How Much Does it Cost?

Basically, at Melbourne Bariatrics Peninsula, a Gap fee for most bariatric surgery applies. The gaps are

+ a Band $2450 to $3450,

+ a Sleeve $4300,

+ a Bypass $4950,

+ and revision surgery around $6950.

If you have your weight loss surgery with Mr Geoffrey Draper at Melbourne Bariatrics Peninsula, all follow up is bulk billed.

If you have your Gastric Band with Mr Geoffrey Draper at Melbourne Bariatrics Peninsula, all your Adjustments are also bulk billed.

Once you have paid the full Surgery Gap Fee, all other fees from the surgeon will be Gap Free, even if you need further surgery (up to 5 years) after the initial operation.

When you are comparing the expected costs at different weight loss surgery centres, be aware that the fees at some centres do not cover the same itmes. At Melbourne Bariatrics these items are covered by the one off gap fee, and are frequently not included at other centres.

All follow up appointments with the surgeon are bulk billed including adjustments of Gastric Bands.

Any re-operation or subsequent procedure related to the weight loss surgery (within 5 years) is done without a gap fee from the surgeon. In some instances there is no gap fee from the Anaesthetist or assistant.

The quoted Gap fee is then total Gap for the surgeon and dietitian, but sometimes also the anaesthetist and surgeons assistant.

The Gap fees for weight loss surgery at Melbourne Bariatrics Peninsula are outlined in the table. These are only estimates and changes may apply without notice.

	Gastric Band	Sleeve Gastrectomy	Gastric Bypass	Revision Surgery
Total Fee	$2450 to $3450	$4300	$4950	$6950

Notes

This is the TOTAL SURGEON AND PROGRAMME FEE PAYABLE PREOPERATIVELY AND IS THE GAP FEE. It comprises Surgeon fee and Dietitians programme fee, but excludes the anaesthetists gap fee, assistant surgeon gap fee and any other costs that relate to the hospital and other providers. (These other providers gap fees may range from no gap to around $2000 in total.)

Gastric Bands:

All follow up consultations and adjustments with Mr Draper are bulk billed. In other words, there is no follow up out of pocket fee.

Surgeons Gap Fee.

The surgeon will charge this gap fee only once to any patient. If revision surgery is required, there will not be any additional gap fee charged by the surgeon or assistant surgeon, if this is within 5 years of the original surgery and the patient has attended the required followup. If the revision surgery is by patient request and there is no technical flaw in the band, Sleeve or bypass a revision gap fee will apply. Other service providers and clinicans may or may not charge gap fees. This is not legally binding.

Revision Surgery:

This Gap fee is only charged to patients who have had the primary weight loss surgery preformed by another surgeon. If this surgery is planned as a 2-stage procedure, the fee is applied once. Patients who did have their surgery performed by our surgeon at Melbourne Bariatrics who request revision surgery will be required to pay a surgeons gap fee if there is no technical flaw in the band, Sleeve or Bypass to be reviewed.

Dietitian Programme Fee:

This fee covers the preoperative advice, post operative advice and review advice sessions but excludes the initial consultation fee. If you obtain an “Enhanced Primary Care” Plan from your General Practitioner you will be eligible to claim $50.95 from Medicare for each postoperative dietitian appointment attended. Total of $152.85 rebate.

Hospital Costs

Please ring the hospital to obtain estimated hospital costs.
(Peninsula Private Hospital 97883466, Beleura Private Hospital 59760888, Epworth Eastern Medical Centre 98957511)

Additional Costs

Pathology Services are likely to be required during your episode of care.
Radiology Services are likely to be required during your episode of care.

Financial consent is obtained prior to proceeding with the operation.

This is an estimate only. It does not cover the services provided by other doctors (including radiologists or pathologists), nor other costs associated with your stay in hospital or day surgery unit (such as accommodation, pharmacy, physiotherapy etc). In the event of unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to arrange additional medical services which might result in further charges to you.

This estimate is for patients with applicable Private Health Insurance.

It is recommended that patients maintain their private health insurance to enable comprehensive aftercare. All quotes are based on patients maintaining private health insurance.

Other conditions and limitations to this advice may apply.