Bariatric Physician
Surgical assist

B BioMed Sci, B Pharmacy, MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Catherine graduated from Medicine at Bond University in 2016, after completing prior degrees in pharmacy and biomedical science.

Throughout her residency, she worked in a number of hospitals across Queensland, including: rural, remote and metropolitan settings.
In 2021, she then gained her RACGP fellowship.

Dr Catherine is a teaching adjunct and an OSCE examiner for the Bond University medical program. She also teaches Griffith University medical students both in theatre and clinic.

She has over 4 years of experience as a surgical assistant in orthopaedic, general and bariatric surgery.
Catherine has contributed to the success of many patients undergoing weight loss surgery - including: sleeve gastrectomy, roux en y gastric bypass and the one anastomosis omega loop bypass.

She has extensive experience looking after bariatric patients pre and post operatively.

Her special interests include: weight management, chronic disease management and diabetes optimisation.

She is a member of the RACGP and Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery Societies, including: ANZMOSS and IFSO.

Principal Dietitian

B Sc Nutrition & Dietetics​

Carly is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who takes a holistic approach to nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Carly offers a non-judgemental approach to weight and food concerns and encourages people to become inquisitive about how food impacts their health, energy and vitality.
Her specialties include weight management nutrition and bariatric surgery.

​Carly currently works as a clinical dietitian in a hospital and has undertaken additional training in gut health, eating disorders, FODMAPS and behaviour change.
She has previously worked as a Nutritionist at the Gwinganna Health Retreat and has published articles in magazines including Flannerys magazine.

She regularly appears on Channel 9's 'Living Proof' tv show as the expert dietitian.
She is a member of the Australian & New Zealand Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) and is Vice Convenor of the Dietitians Australia Bariatric Surgery Interest Group.

Bariatric, General & Upper GI Surgeon

B Sc Med, MBBS, FRACS

Associate Professor Philip Townend is a specialist in Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery as well as General Surgery. After graduating medicine from the University of New South Wales in 2007 he completed his internship/residency in Newcastle, NSW.

After obtaining his FRACS in general surgery in 2017 he went on to receive further training as a fellow in HPB Surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital and the Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellow at The Canberra Hospital, ACT.

In 2018 Philip was a successful candidate to be offered an ANZGOSA (Australia and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association) Fellowship for 2 years.

He continued his ANZGOSA training at Bankstown/Liverpool Hospital in Sydney specialising in both Oesophagogastric and Hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery.

He commenced consultant practice in 2020 at Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Private Hospital and Pindara Private Hospital.

He is on committees locally, nationally and internationally, responsible for improving patient care and supporting research projects.
He was made Associate Professor at Griffith University School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2021 for his work in research and teaching.

Dr Townend offers robotic and laparoscopic bariatric procedures.

Bariatric, General & Upper GI Surgeon

M.D, FRACS

Dr Mikhail Mastakov is a Bariatric, General and Upper GI Surgeon.
He completed his surgical fellowship training in Australia and has over 28 years of experience in performing general surgeries, procedures and surgical care for both public and private patients.
This includes: over 17 years of surgeries in Queensland hospitals such as Princess Alexandra Hospital, QEII Jubilee Hospital, Logan Hospital, Redland Hospital, Townsville Base Hospital, Rockhampton and Nambour Base Hospitals.

He currently practices out of Gold Coast Private Hospital, Sunnybank Private Hospital, and St Stephen’s Hospital Hervey Bay.

Dr Mastakov is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and a member of the General Surgeons Australia (GSA) and ANZMOSS.
Dr Mastakov has completed a preceptorship in Bariatric (Obesity) surgery with leading Australian bariatric surgeons practicing in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

His main interests are in weight loss surgery, however, he is trained to perform: anti reflux surgery, hernia repair, cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, bowel obstruction surgery, repair of haemorrhoids, hydroceles, thyroid and parathyroid conditions.

Endocrinologist & General Physician

MBBS, FRCP (London), FRACP

Dr Ciin did her basic and specialist training in Diabetes, Endocrinology and General/Acute Medicine in the UK.
She obtained full registration with the GMC and practised as a Specialist Consultant in the UK.

Dr Louise now practices from her private room in Suite 16, at Gold Coast Private Hospital, Southport.
She also works part-time as a Staff Specialist Endocrinologist at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Dr Ciin has extensive experience in treating patients who are overweight or obese (non-surgical and surgical), as well as all areas of Diabetes and Endocrinology.

She serves as a Principal Investigator at the Clinical Trial Unit, at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, where she is currently conducting two research projects on "Obesity" and "Diabetes and Obesity".

She has been involved in the optimisation of metabolic issues prior to bariatric surgery and post-operative care.
She works closely with Bariatric surgeons, General Practitioners, Dietitians, Exercise physiologists and Psychologists, in order to improve and optimise patient outcomes.

Dr Ciin has been awarded Senior Lecturer status from Griffith University. She has been involved in the teaching of Medical Students from both Griffith University and Bond University for the last several years.

Paediatrician & Emergency Medicine Specialist

MBBS, MPH, FRACP, FACEM

Dr Victoria Matheson studied Medicine at St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine in the United Kingdom.
She moved to Australia as a junior doctor and has completed all her subsequent training here.

