FAQs

I am an independent surgeon, but I operate out of St George’s Hospital, one of Christchurch’s leading healthcare facilities. Enjoy comfortable surroundings and the support of dedicated nursing staff delivering quality care throughout your stay.

It depends on the operation.
Weight loss surgery typically requires a 2-night stay. Reflux surgery usually requires a 1–2-night stay; gallbladder surgery, a 1-night stay. Hernia surgery doesn’t always require an overnight stay. And gastroscopy or colonoscopy rarely involve an overnight stay.

Once again, it depends on the type of operation. This depends on the type of surgery. Weight loss surgery requires 2-3 weeks off work; reflux surgery, 1-2 weeks off work; gallbladder surgery, 7-10 days off work; and hernia surgery involves 3-5 days off work.

Complications after surgery are uncommon, but if they occur, they can be managed.
For serious complications, such as severe pain lasting for more than 2 hours, a heart rate above 100 bpm or below 60 bpm (beats per minute), or a fever higher than 38°C, you must go to the emergency department for a scan. If this happens, please contact me, Dr Flint, at the rooms. You’re in safe hands, whether with me or with the medical staff taking care of you. We'll find what is happening.

Yes. Many of my patients have come to me through this route. You can also self-refer to my rooms, but some insurers require a GP referral before reimbursement.

It depends on the type of medication. Here is a pre-op guide to find out more. If you have any doubt or further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me or your GP.

You cannot drive for 24 hours after receiving a general anaesthetic or sedation. Beyond that, New Zealand law requires you to be medically fit and in full control of a vehicle when you drive it. If you drive when you are unfit — for example, under the effects of strong pain medication or too sore to react properly — you are breaking the law under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (clause 1.7), and your insurance may not cover you in the event of an accident.

You should not drive on medications making you drowsy, such as oxycodone (OxyNorm or OxyContin), tramadol, or codeine, or when you are in discomfort that interferes with your ability to drive safely. If in doubt, check the label for "may cause drowsiness" or seek advice from your pharmacist.

For most patients, driving is generally safe in approximately 5 days following surgery, provided you are:

• Fully awake and alert,

• Not taking any more sedating medication,

• Can comfortably do an emergency stop. A simple test is to press the brake pedal hard when the car is not going. If it hurts, then it is too early to drive.

If in doubt, wait another two days and organise alternative transport.

Anyone with a BMI above 30 or weight-related comorbidities. We'll also need to conduct tests to determine whether your condition permits successful weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery typically requires a 2-night stay.

It depends on the type of medication. Here is a pre-op guide to find out more. If you have any doubt or further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me or your GP.

It depends. Here are a few insurers that cover a part of the bariatric surgery:

NIB

• Ultimate Health Max policy

• Covers up to NZD 10,000 after 3 continued years of membership (lifetime limit)

• BMI ≥ 40 or, in certain cases, BMI ≥ 35

AIA

• Private Health policy

• Covers up to NZD 7,500 after 3 continued years of membership

• No published eligibility. Contact AIA directly for more details.

Southern Cross

• Wellbeing, UltraCare, RegularCare, KiwiCare plans

• Covers up to NZD 7,500 after 3 continued years of membership (lifetime limit)

• BMI ≥ 40 or, in certain cases, BMI ≥ 35

• A gastric bypass surgery can be fully funded for patients with extremely severe, medication-resistant reflux.

Other options may be available, but we recommend contacting your current or prospective insurer for more details about weight loss surgery coverage.

Yes, but only in cases of significant financial hardship. The treatment must be considered essential for your health, and you must genuinely have no other way to pay for it. Approval isn’t automatic, each provider reviews applications individually and makes the final decision. Understand that we are unable to book the surgery without approval from your KiwiSaver provider.

Here is what you need to know:

Before you apply:

• Did your GP or surgeon consider it an essential treatment?

• Have you explored other funding options?

What to provide:

• A detailed medical letter (ask for our help)

• A formal cost estimate of the procedure (we provide it)

• Personal financial information (bank statements etc.)

• Financial Hardship Withdrawal form

How to apply:

• Ask your provider for a Significant Financial Hardship Withdrawal form

• Complete the financial sections

• Submit the form attached with the medical letter and cost estimate

If you have any questions or need help with your application, please get in touch with me.

