Weight Loss Surgery Cost & Payment Policy

The cost of weight loss surgery is one of the biggest concerns of our patients. People want to undergo this life changing surgery, but are understandably concerned about whether they can afford it.  This page has been provided to give you the information you need about the weight loss surgery cost, including gastric sleeve surgery cost and gastric bypass surgery cost information.

We have a non-refundable deposit due on the day of booking your surgery date. Paying this non-refundable deposit is important because it allows us to lock in your surgery date.  It is also essential if you are seeking an early release of superannuation as the hospital and anaesthetist will be notified of your surgery date to ensure you receive your quote in a timely manner.

We are located in Brisbane, Australia however provide our service globally.

Our Practice Out of Pocket Fee

We are a private practice and do not gap cover bariatric procedures. The fee estimated is completely out of pocket. This is a compulsory fee that is non-refundable. Inclusive of our fee, is twelve months of follow up with our multidisciplinary team post operatively from date of surgery. In the event that you wish to withdraw from our program prior to the expiration, you have complete understanding that it is forfeiting our service available to you.

Hospital Accommodation

Accommodation fees must be paid prior to admission. You are required to pay accommodation fees based on estimated length of stay for the admission. If you remain in hospital longer than what is expected, you will receive an invoice for the additional amount. The hospital will invoice you directly. The estimate provided to you is subject to change. Depending on your private health insurance, you may only be liable for hospital excess.  Please ensure you contact your private health insurer directly to confirm.

Medical Fees

During your admission various specialists may provide surgical, medical or intensive care treatment and/or consultations. If a hospital-based specialist provides these services, an invoice will be sent to you separately and you will be required to pay the additional amount. If being admitted in a private hospital, the included specialist in your payment to us are:-

• Psychiatrist (Subject to Availability and inpatient visit only)
• Physician (Subject to Availability and inpatient visit only)

If you wish to be specifically visited by the Psychiatrist or Physician, please do advise our rooms.

Anaesthetist Fees

If Anesthesia is required during your admission, applicable fees will be charged and you will be charged accordingly. The anaesthetist will invoice you directly. The estimate provided to you is subject to change.

Diagnostics and Pathology

During your admission you may be required to undergo medical imaging and/or clinical testing. The facility will invoice you directly. If additional pathology test is required, an invoice will be sent to you, which you are responsible for payment. Any estimate provided to you is subject to change.

Pharmaceuticals

You will be required to pay for the cost of any discharge medications (if applicable).

Prosthetics

Based on information provided by our practice, we have obtained an estimated fee from the hospital of the surgically implanted prosthetics that may be used during your surgery. The hospital will invoice you directly. The estimate provided to you is subject to change. If the number and type of prosthetics used during surgery increase from that provided in the estimate (subject to change of your procedure type), you will be issued with an additional invoice, which must be paid on day of surgery.

Payment Methods

• EFT
• Visa/Mastercard/AMEX
• Direct Deposit
• Cash Payment
• Bank Cheque
• BPOINT
• Personal Cheques are not accepted.

For Assistance

If you have any queries regarding this estimate, please email us on accounts@lapsurgerybrisbane.com.au

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery – Surgery Expenses

You need to secure your surgery date with a non-refundable payment of $500. After this point, you are charged a once-off fee with no hidden charges and no other fees.

WMSA Fees is between $3840 – $8820 depending on your proceedure and hospital.

The Estimated fee for all primary laparoscopic procedures are: $22000-$25000.00

Find out your exact fees by contacting us between 8:30-4:30pm Monday to Friday.

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Other Weight Loss Surgery Cost Information

Prior to your weight loss surgery, you are going to be starting on a low-calorie meal replacement diet.  We prescribe Optifast or Isowhey unless otherwise approved by Dr Braun or our dietitian. You can buy this from your pharmacy, and these meal replacements cost around an estimated $150 for a two-week course.

If you also need to see any other kinds of specialists prior to your surgery, like a cardiologist or respiratory physician, they may charge you for these visits. Depending on the kind of health fund you have, you may need to do other blood tests or x-rays. Depending on your comorbidities, you may be required to complete blood tests and X-rays before surgery.

Don’t Have Private Health Insurance?

If you don’t have private health insurance, the cost of weight loss surgery is going to be expensive for you. The expenses are going to depend on the procedure, the equipment used, the costs of prostheses, theatre fees, surgical payments, assistant surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, and the days spent in the hospital.

Plus, if you need any further stay in hospital due to complications, these are not covered by insurance providers and the expected costs might escalate dramatically.

Superannuation Access

Please visit: www.ato.gov.au to obtain information and instructions on how to seek early release of your superannuation.

If you are uninsured and seek third party assistance, you have the option to contact www.mysupercare.com.au to seek assistance. There is a fee of between $680-$880.

Next Step For Early Superannuation Release:

1. To secure your surgery date, you must pay your non-refundable deposit of $1000.00
2. Within 24 hours, Dr Braun’s rooms will issue specialist letter and quote directly to yourself or to mysupercare.com.au
3. mysupercare.com.au will be in contact with you to clarify the next step.

The Balance of Accounts must be paid two weeks prior to your surgery date.  Suitable timeframes must be allowed for this, as a delay will cause your surgery date to be postponed.

Refunds from the Australian Taxation Office

You may be able to claim a rebate from the ATO when you submit your end of year tax return because all weight loss procedures qualify for the medical expenses safety net.

Please enquire directly with your accountant or with the ATO.

This is not means tested, and there is no limit on the amount you can claim.

Please do note that there is tax applied on top of the nominated amount of early release.

We are not experts in the Early Relase of Superannuation and would recommend that you obtain information direct from the ATO.

Questions About Your Bill

Q. What billing or insurance information will I receive?

A. You will receive your bill addressed to you for payment. It is up to you to ask your health insurance whether or not you are entitled to a co-payment by them.

If so, you could make arrangements for them to send a cheque direct to our clinic, or you could pay your total bill and seek a rebate.

Q. How long will it take to get things settled with the insurance company?

A. It varies, but it is important to have your bill completely paid 7-14 days prior to your surgery.

Q. Who else will I get a bill from?

A. Each physician who provides professional services will send you a separate bill from his or her office. These physicians will include:

• your own GP
• your Anaesthetist
• the Hospital
• External service providers

These may include specialists in anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, nuclear medicine, pathology, radiology, or urodynamics. You will be responsible for paying these bills as well.

Q. I received a notice that my insurance company has paid on my bill, but I can’t understand how they calculated their payment amount. Do you know?

A. If we have received any such information from your insurance company, we’ll be glad to share it with you. However, for answers to any questions about insurance payments, deductibles, or co-payments, you generally need to check with your insurance company.

What Weight & Metabolic Solutions Australia will Charge You

• Our Out of Pocket Fee calculated when you book.  We guarantee that our practice will not charge you anything further for a period of twelve months from the date of your operation unless in extreme circumstances.
• Each appointment with your surgeon will be bulk billed an item 105.
• Each appointment with the rest of our team will either be bulk billed or not charged at all.
• For further information, please email us direct to receive our updated fee brochure.

What Happens After Twelve Months?

• We offer a six-month transform program extension with our multi disciplinary team for an additional $500. Just let us know two weeks before your twelve months expire that you would like to take advantage of this offer. Please email us on info@lapsurgerybrisbane.com.au
• Your consultations with your surgeon in relation to your weight loss surgery is bulk billed indefinitely whether or not you extend your program.