The Cost of Surgery

Preoperative Costs

Initial Surgeon Consultation: $284, Preoperative Assessment: $950

Initial Dietitian review
Psychologist review
2nd Surgeon consultation - 2nd Dietitian review

Pre-surgery Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD): $200 - $500 dependent on time frame required.

Operative/Postoperative Costs

Mini (One Anastomosis) Gastric Bypass: $22,300 Sleeve Gastrectomy: $22,800 Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: $23,850

Inclusive of 1 night hospital stay / Anaesthetist fee

Inclusive of postoperative follow-up package:
5 year Surgeon/nurse follow-up (10 appointments)
3 year dietitian support (7 appointments)
2 year psychologist support (5 appointments)

Revisional Bariatric Surgery

This is individually quoted depending on the nature of the surgery required
This usually involves conversion to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
All other inclusions are as per primary surgery

Price estimates are for uncomplicated surgery. Special circumstances and additional procedures may result in additional charges. These prices may be subject to change.

There are other costs associated with having bariatric surgery to be considered.

Find out more

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify for weight loss surgery in New Zealand?

The core criteria are:

Having a BMI of >35
Having a BMI of 30-35 with a “weight-responsive” condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea (amongst others).

Please note that these criteria have been been extended, as reflection of the high level of both safety and efficacy that are achieved with modern keyhole techniques.

What are the costs involved with weight loss surgery?

At Auckland Bariatric Surgery we use a flat, fixed price model. These surgeries represent a significant financial investment. We endeavour to have transparent costings and to minimise these where possible. All prices are GST inclusive. Please download our Information pack for more information or contact us directly on reception@bariatricsurgery.co.nz.

What if I have had previous bariatric surgery?

For patients who have had revisional surgery the process is slightly different and as such there may be additional procedural fees above the fixed price laid out in the patient information pack. Please contact us directly on reception@bariatricsurgery.co.nz for more detailed information.

How quickly can I get weight loss surgery?

It usually takes a minimum of 4-8 weeks to get surgery, from the time of the first appointment with me. Bariatric surgery is very safe but it is important to get prepared properly.

How much weight will I lose?

The actual kilogram amount will vary depending on what weight you started at. Generally at 1 year out from the surgery, you will have lost 70-80% of the weight above your "ideal" weight, which is set at a BMI of 25.

For example, a 170cm (5' 7") tall woman who weighs 130 kg has a BMI of 45. I would expect her to lose around 40-46 kg by 12 months.

What is the best weight loss operation?

There is no one, "best" operation. That is why I offer three options! The operations have different risk and benefit profiles; the choice of operation needs to be tailored with each patient individually. Generally speaking, I prefer the gastric bypasses (one anastomosis, or "mini" and the Roux-en-Y) but some patients can't have a bypass and so for them the sleeve gastrectomy is the best option.

The most important decision is actually realising that surgery is needed in the first place.

Will my insurance cover my operation?

Some insurers may contribute to the cost of surgery and consultations. Please check this with your insurance company. We are happy to write to your insurer on your behalf.

Our Team

Dr Benjamin Wheeler, Bariatric Surgeon
BHB MBChB FRACS

I am a dedicated laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon having completed my surgical training in New Zealand. I underwent further specialist training at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital with Dr George Hopkins, a high volume bariatric surgeon with a subspecialty interest in revisional bariatric surgery, as well as working alongside Dr David Schroeder at Weight Loss Surgery Hamilton. I perform both the one anastomosis gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses in both the primary and revisional setting.

