Patient Resources
Preparing for
Your Surgery
Booking your surgery:
When you have considered your procedure options and are ready to book your surgery, we will require a deposit of $3000 which is non-refundable. Once this payment is received, we can confirm the date for your procedure and continue preparing for your surgery.
Surgical Fees and Charges:
After your consultation, we will provide you with a quote and financial consent that breaks down all the fees and expected out-of-pocket costs. It’s important to confirm fees prior to paying your deposit for surgery, and understand you may be responsible for any costs not covered by Medicare or your Private Health Fund.
If you have been provided with a Medicare Item Number on your quote, have a valid Medical Referral and the correct level of Health Insurance cover, we assume the following:
- You have been in your health insurance fund for a minimum of 12 months
- Any excess or co-payment is required
- You are expected to call your health fund and check the following:
- The fund is covering for your chosen hospital location and procedure
- Excess to be paid on admission to the hospital
- The Medicare item numbers is covered by your level by your Fund
For patients with no Private Health, our office will obtain a hospital quote for you.
Our quoted fees cover all pre and post-operative care for the first 8 weeks after your procedure.
Other Fees - NOT included:
Services that are NOT included in your quote and which may incur an extra fee include:
- Pathology: during some surgeries, tissue & blood samples are collected and tested
- Medications: upon discharge, we will provide you with a prescription for medication/s that you will need for your recovery. If you are on any medications, please bring these meds to the hospital with you.
- Radiology: any required X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT or MRI scans
- VAC Dressings: should you require Negative Pressure Vacuum Dressings service, all fees will be billed to you.
Preparing for your surgery - week by week:
4- 6 weeks prior to Surgery:
- STOP smoking: Smoking reduces your body’s ability to heal and is the main cause for wound breakdown. After your procedure, you will need to refrain from smoking until the wound is healed ( a minimum of 4 weeks)
- Mammogram before Breast procedures: if you are 45 and over, we recommend having a mammogram prior to surgery to rule out issues and for reference in the future if it is required. If Breast cancer runs in your family, a mammogram is recommended, regardless of your age.
- Take Pre-Operative Tests: if you are provided with a referral to get blood tests/ scans, please make sure these are done well in advance. somethimes there can be a 1-2 weeks wait to get tests.
- Healthy Balanced Diet: Drink plenty of water and eat a well-balanced diet rich in protein and vegetables while preparing for surgery. This will provide your body with nutrients to help you recover.
- STOP Googling!: We will provide you with all of the relevant information that is applicable to your case. Although the web can be useful, it can also impact your mental health. Everyone is unique, so do not compare yourself to someone online. Your journey is your own and we will help you along the way.
If you have questions at any time, please contact our office.
2 weeks prior:
- STOP some supplements: Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Garlic, Echinacea, Ginger, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Melatonin, Valerian and St John’s Wort. Ginger and Garlic is known to cause bruising. Some of these supplements effect the uptake of anaesthetic so this is important.
- STOP all aspirin: this increases bleeding during the surgery and the immediate post recovery. If required, take Panadol/ Panadeine instead for pain relief.
- Arnica: you may take this to help reduce the bruising after surgery. This can be purchased at the Chemist
- Walk: this will help open your lungs and build up strength within your body. Walk for 15- 30 minutes per day.
1 week prior:
- Pay all balances of the surgery: refer to your admission email and make all payments into the accounts provided. Confirmation of Payment will be required.
- Stop the following Medications: Nurofen, Naprosyn, Voltaren and Celebrex must be stopped prior. Other prescribed medications should not stop before until you have talked to your GP or our Surgeons.
- Start taking 1 multivitamin tablet per day and continue until 2 weeks after your operation.
The week prior to your surgery, our team will send you an admission email, with all the details related to your procedure:
- Tick, initial and Sign your surgical consent and any other agreement specifically for your surgery and return it our office. You were given the procedure-specific consent forms during or after your consultation. If you cannot locate it, Please let our office know so that we can resend it to you prior to your operation day.
- Complete your hospital admission forms as instructed by our staff. These are usually online.
- Inform our staff of any medications, allergies, conditions or concerns that may be relevant to your admission
On the Day of Your Surgery:
- Fasting prior to surgery: do NOT eat or drink anything after your fasting time. This time is provided by the hospital.
- Arrive Clean: have a shower in the morning. No makeup, deodorant, nail polish, tan, moisturiser, creams or perfumes. Use fragrance free soap. Brush your teeth but do not swallow water.
- No jewellery / valuables: please leave these at home, we are not responsible for any loss or misplacement
- Clothing: please wear loose comfortable clothing and shoes. A button-up shirt or front-opening top is recommended. Clean, cotton underwear.
- Arrive on time: be at the hospital on time. If you are late, there will be delays in theatre and risk of having your surgery postponed.
- Upon arrival, you will be asked to fill out any remaining forms/ finalise any outstanding fees.
- Dr Kohout will meet with you to discuss and confirm the procedure and to answer any questions you may have. Surgical guidelines will be drawn on your body. These markings are to help Dr Kohout during the procedure.
- The Anaesthetist will also meet with you and ensure you understand the procedure, type of Anaesthesia used and the risks. This is the time to inform your Anaesthetist if you have had any issues with Anaesthetic in the past. The Anaesthetist is there to monitor you during the surgery and you will remain in their care in the immediate recovery. They will provide you with pain relief and anti-nausea medication.
After surgery:
- Garments and Dressings: you will usually have on a compression garment, bra, dressings or bandages. These are to remain in place until your post-op appointment unless you have other specific instructions.
- Drains: Surgical site drains may be put in the wound, they play a vital role in your recovery. Our team will provide you with further instructions on how to care for them and when you will have them removed
Post-Operative Appointments:
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Dr. Mark Kohout
Dr. Mark Kohout is a highly qualified specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 25 years of experience, based in central Sydney.
Trained in Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S., he co-founded Australia Plastic Surgery. Specializing in breast, genital, and male breast surgeries, he is a certified member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS).
Dr. Kohout has appeared in media like The Biggest Loser and has published several articles in his field.
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