Preparing for your surgery
Dr Bell will discuss with you at your consultation whether surgery is recommended. Dr Bell operates at 2 locations:
Mater Private Hospital Springfield
St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital
Having surgery can be daunting, however Dr Bell and her team will make the process as smooth as possible. After discussing the risks and benefits of the proposed procedure, an informed consent will need to be signed. You will also be provided with an informed financial consent, listing any potential fees associated with the procedure.
General advice before surgery
If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to fast for 6 hours prior to the procedure. A small amount of clear fluids is allowed up to 2 hours prior to the procedure
Please bring your imaging/scans with you to the hospital
If you are required to have a radiology procedure prior to surgery (i.e. sentinel lymph node scan/hookwire localisation), this will be booked for you and you will be informed of the time and location
Certain medications might need to be ceased prior to the surgery
Please inform Dr Bell if you take any prescribed blood thinners, such as warfarin, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Eliquis or Clopidogrel. Some over-the-counter supplements can also cause thinning of the blood, such as fish oil, turmeric or glucosamine.
Other medications including immunosuppressant or diabetic medications may also need to be ceased prior to surgery
Please inform Dr Bell if you take prednisone or methotrexate or SGLT2 inhibitors (medications that contain the following active ingredients: dapagliflozin, empaglifozin or ertuglifloxin, such as Forxiga, Jardiance, Steglatro, Xigduo, Jardiamet, Segluromet, Glyxambi, Qtern or Steglujan)
Specific Advice per Hospital
Mater Private Hospital Springfield
30 Health Care Drive
Springfield Central QLD 4300
To expedite the hospital admission process, please complete the online patient registration form as soon as your booking has been confirmed. Select "Register now", followed by "Registration and preadmission forms". Click on the Mater Private Hospital Springfield logo and complete the form. For assistance, phone the Preadmission Clinic on (07) 3098 3923 during business hours.
You will be informed of your admission and fasting times by the preadmission clinic.
St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital
Cnr Roderick and Pring Streets
Ipswich QLD 4305
To expedite the hospital admission process, please complete the online patient registration form as soon as your booking has been confirmed. Click on the link next to "All other patients" and log in or create a MyCare account. For further help, please contact MyCare Support via the website, or the Preadmission clinic at the hospital on (07) 3816 9999.
Dr Bell’s rooms will inform you of your admission and fasting times prior to your surgery.