Our Team | Sea Change Weight Loss Clinic

Our team lives in Newcastle. If our patients require personal attention following surgery, it’s good to know we’re close by.

Dr Mark Gately, Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Mark Gately is a locally trained bariatric (weight loss) surgeon who has worked in Newcastle and the Hunter Region since 2006.

Dr Gately completed his Surgical training in General surgery before heading overseas to further sub-specialise in bariatric and benign upper gastrointestinal surgery. Whilst overseas, Dr Gately was employed at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Hospital, an NHS centre of excellence for Bariatric surgery in Central London. Spending 2 years abroad, Dr Gately gained extensive experience in all forms of primary and revisional bariatric procedures including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, as well as expertise in the surgical management of conditions such as reflux and achalasia.

Currently Dr Gately operates at Lingard Private Hospital.

Dr Gately is very passionate about the delivery of high quality, holistic bariatric surgical care and his patients enjoy his approachable and thoughtful manner.

Dr Martin McLeod, Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Martin McLeod grew up in Newcastle. He undertook training in general surgery locally and obtained his fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). Following this, he completed further sub-specialty training in bariatric (weight loss) surgery in Western Australia at one of Australia’s busiest bariatric surgical centres.

Dr McLeod believes in a holistic approach to the treatment of obesity as a chronic disease. This requires a multi-faceted approach to treatment involving dietitians, GPs, other specialists and surgeons.

To stay up to date with current trends in bariatric and general surgery, Dr McLeod attends national and international conferences at least annually.

The weight loss procedures he performs are:

Dr McLeod also performs hernia surgery (including hiatal hernia), gall bladder surgery and gastroscopy. He operates privately at Lingard Private Hospital and has a public hospital appointment at Calvary Mater Waratah.

Dr Patrick McQuillan, Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Patrick McQuillan is an upper gastrointestinal, bariatric and general surgeon who completed his General Surgical training in the Hunter Region. Following this, he undertook subspecialty training at large upper GI referral centres specialising in cancer as well as bariatrics and benign upper GI conditions. He trained at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia, Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand and at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in England, one of the largest upper GI cancer centres in Europe.

Dr McQuillan performs weight loss surgery, stomach and oesophageal cancer surgery (adopting minimally invasive techniques when indicated), anti-reflux and hiatus hernia surgery, surgery for achalasia, upper endoscopy (including EMR for Barrett’s), gallbladder surgery as well as groin and abdominal hernia surgery.

Dr McQuillan is committed to serving the community of the Hunter and maintaining the highest quality of care for his patients. He also works at the John Hunter Hospital.

Alice Carr, Dietitian

Alice is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) with a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Hons) from the University of Newcastle and a member of Dietitians Australia (DA).

Alice has worked across a range of different dietetic areas including bariatric surgery, private practice, aged care and school-based settings. She has a keen interest in providing evidence-based yet individualised care to all patients to assist them in reaching their health and weight goals.

Alongside her interest in bariatrics and weight management, Alice is also passionate about the management of chronic health conditions such as diabetes. She also continues to explore the many reasons people engage in the eating behaviours they do and how to support them by regularly attending professional development through ANZMOSS and other professional bodies.

Marlo Elms, Dietitian

Marlo is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Diabetes Educator. Marlo holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as a postgraduate degree in Diabetes Education and Management. Marlo has completed the Advanced Bariatric Nutrition training for Dietitians Australia as well as further training in the management of eating disorders, type 1 diabetes and clinical sports nutrition.

Marlo is passionate about holistic care and recognises that there are many different factors which affect our weight. Marlo believes in a collaborative approach to weight management including medical, psychological, nutrition and exercise support.

Marlo provides a “zero judgement” space for people, encouraging them to take an active part in shaping their healthiest life yet. To support this process Marlo translates the latest bariatric and diabetes scientific research into easy and simple to manage solutions. Marlo enjoys helping people find food freedom, getting off the diet merry-go-round once and for all.

Marlo has broad clinical experience supporting people undergoing bariatric surgery as well as those living with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pre-diabetes, PCOS, food allergies and intolerances, eating disorders, disordered eating and people wanting to get fitter or stronger.

Anna Turnock, Psychologist & CEDC

Anna is a registered Psychologist, an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society and a CEDC (Certified Eating Disorder Clinician). After completing her honours degree in 2001, Anna undertook an internship in Occupational Rehabilitation, with a focus on medico-legal assessments and reports, pain management, adjustment to change, vocational assessments and counselling. Following completion of her internship, Anna contracted to various local private practices.

Her work experience includes the provision of a diverse range of psychological services, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anxiety and mood disorders, psychometric testing and report writing, Medicare services, training, relationship counselling, Employee Assistance Program services, executive coaching and performance management, career counselling and coaching, as well as trauma and critical incident management.

In 2006, Anna completed her Masters in Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching), furthering her knowledge of health coaching, positive psychology, motivational interviewing and solution-focused goal-orientated therapy. More recently, Anna has turned her focus to the specific psychological and behavioural challenges associated with bariatric surgery. Bariatric Psychology combines Anna’s interest areas of health coaching, psychology, nutrition and exercise. She values Sea Change Clinic’s multidisciplinary team approach to weight loss treatment.

Anna has a warm, supportive and collaborative approach to therapy. She uses a variety of scientifically validated, evidence-based techniques to support positive outcomes for her clients. Her focus is on providing support for her clients in preparation for surgery and in reaching their weight loss goals.

Amy Gronow, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Bariatrics

Amy is a Nursing Graduate of the University of Western Sydney and has been a Registered Nurse since 2006. She has been a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) since 2011 and has held the Bariatric CNS Portfolio at three local hospitals since 2015, namely Lingard Private, Lakeview Private and Nepean Private. Amy is also a Certified Bariatric Nurse via the ASMBS – one of only four nurses Australia-wide to have this qualification.

Amy’s areas of proficiency include bariatric, laparoscopic, endoscopic, general, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgeries, and her professional memberships include the Australia and New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) and the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

At Sea Change Weight Loss Clinic, Amy carries out pre- and post-operative assessments and checks with our patients, while maintaining an active involvement in the Bariatric Surgical Registry (BSR). Amy liaises with our multidisciplinary health care team to aid in providing individualised, holistic care to patients undergoing bariatric surgery with an empathetic, friendly and caring approach.

Other Experts

Our dedicated on-site team works together with local GPs and other specialists to provide a holistic approach to weight loss and ongoing management. This is the key to long-term success.