Weight Loss Solutions

Costs

Medicare and your private health fund (if you have private health insurance) provide NO REBATE for the Orbera® balloon or any part of the costs associated with insertion of the balloon.

Those with private health insurance will have the majority of the costs associated with removal of the balloon rebated. Those without private health insurance will need to pay the full amount of the costs of removal themselves.

With private health insurance: $4940 of which $3950 is out of pocket

****Watch this space - application is currently underway for Private Health Rebate on Orbera - this would decrease cost significantly!

Without private health insurance: $4940 of which $4609 is out of pocket

*Costs as of November 2011 and are subject to change without notice. Please check with our staff for the latest pricing. Those with front end deductibles on their private health insurance may pay more. It is your responsibility to check with your private health fund whether you are fully or partly covered for the removal procedure. The Medicare item number for removal of the balloon is 30478.

FAQ

What is the Orbera® intragastric balloon?

The Orbera® intragastric balloon is designed to be inserted into the stomach and inflated to a volume which will restrict the amount you can eat and reduce hunger. It is easily and simply inserted through the mouth under a light anaesthetic. It is performed as a day case procedure in hospital.

What sort of weight problems is the Orbera® balloon designed to help?

The main aim of the Orbera® balloon is to help people with a BMI between 27 and 35. To check your BMI, go to our BMI Calculator Page.

There is good evidence that people with this sort of weight problem can, after losing the excess weight, retrain themselves and change their lifestyles to enable the weight loss to be maintained.

What other reasons are there for using an Orbera® intragastric balloon?

The Orbera® intragastric balloon can help patients to shed 10 to 20 kg of weight relatively quickly. It may be used in patients with BMI over 35 as a short term measure when rapid weight loss is critical. An example may be someone requiring urgent hip or knee surgery where the orthopaedic surgeon requires weight loss in the order of 10 to 20 kg before going ahead with the procedure.

The Orbera® intragastric balloon may also be used in patients who are very severely overweight and in need of loss of 20 to 40 kg of weight to make more invasive procedures such as LAP-BAND® to be performed more safely.

How long can the Orbera® intragastric balloon be left in the stomach?

In the strongest possible terms we recommend that the balloon be removed after six months. Eventually, the balloon, which is made of silicone, degrades and may burst. Should this happen it can block the intestines and this is obviously a very severe problem which may require urgent major surgery. In fact, we will not perform insertion of an Orbera® intragastric balloon without your written agreement that you will have it removed in six months time.

Can the Orbera® intragastric balloon be used on people with a BMI over 35?

The Orbera® intragastric balloon can certainly be used for people with a BMI over 35. However, long-term results in this group are not good as weight is usually regained after the balloon is removed. For patients with a BMI over 35 we recommend the LAP-BAND® in most cases. LAPSurgery Australia also offers the operations of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastric bypass for suitable patients.

Can a second Orbera® balloon be used after removal of the first one?

Yes, but we recommend at least four weeks between removal of the first balloon and insertion of the second. Costs of a second balloon will be a little less depending on the degree of ongoing support required. Similar side effects to the first balloon will probably be experienced.

Can I go back to work straight after having the balloon inserted?

Definitely not! For 3 to 5 days you will be VERY uncomfortable and may experience nausea, vomiting and crampy abdominal pain.

You will be helped through this phase by your doctor and the LAPSurgery Australia nurses with appropriate medication prescribed. In some instances you will need to be admitted to hospital for a few hours or even overnight to be rehydrated with an intravenous drip. The vast majority of patients will be able to return to work within a week.

Will I feel the balloon and will I be restricted in any way whilst the balloon is in place?

In most cases, after the first few days, the only sensation you will have is one of fullness and lack of appetite. Normal activity and exercise is unrestricted. In rare cases, the balloon may move from its position in the upper part of the stomach to the lower part and may be felt as an "alien" in the abdomen and this may be associated with some vomiting. By lying on your left side and gently massaging the "alien" it will easily go back to its proper position.

Right: The balloon sits in the stomach decreasing the capacity of the stomach.

At which hospitals will the Orbera® intragastric balloon be available?

Initially, the balloon will be available at the Valley Private Hospital in Mulgrave. In coming months it may be available at Knox Private Hospital in Wantirna and St John of God at Berwick.

What if I don't lose a satisfactory amount of weight or put it back on after the balloon is removed?

If your BMI is above 30 and especially if you have other problems such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems and sleep apnoea we will offer you a LAP-BAND®. Current costs for a LAP-BAND® for patients with private health insurance are approximately $4500. In a very few instances we will offer LAP-BAND® surgery for patients without private health insurance. The cost for LAP-BAND® surgery without private health insurance in a private hospital is over $15,000. This needs to be discussed with your surgeon very carefully.

Where can I get more information?

The Orbera® intragastric balloon has a dedicated website with all the information you could possibly need. Please go to www.orberaweightlosssystem.com.au for more information.

How do I start the process?

You may ring 1300 LAPSurgery for an appointment with one of our nurses. Cost is $75 for a half-hour consultation and this is not rebatable from Medicare. At this stage you may decide to go ahead with the procedure or you may decide it is not for you or that perhaps a LAP-BAND® is more appropriate.

You contact us to register your interest in a public information evening or for us to send you more information.

Surgical Risks

Complications of the Orbera® intragastric balloon are very uncommon but include the following:

Varied Results

A small percentage of patients may not achieve any significant weight loss and some patients may not be able to maintain the weight loss that is achieved at the time the balloon is removed.

Obstruction of the intestine by the balloon

If the balloon were to develop a leak, it can deflate and block the intestines. This is rare but a very major problem requiring abdominal surgery. Deflation of the balloon prior to 6 months of it being in place is exceptionally rare but becomes more likely after six months which is why we insist the balloon is removed after six months.

Injury to the digestive tract during placement of the balloon

LAPSurgery surgeons are fully trained in the techniques of insertion of the Orbera® intragastric balloon and such an injury is judged extremely unlikely but nevertheless possible.

Continued nausea and vomiting

Whilst this ceases after a few days for most people, a small number of people may experience ongoing symptoms requiring the balloon to be removed.

Gastric reflux

Some patients will experience quite severe heartburn. In most cases this will be controlled with appropriate medication.

Other complications

A variety of other possible complications are possible but very rare. For a complete list of possible complications please click here for information, as provided by Allergan, who are the makers of the Orbera® intragastric balloon.

For more information on Obera® related procedures, visit www.orberaweightlosssystem.com.au

Surgical Benefits

1. Long term maintenance weight loss
2. Possible control or remission of serious illness associated with obesity including:
   • Raised Blood Pressure
   • Diabetes
   • Sleep Apnoea
   • Depression
3. Improved Quality of life, relinquish of stress of always being on a diet
4. Able to participate in family activities eg swimming, playing sport chasing the kids
5. Ability to purchase clothes in mainstream shops

Post Operative Instructions

For instructions relating to this operation, please visit the Post Surgery Instructions page.