Patient Info

Your Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is one of the most important steps in your overall care. Dr Boorer devotes a significant part of the consultation to gaining an understanding of your requirements, wishes and expectations. She will take a thorough medical history and perform a complete physical examination prior to providing her opinion on how best to proceed, and what your alternative treatment options are. The initial consultation is also an opportunity for you to get to know Dr Boorer and to learn more about your intended procedure. There will be ample opportunity for you to ask questions.

Your Procedure

Detailed planning and preparation is required for any procedure, whether it is performed in the private rooms or in hospital. Dr Boorer will discuss this process with you at the initial consultation and she may also provide you with further written information. If you have any further questions after this time, we encourage you to contact us as incomplete preparation could lead to the postponement of your procedure.

Pre Operative Smoking

Cigarette smoking has many adverse consequences, most of which are well known. What may not be so well known is that it affects skin quality by reducing the amount of blood which circulates through the skin. This in turn also has an adverse effect upon wound healing. This is also true of nicotine patches and gum.

If consideration is being given to any type of surgery, then it is wise to stop smoking if possible (at least two weeks before and after surgery). It is disadvantageous to stop smoking within a day or two of an operation since this is likely to create rather than improve a cough.

There are some procedures, such as facelifts, which Dr Boorer will not perform on a patient who is currently smoking.

Pre Operative Weight

Weight is a very personal issue and there is no rule dictating that we should all be slim. Gross obesity is certainly not good from a surgical perspective, but for most it is wisest to undergo an operation while at the weight which is most likely to be maintained. There is no advantage in losing weight quickly before an operation only to gain it again afterwards

Fee Guidelines

We understand that the cost of a procedure is an important factor in your decision to undergo plastic surgery. As such it is Dr Boorer’s practice to fully disclose all fees prior to your procedure.

When determining consultation and procedural fees, we take into account guidelines provided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). However as individual patients have different requirements we also need to take into account a number of important variables such as the length and complexity of each procedure.

After the initial consultation you will be provided with an ‘Estimate of Fees’. This document itemises all anticipated fees associated with your procedure and includes any Medicare or private health fund rebates (where applicable). Although some procedures may qualify for these rebates, there usually are some ‘out of pocket’ expenses.

Anaesthesia

Most procedures would be impossible or too painful to perform without the use of anaesthesia. Anaesthetic drugs are substances which block the awareness of pain and in some cases, alter the patient’s level of consciousness. There are three main types of anaesthesia used in plastic and reconstructive surgery: local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia and sedation combined with local anaesthesia.

Dr Boorer uses local anaesthesia to perform minor procedures in the private rooms. Procedures that require general anaesthesia or sedation are only performed in accredited hospitals. In the hospital setting Dr Boorer works closely with a number of skilled specialist anaesthetists to ensure you receive the greatest care. Each of these anaesthetists has extensive expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

With respect to babies and children, parents can rest assured that their child will be cared for by an anaesthetist that has extensive training and experience in paediatric anaesthesia.

Scar Management

There are many factors that may affect the eventual appearance of a surgical scar. During the consultation Dr Boorer will discuss what to expect regarding your scar, including its position, length, colour and what changes to expect during the healing phase. She will also assess your risk of developing an abnormal scar and discuss how this may appear as well as what treatments are available.

In every patient proven techniques to minimise scarring are used in order to obtain the best possible outcome.