Hi, I can't really help you with your questions, but i'll try! I am looking to be banded in a couple of months at a cost of $3400 in the private system (I am in Melbourne). I believe it is between about $10,000 - $16,000 to have the operation without insurance and the public waiting list is around 2 years.

I think you have to have a BMI of at least 35 to be considered for the operation.

This is just from reading different things other people have said, so I am not quite sure how accurate it all is!