Dr Georgia Rigas MBBS, FRACGP, MRCGP Obesity Doctor

• 2024: Adjunct Associate Lecturer St George & Sutherland Clinical School, UNSW Medicine
• 2021: World Obesity Federation recognition as National SCOPE Fellow
• 2018: Surgical Review Council, first Australian GP to be internationally recognised as a Bariatric Care Specialist
• 2015: World Obesity Federation, first recognised as a SCOPE qualified obesity doctor
• 2010: Centre for Obesity Research & Education bariatric training and clinical upskilling, Melbourne
• 2009: Intragastric balloon endoscopic therapies training and clinical upskilling, Melbourne and Sydney
• 2003: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology UK, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK
• 2003: Diploma in Family Planning & Reproductive Health UK Faculty of Family Planning & Reproductive Health, UK
• 2003: Diploma in Child Health UK, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, UK
• 2000: University of New South Wales, Sydney
  • Bachelor of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Surgery
  • Bachelor of Science (Medicine)

*NOTE: in Australia, "Bariatric Medical Practitioner" is used interchangeably with "Bariatric Physician"

• October 2005: Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom
• December 2008: Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners ad endum gradum
• 2021: World Obesity Federation recognition as National SCOPE Fellow

• 2021: World Obesity Federation recognition as National SCOPE Fellow
• 2020: Jamieson Award for best scientific paper- Australian & New Zealand Metabolic Obesity Surgery Society
• 2016: Greek Welfare Centre of Sydney, award for community volunteer work to the poor and homeless
• 2018: Bariatric Care Specialist award- first Australian GP to receive this international recognition
• 2000: Intern of the year award- Bankstown -Lidcombe Hospital, Australia
• 1998: “The UNSW 2/5” Award for first place in undergraduate General Practice rotation

• 2024: IFSO ANZMOSS annual scientific meeting local organising committee member and spokes person
• 2023-2024: update RACGP obesity prevention and management position statement
• 2022-2024: update RACGP Red Book 10th edition "Guidelines for preventative activities in general practice"
• 2022: Faculty Member and speaker at SCOPE School Melbourne
• January 2022: Working party developing a submission on behalf of the Royal Australian College of General practitioners (RACGP) supporting Australia’s first government subsidized anti-obesity medication currently under consultation
• January 2022: Working party developing a submission on behalf of the Obesity Collective supporting Australia’s first government subsidized anti-obesity medication currently under consultation
• October 2021 to present: Global Obesity Faculty for Medscape Education Global
• September 2021 to present: National SCOPE Fellow recognition by the Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE) of the World Obesity Federation
• August 2021: Clinician advising the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) of Australia during the consultation process whilst they consider Australia’s first government subsidized anti-obesity medication
• March 2021 to present Reshape HealthSciences Australia Scientific Medical Advisory Board
• March 2021 to present: Nestle HealthScience Scientific Medical Advisory Board
• January 2019 to 2020: The Australian Institute of Company Directors
• September 2018 to 2020: Working party developing a publicly funded metabolic and bariatric obesity by Southeastern Sydney Primary Healthcare Network, Sydney
• April 2018 to present: Bariatric Care Specialist, awarded by Surgical Review Council [first Australian GP to be awarded this]
• December 2015 to 2020: Global Obesity Faculty for mdBriefcase
• March 2017 to 2020: RACGP representative of the working party advocating to improve access to Public Funded Bariatric Services in Australia
• February 2018 to present: NovoNordisk Global Scientific Advisory Board
• February 2018 to 2020: GP representative of National Association of Clinical Obesity Services
• 2018: Conjoint lecturer St George & Sutherland Clinical Schools, University of New South Wales, Sydney
• 2017: Undergraduate UNSW medical students educator
• St George Hospital Campus, Sydney
• 2014 to present: founding Chair of the RACGP Specific Interest in Obesity Management Network
• 2012- 2015: GP representative on the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia & New Zealand Committee (now known as Australian & New Zealand Medical Obesity Surgery Society)
• 2003-2005: GR Registrar representative on the Clinical Training Committee, Kent Surrey & Sussex General Practitioner Vocational Training Scheme
• 2001: President of Bankstown – Lidcombe Hospital RMO Association
• 2000 – 01: Junior Doctor’s Representative- Clinical Training Committee of Bankstown – Lidcombe Hospital

