Recommended Perth WA Surgeons

First topic message reminder :

Hi All, Can anyone recommend any Perth Gastric Sleeve surgeons and can you tell me the approx price you paid.



Thanks

I absolutely recommend Dr Harsha Chandraratna and his team at obesity surgery WA. $4k out of pocket with full health insurance.

Dolan did my band.  When it failed - he failed me.  He decided the 20kgs I had lost was enough and too bad, so I had to go elsewhere to get the band removed and sleeved.

Also, when I had an overfill from Dolan's offices, I went to Joondalup Emergency.  When I told them I was a Dr Dolan patient, they literally turned me away even though I was vomiting, unable to swallow my own salivia and said to go to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital or wait until the next day to see him (at a cost of $100 for each fill/unfill).

I wouldn't recommend him when a well known emergency hospital won't touch his patients.

I know there are several supporters of Dr Dolan out there, but after the way I was treated when I was in need forget it.  He also will NOT answer emergency calls even from another hospital.  My GF had her lapband done by him and her GB turned Septic.  Fremantle Hospital called him 3 times, plus her husband.  Not only did he never call back that night when she had emergency surgery to have it removed, he never called her later on to see if she had survived.  

When she finally had her band removed (by another Dr as she felt so let down by him), they realised the band wasn't put in properly to begin with and she had developed a huge pouch above so all her food was sitting on top the pouch, never entering her stomach so she was always hungry!  After removing the band and the amount of damage, she had to wait almost a year before she could be sleeved.  This was after Dolan telling her for ages it was her own fault she never lost the weight.  Not a fan here!  LOL

nics28 wrote:

I had my sleeve done by Kevin Dolan lovely man couldn't fault him in anyway I went to Hollywood hospital the staff were amazing very caring and friendly :-)

Hi Nics
 I have Dr Dolan as one of my top 3 choices.  It really is coming down to costs now for me so I was wondering what he charges, was anaethetist extra, was there an assistant to pay for, etc ???  
Many thanks  

I had my sleeve done by Kevin Dolan lovely man couldn't fault him in anyway I went to Hollywood hospital the staff were amazing very caring and friendly :-)

jce2205 wrote:

Thanks everyone, After reading all the posts and speaking with several people I know who have had bariatric surgery I chose to go with Dr Stephen Watson.
I have had my first appt with his offsider Dr Max Bowater, I have had my first dietitian appt, and am having my blood tests next week.
Its all systems go now, still to have appt with Doc Watson, then I expect to be able to book a surgery date for Jun/July at Murdoch.

I have heard Dr Watson is very lapband orientated and you will only see him for the surgery then all further appointments are with Dr Boawater.  But he has been doing lapbands for several years and has a very good reputation as a surgeon.  Dr Boawater will do up your diet plan which I've heard is extremely strict but gets results if you follow it.  Just don't have the lapband - it's CRAP!

Me personally, I want to see my surgeon each time. 

I had complications with surgeries so when it came to revision I did my research and went with Mercy Bariatrics (Dr Leon Cohen).  He was the only one that actually understood what was wrong and how to fix it.  I was actually turned away from two other surgeons due to the high level of complications I've had previously.  I won't name them here.

Dr Armstrong is also highly recommended to deal with difficult surgeries.

Good luck :-)

Thanks everyone, After reading all the posts and speaking with several people I know who have had bariatric surgery I chose to go with Dr Stephen Watson.
I have had my first appt with his offsider Dr Max Bowater, I have had my first dietitian appt, and am having my blood tests next week.
Its all systems go now, still to have appt with Doc Watson, then I expect to be able to book a surgery date for Jun/July at Murdoch.

Hi jce2205, i had a band done by 1 surgeon needed to have it taken out and wanted a sleeve, I saw prof jeff hamdorf, he was AMAZING, I would recommend him and his staff to anyone. He at Hollywood hospital. I think I was about $5500 out of pocket but that was surgery, anethasist, pre and post dietician physc and dr follow up over the next 12 months. Hope this helps.

HI.