She is a specialist in both General Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine with a bridging specialty of Paediatric Emergency. This combination of specialities allows her to provide a unique level of care to her patients across the full range of age from the preterm infant to the mature teenager.

She has interests in all aspects of general paediatrics as well as behavioural and developmental paediatrics. Through her training she is an expert in the care of newborns through to adolescents presenting with urgent or emergency problems.

In 2015, she completed a Master of Public Health, with a focus on childhood obesity, and has subsequently, up-skilled through the Harvard University Blackburn course in Obesity management.

She offers a comprehensive service for weight management that is multi-disciplinary in its approach and understanding of the significant challenges that families face with weight management issues.

Dr Victoria consults out of Suite 18 at Gold Coast Private Hospital.

Cardiologist

MBBS, FRACP

Dr Lim graduated from Melbourne University in 1997.
He then continued training in Melbourne, completing his basic and advanced cardiology training, and was admitted as a fellow of the RACP in 2004.
Dr Lim completed his fellowship in electrophysiology and pacing at the Royal Perth Hospital in 2006.

His main interests consist of catheter ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias, as well as the implantation of pacemakers, defibrillators and loop recorders.

Weight loss has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events.
Dr Lim believes that collaborative care involving cardiology and bariatrics, is crucial for managing patients with obesity and cardiovascular concerns.
He is available to assess and manage any patient with ongoing heart concerns, high blood pressure and arrhythmias.

Dr Lim consults out of the Gold Coast Heart Centre rooms at Gold Coast Private Hospital, Pindara Private Hospital and John Flynn Hospital.

Registered Psychologist

BA Psych (Hons), M Org Psych

Rachel is experienced in providing psychological support to adults for a range of conditions including: depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief, and relationship problems.

Rachel also has a special interest in the psychology of disordered eating and weight-related concerns, and is skilled at supporting people undergoing bariatric surgery.
Rachel studied at the University of Queensland, completing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology and a Masters of Organisational Psychology.

She is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi), an Associate Member of the Australian and New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS), and is a Gold level Approved Practitioner with the Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour (ACFEB).

Rachel uses evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These have been scientifically proven to help people with a range of mental health conditions.
She prides herself on providing a supportive and empathetic therapeutic environment to help clients develop skills to deal with their struggles and embrace the life they want to live.

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Masters Nutrition & Dietetics

Jen has over 20 years experience working as a Dietitian, particularly in the field of weight management and bariatrics.
Jen specialises in developing evidence-based, individualised nutrition plans for adults, teens, and children, addressing a range of health concerns and dietary goals.

Jen’s clinical expertise includes: managing complex cases involving sensory feeding challenges, food intolerances, enteral nutrition, and tube weaning, as well as guiding families through challenges like fussy eating.

Her background in paediatric and adolescent nutrition also makes her a valuable asset for families seeking specialised nutritional support.
In her role as a clinical dietitian, Jen combines medical knowledge with a compassionate approach, tailoring nutrition therapy to each patient’s unique needs.

Her dedication to empowering clients with sustainable, scientifically supported dietary strategies ensures that they receive the highest level of care on their journey to improved health.

Accredited Practising Dietitian

B AppSci + M DietPractice + Hons HumNut

Zoe is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who is dedicated to helping others to optimise their health through good nutrition.
Zoe adopts a client-focused counselling approach which aims to provide personalised practical advice that is tailored to her client’s background, current eating habits, and lifestyle.

Zoe is based on the Gold Coast and works clinically as a hospital dietitian.
She is committed to evidence-based practise and enhancing her professional knowledge and skills and has undertaken additional training in the areas of gut health, eating disorders, and behaviour change.

Since graduating as an Accredited Practising Dietitian Zoe has also completed an Honours in Human Nutrition and research on the role of diet in functional dyspepsia.

Through her studies and clinical work Zoe has developed particular interests in weight management and bariatric nutrition, chronic disease management, and functional gut disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Senior Exercise Physiologist

B Exercise Physiology

Megan is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist dedicated to helping patients reach their weight loss goals, through targeted exercise programs. These exercise programs are specifically tailored to achieve long term, sustainable results.

With over 11 years of experience in the medical field, Megan specialises in weight management, obesity, and lifestyle change.

She works closely with pre and post-operative bariatric surgery patients to support them in their recovery, to promote ongoing weight loss and success.

Megan’s approach combines clinical expertise with compassionate support, creating a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where patients feel empowered to achieve their goals.

Trained in behavioural change intervention, Megan’s evidence-based exercise programs are designed to be safe, effective, and customised to each individual’s journey, ensuring an approach that fits within their lifestyle.

Since graduating from the University of New South Wales in 2011, Megan has worked across public hospitals and in private clinics, to help patients adopt healthier habits and achieve meaningful progress.

Now based on the Gold Coast, she is proud to be part of our team committed to transforming lives through effective weight management and holistic care.

Practice Manager

As the Practice Manager of The Weight Loss Specialist Clinic, Alex brings expertise, compassion, and dedication to supporting each patient’s weight loss journey.

With a background in medical and surgical administration, and a strong commitment to patient care, Alex ensures that every aspect of your experience at the clinic is welcoming and personalised.

From coordinating your consults, to addressing any questions or concerns, Alex is here to guide you through each step of the process, making sure you feel confident, supported, and motivated.

Feel free to reach out to Alex to learn more about our services. She is on site 5 days a week to answer your enquiries.