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- Medical and surgical
- Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery
The surgery works by reducing the portion sizes you can eat, controlling hunger and may have additional hormonal and metabolic effects that promote weight loss. You are still required to follow healthy eating habits and exercise regularly to achieve optimal results.
Choosing to have bariatric surgery may not be an easy decision and can follow a long weight management battle. We work closely with you and your general practitioner (GP) to help you understand the physical and emotional changes you may experience.
Our expert surgical teams use the latest minimally invasive techniques in weight loss surgery to help you recover faster and with less pain compared to open surgery. In most cases, your hospital stay will range between one and four days depending on the procedure.
Bariatric surgery procedures
Procedures include:
Gastric sleeve
This procedure reduces the size of the stomach by surgically removing about two thirds of the outer part of the stomach. This leaves a long, narrow tube or sleeve which means you will feel full after consuming much less food. Removing most of the upper stomach (fundus) also decreases levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. This is the most common weight loss procedure performed in Australia.
Gastric banding or lap-banding
An inflatable silicone band is tied around the upper end of the stomach, near the food pipe. It can be adjusted by injecting or removing fluid from a port placed under the skin. The pressure of the band forces you to eat slowly and reduces appetite. The band is removable if required.
Gastric bypass
There are many different types of gastric bypass. The stomach is usually divided into two sections with food only going into the smaller section. The small bowel is often also divided and rejoined so that food bypasses the larger section of stomach and the first part of the duodenum where digestion starts. This procedure may have particular advantages if you have type 2 diabetes or gastric reflux.
Intragastric balloon
A silicon balloon is inserted into the stomach via the mouth and food pipe (oesophagus) and inflated under vision using a fibreoptic telescope (endoscopy). Once inflated it restricts the amount you can eat and reduces hunger. It can be performed as a day procedure. The balloon must be removed after six months, through an endoscopy.
Benefits of bariatric surgery
Some benefits of bariatric surgery may include:
- significant and sustained weight loss
- increased energy
- reduced blood pressure
- reduced risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke and other obesity-related conditions
- better overall health and wellbeing.
These benefits depend on your particular circumstances and require you to fully participate in necessary before and after care and management. You should consult a specialist in this area before deciding whether surgery is suitable for you.
Bariatric gastric sleeve package
All-Inclusive Hospital Packages are designed to make it easier for patients to self-fund some lower-risk procedures with one, simple, agreed price that encompasses all hospital requirements. St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital offers a minimal wait time and a choice of excellent, experienced specialists to meet your healthcare needs.
Eligibility will be discussed with your specialist. The bariatric gastric sleeve package is offered through Access Bariatrics.
What’s included?
- All surgeon and anaesthetist fees.
- Hospital fees including nursing, accommodation and in-room meals.
- Prescribed pharmaceuticals and dressings.
- Take-home medication that is prescribed by your specialist.
Costs and fee payment options
If you have private health insurance, the costs for your hospital stay and specialist fees may be covered by your health fund, based on your level of cover.
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can access treatment at a St John of God Health Care hospital through our self-funded care option.
When you use your private health insurance, you get benefits that include access to St John of God Health Care private hospital facilities, your choice of specialist, minimal wait times, and with an eligible policy most of your hospital costs can be covered by your private health insurance fund.
You should contact your health insurer to understand your level of cover, and whether your policy is subject to additional fees such as a hospital excess or other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. Your health insurer will also be able to assist in understanding if you will have doctor, radiology and pathology out-of-pocket costs.
Patients who don’t have private health insurance can choose to access St John of God Health Care private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.
By accessing our self-funded care option, you’ll be able to avoid wait times and have your surgery or treatment with your choice of specialist at a St John of God Health Care private hospital.
- Learn more and enquire about the self-funded care option.
- Call 1300 940 199 to get a quote for self-funded treatment.
If you have received an invoice for an expense associated with treatment from a St John of God Health Care service you can pay your bill online.
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