Initial Consultation

What to Expect

Your initial consultation is the opportunity Dr Melanie takes to examine your current health and discuss the areas which are a concern to you, which is an essential in planning for your treatment recommendations.

During your initial consultation, Dr Melanie will take a thorough history of the health issues which concern you. She will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these issues fit in with the rest of your medical history. This also includes understanding your family history as this can influence how we should best treat you. Dr Melanie will discuss any current prescription and over the counter medications you may be taking, as well as any allergies you may have.

Your initial consultation will involve a careful physical examination of the areas of concern to you. Clinical photos may be taken at this visit.

For consultations pertaining to varicose vein or surface vein concerns, an essential part of the initial consultation process is the undertaking of a duplex ultrasound study to assess the veins in your legs.

This visit offers you the opportunity to understand the treatments that may be available to you to address your health concerns, and to educate you about what to expect from the treatment and in the post-treatment period, especially any aftercare that may be involved.

Before your appointment, please fill out the following Patient Health Assessment form, so that we can be best prepared for your New Patient Appointment.

Patient Care

Why is an initial consultation important?

It is essential Dr Melanie understands your medical history, and that of your family, to fully appreciate all the factors which can be at play and what risks may be particularly relevant to you. It is also vital to have a full appreciation of all the medication you take, prescription and over the counter as well as any allergies. Many medications influence vein health, and impact treatment choices. They can also increase certain risk outcomes and influence other successful outcomes.

Many treatments, including sclerotherapy, cosmetic injectable and laser treatments, are not safe to undertake during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. For that reason, this information will necessarily be covered in your initial consultation.

This visit is also, importantly, the opportunity to understand which treatments may be available to you to address your concerns. You will need to understand how these treatments work, what to expect from the treatment and in the post-treatment period, important observations you will need to attend to, and of course, have not only the benefits, but the potential risks and adverse outcomes which could be associated with your treatments. Without this information, it is impossible for you to make a well-informed decision about your own health management.

Our aim is to really understand your needs, and meet them with the highest attention to detail, skill, training, and artistry. Therefore, this appointment simply cannot be done over the telephone or other Telehealth modalities safely and thoroughly.