1. An initial appointment is required for the first time a patient is seeing Dr. Ahmed, and runs for approximately 10-15 minutes. This may also be required for a new problem/issue even though you have seen Dr. Ahmed before. You may also need this type of appointment if it has been over 1 year since you have seen Dr. Ahmed
2. A review appointment is where you have seen Dr Ahmed initially but need to followup on results/test. These appointments generally run for 5-10 minutes.
3. A Postop appointment is a followup appointment usually after an operation /procedure (usually at the 2-3 week mark following a procedure/operation).

Dr Ahmed encourages patients to ask questions and to bring family members or support members along.

New patients need to fill in a patient information form (attached below), and are requested to bring to their appointment:

1. medicare card
2. health fund card
3. doctors referral
4. all X-rays/scan results and films
5. blood tests
6. any other information/investigations that maybe useful

Please let reception staff know as these documents will be scanned into your file and originals will be given back to you

Dr Ahmed’s appointments generally run to time, so if you are running late please let the reception staff know.

We have off street parking at the back of the practice, including disabled parking and access – enter via Reddan Avenue, Penrith.

Please download patient information form (attached below). It would be helpful if you can fill this in and email/fax back, or bring this with you on the day of your consultation.

Patients will need to prepare for surgery/procedures. Most of this information will be given at the time of the consultation once a decision is made to perform an operation/procedure.

Hospital Admission forms

Make sure you have picked up the hospital admission forms and have handed this in to the hospital. If you don’t hand in the forms you will not have your procedure/operation. Its best to do this as soon as possible; and more important for patients having their operations in a public hospital (as you will be on waiting list). At some point electronic patient admission forms will commence for the relevant hospital.

Information sheets for your procedure/operation

Make sure you have been given an information sheet regarding the relevant procedure/operation. Again this is usually given at the time of consultation when a decision is made to have a procedure/operation.If you have not received this please let the reception staff know and we will make sure you get this. You an also obtain this from the relevant procedures page.

Colonoscopy

If you are having a colonoscopy – please follow the preoperative instructions carefully. You will need to drink the bowel prep prior to the procedure. Make sure you drink plenty of clear fluids.

Fasting

You will ned to fast 4-6 hrs prior to your procedure. Please know when you are having the procedure done.If you are having an afternoon procedure you can have an early light breakfast and then fast. You can drink fluids up to 2hrs prior to the procedure.

Stopping blood thinners

This is very important. Dr Ahmed will need to know what tablets/medications you are in. Please advise/write on the patient information sheet at the time of the initial consultation.
Most blood thinners will need to be stopped at least 1 week prior to surgery. If they are not stopped this can lead to increased/excessive bleeding at the time of the procedure/operation.
Certain blood thinners can only be stopped under the advice of your heart doctor (cardiologist). This is important and may require you being reviewed by your cardiologist.

Common blood thinners are:

1. panadol osteo
2. fish oil/krill oil
3. glucosamine
4. aspirin
5. non steroidal anti-inflammatories : mobic, naprosyn; naproxyn, naprogesic, neurofen, neurofen plus. etc.
6. plavix/iscover/clopidogrel
7. warfarin
8. pradaxa/eliquis etc.

Liver surgery/Major operations

Dr Ahmed/staff will advise that you will need to drink prep drinks (PREP OP drinks) usually given to you in the rooms or at the hospital. These are “popper drink” to be consumed at 6pm and 8pm the day before surgery; and at 5:30am on the day of surgery. These drinks help with decreasing infections/complications in major surgery.

You will also need to consume Inner health plus capsules ( one per day) for 1 week prior to the surgery. This helps increase “good” bacteria in the intestine.

Smoking

Smoking will increase the risks of poor healing and infection. It increases also the risk of respiratory complications such as pneumonia.
Its best to stop smoking at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Nicotine replacement therapy can be started via your GP.

Other questions/concerns

Please contact the rooms.

Going Home

Its important that plans are in place for when you go home. This is called discharge planning. For most patients no special/extra care will be required. However for some patients extra care will be required. Its important to ensure such plans are in place prior to having your operation.

It may mean discussing your upcoming operation with your family and/or close friends/neighbours. Your nominated contact (partner/spouse/son/daughter) will be contacted prior to discharge so arrangements are made for you to be picked up. Usually discharge is the next morning by 10am. This can be altered if there are difficulties in timing.

1. You will need to have someone pick you up from the hospital. Its important not to eat/drink on the way home from the hospital, as recent surgery/anaesthesia can make you vomit/unwell (car sickness).
2. Ensure you have regular pain relief (usually parasol/paracetamol) – even if you have minimal pain; its best to take tis regularly so as to avoid severe pain from developing.
3. Depending on your operation, you may require community nursing and/or home care. This should have been organised prior to going home.
4. If rehabilitation is required this will usually be discussed and organised prior to discharge.

Any concerns about going home must be discussed with Dr. Ahmed so effective discharge planning can occur.

Some common pitfalls are:

1. I live alone and I think I can cope on my own. This can be dangerous. It would be best for someone to check on you or for you to be with someone for at least 1-2 weeks after an operation (again this really depends on what operation you are having).
2. I usually live or get help from my family; but they are going away. Again, it would be best to have someone with you.
3. Patients coming from regional areas; I would recommend staying near the hospital for 1 week after major surgery. Again this is discussed at the time of organising surgery.