Your Surgery

Understanding your operation and aftercare

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPERATION AND GIVING CONSENT

In the consultations leading up to your surgery we will have reached a diagnosis. On the basis of this, an operation may be recommended. We will discuss all of the available options, including operative and non- operative treatments. The benefits of surgery need to be weighed against the possible risks. It is very important that you ask any questions regarding the surgery and its risks so that you are satisfied prior to proceeding. Please feel free to ask questions at any stage of the process.

THE COSTS OF SURGERY

You will be provided with a quote for the cost of the surgery, as well as for my assistant. This quote covers the cost of the surgery, and the aftercare appointments for the subsequent 6 weeks. It does not cover any further surgery during that period unless specified. Fees are based on the scale suggested by the Australian Medical Association.

You will also be provided the details of the anaesthetist to obtain a quote for their services.

YOUR OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND YOUR MEDICATIONS

If your medical history is particularly complex, or needs review, I will refer you for review by a consultant physician, or I may need to request a letter from someone you have seen already.

Once a date is set, we may need to plan to stop certain medications. This is particularly the case for patients on:

  • Blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications
  • Diabetic tablets or insulin

Anticoagulant medications such as Warfarin (coumadin), or Plavix/Iscover (clopidogrel) will need to stop these at least 5 days prior, in consultation with your other doctors. Aspirin can usually be continued until the day prior to surgery.

If you are unsure about your medications, please contact my office as soon as possible.

COMING TO HOSPITAL FOR YOUR SURGERY

Within a week of surgery, the hospital or my secretary will contact you regarding the time you will need to come in for surgery, as well as your fasting time. The fasting time is the time after which you are not allowed to eat or drink anything, except for a small sip of water with any tablets you may need to take. It is very important to not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the actual procedure. Otherwise your procedure may be delayed.

If you have been feeling generally unwell, having fevers, a runny nose, sore throat, a chest infection, or any broken skin or ulcers on your legs, please contact my office urgently.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY

Do not take your aspirin on the day of your operation. Your other medications can be taken with a small sip of water.

Please bring any x-rays or scans which you may have had. This is very important as I will need them during your operation. You will also need to bring your Medicare card, and any Private Health Insurance details if you haven’t given these to the hospital already. Also bring some basic toiletries and some comfortable clothes.

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