need advice

[collybabe24 0]

Hiya im new to this site, i have been looking into having a lapband for a few months and have finall y made the decision to do so, i have a consultation on the 16th october and the op will be on the 1st of november, the only thing is today i have just received my visa grant to australia and fly there on the 10th of november, i have spoke to the consultant and he said that is fine no probs, but what happens after the op i am not having any after care, so can i get this in australia and what about band adjustments how often do you need this doing and can i get this done by another consultant in australia? sorry for all the questions but i am a little worried this op has cost me a fortune i dont want anything to go wrong, i need a bit of reassuring, thanks for listening, coll:confused:

[catzintj 1]

wait, where do you live now.? you are flying to australia for the operation, but you cant keep going there for fills? you will need some support after . you need to have a place to get fills and unfills. you need to have the fills done with floroscopy at first to see that all is ok with your band..... can you check first about fills near you. tell us where you live and see if anyone knows anyplace close buy......... hope you have a safe trip and surgery.........

[sewenup1 0]

Being a hopefullly soon to be Aussie bandit I can assure you there are plenty of surgeon available if you have any problems. What sort of visa are you coming out on - is it just a tourist visa - not being an Aussie citizen you wouldn't be covered by our public system so you would need to check out your own insurance or if travel insurance will cover it.

Mind you, while medical treatment may not be the cheapest here it is considerably less than in the USA.

[collybabe24 0]

Being a hopefullly soon to be Aussie bandit I can assure you there are plenty of surgeon available if you have any problems. What sort of visa are you coming out on - is it just a tourist visa - not being an Aussie citizen you wouldn't be covered by our public system so you would need to check out your own insurance or if travel insurance will cover it.

Mind you, while medical treatment may not be the cheapest here it is considerably less than in the USA.

Hiya i will be on a permanent residency visa, going to the sunshine coast, having op in uk then emmigrating to oz 10 days later, what is a fill? how often and how much am i looking at many thanks for your help coll

[sewenup1 0]

Hiya i will be on a permanent residency visa, going to the sunshine coast, having op in uk then emmigrating to oz 10 days later, what is a fill? how often and how much am i looking at many thanks for your help coll

A fill is when they add Fluid to the band - sometimes as little as 0.2ml - it's what gives you restriction.

Before you come to Aust. you should go on line at: Lap Band Surgery - Health Message Boards They are mostly Australian but they are a great help and know surgeons all round Australia. There are even support groups in ech state and major city- they also arrange get togethers so that you get to know each other. Will give you some support when you move here and hopefully you won't be so worried anymore.

If you are emmigrating - not sure how that works with the public health system - if you do qualify most doctors bulk-bill for consultations and fills. (Bulk bill means you don't pay anything - it's all covered by the government).

I am hopefully getting a banding date soon. I have private health insurance so that along with Medicare (public health) will cover most of my costs. After surgery, the fills and consultations are all bulk billed so the only major cost I have is for the surgery itself.

Probably if you contact Australia House?? in London they can fill you in on medical entitlements.

By the way, Welcome to Oz.

[collybabe24 0]

Thanks very much for your advice.

[juliegeraci 7]

Yes, I agree. Try and find a surgeon that can help you post band. It takes numerous fills to get good restriction. Good luck.