Dr Werapitiya

MS, FRCS, MBBS

Dr Werapitiya is an Australian-trained surgeon. He completed his medical degree in his native Sri Lanka. He moved to Australia in 1999 and subsequently completed his surgical training, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. In 2006, he became the first graduate of the Bariatric Surgery program through Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia. He is now one of the leading bariatric surgeons in Australia, having performed over to 5000 weight loss procedures.

Dr Werapitiya started One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) surgery 8 years ago and has performed over 1000 of them. He has a research interest in OAGB, mainly in refining the operative technique and the management of post-operative issues. He is a leader in one anastomosis gastric bypass surgery in Australia, publishing research in the field as well as participating in the teaching of other surgeons.

His Bariatric surgery practice is based at St John of God Hospital, Bunbury. His provides public service at Bunbury Regional Hospital, Busselton Hospital and Bridgetown Hospital.

Outside his busy working schedule, he likes to show off his culinary skills, mainly Sri Lankan cuisine. He has hosted big crowds at community fund-raising activities.  Appreciating the vast country we live in, he has developed a keen interest in four-wheel driving.

Dr Werapitiya

A holistic team approach

Our multidisciplinary team offers a holistic approach to your weight loss journey.

With a team consisting of your bariatric surgeon, Dr Werapitiya, along with Dr Tanya Coulson, bariatric practitioner, Lisa Moore our bariatric dietitian, and anaesthetists as well as hospital staff, we form an experienced team offering personalised and comprehensive care to ensure your ongoing long-term health.

Why choose us?

Benefits of choosing a local surgeon

There are many benefits to having surgery close to home. You are going to have many appointments before and after weight loss surgery. These can be difficult and costly if you have to travel a long distance.

Although rare, serious complications that requires urgent medical attention can occur anytime after weight loss surgery. With most weight loss procedures, long term follow up can help prevent or minimise weight regain and allow early recognition of complications. For these reasons it’s important for you to have easy access to your surgeon.

If you live within our region choosing WA Weight Loss Centre makes it much easier to visit with your local surgical team, get your questions answered and feel comfortable going into surgery. We also provide you with full long term follow up and advice at no extra cost.

Choose a team that you can trust

Our experienced team at WA Weight Loss Centre is there to answer any questions you may have and to make you feel comfortable and supported. At no time in the process you will feel pressured to decide in favour of surgery or choose a particular procedure. We also provide wide range of surgical and non surgical options and happily refer you for a second opinion if and when required.

Choose a team with lot of experience

Dr Werapitiya is a fellowship trained bariatric Surgeon with over 15 years experience in the field and had performed over  5000 weight loss procedures. At WA Weight Loss Centre we have a broad experience offering primary (first time) and revisional (re-do) surgery and capability to handle after surgery issues.

Our practice regularly contributes data to the Bariatric Surgery Registry in Australia and have results comparable to the best. Because of our board experience, volume of surgery and the well trained, dedicated team, our complication rate is very low.

Dr Werapitiya is a leader in One Anastomosis gastric Bypass in Australia and has got teaching and research interests in this field.

We help you choose the most appropriate surgery for you

At WA Weight Loss Centre we understand that surgery is not for everbody and no single weight loss surgery procedure suits everyone. We offer a wide range of weight loss surgeries. After initial assessment our team will guide you to choose the best procedure for your needs.

With us you will have the same out of pocket expense for every weight loss procedure (primary or revision) and you will be free to choose the most appropriate surgery without the cost of surgery influencing your decision. We offer gastric band removal in preparation for revision surgery at no out of pocket expense.