At WeightLoss Solutions Australia we pride ourselves on being able to provide the best available care to our patients. Research shows that patient care through a comprehensive team approach is essential. Our team at WeightLoss Solutions Australia includes representatives from a number of clinical disciplines. Along with our surgeons, we have a full-time psychologist and dietitian who specialise in weight loss support.

Dr Laurent Layani (Surgeon)

 M.D. (PARIS), GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY (PARIS), F.R.A.C.S.

Dr Layani is a member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO), the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand (OSSANZ), and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). His extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery dates back to 1994, in Paris, France, where he underwent his formal training as a laparoscopic surgeon specializing in upper gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and obesity surgery.

In 1998 he was admitted to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and he has since been honoured by numerous other national and international institutions for his role as an educator and facilitator for new developments in bariatric surgery. He is considered an invaluable resource to such innovations in many developed and developing countries, including India, where he travelled to recently to train surgeons from Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad in laparoscopic techniques associated with bariatric surgery, and the US where he is a major contributor to research regarding new surgical treatments for weight loss.

Further information about research and other areas of interest can be found here

 

Dr Candice Silverman (Surgeon)

MBBS (HONS), FRACS (General Surgery), General and Laparoscopic Upper Gastro-intestinal Surgeon

Dr Silverman joined the clinic in 2009, following two years post-fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery in the fields of oesophago-gastric surgery, hepato-pancreatico-biliary and bariatric surgery at Fremantle Hospital, WA (2008), Tweed Hospital, NSW (2009), and John Flynn Private Hospital, QLD (2009). Dr Silverman also performs diagnostic and therapeutic upper endoscopy, along with laparoscopic hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration. She is a valuable resource to patients presenting for an Orbera System Balloon for weight loss and a point of call for all general surgical matters, including the management of reflux disease.

Dr Silverman received extensive training under the guidance of Dr Layani and is an essential part of the weight loss surgery team specialising in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and lap-vertical sleeve gastrectomy. She is an accredited consultant General Surgeon at Tweed Hospital and Murwillumbah District Hospital, NSW and John Flynn Private Hospital, QLD.

 

Warren Artz (Psychologist)

BSocSc (HONS)(Psych), BSc (Psych), MA (TESOL), Dip (JOUR), Assoc. MAPS

Warren joined the team in 2008. His interest in the field of psychology started back in the early 1990s when he took an interest in sport psychology and its application to coaching, graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, USA in 1996. A professional soccer career took him from South Africa to the UK, USA, New Zealand, and Australia. He studied during his many years abroad and now holds qualifications in psychology from both the USA and Australia, including graduate degrees in English and journalism. Over the years, whilst playing and coaching soccer abroad, Warren developed a strong interest in the impact of lifestyle on elite performance in athletes, which diverted much of his psychological interest to the field of lifestyle-related diseases, specifically obesity and the impact of bariatric surgery.

Along with providing psychological assessments and services to patients before and after surgery, Warren also assists in facilitating the clinic’s Professional Development Workshops for general practitioners. He is a AHPRA registered psychologist and holds membership with the Australian Psychological Society. He is an accredited practitioner with John Flynn Private Hospital, QLD and enjoys working with patients who are motivated to assess and change their lifestyle in order improve their overall well-being and quality of life. Warren is a valuable resource to patients from various cultures, thanks to his own culturally diverse international background, who consults in sport and health-related assessments. He regularly works with young amateur and professional golfers.

 

Taryn Swift (Dietitian)

BHSc, MND

Taryn is an accredited practicing dietitian who has a love for all things food, including gardening, cooking, and eating delicious, healthy foods. Her complimentary keen interest in health and science prompted her professional decision to become a dietitian. Taryn completed a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics at Griffith University and very quickly found herself working throughout hospitals and community health centres around the Gold Coast and Northern NSW. She joined WeightLoss Solutions Australia in 2008 and brings with her a wealth of clinical experience and interest in the prevention and management of lifestyle-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Taryn has also recently undergone training in the area of Psychodietetics under Dr George Blair-West, receiving her Level 1 and 2 certificates in The Psychology of Weight Management.

Taryn consults to patients with varied weight loss goals and disordered eating patterns. She assists patients with dietary information and plans to suit a number of surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures, including Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Orbera Intragastric Balloon, Formulated Meal Replacements, and Diet Plate. Taryn also provides traditional dietary counselling and health coaching and is committed to supporting patients in their bid to make lifestyle changes. Gold Coast born and bred, Taryn is well respected by her peers and patients and is accredited through the Dietitians Association of Australia, participating in the annual DAA Professional Development Program. Taryn also helps in facilitating the clinic’s Category 1 Professional Development Workshops for GPs and provides valuable support to the ‘Strategies for Primary Care’ program which aims to increase consultations for weight management at the primary care level.

 

Felicity Cohen (Practice Manager)

Originally from Melbourne, Felicity is an experienced practice manager with a culturally rich background. She gained qualifications in Media Studies and Journalism from RMIT University in Melbourne and devoted her formative working years to media work in broadcast journalism, newspaper publications, writing, and sales and marketing. Felicity moved to Paris, France where she studied post graduate language and literature at the prestigious Sorbonne University. Her passion to learn French served her well and she finds the skill a great asset in assisting patients from New Caledonia and other French speaking countries.

Felicity has always led a healthy and active lifestyle and her commitment to helping others with their weight problems started when she returned to Australia more than 10 years ago. She has in fact just celebrated her 10^th anniversary with Dr Layani’s surgical practice; and, she values the rich and rewarding experience she has had as practice manager over these years. She continues to exceed professional expectation in developing educational programs and resources at WeightLoss Solutions Australia and has been an integral part of the clinic’s success over the last decade. She loves nothing more than witnessing the transition people make to leading happier and more fulfilling lives as a result of achieving sustained weight loss through surgery and healthy lifestyles. She constantly strives for improvement in the area of bariatric services and considers her work environment inspirational and motivating. She takes personal pride in assisting patients with their goals to compete in the Noosa Triathlon every year and feels this event is an experience to remember for many patients who have a new lease on life following weight loss surgery. One of her fondest memories is of a young girl who attended one of our information nights in 2004, with her distraught and concerned parents, who went on to lose over 100kg and changed her quality of life for the better forever. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the practice or it services, Felicity is the person to talk to. She’s friendly, caring, and more than happy to assist patients of all weights and backgrounds.

 

Melanie Conlin (Patient Liaison Officer)

Melanie first came to our clinic as a patient, weighing almost 120kg, and has since gone on to become our Patient Liaison Officer. A busy working mum of two, who owned and operated her own successful beauty salon, Melanie has always struggled with her weight. Following many years of dieting and frustration with her weight, she decided on surgery. Mel opted for the lap band procedure, which led to great results, and was invited back to WLSA to talk at our information evenings with others who were interested in hearing from an actual patient about their experience. Unfortunately, an unforseen complication forced her to have her lap band removed after 2 years; and, she has since undergone sleeve gastrectomy as a revision option. Melanie is a very important member of our team, since she's been through surgery, both lap band and sleeve gastrectomy, and she is often the first point of call for potential patients interested in assessing their options for weight loss surgery. She speaks from experience and is there to provide personalised help every step of the way. Melanie also manages our Facebook page and chats on blogs and web sites with patients and people wanting more information on weight loss surgery. She arranges morning teas and dinners for patients interested in socialising with likeminded people and is always interested in supporting those on their journey to sustainable weight loss.