works, and why knowing how your body uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide matters more than you might think. We talk about muscle mass, why protein matters, the role of alcohol in weight management, and how personalized data can help you make better choices instead of trying every diet that worked for someone else. If you're tired of stabbing around in the dark with your weight loss efforts, this episode offers a different way forward. John has shared some additional materials: Check your metabolism with MHS for Patients: www.MHS.clinic A White Paper on Indirect Calorimetry with GLP-1RA therapeutics A summary paper on METS_iQ as a companion diagnostic for GLP-1 optimisation* Episode Highlights: What metabolism is and why it matters more than weight How ECAL technology measures your body's fuel use Where fat goes when you lose it Why carbohydrate intake affects fat burning The role of muscle mass in metabolic rate Movement versus structured exercise Why personalized data helps with adherence and outcomes About Our Guest: John Wright is a global healthcare business manager with considerable leadership, business development and strategic management experience in startups, SMEs, and multi-billion-dollar corporations. He has also led the development of clinical trial and regulatory teams in therapeutic areas including oncology, respiratory diseases, and metabolic disorders. John built, grew, and exited a global clinical health data business to NYSE listed Rogers Corporation. During this time, he led the team to develop the first 3 physician real time training portals including programs for the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society for Medical Oncology. John is the co-founder of Metabolic Health Solutions Pty Ltd, a device and digital health company focused on delivering evidence based clinical solutions for weight and associated metabolic health. Connect with Metabolic Health Solutions: Facebook: Metabolic Health Solutions LinkedIn: Metabolic Health Solutions Connect with John Wright Facebook: John Wright LinkedIn: John Wright See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• The Truth About GLP-1 Medications and Bariatric Surgery with Melissa Beitner

  Dr. Melissa Beitner, a bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist who brings a comprehensive understanding of both surgical and medical weight loss treatments. Her work at 360Surgical reflects a multidisciplinary approach to treating obesity as the chronic disease it is. In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of obesity treatment, from understanding who qualifies for GLP-1 medications versus bariatric surgery, to what happens when treatments are combined or used sequentially. We discuss the reality of insufficient weight loss, weight recurrence, and why some patients might need surgery after medications or vice versa. We cover emerging research, including studies on weight maintenance after GLP-1 discontinuation, and why bariatric surgery might be considered as a weight maintenance strategy rather than just a weight loss tool. We also touch on the importance of multidisciplinary care, nutritional considerations for long-term medication use, and how financial factors influence treatment decisions. Listen to this episode to understand how modern obesity treatment is moving away from either-or decisions toward integrated approaches that consider each person's unique circumstances, goals, and health needs. Episode Highlights: Who qualifies for GLP-1 medications versus bariatric surgery BMI and comorbidity requirements for each treatment option Why obesity medications aren't routinely used before surgery Using medications after surgery for insufficient weight loss or weight recurrence Bariatric surgery as a weight maintenance strategy after medications Why weight cycling harms metabolism and causes muscle loss Future treatments including multi-agonist drugs and endoscopic options Nutritional concerns for long-term GLP-1 use Financial comparison between ongoing medications and one-time surgery The importance of multidisciplinary care in treating obesity as a chronic disease About Our Guest: Dr. Melissa Beitner is a fellowship trained bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist. She is the founder of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary weight management clinic called 360 SURGERY where she helps patients with evidence-based surgical and non-surgical weight management solutions in a supportive, judgement free environment here in Melbourne. After completing medical school at The University of Melbourne, she undertook general surgery training at New York University followed by fellowships in bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York as well as in Brisbane and Sydney. She is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Connect with Melissa Beitner Instagram | @360surgery Facebook | www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088496901783 TikTok | @drweightlossmelbourne Website | www.360surgery.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Why Women Need Financial Control with Melissa Meagher

