Answer:
The cost of weight loss surgery depends on a number of factors including the type of surgery, surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees, the hospital where the procedure is done and any medications that might be prescribed to you after surgery. For example, on average gastric band surgery ranges from approximately $10,000 to $14,000. Unfortunately gastric band surgery is not covered by Medicare.
If you have private health insurance you will be covered for gastric band surgery but you may have some out of pocket costs. Obesity is considered a pre-existing condition by private health funds so there is generally a 12-month waiting period between joining a health fund and being able to have gastric band surgery. Contact your private health fund for more information and quote item number 30511.
Contact your surgeon for detailed information on out of pocket expenses associated with gastric band surgery and other weight loss surgery procedures (eg. Sleeve gastrectomy) and what is covered by the fee (eg. Pre-surgery consultations, post-surgery follow-up visits, gastric band adjustments etc).
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