Dr Ben Keong

Availability

Dr Keong consults and operates at several locations throughout Melbourne, and is happy to see patients at short notice.

Credentials and Training

Dr Keong is highly-qualified general surgeon who has undertaken extensive post-fellowship training in upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Minimally Invasive

Dr Keong is a keen advocate for a laparoscopic (keyhole) approach to most operations when feasible.

Introduction

Mr Benjamin Keong is a consultant upper gastrointestinal, bariatric and general surgeon. After completing his general surgical training at the Austin Hospital and being admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, he pursued sub specialty training in upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery through the national training program run by the Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA). This was undertaken at Box Hill Hospital (Melbourne) and St George Hospital (Sydney).

During his training he gained experience in management of benign and malignant gastric, oesophageal and pancreatic conditions. His year of fellowship at St George Hospital, which performs the highest-volume of bariatric procedures in Australia and is the only accredited Bariatric Centre of Excellence in the country, gave him invaluable experience in all aspects of bariatric surgery, including management of its potentially-serious complications. He is experienced in elective and emergency general surgery, and is GESA-accredited for endoscopy.

Special Interest

Ben has a keen interest in junior medical staff teaching and has been involved with medical student and registrar teaching at Eastern Health. He is an instructor on the ASSET surgical skills course for the College of Surgeons. He has presented research on topics including common bile duct stone management, and manometry in post-bariatric patients.

Ben believes strongly in working with both patients and health professionals as a team to achieve the best possible results. He is happy to be contacted at any time for advice.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his young daughter and dog.

Services

General Surgery

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small sac under the liver which stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. After eating a fatty meal…

Hernias

A hernia is a weakness in the usually strong abdominal muscle, which allows abdominal contents such as fat or bowel to push out…

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux

The lower part of the oesophagus (food pipe) where it joins the stomach is normally configured to only allow food to go one way – into the…

Hiatus Hernia Repair

A gastroscopy is often the first step. This is a procedure where a camera is inserted through the mouth to examine the oesophagus…

Obesity Surgery

Obesity is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem worldwide. There are many factors which contribute to obesity – it is not just a simple issue…

Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve involves removing 2/3 of the stomach, leaving behind a narrow tube of stomach. This leads to restriction – a feeling of…

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass involves the creation of a small pouch at the entrance of the stomach, which is disconnected from the remainder of the stomach…

Laparoscopic Gastric Band

The band is an inflatable band which is placed around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch above it. It is connected via a tube…

Revisional Weight-Loss Surgery

Patients who have had a weight-loss procedure in the past may encounter problems such as weight regain, or issues with not tolerating a band…

How to make an appointment

If you wish to make an appointment, please arrange a referral letter from your GP. This can be faxed, emailed, or brought with you on the day.

Your first visit

During our first consultation, I will take a detailed history of the problem for which you are seeing me as well as performing a physical examination as required.

I will discuss my thoughts with you about the underlying cause of the problem and the recommended steps to manage it, whether it be further tests, medical treatment or a surgical procedure. I will go into detail about the potential benefits and risks which these may entail.

If an operation is planned, we will fill in the necessary paperwork at the time of this visit. We may be able to pencil in a date for the surgery at this time as well.

General advice for operations

If you are going to undergo surgery, there are a few things to know

For most procedures you will need to fast from midnight the night before the procedure to ensure your stomach is empty. This includes both solids and fluids. The reason for this is that when you are being put under a general anaesthetic, there is a risk of vomiting and inhaling the contents into your lungs which can lead to potentially serious pneumonia. Fortunately the risk is minimized significantly by fasting.

Most medications may be taken in the morning with a sip of water – we will give you instructions.

Certain medications, such as blood-thinning agents, will need to be withheld prior to surgery. You will be given clear instructions about when to stop these.

Difference between private and public?

I am more than happy to see you if you do not have private health insurance. Be aware that if you require an operation, and wish to have it performed in a private hospital, you will have to pay out of pocket. We can arrange a quote before you commit to a decision.