  Why do successful women still struggle with money decisions, even when they have the knowledge and resources to make better choices? The answer often lies not in their bank accounts, but in the stories they tell themselves about money. Melissa Meagher spent over 20 years in finance working as a financial planner, stockbroker, and seminar delivery specialist before discovering that technical knowledge alone doesn't solve money problems. In this episode, she shares how she combined traditional financial planning with money story work after realizing her own limiting beliefs were sabotaging her business. Melissa explains why money beliefs form before age seven, how these show up in adult relationships and career decisions, and shares a powerful story about a client who couldn't buy herself an Apple Watch due to childhood trauma. She also explores the physical stress of financial worry, why money creates "mental gymnastics," and how understanding your money story can free up mental space for better decisions. Listen in to discover how money work goes far beyond budgeting and why addressing both the practical and emotional sides of finance can transform more than just your bank balance. Melissa’s Retreat & Special Offers Melissa is also hosting an incredible Retreat designed to help people reset, reconnect, and step fully into their abundance. Retreat Details & Tickets: Click here - they have a special offer ongoing. Bring a friend and both pay half price…so 2 for 1! Buy a ticket between midnight Wednesday and midnight Friday and receive a free 1:1 follow-up session with Melissa valued at $500. Melissa is also offering our listeners a complimentary 3-/0-minute Discovery Call. Book your session here: Discovery Call. Episode Highlights: The difference between knowing financial facts and having a healthy relationship with money How money beliefs form by age seven through family conversations Workplace challenges women face in the financial industries How societal expectations around women and money create additional barriers. The connection between personal worth and money decisions How addressing personal money issues impacts children and future generations Examples of how to teach financial skills to young people. About Our Guest: Melissa has had over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry - working previously as a financial planner, stockbroker and seminar delivery specialist across a broad range of employers – from the big guys to the smaller boutique firms. Then around 10 years ago Melissa had a realisation…a realisation that she was a non-conformist and never really fitted into the box of being employed (think star fish formation!) She knew there was something more for her She knew that she definitely didn’t want to be employed anymore And she knew she wanted to be 100% available for her young children So, Melissa consolidated all her amazing knowledge and experience around money and finances coupled with her deep desire to help and support people and created her own Money Coaching business called Talking Money! Talking Money is about transforming people’s lives; by providing the tools, support and framework to empower them to have clarity, awareness and efficiency around their money. To show motivated and dynamic individuals who are open and ready to claim their worth for ultimate financial independence, activating their abundance, freeing themselves from limiting beliefs and truly stepping into their power. Melissa’s Super-Power is public speaking. She has spoken extensively both in her own business and as a Guest Speaker (including Business Chicks) and has also been a contributor to various media outlets (including Marie Claire Australia). Melissa has been a member of the Financial Planning Association since 1997. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Diploma of Financial Planning, and is a Certified Financial Planner (non-practicing) Melissa likes to keep fit and healthy and enjoys spending time with her two children Olivia and Lachlan. Good company, food and wine are essential! Connect with Melissa Meagher Website | https://melissameagher.com.au LinkedIn | https://au.linkedin.com/in/talkingmoney Facebook | www.facebook.com/talkingmoneyaus Instagram | @melissa_talkingmoney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• A Modern Conversation About Fertility with Kirsten Karchmer

  What if the key to fertility isn't about trying harder, but about understanding your body's fundamental needs first? Sleep might matter more than your hormone levels when it comes to conception. Kirsten Karchmer has spent 25 years working in women's health and fertility after her own health crisis led her to Chinese medicine. She shares her journey from competitive gymnast with MS to fertility expert who has helped thousands of couples conceive. She explores why IVF might be starting backwards, how the menstrual cycle serves as a monthly health report card, and why energy levels are the most important metric she tracks. Kirsten explains her approach to precision medicine for fertility, the five key categories she evaluates, and how she created an AI app that actually outperformed her clinic results. She covers the fertility stress paradox, why "doing everything" often backfires, and how to focus on the right interventions at the right time. Whether you're trying to conceive or simply want better hormonal health, Kirsten's insights will change how you think about your body's signals. Episode Highlights: How sleep impacts fertility more than hormone levels like AMH The connection between energy levels and reproductive health Why exhaustion from over-exercise can harm fertility through cortisol pathways Why starting with IVF might be backwards The difference between getting pregnant and staying pregnant How to build a "conceivable cycle" before attempting conception Using monthly cycles to diagnose underlying health issues How Chinese medicine principles apply to modern fertility treatment The five categories that predict conception success: energy, blood, temperature, stress, and hormones How "trying too hard" can prevent pregnancy through stress responses Why focusing on pregnancy instead of healthy babies misses the point The importance of preparing the body for a successful pregnancy, not just conception About Our Guest: Kirsten Karchmer, MS, M.Ed, is a health tech pioneer and women’s health expert and is the founder and CEO of Conceivable Technologies, which developed, patented, and validated the use of use patent-pending assessment and prescriptive AI techniques to help identify the underlying factors impacting their ability to get and stay pregnant – then curate a multi-disciplinary intervention to fix them while improving