Anna McPhail, Registered Nurse
BNursing PGCertTM

I am a Registered Nurse of over 20yrs who has had a wonderful career in both New Zealand and Australia. I qualified with a Bachelor of Nursing in Wellington and have gone on to complete post graduate study. I've worked in large tertiary hospitals, dusty fields, small aeroplanes and everything in between! I have a passion for helping others to live their most healthful lives and am a certified health coach and personal trainer. I am a member of the Australian and New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) and the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Juliet Herlihy, Practice Manager
B.Com (Marketing & Management), B. Ph.Ed, Grad.Dip Teaching (Secondary)

I have experience in the education and corporate sectors, having worked as a senior teacher and in operations management and HR; roles that require efficiency and with a focus on helping others. I bring expertise in streamlining operations and work with the team to manage workflows. I am dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for our patients, ensuring their journey is seamless and well supported as they make this important decision for their health.

Deirdre Nielson, Dietitian
NZRD, MHSC (Nutrition & Dietetics)

I have a broad range of Dietetic experience working in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom for over 25 years. I have specialised in weight loss surgery nutrition over the last 13 years working alongside bariatric teams in the private and public health sectors. I am a member of the Australia and New Zealand Metabolic Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) and Dietitians New Zealand Bariatric Special Interest Group.I am passionate about whole-person health and helping people develop practical solutions that work for them.

Sarah Mavor, Dietitian

I am a New Zealand registered dietitian and have worked in bariatric nutrition for the past 14 years in both the public and private sectors. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with patients throughout their surgery journey to support them with improving their health alongside developing a positive and healthy relationship with food. I am a member of the Australian and New Zealand Metabolic Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) and Dietitians New Zealand.

Shona Collins, Dietitian

With over 15 years of bariatric experience and 30 as a dietitian, my passion lies in working alongside my patients to explore and develop their relationship with food and help them to understand the role that food in plays in their lives, both before and after surgery. As well as working with the team at Auckland Bariatric Surgery, I work in private practice predominantly seeing patients for gastroenterology, disordered eating, general nutrition and healthy eating advice.

Kalpana Govind, Clinical Psychologist

I am a clinical psychologist registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. I have a diverse career background and have worked in both private and public settings as a psychologist, clinical leader, and manager for the last 20 plus years in Aotearoa. I have also worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Great Britain and have a passion for understanding and supporting clients within their cultural context. In addition to bariatric psychology, I bring experience and special interest in pre-and post-surgery counselling, chronic illness, trauma, disordered eating, personality dynamics, depression, and anxiety. I am a member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP), Australasian Centre for Eating Behaviour (ACFEB) and the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA). I offer online bariatric psychology services for adults from diverse backgrounds, utilising various therapeutic approaches tailored to each client.

Waheeda Goga, Clinical Psychologist
MA Soc Sci Clinical Psychology

I practice with a focus on Women’s Health Psychology and wellbeing with experience and special interest in bariatric psychology, trauma, pre- and post- surgery counselling, chronic illness, disordered eating, depression and anxiety. I am a Board Registered Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB) and a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS), Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour (ACFEB) and Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA). My approach is warm, compassionate and supportive with the goal of assisting clients to cope more effectively with various psychological concerns and life issues that are unique to women. I offer online bariatric psychology services for women from diverse backgrounds utilising various therapeutic approaches tailored to each client.

Psychology webinar

Published on Saturday, 6th September 2025

We are made of one mud. You, your brain and your brain are not separate things. Everything is intrinsically linked. A change in your body, in your bowel, can affect how you feel. This is why emotional eating works in the first place. Understanding and navigating these changes are an important part of the bariatric journey and that's why I have always emphasized the important of psychology as part of complete surgical care.

This isn't just navigating problems either: to borrow a corporate phrase, this is a "value-add" - taking something that is fine and making it better.

Kalpana and Waheeda, the psychologists from Peace of Mind Psychology who are partnered with me and Auckland Bariatric Surgery, are hosting their first webinar:

POMP webinar.png

Ngā mihi Ben

PS: I'm a bit shocked that I last posted in April. My New Year's Resolution (and good SEO practice...) was for a post every two weeks. Must do better...

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Qualifying for Surgery

The Cost of Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Team

Book a consultation with Dr Benjamin Wheeler

Psychology webinar

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