Cookeeeeez

From my surgeons website: For patients with Private Health Insurance who undergo weight loss surgery, the hospital costs associated with weight loss surgery are usually covered by most private health funds. Some of the more basic levels of cover such as extras-only may not cover weight loss surgery. A 12 month waiting period usually applies if you have recently joined a health fund. You should contact your health fund to see if you are covered. Health Fund Contact Details Health Fund email Phone AHSA -Alliance Funds (Teachers, Defence, Police, etc) http://www.ahsa.com.au (02) 9411 9100 HCF http://www.hcf.com.au 131334 MBF http://www.mbf.com.au 131137 Medibank Private http://medibank.com.au 132331 NIB http://nib.com.au 131463 When you contact your health fund, quote the following Medicare item numbers to see if you are covered. Gastric Banding: 30511 Sleeve Gastrectomy: 30518 Gastric Bypass: 30512 For patients with Private Health Insurance who undergo weight loss surgery, there are usually 4 different fees they will incur. 1. There are the Hospital Access fees which most Private Health Funds will charge when you are admitted to a private hospital for a procedure. This will vary depending on your level of cover and your Health Insurance Provider. It may range from 0-$500. 2. There are the Surgeon's fees. When you have a weight loss procedure performed by Dr. Michael Hatzifotis you will be charged one single fee. For privately insured patients this fee will cover; -Surgeon’s fee for performing the procedure -All follow up appointments (every month for gastric bands, every 3 months for sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass) until you reach your goal weight, then annually for life -All band adjustments (including needles and consumables) for life -Additional consultations with Dr. Hatzifotis at any time if problems arise, Provided you are covered by private health insurance, the cost of the Gastric Band procedure is $3300, the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure is $3500 and the Gastric Bypass procedure is $5000. This fee is expected to be paid prior to the surgery. If any further surgery is ever required in the future following your weight loss procedure, you will not be charged for this by Dr Michael Hatzifotis. 3. There are the Anaesthetist's fees. Which may vary depending on the Anaesthetist and the procedure, between $695 - $1050. Your anaesthetist will contact you prior to your procedure to confirm these fees. The fee for uninsured patients varies depending on the type of procedure performed, the duration of the procedure, and the co-morbidities of the patient. 4. The Assistant's fee. Which may vary from zero to $350 depending on whether the private hospital can provide an assistant for the procedure. Once you have paid for your procedure you will be given a receipt. Once the procedure has been performed you will be mailed an invoice for this amount together with the Medicare item number and a description of the procedure performed by Dr. Hatzifotis. You will need to take your receipt and invoice to Medicare so that you can be paid a rebate for the procedure You will receive a Medicare rebate of 75% of the Scheduled fee for your particular procedure. The Medicare rebate for Gastric Banding is $613.05 The Medicare rebate for Sleeve Gastrectomy is $712.50 The Medicare rebate for Gastric Bypass is $754.35 You can then claim a further 25% of the Medicare Schedule fee from your private health fund. You may be eligible to claim a further rebate of $600 when you lodge your tax return as the procedure qualifies for the medical expenses safety net. See below under Tax Rebate Scheme. Costs not covered Your initial consultation with Dr Hatzifotis is $150 (you will be able to get a Medicare rebate of $67 provided you have a GP referral). Prior to your weight loss procedure you will be required to commence a low calorie Meal Replacement diet (Optifast). You will need to pay for these Meal Replacements. Depending on your health fund, you may be required to pay an excess for your hospital admission. You should check with your health fund regarding this. Pharmacy expenses (medications, vitamins), blood tests, and other investigations (such as X-rays), may incur an additional cost depending on your health fund. If you need to see any other specialists prior to your surgery, such as cardiologists, respiratory physicians, or endocrinologists, you may be charged for these visits. Not Privately Insured? Patients who are not privately insured may still have a weight loss procedure performed at a private hospital. The out of pocket expense will depend on the individual private hospital, the type of procedure performed, the equipment used, the cost of the device if having a gastric band, the theatre fees, Surgeon’s fee, Assistant surgeon’s fee, Anaesthetist’s fee, Intensive care fees if this is required, and the number of days spent in hospital. For a Gastric Banding procedure this will be approximately $13500. Although uncommon, prolonged hospital stay may be required, and this will inflate the costs associated with the procedure. It is strongly recommended that you have private health insurance before proceeding with weight loss surgery. Other Payment Options Early Release of Super You may apply to APRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) for early release of their superannuation funds to help pay for part of or all of the cost of their weight loss surgery. Details of this may be found on the APRA website. You should check with your financial advisor to see if this applies to you. Please follow the link below. Early Release of Superannuation Benefits Super Annuation Money If you decide to use your superannuation to pay for your weight loss surgery, three documents need to be lodged; Completed application form A letter of support from your General Practitioner A letter of support from Dr Hatzifotis It usually takes approximately 6 weeks for APRA to process your application. Tax Rebate Scheme You may also claim a rebate form the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) when you submit your end of year tax return. When your medical expenses for the financial year exceed $2000, you can claim a tax offset of 20% of your net medical expenses over $2000. This is not means or assets tested and there is no limit on the amount you can claim. For example: $4500 out of pocket expense: tax rebate = ($4500-$2000) x20% = $500 Check with your accountant or financial advisor if this may apply to you. For further details see the Australian Taxation Office website by clicking here.

