1. To read unbiased reviews about Dr Ho on Google and Realself, a third party website created to inform patients about procedures, please click on this link.
2. What to do before my first consultation?
3. What to expect at my first consultation and will I need more than one consultation before my procedure?
4. How much is a Consultation?
5. Do I need to bring a doctor’s referral?
6. How long is the Consultation?
7. How many appointments will I have?
8. Can procedures be done in the Rooms?
9. Can my procedure be done on the same day as my consultation?
10. Do I have to go to Hospital and have an anaesthetic?
11. Can I have multiple procedures done at the same time?
12. How much will my surgery cost?
13. Does my private health insurance cover the cost of surgery?
14. Do you provide finance or payment plans?
15. What does recovery after my procedure involve?

 

2. What to do before my first consultation?
Before your initial consultation, bring a referral (if your doctor has given you one) as well as any relevant blood tests and x-rays that will help me. If you take lots of medications, bring a list. Don’t forget your Medicare and Private Health Insurance cards too.

Although in the first consultation I will cover most of your expected queries, it is advisable to bring your own list of questions so you know everything is covered to your liking.

If you wish to save time on filling out forms on the day of your consultation, I have included a link on this site to submit your details securely. Click: ‘Booked Your Appointment’.

3. What to expect at my first consultation and will I need more than one consultation before my procedure?
Your first consultation will obviously involve me asking questions about your presenting issue and what you desire. I will also take a detailed medical history so I can assess your health status and tailor treatment for you on a safe, individualised basis.

I will also be examining the relevant part of your body so it is wise to dress appropriately for that. Utmost respect to maintaining your modesty when examining sensitive areas is taken.

I may also have to take measurements and photos to help plan your surgery. These are kept in the strictest confidence – they are not shown to other patients, nor posted on my website. They are purely for me to plan your procedure and for you to see a progression in your treatment (ie. Before and After Photos). Where possible, the photos are of a nature that do not identify you.

I will discuss details of your management plan, the risks, expectations and recovery and answer any questions you have.

Some procedures particularly the cosmetic ones involve a lot of information for you. For these I will recommend a second consultation prior to your procedure (at no charge) so that you can have time to process the information and see me again to ensure all aspects of your management are covered to your liking.

4. How much is a Consultation?
Consultations range from $250 – $350. My office is happy to give you a more exacting out-of-pocket amount if you wish by phoning prior with your Health Fund Details (as funds rebate differently).

Cosmetic and lengthy consultations are $350. 

Initial Consultations for anti-wrinkle injections and fillers are $250 (GST inclusive). If you choose to have the injection done at the first consultation, the price for the product will depend on what volume is required. Subsequent consultations are only charged at what volume of product you require.

Subsequent and Postoperative Consultations are free of charge within 6 months of your initial consultation. This allows you the assurance that you have access to me during your decision-making before surgery and post-operative recovery without concern for cost.

5. Do I need to bring a doctor’s referral?
Each patient requires a valid referral regardless of what the appointment is for.

In most cases, you will get a rebate through Medicare for your consultation.

6. How long is the Consultation?
Initial consultations are between 30-60 minutes depending on the nature of your procedure. Cosmetic procedure consultations tend to take closer to the 60 minutes as there is often more to discuss.

Second consultations (if required) prior to a procedure take up to 30 minutes.

Postoperative consultations average 15 minutes.

I respect your time so we try to book consultation times so I rarely run late. In order to apportion the appropriate time based on your requirements, my staff will always ask what you are seeing me about if it is your initial consultation.

7. How many appointments will I have?
This will depend on the complexity and nature of your surgery.
At your initial consultation I will indicate the average number of appointments you will need from start to finish. You may however choose to see me more than this if you wish as my goal is to ensure you feel well cared for through the process of surgery and recovery. As Subsequent and Postoperative Consultations are free of charge within 6 months of your initial consultation, you can be assured your costs are limited.

