North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery
North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery Costs

Weight Loss Surgery

Uninsured From

$18,000*

Insured From

$6,100

AFFORDABLE PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE
Request an appointment today
weight loss surgery

Are You Uninsured?

We have multiple payment options for you.

Affordable Payment Plans

Early Release of Superannuation

Self-funded

Procure/Upgrade Private Health Insurance

How much does weight loss surgery cost in Melbourne?

Weight loss surgery costs in Melbourne depend on your procedure, private health insurance status, hospital fees, anaesthetist fees and whether you need revisional surgery.

At North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery, insured patients may pay from $6,100 out of pocket, while uninsured gastric sleeve patients may pay from $18,000 to $19,000 after rebates. More complex cases, different procedures or revisional surgery may cost more.

Sleeve Gastrectomy
Gastric Bypass
Revision Surgery
Consulting Fees
Sleeve Gastrectomy (Item no. 31575)
INSURED
Surgeon & Assistant (out of pocket)
$4,500
Anaesthetist (rebate after surgery)
$1,600
Total cost to patient
$6,100
UNINSURED
Gastric Sleeve (after rebates)
$18,000*
Gastric Sleeve and Pre-Op Gastroscopy (after rebates)
$19,000*
Total cost to patient
$18,000 - $19,000*
Gastric Bypass (Item no. 31572)
INSURED (not available to uninsured patients)
Surgeon & Assistant (out of pocket)
$5,000
Anaesthetist (rebate after surgery)
$1,600
Total cost to patient
$6,600
Revisional Surgery
Please call our friendly staff to discuss fees for Revisional Procedures.
*All prices above are subject to change

Consultation fees
Initial Consult
$180*
Review Consult
$100*
*Rebateable from Medicare

Private Health Insurance - Do I need it for surgery?

Insured - Weight Loss Surgery Cost

Most health funds cover bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, however, you will usually need to be on a high level of cover.
Patients with an appropriate level of private health insurance cover will find that most hospital and equipment charges will incur a “no gap” fee.

The out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients relate mostly to professional and clinic fees charged by the surgeon, anaesthetist and their assistants. Occasionally, in your operation, there may be certain equipment used which is “non-rebateable,” such as the lap band device.

To check, simply contact your health fund and quote the relevant surgery ‘item numbers’ listed.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Item No. 31575
Gastric Band
Item No. 31569
Gastric Bypass
Item No. 31572
Revisional Surgery
- Band to Sleeve (Single Stage)
Item No. 31584
- Band to Bypass (Single Stage)
Item No. 31584
- Band to Sleeve (2 Stage)
Item No. 31585, 31584
- Band to Bypass (2 Stage)
Item No. 31585, 31584

Uninsured - Weight Loss Surgery Cost

If you are NOT INSURED for weight loss surgery, we have multiple payment options for you. These include:
Affordable Payment Plans
Early Release of Superannuation
Procure/Upgrade Private Health Insurance
Self-funded

Weight Loss Surgery Payment Options

We understand the financial pressure associated with having weight loss surgery and to assist with this, we have partnered with TLC (Total Lifestyle Credit) to offer affordable payment plans. 
APPLY FOR A PAYMENT PLAN
Please call our friendly team on 03 9895 7215 to discuss how TLC's payment plans can work for you!
You may choose to procure or, upgrade your level of Private Health Insurance which will generally incur a 12-month waiting period. To qualify for weight loss surgery, you will usually require top/gold level cover. Once you have made the decision to have weight loss surgery, there are many things that can be done to prepare.
Here at NEWLS, we can help set out an individual plan to help make the most of any private insurance waiting periods so you are ready to go once insurance is good.
Gaining access to your superannuation to undergo surgery is an option. There are, however, a few things that should be carefully considered prior to accessing your super that may/will affect your retirement income.
When money is withdrawn from your superannuation account, the government will apply a 20% tax on the amount requested e.g. if $10,000 is requested, $12,000 will be deducted - $2,000 will be the tax you must pay. Any funds that are withdrawn also need to be added to your end-financial year taxable income for taxation purposes. This may push some people into the next taxation bracket and you may find that you will need to repay money to the ATO. The extra funds can also affect Centrelink payments (eg. family tax benefit, parenting payments & childcare funding) and you may find you have been overpaid or, are no longer eligible.
Accessing superannuation should be carefully considered and NEWLS always recommends seeking financial advice to discuss personal financial circumstances/tax implications.
For more information on accessing your super early, visit the NEW LINK on the ATO site (updated 20-21 June 2018):
Early access to your super | Australian Taxation Office
In some circumstances, after the initial consultation and discussion with the surgeon, self-funding may be considered. Self-funding is an option for those who want to pay for surgery immediately and don't want to apply for private health insurance and incur waiting periods. As a self-funding patient, you will be responsible for all hospital costs prior to admission and these are not covered by Medicare.
Costs include (but are not limited to):
• Hospital Fees
• Theatre Fees
• Surgical Equipment
• Pathology/Radiology Fees
• Professional Fees (Surgeon, Assistant & Anaesthetist Fees)
Medicare rebates apply to surgeon & anaesthetist fees after the surgery has been performed. Subsequent appointments within the clinic will attract a fee that is rebateable from Medicare.
*High-risk patients and those seeking revisional surgery will not be considered without private health insurance.

A gap fee is the amount you pay after Medicare and private health insurance rebates have been applied. For insured patients, the main gap fees usually relate to the surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist and any clinic or program fees.

