Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a group of procedures that help people with obesity achieve sustained weight loss when diet, exercise and medication have not been successful. These operations work by reducing the size of the stomach, altering the absorption of food, or both, leading to reduced hunger, earlier satiety and significant long-term weight loss.

At LapSurgery Australia we offer the full range of modern bariatric procedures and tailor our recommendation to each patient's health profile, weight history and personal goals.

Sustained weight loss after bariatric surgery can transform your life.

• Significant and sustained weight loss
• Improvement or resolution of Type 2 diabetes
• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers
• Improved mobility and reduced joint pain
• Better sleep and reduced sleep apnoea
• Improved energy levels, mental wellbeing and quality of life

Bariatric surgery is generally considered for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or above, or 30 and above when accompanied by weight-related medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea or severe joint problems.

For people of Asian descent, lower thresholds apply: a BMI of 32.5 or above, or 27.5 or above with a weight related health condition, because health risks occur at lower BMI levels.

Our team will assess your medical history, current health and previous weight loss attempts to recommend the most suitable procedure for you.

Use our BMI calculator to check your eligibility.

Prior to surgery we require the following appointments:

• Initial consultation with your Surgeon
• Pre-operative assessment by a Specialist Physician
• Consultation with our bariatric dietitian
• Consultation with our clinical psychologist
• Pre-admission consultation with the hospital nurse
• Final consultation with your surgeon one week prior to surgery

Comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnoea and vitamin deficiencies are identified and properly managed before surgery, which is essential to the very high safety standards we maintain.

Our surgery package includes a comprehensive 12-month aftercare program:

• Post-operative appointment with our in-house nurse (7-10 days post op)
• Dietitian review (1-2 weeks post op)
• Surgeon review (5-6 weeks post op)
• Exercise professional review (4 months post op)
• Dietitian reviews (3 and 6 months post op)
• Specialist Physician review with comprehensive blood test (6-12 months post op)

Long-term success comes from continued lifestyle support. Read more about our support program and lifestyle, diet and exercise guidance.

Weight loss varies by individual and procedure. On average, sleeve gastrectomy patients lose 60 to 70 per cent of their excess weight and gastric bypass patients 70 to 80 per cent, with most weight lost within the first 12 to 18 months. Beyond the scales, patients commonly see improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and joint pain. Long-term success depends on commitment to the lifestyle changes our multidisciplinary team helps you build.

Most patients stay in hospital for one to two nights after surgery. You can typically return to light activities within two weeks and resume normal activities within four to six weeks. Because all of our procedures are performed as keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, often robot-assisted, recovery is significantly faster and less painful than open surgery. Our team provides comprehensive post-operative care throughout your recovery.

Eating after bariatric surgery progresses in stages. You begin with fluids, move to pureed foods, then soft foods, over approximately four to six weeks, before settling into a normal healthy diet in small portions. After a sleeve gastrectomy, for example, the stomach holds around 150 to 250mL, so a small meal leaves you full and satisfied. Our bariatric dietitian guides you through every stage, and daily multivitamins are recommended for life to prevent deficiencies.

All surgery carries some risk. The most common risks of bariatric surgery include anaesthetic complications, bleeding, wound or abdominal infections, damage to other organs, conversion to an open operation, and blood clots in the legs or lungs.

At LapSurgery Australia we use maximum precautions, including blood-thinning medication, compression stockings, calf-pumping devices and early mobilisation, to minimise these risks. Our team is recognised for its major contribution to the Government-sponsored Bariatric Safety Registry (BSR), which tracks surgical complications and provides an unbiased safety record.

Procedure-specific risks are discussed in detail on each procedure page and at your consultation with your surgeon.

Costs vary based on the procedure, your private health insurance and your specific medical needs.

As a guide, with adequate private health insurance, sleeve gastrectomy ranges from $7,500 to $8,000, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from $10,000 to $13,000 and revisional surgery from $10,000 to $15,000. Our self-pay program for sleeve gastrectomy, available to some patients without private health insurance, ranges from $20,500 to $22,500.

Our pricing includes:

• Initial consultation with Surgeon
• Pre-operative assessment with Specialist Physician
• Clinical Psychologist consultation
• Dietitian consultations (pre and post-operative)
• Exercise professional consultation after surgery
• Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon
• Access to on-call Surgeon at all times
• Comprehensive after care at Medicare rebate

It may be possible to fund out-of-pocket costs from your Superannuation. We also offer uninsured packages for selected patients.

View detailed pricing or learn about Superannuation funding.

Most Gold tier hospital policies that include weight loss surgery cover bariatric procedures. If you are taking out or upgrading cover, a waiting period, usually 12 months for pre-existing conditions, generally applies before you can claim. Medicare item numbers apply to bariatric surgery and contribute to the rebates available. If you do not have private health insurance, we offer a self-pay program for sleeve gastrectomy to selected patients, and it may be possible to fund out-of-pocket costs through the compassionate release of superannuation. Our team can help you understand your cover before you commit to anything.

Our experienced surgeons can discuss bariatric surgery options with you at our Dandenong North, Berwick, Frankston, Warragul or Cranbourne locations. See addresses for our locations here.