Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule an AppointmentGeneral FAQs
Please bring your medical history, test results, and a list of questions.
Please bring your medical history, test results, and a list of questions.
Appointments can only be scheduled telephonically. Please contact our practice during business hours on +27(0)11-883-2314
Appointments can only be scheduled telephonically. Please contact our practice during business hours on +27(0)11-883-2314
Our practice hours are 09h00-17:00, Mon-Fri
Our practice hours are 09h00-17:00, Mon-Fri
Medical Aid & Billing FAQs
Confirm with your medical aid provider that they are adhering to PMB guidelines.
Confirm with your medical aid provider that they are adhering to PMB guidelines.
Medication, surgery, and ongoing care are included under the PMB.
Medication, surgery, and ongoing care are included under the PMB.
It is classified as a PMB, all schemes must cover treatment costs.
It is classified as a PMB, all schemes must cover treatment costs.
Dr E.T. Bvuma’s fees follow the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) guidelines and are not linked to medical aid or insurance rates. For any claim queries, contact 066 241 5266. Dr Bvuma’s office does not engage with third parties regarding outstanding claims, and the patient is responsible for settling any unpaid balances.
Please be aware that minimally invasive procedures typically incur additional charges separate from the specialist’s fees. These may include fees from the hospital, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, lab and physiotherapist fees which will be invoiced separately.
Dr E.T. Bvuma’s fees follow the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) guidelines and are not linked to medical aid or insurance rates. For any claim queries, contact 066 241 5266. Dr Bvuma’s office does not engage with third parties regarding outstanding claims, and the patient is responsible for settling any unpaid balances.
Please be aware that minimally invasive procedures typically incur additional charges separate from the specialist’s fees. These may include fees from the hospital, anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, lab and physiotherapist fees which will be invoiced separately.
Consultation fees for new patients are R2000. This includes a pelvic ultrasound and a full medical history review. Follow up consultation fees for established patients are R1000.
Consultation fees for new patients are R2000. This includes a pelvic ultrasound and a full medical history review. Follow up consultation fees for established patients are R1000.
Payment plans are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Billings department on +27 66 241 5266 to discuss options.
Payment plans are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Billings department on +27 66 241 5266 to discuss options.
Surgery and Laparoscopy FAQs
Common side effects of laparoscopy can vary, but they generally fall into two categories: immediate post-operative symptoms and potential complications. Here’s a breakdown:
Immediate Post-Operative Symptoms
After a laparoscopy, you might experience:
- Soreness: Mild pain around the incision sites is common and usually improves within a few days.
- Shoulder Pain: This can occur due to gas used to inflate the abdomen during the procedure, which may irritate the diaphragm.
- Abdominal Bloating: The gas can also cause a feeling of fullness or bloating in the abdomen.
- Nausea: Some patients may feel nauseous after waking up from anesthesia.
- Cramps and Constipation: Abdominal cramps are normal, and some people may experience constipation following the surgery.
- Light Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge: This is especially common if the procedure involved the reproductive organs.
Potential Complications
While serious complications are rare, they can occur and may include:
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the incision sites or internally.
- Bleeding: Some patients may experience bleeding into the abdominal cavity.
- Organ Damage: There is a small risk of injury to surrounding organs, such as the bladder or intestines, during the procedure.
- Blood Clots: Patients can develop blood clots in their legs or lungs, particularly if they do not move around soon after surgery.
- Adhesions: Scar tissue can form inside the abdomen after surgery, which may lead to future complications.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following after your laparoscopy:
- Heavy bleeding or unusual discharge.
- Increasing pain that doesn’t improve with medication.
- Fever or chills.
- Difficulty urinating.
Common side effects of laparoscopy can vary, but they generally fall into two categories: immediate post-operative symptoms and potential complications. Here’s a breakdown:
Immediate Post-Operative Symptoms
After a laparoscopy, you might experience:
- Soreness: Mild pain around the incision sites is common and usually improves within a few days.
- Shoulder Pain: This can occur due to gas used to inflate the abdomen during the procedure, which may irritate the diaphragm.
- Abdominal Bloating: The gas can also cause a feeling of fullness or bloating in the abdomen.
- Nausea: Some patients may feel nauseous after waking up from anesthesia.
- Cramps and Constipation: Abdominal cramps are normal, and some people may experience constipation following the surgery.
- Light Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge: This is especially common if the procedure involved the reproductive organs.
Potential Complications
While serious complications are rare, they can occur and may include:
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the incision sites or internally.
- Bleeding: Some patients may experience bleeding into the abdominal cavity.
- Organ Damage: There is a small risk of injury to surrounding organs, such as the bladder or intestines, during the procedure.
- Blood Clots: Patients can develop blood clots in their legs or lungs, particularly if they do not move around soon after surgery.
