Introduction
Australia faces significant obesity challenges, yet access to bariatric surgery can be expensive and time-consuming. Turkey offers a high-quality, cost-effective alternative for Australian patients.
The Australian Healthcare Context
Medicare and Private Health
- Medicare: Limited coverage for bariatric surgery
- Private health: Variable coverage with waiting periods
- Out-of-pocket costs: Often $10,000-$20,000 even with insurance
Waiting Times
- Public system: Often 2+ years
- Private with insurance: 3-12 months (plus waiting period)
Why Turkey?
Significant Savings
| Procedure | Australia Private | Turkey All-Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | $15,000-$25,000 AUD | $5,500-$8,000 AUD |
| Gastric Bypass | $20,000-$30,000 AUD | $7,000-$10,000 AUD |
World-Class Quality
- SRC-certified surgeons (same standard as Australian CoEs)
- JCI-accredited hospitals
- High surgical volume = more experience
No Wait
- Turkey: 2-4 weeks
Travel from Australia
Flights
- Sydney/Melbourne → Istanbul: 17-20 hours (one stop)
- Brisbane → Istanbul: 18-22 hours
- Airlines: Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, Singapore
Visa
Australian citizens need an e-visa ($60 AUD, obtained online).
Time Zone
Turkey is 7-9 hours behind Australia (AEST/AWST).
What's Included
- ✅ Surgery by SRC-certified surgeon
- ✅ Hospital stay (2-3 nights)
- ✅ 4-5 star hotel (5-6 nights)
- ✅ All transfers
- ✅ Pre-operative tests
- ✅ Lifetime follow-up
Flying Home After Surgery
Due to the longer flight, we recommend:
Follow-Up in Australia
Our Virtual Programme
- Weekly video consultations (first month)
- Monthly check-ins (months 2-12)
- Long-term support
Working with Your GP
We provide full documentation for your Australian healthcare providers.
Contact
- WhatsApp: [Quick Contact]
- Email: [Contact Form]
- Free Consultation: [Book Now]