Costs of Weight Loss Surgery – Lap Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy

The most common question I get asked about are the cost of weight loss surgery. I would like to clarify a few points:

1. Weight loss surgery is not performed in the public hospital system
2. The most cost effective way is to join a health fund and then this will only mean a total out-of-pocket cost of just under $4000
3. This out of pocket cost can be withdrawn from superannuation if required, as obesity is considered a life-threatening illness
4. If the patient is determined to have weight loss surgery without being privately insured, the costs can be up to $14000 (2011) depending on which private hospital the surgery is conducted. It would be advisable to obtain quotations from various private hospitals. The item number for a sleeve gastrectomy when obtaining a quotation from the hospital is 30518
5. If a patient is not insured, I would definitely recommend a sleeve gastrectomy as opposed to a lap band. Lap bands have a high re-operation rate and this would require health insurance to facilitate
6. Familiarise yourself with the costs of gastric sleeve surgery to make a well-informed decision.