Weight loss surgery – how much will it cost?
Costs for weight loss surgery in Australia can vary depending on your specific situation, but they don’t need to be daunting. Dr Peter Hamer strives to be as transparent as possible when it comes to fees, so you can be confident in your decision and proceed without concern.
As of June 2022, the cost of a sleeve gastrectomy with Dr Hamer is approximately $18200 including a 2 night stay in the hospital.
Is weight loss surgery right for you?
For many people, losing weight is a long-term struggle. Diets and exercise can be helpful but often fails to help achieve and maintain long lasting weight loss. If this is true for you, weight loss surgery may have an important role in your weight loss journey.
There are also specific medical conditions that have been shown to improve after weight loss surgery such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, aches and pains in joints particularly knees and hips, polycystic ovary disease and fatty liver disease.
Dr Peter Hamer performs weight loss surgery at either Gosford Private Hospital or Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital on the NSW Central Coast.
How much does a sleeve gastrectomy cost on the Central Coast?
With Insurance
Out of pocket costs for a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are $3,200. This includes:
- Dietician support for 12 months
- Bulk billed appointments with Dr Hamer for 3 years after surgery
- ‘No gaps’ for any surgery related to your sleeve (with the exception of surgeries for weight gain) for 3 years after surgery
- Additional costs for your anaesthetist and the assisting doctor will apply.
Without Insurance
Current quote for gastric sleeve surgery with Dr Hamer at Gosford Private Hospital or Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital is $18,200. This includes:
- Hospital expenses
- Surgical fees
- Anaesthetic fees
- Dietician support for 12months
- Bulk billed appointments with Dr Hamer for 3 years after surgery
- Please note that Dr Hamer also has admitting rights at Gosford District hospital, so if you require an admission for any reason relating to your surgery this can be arranged.
For patients interested in self-funding their surgery, a quote will be provided at your initial consultation.
Will my private health insurance cover the costs of my weight loss surgery?
If you have private health insurance, the costs of weight loss surgery may be covered. We recommend that you check with your health fund to confirm that your cover is appropriate. The item number to ask about is 31572 for gastric bypass or 31575 for gastric sleeve.
Can I afford weight loss surgery without private health insurance?
For patients not covered by private health insurance, you can chose to self pay, or it is possible to access your superannuation for an early release on compassionate grounds.
Is weight loss surgery available through Gosford Public Hospital?
Unfortunately, surgery for weight loss or diabetes is not currently offered through the public system on the Central Coast.
Metabolic surgery vs Bariatric surgery
Metabolic surgery is another name for weight loss surgery. Some people prefer the name ‘metabolic surgery’ as it emphasises the health benefits of sleeve gastrectomy or bypass rather than just the weight loss you will achieve. And they are both terms for bariatric surgery, which is the accurate technical name for surgery that affects the stomach and how food is digested.
The friendly and supportive team at Dr Peter Hamer’s practice are here to help you on your weight loss journey. If you are interested in finding out more and booking a consultation, please contact our team today on (02) 4380 8404.
Resources
www.healthdirect.gov.au/guide-to-bariatric-surgery
www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258
