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IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING SURGERY WITH, AND CONSULTATIONS AT, TRANSSURGERY AUSTRALIA

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in cases and the increasing shortages of staff in Public Hospitals, the Victorian Department of Health has announced it will restrict all elective surgery. As of 6th January 2022, elective surgery has been restricted to urgent admissions (Category 1) only.
 We have therefore had to suspend our operating until further notice. We do not yet know when we will be able to recommence surgery.

If you wish to reschedule your surgery for later this year, please discuss this with the staff at the Rooms. However, please remember that since we do not know how long this current surgical lockdown will last, we cannot guarantee that your rebooked surgery will go ahead, since if there is a lock down in place around the time of your rebooking it will need to be deferred again.

If your surgery is cancelled, we will place your name on a waitlist, and when we know when we can restart surgeries, the Rooms will contact you to offer you a new date.

CONSULTATIONS

We are still performing consultations at the Masada Rooms in person (at the time of writing) under the ‘usual’ conditions. These are:

• Only the patient can attend the consultation. The only exceptions to this are if the patient has a registered carer, or if the patient is under 18, in which case one parent can accompany them.
• When you arrive at the hospital call the Rooms to inform them you have arrived. You will then be asked to wait in the car or outside until we phone you back to ask you to come up to the Rooms. You will need to then QR scan into the hospital at the Front Desk, have your temperature checked and then come upstairs.
• If you have an exemption to being vaccinated or wearing a mask, you MUST bring this with you.
• If you have any COVID symptoms, please do NOT attend for your consultation, and get tested….
• All persons attending the Rooms MUST have provided us with proof of vaccination prior to attending for their appointment

Please feel free to call or email our rooms and we will try to answer all your queries and assist you as quickly as possible.

However, please keep in mind that we are here to help you as it is an extremely stressful time for everyone, so your patience with us is greatly appreciated.

However, whilst people may be upset, WE WILL NOT tolerate rude or abusive emails or phone calls from anyone. If patients are unable to conduct themselves in a courteous manner with staff, then they will be discharged immediately from our care.

Mr Ives & the Team

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERSTATE GENITAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY (GRS) PATIENTS

As a result of the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Victoria, and restrictions of movement between Victoria and other States, we would like you to consider the following before your surgery.

• Current visiting restrictions at Masada Hospital are no visitors. This is Masada and Ramsey Health’s policy, not ours. It is also subject to change.
• After discharge from hospital our usual policy is for patients to stay in Melbourne for at least one week. We now STRONGLY advise you to consider staying in Melbourne for at least a further 2-3 weeks. This is because when you return to your home state you will probably have to go into quarantine / self-isolation for a specified period of time. While in quarantine / self-isolation, we suspect you will have limited access to facilities eg a bath for your twice daily salt baths, etc
• Your access to medical care, should you need any, when you return to your home State, may also be significantly limited (if you are in quarantine).
• If you come for your surgery, you must prepare to bring enough supplies to manage in quarantine when you return home (sanitary pads, salt etc)
• If you stay in Melbourne for a few more weeks after surgery, when you go home, if it is into quarantine, you will be more mobile, and less ‘fragile’, and probably more able to tolerate and cope with quarantine.
• If you apply for a quarantine / self-isolation exemption, it may NOT be granted, and we have no control over the granting of these exemptions
• We strongly advise that you discuss this with both your GP and your Mental Health Worker
• It is your responsibility to keep yourself updated about the most current restrictions on travel between your home State and Victoria
• We do not know what the travel restrictions (if any) and requirements are going to be for different States as interstate travel restarts in the post vaccination era. Similarly, we do not know at present what the restrictions will be (if any) for those patients who have not been vaccinated.

Again, please note, circumstances are constantly changing, and we are trying our hardest to keep up to date, and keep you informed as much as possible.

Stay Safe

Important Information For Interstate Genital Reconstructive Surgery (Grs) Patients

As a result of the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Victoria, and restrictions of movement between Victoria and other States, we would like you to consider the following before your surgery.

• Currently NO visitors are permitted at Masada Hospital . This is Masada and Ramsey Health’s policy, not ours. It is also subject to change.
• After discharge from hospital our usual policy is for patients to stay in Melbourne for at least one week. We now STRONGLY advise you to consider staying in Melbourne for at least a further 2-3 weeks. This is because when you return to your home state you will probably have to go into quarantine / self-isolation for a specified period of time. While in quarantine / self-isolation, we suspect you will have limited access to facilities eg a bath for your twice daily salt baths, etc
• Your access to medical care, should you need any, when you return to your home State, may also be significantly limited (if you are in quarantine).
• If you come for your surgery, you must prepare to bring enough supplies to manage in quarantine when you return home (sanitary pads, salt etc)
• If you stay in Melbourne for a few more weeks after surgery, when you go home, if it is into quarantine, you will be more mobile, and less ‘fragile’, and probably more able to tolerate and cope with quarantine.
• If you apply for a quarantine / self-isolation exemption, it may NOT be granted, and we have no control over the granting of these exemptions
• We strongly advise that you discuss this with both your GP and your Mental Health Worker
• It is your responsibility to keep yourself updated about the most current restrictions on travel between your home State and Victoria

Again, please note, circumstances are constantly changing, and we are trying our hardest to keep up to date, and keep you informed as much as possible.

