Dr Dean Conrad

Dr Dean Conrad Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Fertility, Pelvic Floor. Advanced Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery

The best robotic surgeons aren’t created by the robot. They’re already excellent surgeons before they ever sit at the co...
16/09/2026

The best robotic surgeons aren’t created by the robot. They’re already excellent surgeons before they ever sit at the console.

Dr Lima Wetherell was already an accomplished advanced laparoscopic surgeon when she asked me to help guide her transition into robotic surgery at Epworth Freemasons.

Across a challenging day on the dual-console da Vinci Xi, we worked through cases involving endometriosis, myomectomy and hysterectomy.

Before starting, Lima admitted she wasn’t convinced the robot would offer significant advantages over conventional laparoscopy.

Then she sat at the console.

While dissecting complex endometriosis, she could immediately appreciate the extraordinary visualisation—the tissue planes, fine nerve fibres and layers of the pelvic sidewall. In a disease where meticulous identification and precise dissection are everything, she could see exactly where the technology added value.

At the end of the day, she smiled and summed it up perfectly:

“This is the Rolls-Royce of surgery.”

Robotic surgery didn’t make Lima a great surgeon. It gave an already highly skilled surgeon another way to apply the expertise she has spent years developing.

That’s also what I enjoy most about proctoring. It’s never one-way teaching. Two surgeons sharing ideas, challenging each other’s thinking and learning together makes us both better.

Thank you to Lima for trusting me to be part of this next chapter, and to the wonderful teams at Epworth Freemasons and Device Technologies for supporting us throughout the day.

I’m excited to see even more women benefit from another minimally invasive option in Lima’s hands.

Let's talk about pregnancy health and the best tips to maintain your health during pregnancy.Pregnancy is an incredible ...
15/09/2026

Let's talk about pregnancy health and the best tips to maintain your health during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an incredible journey filled with anticipation, joy, and sometimes challenges. As a gynecologist and obstetrician, I want to emphasise the importance of prioritising your health during this transformative time. In this post we will explore the best ways for you can nurture both yourself and your growing baby.

Remember, every pregnancy is unique. Listening to your body and maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider can help you navigate this beautiful journey with confidence and joy. Your health is the foundation for your baby’s health, so take this time to care for yourself.

Life is busy. Between work, family and everything else, it's easy for your own health to slip to the bottom of the list....
10/09/2026

Life is busy. Between work, family and everything else, it's easy for your own health to slip to the bottom of the list.

This year's Women's Health Week theme, "Do It Anyway," is a reminder that looking after your health doesn't require the perfect time, the perfect routine or the perfect plan.

Book the appointment anyway.
Go for the walk anyway.
Have the check-up anyway.
Listen to your body anyway.
Take that first step anyway.

Looking after your health isn't about being perfect. It's about making small decisions, consistently, that can have a lasting impact on your wellbeing.

Your health matters. And you are worth making time for.

It's Women's Health Week!This year's theme is "Do It Anyway."Life is busy. Between work, family and everything else, it'...
08/09/2026

It's Women's Health Week!

This year's theme is "Do It Anyway."

Life is busy. Between work, family and everything else, it's easy to put your own health at the bottom of the list. We often wait for the "right time" to book the appointment, have the check-up or seek help for symptoms we've been living with.

This year's theme is a reminder not to wait.
Book the appointment anyway.
Have the check-up anyway.
Ask the question anyway.
Listen to your body anyway.
Take that first step anyway.
Looking after your health doesn't have to mean making huge changes overnight. Small actions can have a lasting impact, and there's no better time to start than now.
Throughout this week, I'll be sharing information on a range of women's health topics, helping to break down myths, answer common questions and empower women to make informed decisions about their health.

Your health matters. Do it anyway.

Menopause doesn't stop when you walk into the workplace.For many people, symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, fatig...
07/09/2026

Menopause doesn't stop when you walk into the workplace.

For many people, symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety and brain fog can have a real impact on confidence, concentration and day-to-day work.

One of the most misunderstood symptoms is brain fog. Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness or struggling to find the right words are not simply signs of stress or ageing. They are recognised symptoms of menopause and, importantly, there are effective treatment options available.

Creating supportive workplaces starts with education. Not just for those experiencing menopause, but for colleagues, managers and employers as well. The more we understand these symptoms, the more we normalise them, reduce stigma and create an environment where people feel comfortable seeking help rather than feeling they need to quietly push through.

Menopause is a normal stage of life, but struggling through it shouldn't be accepted as normal.

This World Menopause and Work Day, let's continue the conversation, improve understanding and create workplaces where people feel supported to seek advice and access the care they need.

Fatherhood has changed me in ways I never expected.As an obstetrician, I’ve had the privilege of sharing some of life’s ...
05/09/2026

Fatherhood has changed me in ways I never expected.

As an obstetrician, I’ve had the privilege of sharing some of life’s most extraordinary moments with hundreds of families. Long before I became a dad myself, I witnessed the excitement, the nerves, the relief and the overwhelming love that fills a room when a baby is born.

But becoming Dada to Leo and James has given me a whole new appreciation for those moments.

It’s the little things I never fully understood until I experienced them myself. Hearing “Dada!” as I walk through the door after work. Bedtime cuddles that somehow become the best part of the day. Watching Leo become an incredible big brother to James, and seeing James trying so hard to keep up with everything his big brother does.

