QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SURGEON BEFORE COSMETIC OR PLASTIC SURGERY IN MELBOURNE

While it can be easy to assume that if a doctor is a plastic or cosmetic surgeon that they are well experienced, ensuring you are selecting someone who has the right training and surgical history you require can be a difficult task. The fact is, regardless of their title, a surgeon may have never performed the procedure you are looking to undergo before and may not be the right choice for your needs. So how do you go about selecting the right person for the job? Here are some things to keep in mind whilst selecting a surgeon.

Let’s say you are looking to undergo a breast implant procedure, whether through plastic or cosmetic surgery you will want to ensure the surgeon you choose has undergone the right training and experience. The Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery, for example, does allow surgeons to become certified in breast implant surgery. By visiting their website, you can see for yourself what is required by those looking to become certified in terms of experience and training. If a surgeon is certified through the ACCS they need to abide by the college’s code of conduct which may give you extra peace of mind. One inclusion in this code is that a surgeon will need to inform you during the consultation if they have performed the surgery you are undergoing less than 100 times.

For plastic surgeons, you may want to check they are a member of The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and that their qualifications are recognised by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). It is important to note here though that the AMC hasn’t included an assessment, training or expertise in cosmetic surgical procedures. Basically, this means you can still become a qualified plastic surgeon with having no or little experience in cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, so it’s important to do your research. Of course, some plastic surgeons will be skilled in these areas and will have extensive experience and/or undergone extra training.

To help you cut through the confusion and work to make an informed decision, here are some questions you should ask a surgeon before you decide on them.

How many times have you performed this procedure before? You are looking for someone who can say they have performed it hundreds or even thousands of times.

How many times in the last 6 months?

(If a plastic surgeon) Did you undergo extra training in cosmetic procedures?

What is your complication rate and how do you go about discovering this?

Do you operate in a licensed hospital or day hospital in Melbourne?

Can I see images of work you have done?

Can I speak to previous patients?

Other things you may want to consider is comparing prices. As a general rule, low costs are associated with the quality you receive. Speak to our team about your options. You may want to also ensure you will have a specialist anesthetist during your operation.