Seeing Dr Tava

The Consultation

Before seeing me

We hope and trust that the information that you find here will be useful for you before your appointment. We understand that this can be a difficult and stressful time for you. We are here for you and we will look after your needs. If it helps please write down your questions and we will go through this with you during your appointment

Your first appointment

Your general practitioner or another specialist would have referred you to me so it is important to bring to this appointment the following:

Your referral letter
Any radiology, blood tests or smear results
Relevant correspondence from any other medical practitioners

If you have been asked to have certain tests prior to the appointment please ensure that they are completed in time to have results at the appointment

Cancellation policy

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

What should I expect?

Initial consultations usually last for 40 minutes. I will take the time to go through your history and relevant investigations. I will usually do a clinical examination before discussing with you a management plan. I trust we will reach a shared decision. Your voice and your choice is important to me. Follow up visits are usually 20 minutes.

Please feel free to bring a support person if you wish.

New patient registration

On arrival, all new patients will be asked to fill in a registration form with contact numbers, general practitioner contact details for correspondence, brief medical history and any insurance details.

Fees and payment

Full payment of fees is expected unless you have a prior approval number and this may vary depending on individual circumstances or procedures that are performed. An invoice will be emailed to you after the appointment. Please feel free to discuss this when booking your appointment.

All major credit cards are accepted. EFTPOS facilities are available. Online banking details will be on your invoice

If surgery is required, you will be given an estimate of costs to you. The initial quotation is an estimate only; costs may vary depending on the final procedures performed in surgery.

Test results

Sometimes you have tests or biopsies at the initial consult or after surgery. We ask that you ring in 7-10 days for any biopsy results. Your pathology results are usually available 7-10 days after major surgery. We will get in touch with you with the results and a copy is also sent to your referring general practitioner. I will discuss the results again at your postoperative visit.

Should you require surgery / What happens before surgery?

Sometimes the decision to have surgery is made after the initial consultation. If that’s the case with you I will discuss the surgical procedure with you and provide you with written information about that procedure.

Normally all preoperative tests can be organised, a consent form is signed and a date set for surgery made after this initial consultation.

In the case of major procedures, a second visit is usually needed. It may be necessary to have further blood tests or imaging to delineate the problem before any treatment.

What happens after major surgery? (Post-operative)

I will see you 14-21 days following your discharge from hospital to discuss the histology results (an analysis of a tissue sample) review your recovery, and help you on your way as much as possible.

Your Surgery

Enhanced Recovery in Gynaecological Surgery

You will be having your surgery in the next few weeks. Our enhanced recovery program aims to improve your health and wellbeing helping you to return to normal as soon as possible. With this new approach to care, recovery after surgery is more comfortable, easier and happens more quickly.

This approach involves

Good health before surgery
Minimal disturbance to your metabolism before, during and after surgery
Laparoscopic approach where possible
Tailored postoperative pain relief
Early feeding after surgery
Early mobilisation after surgery

We are proud to offer a team based approach to look after you. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me or any member of the team looking after you.

There is clear evidence that by doing things differently with the enhanced recovery program patients experience through surgery is better with reduced recovery complications. You will be able to get back on your feet quicker and have a more positive experience with the shared care approach that is part and parcel of the program.

What You Have To Do Before Surgery

Smoking prior to surgery delays wound healing and increases your risk of chest complications. Prior to hospital I would advise that you stop smoking.

Research shows that if you are well nourished and hydrated before and after your surgery you are likely to recover better and more quickly. You should try to eat as normal as possible up until as advised for your surgery. In addition keeping active before and after surgery promotes good recovery.

With laparoscopic surgery in the pelvis it would be helpful to have a collapsed lower bowel to reduce the risk of injury to bowel. I would recommend a Microlax/Micolette enema one at 8pm day before surgery and one at 6am day of surgery.

We want to ensure that you are in the best health possible to have surgery. I would like to check your basic wellbeing by doing blood tests prior to your surgery. Please arrange for these to be done before your surgery and where required a group and save blood test needs to be done 2-3 days before you surgery and not earlier.