Dr Vahid Reza Adib worked for more than 10 years as surgeon for Weight Loss Solutions Australia

The gastric surgeon partner of ex-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk worked with a troubled Gold Coast weight loss business for years, performing surgeries for countless patients.

The gastric surgeon partner of ex-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk worked with a troubled Gold Coast weight loss business for years, appearing on its CEO’s podcasts and performing surgeries for countless patients.

Two companies behind Varsity Lakes business Weight Loss Solutions Australia, both directed by its CEO Felicity Cohen, are in liquidation with almost $3 million in debts reported.

Dr Vahid Reza Adib is one of Australia’s most prolific laparoscopic, gastrointestinal and obesity surgeons, having performed more than 20,000 operations.

Although not listed as a current or former director or shareholder in WLSA, his association with the business goes back more than a decade.

Dr Adib was profiled in a local magazine as a surgeon of WLSA in 2013 and he was still listed as the company’s bariatric surgeon on its website this week.

Dr Reza Adib profiled as the Weight Loss Solutions surgeon in a 2013 edition of Slim Magazine.

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Dr Reza Adib at the Sonia Stradiotto Couture 35th Anniversary Charity Runway Show 2024. Picture: Portia Large.

The surgeon wrote a recommendation for Ms Cohen on her LinkedIn profile in 2022, describing her as “a professional health care advocate with an eye for excellence through her around the clock leadership”.

“I strongly recommend and endorse Felicity through 10 years of close association,” he wrote.

Speaking to Ms Cohen on her wellness podcast in 2021, Dr Adib praised the work of WLSA, saying “I am very, very happy with people around us and with our team, Weight Loss Solutions Australia, with everybody who works so hard there”.

“We have, everybody, who’s there, nurses, surgeon, we are there to troubleshoot and we want to give this culture to the patients and once they’re treated by Weight Loss Solutions Australia, we are there for the rest of their life,” he said.

“And they have to understand that we are not going away. We’re not going anywhere. This institution is there for the rest of their life, for a better life.”

Weight Loss Solutions CEO Felicity Cohen (Layani) with Dr Reza Adib for her podcast.

Dr Adib forwarded questions from the Gold Coast Bulletin to Ms Cohen.

Ms Cohen’s solicitor said there were “various inaccuracies” in the questions, but did not specify what the inaccuracies were or attempt to provide answers.

The surgeon is not listed as a creditor of WLSA in the liquidators’ most recent reports.

Dr Adib, who owns a $4.1m luxury beachfront apartment on Goodwin Tce at Burleigh Heads, began dating then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2021, with the pair frequently photographed together at official and social functions.

He accompanied Ms Palaszczuk to the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards in 2022, where he appeared in a group photo with Ms Cohen and other attendees.

Felicity Cohen, centre in black, with Dr Reza Adib behind her, at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.