Surgeon, Gap and time

Hi everyone, I am needing some info on a sleeve. I am in Caboolture area QLD, and am with Medibank Private on their highest cover. I will have to wait to july 2013 for my op, and was wondering how much preparation time i need from when i first see a surgeon to when the op is done. Also I am looking for a good surgeon who will remove my 26 year old band and do the op. Also, what sort of gap will I be looking at. I am on a carer pension, so money is limited, but I have bad arthritis in both my hips and my spine, so am really needing this done to help me get my weight down. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Eels:)

Hi, I am on a disability support payment as well and my surgery is on 4th feb. I have had to save like crazy as I will be about $5000 out of pocket. I have top cover with HCF but neither they nor Medicare can give me an amount I can claim back. They say each surgery is different, but it is a pain trying to figure how much I will need. The costs I have been given are $4950 for surgeon, $500 for assisting surgeon, $2500 for anaesthetist plus my fund excess of $450. I suggest you start saving now, it is a struggle. Good luck.

My surgeon recommended Dr George Hopkins Chermside as the best in Australia for Band to Sleeve Procedures. He suggested other surgeons are great at the sleeve but Dr Hopkins is the most experienced after a band. You will need at least 3 months and maybe longer between removal of the band and sleeving. Some surgeons will do it all at once but my surgeon has suggested that this is risky practice as you are more likely to sustain a leak. I would get a referral and see the doc ASAP to work out what your plan is.

If your obesity is causing life threatening problems (diabetes, sleep apnoea) then you can apply to access your superannuation early to cover the gap. It seems the gap is around 5k roughly in Australia.

Dr victor liew on gold coast, is removing my band and doing a sleeve, well worth going to coast to see him, im coming down from gladstone & if you have phi it wont cost any out of pocket, he doesnt overcharge