✦ For patients & GPs
A practical guide to working with OptiWeight: the patient pathway, what to bring to your first appointment, GP referral information, what your insurance covers, and where to send paperwork.
Referral pack · Updated 2026
A practical guide to working with OptiWeight: the patient pathway, what to bring to your first appointment, GP referral information, what your insurance covers, and where to send paperwork.
A 60-second eligibility quiz tells us if surgery may be right for you.
A 15-minute phone or telehealth call with Dr Ashok or one of our nurses. No obligation. Free.
Telehealth or in-person within 1–2 weeks. Bulk-billed for regional patients. Bring your GP referral.
Where indicated: gastroscopy, sleep study, echocardiogram, manometry. Most are arranged at Northern Private.
Your bariatric dietitian (Loretta or Sylina) maps your pre- and post-operative nutrition plan.
Two weeks of a structured liver-reducing diet immediately before surgery. We supply the plan.
Performed at Northern Private (Epping) or St Vincent’s Private (Werribee), with full ICU backup.
2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months — then every 6–12 months for life.
Most first consultations run for 45 minutes. We’ll review your history, talk through eligibility, discuss the pathways that may suit you, and answer every question you bring.
Bulk-billed telehealth is available for regional Victorian patients. You don’t need to travel for a first appointment unless you want to.
First consultation
A specialist outpatient referral from a GP is required for Medicare rebates. Below is everything your referring GP needs.
Dr Ashok Gunawardene
Northern Surgical Care
Suite 2, Level 2
Northern Private Hospital
Epping VIC 3076
AHPRA: MED0002698949
Provider numbers issued at each consulting location — available on request.
info@optiweight.com.au
Medical Objects · Argus
Direct phone: 03 8679 6557
Bariatric surgery is covered by most Gold-tier Australian private health funds. Your fund typically covers hospital and theatre fees in full. You’re left with an out-of-pocket “gap” for the surgeon, anaesthetist, surgical assistant and our comprehensive 12-month post-operative care programme.
Uninsured patients can self-fund in a private hospital — significantly more, since you cover hospital and theatre yourself. We also work with AccessMySuper for patients exploring early release of superannuation.
The most commonly used MBS item numbers are 31572 (gastric sleeve), 31575 (gastric bypass) and 30511 (intragastric balloon insertion). Call your fund’s pre-admission line and ask about your coverage for each item.
Most funds require a 12-month waiting period after taking out hospital cover or upgrading to a Gold-tier policy before they will cover obesity surgery. If you’ve recently upgraded, we’ll help you work out when you’re eligible.
For an insured Gold-tier patient, the gap fee for a sleeve gastrectomy is typically $7,000–$9,000. The bypass is $9,000–$12,000. The intragastric balloon is around $7,000 in full (insurance varies). We provide an itemised quote at consultation.
Some patients access their superannuation early under compassionate grounds to fund the gap. We work with AccessMySuper, who specialise in this process. Approval typically takes 4–8 weeks.
