- What are your business hours?
- What should I bring to my appointment?
- Where does Dr Rahme operate?
- What if I need an operation?
- Who makes up the Operating (Surgical) Team?
- What does the Anaesthetist do?
- What should I tell my Anaesthetist before my operation?
- Why is it important to have an empty stomach prior to surgery?
- Can I smoke cigarettes before my surgery?
What are your business hours?
What should I bring to my appointment?
- Medicare card
- Private Health fund card (if any)
- Operation records, medical records, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans etc from prior doctor visits
- Progress letter from physical therapist (if applicable)
- Age Pension card (if any)
- List of current medications
Where does Dr Rahme operate?
- Bankstown Public Hospital
- Strathfield Private Hospital (Strathfield)
- Waratah Private Hospital (Hurstville)
- St George Private Hospital (Kogarah)
What if I need an operation?
Who makes up the Operating (Surgical) Team?
What does the Anaesthetist do?
The Anaesthetist:
• administers drugs to temporarily render you unconscious or sedate you to ensure you remain relaxed, comfortable and pain free for the surgeon to perform his task.
• remains with you throughout your operation monitoring your breathing and vital organs to ensure you remain suitably sedated and successfully recover from the anaesthesia.
• uses a combination of drugs and techniques to minimise your pain after surgery
What should I tell my Anaesthetist before my operation?
This includes details about:
• recent changes to your general health such as hospital admissions or surgery
• long term medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease or reflux
• any medications you are taking (some people find it helpful to bring a list)
• any allergies you have including to medications or other items
• previous experience with anesthetic, particularly any problems or issues
Why is it important to have an empty stomach prior to surgery?
Can I smoke cigarettes before my surgery?
- What type of anaesthesia will I receive?
- What are the main types of anaesthesia available?
- Can I still have a private operation even if I don’t have Private Health Fund insurance?
- I have been seen at the Bankstown Hospital Emergency Room or was admitted. What are my next steps?
- How do I claim the Medicare Rebate?
- Does my Private Health Fund cover any of the consultation fee?
- How much will I get back from my Private Health Fund for operations and hospital expenses?
- When should I have my xray before my appointment?
- Where can I have my xray?
What type of anaesthesia will I receive?
What are the main types of anaesthesia available?
• Local anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic involves using an anaesthetic drug to numb a specific area of the body e.g a hand or foot. Often used for minor procedures, it can be used alone when the patient is awake or in combination with sedation. Numbing a particular area with local anaesthetic can also be useful in controlling post operative pain.
• Regional anaesthesia: Regional anaesthesia involves administering drugs to clusters of nerves to numb a larger part of the body. Examples include an epidural (often given to women in labour), nerve blocks or spinal anaesthesia. These forms of anaesthesia allow you to stay awake during your procedure whilst remaining pain free. The advantage of this technique is that it can also be useful in providing long lasting pain relief for many hours after your operation, therefore avoiding the use of other pain drugs and their associated side effects.
• General anaesthesia: During a general anaesthetic the Anaesthetist administers drugs so that you are unconscious or ‘asleep’ for your operation. During this time your muscles and protective reflexes are relaxed. When a general anaesthetic is reversed you will wake up with no awareness or memory of what has occurred.
Can I still have a private operation even if I don’t have Private Health Fund insurance?
I have been seen at the Bankstown Hospital Emergency Room or was admitted. What are my next steps?
How do I claim the Medicare Rebate?
Does my Private Health Fund cover any of the consultation fee?
How much will I get back from my Private Health Fund for operations and hospital expenses?
When should I have my xray before my appointment?
Where can I have my xray?
- I lost my xray form. How do I get another one?
- Are my medical records kept private and confidential?
- What is osteoarthritis?
- Will physiotherapy be required after surgery?