long-term health outcomes at the same time. As one of the first board-certified reproductive acupuncturists in North America, and the former President of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, Kirsten spent 20 years in her clinical practice and has helped more than 10,000 infertile women. In 2013, Kirsten translated her successful clinical programs into technology-enabled platforms that provide an affordable and scalable fertility solution. Conceivable was named one of the most innovative health tech startups by MedTech in 2015 and Best Fertility App by Healthline in 2016 and has been featured in TechCrunch, Fox News, The New York Observer, PSFK, The Daily Dot, and Huffington Post. She also has more than 300,000 devoted Tiktok followers. A highly sought-after speaker, Kirsten has presented at SXSW, Health 2.0, Fertility PlanIt, and lectures internationally on infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, women’s health, the future of integrative medicine, and using technology better to serve patients, providers, and healthcare systems. Kirsten has been recognized as one of the top female start-up founders to watch, the recipient of the Texas Trailblazer award for innovation in health care, and is a contributor to Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and Goop Magazine. Follow Kirsten on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Connect with Dr. Avi Charlton Website | www.kirstenkarchmer.com X | @Baby_Makers LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-karchmer-0139808 Facebook | www.facebook.com/KirstenKarchmerOfficial Tik Tok | @yourfertilityexpert See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Healing Beyond Medicine: Low-Carb Living, Breathwork, and Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Avi Charlton

  True healing begins not with medicine, but with food, breath, and daily habits. In this episode, Dr. Avi Charlton, a Melbourne-based General Practitioner with over 20 years of experience shares her inspiring journey from being a traditional GP to becoming a passionate advocate for therapeutic carbohydrate reduction and holistic lifestyle medicine. Prompted by a personal wake-up call about her own health, she explored low-carb nutrition, which not only transformed her own body but significantly improved outcomes for her patients, including those with obesity, diabetes, and even mental health conditions. Dr. Arvi discusses the six pillars of her lifestyle approach—nutrition, movement, stress management, sleep and sunlight, community support, and addiction awareness and highlights the profound benefits of prioritizing protein, managing stress through breathwork, and reconnecting with natural circadian rhythms. Through her clinics, courses, and breathwork workshops, she empowers others to heal, thrive, and pursue longevity through practical, sustainable changes. Tune in to discover how simple lifestyle changes—like breathwork, better sleep, and a low-carb diet—can radically transform your health and well-being. Episode Highlights: How Dr. Avi Charlton’s personal weight loss journey led her to discover low-carb nutrition Why she shifted from traditional medicine to a holistic, lifestyle-focused approach How therapeutic carbohydrate reduction can reverse diabetes and reduce medication The six lifestyle pillars Dr. Avi uses Insights into low-carb eating The truth about calorie counting and why it often does more harm than good The critical role of sleep, stress, and sunlight in weight loss and mental health Simple tools for breathwork and why it’s key to managing stress and inflammation How mouth taping and nose breathing improve sleep quality and reduce snoring The connection between adverse childhood experiences and chronic disease Dr. Avi’s passion for teaching breathwork and her new business Practical tips for staying nourished and organized in a busy modern lifestyle Why protein-first is essential for everyone Her vision for preventive care, longevity, and empowering patients to take charge of their health About Our Guest: Dr. Avi Charlton is a Melbourne-based General Practitioner with over 20 years of experience. Her passion for lifestyle medicine stems from her personal journey. A few years ago, feeling overweight, tired, and juggling life with young kids, a patient mistakenly asked if she was pregnant. Determined to make a change, she joined an 8-week body transformation challenge, following a diet prescribed by her personal trainer and incorporating running. This sparked a transformation—she lost weight, regained energy, and embraced a healthier lifestyle. Inspired by her success, Dr. Charlton founded the Melbourne Low Carb Clinic, where she helps patients lose weight, reverse type 2 diabetes, and reduce medications through sustainable nutrition and lifestyle changes. She has seen remarkable improvements in her patients’ health, proving that natural solutions can lead to lasting results. Her interest in breathing techniques led her to become a certified Functional Breathing Instructor with The Oxygen Advantage. She now integrates breathwork into her clinical practice to help patients manage anxiety, stress, and overall well-being. In 2024, she launched Breathe In Health, offering coaching, workshops, and retreats to promote functional breathing. Dr. Charlton also hosts Prescribing Lifestyle, a podcast educating listeners about the importance of lifestyle changes and featuring inspiring interviews. Passionate about empowering others, she is dedicated to helping patients thrive through holistic, practical approaches to health. Connect with Dr. Avi Charlton Website | breatheinhealth.com.au Facebook | www.facebook.com/people/Breathe-In-Health Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/avi-charlton Instagram | @breathe.in.health Youtube | www.youtube.com/@avicharlton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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