Dr Geoff Draper, Melbourne?

First topic message reminder :

Anyone getting their surgery done by Mr Draper? Or know of anyone?

He has done a lot of bands, and I have spoken to a few people who have been operated on by him. He has not done that many sleeves yet, but he seems to be encouraging the sleeve over the band. He & his practice are very thorough and organised so I am pleased with that :)

It's between $12000 and $15000, if you had phi and waited the year, out of pocket it's almost $6000.
If you are paying out of pocket, you will get done in around a month or so.

Hi All I am new to the site I live in Frankston & am about to attend a session with Dr Draper. I am wondering if anyone has paid for this out of their own pocket.
If so what was the time frame from first meeting to op?
I don't have phi & don't want to wait for the waiting periods as the cost of phi + the gap means you only really end up saving about 1/3 of the price so I want to just pay it & get it done rather than wait.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

That's great, I am sure the paperwork will arrive soon.
I am still waiting for them to call me, if they haven't rung by the end of the week, I will be calling them.
July 28th woohoo not long to go now =) How exciting..

Yesssssss I did Bamba - they said the 28th of July but I haven't received any of the paperwork yet so while I am super duper excited, I am stressed that I haven't received anything yet and it might not go ahead lol

Lililinks - Have you got a date yet?

They gave me an estimate date of August 11th .. Hoping I can still get that date and not have to wait longer .. I have already waited a year!! lol
I know they are busy and whatnot but Im inpatient!

Don't worry, Karen will call as her job is to link & try get the specialists on the same day as Dr Draper to do the operation. Thats the biggest headache for Karen... Once she is able to get everyone on board to do the operation then she will lock in dates with you.
As other specialist have their own work to do as well as try & fit in an allocated date to do Dr Drapers patients. So don;t worry I'm sure Karen is trying her hardest to get dates asap for everyone.
My operation is on the 7th & tomorrow is my finally pre-op before the big day so whilst im there I am paying my bill $3750(my gap) and my PHI (LaTrobe) will pick up the balance.

Bamba wrote:

I am starting to go into a little Nicki panic lol ..
Dr Draper's PA said she would ring and make my last pre surgery visit with Dr Draper, and she hasn't called me yet. I'm due to have my surgery in 6 weeks ...
Talk about waiting until the last second! lol

Bamba, I have my surgery at the end of July and I don't have a date yet, nor have I seen Mr Draper for my pre-op appointment. so don't stress it will all happen. If you are worried though, just give her a call - she is lovely and understands what we are all feeling. She told me i can nag her as much as I like cause I am a bit of a control freak and not handling not knowing my surgery date yet very well, lol

I am starting to go into a little Nicki panic lol ..
Dr Draper's PA said she would ring and make my last pre surgery visit with Dr Draper, and she hasn't called me yet. I'm due to have my surgery in 6 weeks ...
Talk about waiting until the last second! lol

Awesome to hear you are feeling a lil bit better, and with your kids noticing the difference who needs the scales...hahahaha.
I have a list of things i need to buy before the op so vitamins, liquids are the MUST do's.
Yes i like Dr Draper and the ladies at his office are lovely, caring and always keep you up dated as much as they can.

Yes, all done and dusted. Mr Draper is very thorough and the nurses at the Epworth all speak highly of him. I am having more problems after the anaesthetic than I have had pain or other problems. Very tired and breathless. Having a shower and washing my hair is the big achievement of the day. Luckily I have mum here to help. I have not once been hungry or wanted food. I am just today starting on yoghurts and custards and am gradually feeling better. It is all worth it though, especially when my kids notice my wieght loss. I don't have scales so I'll have to wait for my post op appointment on the 5th to see what they say. Look after yourself, eat well and take your vitamins is the best advise I can give you. Also if you are an emotional eater try to get that under check. I found Marion great for that.

I see you have had yours ...was that with Dr Draper and how are you feeling after it?

Yay!! Congratulations Tonez and All the Best for the 7th. The time will fly!

tonez wrote:

I just got a call from APRA, and i got "APPROVED"... :)) Now i jus have to confirm the date (7th July) with Karen yahhh...

**Yes all approved & im getting sleeved on the 7th July

I just got a call from APRA, and i got "APPROVED"... :)) Now i jus have to confirm the date (7th July) with Karen yahhh...

