Who is a Urologist?
A urologist (or urological surgeon) is a specialist who performs surgery and other treatments on the male and female urinary system and male reproductive organs. The organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and in the male also includes the prostate, testes, penis, epididymis and seminal vesicles.
What are Dr Louie-Johnsun’s special areas of interest/expertise?
Dr Louie-Johnsun’s advanced Fellowship training was with one of the world experts in laparoscopic or minimally invasive cancer surgery particularly for prostate cancer. Dr Louie-Johnsun is one of a few surgeons in Australia able to offer laparoscopic prostate surgery without robotic assistance with results equivalent to those that have been previously published and presented. He also performs laparoscopic surgery for kidney cancers (complete and partial removal), adrenal tumours, pyeloplasty (plastic surgery to reconstruct the kidney from blockage) and kidney / ureteric stone removal.
He is a strong advocate of active surveillance for low risk prostate cancer without radical therapy and has published and presented his data.
What other surgery does Dr Louie-Johnsun perform?
Whilst Dr Louie-Johnsun’s main interest is minimally invasive laparoscopic urological cancer surgery, he also treats general adult urological conditions. This includes noncancerous prostatic obstruction (“BPH”) to urinary flow in men which can be treated with standard “re-bore” called Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or newer techniques with laser vaporesection of the prostate. He also utilises laser treatment for ureteric and kidney stones as well as surgical treatment and cystoscopic surveillance of bladder cancer.
What should I bring with me when I come for a scheduled office appointment?
Apart from your medicare card
Are my medical records kept private and confidential?
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
Most medical specialists (including Dr Louie-Johnsun) will accept only referred patients. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition, and also because Medicare pays higher rebates for specialist services if you have been referred.
How can my family doctor help me to obtain specialist medical care?
Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your family doctor can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your family doctor to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.
How soon will I be seen by Dr Louie-Johnsun after a referral is made?
All appointments are prioritised according to clinical urgency. If you feel your condition requires an earlier appointment you may be requested to provide further test results and sometimes even a call from your referring doctor. You can always request to be placed on a cancellation waiting list.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Prior to seeing Dr Louie-Johnsun you will often be asked to complete a health questionnaire and depending on your problem you may be requested to come with an adequately filled bladder to perform a urinary flow test and a bladder ultrasound scan to assess your lower urinary tract / bladder and voiding function. The flow test is a non-invasive procedure which requires you to empty your bladder into a pot under a funnel. A machine will analyse your flow rate and produce a report. Therefore, it is important you arrive on time or early for your appointment. Drinking water is provided to assist you filling your bladder in the office if required.
During your initial visit, after a series of questions and sometimes a physical examination, Dr Louie-Johnsun will explain your condition and the results of any tests you have had performed. If you require a procedure Dr Louie-Johnsun will take the time to ensure that you have all your questions answered and he can arrange second opinions and referral to colleagues if required or requested. Usually this can be achieved in around fifteen to twenty minutes. Dr Louie-Johnsun does get referred complex cancer cases and this cannot always be predicted so we appreciate your patience if there is a delay in your appointment time.
If I require surgery, do I need private health insurance and what are the fees?
Dr Louie-Johnsun offers surgery for patients through all public and private hospitals on the Central Coast.
In the public sector, Medicare covers the cost of your procedure and your surgery is usually performed by a doctor training in urological surgery (“registrar”) being supervised and taught by Dr Louie-Johnsun. Depending on the complexity, the registrar may be able to competently perform some surgeries independently. Unless your surgery is an emergency you will be placed on a waiting list and you will be allocated to either Gosford or Wyong hospital. Your follow up will typically be through the Outpatient’s Clinic at Gosford Hospital by Dr Louie-Johnsun and his team.
Private health insurance allows you to choose Dr Louie-Johnsun to perform your surgery, which hospital you would like your surgery to take place and the timing of your treatment. There is often a portion of the surgical fee that is not covered by Medicare and your health fund. This “gap” varies according to the complexity of the surgery and you will always be provided with details of your surgical fee prior to the surgery. This is known as “informed financial consent”. There may be other fees associated with your procedure including the anaesthetist, hospital excess and we direct you to ensure you are aware of all your costs prior to surgery.
Central Coast Specialist Surgeons
98 Hills St, North Gosford, NSW, 2250
Phone: 02 4323 2882
FAX: (02) 4323 9889
Email: [javascript protected email address]
