Hello.
Just wondering if anyone here has had gastric surgery for weightloss? I have some questions if you are happy to share?
I am located in Melbourne.
Just wondering on costs with NO private health insurance?
If you did have PHI, how much did you pay per month for the the health insurance, what specific cover did you need? How much was the surgery out of pocket after that?
Sorry for all the questions, feel free to pm me if you wish.
I'm getting desperate. My health is suffering because of my weight.
7 Replies
I was quoted around $20,000 if there were no complications about 10 years ago.
You will need top level health cover.
Most reputable clinics run no pressure information sessions that give you all the information you need.
A lot will depend on the specific surgery you need, as there are various options, that suit different people.
My husband is on the public wait list. It's been an 18 month list and he only had to pay 30 percent of all costs. It's all been paid. His op was scheduled for this June, but with Covid19 it's now been pushed back another 6 months. So all up 2 years .
If you go private you will be seen in a few months .
However with covid19 it's likely to be pushed back. Check with your states requirements as the pandemic has changed all elective surgery dates
I had gastric sleeve and paid about $2000 out of pocket.
I went to see Dr Goodall Wilson in Geelong
Being overweight is classed as a 'life threatening illness' and can therefore you can draw money from super if you need to have it done. I don't know the ins and outs of it, however work with a clinic that does this (as most do). You need to get a referral from your GP for the clinic then they run through everything with you and give you the documentation. Obviously comes with other problems like drawing from your super now and missing out on money in the future, but you can help that by putting money in over time...
I only had basic hospital cover, and it cost me $10k out of pocket in NSW. If I didn’t have the insurance, around 16k. I could have waited 12 months for upped cover to cover more, but I would have only saved a couple more k, and a year of struggling with my weight. If you know you want to do it, do it! If you have savings or redraw in a home loan, use that. If you use super, you have to pay tax on it and it becomes part of your income for the year. The surgery isn’t a magic cure, but it is totally worth it. I was active and ate fairly well, but couldn’t shift weight. I now have lost 90% of my excess weight, and can run 1km without stopping. It is hard at the moment with Covid, but it is much easier to get back on track when I have a few days of too much crap food and drink.
I had lap band surgery 5 years ago.. I would not recommend that at all..
I really wished I had of got the sleeve..
Hands down I would get the sleeve!!
I opted for this also, although I couldn’t afford it. I found an incredible program which has helped me lose the weight and teaches me along the way how to keep it off. If I can help or share anymore of my experience please respond to this.