COMPREHENSIVE CARE & SUPPORT
What Makes Us Different?
WLSA is unique in that we have a full service bariatric team in-house. This means none of our key services are outsourced. All the support and services you need are available at one location and most of these services are included in your package cost for surgery. Our team includes 3 highly skilled surgeons, a psychologist, a dietitian and a nurse.
Our Clinical Team
Felicity Cohen
(CEO & Founder)
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 10th anniversary with WeightLoss Solutions Australia’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 100 kg* 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.
Dr Reza Adib
(Bariatric Surgeon)
M.D. FRACS, FRCSED General and Laparoscopic Upper Gastro-intestinal Surgeon
Dr Adib is vastly experienced in the area of laparoscopic surgery and obesity management. He has been fortunate enough to learn his trade in many countries, studying in Australia, England, Scotland, France & Austria. He has an appreciation for cultural diversity that is greatly respected by patients under his care and he has the experience to offer the very best in the clinical and surgical treatment of obesity and other gastrointestinal problems.
Dr Adib started his surgical career at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1994 and was selected to join the Advanced Surgical Program just 2 years later. In 2000 he became a Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and went on to practice in England, Scotland, France and Austria before returning to Australia in 2004 to set up his own surgical practice.During his time abroad he was selected for a Subspecialty Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in Colchester, England and was accepted as an international Fellow at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which is Scotland’s largest centre for hepatobiliary, pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal disorders.
Dr Adib is also a Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which is the world’s oldest College of Surgeons.Dr Adib is also member of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Obesity Surgeons, the International Hepatobiliary Association, the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, United Kingdom, and the European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons.
Dr Dilip Gahankari
(Plastic Surgeon)
MBBS, MCh (Plastic), FRCA (Edin), FRACS (Plastic)
Dr Gahankari is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is able to assist patients with enquiries regarding a wide range of cosmetic procedures, including Tummy Tuck, Body Lift, and Body Contouring procedures following weight loss. He consults from the rooms of WeightLoss Solutions Australia every Wednesday and can also assist with general cosmetic procedures like Facelift, Rhinoplasty, Eyelid Lift, Breast Enlargement and Reduction surgery and more. His services are frequently sought after by patients in Australia and abroad. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our surgical team in assisting patients with excess skin following weight loss surgery.
His commitment to excellence and exceptional patient care makes him a well respected surgeon in Australia. He endeavours to provide patients with safe, minimally invasive, and cost effective procedures to suit their objectives.
Brianna Fear-Keen
(Dietitian)
Brianna has recently moved to the Gold Coast from Canberra where she has spent the past 7 years working with patients who have diabetes.
She is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) having completed her studies in nutrition and dietetics and a Bachelor of Health Promotion-Public Health.
Brianna enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team and developing ongoing relationships with her patients helping them take ownership of their own health.
As a mum of two, Brianna knows how busy life can get and thrives in being able to provide practical nutrition support and education that assists patients to make healthy food and nutrition choices the easy choice.
Maddison Evans
(Dietitian)
Maddie is one of the dietitians at WLSA, who is very passionate about all things food and nutrition. After spending 6 years at university, studying a Bachelor of Science in Melbourne and a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics on the Gold Coast, she loves being able to pass on all of her practical knowledge and tips to help patients throughout every step of their journey.
In her spare time, Maddie enjoys going for walks down the beach, eating brunch and finding new mountains to climb.
She looks forward to getting to know each and every one of you, and being a part of your transformations.
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 associate membership with the Australian Psychological Society; he 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 aspiring athletes.
Leslie Hartley
(Psychologist)
Leslie Hartley is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Leslie is trained in a variety of evidence based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Mindfulness. She has worked extensively with victims of complex trauma mostly relating to childhood abuse, domestic violence and sexual violence. Leslie has always been interested in weight management issues and is particularly interested in the interaction between eating disorders/obesity and trauma.
