FAQ

I participate in the national bariatric registry. This registry enables us to keep track of long term weight loss results for different operations and surgeons. I enter all my patients in this which is linked to your Medicare number. If we don’t make contact by consultation or phone annually they should contact you.

Having private insurance is highly recommended for the 1 year (policy maturity) because it is significantly cheaper than self paying.  There may be the option for Compassionate Release of Superannuation to cover surgery and this can be discussed at your initial consultation.

With appropriate level of private insurance copayment *

• Sleeve Gastrectomy $5000
• Removal of lap band – no gap
• Gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy – no gap

* you may have an excess gap for going to hospital- please check with your medical insurance company

Weight loss surgery in generally considered very safe.

General risks apply with any anaesthetic; blood clots, cardio or respiratory problems

Sleeve Gastrectomy: Risk of leak is under 1%.  Bleeding requiring return to theatre is under 1%. Organ damage is very rare. Kinking or stricturing of sleeve(see surgical technique) is also considered rare. Other risks include reflux and late sleeve dilatation which is irreversible but can be revised.

 

Consultations can be tailored to your geographical position, Mr Scott consults from Traralgon, Warragul and Berwick. Phone consultations can also be arranged for your convenience.  Initial consultations for new patients incur a fee, however, subsequent review appointments are bulk billed with a still current GP referral letter.

An expected total average excess weight-loss of 60%  for sleeve gastrectomy patients at 5 years post surgery and an average of 47% for lap band patients.

While results may be seen greater than 60% at 5 years. 10% weight regain at 5 years seems likely. With my current technique initial weight losses of over 80% excess weight are common.

Your surgery will take place at Maryvale Private Hospital, located at 286 Maryvale Road Morwell. While this is a regional hospital the theatre equipment is the same as in a city hospital. We have performed over a hundred bariatric procedures a year over the last 15 years. The hospital staff are used to looking after bariatric patients.

Low calorie diet 2 weeks prior to operation.

Surgery usually takes less than 1 hour, calibration balloon used for accurate pouch size, gastro-gastric sutures to lower risk of slip. Fluids when awake from operation. Home after overnight stay. Fluids that fit through straw first 2 weeks, soft diet 3 weeks then solids. First adjustment a 6 weeks. Usually 4-5 adjustments to get to optimum level of tightness over next few months.

• Sleeve Gastrectomy: 31575
• Lap Band: 31569
• Removal of lap band: 31584

You will need these numbers when asking your health insurance provider about out-of-pocket costs.

Your fertility will be improved and your obstetric risk lowered with weight loss surgery.

It is best not to get pregnant in the first year after your surgery (if possible).

Lap band patients will need fluid progressively removed through their pregnancy in part to reduce the presumed increased risk of band slippage.

2 weeks prior to your surgery you will need to be on a very low calorie diet to shrink the size of your liver. This is very important to stick to as it makes the operation safer. This is 3 Optifast meal replacements a day. Salad and vegetables allowed but no frut, meat,  dressing or gravy. Zero calorie liquids.

Previous surgery on your abdomen in general doesn’t usually preclude a sleeve gastrectomy. Previous surgery on your stomach needs to be discussed with the surgeon.

Private insurance is not required for an initial consultation or information night, but is highly recommended for surgery.

If you have suffered from reflux please tell your surgeon.

A well positioned and adjusted lap band will tend to improve reflux and the converse.

A sleeve gastrectomy is an intrinsically refluxogenic operation, especially initially. Some surgeons will not perform a sleeve on a patient with bad reflux. Other surgeons will look carefully and repair any hiatus hernia and/or tighten the region of the gastroesophageal junction in such patients which is my practice.

2 weeks is typical, although this obviously differs between patients and the type of work. Average 3 days in hospital. Typical range 2-4 days.