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PATIENT INFORMATION

What to Bring to Each Visit

 

  • Health card

  • The name of your family doctor

  • List of medications with doses and how many times per day prescribed

  • Please bring to our attention if you are on any of these "blood thinning" medications as they may need to be stopped 2 weeks before surgery.

  • Ask your doctor to provide us pertinent imaging/CD's (eg x-rays), reports and/or lab results. Alternatively, if you have a copy of these, you can bring them with you.

  • Any pertinent paperwork or workman's compensation (WCB) forms.

What to Expect During Your Visit

 

Visits are categorized into 4 types: Consultation, Consultation with Procedure ("See and Treat"), Surgery, and Follow-up.

 

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Consultation:

A consultation is the initial meet and greet which takes place at our office.

Here, we review the reason(s) why your doctor referred you to the Clinic. We will discuss your medical history and any pertinent test results, perform a physical exam, take photos if indicated, and order any further investigations if required.

We will review your treatment options and together formulate a treatment plan for you. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Depending on the reason for the consultation, the visit can last between 15-45 minutes.

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Consultation with Procedure ("See and Treat"):

Consultation with Procedure occurs at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.

This option is offered to patients whose presenting problems can be treated with an immediate minor surgery under local anesthesia/"freezing". These typically include small skin cancers and some hand problems. We will inform you when we call to book your appointment if the "See and Treat" may be an option for you. Of note, in some cases a procedure is not needed or the case is better performed at a later date in the main operating room.

What to expect:

  • Wear comfortable clothes and you may eat prior to your appointment.

  • Patients typically find the entire experience less stressful than a dental procedure.

  • Photos will be taken if appropriate.

Once you see the doctor,  procedures usually take 30-60 minutes.

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Surgeries in the Main Operating Room:

Surgeries occur at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.

What to expect:

  • The hospital will contact you to schedule the date and time of your surgery.

  • Take a shower the night before and the morning of the surgery using anti-bacterial soap to wash.

  • Do NOT eat or drink after midnight.

  • The morning of surgery, take your usual medications with sips of water. Avoid taking any medications (eg "blood thinners") that you may have been counseled about.

  • Wear comfortable clothing to the hospital.

  • The surgeon will meet you in the pre-operative area, answer any questions, draw surgical markings on your skin, and take photos if appropriate.

  • For day surgery, you will remain in hospital for a few hours to recover before being discharged. Someone must accompany you home and remain with you for at least 24 hours to assure that you are coping well.

  • Take your pain medication as directed for 3-5 days, then as needed.

If you suspect any complications, call our office during working hours or visit your local emergency room and ask them to contact your surgeon.

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Follow-up:

Follow-ups are all visits after the initial consultation or surgery. 

These take place either at the office or at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.

These are opportunities for us to assess your recovery and for you to ask any questions you may have.

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**Narcotics/opioids will only be prescribed at the discretion of the physician and for no more than 30 days post-surgery.**

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