8. Can procedures be done in the Rooms?
Yes, I do small procedures under local anaesthetic such as biopsies of skin lesions in the rooms. With prior notice, this can be arranged to be encompassed in your initial consultation (pending appropriateness and availability).
For anything larger, I advise it be done in one of my accredited hospital facilities for your safety and comfort with an anaesthetist present.

Be wary of doctors who offer to do seemingly complex procedures in their rooms that are not Accredited Day Surgery Centres or Hospitals. They are often not recognised specialist surgeons who can obtain rights to operate at accredited Day Surgeries and Hospitals.

9. Can my procedure be done on the same day as my consultation?
Generally no.
Only small skin biopsies, anti-wrinkle injections or fillers arranged prior (that are appropriate) can be done at an initial consultation.

For more complex procedures, I prefer you have the time to think and ask questions between my initial consultation and your procedure.

10. Do I have to go to Hospital and have an anaesthetic?
Apart from very minor procedures such as skin biopsies and injectables (anti-wrinkle, filler, etc), you should have your procedure in a hospital. This is for your safety and comfort.

Anaesthetic requirements vary depending on your procedure. Options appropriate to the procedure and your health profile will be discussed at our initial consultation.

Anaesthetic requirements may range from minor sedation (whereby you are awake, comfortable and unaware) to full general anaesthetics (where you are asleep). The choice is based primarily on your comfort and safety. An experienced Specialist Anaesthetist that I work regularly with will always be present. For a list of hospitals I operate at, click here.

11. Can I have multiple procedures done at the same time?
Yes. Multiple procedures are often done at the same operation.

Provided it is safe for your health profile, I encourage having multiple procedures at the same time. This results in less cost and overall downtime in recovery for you.

If you are considering multiple procedures please let my staff know when you book an appointment so the appropriate time required for you is kept aside.

12. How much will my surgery cost?
This varies widely depending on procedure, complexity and your health insurance.

After your initial consultation, you will be given a written quote taking all the above variables into account. This quote will be accurate and valid for 6 months.

The written quote will outline all costs relevant to your needs (surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, implants, garments, etc required). It will also list what rebates you may be entitled through Medicare and your Private Health Fund. Your total out-of-pocket expense will also be calculated.

I pride my Practice in giving clear, accurate and transparent quotes so that you can be assured there are no surprises.

Beware of low cost surgery that is advertised. This is often a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ and often from someone who has the interests of their bottom line over your wellbeing and if the procedure is appropriate for you.

Overseas surgery that advertises low cost plus a free holiday is risky and often fraught with hidden extra charges as well as the uncertainty of the credentials of the overseas surgeon and their operating facility. Not to mention who will manage you when you get home if you require prolonged follow up or suffer a complication. As I am a Consultant at St Vincent’s and Prince of Wales Hospitals that are situated near the airport, I regularly see the unfortunate patients in our Emergency Departments who have suffered a mishap overseas.

13. Does my private health insurance cover the cost of surgery?
If your procedure is covered by a Medicare Item Number, your private health insurance will rebate you a portion of the cost. Your out-of–pocket expense will be clearly shown on the quote given to you after the initial consultation.

Your private health insurance will rarely cover the total costs as Medicare and the Health Funds have failed to keep up with the increasing cost of healthcare since as early as the 1980s.

14. Do you provide finance or payment plans?
No my practice does not. Prepayment for your procedure is taken two weeks prior to surgery to secure your position on an operating list. This is essential to allow my waiting list to be maintained efficiently and minimise the time you need wait to have your procedure performed.

There are finance companies that provide loans for medical procedures however I strongly advise you take your personal financial situation into account when entering into a loan agreement for an elective medical procedure. You should never feel the pressure of ongoing repayments long after you have had your procedure.

15. What does recovery after my procedure involve?
This is tailored to your work, activity levels and the procedure you have. It is discussed in our initial consultation and you will be provided a fact sheet at the time of your surgery outlining details such as:

– how to maintain your dressings

– when you can drive

– what medications you need take

– your recommended activity levels

– and when you are to see me after your procedure

This fact sheet also has my contact details so that if you have a doubt or concern after your procedure, you can readily reach me for advice at anytime.