We do not recommend Mr Cohen at all. We used Mr Cohen for my wifes bariatric surgery. We do not know why, I suppose we thought these surgeons were all the same. WRONG. Mr Cohen claims he is the only one offering a complete package. When we paid thousands to them for the operation we were told we would have to pay an extra $1500.00 for after surgery care. His staff could not or would not give a proper breakdown. When I tried a little harder to get an answer I was told, look if you do not pay this $1500.00 now, the surgery will not go ahead. Emotional blackmail. Mr Cohen knows bariatric surgery is an emotional roller coaster. Him and his staff are very good at keeping you guessing. My wife was giving me the look so I thought, I will not upset my wife now and I can seek a proper explanation for the $1500.00 later.
Bariatric surgery cannot be reversed and a patient has to be mentally ready for that. Arguments about accounts before surgery, will only upset a patient. Recently on SBS Insight, 2 surgeons were grilled and the audience was made up of people who have had surgery. All of those people said they normally ask for discounts on everything but said they were not game to question the surgeons charges for fear of the surgeon saying go away. Later when I decided to question the $1500.00 I was told that $650.00 was to pay for after surgery care. The remaining $850.00? I got a different answer from each person I asked. Finally the office manager told me it was an administration fee. Because it is not for any medical service, one cannot get a rebate. They were not honest about the $1500.00 up front. They did not like dealing with me because I was not on that emotional roller coaster.
If you are thinking about bariatric surgery, think about the fees. Check several surgeons. They all rip you off so find one that does not rip you off too much. We cannot recommend Mr Cohen because of the way he does business.
News.com.au ran an article about surgeons charging too much.
Royal College of Surgeons President, Professor, David Watters said and I quote, “There are some surgeons who try to disguise this by charging a booking fee or sending patients a second invoice.
It is not an ethical practise.” unquote.