There are no strict rules after hernia repair — everyone heals differently. Most evidence shows that gentle exercise after two weeks does not increase the risk of recurrence. The key is to listen to your body and progress gradually.

For large or complex abdominal hernias: These guidelines are more flexible. Continue following the early recovery advice for up to six weeks before increasing activity, and check with me before doing more.

Weeks 1–2: rest and light movement

Focus on healing and gentle activity. You can move around the house, take short walks every hour or two, and do light stretching or deep breathing.

Office or desk jobs are usually safe to return to within a day or two if you feel well. For physical or heavy jobs, take at least two weeks off before lifting or strenuous work.

Avoid heavy lifting (more than 5 kg), twisting, bending, or anything that causes strain in your abdomen. Keep movement slow and controlled.

Weeks 2–4: gentle exercise and building confidence

Begin light exercise and easy strength work as you feel able. Good options include walking 20–30 minutes daily, stationary cycling at low resistance, swimming (once wounds are fully healed), and body-weight or isolated dumbbell exercises for arms and shoulders (e.g., wall push-ups or light shoulder raises).

Most people still find jogging uncomfortable during this period. If you are a keen runner, gentle jogging on flat ground for up to 20 minutes is fine if tolerated. Any discomfort is often felt the next day, so start slowly and reassess over the next week or two before increasing your distance or pace.

Avoid heavy gym exercises (squats, deadlifts, and bench presses) and core workouts such as sit-ups or planks.

By four weeks, most patients are comfortable doing most daily and recreational activities.

Weeks 4–6: regain strength

You can now gradually increase effort while keeping good form and control. Extend walking, cycling, or swimming sessions; resume light gym and fitness routines; and start compound lifts such as squats, deadlifts, or bench presses at under 30% of your usual weight.

Avoid high-intensity or heavy training, long-distance running, and any movement that causes discomfort. Allow your repair time to strengthen before pushing harder.

After 6 weeks: return to normal

Most people can safely return to full fitness after six weeks. You can resume running, regular gym workouts, and sport, as well as core exercises like bird-dog, dead bug, or modified planks.

Always listen to your body — mild effort is fine, but if you notice pain, swelling, or bulging, ease back and contact me.

At a glance

Weeks 1–2

• What you can do: light walking, daily tasks, return to desk work.

• Avoid: lifting more than 5 kg, bending, or core strain.

Weeks 2–4

• What you can do: walking, cycling, swimming, bodyweight or light dumbbells.

• Avoid: heavy lifting, sit-ups, planks.

Weeks 4–6

• What you can do: most exercises at moderate intensity.

• Avoid: high-intensity or heavy training.

6 + Weeks

• What you can do: full activity if pain-free.

• Avoid: overexertion or ignoring symptoms.

Get in touch for practical advice on hernia recovery, safe exercise after repair, and returning to work or sport after surgery.

Most of the surgeries I perform are covered by your insurance* or ACC. Please check your health insurance plan to confirm the extent of your cover.

*All insurance providers are accepted.

The costs differ depending on the procedure being performed. Below is a guide to the approximate total costs of the surgeries I offer. These estimates include my surgeon fee, the anaesthetist's fee, and hospital charges.

Weight loss surgeries

• Lap sleeve gastrectomy $21,500

• Lap one anastomosis gastric bypass $24,500

• Lap Roux-en-Y gastric bypass $27,500

• Revision sleeve to bypass $33,800

• Revision fundoplication to bypass $38200

• Revision band to bypass $38,200

• HDU stay for at-risk patients additional $3,000

Endoscopy (the range depends on what is done)

• Gastroscopy $3,500 to $5,250

• Colonoscopy $4,200 to $6,500

• Gastroscopy and colonoscopy combined $5,100 to $7,500

Other surgeries

• Lap inguinal hernia $13,300 to $17,800

• Robotic inguinal hernia $13,300 to $17,800

• Umbilical hernia repair $11,100 to $18,000

• Lap cholecystectomy $14,000 to $16,500

• Lap hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication $20,750 to $25,200

Note that these prices are indicative, except for weight loss surgeries, as they are charged as a package.