So I've had a few friends message me in private to find out how much a band costs. For future reference I have put a link underneath the banner above that says "My Banding". I've tried to put as much info in there as I could.
Getting back to the point of this post, you don't always have to take the route I've taken and go through a private hospital. I do know of two friends who've had this done through the public system. One I think had to wait on the Medicare Waiting List for 8 mths and the other for 5 mths. Either way, it's actually less waiting time than I've had to wait to be able to claim from my health insurance. Plus I still have to pay a $3,950 out of pocket fee.
I won't go into the pros and cons for either choice because I simply don't know. I guess it boils down to your choice of surgeons, hospitals etc.
So for those of you in Australia who have considered lap banding but couldn't get their head around the cost, please know that there is another option.
You need a referral from your doctor before anything can start.
More info soon....
******Update********
Thank you SO much to a reader who just left a comment saying you can get early release from your superannuation to pay for the surgery (only if it is considered life threatening). Click here for more details...
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5 comments:
Hey - I went the same way as you. Just thought fellow Aussies might be interested to know that you can take money out of your super to pay for your op :-)
Hi Bec...Yes I am one of your friends who went through the public system for my banding. Which I did not pay a cent for! I travelled to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for about 3 pre operation appointments, one of which was a night stay at the sleep centre. These trips were all funded through the VPTAS system.
I went to my GP in November of 2007 and then referred to Professor Peter Nottle. My first appointment with him was in January 2008. I was operated on on May 8th 2008.
My surgery did not really go to plan. Professor Nottle told me at the time that he had conducted over 1500 lap band surgeries and mine was by far the worse. Apparently my insides are not where they are supposed to be..lol The surgery took 4 hours and I had 7 incisions. I spent the first night in the cardiac unit as I had minor heart trouble after the surgery.
Unfortunately I am one of the not so great stories when it comes to having the surgery. In the almost 2 years since, I have only lost 20 kilos. I do have to admit, part of the problem is that I have trouble returning to Melbourne to get my fills. I have not had a fill since February 2009. Might be time I went back and had one.
Anyways, I wish you all the best with this Bec. You have nothing to lose...except weight :)
J
hey just little note anyone who gets the lapband thus who is obese is able to get there super. As obesity is considered a life threatening disease. So if you pass the requirements for the band you will pass the requirements for super. As long as you really dont have money which you can prove ie showing your income and debits. it involves getting letter from your gp and your surgeon. Oh and if you dont have your own super like i didnt you can get acces do your defactos/husbands too, as long as he agrees and signs it.
Hi, I am being banded on the 22nd March also. I will be done in Wagga by Dr Harrison. Best of luck and I hope your not feeling as anxious as I am.....only tired of waiting. I am ready for the surgery I just wish irt would hurry up.
Will visit you here again soon
Sarah
nice blog
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