So you’ve booking in for surgery. Often a lot of information and even more paperwork is given to you when you book your surgery date and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by this.
If you’re feeling unsure about what you need to do our secretaries are happy to guide you through things on the phone or for you to come back into the clinic during business hours to go over things in person.
Below is a checklist of all the things you will need to routinely do prior to surgery:
Usually this would have been done in the clinic when you booked your surgery. If you were emailed your surgery paperwork you will need to make sure you complete the Consent Form and send back to us prior to your surgery date.
When you book your surgery you will be given an Informed Financial Consent Form/Surgery Fee Estimate. As soon as possible after you book your surgery please contact your health insurer to check your level of cover. You will need to quote Mr Jeffcote’s provider number and the item number given to you on the Estimate. If you find that you do not have the appropriate level of cover please contact our office to do discuss your options.
Before you go into hospital you will need to complete a hospital admission questionnaire.
For St John of God Hospital Murdoch this can be completed at the following link: https://myadmission.sjog.org.au/
For Hollywood Private Hospital this can be completed at the following link: https://mycare.ramsayhealth.com.au/
For South Perth Hospital this can be completed by completing these forms and returning them to South Perth as listed: South Perth Admission
In the case of joint replacements and, on occasion, some other procedures, Mr Jeffcote will request you have preoperative blood tests and x-rays taken. Preoperative x-rays can be taken at any point prior to surgery and will be bulk billed at any SKG location. Preoperative blood tests should be taken 5-7 days prior to surgery and are also bulk billed.
Some medications need to be ceased prior to your surgery date. If you take SGLT2i agents for diabetes (Forxiga, Jardiance, and Steglatro), as well as fixed dose combinations with metformin (Xigduo, Jardiamet, Segluromet) or with gliptins (Glyxambi, Qtern, Steglujan) these should be ceased 3 days prior to surgery.
Blood thinners and immunosuppressants also need to be ceased prior to surgery. When to cease these medications varies from case to case and you may require bridging therapy during this time. If you have a surgery date booked and have not discussed ceasing your blood thinning medication please contact our office.
Your anaesthetist will be able to advise you regarding any other preoperative medication queries.
Your postoperative appointment with Mr Jeffcote will be booked when booking your surgery. For joint replacements this will be at four weeks postoperatively, for all other procedures this will be at two weeks postoperatively.
If you are having a joint replacement you should arrange to see your regular GP for a wound check and dressing change two weeks after surgery.
Physiotherapy is an integral part of your postoperative rehabilitation. If you have a regular physiotherapist you should arrange to see them after your two week review appointment. If not our office works with physiotherapists all around Perth and the surrounding areas, please contact us if you would like a recommendation.
Visit our physiotherapy page for your 0-2 week home physiotherapy exercise program and for information on postoperative rehabilitation goals.
Prior to surgery you will either need to attend a pre-operative appointment or have a pre-operative phone call with the pre-admissions team at the hospital. During this appointment a few items they will discuss with you are:
- How to prep the day prior to surgery (body wash and nasal ointment if needed).
- What mobility or home aids you might need.
- What to bring with you on the day of surgery.
Our office will contact you two working days prior to your surgery with your fasting and admission times.
If you require a medical certificate for your employer or a carer's certificate for a friend or loved one please call or email our office and we'll be happy to arrange this for you.
Please note that forms such as Centrelink Medical Certificates and forms from insurance companies require an appointment and may incur a fee.