Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered answers to the questions we hear most often from patients, so you can make informed decisions.
General Questions
From preparation to recovery, find the information you need to feel supported.
We can usually fit you in for a consultation within 3 – 5 weeks, with surgery to follow about 6 – 8 weeks later, depending on availability. November, December, January are our busiest months so wait times may be longer. We suggest booking well in advance for this period.
Yes. You will need a referral to see Dr Greenslade for an initial consultation. All your follow-up reviews will be bulk billed to Medicare, providing you have a valid referral on file. Referrals from a GP are valid for 12 months, and referrals from a specialist are valid for 3 months.
Yes. If you live outside the Brisbane Metropolitan area, Dr Greenslade will offer to do your initial consultation by phone, as long as your GP has sent us your referral ahead of time. This way you only need to make one trip to either Brisbane or the Gold Coast for surgery, depending on your preference.
Please be aware that if your consultation is for hernia repair, a phone consultation may not be feasible as Dr Greenslade may need to perform a physical examination.
Dr Greenslade does not participate in the Access Gap Cover Scheme for weight loss surgery but he does participate for general surgery procedures such as hernia repair, reflux surgery and gallbladder surgery. He is listed as a participant with most health funds but please be aware that this only applies to certain procedures.
Yes. Dr Greenslade will bill DVA directly if you are a gold card holder or an approved white card holder so that there is no out of pocket cost to you.
We suggest taking at least 2 weeks off work for recovery post-surgery if you have a desk job. If you have a more physical job, you’ll need to take 4 weeks off work. You will not be able to drive for a week and will not be able to lift anything over 10kg for 4 weeks. We can provide you with a medical certificate for your employer or to suspend your gym membership while you’re recovering.
Bariatric Surgery Questions
Here we’ve provided detailed answers to help you understand the process, prepare for surgery, and navigate life after your procedure.
Before considering weight loss surgery with Dr Greenslade, you will need to have a BMI of at least 35 (check your BMI here). However, Dr Greenslade will still assess patients with a BMI of less than 35 on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for surgery, though he rarely goes below 32. If you are over the age of 65, your GP will need to fax us your referral for Dr Greenslade’s opinion before booking an appointment.
No. Dr Greenslade will accept patients without private health insurance (self-funded). You have the option of applying to access your superannuation to pay for surgery or applying for finance through Total Lifestyle Credit (TLC). You can find out more about your payment options here.
All of the pricing for both the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, both with and without private health insurance, is outlined here. Feel free to contact us on 07 3324 0015 if you’d like the costs explained in more detail.
Whether you have private health insurance or not, you have the option of applying for early release of your superannuation on compassionate grounds to cover the cost of weight loss surgery. More than half of our patients use their super to cover the cost of surgery. You can find out more about this process here.
No. Unlike many bariatric clinics, there are no lock-in all-inclusive packages that you must commit to in order to have surgery with Dr Greenslade. Whilst we encourage you to seek the support of an experienced bariatric dietitian and other allied health professionals to help you on your weight loss journey, we do understand that this may not be in every patient’s budget.
We provide you with a list of recommended allied health professionals whom you may wish to consult, along with comprehensive dietary information pre- and post-operatively so you still have access to essential information. All of your follow-up visits with Dr Greenslade are bulk billed to Medicare, providing you have a valid referral. Our friendly team is always here to help and support you at any stage.
Weight loss varies depending on your pre-surgery weight, post-surgery food choices and level of activity. Most patients lose approximately one third of their original weight within 12 – 18 months or 60 – 70% of their excess weight.
Most of the weight loss occurs in the first 6 months. Weight loss has been known to progress for up to 2 years. Frequent exercise and increased activities enhance weight loss. Patients lose weight at different speeds so it’s important not to compare your weight loss with anyone else’s.
The average inpatient stay is 2 nights but many patients feel well enough to go home the next day. The hospital will charge uninsured patients for a 2-night stay upfront but if you are discharged early, they will refund the overpayment. There is no pressure to go home after one night if you don’t feel up to it. It is rare that your inpatient stay is longer than 2 nights.
The pre-op meal replacement shake diet is designed to shrink the liver in order to minimise risk during your surgery. You don’t have to hit a particular weight target. We will provide you with clearly outlined pre-op dietary instructions well in advance of your surgery.
If your BMI is less than 38 and you have not been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, you often will not have to do the 2-week pre-op meal replacement shake diet. In some instances, Dr Greenslade may recommend just a one week pre-op diet. If your BMI is particularly high, you may be required to do the pre-op diet for 3 weeks.
Please be aware that you can still have one meal per day of lean meat (100g) and vegetables/salad (1 cup) at either lunch or dinner during the pre-op diet.
For more info on how the pre-op diet works read our blog post here.
Both Optifast and Formulite have been specifically designed for bariatric surgery so they’re the brands we recommend using. Dr Greenslade is also fine with you using Optislim or Isagenix. We don’t recommend other brands such as Lady Shake etc as they tend to be higher in sugar.
It’s important to take good quality supplements following any weight loss surgery to prevent nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to other health issues, but it’s critically important after gastric bypass surgery and should remain a lifelong commitment.
Our preferred supplier of vitamins and supplements is BN Healthy. Their range has been specifically formulated for bariatric patients. The supplements can be purchased online here.You don’t need to start taking supplements until a few weeks after surgery. We recommend taking a multivitamin (available in either capsule or chewable form – BN Caps or BN Chews), a calcium + Vitamin D supplement (BN Cal – only available as chewable) and an iron supplement (BN Iron).
If you’d prefer to shop for over-the-counter brands available at your pharmacy, the pregnancy supplement Elevit is good broad-spectrum alternative. We also recommend Ostelin for calcium + Vitamin D, and Ferro-grad C for iron.
In most cases, yes. There are many reasons why a small percentage of patients regain weight after bariatric surgery such as increased portion sizes which can stretch a sleeve, poor food choices, certain medications, injuries or illnesses which affect your ability to exercise, and stress.
A sleeve can be converted to a gastric bypass, and lap bands which are no longer effective can be removed and converted to either a sleeve or a bypass. We can also put you in touch with one of our recommended bariatric dietitians who can help you get back on track. Dr Greenslade will even offer a discount to patients who have had previous bariatric surgery with our clinic.
Start your weight loss journey with Brisbane Bariatric Centre today
If you’re thinking about weight loss surgery or just want to know what’s possible, we’re here to help. Get in touch to book a chat with Dr Justin Greenslade and find out what’s right for you.
