It is preferable for your family doctor to be involved although self-referral is accepted as well. Referral letters from general practitioners usually provide relevant information regarding your general health, medication list, allergies and any investigations that have been performed, thus making the consultation more efficient and accurate. If you would like to self-refer, please call us directly and bring all relevant medical documents and medication list to the consultation.

There are three invoices in relation to your surgery – the surgeon’s, Anaesthetist’s and Hospital invoice. The surgeon’s invoice is usually given during the follow-up consultation within 2 weeks of surgery.

Please bring any medical documents relevant to the current health issue. If you have any scans or imaging results, please bring it along to the consultation. If you do not have the relevant investigation results, we can request for the report directly from the relevant service providers.

This is dependent on the consultant anaesthetist. You may meet the anaesthetist a week or two prior to surgery or alternatively, you may be seen on the day of surgery itself. If you would specifically like to be seen by the anaesthetist prior to surgery, please let us know and we can arrange this for you.

Absolutely. It is helpful for you to have a support person if a significant decision needs to be made regarding a treatment option. Your support person will be able to help with recall of information discussed during the consultation.

This is dependent on the procedure that is performed and the type of work you do. Your surgeon will give you an estimate of time required off work to enable you to recover adequately. If appropriate, a medical certificate can be filled in to cover the period of surgery and recovery. Typically, with laparoscopic hernia repair, you may go back to deskwork within a few days. If heavy lifting is required, open repair patients may restrict this activity for 4 to 6 weeks. Patients with laparoscopic hernia repair usually can begin heavy lifting in two weeks.

Depending on your policy, your insurance will often cover the initial surgical consultation and any investigation required. It is best to inform your insurance company of any consultation or investigation prior to proceeding. If surgery is planned, your insurance company usually requires a cost estimate of the operation which includes the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fee. This cost estimate will be provided to you during the consultation. You will then need to contact your insurance company with the cost estimate in order to obtain a “pre-approval”. Occasionally, your insurance company may require further information before granting pre-approval. Please let us know promptly if further information is requested so that we may provide it promptly.

After your initial injury, an ACC application is lodged and when accepted, you can be referred for an ACC-funded specialist consultation. If a surgical procedure is required, the surgeon will lodge the necessary ACC form to seek approval for funding of the procedure. Once ACC has made a decision, a letter of notification will be sent out to you and the surgeon. If approved, a surgery date can then be decided on and you will not need to pay for any part of your surgery.

More Questions?

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