I used Chris Couch.  He is based either Waikiki or The Mount.  I chose Waikiki as it is a smaller and more intimate setting.  It was also easier for my hubby to get to from where we live south of the river without having to navigate freeways on too many off ramps close to the city.  Besides parking is free too.  The care I received was fantastic and almost didnt want to come home.  

My total out of pocket was $3500 for the surgery and $400 for the years appointments with a dietician.  I have full hospital cover with BUPA and no problems with any of it.  They covered the initial band and then removal along with the sleeve.  Never had any issues with any of it.

After care was ok too.  I need a lot of reassurance so I would like the appointments monthly but they are now going to be three monthly.  I have issues more mental than anything I think so him saying I am doing fine or everything is ok makes me feel better.  Terrible baby I am!  Haha.

Best thing I have ever done and would recommend it to anyone that has the courage to go for it.

I had Dr. Padovan he did the surgery at The Mount hospital. I have had a text book recovery and my husband was so impressed he is now having his sleeve surgery next month with him.

I first saw the surgeon on the 11th Sept 2013 and had the surgery on Oct 12th 2013 I barely had time to pack lol.

I have PHI and the out of pockets were around $4,700 for surgeon and $720 for anesthetist, and $395 for the dietician - all consultations. The PHI covered the hospital except for the $250 co-payment and my take home medicine $60. 

I'm now about 4 1/2 months post surgery and have lost 25 kgs.

Dr Alan Thomas performed my surgery early October and I couldn't be happier. Being a nurse, and being familiar with quite a few surgeons, I wouldn't have wanted anyone else. He only operates (sleeve) at SJOG Murdoch now, I didn't have anything to compare it to but my stay was fine. Out of pocket costs were similar to those already mentioned, around 4K or just over by the time you count all the preop appts with the surgeon, the dietician, the assessor then the follow up appts..as well as the pathology and pharmacy bills! Oh well totally worth it, no complications, 2 nights in hospital, minimal pain. Five months on I've lost 30 kg and feel fantastic :)

I was sleeved on October 24th by Dr Stephen Watson.  He was fantastic, as was the anaesthetist he uses. Dr Watson was recommended to my by 4 or 5 people I know who he had sleeved.

I had a choice between Murdoch or Hollywood Hospital - I went with Hollywood because he could get me in quicker!  The hospital staff were great.  I have heard that Murdoch isn't quite as good.

I had my first surgeons appointment with Dr Watson in early September, so from start to finish was about 6/7 weeks - it all went very quickly!

3 1/2 months later and everything is fantastic! Best decision, ever!

 :unicorn:Kelly

Hi everybody
I can see this thread hasnt had any posts since late 2012 but was just wondering if there are any more recent recommendations, advice or updates in surgery out of pocket costs.
I am about to go and see my GP for a referral, as my HBF waiting period will be up in April 2014
I was also wondering about waiting times at the moment from first contact with the surgeon to surgery dates.
Would love to hear from recent sleevers in Perth :)

justjed wrote:

Hi Jenster,

I will second what littlemisscee said, I had Dr Wera here in Bunbury and all up even with the sleep Dr after medicare + HBF rebates I paid about $1000 out of pocket so it is well worth thinking about; even with accomodation he is still one of the cheaper ones around. I would also highly recommend him as a surgeon, not just for price, but as a very competent and caring doctor and generally a very nice man.

Cheers

Jed

Hi JustJed, im in bunbury and have an appointment with Dr Wer]a in December, now im scared my HBF might not cover me, I was in HBF full cover for almost 40 yrs then had to drop to ancillary only for a short time and have now rejoined but now im scared it might be considered as pre exisiting,

LittleMissCee wrote:

Dr wirepitiya was my surgeon. Highly recommend him.
All up Inc every appt, booking fee etc. After Medicare & hbf I was out of pocket approx $1000.
Whats a sleep doctor?

