General questions
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.
Weight loss surgery
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.
Surgery costs
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 for each surgery. Here is a list of indicative costs for each of the surgeries I perform:
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 band or fundoplication to bypass $38,200
HDU stay for at-risk patients additional $3,000
Endoscopy (the range depends on what is done)
Gastroscopy $2,861-$3,500
Colonoscopy $3,280-$4,040
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy combined $4,729-$5,464
Other surgeries
Lap inguinal hernia $9,222 to $12,030
Umbilical hernia repair $11,136 to $14,548
Lap cholecystectomy $11,684 to $14,580
Lap hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication $12,944 to $16,994
Note that these prices are indicative, except for weight loss surgeries, as they are charged as a package.