Fatherhood has also given me a deeper appreciation of the families I care for. I understand a little more about the excitement, the uncertainty, the responsibility and the incredible privilege that comes with welcoming a new baby into the world. It’s made me even more grateful to be part of that journey.

To all the dads, grandfathers, stepdads and father figures, Happy Father’s Day. Whether you’re celebrating your first Father’s Day or your fiftieth, I hope you get the chance to slow down, enjoy the cuddles, embrace the chaos, and appreciate the little moments that so often become the biggest memories.

And to Leo and James, thank you for reminding me every day that while I love what I do, my favourite job will always be being your Dada.

Fatherhood has changed me in ways I never expected.As an obstetrician, I've had the privilege of sharing some of life's ...
05/09/2026

Fatherhood has changed me in ways I never expected.

As an obstetrician, I've had the privilege of sharing some of life's most extraordinary moments with hundreds of families. Long before I became a dad myself, I witnessed the excitement, the nerves, the relief and the overwhelming love that fills a room when a baby is born.

But becoming Dada to Leo and James has given me a whole new appreciation for those moments.

It's the little things I never fully understood until I experienced them myself. Hearing "Dada!" as I walk through the door after work. Bedtime cuddles that somehow become the best part of the day. Watching Leo become an incredible big brother to James, and seeing James trying so hard to keep up with everything his big brother does.

Fatherhood has also given me a deeper appreciation of the families I care for. I understand a little more about the excitement, the uncertainty, the responsibility and the incredible privilege that comes with welcoming a new baby into the world. It's made me even more grateful to be part of that journey.

To all the dads, grandfathers, stepdads and father figures, Happy Father's Day. Whether you're celebrating your first Father's Day or your fiftieth, I hope you get the chance to slow down, enjoy the cuddles, embrace the chaos, and appreciate the little moments that so often become the biggest memories.

And to Leo and James, thank you for reminding me every day that while I love what I do, my favourite job will always be being your Dada.

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.It's a time to raise awareness of cancers that affect thousands of Au...
31/08/2026

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.

It's a time to raise awareness of cancers that affect thousands of Australian women every year, yet often don't receive the attention they deserve.

Gynaecological cancers include ovarian, uterine (endometrial), cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. Each is different, with its own symptoms, risk factors and treatment options, but they all have one thing in common: early recognition and timely assessment can make a real difference.

Knowing what is normal for your body is important. Persistent bloating, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, changes to vulval skin, unusual vaginal discharge or a lump should never be ignored. While these symptoms are often caused by non-cancerous conditions, it's important to have them assessed if they persist.

These conversations aren't always easy, but they matter. By raising awareness, encouraging open discussion and reducing stigma, we can help more people seek medical advice earlier and support those facing a diagnosis.

This September, let's keep the conversation going. Awareness doesn't just start conversations. It has the potential to save lives.

For the first time, patients in the Sutherland Shire can now access robotic gynaecological surgery closer to home.This w...
29/08/2026

For the first time, patients in the Sutherland Shire can now access robotic gynaecological surgery closer to home.

This week marked an exciting milestone with the arrival of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system at Kareena Private Hospital, bringing advanced robotic surgery to our local community.

It also marked a special personal milestone for me, as I had the privilege of performing the first gynaecological robotic operation on the new platform.

While that's something I'll always remember, what excites me most is what this means for patients across the Sutherland Shire.

Until now, many people who wished to have robotic gynaecological surgery needed to travel outside the area for treatment. Having this technology available locally means more patients can access advanced minimally invasive surgery while remaining close to their family, friends and support networks throughout their treatment and recovery.

Robotic surgery is another tool that can expand the minimally invasive treatment options available for appropriately selected patients. It doesn't replace conventional keyhole surgery, and it isn't the right choice for every patient or every operation. The best approach is always the one that's tailored to the individual.

A huge thank you to Kareena Private Hospital, Ramsay Health Care, Device Technologies, the hospital leadership team, theatre nurses, anaesthetists, assistants and everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring this service to the Sutherland Shire. Introducing a robotic surgery program takes vision, collaboration and an enormous team effort, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it a reality.

This is an exciting new chapter for healthcare in the Sutherland Shire. I'm looking forward to seeing more people benefit from advanced minimally invasive surgery without having to leave their local community.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more about robotic surgery, including what it is, how it works, who it may benefit, and some of the common myths surrounding this exciting technology.

Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most.I was treated to these personalised cookies (which didn't last long ...
27/08/2026

Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most.

I was treated to these personalised cookies (which didn't last long after being shared with the practice and the labour ward team!) and this beautiful card from a patient following her surgery.

She underwent a minimally invasive hysterectomy combined with native tissue pelvic floor reconstruction for prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Pelvic floor disorders affect millions of women, yet many suffer quietly for years. Too often they're told, or come to believe, that prolapse and bladder leakage are simply part of having children or getting older. They don't have to be.

One line from her card really resonated with me:
"You have given me back my confidence and quality of life."

For me, those words are a powerful reminder that pelvic floor surgery is about so much more than an operation. It's about helping women regain their confidence and return to living without the constant physical and emotional burden that prolapse and incontinence can bring.

To my patient, thank you for your incredibly thoughtful gifts and your beautiful words. They were never expected, but they are deeply appreciated. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of your journey.

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