• Advocacy Work: for increased & more equitable access for evidence-based effective therapies to help people living with obesity
• RACGP representative on the equitable access to public-funded metabolic and bariatric surgery clinic task force
• Member of the Obesity Impact Assembly in partnership with PriceWaterhouseCoopers Australia
• Curator of The Obesity Collective advocacy group
• RACGP Specific Interest in Obesity Management Network, founding Chair
• ANZMOSS Bariatric Medical Practitioner Network, founding Chair
• Commitment to Education: in person e.g. GP conferences, HealthEd symposium, webinars, past GP Registrar Clinical Examiner at RACGP NSW & ACT;virtual platforms such as mdBriefcase,MedScape Education, ASCEND education, Member of the following medical advisory committees: iNova, NovoNordisk global scientific advisory, NovoNordisk Australia, Eli Lilly Australia, Nestle HealthSciences
• Consultancy work and advisory role for NSW Health & Australian National Ministry of Health, on obesity-related issues and projects Consultancy work for iNova, NovoNordisk, Medtronics (previously Covidien); ApolloEndo (previously Allergan), Johnson & Johnson Ethicon, W.L. Gore Australia, ReShape LifeSciences, Nestle HealthSciences, Merck Sharp & Dohme
  Spokesperson for RACGP on issues of obesity:
  • November 2016: Member representing the RACGP at the Annual Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) National Health Summit on Obesity
  • June 2016: Member representing the RACGP at the Annual Obesity Summit Charles Perkins Centre National Health Summit on Obesity
  • February 2019: Member representing the RACGP at the Obesity Summit, summoned by Hon Bridget McKenzie & Hon Steven Miles, Canberra ACT ustralia, Nestle HealthSciences & Merck Sharp &Dohme, Eli Lilly Australia

• Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society
• Australian & New Zealand Metabolic Surgery Society (previously known as Obesity Surgery Society of Australia & New Zealand)
• Weight Issues Network [WIN]
• National Australian of Clinical Obesity Services [NACOS]
• American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
• The Obesity Society, USA
• World Obesity Federation

