ARTICLE

When choosing a plastic surgeon in Melbourne whether it be for breast implants, breast reduction, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, liposuction or facelift there are a number of points you should consider.

First and foremost, is the surgeon a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)?  This qualification distinguishes surgeons from other doctors who teach themselves to perform operations. It may sound strange, but the fact is that any qualified doctor in Australia is allowed to do operations! Those doctors who are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have undergone an extensive training program lasting 6 or more years, have distinguished themselves at probing examinations and are required to undertake continuing medical education to ensure that they remain at the forefront of their speciality.

The next point to consider is whether the surgeon is experienced at the operation you require. Just because a surgeon works in a public hospital and spends a lot of time treating trauma and doing reconstructions after cancer, does not mean that he or she has particular expertise in operations such as breast augmentation, breast lift etc.

It is also important to know whether the surgeon will be available for you following your surgery should you have any questions or concerns. Some surgeons consult and operate at a number of places around town and have not committed to any one area of practice. If availability of your surgeon is important to you, then knowing that they practice at the one hospital where they are always availablemay be an important consideration.

Who are the anaesthetists with whom your surgeons work? This is a very important consideration and one often overlooked by patients who are seeking cosmetic plastic surgery. In fact the surgeon and the anaesthetist work as a team. A really good anaesthetist will keep the blood pressure at a slightly low level during the operation to ensure minimal blood loss and to provide excellent working conditions for the surgeon. The anaesthetic should also be tailored to you as an individual not just to ensure your safety but also your comfort. In other words the anaesthetic must be designed to minimize post-operative pain, post-operative nausea and vomiting and to ensure a comfortable recovery. We have all heard of friends who have endured an uncomfortable post-op course! It is usually due to the anaesthetic!

An operation in the morning gives you all day to recover and makes it likely that you will be able to return home in the evening.

The facility that the surgeon uses is also most important.  Some surgeons visit a hospital just once a fortnight or even once a month.  In these situations it is less likely that the nursing staff caring for you will be fully familiar with your surgeon’s requirements. The surgeon who operates within his own hospital or Day Surgery Centre and who employs his own staff is in the best position to ensure that the staff are not only well trained but able to provide you with the very best standard of care.

Beware of surgeons who advertise or who have a high media exposure. Remember that they do this to attract patients to their practice! It is certainly no recommendation. Some surgeons pay large sums of money to organizations that advertise on their behalf. It is little wonder that in the UK there is a proposal to ban advertising for Cosmetic Surgery as it can be so deceptive and misleading. A referral from a trusted GP or from a friend is worth so much more

In Melbourne we are fortunate in having a number of Australia’s best cosmetic plastic surgeons who are highly qualified, very experienced, work with skilled anaesthetists in hospitals and Day Procedure Centres that are Accredited to world best practice and with caring staff all working to ensure that you obtain the best possible result from your surgery. You should arrange appointments with several surgeons. You will be surprised at the variations between them! Ultimately you may make your decision based on price or personality! Choosing a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon to perform your operation is not an area where you can afford to compromise! It is a process which you should enjoy, where you learn a lot about surgery and surgeons and one which ultimately results in a successful and uncomplicated operation and a happy outcome.

ARTICLE

Choosing the best Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne

When choosing a plastic surgeon in Melbourne whether it be for breast implants, breast reduction, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, liposuction or facelift there are a number of points you should consider.

First and foremost, is the surgeon a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)?  This qualification distinguishes surgeons from other doctors who teach themselves to perform operations. It may sound strange, but the fact is that any qualified doctor in Australia is allowed to do operations! Those doctors who are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have undergone an extensive training program lasting 6 or more years, have distinguished themselves at probing examinations and are required to undertake continuing medical education to ensure that they remain at the forefront of their speciality.

The next point to consider is whether the surgeon is experienced at the operation you require. Just because a surgeon works in a public hospital and spends a lot of time treating trauma and doing reconstructions after cancer, does not mean that he or she has particular expertise in operations such as breast augmentation, breast lift etc.

It is also important to know whether the surgeon will be available for you following your surgery should you have any questions or concerns. Some surgeons consult and operate at a number of places around town and have not committed to any one area of practice. If availability of your surgeon is important to you, then knowing that they practice at the one hospital where they are always availablemay be an important consideration.

Who are the anaesthetists with whom your surgeons work? This is a very important consideration and one often overlooked by patients who are seeking cosmetic plastic surgery. In fact the surgeon and the anaesthetist work as a team. A really good anaesthetist will keep the blood pressure at a slightly low level during the operation to ensure minimal blood loss and to provide excellent working conditions for the surgeon. The anaesthetic should also be tailored to you as an individual not just to ensure your safety but also your comfort. In other words the anaesthetic must be designed to minimize post-operative pain, post-operative nausea and vomiting and to ensure a comfortable recovery. We have all heard of friends who have endured an uncomfortable post-op course! It is usually due to the anaesthetic!

An operation in the morning gives you all day to recover and makes it likely that you will be able to return home in the evening.

The facility that the surgeon uses is also most important.  Some surgeons visit a hospital just once a fortnight or even once a month.  In these situations it is less likely that the nursing staff caring for you will be fully familiar with your surgeon’s requirements. The surgeon who operates within his own hospital or Day Surgery Centre and who employs his own staff is in the best position to ensure that the staff are not only well trained but able to provide you with the very best standard of care.

Beware of surgeons who advertise or who have a high media exposure. Remember that they do this to attract patients to their practice! It is certainly no recommendation. Some surgeons pay large sums of money to organizations that advertise on their behalf. It is little wonder that in the UK there is a proposal to ban advertising for Cosmetic Surgery as it can be so deceptive and misleading. A referral from a trusted GP or from a friend is worth so much more

In Melbourne we are fortunate in having a number of Australia’s best cosmetic plastic surgeons who are highly qualified, very experienced, work with skilled anaesthetists in hospitals and Day Procedure Centres that are Accredited to world best practice and with caring staff all working to ensure that you obtain the best possible result from your surgery. You should arrange appointments with several surgeons. You will be surprised at the variations between them! Ultimately you may make your decision based on price or personality! Choosing a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon to perform your operation is not an area where you can afford to compromise! It is a process which you should enjoy, where you learn a lot about surgery and surgeons and one which ultimately results in a successful and uncomplicated operation and a happy outcome.