Preparation for Surgery
Consent and Questions: Prior to every operation, a valid consent is sighted and checked before patient undergoes anaesthesia. Informed consent would have been obtained well before the operative date, during rooms consultation.
The reasoning for a surgical recommendation, the pros, cons, expected outcome, possible complications, and the alternative choices would have been discussed. Please do not hesitate contacting the office if you wish to discuss further, clarify points, allay concerns, or change your mind. Dr Yeung will ring back when he has free time, usually at the end of the day.
Blood thinning Medications: Blood thinning tablets need to cease prior to elective surgery. Of course, cessation of warfarin, or newer anticoagulants need to be co-ordinated with your cardiologist, neurologist, and GP, in the weeks prior, and Dr Yeung will contact them if needed.
The same applies to aspirin/Cartia/Plavix.
Other medications: particularly blood pressure and diabetic medications (including insulin)- the anaesthetist and hospital pre admission staff will contact you to confirm fasting time. In general most patients will take their regular antihypertensive on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water. Insulin dosing will need to be discussed. Oral diabetic tablets such as Diabex is usually taken as full dose. ( NB above is the general rule, there are always occasional exceptions: please check with Dr Yeung, or the anaesthetist if unclear)
If unsure please discuss with Dr Yeung, or ask your GP to call.
Scans
Please remember to bring relevant scans. This particularly applies to sinus CT scans for nasal/sinus surgery, and temporal bone CT scans for ear surgery. The scan is the map. Please let us know if you can’t find the scan: we can usually expedite a new scan within 2-3 days prior.
Financial Consent for Private Patients
Dr Yeung’s office will send a quote for surgery well before the date. Please confirm your fund coverage with your insurer( ie, private hospital cover, not “extras cover” for spectacles and dental work only!)
For private hospitals, Dr Yeung’s regular anaesthetists ( or their secretary) will contact you prior to introduce themselves, provide fee and rebate information, and discuss medical background and anaesthetic safety.
The private hospital will call you to confirm fund coverage, and usually expects relevant payments prior to the surgery ( usually upon arrival). Please check with your fund and the relevant hospital’s finance office if there are any concerns.