• St George Private Hospital, Kogarah Sydney

• March 2022: The role of primary care in the management of patients living with ObesityWagga Wagga
• November 2021: Treating obesity in primary care: why, who and how? World Organisation of Family Doctors [WONCA] International Congress[virtual]
• November 2021: ASCEND small group learning tutorial in obesity case management[virtual]
• November 2021: Medscape Obesity Week 21 in review: with Arya Sharma[virtual]
• November 2021: NovoNordisk: Global Obesity Clinics Academy[virtual]
• November 2021: Primary Care Global Diabetes Expert Meeting 2[virtual]
• October 2021: Primary Care Global Diabetes Expert Meeting 1[virtual]
• October 2021: "Medical management of the bariatric surgical patien" masterclass Australian & New Zealand Metabolic Obesity Surgery Society annual Scientific meeting[virtual]
• July 2021: iNova Pharmaceuticals: Development of content for “Weighingit Up” medical education program[virtual]
• July 2021: Treating obesity in primary care: why, who and how? World Organisation of Family Doctors [WONCA] European Congress[virtual]
• June 2021: "Four key insights on the weight loss journey" Rethink Obesity 4 Forums Series 2[virtual]
• May 2021: "Pharmacotherapy for weight management following bariatric surgery" ANZMOSS Dietitian RoadshowSydney
• May 2021: Speaker at SCOPE school: obesity and mental health World Obesity Federation[virtual]
• March 2021: "Role of anti-obesity medication in the management of obesity"Saudi [virtual]
• March 2021: ReShape LifeSciences: "How to make the most of your Lapband"[virtual]
• January 2021: Virtual Obesity Clinical Platform series: “how to virtually manage patients who have undergone bariatric metabolic surgery"[virtual]
• November-December 2020: NovoNordisk Rethink Obesity4 Forums podcasts
• August 2020: "The impact of obesity on male and female fertility"Saudi [Virtual]
• November 2020: "Obesity management: lifestyle and beyond" full day courseTaiwan [Virtual]
• October 2020: Virtual Obesity Clinical Platform series: “how to virtually consult with patients with obesity” [Virtual]
• July 2020: "Rethink Obesity: the role of anti-obesity medication in the management of obesity" New Zealand[Virtual]
• May - July, 2020: Speaker and facilitator at three of the NovoNordisk sponsored 6-part webinar "Rethink Obesity"
• 13 May 2020: Speaker at NovoNordisk sponsored GP lunch webinar "Addressing Obesity" Sydney
• 3 March 2020: Speaker at iNova sponsored GP dinner meeting "The role of Contrave in the management of obesity"
• 30 January 2020: Video modules for medical UNSW and Sydney University students "Raising the issue of weight with patients of children living with obesity"
• 14 - 16 November: Speaker at NovoNordisk sponsored Global Scientific Meeting Malmo, Sweden
• 3 November 2019: Speaker at NovoNordisk sponsored Diabetes Obesity Dialogue Forum Paris, France
• 27 October 2019: Speaker at NovoNordisk sponsored Obesity MasterclassMelbourne
• 17 October 2019: Speaker at Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society annual scientific meeting Breakfast Symposium: "ACTION-IO study and lessons learnt"Sydney
• 14 September 2019: Speaker and facilitator at National Australian Clinical Obesity Services educational forum: "Management of obesity"Sydney
• 5 August 2019: Speaker at iNova sponsored GP dinner meeting "The role of Contrave in the management of obesity"Wollongong
• 30 July 2019: Speaker at iNova sponsored GP dinner meeting "The role of Contrave in the management of obesity"Sydney
• 23 and 24 July 2019: Speaker at iNova sponsored GP dinner and breakfast meetings "The role of Contrave in the management of obesity"Canberra
• 27 June 2019: "The role of a MDT team in obesity bariatric aftercare", sponsored by Johnson and Johnson
• 21 May 2019: "Mamamia" Obesity podcast, sponsored by iNova
• 14 May 2019: Speaker at iNova sponsored GP dinner meeting "The role of Contrave in the management of obesity" Canberra
• 16 April 2019: Speaker at NovoNordisk sponsored GP dinner meeting "Addressing Obesity"Sydney
• April/ May 2019: 26^th European Congress on Obesity Glasgow, Scotland
• January 2019: 3-day introductory course, Australian Institute of Company Directors
• April - June 2018: Facilitator & speaker at 6-part RACGP Obesity Webinar series
• 18 May 2018: Speaker at the 8th Congress for the International Federation Surgery for Obesity (IFSO) - European Chapter Athens, Greece
• 15 & 16 May 2018: Workshop facilitator NovoNordisk Global Scientific Meeting 2018 Malmo, Sweden