Zipp-fizz etc sound a lot like what Michael Pollan would call "edible food-like substances" Stick to real food and beverages!

You know, if she is a good friend then after the surgery you should take her up on her offer... It's always good to try new things and meat is murder, lol (coming from an on&off vegetarian)!!! Let her know that you will be changing your habits for the better, but you still need this extra help of the sleeve because reasons a ) b ) & c ) Healthy friends are a great thing! And I promise if you show her YouTube videos, doctors reports, this site etc she will be more informed. She wouldn't be a good friend if she approved of high risk abdominal surgery on a whim, educate her and she'll educate others! She may become a champion of WLS! You never know- Don't get fatigued by these attitudes, use them to reinforce your own decision! On the other hand, if someone remains stubborn give up the goose and find another friend

Or go for a professional colonic but professionals sometimes recommend them too often than is good for you and are more $$$$

Tried an enema? Not as bad as they sound... You can get a kit off eBay if your local chemist doesn't stick them. Warm tap water is fine for occasional use and they really work.. Tmi?

Sometimes it's the time in between sessions with a psychologist that let you think through what they have said and see if it may apply in some areas. Maybe if you see them again then you can plan how you respond to his opinion. Are you depressed, is it under control, could you become oppositional to some advice later on the track that might hurt your recovery? Just reevaluate again taking into account you can try and fix any of these now with your trusted psychiatrist... Always good to get a second opinion for these reasons Also, some psychologists prefer no drugs, as talking is the cure... But some psychiatrists don't really practice talking, as drugs are the cure... Either way after one session neither is going to provide a truly reliable opinion regarding your mental health... If the drugs are working (in your opinion) then stay on them, if you could use a boost in some areas then maybe some extra talk therapy will compliment your current medications, or if you think the drugs aren't working then you can discuss with your psychiatrist a plan for coming down and a plan in case you do feel bad post-op Anyway, good luck- be patient because your health is at stake and hopefully that is the doctors main concern, and be well!!! Sending pos vibes your way!!! But- take advice with a grain of salt

Can't talk for strawberry flavour yet, but aldi meal replacement shake in chocolate seriously tastes like drinking brownie mix!!!!!! Probably a little unhealthier than some but it kept me full from 9am-1pm...

Can't talk for strawberry flavour yet, but aldi meal replacement shake in chocolate seriously tastes like drinking brownie mix!!!!!! Probably a little unhealthier than some but it kept me full from 9am-1pm...

Lol!!! I remember now caught bus to south bank, can't remember what- oh yeah, Roma street is where I go to catch coach/train to Sydney!!! Lol- never been outside Roma station before!!! Dont worry, I'll find my way!!!!

