Hello, newbie here from Melbourne.

I was wondering whether anyone has had their surgery done completely covered by Medicare. I went to a GP to discuss my weight loss options and he told me because my BMI is over 60% that I qualified to be covered by Medicare AND I wouldn't have to wait the standard 2 years waiting list. He then did up a referral to Dr Peter Nottle.

I was quite excited but I'm wondering whether it's all pie in the sky and whether anyone else has been done publically??

Thanks!

I know of people that have had it done publicly but they all had to wait. The best thing to do is go and see Dr Nottle and see what he says.

Hi there, My GP sent my referral in at the Alfred 3 years ago (just after my last son was born). I am now having my surgery on 24th Nov. I can't argue with the process. While I have a high BMI I had no co-morbidity which means I was placed in a low category (3 in total). It felt like I kept getting put on a waiting list after waiting list, and then surprise, I get my pre-admission appointment. I attended thinking it would be another 3-6 months, to my pleasant surprise, I had only 2 weeks til my surgery. So quick smart on the Optifast (day 3), and counting down to the best day of the rest of my life.

My suggestion, don't get put off by the potential waiting list. Time is dictated by Government Funding, but at the same time I am blessed by this generosity as well as there would be no way I could afford such a procedure privately.

Good luck

Penellij

Hello, newbie here from Melbourne.

I was wondering whether anyone has had their surgery done completely covered by Medicare. I went to a GP to discuss my weight loss options and he told me because my BMI is over 60% that I qualified to be covered by Medicare AND I wouldn't have to wait the standard 2 years waiting list. He then did up a referral to Dr Peter Nottle.

I was quite excited but I'm wondering whether it's all pie in the sky and whether anyone else has been done publically??

Thanks!

I was lapbanded completely on Medicare on December 21, 2010 after about 4 years on waiting list. so it comes eventually, depending on how much money is relelased for this type of surgery. My care and treatment at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide was absolutely excellent in all aspects. I am now awaiting my post op visit on the 9th Feb and am hoping for my first fill.

After 3 weeks I have cut back on diabetic and blood pressure medication so that is pleasing. I don't feel as though I am losing much weight at present so am hoping fill goes ok.

Hang in there and good luck

pelli55

Yes, I had mine done on the public system by Dr Kevin Dolan at Joondalup Hospital about 4 years ago. We didn';t have to pay for anything except for the follow up visits and some of that is covered by medicare too. I felt so lucky to get it done this way as I could never have afforded to pay for it myself. My lapband didn't really work so well for me but lots of other people have had success. I've since had all the fill taken out and I use Herbalife products now to lose weight. I wish someone had told be about Herbalife a long time ago. If anyone wants to find out more about Herbalife they can go to my website at donnataylor.com.au. My GP told me he had lost weight with Herbalife a long time ago but I didn't really take any notice I was so convinced the lapband was the answer.

can someone help me is there anywhere in NSW that covers the surgery on medicare?

Hey Nic, that would be a question for your doctor. Good luck. I went private in regional Victoria and was only $1,000 out of pocket, plus it was only about eight weeks from my GP referral to surgery.