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We recommend all individuals over 12 years of age wear a face mask when attending our practice in person, but no longer provide masks for patient use. Videoconsultations are conducted via our dedicated virtual clinic to maximise patient and staff safety. Long consultations and our See and Treat service remain adjusted under our COVIDsafe plan to include the use of telehealth to reduce face to face time. We require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment. We are currently booking routine, non-urgent new patient appointments eight months ahead, and as such we recommend that patients with suspicious skin lesions (not biopsy proven skin cancers) seek biopsy and/or treatment from a provider with a shorter waiting list. Dr Tomlinson will cease to offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply from 1 July 2023. This includes cosmetic surgery, adult otoplasty, injections for palmar hyperhidrosis and labiaplasty. If you are eligible to get vaccinated and/or boosted, please do so. 

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Preparation for Hospital Surgery

Written by Dr Jill Tomlinson on .

Please read through the following information to ensure that you are prepared for your surgery. A personalised email with this information (including the name of your anaesthetist and hospital with the specific links) will be send to you 1-2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.

Preadmission forms

Please complete your hospital preadmission forms at least 7 days prior to surgery. This will streamline your hospital admission process, making the process more efficient for you. 

Surgical Fees

We require payment of your surgical fees 7 days in advance. You can pay by cash, bank cheque, credit card (no Amex or Diners Club) over the phone or direct deposit. To pay by credit card please use PayPal or contact us on (03) 9427 9596 so that we can take payment over the phone. Direct deposit details are located on your financial consent forms. We do not take payment for third parties (eg the hospital, your anaesthetist) although we do take payment for garments and other consumables listed on your fee estimate. If you have any questions regarding the amount to be paid please contact us on (03) 9427 9596.

You will be given an initial receipt for your payment on the day of surgery. The final itemised surgery receipt is created after your surgery has been completed, to ensure that the item codes match with the surgery performed. You will be given this final receipt at the time of your first post operative appointment, unless you request that it be sent to you earlier. This is the receipt that you can submit to your insurer or Medicare (if applicable).

Check with your Insurer

If you haven't already, we recommend that you ask your Private Health Insurer (if applicable) about:

  • whether you are covered for the proposed surgery in hospital (your insurer will need the 5 digit item number on your fee estimate to answer this)
  • if you have any excess or co-payments applicable to your cover

If you unexpectedly discover that you are not covered for the surgery please contact our office to discuss your options. Insurance and Medicare rebates are not applicable for cosmetic surgery procedures.

Your Anaesthetist

Dr Tomlinson works with a number of specialist anaesthetists. The name of your anaesthetist will have been provided to you in your surgery information. If you wish to contact your anaesthetist in the days leading up to your procedure please contact our rooms so we can provide you with the contact details. 

The Hospital

Fasting Instructions

The Hospital will call you prior to your surgery date to let you know what time you will be admitted and when you will be required to fast from. If your surgery is being performed under sedation or under general anaesthetic then you must fast prior to your surgery. If your surgery is being performed under local anaesthetic only (ie if you are not having sedation or general anaesthetic) then you do not have to fast prior to the surgery.

Food: A light meal may be taken up to 6 hours prior to sedation or general anaesthetic. This light meal should not include fried or fatty foods or meat, as these foods can delay the emptying time of your stomach.

Fluids: Clear fluids up to 200ml per hour may be taken up to 4 hours prior to sedation or general anaesthetic – please stop drinking 2 hours before you arrive at the hospital. Clear fluids include water, fruit juices without pulp (orange juice with pulp is not acceptable), clear tea (tea with milk is not acceptable), and black coffee (coffee with milk is not acceptable). Alcoholic drinks are not acceptable.

Medications: You may continue your usual oral medications unless otherwise requested by Dr Tomlinson or your anaesthetist.

Specific instructions need to be followed if you are diabetic or on blood thinning medications; please discuss these with Dr Tomlinson (for blood thinning medications) or your anaesthetist (for diabetic medications).

Your Arrival Time

A Pre-Admission Patient Liaison Officer from the hospital or our rooms will contact you by phone or email in the week prior to your procedure regarding preparation and to confirm your admission time and your fasting time (if applicable). If however, you have not been contacted 24 hours prior to your procedure please contact us.

What to bring with you

Please bring the following items with you on your surgery day:

  • Your Medicare card, insurance details, pensioner cards, DVA cards etc
  • A list of any allergies
  • Contact details for a responsible adult/ contact person
  • Relevant X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRI scans
  • A list of any medications or your actual medications if staying overnight
  • Wear comfortable clothes
  • If you are staying overnight – pyjamas/ sleepwear, change of clothes, toiletries

We also recommend that you bring something to read or keep yourself occupied with. We endeavor to minimise waiting times but even for relatively small procedures the total time in hospital can be several hours with the admission process, getting ready for surgery, being seen by Dr Tomlinson and your anaesthetist, the surgery and the recovery time. It is possible that the exact time of your surgery may be delayed if an earlier operation takes longer than anticipated; however, we ask you to be patient and calm if this occurs, your time will come!

A relative or support person is welcome to attend with you, or can arrive/ return after your procedure to take you home. Please provide your nominated persons contact details, and the hospital staff will call them to confirm the time they can collect you. Please leave valuables at home or in the care of someone you trust when they come in with you.

Leaving The Hospital

The length of time that you spend in the hospital depends on the type of procedure and anesthetic you have. The hospital staff will make sure that you are safe to go home and that your questions have been answered before you depart. If you have sedation or a general anaesthetic we require that an able bodied, responsible adult is available to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours. You must not drive, drink alcohol, sign legal documents or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours after having sedation or general anaesthetic.

Please don't hesitate to contact us on (03) 9427 9596 if you have further questions.

Thank you for choosing to have your surgery with Dr Jill Tomlinson.

Website Disclaimer

This website is authored by Dr Jillian Tomlinson, a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon who practices in Melbourne, Australia. This website aims to inform patients and health professionals about hand surgery, illness prevention and the practice philosophy of Dr Jill Tomlinson. This website's content is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own doctor. The information is not intended to replace the advice of a health professional. This website does not host or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content.