Perth Surgeons??

Hi

Dr Wirapetia (spell check) is a no gap surgeon based in Bunbury. He's the only one i've come across. Takes ages to get appointment with him so i'd book early.

I'm using Thomas and i think he's 3300 plus all the other stuff.

Aw, thanks for the reply!

2 days sounds promising - I know everyone is different, but I have to get back to work pretty fast, So I hope I am the same. Two weeks of optigoo, blast it. Almost considering going on it now - with a normal dinner, So I can get used to drinking breakfast and lunch. I have taken up celebrity slim shakes for brekkie already (breaking the weetbix habit, as I know I will be avoiding carb-based meals..) even with water only, they are pretty good i find. Do enjoy my eggs on the weekends, though.

If I get any specifics q's I think you might be able to help me with, I will PM you so you don't have to lurk this thread.

That not registering now is amazing, in retrospect. You can be super proud of yourself I think!

Cheers, L.

Hi there

I had dr chandraratna - and have been very happy.

I can't really say about the time period go to wo as I originally had the surgery booked and then cancelled and then rebooked about six months later.

I had a fantastic recovery from the surgery and would have been out of hospital within two days except that the nurse wasn't the best with my iron infusion.

Happy to answer and specifics if you like.

Oh and I was on optifast for two weeks. The milkshakes and some veggies as well. I found this really tough as I had heaps of work functions based around food which was a kind of torture. Funny how things change - that wouldn't even register on my radar now.

Good luck with your appointment.

Hello,

Just for traffic - I have an appt with Dr Harsha Chandraratna on the 29th - can anyone who was sleeved by him recently chime in and let me know how long it was from go to whoa? I am a tad impatient.

Also, how long was the general opti prescription for, pre-op? I have searched his name and read lots of comforting words about him and his team, so I am happy with my choice for this journey.

thanks!

L.

I also had my surgery through Jon Armstrong who I cannot rate highly enough - same out of pocket expenses as PP, approx $4800.

I know that it can be really difficult to find the money, and then justify the cost to yourself...I had a lot of guilt with "blowing" 5k on a surgery that I should have been able to avoid if I could have just pulled my finger out (fatty's guilt), especially as we are very restricted financially at the moment, but I figured you can't really put a price on your health and happiness, and at the end of the day this is not an area I really want to skimp on, if you know what I mean.

Expensive doesn't necessarily = better, but do your research. Please don't choose a surgeon just because it's more affordable if your research shows they may not be the best choice in terms of skill or experience.

I have also just started selling (finally) my old clothes on ebay and am finding that my City Chic and Autograph clothes have decent resale value, so that's a consideration too. Shop cheap once you start losing though because you will go through a few sizes fairly rapidly.

Good luck!

Hi Lacey I'm 4 weeks post op my surgeon was Dr Padovan. He is a brilliant surgeon expensive but I am so glad I went with him. You have his dietician to who is excellent, his nurse who is there for any questions (she actually rang me 5 days post op to see how I was). I feel totally supported and not left in the dark.

The op was no where near as bad as I thought, I told the aneasthatist I wanted no pain or nausea and I did'nt have any. I was on panadol the day after surgery as I did'nt need anything stronger. Dr Padovan makes smaller incisions than alot of surgeons which helps your recovery, not as much muscle is cut.

Out of pocket expenses Dr Padovan $4700, Aneasthatist $750, Dietician $450 with protien powder and cover all visits post op. These were all up front.

Hosiptal was $200 excess, Medication which was Nexium 40mg standard with Dr P. and also had to pay $80 for sexy socks.

I also had to have a heart stress test because of age and type 2 diabetes which was $750. You may not need that depends on your health I guess.

His is 100 percent no leaks, he will be doing my tummy tuck when needed.

Hi Lacey I didn't use Gordon Padovan but he has a very good reputation in Perth. When I was researching doctors he was one of the three that I did choose. As far as I know he still has a 100% success rate for leaks.

Good luck :)

Anyone know how Dr Padovan has a good success rate please?



Cheers



Lace

I used Dr Dolan and found him really great, I paid $1000 out of pocket but his fees have gone up so now you would pay $2500... I had my surgery at Glengarry Hospital but know others have gone through Hollywood - All the best with your research :)

I had Stephen Watson at SJOG Murdoch, there are out of pocket expenses $2500.00 surgeons gap, $500 Anaethetist, excess hospital ???? mine was $500, stockings and medication @$250.00 you will also have 2 appointments prior to surgery @$100.00 all appointments after surgery so far have been free. Dietician appointments @$60 each appointment, so far I have been monthly, if a psychologist is required this will be extra but I'm not sure how much or if covered. I am with Medibank Private so I don't know if this makes any difference.

I can highly recommend Stephen he has been so great, informative and supportive.

Dr Padovan was 4500-4800 from memory.

I have found Stephen Watson to be very reasonable -- worth giving his office a call. I have my first appointment with him next week and am looking forward to it. People say he's very nice.

I didn't come across any no gap surgeons in my research. I am with HBF and my anaesthetist was no gap with HBF. My surgeon, Kevin Dolan, charges $2500 for his surgeon fee. I had $100 co-pay for the hospital because I have a saver package not top cover. I pay for appointments, with some back from medicare. I also was billed for the leak test, get some back from medicare. Oh yeah, I had to pay for the dvt stockings and cuffs at the hospital.

Hiya,

You could try Circle of Care @ Hollywood Hospital. Not sure of the out of pocket expenses but excellent surgeons and support staff. Some of the surgeons there work from public hospitals as well.

Hope this helps.

Hi teenyLeigh my health fund gave me a list of doctors who charged the scheduled fee and not one of them were any of the doctors operating in Perth!!! I went with Jon Armstrong and was roughly around 4800 out of pocket but I have to say he was worth every cent :) I think Gordon Padovan is around the same as is Allan Thomas not sure of the others???

Good luck with it all

Kell x

My suggestion would be to ring each surgeon's offices and ask the receptionist, advising them who you are insured with and they would be able to tell you any out of pocket expenses. I am not aware of any that do not have out of pocket expenses but someone else may be able to assist.

Don't limit yourself to contacting NOR or SOR doctors as many of them may work in central hospitals.

Hi everyone,

I am currently on the research route as I am coming up to the end of the 12month wait time for my private health cover. I am with HBF and when i joined, specifically for cover for the sleeve procedure, was told that some specialists and surgons in Perth have a 100% cover agreement with them, meaning the patient has no out going expenses (that she could tell). I was wondering if anyone has used this and if and how much they had to pay is the agreement didnt cover everything

. I am not in a financial position for pay out the 4-5k that the gap would usually be (home ownership etc).

This is a procedure I have wanted for about 18 months now and the possibility is now in sight. At 26, i need this for me...

Thanks!