Was your surgery considered pre existing??? Ive only just rejoined HBF and now Im wondering if they might say my condition is pre existing, I have an appointment with Dr Wirepitiya also

Hi Nel,

I love my sleeve it's the best choice I have ever made for myself, Mr Watson is a great surgeon very dedicated and so nice. SJOG were good most of the staff were nice, I can't fault the care.
Good luck with your decision.

thanks cherry.

i have medibank private too, so that's helpful.

you are doing amazingly well? are you loving it?

how was the surgery? do you like the surgeon (it's ok if you don't -- we don't pay them for their personalities). were you well cared for at sjog or was it just another hospital?

thanks again for your response. i think this surgery is a great opportunity.

nel

I had Mr Stephen Watson at SJOG hospital Murdoch

Out of pocket costs:

Surgeon gap $2500.00

Anaethetist $500.00

Hospital excess $500.00

Dietican - on going A $60 per visit

I have Medibank Private

Thanks for this thread.
I live in Central Australia with direct flights to Sydney, Cairns and Perth so choosing a surgeon is a bit daunting.
Looks like the WA people are happy with their surgeons (do tell me if you're not). At present I'm thinking Perth might be the way to go. Good standard of medical care, nice hospitals and not as rude as Sydney.
Please keep the posts coming -- let me know how you went with your Perth surgeon and hospital. I'm grateful for the guidance.
Nel

Hi jenster how did you go ?



Sunnie x

Hi Jenster,

I will second what littlemisscee said, I had Dr Wera here in Bunbury and all up even with the sleep Dr after medicare + HBF rebates I paid about $1000 out of pocket so it is well worth thinking about; even with accomodation he is still one of the cheaper ones around. I would also highly recommend him as a surgeon, not just for price, but as a very competent and caring doctor and generally a very nice man.

Cheers

Jed

I'm going with dr harsha chadanatra, have been quoted $4000 out of pocket for op. Anaesthetist is 768 (500 is op) 1st appt with dr harsha was 120, got 70 back from Medicare, 2nd appoint with his GP $210, got $99.50 back, dietian will be $80 for 1st appoint ? As to what I get back yet, same for anaesthetist, will update though. And my excess will be $150.
My estimates are at total for ALL appointments being approx $5500. But when think about what I've wasted on diets etc, it's a good investment.......in me! Talk to all staff you can, you may be surprised with what they come up with and remember anyone can just be having a bad day, I've been really lucky to date to be dealing with people that don't appear to be judging me which is soooooooo fab. I want my life back and I'm coming to get it

Hi Jenster,

I just had my op last Wednesday with Dr Padovan and highly highly highly recommend him. Cost was $4,500 then obviously dietician stuff on top of that and dependin on your health fund if you have an excess to pay for the hospital stay. His rooms are located at Waikiki and he is known as WAs top bariatric surgeon along with Jon Armstrong too. He has done extra study in the are and takes one month off each year to travel to USA to keep up to date with the latest studies etc. He also doesnt make you do Opti! If you ever want to chat feel free to message me. I wish you all the best in deciding.

Trish

Definately Jon Armstrong he is wonderful, can't recommend him highly enough : ))

I have another vote for Dr Armstrong, he was amazing made me really at ease and I trusted him!!!
If I had to do it all over again I would go with him again...

Ah.. Yes.. I'm with ya now!

The out of pocket of $1000 included my anethetist.

My surgeon is Dr Armstrong and I cant recommend him enough. I have never had a prob with Penny, so like someone suggested...maybe she was away...or having a bad day...we all have them. Either way dont let that stop you from seeing him. He is renowned as one of WAs top bariatric surgeons. I have had a band in and out with him and was booked last year for sleeve but had to postpone and am now in a position to go ahead with it again.

I have moved further south so was going to change dr's but that was a fleeting thought because I wouldnt trust anyone else to do it. He's a great surgeon, very thorough, has a fantastic track record (last time I had seen him he had never had a leak with a pt), he spends as much time with you as you need, time for an appt isnt that long and time from first appt to op normally isnt long either (I was told last week that at the moment they are booking for end of OCT...so thats not a long wait. Last year when I was booked in I got a op date only 2 weeks away) and most of all he is a really nice guy...actually listens and does "get it".

I would recommend him 200%. Im sure everyone loves their Dr and thinks there is the best tho. LOL.