• 2017 - 2018: Facilitator & speaker: Obesity management in Children and adolescent webinar series – NSW Health initiative
• 24 March 2018: Role of the GP in the management of Obesity Symposium Sydney
• January 2018: Barriers to treating obesity-GP perspective NovoNordisk sales team meetingSydney
• January 2018: Barriers to treating obesity-GP perspective iNova sales team meetingSydney
• 11-15 November, 2018: ASMBS/TOS Obesity Week Nashville, USA
• May 2018: 25th European Congress on Obesity Vienna
• May 2018: 8th International Congress for Federation Surgery for Obesity (IFSO)- European Chapter Athens
• 4-8 December 2017: International Diabetes Federation Congress 2017 Abu Dhabi
• 30 August, 2017: 22^nd International Federation Surgery for Obesity Annual Congress London
• March 2017: Lower Gastrointestinal Pathology including management of PR bleeding; Ramsay Healthcare
• 2016 to present: South Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network General Practice small learning group sessions
• September 2016: Resuscitation Skills for General Practice by Medics for Life
• September 2016: Type 2 Diabetes: what’s after metformin? National Prescribing Service
• August/September, 2016: Australian Diabetes Society-annual scientific meeting Gold Coast
• July 2016: Managing depression: re-examining the options National Prescribing Service
• 21 June, 2016: Diabetes Practical Masterclass at UNSW by Healthed
• 16 June, 2016: Optimising outcomes in the complex & revisional bariatric patient
• May 2016: Hands Hips and Knees by Ramsay healthcare
• 28 April, 2016: New Directions in Obesity Management-introducing Saxenda
• 5 March, 2016: St George Private Hospital-GP Symposium
• February 2016: Suicide Prevention & Intervention
  The Northside Group- Ramsay healthcare
• December, 2015: Conflict of interest: pharma and research
  Avant Insurance Limited
• 19-20 November, 2015:Novonordisk Sponsored Global Scientific Expert Meeting “Obesity and the role of liraglutide 3mg” Vienna, Austria
• 2-7 November, 2015: ASMBS/TOS Obesity Week Los Angeles, USA
• October 2010- 2017: Obesity Surgery Society of Australia & New Zealand Conference
• 22 September, 2015: Emotional health of children -WA RACGP Faculty
• October 2010- 2017: Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society Scientific Meeting
• August 2013- 2015: iNova National Obesity Forum
• April 2015: “Improving chronic disease management in your general practice” webinar held by RACGP
• July 2015: SNAP your patients into a healthier lifestyle
  RACGP-e health
• April 2015: Improving Chronic Disease Management in General Practice
  RACGP-e health
• October 2014: Shared Medical Appointments-Centre for Health Promotion and Research Pty Ltd
• Feb 2013 – May 2014: South Eastern Sydney Medicare Local GP small learning group
• 27 August 2014: “Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The need for early intervention” webinar held by RACGP
• April 2014: Rise of the superbug: review GP options for antimicrobial Stewardship by Ramsay Healthcare
• 17-20 March, 2014: 12^th International Congress on Obesity, World ObesityKuala Lampur, Malaysia
• February 2009 – September, 2012: St George Division of General Practice small learning group
• 13 September, 2011: Update: Management of Diabetes in General Practice, Sydney
• 5-8 August, 2011:Metabolic Health training Austin Health, Prof Joseph Proietto Heidelberg Hospital
• 10 June, 2011:Gastric Banding: advances in design and techniquesNewcastle, NSW
• 19 May, 2011:Clinical Emergency Management Program Workshop
  Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
• 15 May, 2011:Applications of Nutrition in Medicine Part 2
  Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine
• 14 May, 2011:Managing Diabetes in General Practice Seminar
  Australian Doctor Education
• 26 April, 2011: Best Practice- Lapband System Webinar
• 30 August 2010:Centre for Obesity Research & Education bariatric trainingMelbourne
• 10 May 2010: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Workshop – Melbourne
• 6 March 2010: Obesity & its Management Conference– Sydney Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society
• 6 October 2009: ORBERA (intragastric balloon) Workshop – Melbourne
• 9 May 2009: LABG Workshop – Melbourne
• 7 April 2009: Mental health network workshop – UNSW Kensington
• 28 March 2009: O&G and perinatal update- Sydney Royal Hospital for Women
• 25 February 2009: Irritable Bowel Syndrome-how far to investigate- Dr Walsh
• 24 February 2009: COPD workshop – Dr Jarvie
• 21 February 2009: Women’s Health Update – UNSW Kensington

