Cosmetic surgery is a big decision – do your research and know the facts

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, it is of utmost importance you make the right choice the first time. There has been a heightened media campaign highlighting the dangers of making a bad choice when it comes to cosmetic surgery and other aesthetic procedures such as dermal fillers and cosmetic injectables.

 How do I make the right choice the first time?

Ask your GP, or other medical professionals

Your GP or specialist can refer you to a trusted surgeon. They may have seen the results first hand, and had a history of working with that particular surgeon. Nurses are also a fantastic resource.

 Choose a Plastic Surgeon and not a cosmetic surgeon

In Australia, anyone with a basic medical degree can call themselves a ‘surgeon’ or a ‘cosmetic surgeon’. It is important you look for a fully qualified Plastic Surgeon. A Plastic Surgeon has completed 16 years of extensive specialist training and study to call themselves a Plastic Surgeon, whereas a cosmetic surgeon may not have had any surgical training and may only have basic medical school training.

A Plastic surgeon will have FRACS (Plast.) after their name, not just FRACS.

You can also search the register on the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (link) website to see if your surgeon is on the register. All Australian Plastic Surgeons are a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Do your own research

• Take a look at the before and after photos of the surgeon you are interested in.
• Make contact with the practice and ask lots of questions such as how many procedures they perform every month, price guidelines for the surgery you are wanting, and if there are any risks associated with the surgery.
• Ask any friends or family members if they know of anyone who has had surgery and what their experiences were.

Please contact our rooms on 02 9650 4900 if you would like to book a consultation or enquire about surgery, or send us a message.