Stay Safe

Face To Face Consultations With Mr Ives

Due to the ‘spike’ in cases in Victoria, I’m sure you are all aware of the restrictions that have been brought into effect concerning Victoria’s borders. This will of course have an effect of our surgery for patients who are from interstate.

If you have already had telehealth consultations with Mr Ives, you will be aware that he requires you to attend his rooms for a face to face consultation prior to surgery for him to perform a physical examination. THIS IS MANDATORY. Several patients have asked if this is necessary.

A physical examination is a prerequisite of any patient considering an operation. There is a significant amount of crucial information that is obtained during the examination, that assists the surgeon in making decisions concerning said surgery… including even if the surgery is able to go ahead. Tissue volume and elasticity, presence of scars, unexpected anatomical variations, availability of tissue in the surrounding area suitable for reconstruction are all assessed in the examination. Some of these are only possible to assess, by physically moving the tissues. Unexpected findings (for example masses/tumours) can only be found during a physical examination.

After an examination Mr Ives make notes on his findings and any potential issues etc that may come up in the operation and discusses them with the patient and their potential effects on the surgery and the final outcome. Those issues need to be fully discussed with the patient, and the patient given ample time to digest that information and ask appropriate questions so that they can consent appropriately to the procedure.

For patients considering Genital Reconstructive Surgery, this physical examination needs to take place at least 12 weeks prior to your surgical date.

For Chest surgery patients this can be 4-6 weeks prior to your surgical date.

Of course, should patients want to come and see Mr Ives prior to these time frames, then we will be more than happy to organise that consultation with him.

If this physical consultation cannot take place in this time frame, then your surgery will need to be rescheduled.

Again, we apologise for this, but as I’m sure you can appreciate, we are trying to make the pre-operative work up as hassle free as we can, for all concerned. Once again please be mindful that these changes are being ‘dropped’ on us with no notice at all (along with everybody else!), and the office staff are trying their hardest to manage your requests etc with the least amount of disruption.

Stay Safe.

Surgery with Mr Andrew Ives

As a result of the COVID 19 Pandemic, and the government’s announcement on 25th March 2020, we unfortunately have to cancel all elective surgeries effective immediately. Mr Ives and all the staff apologise unreservedly for this, but as I’m sure you understand we had no alternative.

At present we do not know when we will be able to start operating again. As a result, if you want you reschedule your surgery for later in the year or next year (to potentially reserve a spot) you can. HOWEVER, we cannot guarantee at this time that we will be operating on those dates, and they may have to be deferred again.

We are not booking any surgeries before 1st October 2020.

Please note, the WPATH requirements remain the same. i.e :

Chest reconstructive patients : Your WPATH report must be dated within 3 months of the new date for your surgery

Genital reconstructive patients : Your WPATH reports must be dated 12 months and 3 months from the new date for your surgery

We advise you discuss this with your mental health worker(s) as to the timing of consultations necessary for their completion

Please feel free to ring the Rooms or e-mail us, and we will try and answer all your queries and assist you as quickly as we can.  

Please however remember that we are there to help you, and it is an extremely stressful time for us as well as yourselves, so your patience with us is greatly appreciated.

Consultations at Trans Surgery Australia as of 23 March 2020

As a result of COVID 19, Mr Ives’ Rooms have put in place the following restrictions for consultations at the office to reduce the risk both to patients and staff. We apologise for any inconvenience but hope you understand our reasoning.

New Patients - From Victoria – Patients will be seen in the Rooms as normal,  However, only the patient will be allowed into the consultation.

New Patients – Interstate – Initial consultation will take place over the phone or via Skype or other teleconference platform – Please contact and discuss with the rooms.

Second consult – From Victoria – This consultation will be via phone or teleconference platform - Please contact and discuss with the rooms

Second consult – Interstate – This will be via telephone or teleconference platform. A pre-operative visit will be needed before ANY surgery, at least 6 weeks prior to any surgical date so Mr Ives can examine you. This will require you attending the Rooms. Please contact the Rooms for further details.