I have lectured and presented widely in Australia and overseas in the areas of: the causes of obesity, effects of obesity on people at different stages in their life cycle, impact of overweight and obesity during pregnancy and how being above a healthy weight can affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents. Furthermore, I lectured to healthcare professions and lay people about the different treatment options available to help those living with overweight and / or obesity.

I travel extensively to research new and improved methods of treatment and have been a demonstrator of gastric band adjustments and demonstrating effective communication skills whilst consulting with people living with overweight or obesity.

I have a particular interest in the effects of overweight and obesity on female and male fertility, pregnancy and outcomes to the next generation.

I have been a regular presenter at a number of RACGP conferences, medical obesity scientific meetings, bariatric surgical conferences, lifestyle conferences and integrated allied health conferences/ workshops  over the past decade.

I have been involved in surgical research for many years through the metabolic and bariatric Unit at St George Private Hospital. Sydney. I am currently engaged in some exciting research looking at the role of combination therapy in those individuals who have experienced a partial response to bariatric surgery.

I have published papers  and/ or articles in various GP, medical and bariatric surgery forums.

• February 2022: STEP 5 Metabolic syndrome Abstract in development for submission to EASD 2022
• February 2022-Currently recruiting: "The impact of weight loss from GLP-1 analogue injections on ovarian reserve in females of reproductive age" collaboration with IVF Australia
• February 202, Med J of Australia: "Fertility, pregnancy and post-partum management after bariatric surgery: a narrative review"
• November 2021: "The role of adjunct liraglutide in the management of patients who have experienced clinically significant weight regain after bariatric metabolic surgery-the first Australian experience". manuscript in progress
• November 2021: "Adjuvant Medical Therapy with Subcutaneous Semaglutide following Bariatric Surgery" The American Obesity Society poster presentation by self; manuscript in progress
• November 2021:"Weight loss outcomes with semaglutide 2.4mg in moderate or severe obesity in STEP 1 and 2" The Obesity Society poster presentation by C. le Roux; manuscript in progress
• November 2021:"Desired weight and weight loss goal in people with obesity-is it too much to ask? ACTION-IO analysis" The Obesity Society poster presentation by V. Vazquez Velazquez; manuscript in progress
• October 2021: "Misconceptions and barriers to treating obesity in Australia: Data from the ACTION IO study" manuscript under review
• September 2021: "The Australian Obesity Management Algorithm- a simple tool to guide the management of obesity in primary care" manuscript under review
• July 2021: "The medical management of obesity with semaglutide: the first Australian experience” oral presentation by self; at Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society annual scientific meeting manuscript in progress
• June 2021 - Currently recruiting: “Reverse engineering insulin secretion in health and disease” in collaboration with the Garvan Institute of medical research, Sydney
• February 2021: European "Patient motivation to lose weight: Importance of healthcare professional support, goals and self-efficacy" Journal of Internal Medicine
• January 2021: European "The 3Ds - Discussion, diagnosis and directions: Elements for effective obesity care by healthcare professionals". Journal of Internal Medicine
• September 2020: Obesity "Delays in healthcare consultations about obesity - Barriers and implications" Research & Clinical Practice:
• February 2019: "Gaps to bridge: Misalignment between perception, reality and actions in obesity". , Diabetes , Obesity & Metabolism:
• February 2018: "Managing Obesity in Primary Care: Breaking Down the Barriers". Advances In Therapy
• May 2018: "The role of adjuvant pharmacotherapy in the management of patients with a partial response to bariatric metabolic surgery - the first Australian experience" Poster presentation at 25th European Congress in Obesity
• 24 May 2018: "The role of adjuvant pharmacotherapy in the management of bariatric metabolic surgery patients - the first Australian experience” Obesity Facts Vienna, Austria
• February 2018 to present: Australian GP lead for ACTION-IO study
• December 2016 to present: “A RCT of gastric volume and weight loss in Banded Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy”
• February 2016 to present: “Prospective clinical study: Can adjuvant pharmacotherapy assist with further weight loss in patients identified as partial responders to bariatric surgery”
• February 2016 to present: “Prospective clinical study: Can adjuvant pharmacotherapy prevent weight gain after bariatric surgery”
• July 2016 to present: “Does yo-yo dieting have detrimental effects on whole-body and fat tissue metabolism?”
• May 2013 to present: “Changes in women’s mental and sexual health before and after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy”
• February 2016, Obesity Surgery: “Energy adaptations persist 2 years after sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass”
• April 2015, Asian Journal of Endoscopic Surgery: “Predictors of weight loss 2 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy”
• January 2013, Obesity Reviews: “Bariatric surgery, bone loss, obesity and possible mechanisms”- collaboration with the Garvan Institute
• January 2011 to September 2012: “A prospective, multi-centre clinical evaluation to observe the intra- band pressure variances in newly implanted laparoscopic gastric bands between adjustments” sponsored by CAVU
• January 2009 to January 2013: Evaluation of a percutaneous single port access placement of a para-gastric implant for the treatment of morbid obesity sponsored by VIBRYNT