In addition to providing psychological assessment and psycho education both before and after surgery, Leslie provides psychological support and intervention for a broad range of psychological issues as well as a variety of weight loss related issues that may arise. Leslie’s approach is one of being warm, engaging and non-judgemental. She aims to provide an empathic and supportive environment in which to foster personal insights, growth and positive change. Leslie is committed to supporting patients throughout what is probably one of the most significant journeys of their whole life, their bariatric surgery journey. By helping them to achieve the psychological, behavioural and lifestyle changes necessary to ensure the best possible weight loss and quality of life outcomes.
Carol Meyer
(Patient Liaison)
Carol has worked with WeightLoss Solutions Australia (WLSA) for the last 15 years. Carol is a registered nurse who joined the practice originally to consult with patients who were contemplating undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding. She also provided follow-up to patients regularly to ensure they were progressing well with their weight loss and assessed their need for band adjustments. During her time as the practice nurse she and the clinic’s dietitian wrote an abstract regarding the follow up of weight loss surgery patients, which was later presented at the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery conference in Boston, USA.
Carol’s role has changed over the years and she has moved into a more administrative role, managing enquiries from prospective patients interested in weight loss or general surgery procedures. Her nursing experience in this industry gives her insight into troubleshooting for patients pre and post-surgery; and, she is equipped to direct them to the most appropriate consultant for further management.
Carol has significant experience in her administration role, which includes assisting patients to access their superannuation for funding their surgery. Often the first port of call for patients, Carol’s experience, knowledge, and care goes a long way to helping patients get their weight loss journey off to the right start.
On a personal note Carol is the go to person for the Orbera Intragastric Balloon having undergone the procedure herself in 2013. Since that time she has learnt to run and has competed in a 5 km team event with WLSA in 2014. With new things happening all the time, she is always looking for the next adventure.
Kellie Kendall
(Receptionist/Patient Liaison)
Previously from NZ – Kellie is in a full time administrative role with WLSA.
Kellie manages enquiries from prospective patients interested in weight loss or general surgery procedures, Kellie has significant experience in her administrative role, which includes assisting patients to access early release of superannuation funds for funding their surgery.
Kellie has had over ten years administrative experience in Bariatrics, firstly taking up a administrative role in the USA in 2004 and then a similar role in NZ in 2010 and she started with WLSA in March 2015.
Kellie is passionate about her role and ensuring patients achieve their weight loss goals, Kellie has three teenage daughters and her hobbies are walking, reading, beach time and spending time with her English bulldog named Gus.
Alex Thomson
(Medical Receptionist)
Alex was born and raised on the Gold Coast. Since leaving high school she’s been working in hospitality and retail full time. In 2016 Alex underwent the Gastric Sleeve surgery through Weightloss Solutions Australia and it was only after her 12 month journey she realised her new found passion for weight loss and wanting to help others make this life changing decision.
Alex now works full time at WLSA and loves being able to have the opportunity to help everyone that walks through our doors. She comes to work with a true passion now.
On Alex’s days off she now enjoys going out and being active, something she never thought she would enjoy doing! Alex is engaged to be married to her wonderful partner Kevin and they are both looking forward to planning their special day. She also has a beautiful 3 year old Border Collie ‘Bella’ who loves attention and hates anybody in hi vis t-shirts.
Barbara Mulvenney
(Medical Receptionist)
Barb has come to WLSA with a wealth of experience working in the Credit Union Industry and Finance Industry for over 30 years. She pride’s herself in patient privacy and confidentiality at all times and where the patients are her first priority.
Barb has resided on the Gold Coast for the past 33 years with her husband and two children. Barb is very fortunate enough to have two beautiful grandchildren, and spends precious time spoiling them. She also has a beautiful 9 year old Labrador which still hasn’t grown out of her puppy stage. Barb is actively involved in managing and coaching her team of ladies for Masters Games for Netball. Due to recent injuries Barb has had to hung up her netball shoes and retire from playing. Barb has competed in Worlds, Australian and Pan Pacific Masters Games. Her greatest achievement was winning a Bronze medal in Adelaide.