Weight loss surgery cost

How much does weight loss surgery cost?

The data show that the median cost of weight loss surgery ranges from $11,000 to $15,000, depending on what surgery you need. This is just the media, so there's a large range of prices above and below that number - we've seen examples of people with $30,000 bills for some of these surgeries, for example.

This table breaks down some of the median costs for different weight loss surgeries in Australian private hospitals, based on data from Medical Costs Finder.

Out-of-pocket costs for weight loss surgery

When you get surgery in a private hospital with private health insurance, you'll often have to pay some of the cost yourself. This is known as an out-of-pocket expense, or a 'gap'.

The table below shows the median out-of-pocket costs for 4 different types of surgery. It lists the out-of-pocket costs for the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile. You can consider those as a pretty good range of the potential costs that you might be up for if you get private treatment, assuming you're also covered for weight loss surgery with private hospital insurance.

What is weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery is a medical procedure that helps you lose weight and lowers the risk of medical problems associated with obesity. It refers to a few different procedures, and are generally considered a last resort for people who have had trouble managing their weight, and whose excess weight is causing medical concerns.

The 4 different weight loss surgeries tracked by Medical Costs Finder are the most commonly performed in Australia. Which one is best for you is one you'll need to work through with your doctor. Here's a quick summary of each:

• Abdominal Lipectomy (Abdominoplasty): Surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, often addressing loose or sagging skin, stretch marks, and muscle separation.
• Gastric Bypass: Complex bariatric surgery that involves creating a small pouch in the upper stomach and bypassing a portion of the small intestine, significantly reducing food intake and absorption.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy (Partial Stomach Removal): Restrictive bariatric surgery where a large portion of the stomach is removed, creating a narrow, tube-shaped stomach, reducing food intake and promoting earlier feelings of fullness.
• Gastric Band: Restrictive bariatric surgery that involves placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch to limit food intake.

Does Medicare cover weight loss surgery?

Yes, Medicare will cover the cost of weight loss surgery in a public hospital. As long as you're eligible for Medicare, you can get surgery at no cost to you. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Medicare will only cover you in a public hospital. Australian public hospitals are pretty good, some of the best in the world even, but they are stretched. You'll have access to better facilities and faster care at a private hospital.
• The surgery needs to be medically necessary. This definition is a little fuzzy, but you'll generally need to have a BMI of 40 or higher, 35 or more if you have other relevant co-morbidities. You'll also need a GP referral and likely several appointments with a specialist.
• Public waiting times for surgery are long, often into months or years, especially for sureries that aren't considered super urgent. Private hospitals can generally have you into surgery in a matter of weeks.

Does insurance cover the costs of weight loss surgery?

Yes, you can get health insurance for weight loss surgery. Gold tier private hospital insurance covers weight loss surgery, though you may also find it on some Silver Plus policies too. The surgery will need to be medically necessary, with the required GP and specialist sign-offs.

Hospital cover is the correct type of insurance for weight loss surgery, because weight loss surgery will typically be performed by a surgeon in a hospital. Extras cover may also be somewhat useful indirectly by providing cover for gym memberships and other preventative care, but the surgery itself falls under hospital.

Cost of weight loss surgery health insurance

Gold tier policies are expensive, normally in the range of $200 - $350 a month for a single person, depending on your fund and your circumstances. You can find out more information on our cost of health insurance guide.

Insurance waiting periods for weight loss surgery

All hospital insurance treatments have a waiting period. You'll need to wait these out before you can make a claim. The waiting periods are 12-months for child birth and pre-existing conditions, then 2-months for everything else.

So that means the waiting period for weight loss surgery is 2-months. However, most of the time weight loss surgery will be classed as a pre-existing condition, because it's typically a surgery-of-last-resort. So you should probably just consider it a 12-month waiting period.

Frequently asked questions

• Does Medicare cover weight loss surgery?

  Yes, Medicare can cover weight loss surgery, but only if it's deemed medically necessary and you meet specific requirements (for example, you typically have to have a BMI of at least 35 or 40). You also won't be approved until you meet with a physician for an in-depth, face-to-face consultation.

• Are there waiting periods for weight loss surgery?

  Yes. You will have to hold health insurance that covers weight loss surgery for at least 2 months before you are covered. However, the treatment almost always gets considered a pre-existing condition, so you'll probably need to wait the 12-month waiting period instead.

• Is there a minimum weight for weight loss surgery?

  To qualify for weight loss surgery, you typically need a BMI of at least 40, or 35 if you have some other co-morbidities. Whether the surgery is medically necessary is something that you'll need to talk to your GP and specialist about.

• Are there any government funded weight loss surgery programs in Australia?

  Yes, the MLHD Metabolic Obesity Service (MOS) is a pathway program to weight loss surgery through education, focussing on lasting behavioural changes. This program is available for residents in rural or remote NSW and includes 4 appointment phases. However, there is a 10-12 month wait to be invited to an initial invitation session.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

Tim's expertise

Tim has written 149 Finder guides across topics including:

• Personal finance
• Financial comparison
• Health insurance
• General insurance
• Life insurance