Hi everyone,

I am new on here, and I have an appointment with Dr. Watson in March. I just want a little info. concerning the cost involved with this sort of procedure. Has anyone had banding done thru him and if you wouldn't mind just letting me know the approx. cost of the procedure please?

I am really looking forward to the op. but i am worried that I might not be able to afford it.:help:

thanks all.

Hi I also have an appiontment with Dr Watson in March. I am not aware of his exact charge but I went to another Dr a year ago and he told me it would be upwards of $10 000 without private health insurance. I have a friend that has been banded by Dr Watson and she says the approximate cost after health insurance is $2000. But dont take my word for it I think it would depend on the type of cover you have and the hospital you choose to stay in. I hav been impatiently waiting for the past year to get this done and I am very excited. Good luck

Natasha

P.S

The consultations are covered by medicare all bar about $30 from what my friend told me.

I am being banded by Dr Watson next week. I am going to be out of pocket $2000 (I have HBF), so you are right. I think it depends on your health cover. He told me what I had to pay on the first consult. I was dubious that there were hidden costs, but there appears not to be....He does seem very nice.

Good Luck

I'm a self pay (no private insurance) and it has cost me just on $10,000 with Dr Watson. I will get a little bit back from Medicare but not much.

Hi everyone, Thank you all so much for your info. It gives me some insight as to what I should expect. I have private health cover, so that is a big relief!!!

Does anyone know how long you have to wait before you actually have the op? Just curious as to the waiting period...

Thanx again everyone, and congratulations to everyone who are going so well. I hope that I too one day will be one of the loosers :wink:

I had to wait six weeks from when my GP wrote the referral to when I could make my first appointment (27th Nov). Dr Watson agreed to do it straight away and my op was only 2 weeks later (10th Dec).

Yup - all of the above!

I have HBF and all up, including the post op medications it was about $2000. Fills are $160.00. It was about 6 weeks until there was a theatre slot.

There was a lot of medications post up, Warfarin, anti nausea, dissolvable panadol and stuff - not unexpected, but if you haven't had surgery before, you do need to pay for the TEDS stockings, medication etc - SJOG bill you for this after discharge.

He's great BTW. A really positive experience for me :smile:

Thanks Coo. It sounds more like I can afford this op. So feeling much better, thanks everyone!!! I just can't wait to get the op done though. I have to wait till 4th March.......WOoohOOOOO

Hey perthchick are you having your op March 4th or consult? I have an appointment March 4th and hopefully op March 19th. I am coming from Geraldton.

Perthchick - I had a girlfriend who paid $12,000 to Dr Watson (no private health care though), I have HBF and paid $1750 to Dr Watson, but in total including SJOG it was the same as most with private health at about $2000 - Rastis

Hi Nat36, I have my first consultation on the 4th March, hopefully I can have my op soon after.....should I have specified to the recep. that I was certain about having the procedure done?? How did you get an op. date? my hubby works away from home one week out of each month, and

I am trying to work around that.....

Hi Nat36, I have my first consultation on the 4th March, hopefully I can have my op soon after.....should I have specified to the recep. that I was certain about having the procedure done?? How did you get an op. date? my hubby works away from home one week out of each month, and

I am trying to work around that.....

Hi Perthchick

I sent Dr Watson an Email and told him that I have thought of nothing else for the past year and he sent me a reply saying "how about March 19?". I already had an appointment for March 4th that I made with the receptionist so now I am waiting for a reply to see if I have to keep that appointment because he originally said he would do 1st consult and op in same week. My husband is also away for 2 weeks and home for 1 but luckily he will be home on the afternoon of the 19th so he can drive me home.

Hi Nat36, I have my first consultation on the 4th March, hopefully I can have my op soon after.....should I have specified to the recep. that I was certain about having the procedure done?? How did you get an op. date? my hubby works away from home one week out of each month, and

I am trying to work around that.....

Just got a reply from Dr Watson saying keep the March 4th Appointment and start optifast 2 weeks before surgery, which means I will start it about then. Looks like I will be visiting March 4th at 4.00pm maybe I will se you if you are around the same time.

nat

Hey that is fantastic news!!!! I am so happy for you. I have my appointment at 5pm!!! lol lol maybe we will pass each other in the lift or in the reception area?? lol lol

Good luck mate, and I hope that it all goes well for you.

Perthchick

I had to wait six weeks from when my GP wrote the referral to when I could make my first appointment (27th Nov). Dr Watson agreed to do it straight away and my op was only 2 weeks later (10th Dec).

Correction: I added all the bills up from Dr Watson, the hospital, anaesthetist, lab work, including the first fill on Tues, and it all came to $11,850. Medicare didn't cover the hospital fee (approx $3360 for day patient only) or the cost of the actual band ($3600), but did pay some cover on all the other bills. In the end, I was refunded $1350, making for a nett cost of $10,500.

Hi,

I want to PM someone in this thread who is a Perth person and sees this doctor. I have valid reasons for not being able to post on this forum at this stage so even though I am new, can someone please post to say they don't mind me sending a private message. I don't just want to PM anyone, as I think thats a bit rude considering I am new.

I am waiting to have the lap band. I have an appointment booked with Dr Watson. I weigh about 150Kg, am 170cm tall and female.