The Fresh Start Program specialises in helping Bariatric Clinics to lead the way in their field, by providing their patients with a comprehensive 2-year support, education and lifestyle coaching program, to assist them to create a new healthy lifestyle after surgery.
While Bariatric Surgery is a powerful tool to influence the volume of food consumed by patients, the procedures do not necessarily improve lifestyle factors including the quality of food and beverages consumed, dysfunctional eating and drinking patterns, sleep patterns, exercise levels or stress management. Many patients also face new issues adjusting to their post-surgical lifestyle, including relationship challenges and dealing with excess skin and self-image issues. These challenges can negatively impact on the long-term results of Bariatric Surgery.
Unless the patient embraces lifestyle changes and adjusts to any new challenges then the long-term effects of the Bariatric Surgery procedure may be limited or constrained.
Clinic Partnerships
The Fresh Start Program partners with Bariatric Clinics and supports their patients to create necessary lifestyle changes, to deal constructively with the new challenges that they now face and to adjust to their new life. Our team of professional health and mindset coaches provides a first-class support service.
The Fresh Start Program is proud to be partnered with the following leading clinics and surgeons:
- Dr David Martin, Martin Obesity Surgery, Strathfield (since 2010)
- Dr Ian Martin, Martin Obesity Surgery, Auchenflower (since 2012)
- Dr Andrew Russell, Rockhampton (since 2014)
- Dr Peter Bovey, Townsville (since 2016, now retired)
- Dr Nicholas Williams, Riverina Bariatrics, Wagga Wagga (since 2017)
- Dr Richard Harrison, Riverina Bariatrics, Wagga Wagga (since 2017)
- Dr Craig Taylor, OClinic, Wollstonecraft (since 2018)
- Dr John Jorgensen, St George Private Hospital, Kogarah (since 2018, now retired)
- Dr Philip Le Page, Concorde (since 2019)
- Dr David Links, Randwick (since 2020)
- Associate Professor Michael Talbot and Upper GI Surgery, Kogarah (since 2021)
- Dr David Lewis, Tamworth Weight Loss Surgery, Tamworth (since 2021)
- Dr Mark Magdy, St George Private Hospital, Kogarah (since 2022)
- Dr Evan Willingham and Toowoomba Bariatric Surgery, Toowoomba (since 2023)
- Dr Christian Connors, Mackay (since 2023)
- Dr Harald Puhalla, Body Free Weight Loss Surgery, Southport (since 2025)
- Dr Jason Wong, Brisbane General & Obesity Surgery, Redcliffe (since 2025)
- Dr Leon Cohen, Mercy Bariatrics, Perth (since 2025)
- Dr Ashok Gunawardene, Epping (since 2025)
In an increasingly competitive field, partnering with The Fresh Start Program will ensure that you lead the way in offering the most comprehensive level of ongoing post-surgical lifestyle support.
In a 2018 survey of patients enrolled on The Fresh Start Program with one of our clinic partners, the clinic received 107 questionnaire responses from patients who completed group support sessions from October 2017 until November 2018. 100% of patients participating in the sessions indicated that they would ârecommend the support sessions to another bariatric patientâ and the average rating for the session being âinformative, enjoyable and valuableâ was 97.9%. Â
Testimonials
Dr John Jorgensen, Bariatric Surgeon
"Over the past eight years, our collaboration with Fresh Start has been an invaluable part of the care we provide to our bariatric patients... Fresh Start has consistently offered compassionate, evidence-based guidance that aligns seamlessly with our surgical and post-operative program. Their ongoing involvement, particularly in the critical phases of recovery, behaviour change, and long-term maintenance, has strengthened our ability to provide truly holistic care."
Dr Ian Martin, Bariatric Surgeon
"Amber and her team have been working with me and my patients for over a decade and they are the 'real deal'. They absolutely care about my patients' wellbeing and are devoted to assisting them to achieve their health and lifestyle goals. I thoroughly endorse them and believe they are outstanding in providing mindset and lifestyle coaching support."
Dr Philip Le Page, Bariatric Surgeon
"Thank you to the Fresh Start Program for providing the best support possible for anyone undergoing weight loss surgery. I am a bariatric surgeon based in Sydney and I believe it is essential for patients having bariatric surgery to work on making changes to their past eating habits and help them adjust to a new lifestyle after surgery. The professional and caring service provided is first class and my patients have always provided very positive feedback to me."Â
Cal Paterson, Clinical Psychologist
"We know that the journey doesnât end when you leave the hospital ward, and the road for each patient is different. The best outcomes are achieved by clinics that integrate their medical expertise with psychology, dietetics, and exercise physiology, tailored to the individual needs of patients. The Fresh Start Program enhances patient support by providing an individual space for patients to build on the advice and guidance they have received, while reinforcing the advice of other experts. I believe this sort of comprehensive, unified and ongoing approach to patient support is best practice now, and should become standard practice for bariatric patients in future."
Erin Baker, Practice Manager
"I have found The Fresh Start Program to be a very helpful resource for our patients, that has only become bigger and better over the years since we started using the program. From an administration point of view, the process is very simple and streamlined and enrolling patients is easy. I would highly recommend The Fresh Start Program to any bariatric practice."
Melissa, Bariatric Patient
"Your work has done me wonders and I feel that youâve given me the right tools to stay on track and make the most of the opportunity the WLS has provided me.""
Simone Launt-Peters, Dietitian
“Thank you so much for your wonderful educational facility that you make available to our bariatric patients.”
Team
Amber Kay
 Amber is co-author of 'Get Back On Track After Your Weight Loss Surgery' and a certified Mindset Coach specialising in Bariatric Surgery and GLP-1 Support. She has over 25 yearsâ experience in training, coaching and human potential, with an Honours degree in Psychology, an Advanced Diploma in Coaching, and is an Associate Member of the Australian & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society.Â
Amber is dedicated to assisting clients with the internal and external factors that influence weight management and underpin long-term success. By addressing both mindset and behaviour change processes, she supports individuals in building healthier habits, sustaining lifestyle changes, and achieving outcomes that align with their health and weight goals.Â
Alex Shirley
Alex is is co-author of 'Get Back On Track After Your Weight Loss Surgery' and a certified Health Coach (Wellcoaches) specialising in Bariatric Surgery and GLP- 1 Support. Alex has a Masters in Health and Nutrition Education and over 20 yearsâ experience in the Health and Fitness Industry. He is an Associate Member of the Australian & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society.Â
Alex originally trained and worked as a Solicitor but left the world of corporate law to pursue his interest in health and wellness. With this background, he is very aware of the pressures involved in maintaining a balanced lifestyle and he uses this prior experience to provide clients with a highly professional service.Â
Tracey Corn
Steve Kay
Steve is a qualified and experienced Counsellor specialising in Bariatric Surgery Support.  Â
Steve trained originally as a Health and Physical Education specialist, and since 1993, after achieving his Masters degree in Counselling, has worked extensively as a coach, counsellor and educator. Â
Steve is committed to helping people to create and reach their ideal health vision so that they can enjoy a more fulfilling and rewarding life.