Im so sorry!! That's how I felt after gallbladder surgery "of all things my right thigh is f'd up forever?!" I really really hope it resolves without meds!!! But just so you know, anti inflams usually won't do anything for nerve pain- you may need panadeine forte sometimes... Sending wellness wishes your way!!!

Oh and one stupid azz dr thought I was a junky when explaining to her the pain in leg- coz I got really deep muscle itches that hurt to scratch ?! Weird!!! And also annoyed nerve meds didn't fix sciatic/L4-L5 nerve root compression, finally coming off pain meds for that...

Yes, that sounds like the median nerve to me- the throbbing is like high blood pressure or a tourniquet around the area?! And tingling pins/needles mixed with numbness or little/big sharp stabs of pain? It may heal itself, stay numb, or get worse- only time will tell but you may end up on lifelong nerve suppressants like cymbalta or endep... Sorry darl!!!! Igot it in right exterior thigh after gallbladder surgery endep then cymbalta resolved it but on them forever or bad bad bad pain

I think I mentioned I've been pre-opping Protein drinks (lost hair after hospital a few months ago) I find them ok, specially if they're plain vanilla- anyone tried musashi n-force2? I found it cheap on eBay, $35 incl del for 800gs tvsn's whey less tastes fine until you realise the bottom half is full of insoluble grit!!! And $$$$$$$!!!! Also I use 80% Water + 20% lite milk in the mix... I hope my taste doesn't change after surgery coz I find them pretty convenient!

I know Roma street okish- been to museum and walked through beach thingy just after the floods last year.... So a while ago but I think I know the gist of getting there Soooooo cited!!! Lol

I use the fitball (or swisse ball, whatever) to do some of my core muscles- easier on the back I find... One example- lie on back, support neck with hands, squeeze ball between thighs and knees and gently lift toward belly, gently lower and repeat... I use three pound weights x 2 and do 15 reps in three sets of arm exercises- bicep curls, shoulder press, Triceps extension and a few others I find this weight level + reps/sets works well for me as a female to both tone and build...

Isn't it incredible even to "like" the idea of exercise?! I really the sleeve must secretly be brain surgery!!!

Oh that would be great one day, a ride around Brissy although my bums still too big to be comfy on a bike lol!!!

Next Saturday check! In going to a reflexology appointment at 9am so plenty of time to get into the city... Let me know where Also, saw bikes near central- are there any nice peddle paths around Brissy?!

I'm in Caboolture and don't mind the schlep into Brissy I'm also a new qldr so it would be good to see some new sites!!! Yes I suppose it would be good practice @ eating/drinking in social sits but without any weirdness from someone who doesn't understand the challenges of postop

Mwahaha !!!! Awesome imagery I'm hoping my libido lifts with wls but maybe I can show this to hubby and see if it inspires him to shed a few pounds Thanks again for the laugh and sorry no ideas on why but, really, who cares why?! Lol

Lol at caramello koala!!! I have fallen in love with sesame snaps w dark choc on top- really have to be careful not to eat them (three in each individual pack) everyday! Although I suppose they're better than a whole giant bowl of icecream.... Congrats on surgery kelliv!!! You're making me yum for broccoli soup!!! And LOL @ your boobs!!! I've been saying that for weeks, mine just keep getting smaller, butas my body is starting to catch up I actually like them smaller because of weight loss I am starting to come off the heavy painkillers for my leg pain from bulging disc but still can't let up- wish my surgery were soon but will have to be patient! I would love to meet up but as am not sleeved yet I would probably eat/drink sooooo much compared to you guys! Although you'd probably keep me motivated!!! I was a cow to my skinny sis for getting plastic surgery but sometimes I think if the skin really got in my way I'd do something about it... Not sure but I'll keep more of an open mind than before... Love you guys, congrats all, and welcome to the newbies!!!

A funny side effect of abdominal surgery/trauma can be nerve damage! After gallbladder laproscopy I lost all feeling in right exterior thigh then when it came back it was tingly then stabby! On cymbalta for nerve control...

And gag was meant to be gah!!!! Argh at auto correct!!!!

* gag! And it's Troy Mclure = stupid iPhone!!!

* kick that azz "friend" in the azz for you and us!!!!