For example, an insured gastric sleeve patient may pay:

Fee typeEstimated amount
Surgeon and assistant out-of-pocket fee$4,500
Anaesthetist gap after rebate$1,600
Estimated total cost to patient$6,100

Your hospital and theatre costs may be largely covered if your private health insurance includes bariatric surgery and you have completed the required waiting period. Your health fund may also require you to pay a hospital excess.

Cost factorWith eligible private health insuranceWithout private health insurance
Hospital feesUsually mostly covered by health fundPaid by patient before admission
Theatre feesUsually mostly covered by health fundPaid by patient
Surgeon feeOut-of-pocket gap usually appliesIncluded in self-funded estimate
Anaesthetist feeGap may apply after rebateIncluded in self-funded estimate
Medicare rebatesMay apply to eligible professional feesMay apply to eligible professional fees
Typical patient costFrom $6,100From $18,000 to $19,000 for gastric sleeve

Private health insurance can reduce the upfront cost of weight loss surgery, but patients usually need the right level of hospital cover and may need to complete a 12-month waiting period before surgery is covered.

Request an appointment today

Understanding Your Weight Loss Surgery Cost

The cost for weight loss surgery varies based on your procedure type, hospital choice, and insurance status. At North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery, we provide transparent pricing so you know exactly what you will need to pay for.

What affects your surgery cost:

  • Procedure type (gastric sleeve, roux-en-y gastric bypass, or gastric band)
  • Private health insurance status
  • Hospital fees and excess
  • Anaesthetist and assistant surgeon fees
  • Program fee for comprehensive care

At your first consultation, you'll receive a detailed written quotation showing total surgery cost, what's covered by Medicare and your health fund, and your final out of pocket fee.

Your First Consultation - What to Expect

First consultation fee: $195-$220
Medicare rebate: $84.15 (with valid GP referral)
Your cost: $110-$136

What Happens:

  1. Comprehensive medical history review
  2. Physical examination
  3. Discussion of gastric sleeve, roux-en-y gastric bypass, or gastric band options
  4. Written quotation showing:
    • Total surgery cost breakdown
    • Program fee details
    • What costs will be covered by Medicare
    • What's covered for through your health fund
    • Final out of pocket fee
  5. Clear explanation of what you will need to pay for and when

The first consultation establishes your care plan and payment structure. You'll know exactly what costs will apply before proceeding.

Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery is covered for treatment when you meet clinical criteria:

Medical Eligibility:

  • BMI 40+ or BMI 35-39.9 with health conditions (diabetes, sleep apnoea, hypertension)
  • Chronic reflux despite medication
  • Poor diabetes control (HbA1c above target)
  • Joint pain limiting gym and physical activity
  • Failed weight loss attempts with supervised programs
  • Mental health impact affecting quality of life and energy levels

If you meet these criteria and have private health cover, surgery weight loss may be covered for under your health fund.

Pricing for Insured Patients

If you have private health insurance with bariatric coverage, many costs will be covered by your health fund.

What You'll Pay:

  • Hospital excess
  • Out of pocket fee
  • Surgeon fee gap
  • Anaesthetist gap

What's Covered:

  • Most hospital and theatre costs are covered for by your health fund
  • Significant portion of surgeon and anaesthetist fees
  • Some consultations will be bulk billed with valid GP referral
  • Post-operative follow up included in program fee

Important: You will need top-level hospital cover and must have completed any waiting periods. We verify what costs will be covered before surgery.

What's Included in Your Program Fee?

Your program fee covers comprehensive care beyond just the surgery:

  • Pre-operative preparation: VLCD planning, nutritional assessment, psychological screening
  • Dietitian consultations: Multiple sessions pre and post-surgery
  • Psychology support: When needed for eating patterns and readiness
  • Post-operative reviews: At 1-2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
  • Nurse follow-up: Regular check-ins and telehealth access
  • Email and phone support: Get in touch between appointments
  • Care plan coordination: Personalised guidance on energy management and gym return
  • 2-year aftercare: Long-term support to maintain results

This comprehensive support ensures sustainable results and safe recovery.

Insurance & Payment FAQs

    The cost of weight loss surgery in Australia varies depending on the type of procedure, the surgeon, hospital bed fees, and whether you have private health cover. Total costs typically include surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist, hospital stay, and a structured support program.
    Medicare may provide a rebate for some components of weight loss surgery, such as consultations with your specialist or general practitioner. However, Medicare does not usually cover the full cost of obesity surgery, and out-of-pocket expenses often apply.
    No, but if you have private health cover with bariatric inclusion, you'll pay significantly less. An insured patient typically has $5,000-$7,000 out of pocket vs $18,000-$24,000 for self-funded patients.
    You can still proceed. We offer fixed-price packages and can guide you on ATO early superannuation release. There are payment plans available.
    If you have private health insurance with Gold hospital cover including bariatric surgery, most hospital costs are covered for. You'll pay hospital excess and professional fee gaps.
    Some consultations will be bulk billed depending on your care plan and insurance status. First consultation may attract a gap. Post-operative reviews are often covered by the program fee or bulk billed.
    Yes. The ATO allows early release on compassionate grounds for eligible weight loss surgery patients. We can guide you through this process.
    Most patients return to gym activities within 4-6 weeks with surgeon approval. Energy levels improve progressively during post-operative recovery.

Why Choose North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery?

Fellowship trained FRACS surgeons - Australian qualified bariatric specialists
Transparent pricing - Clear written quotations, no hidden costs
Comprehensive support - Dietitian, psychologist, nurse team with 2-year care plan
Flexible payment options - Support for both insured patients and self-funded patients
Proven outcomes - Improved health, reduced comorbidities, enhanced energy and mobility
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