Initial Appointment with Dr Michael Hatzifotis

To make an appointment or to enquire about Weight Loss or General Surgery with Dr Michael Hatzifotis, please contact our rooms on (07) 3847 7002 or email us at admin@surgerybrisbane.com.au and one of our friendly administrative team will be able to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Out-of-Pocket Fee for Insured Weight Loss Surgery Patients:

• Dr Hatzifotis charges an Out-of-Pocket fee depending on the procedure/s, length of procedure and the item numbers used on the day of surgery. This fee is called our "Professional Health Management" Fee. Please refer to our Surgery Costs page for more details.

• You will be advised of Dr Hatzifotis' Professional Health Management fee when booking surgery and will be required to sign an Informed Financial Consent form.  This fee is charged outside of what your Health Fund will cover and is NOT eligible for a rebate from Medicare or your Health Fund.

• A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at least 7 days after booking surgery to secure your surgery date. You may pay for the Out-of-Pocket cost for surgery in instalments, as long as the final balance is paid prior to your surgery date.

• If you are a past Insured Weight Loss patient of Dr Hatzifotis, looking to have Revision surgery, Dr Hatzifotis may discount this Out-of-Pocket fee. 

• You should also expect to receive a quote from the Assistant surgeon and the Anaesthetist to inform you of their Out-of-Pocket fees for their services. You will be notified of their fees separately and fees may differ depending on the doctor present on the day of your surgery.

• Full payment of all Out-of-Pocket fees for Weight Loss Surgery is required at least 1 week prior to surgery.
  



Out-of-Pocket Fee for Uninsured/Self-Funded Weight Loss Surgery Patients:

• Dr Hatzifotis will charge an Out-of-Pocket fee, depending on the procedure/s, length of procedure and item numbers used on the day of surgery. This fee is called our "Professional Health Management" Fee. Please refer to our Surgery Costs page for more details.

• You will be advised of Dr Hatzifotis' Out-of-Pocket fee when booking surgery, and will be required to sign an Informed Financial Consent form.  If you have a valid Medicare card, you may be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate for these fees paid. The rebate amount will depend on the item numbers used.

• A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at least 7 days after booking surgery to secure your surgery date.

• You should also expect to receive a quote from Greenslopes Private Hospital, the Assistant Surgeon and the Anaesthetist to inform you of their Out-of-Pocket fees for their services. You will be notified of their fees separately and fees may differ depending on the doctor present on the day of your surgery.

• You may be eligible to apply for Early Release of Superannuation to assist with the Out-of-Pocket costs involved.

• Full payment of all Out-of-Pocket fees for Weight Loss Surgery is required at least 1 week prior to surgery.

Before any weight loss procedure with Dr Michael Hatzifotis, you will require:

• An Initial Consultation with one of our Dietitians will be booked for you, once your Weight Loss surgery date has been confirmed.

• Please allow 1 hour (60 minutes) for this appointment.
  

• During this Initial consultation, our Dietitian will evaluate your medical history and dietary intake and make a nutritional assessment prior to surgery.

• Our experienced Dietitians will design an individualised pre-op menu for you and will advise you to follow a very low-calorie liquid meal replacement diet, which will help you to lose weight, particularly from the liver and therefore optimizes the safety of your Weight Loss procedure.

• Our Dietitians will discuss the importance of eating a variety of healthy foods and will offer guidance and menus to limit your intake of calorie-dense foods and liquids and to slow your speed of eating to improve food tolerance during the different phases.

• Our Dietitians will offer nutrition counselling and will discuss the different PHASES you will undertake (ie: Fluid phase, Puree phase, Return to Solids phase) and how to manage these changes. They will educate you on what to expect before and after surgery, including dietary & lifestyle changes, managing social settings, changing food behaviours and commitment to Vitamin & mineral supplements. 

• Our Dietitians will emphasise the importance of Healthy eating behaviours to get the best result from the procedure. If eating behaviours are not adapted after surgery, weight loss may be limited and weight regain may be possible in the future.

• Our Dietitians will continue to support you after surgery and will monitor your nutrition to help you maintain healthy eating behaviours and the appropriate vitamin and mineral intake required for healthy living.

• The first post-op review appointment will be scheduled for approximately 1- 2 weeks after surgery.

• Then 3 monthly review consultations with the Dietitian are highly recommended within the first year of having weight loss surgery.

• Our Dietitians welcome patients both new and old and offer ongoing dietary advice and support at every stage of your Weight journey, including weight regain support.

• Our Dietitians offer nutrition support to those using weight loss medications.
  

Private Health Fund Rebate for Dietitian Consult:

You may be eligible for a rebate through your Extras cover with your Private Health Fund.



As the levels of Private cover may vary, so do the rebates. To check your eligibility, you will need to contact your Health Fund.

Before any weight loss procedure with Dr Michael Hatzifotis, you will require:

• An Initial Consultation with our Psychologist will be booked for you, once your Weight Loss surgery date has been confirmed.

• Please allow 1 hour (60 minutes) for this appointment.
  

• Our experienced Bariatric Psychologist, Leslie Hartley, will discuss your procedure and your weight loss goals.

• Our Psychologist will provide you with strategies to help you prepare for Weight Loss Surgery and to manage and adapt to the lifestyle changes following surgery.

• Our Psychologist will help you understand your psychological well being, mindset about food and physical activity and how to minimize post-surgery risks and to maximise long term results.

• A Post-op review appointment with the Psychologist will be scheduled for 6 - 8 weeks after your surgery.

• Our Psychologist will provide you with strategies to help manage and adapt to the lifestyle changes following surgery.

• Our Psychologist will continue to support you after surgery and will offer you mindful strategies to successfully manage the transition and to achieve the best results from your procedure.

• Our Psychologist welcomes patients both new and old and offers ongoing support at every stage of your Weight journey, including weight regain support. 

• Our Psychologist offers support for emotional eating and mindfulness, any body image concerns and provides behaviour change strategies.

• Our Psychologist also provides ongoing support for other mental health, behavioural, and emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and relationship issues, if it would benefit you.
  



Medicare Rebate for Psychologist Consult:

To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, our Psychologist requires a special referral from your GP, either a 'Chronic Condition Management Plan', an 'Eating Disorder Plan'  or a 'Mental Health Treatment Plan'.

It is advisable that you discuss your options with your GP to confirm your eligibility and how many sessions will be covered by the plan.

Private Health Fund Rebate for Psychologist Consult:

You may be eligible for a rebate through your Extras cover with your Private Health Fund.

As the levels of Private cover may vary, so do the rebates. To check your eligibility, you will need to contact your Health Fund.