- Adhesions: Scar tissue can form inside the abdomen after surgery, which may lead to future complications.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following after your laparoscopy:
- Heavy bleeding or unusual discharge.
- Increasing pain that doesn’t improve with medication.
- Fever or chills.
- Difficulty urinating.
Possible complications of laparoscopy include:
- Injury to the bowel, bladder, ureters (tubes coming from the kidneys to the bladder), blood vessels in the abdominal wall and pelvis
- Injury to uterus, tubes, and/or ovaries
- Infection
- Bleeding with the possibility of a blood transfusion
- Death is extremely rare
- If a serious injury should occur, it is possible that a laparotomy (opening the abdomen) would be necessary to repair the injury or stop the bleeding.
Possible complications of laparoscopy include:
- Injury to the bowel, bladder, ureters (tubes coming from the kidneys to the bladder), blood vessels in the abdominal wall and pelvis
- Injury to uterus, tubes, and/or ovaries
- Infection
- Bleeding with the possibility of a blood transfusion
- Death is extremely rare
- If a serious injury should occur, it is possible that a laparotomy (opening the abdomen) would be necessary to repair the injury or stop the bleeding.
Recovery after laparoscopic surgery varies significantly among individuals, typically influenced by the type of procedure, the patient’s overall health, and the complexity of the surgery.
General Recovery Timeline
- Initial Recovery: Expect soreness, cramping, or pain around the incision sites for several days post-surgery. Many patients report feeling better within 1 to 2 weeks, although some may take longer depending on personal health factors and the nature of the surgery.
- Return to Work: Most individuals can return to work within 2 to 4 weeks; however, some may feel ready as soon as a few days after surgery. It’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific situation.
Recovery after laparoscopic surgery varies significantly among individuals, typically influenced by the type of procedure, the patient’s overall health, and the complexity of the surgery.
General Recovery Timeline
- Initial Recovery: Expect soreness, cramping, or pain around the incision sites for several days post-surgery. Many patients report feeling better within 1 to 2 weeks, although some may take longer depending on personal health factors and the nature of the surgery.
- Return to Work: Most individuals can return to work within 2 to 4 weeks; however, some may feel ready as soon as a few days after surgery. It’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your specific situation.
You should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Driving should be avoided for a week, especially if you’re taking strong painkillers that may cause drowsiness. Most patients can return to office work within 1–2 weeks, while more physically demanding jobs may require 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
You should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Driving should be avoided for a week, especially if you’re taking strong painkillers that may cause drowsiness. Most patients can return to office work within 1–2 weeks, while more physically demanding jobs may require 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
The dressings over your keyhole incisions are water-resistant, so you can shower the day after your surgery. These dressings can be removed 3–4 days post-surgery, and no further coverings are needed. Your sutures are absorbable, meaning there will be no visible stitches once the dressings are removed.
The dressings over your keyhole incisions are water-resistant, so you can shower the day after your surgery. These dressings can be removed 3–4 days post-surgery, and no further coverings are needed. Your sutures are absorbable, meaning there will be no visible stitches once the dressings are removed.
After the operation, you’ll wake up in the recovery ward, likely with an IV drip for fluids and medications, and a urinary catheter to drain your bladder. Both will be removed the next morning. Mild pain, particularly around the pelvis, incision sites, and shoulder, is common, but it will subside over a few days. Early mobilisation is encouraged to aid recovery and reduce the risk of complications like blood clots.
After the operation, you’ll wake up in the recovery ward, likely with an IV drip for fluids and medications, and a urinary catheter to drain your bladder. Both will be removed the next morning. Mild pain, particularly around the pelvis, incision sites, and shoulder, is common, but it will subside over a few days. Early mobilisation is encouraged to aid recovery and reduce the risk of complications like blood clots.
After surgery, you may experience mild pain, which can be managed with painkillers provided by the nursing staff. Pain relief can be given as tablets, suppositories, or injections. The goal is to keep your pain level at or below “5/10”. It’s important to continue using the same pain medications after you’re discharged, as needed, to aid recovery and promote early mobilisation.
After surgery, you may experience mild pain, which can be managed with painkillers provided by the nursing staff. Pain relief can be given as tablets, suppositories, or injections. The goal is to keep your pain level at or below “5/10”. It’s important to continue using the same pain medications after you’re discharged, as needed, to aid recovery and promote early mobilisation.
Most of your regular medications can be continued, but certain medications that thin the blood, such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Xarelto, Eliquis, and Pradaxa, must be stopped up to a week before surgery. You should consult the doctor who prescribed these medications to confirm when it’s safe to stop. In some cases, an alternative medication may be provided before surgery.
Most of your regular medications can be continued, but certain medications that thin the blood, such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Xarelto, Eliquis, and Pradaxa, must be stopped up to a week before surgery. You should consult the doctor who prescribed these medications to confirm when it’s safe to stop. In some cases, an alternative medication may be provided before surgery.