Consultation with Dr. Darrell Perkins at Our Kogarah and Sutherland Shire Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Practice
A fundamental part of the medical philosophy of Dr. Darrell Perkins is that thorough education should be a primary goal for every patient’s first visit. The aim of the consultation is to give the patient all the clinical, logistical, and financial information that he or she needs to make an informed decision about any proposed treatment at our Sutherland Shire plastic and cosmetic surgery practice. Knowing what to expect out of this first meeting will help you get the most out of this crucial step of the process.
What to Bring
Referral
A referral will allow you to claim Medicare and health fund rebates for the consultation and any subsequent surgery. Aged pensioners may be bulk billed depending on the clinical situation. For most others there will be a gap payment for the initial consultation.
Insurance Information
Details of private health, workers' compensation, or third party insurance will need to be brought. For private health insurance, it is important to know if you have an "excess" if you use your health insurance for hospital admission. Independent of the level of cover, some patients may have to pay an excess of $100, $200, $500, or even $1000 if they use their health insurance. It is similar to car insurance. This is important to know so that an appropriate facility can be chosen for your surgery to avoid unnecessary costs. The secretarial staff at our Sutherland Shire and Kogarah-based plastic and cosmetic surgery practice can assist in checking with the funds as long as you have your health fund details.
Medications
If you cannot remember your medications please bring a list. Most important is to inform Dr. Perkins of any drugs which can affect bleeding, such as those containing aspirin, NSAIDs (Voltaren, ibuprofen, et cetera), warfarin (Coumadin), Iscover, and Plavix. Also remember to tell the doctor about any herbal or vitamin preparations. Many, especially those starting with the letter "g", can predispose to bleeding.
- X-rays and Investigations
Bring all x-rays, investigations and blood tests that are relevant to your condition.
What to Tell Dr. Perkins
All facts relevant to your condition. Be honest and frank. You probably will not be telling Dr. Perkins anything he has not heard before from another patient. The more he understands what you are trying to achieve, the better he can help you:
- All medications taken (including non-prescription).
- If you smoke.
- If you use any non-prescription drugs, legal, or illegal. Strictest confidentiality applies and the information is only relevant to your condition.
- If you are in a high-risk category for such things as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C and B.
- About any scars you have, bad or good, but especially if keloid. This will allow Dr. Perkins to give you some guidelines as to your potential healing quality of scars produced in the future.
What You Will Get from the Consultation
- Clinical Information
After the consultation, you should have all information required to make an informed decision about any proposed plastic surgery or other procedure. If you have more questions, please ask them. There is no such thing as a silly question. Someone inevitably will have asked it before. If you think of questions after going home, these can be answered over the phone (if there are not too many), or at a second consultation. If you want a second consultation to cover any issues that arise after you have had time to contemplate the initial consult, please feel free to make an appointment with Dr. Darrell Perkins, even if it is just to gain reassurance. - Financial Information
For all major cosmetic surgery procedures, a written estimate will be given to you that includes the fees for the doctor, anaesthetist, the theatre, the hospital bed and garments, et cetera. This will allow you to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses accurately. For all minor procedures, you will also be informed of all potential costs. Please ask if you have any questions. - Written Information
When available, information pamphlets from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons will be given to you to take home and read. If you have not already done so, please read the relevant topics (including scarring) in the appropriate section of this web site.
Contact Dr. Darrell Perkins
If you have not yet scheduled a consultation with Dr. Darrell Perkins, please contact our Sutherland Shire plastic and cosmetic surgery practice today. At our office in Sydney, Dr. Perkins offers a wide range of quality cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures for the face, breasts, body, and skin, including breast augmentation and facelift surgery.
Individuals in the Sutherland Shire area can contact our cosmetic surgery practice for more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Darrell Perkins by completing the following form.
Dr. Darrell Perkins
14 Kensington Street
Kogarah 2217, NSW
Sydney, Australia
28 President Ave.
Caringbah 2229, NSW
Sydney, Australia
Phone: (02) 9587 0871
Fax: (02) 9553 9924
