Surgical Services

Dr. Sarah van Vuuren offers a comprehensive range of specialised surgical services, including:

Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery

Comprehensive care for conditions such as skin cancer, nerve compressions, and non-aesthetic procedures like corrective surgery for heavy eyelids.

Hand Surgery

Hand Surgery

Expert treatment for post-trauma injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and nail abnormalities.

Breast Surgery

Breast Surgery

Procedures including breast reduction, reconstruction, and mastopexy  (breast lift).

Ganglion and Wrist Surgery

Ganglion and Wrist Surgery

Specialised care for ganglions, Dupuytren’s contracture, and other wrist conditions.

What you need to do pre and post your operation

When you have hand surgery there are a few things that can be helpful to organise before you come into hospital. Take a few moments to read this page and let us know if there are any things you would like advice on or that we can help with.

Your hand may be bandaged and numb after your surgery. Holding a steering wheel to drive safely won’t be possible so you will need a support person to help pick you up and get you home.

Please make sure that your clothing on the day of surgery has loose sleeves that are easy to get over your hand bandage.

Please remove all jewellery like rings and bracelets from the hand that will be operated on, as the is swelling after surgery can make these precious items tight enough to compromise the circulation. We can remove these for you at the hospital, but you may feel more comfortable storing them yourself at home.

We will provide you with a prescription for pain relief after your surgery, but simple things like elevating your hand and using ice packs can make a big difference in your comfort. Have an extra couple of pillows available so that you can rest your hand on them when you go to sleep. Ice packs (or frozen peas!) can be placed on the skin at the elbow and armpit to cool the blood flow into your hand, just make sure that you have a tea towel covering the ice pack so it doesn’t touch the skin directly and don’t use an ice pack for more than 20 minutes in an hour.

Different surgeries will require different periods of time in a bandage that must stay dry and we will advise you on when they can be removed so the wounds can be wet. In the meantime, you will have at least a couple of nights when you won’t be able to wet one hand in a shower. Have a plastic bag and a couple of face washers on standby for just in case you need to have a wash while still protecting your bandage.

If you use a walking stick or mobility frame, please make sure to remind our staff of this on the day. We may need to adjust or reinforce your bandage accommodate your mobility aide and will discuss this with you.

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth stating – after hand surgery you’re going to have one hand that can’t ‘help around the house’ like it did the day before. This could be for a few days, or a few weeks depending on the procedure. Please let us know if you need a work certificate for time off or time on altered duties.

It may make you more comfortable to have organised your groceries ahead of time or have food available that won’t need two hands to prepare. That way there’s no extra pressure on either hand.