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Gynaecology

About Dr Kent Kuswanto

Dr Kent Kuswanto is a specialist gynaecologist specialising in women’s health issues, practising in Melbourne, Australia. Kent sees his private patients in Epworth Freemasons Private Hospital in East Melbourne. He also consults in Box Hill and Werribee.

Kent specialises in minimally invasive gynaecology surgery. This includes laparoscopic surgery and using the latest in surgical and robotics technologies – da Vinci Robotic Surgery.

Dr Kuswanto has extensive experience in treating women’s health issues and a full range of gynaecological problems including abnormal heavy or irregular periods, ovarian cysts, fibroids, adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Dr Kuswanto also has extensive experience in laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, hysterectomy, myomectomy, ovarian cyst removal & endometrial ablation procedures.

What is a Gynaecologist?

A gynaecologist is a specialist doctor who cares for women’s health issues and specialises in preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases of women’s reproductive organs – such as problems with periods, contraception, abnormal pap test, menopause, infections and cancers of reproductive organs among others.

When should you see a gynaecologist

You may be referred to see a gynaecologist by your local GP for a number of women’s health reasons. These include abnormal menstrual bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain, abnormal pap test results, family planning, difficulty falling pregnant, prolapse, menopausal symptoms or concerns about malignancies.

Conditions a Gynaecologist can treat

Some of the most common women’s health conditions treated by gynaecologists include:

• Heavy Periods: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) is a common problem, affecting almost 1 in 3 women. It is one of the commonest reasons why a woman would visit their GP or gynaecologist. While it is almost never life threatening, it can cause a lot of problem to a woman – physically, emotionally, and socially.
• Ovarian Cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled (or occasionally solid) growth within the ovary. Most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous).
• Fibroids: Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growth of the muscle of the uterus (womb). It is a very common finding in women, with up to 40% of women having fibroids within their wombs. Most of these are small and cause no problem at all.
• Adenomyosis: Adenomyosis occurs when the tissue from the internal lining of the uterus grows into the muscle layer of the uterus. This can lead to an enlarged or bulky uterus, and usually causes heavy periods.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition when cells from the inside lining of the uterus are found outside the uterus. It is a very common condition affecting up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. There is usually a delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis, averaging up to 10 years.
• Uterine Polyps: Uterine polyps (also called endometrial polyps) are growth from the internal (endometrial) lining of the uterus. Most are benign (non-cancerous).

How do you know if the Gynaecologist is best suited to treat your condition?

All gynaecologists and obstetricians in Australia are accredited through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) so that they are capable of providing the highest standards of healthcare.

Most gynaecologists are generalists who can deal with most gynaecological problems. Some gynaecologists have further training in fertility, some in prolapse and urinary incontinence, some in cancer of reproductive organs, others in minimally invasive gynaecology surgery. Obviously gynaecologists with specialist interest in certain area of the specialisation have higher volume of work and experience in that particular area.

In the field of gynaecology, there is a broad variation in conditions that affect women. Depending on the type and volume of work a gynaecologist performs, their interests and training, it is common for different gynaecologists to become more experienced in certain conditions over others. So, while all gynaecologists maintain the basic skills and knowledge to start investigating and treating gynaecological conditions, they may not specialize in condition that you have. This discrepancy is often not easily apparent to your GP, family and friends, or online reviews.

Is Dr Kuswanto the right gynaecologist for your condition?

Dr Kent Kuswanto is a gynaecologist specialising in complex gynaecological pelvic surgery and minimally invasive gynaecology surgery. This includes hysteroscopic, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Kent has extensive experience in treating women with a full range of gynaecological problems including abnormal heavy or irregular periods, ovarian cysts, fibroids, uterine polyps, adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Kent completed his advanced training and fellowship in surgical gynaecological oncology. This extra training gave him valuable high volume experience and expertise in complex gynaecological pelvic surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery including robotic surgery. Dr Kuswanto is a fully qualified specialist gynaecologist who is a Fellow of RANZCOG.

What should you expect at a gynaecology appointment?

What happens during your gynaecological appointment will depend on your reason for visiting and your individual conditions. During your initial appointment the gynaecologist will involve an assessment of your presenting problem through history taking, physical examination and arranging further tests. Tailored treatment options will then be discussed based on these assessments.

Do you need a referral to see a gynaecologist?

You need a referral from your GP to see a specialist gynaecologist in order to receive a Medicare rebate from the consultation and treatment fee. This is also good practice as the specialist can communicate and liaise with your GP for a treatment plan and follow up. To obtain a second opinion, you can ask your GP for a referral to another specialist.

Fees are covered by Medicare in a public hospital (bulk-billed). In a private setting, fees are partially covered by Medicare (if you have a referral from your GP) depending on the services provided and insurance policy if you have private health insurance.

A referral is also a form of good communication between your GP and specialists as a correspondence is usually made after your visit. All visits are by appointment only, unlike in GP practices where walk-ins are possible.

Gynaecological Procedures

Dr Kent Kuswanto is a specialist in a wide range of gynaecological surgeries, and can perform the following operations at Private Hospitals:

• Laparoscopy: Also known as minimally invasive surgery or ‘keyhole’ surgery – is a procedure where slender tube (laparoscope) is inserted into the patient’s abdomen, usually through a small cut (5-10mm) in the belly button.
• Hysteroscopy: Hysteroscopy is a procedure where a thin telescope (hysteroscope) is passed through the cervix and into the uterus.
• Hysterectomy:  Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the womb (uterus). Most, even those for large uterus, can be performed in minimally invasive way such as laparoscopically.
• Myomectomy: Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroid from the uterus. It is recommended when the fibroid is causing significant symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, reduced fertility or pressure symptoms such as bladder pressure, urinary frequency, bowel pressure, and bloating.
• Hysteroscopic resection of polyp: A built-in wire loop that carries an electrical current passes through a hysteroscope and cut the polyp from the uterine wall for removal. A ‘newer’ instrument called Myosure is an alternative to remove the polyp without using electrical current.
• Ovarian Cystectomy: Ovarian cystectomy refers to the removal of an ovarian cyst while preserving the ovary. Most of these can be performed laparoscopically.
• Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis: Laparoscopy is the only way of diagnosing endometriosis. Endometriosis can be excised (surgically removed) at the same time if present.
• Endometrial Ablation: Endometrial ablation is one of several non-hormonal treatment options of heavy periods.

How much does it cost to see a gynaecologist?

We are a private specialist medical practice and we are proud of the quality of services we provide. There are significant expenses associated with providing highly qualified specialist care, and these in turn determine our fees.

Private consultation fees charged receive a rebate from Medicare for Australian resident – view more information about our fees.