About Dr Gillespie
Dr Gillespie is a specialist General Surgeon with a dedicated focus on conditions of the stomach and oesophagus.
Dr Gillespie studied medicine at Newcastle University and completed her General Surgery Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Following this she completed a year at Royal North Shore Hospital before being selected for the Australia & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA) fellowship. This lead to subspecialty accreditation in upper gastrointestinal surgery after working at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and Concord Hospital in Sydney. Her special interests are in the treatment of stomach & oesophageal cancer, reflux & hiatus hernia surgery, and bariatric surgery.
Working primarily on the Northern Beaches, Dr Gillespie consults at Northern Beaches Hospital, SAN Parkway and East Sydney Private. She is the Upper Gastrointestinal surgical supervisor for surgical trainees at Northern Beaches Hospital and is on the board for the Sydney Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society (SUGSS).
Dr Gillespie prides herself in taking the time to listen, explain your condition clearly, and discuss all treatment options. This allows you to make informed decisions with confidence, and know that surgery is recommended only when it is genuinely the best option for you. The aim is to provide calm, compassionate care and remain closely involved before and after surgery.
Dr Gillespie’s
Professional Associations
Treatment,
tailored to you
Dr Gillespie specialises in the treatment of the following conditions.
Achalasia
A swallowing disorder where the oesophagus struggles to move food into the stomach, leading to discomfort and difficulty eating.
Gallstones
Hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can trigger sharp pain, nausea, or inflammation.
Hernia
A condition where internal tissue pushes through a weakened area of muscle, often causing a visible bulge or discomfort.
Acute appendicitis
A sudden inflammation of the appendix that typically causes severe abdominal pain and often requires urgent surgery.
Hiatus Hernia
A condition where part of the stomach moves up through the diaphragm, commonly linked to reflux and chest discomfort.
Oesophageal Cancer
A cancer affecting the oesophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing, weight loss, or persistent discomfort.
Gastric Cancer
A cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach and may present with persistent indigestion, pain, or unexplained weight loss.
Reflux
A common digestive condition where stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and irritation.
Weight Loss/Bariatric Surgery
The challenge of losing weight can be very difficult for many. We know that people try their best with making dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes, only to find they can’t achieve the desired results. This is because often your body is working against you, trying to get back to the weight or "set point" that you started at.
Surgery has been shown in randomised trials to provide more reliable and sustained weight loss than diets alone. It can act as a reset, helping to decrease hunger and increase fullness. The cause of weight loss after surgery involves complex neurohormonal mechanisms. But we often classify the types of surgery as either restrictive, malabsorptive, or a combination of both.