Hi Bec... I know your having your op in a few days. Goo dluck and see you on the other side :))

Apra will be assessing my app on the 20th June yahhhh...good vibes & then book to have my sleeve with Dr Draper:))))

Hi there, well yes ive been quiet as I've been working some ridiculous days & hours to get myself a decent car..as my loveable A2B car had finally done it days!!
Thats gr8 news your going in & doing awesome on the opti 12kg wow.. gr8 news!
Yes i would of been going in on the 20th June but APRA haven't processed my application yet, which i guess i sent it in abit late to ensure that i could have it done about now or before the end of financial year.
I'm meant to be on the opti for 4wks but haven't started as getting a car was priority. Now that i have a reliable car no time like the present to start.
I'm sure you must be excited as the date is getting closer for you. Be great to have a catch up session moreso since we live in the Sth east / peninsula area.

Hi tonez,
How is everything? You have gone very quiet! Do you have a date yet? I am having the op on the 17th. I thought maybe you might be at around the same time. I have been on Opti for 4 weeks and have lost 12 kgs so far. Mr Draper seems very thorough and I have been impressed with all the staff. Now just to make it through the op and the couple of weeks later! I would love to catch up some time, and have posted Bamba the same message as she lives nearby and is being operated on in August by Mr Draper!

Had my 1st consultation with Dr Draper today, and i couldn't help but give him the heads up on this site and the positive recommendations from past patients etc...
He did say however, that he would thank them for their feedback's & a possible discount...hahahaha..I asked him "well is this consultation included"? We both cracked up in laughter as i think he put his foot in it!!! But he was indeed impressed...

But such a lovely guy and so down to earth...and more importantly honest, frank and caring. His PA "Kate" is so on the ball with everything i felt comfortable and quite frankly she made sure that i understood everything as she made more appointments for me to see : Dietician,Cardiologist, and Psychologist.
However NO date was given to me for my GS as she is working out the dates now for all patients, so over the next few days i should know...yay!!! So over the next 3 weeks i will be a buzy little bee have test done etc...

My PHI matures 18 June & i am hoping to get in before the end of the financial year :))))

Thats gr8 you have your date already. Can't wait to see him to organise my date..And then i can get all my paperwork sorted errrrrr.... Such is life i guess!!

Since you are having your op in June, you should get a date pretty much straight away. I have to wait until August =(
You also should be taken back to Pen Private for your after care .. That is what I was told.
I have had my first consultation with Geoff, now waiting for his sec to ring me, to make the next one before my gs. I have seen everyone I need to before my op, now just have to wait.

Epworth Hospital yes that is where I'm having my GS, & i am hoping that post-op is at Peninsula Private. I will have to speak with his PA about it & also about the date she said to me once i have my consultation with him then a date could be arranged, unless i heard wrong.... Either way it will get sorted!
I actually can't wait to have my GS i am so over being sick, the last 2 yrs have been a real battle & unless you yourself have walked the walk its hard for people to understand.
It's been gr8 to be able to communicate in a forum where people can help, relate and support each other to understand the big things the other people can't.
I really enjoy the forums here as i have learnt a lot from others..
So roll on June.... :)))))

Hi Tonez,
Are you also now having your surgery at Epworth and the after care at Peninsula Private? They have changed it all now, they no longer do the surgery at Peninsula Private - and doing it this way, you don't get an actual date for the surgery until the last minute!

Well my PHI matures in June yayyyy...But unfortunately i missed my consultation with Dr Draper recently :( which means not been able to book my date for GS.
I had a sleep study & now im on a cpap machine, & the "Quality" of sleep i have been having is heaven!!!
By the way, if you have a health card you only have to pay for the mask which may set you back $200+ & the machine is yours( saving of $800+) however the 1 condition is you have to go in for the sleep study which is no bother considering they are not cheap to buy...
So i guess it just leaves me seeing a dietician, psychologist & of course booking my date.
It will be successful, coz any improvement is better then where "we" are at with ourselves...keep us updated on ur progress :)))

Hi, I have just been to see Mr Draper. Having surgery early June (don'y know the date yet), already seen dietician, psychologist, awaiting sleep study and sleep physician in May. The staff are all lovely there, couldn't be happier. Here's hoping to a successful outcome.