Your Surgical Care
Planning for surgery
If surgery forms part of your treatment plan, Dr Mathias will discuss the proposed procedure with you in detail, including the benefits, risks, alternatives and expected recovery. You will have the opportunity to ask questions before completing the necessary consent documentation.
Following your consultation, the process for scheduling surgery will depend on whether you are being treated in the private or public healthcare system. For private patients, our team will arrange a suitable surgery date and provide the relevant hospital admission and pre-operative paperwork. For public patients, your details will be submitted to the relevant hospital waiting list and the hospital will contact you directly with a surgery date according to the urgency and waitlist category of your procedure.
Our team will guide you through the required paperwork and pre-admission requirements to help ensure a smooth and well-prepared surgical journey.
Surgical fees
If surgery is recommended and you choose to proceed through the private healthcare system, you will be provided with a detailed informed financial consent outlining the anticipated costs associated with your procedure. In most cases, this information will be available during your consultation; however, for more complex procedures, a personalised quote may be provided within 1–2 business days following your appointment.
There may be out-of-pocket expenses in addition to any benefits payable by Medicare and your private health insurer. We are committed to providing clear and transparent information regarding all expected costs so that you can make informed decisions about your care.
Should you have any questions regarding your quote, hospital fees or insurance coverage, our team will be happy to assist.
Hospital Appointments
Dr Mathias currently practices privately at Nepean Private Hospital and Norwest Private Hospital and holds public appointments within the Blue Mountains Hospital, Gosford Hospital and Wyong Hospital.
Gosford Hospital
75 Holden Street
Gosford, NSW 2250
Wyong Hospital
Pacific Hwy
Hamlyn Terrace, NSW 2259
Blue Mountains Hospital
1 Woodlands Road
Katoomba NSW 2780
Nepean Private Hospital
1-9 Barber Ave
Kingswood NSW 2747
Norwest Private Hospital
11 Norbrik Drive
Bella Vista NSW 2153
Pre-operative preparation
To help ensure a safe surgical experience, you may be asked to complete pre-operative investigations before your procedure. These commonly include blood tests and, in some cases, an ECG or chest X-ray depending on your medical history and the type of surgery planned. Some patients may also require a pre-anaesthetic assessment prior to surgery.
Some procedures require bowel preparation prior to surgery. If this is necessary, you will be provided with clear instructions by Dr Mathias and her team.
Certain medications may need to be temporarily stopped or adjusted before surgery, particularly blood-thinning medications and some diabetes treatments. Dr Mathias and her team will advise you if any changes are required. As these medications are often prescribed for important medical conditions, we also recommend discussing any medication changes with the prescribing doctor before surgery. Occasionally, alternative medications may be required during this period to maintain your safety and wellbeing.
The hospital will contact you in the days leading up to your procedure with information regarding your admission, including where and what time you are required to present on the day of surgery. If you have any questions or concerns at any stage of the pre-operative process, please do not hesitate to contact our rooms for assistance
Post surgical care
Many procedures are performed as day surgery, allowing you to return home once you have recovered adequately and there are no concerns regarding your condition. More extensive procedures may require a hospital stay of one to two days.
Prior to discharge, you will receive a detailed post-operative instruction sheet regarding wound care, pain management, activity levels and recovery expectations as well as any applicable medication scripts. A follow-up appointment will be arranged to monitor your recovery, discuss any pathology or investigation results, and ensure you are progressing well after surgery.