Post Op patients – Dressings and wound reviews – These will occur at the Rooms. Only the patient will be admitted to the Dressing Room for this. Once wounds have healed then theses will take place via phone of teleconference - Please contact and discuss with the rooms

Post Op Patients – Healed wounds or routine follow up – These will take place via phone or teleconference platform - Please contact and discuss with the rooms

Any ‘Emergencies’ – These will be seen in the Rooms. Only the patient will be admitted to the Dressing Room.

Surgical Dates – Since the situation with COVID 19 is extremely fluid at the present time, we are unable to confirm when normal services will return. Please check regularly with the Rooms and we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible.

If your surgery is cancelled/delayed, we will try to provide you with a confirmed new surgical date as soon as is possible. However, please appreciate in these difficult times that this may take some time to organise.

Telehealth consultations – Genital Reconstruction – New Patients

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we have organised a telehealth consultation with Mr Ives and after that, one with the specialist nurse (Iffy) concerning Genital Reconstruction. There are a few things we would like to tell you about it so that you can prepare for it.

• Please make a note of your height and weight, as Mr Ives will ask you for it so he can calculate your BMI.
• The Skype username he will call you on is ‘Mr Ives’.
• Your first consultation will be with Mr Ives. He will conduct it in exactly the same way as if you were in the Rooms with him. At some point Mr Ives will need to examine you. If you feel comfortable for this to occur in the consultation, let him know. If not, he will discuss an alternative solution with you. He will want a face to face consult with you before surgery, and this will occur at your 12 week Pre Operative consultation. Mr Ives Will NOT operate on any patients without having had a face to face consult with them. At the end of the consultation Mr Ives will tell you that his specialist nurse Iffy will be ringing for her consultation with you, again via skype
• Your second consultation will be with the specialist nurse. The Skype username she will call you with is ‘Iffy Middleton’. She will discuss both pre and post operative information with you, as well as talk about the dilating protocol (if appropriate). After this consultation you will receive a phone call from the administrative staff to organise your second consult with Mr Ives. They will also want to take payment for the consultation at this time.
• Two Pre op consultations will also take place at 12 weeks and 6 weeks prior to surgery. One of these consultations MUST be face to face with Mr Ives. Mr Ives can not guarantee that your surgery will be able to go ahead until he has examined you in person.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please give the Rooms a call. Please be mindful that this is an evolving situation, and things may change. We will try and advise you of any changes in as timely fashion as possible. Also please remember these are stressful times for everybody, so your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

Telehealth consultations – Chest Reconstruction – New Patient

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we have organised your consultation via telehealth with Mr Ives. There are a few things we would like to tell you about it so that you can prepare for it.

• Please make a note of your height and weight, as Mr Ives will ask you for it so he can calculate your BMI.
• The Skype username he will call you with is ‘Mr Ives’
• Mr Ives will conduct the consultation in exactly the same way as he would do in the Rooms. Mr Ives will need to inspect your chest. This is very important as the volume of tissue on the chest wall determines the surgical approach (ie low scar, circumareolar etc) he will use. You may wish to send a picture of your chest (Binder off) to the secure website address specialistnurse@transsurgeryaustralia.com.au prior to your consult. This will give him an indication of which approach will be best suited to you. An alternative will be to show him your chest during the consultation, however he understands if you do want to do this. At some stage he will need to examine you face to face as there are certain measurements of your chest he needs to make, as well as make an assessment of the tissue qualities of your chest.
• After this consultation you will receive a phone call from the administrative staff to organise your second consult with Mr Ives. They will also want to take payment for the consultation at this time.
• A Pre operative consultation will be made at least 4-6 weeks prior to any surgical date. If you have not had a face to face consultation with Mr Ives before this, then this consultation MUST be face to face with him, so he can take the necessary measurement for your operation. He will also perform the consent with you and take your pre operative photos as well.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please give the Rooms a call. Please be mindful that this is an evolving situation, and things may change. We will try and advise you of any changes in as timely fashion as possible. Also please remember these are stressful times for everybody, so your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated

COVID 19 UPDATE - RECOMMENCEMENT OF SURGERY

23 April 2020

Following the announcement of the Prime Minister, and the Department of Health you may have heard that elective surgeries are able to recommence.

There is a very select list of surgeries that have been authorised at present, and the surgeries Mr Ives performs unfortunately DO NOT fall into these categories at present. As we are all aware, circumstances and situations are still changing on almost a daily basis, which means that we may be able to restart our surgical services soon. Rest assured as soon as we hear that we can start operating we will be letting our patients know.

In the meantime, stay safe, look after each other (social distancing allowing) and take care.

Please remember that the staff in the rooms are there to help and assist you, however, these times are still very challenging and trying, so they may not have all the pertinent information you want when you contact us.