FAQs
Our question center you will find frequently asked general questions about medicross, if you do not find a satisfactory answer please ask us a question.
Common Questions
Am I a candidate for bariatric (weight loss) surgery?
- Anyone who wants to improve their health and quality of life and has tried to improve diet and lifestyle before but couldn’t achieve or sustain the results.
- Age between 18 and 65. Special consideration for patients 16–18 or 65–75.
- Weight/BMI:
- BMI above 35 if otherwise healthy.
- BMI above 30 if with diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol.
- For Asian population: BMI 32.5 (healthy) or 27.5 (with diabetes).
- No upper weight limit if you have private health insurance and are willing to work with us to reduce weight pre-op.
- Without private health insurance: upper limit 180 kg or BMI > 60 (we can work together to bring it down).
- Must quit smoking or vaping before surgery; avoid restarting afterwards.
- Women of child-bearing age: avoid pregnancy before surgery and for 12 months post-op.
- Patients with active eating disorders, mental health issues, or drug/alcohol addiction must seek support and clearance from a psychiatrist/psychologist first.
- BMI Calculator
For Safety
How many surgeries have you done?
- Dr Yuan Cheng: 1000+ sleeve gastrectomies since 2015; trains surgical trainees; performs bypass and revision surgeries.
- Dr Chiu Kang: bariatric fellowship-trained; operates at Box Hill and Northern Hospital; active in surgical education.
- The practice is one of the earliest in Australia to sub-specialise in bariatric surgery. Founded by Dr Harry Frydenberg, past president of IFSO (2009) and ANZMOSS (2004).
Is surgery safe?
- Bariatric surgery is safe, especially with modern keyhole laparoscopic techniques.
- Gastric sleeve takes approximately 40 minutes; gastric bypass takes about 1.5–2 hours.
- Surgeons are extensively trained.
- Risk of gastric leak internationally: 1%.
- Our practice: 0 leaks (as of July 2025).
- Risk of bleeding after sleeve: less than 1%; our practice: about 1 in 300.
- Risk of death:
- Sleeve: 1 in 1000
- Bypass: 1 in 500
- Our practice: 0 deaths (as of July 2025)
What are the short-term risks?
Gastric Sleeve
- Gastric leak 1% (our number 0)
- Bleeding 1% (our number 0.3%)
- Severe nausea/vomiting 2%
- Other general risks: wound infection, DVT/PE, constipation, dehydration, diarrhoea, lethargy.
Gastric Bypass
- Anastomotic leak 1–2%
- Bleeding 1–2%
- Anastomosis issues (strictures, bleeding, obstruction): 1–2%
- Other general risks similar to sleeve.
What are the long-term risks?
Gastric Sleeve
- Reflux: 30% (usually mild; <10% need further procedures)
Gastric Bypass
- Marginal ulcers: 5% (risk ↑ with smoking, alcohol, spicy food, NSAIDs)
- Dumping syndrome: 5% (early and late)
- Internal hernia/bowel obstruction: 5% (surgical emergency)
- Chronic abdominal pain: 2%
For Efficacy
How much weight can I lose with medications?
- Ozempic / Wegovy: 10–15% of body weight
- Mounjaro: 15–20%
- Contrave: ~10%
- Note: dose-related, requires ongoing use, ~$300–500/month.
How much weight can I lose with surgery?
Gastric Sleeve
- 25–35% total body weight loss
- 60–70% excess weight loss
- Risk of weight regain: 20%
Gastric Bypass
- 30–35% total body weight loss
- 70–80% excess weight loss
- Risk of weight regain: 10%
- Slightly higher risk of malnutrition than sleeve.
For Options
How do I choose between medication and surgery?
- Try healthy diet + lifestyle first.
- Medications: effective, safer, weekly injections, but cost ongoing.
- Consider surgery if:
- Medications cause side effects
- Cost is too high
- Inadequate weight loss
- Medications no longer effective
- Surgery is not dependent on medication use.
How do I choose between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass?
- Both are safe and effective.
- Sleeve is more common; stomach-only procedure; <1 hour; 1–2 nights stay.
- Bypass recommended for severe reflux or severe diabetes; involves stomach + bowel rerouting; longer procedure.
- Both offer great weight loss; bypass slightly better for reflux and weight regain.
- You can convert sleeve → bypass later if needed.
For Costs
Do I need private health insurance?
- Not necessarily — self-pay is possible.
- Consider financial risks of complications.
- Self-pay package with Mulgrave Private Hospital includes complication cover.
- Revision surgery requires private insurance.
Can I have surgery without Medicare?
- Yes.
- If you have overseas PHI, check your cover.
- If not, you can be a self-pay patient.
Can I have weight loss surgery for free?
- Only possible via public hospital as a public patient.
- GP referral required.
- Long wait times may apply.
Do I need to claim rebates after surgery?
- No PHI: pay total cost, Medicare rebate processed electronically.
- With PHI: you pay the gap only; insurance is billed directly.
Can I access my super to pay for surgery?
- Possible via early release of super on compassionate grounds.
- You, a parent, or partner (if dependent) can apply via ATO.
- Review your financial circumstances first.
For Recovery
How long do I need off work?
- Hospital stay:
- Sleeve: 1–2 nights
- Bypass: 2–3 nights
- Recommend 2 weeks off work
- Heavy-lifting or night-shift jobs: may need an additional 2 weeks light duties
- Some recover quicker, but plan for 2 weeks
How long until I can exercise or have sex?
- Walk daily from Day 1 (several short sessions).
- Sex: generally after 4 weeks, but confirm with surgeon.
- Avoid pregnancy for 12 months post-op.
- Take daily multivitamins (higher malnutrition risk with bypass).
- Blood tests monitored regularly.
How long after surgery can I fly?
- Post-op review within 2–3 weeks; get clearance then.
- If returning home by plane shortly after surgery:
- Have someone accompany you.
- Stay in Melbourne for the first week post-op in case of issues.
