FAQs
Appointments
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You can see our surgeons with or without a referral, however, to be eligible for Medicare rebates a referral is required.
We can get you in to see our surgeons faster with a valid referral from your GP at the time of booking. Otherwise, just make sure that if you want to claim Medicare rebates, you have the referral sent to us before your surgeon appointment.
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Yes we do! We offer both face-to-face and video telehealth appointments.
We just ask that you please log in on time from a private, quiet space. Our support staff are available to assist you if needed.
*Please note that in special circumstances you may be asked to attend a face-to-face appointment e.g. if your surgery is funded through DVA support.
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Please provide the following:
• Valid referral letter
• Relevant medical imaging, reports or results
• Medicare card
• Private health insurance details
• Pension or DVA card if applicable
*Please also complete the registration forms provided by our team - this helps you save time on the day of your consult.
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Should you need to change or cancel an in-person or telehealth appointment, please provide a minimum of 48 hours notice.
Please be aware:
• For late cancellations within 48hrs (2 business days) of your appointment date, a 50% cancellation fee will be applied
• For late cancellations within 24hrs (1 business day) of your appointment date, 100% cancellation fee will be applied
• Failure to attend your appointment will incur a 100% cancellation fee
The practice reserves the right to cancel unconfirmed appointments inside of 24hrs of the appointment date, in order to allocate this to a patient on our waiting list.
*Outstanding cancellation fees are to be paid prior to rebooking your appointment.
Surgery
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The surgery type that’s best for you will be discussed with your surgeon, however, we currently perform the following surgeries:
• Gastric sleeve
• Gastric bypass (roux-en-y or single anastomosis)
• Gastric band
• Bariatric revision surgery (for example, band to bypass)
We also offer Allurion Gastric Balloon insertion (this is a non-surgical weight loss procedure)
Read more here.
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Pricing for surgery depends on whether you are:
• Self-paying or using superannuation
• Using private health cover
Please see more information on our pricing page.
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Most health insurance companies offer bariatric surgery to those with the highest level of cover.
For the majority of insurers, the waiting period to have surgery after starting your health cover is 12 months.
*Please check with your health insurance provider.
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We do not participate in the Medical Gap Scheme offered by some private health insurers.
Medical Concerns
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NON URGENT
Within clinic hours:
Please call the clinic on (03) 9416-4418. If the phone line is busy, please leave us a voicemail and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Outside clinic hours:
Please leave us a voicemail and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
*If you require earlier attention, please visit your GP.
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URGENT:
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 000 or go to your local emergency department.
If outside of clinic hours, you can contact our after-hours urgent messaging service to advise us that you have sought urgent medical attention. We will pass on any important information to your surgeon.
**Please always contact 000/emergency first if you have an urgent medical concern.
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Remember, if you’re having a medical emergency, please call 000 or visit your local emergency department first.
Urgent medical concerns may include, but are not limited to:
• Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath
• Chest and/or jaw tightness or pressure
• Fever, sweaty, clammy or rigoring (intense shivering)
• Unmanageable or a sudden increase in pain
*If you’re unsure if your situation is an urgent medical concern, it is best to be cautious and visit your local emergency department if you have concerns.
Follow Up Care
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Yes! We have one of the most inclusive follow up packages in Melbourne including 5 Dietitian appointments (to use within the 12 months post surgery) and 2 year surgeon/nursing follow up care.
We also provide you with your first month's supply of required supplements, protein and portion accessories for your operation.
There’s a lot to take in on your surgery journey and we want you to be able to go into your operation feeling confident and organised.