Hi IM's, I am looking into getting the gastric sleeve.
Just wondering how you even START to organise this.
How much, do you need a Dr's referral, is any of it covered through medicare, has it worked for you, and any other info you can give me would be great.
I will be seeing my Dr would thought I would ask here first.
Thanks so much!
Gastric sleeve questions
Gastric sleeve questions
Posted in:
Health & Wellbeing
6 Replies
I got a GP referral to a private and public system. It’s been 15 years and I haven’t even gotten an appointment in the public system yet.
So private is the only real option. Most surgical weight loss clinics run information nights, where you can go for no cost and hear about the costs, risks, and types of surgery.
Just because you want a gastric sleeve that doesn’t mean a surgeon will agree to do one, and they may recommend a totally different procedure.
A good surgeon will suggest you go see a psychologist and dietitian before you get the surgery. You need to know why you over eat and you need to be able to cope with not being able to over eat after the surgery. This can cause huge emotional upheaval and stress due to loosing a coping mechanism. You’d need to check with your private health insurance provider to see if you are even covered, but even then expect a large out of pocket expense. Many people end up accessing there super to pay for the surgery.
3 people I know have had it done. One it was very successful for. The other two still binge eat and basically vomit up what they can’t keep down especially at dinner parties and things, because they still can’t say no to food.
I’d love to get it done, but can’t afford it and I know I’m not mentally ready for it yet.
My husband had this done in the public system. It was a 2 year wait on the wait list from referal to op. Medicare covers 70 percent of all pre appointments including the surgery.
I know 7 people who have had this done. One was in the private system within 3 months, the other 6 were in the public system and all 6 had a two year wait. 5 gained all their weight back within 3 years plus more, and the other two have been successful and kept it all off. One of those 5 had the procedure done twice as they had simply gained it all back.
Those who gain it all back is because they still have no self control when they should have had ongoing intensive therapy to control how their minds think about food and their relationship with how often they put food in their mouths. It will never be successful unless they change their whole psychological thoughts about eating.
I feel my husband will put his weight back on as he still thinks about food in an unhealthy way. Unless you can overcome this, you'll never be ready.
I did mine privately and it is the best thing ive ever done. I called a place on the Gold coast that specialise in Gastric sleeve procedures so no referral was needed.
They have a psychologist and dietician on staff too so had appointments with them as well as meet the surgeon. From meeting to operation was 12 weeks.
It is not a fix it is a tool and if you continue to make bad choices you will gain weight. It's not easy by any stretch and it really pisses me off when people do say it's cheating.
I have lost offer 50kg and two years later I am stable and so very happy. I have follow up appointments with the psychologist and dietician if I feel I need to but not every place offers this service as part of their team.
I used my super to pay for it and it was crazy expensive but so worth it
You need a Dr referral to the specialist first. I have had a gastric sleeve yes I lost 40kgs in total. But heres the kicker you will need monthly vit b injections for ever and approx 2 to 5 years you will have your gall bladder out due to excruciating gall stones. Due to smaller stomach less gall released causing the back up to crystalize causing stones. I thought I was having a heartattack. Nope just another surgery. Your iron levels may go low. Multitude of vitamins you need to take daily and maintain a healthy diet is a must. I can no longer drink water unless its cold. And definitely can not do the recommended intake. Never was a problem before. Going to dinner is a challenge as you cannot drink for 30mins prior to eating and at least 1 hour after. Theres goes a wine with dinner. And lucky to get through an entree size meal. Now you become that person who shares a meal lol. These are my grumbles but in a whole Im happy I did it. By no means is it an easy way out as the stigma suggests. And it takes mental will power to maintain the loss. I have slipped this year being six years post surgery and have gained 6kgs. Its not easy to drop the gain so don't put it on. Goodluck
I had it done October 2018. I was 103kg, now 69kg. I now can exercise more, I did before, but the intensity is ugh higher now. I fit normal clothes and few so much better overall. I used some of our savings as super would have effected my tax. I had basic hospital cover and it cost me around 11k out of pocket. In could have waited 12 months, but once I decided, I couldn’t wait because I needed to improve my health ASAP. I also have psoriatic arthritis, and this is now better controlled. I am thankful I had the surgery as it has greatly improved my life. I struggle sometimes with not making the best food choices, but do much better than before, and better at getting back on track. I have to be more aware of my alcohol consumption as it is easier to drink than eat. My mother was not supportive, and still isn’t, she thinks it is as simple as not eating. Um, no, it doesn’t work Like that. I do worry about gaining weight again, but I am determined not to. I am in the best physical fitness of my life and love it. It isn’t a fix all, it is a tool, and a great one at that. Do it!!!
Hubby did this last year. Went to GP to get the ball rolling. Referral to a Surgeon. Started in the Jan...op end of Jul and has lost 45kg in 12mths. Had lost 20kg in the 6mths before using the shakes. Payment ... we used his Super.
He took out about $23k of his super but that is on worst case (ICU stay and 2-3 nights in hospital - he was only in one night) so we were refunded $5k
When you speak to your GP about a referral to a surgeon research the surgeon and make sure they have great reviews on their aftercare through their dietitian and surgeon.
A friend has friends who has had this done but received NO aftercare and they haven’t done so well.