Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Bariatric SurgeryHub ("we," "our," or "us"). By accessing or using our website at bariatricsurgeryhub.com (the "Site"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Site.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Bariatric SurgeryHub. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Description of Service

Bariatric SurgeryHub is an educational and informational resource about bariatric surgery in Australia. Our Site provides:

• Information about bariatric procedures (gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, etc.)
• Directory of AHPRA-registered bariatric surgeons
• Cost information and calculators
• Educational articles, guides, and resources
• Tools to connect with surgeons for consultations
• Comparison tools for procedures and surgeons

Important: We are NOT a medical practice, healthcare provider, or referral service. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use this Site. By using the Site, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
• You will use the Site only for lawful purposes
• You will not misuse or abuse the Site or its services

4. Medical Disclaimer

CRITICAL NOTICE: The information on this Site is for educational purposes only and does NOT constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified, AHPRA-registered healthcare professionals before making any decisions about bariatric surgery or medical treatment.

By using this Site, you acknowledge and agree that:

• We are not your doctor or healthcare provider
• No doctor-patient relationship is created by using this Site
• The information provided is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation
• Individual results may vary significantly
• All medical procedures carry risks, which should be discussed with a qualified surgeon
• Cost estimates are approximate and may vary based on individual circumstances
• We do not guarantee specific outcomes or results from any procedure

In case of medical emergency, call 000 (Australia) immediately. Do not rely on information from this Site for emergency medical situations.

5. User Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Site for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
• Submit false, inaccurate, or misleading information through forms
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site or its systems
• Use any automated system (bots, scrapers) to access the Site without permission
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users or healthcare providers
• Collect or harvest information about other users
• Post or transmit spam, advertising, or promotional materials (except through designated forms)
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Site
• Remove, obscure, or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices

6. Surgeon Directory and Listings

6.1 Listing Information

Surgeon listings on our Site are compiled from publicly available sources including:

• AHPRA public register
• Google Business listings
• Professional websites
• Hospital affiliations

While we make reasonable efforts to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free.

6.2 No Endorsement

Inclusion in our surgeon directory does NOT constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or referral by Bariatric SurgeryHub. We do not:

• Verify surgeon credentials beyond AHPRA registration status
• Evaluate surgeon skill, experience, or outcomes
• Guarantee the quality of care provided by any surgeon
• Accept responsibility for surgeon actions or treatment outcomes

You are solely responsible for researching, evaluating, and selecting healthcare providers.

6.3 Reviews and Ratings

Where reviews or ratings are displayed, they may be sourced from third-party platforms (e.g., Google Reviews). We do not verify the authenticity of third-party reviews and are not responsible for their accuracy or content.

7. Consultation Requests

When you submit a consultation request through our forms:

• We will share your information (name, contact details, procedure interest) with the surgeon(s) you selected
• The surgeon's office may contact you directly to schedule a consultation
• We are not responsible for the surgeon's response time or whether they accept you as a patient
• No doctor-patient relationship is created by submitting a form
• Consultation fees (if any) are between you and the surgeon

You acknowledge that submitting a consultation request does not guarantee:

• That the surgeon will contact you
• That the surgeon will accept you as a patient
• That you are a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery
• Any specific outcome or result

8. Cost Information

Cost estimates and ranges provided on the Site are approximate and for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary significantly based on:

• Individual patient circumstances and health conditions
• Specific procedure details and complexity
• Surgeon fees and hospital charges
• Private health insurance coverage and rebates
• Medicare rebates (if eligible)
• Geographic location and facility type
• Pre-operative tests and post-operative care

We do not guarantee the accuracy of cost information. You must obtain specific cost estimates directly from surgeons and healthcare facilities. We are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on information from this Site.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

9.1 Our Content

All content on this Site, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, code, and software, is the property of Bariatric SurgeryHub or its licensors and is protected by Australian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

9.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Site for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or publicly display Site content without permission
• Create derivative works based on Site content
• Use Site content for commercial purposes
• Frame or mirror any portion of the Site

9.3 User Content

By submitting content to the Site (e.g., through forms, comments, or communications), you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, and display that content in connection with operating the Site.

10. Third-Party Links and Content

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including:

• Surgeon websites
• Hospital websites
• Health directories
• Government health resources
• Medical research publications

We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for third-party websites or their content. Accessing third-party links is at your own risk. You should review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

12. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

12.1 "As Is" Disclaimer

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that:

• The Site will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Information on the Site is accurate, complete, or current
• Defects will be corrected
• The Site or servers are free from viruses or harmful components

12.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BARIATRIC SURGERYHUB AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• Your use or inability to use the Site
• Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or your personal information
• Any interruption or cessation of the Site
• Any bugs, viruses, or other harmful code transmitted through the Site
• Any errors or omissions in content
• Any medical decisions or treatment outcomes
• Any conduct or content of third parties on the Site

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from or related to the Site shall not exceed AUD $100.

12.3 Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any guarantee, warranty, term, condition, or right provided by the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law that cannot be lawfully excluded, restricted, or modified.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bariatric SurgeryHub and its directors, officers, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Site
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any false or misleading information you provide
• Your interactions with surgeons or healthcare providers

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Site at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice, including if we believe you have violated these Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Site will immediately cease. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia, without regard to conflict of law principles.

15.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or the Site shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales, Australia.

15.3 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal action, you agree to first contact us at contact@bariatricsurgeryhub.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally.

16. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Notify users via email (for significant changes)
• Display a prominent notice on the Site

Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Site.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Bariatric SurgeryHub regarding use of the Site and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings.

19. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

20. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us: