The Secrets To Choosing The Right Surgeon For A Cosmetic Procedure
THE 6 STEPS TO ENSURING A SAFE, ENJOYABLE AND EFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE.
By Mr. Malcolm Linsell
BSc, MBBS, MS, FRACS
Member of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
Confusion and misinformation abounds in the field of Cosmetic Surgery. This Special Report is designed to help lift this veil of confusion, so you’ll be armed with all the information you require to make an intelligent and informed decision.
To assist in clearing the confusion, this Report has been deliberately written in plain English, not ‘Surgeon Speak.’ Within these pages, you will find strategies and information you can use to make the right choices BEFORE you have a Cosmetic Surgery procedure including:
- What is Cosmetic Surgery – And Is It The Answer You’re Looking For
- How To Identify and Minimize Any Potential Risk To The Surgery
- How To Choose The Right Surgeon For You
- The 6 Steps you Must Follow To Ensure A Safe & Enjoyable Experience
- Special Warnings You Can Use Throughout The Decision Process
If there is one principle message you’ll learn from this Report, it is that Doctors and Surgeons are service providers who work for you. This is especially true when considering a Cosmetic procedure.
You should feel a connection, a bond of trust between you and your Surgeon, and the whole experience from the initial consultation right through to post operative visits should be focused on you, your comfort and your needs.
A Positive & Enjoyable Experience
The truth is, Cosmetic Surgery can be a positive and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. That will be the case if you’ve done a little homework, chosen the right Surgeon, and have received honest answers to the tough questions contained in this report.
I trust ‘The Secrets To Choosing The Right Surgeon For a Cosmetic Procedure’ will answer many of your questions and address some other issues you may not have yet considered.
WHAT IS A COSMETIC PROCEDURE?
The first step in clearing up the confusion is to clearly define a Cosmetic Procedure. It is a procedure performed to enhance a person’s appearance, generally leading to a dramatic improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem.
There are two types of Cosmetic Procedures — invasive and non-invasive.
Generally speaking, non-invasive refers to procedures performed on, in or immediately beneath the skin. Such procedures include laser resurfacing to smooth wrinkled or sun- damaged skin, Collagen injections to enhance lips or treat wrinkles and Botox injections to improve frown lines.
Invasive procedures, including facelifts, breast augmentations, “tummy tucks” (abdominoplasty) and liposculpture are what most people consider to be Cosmetic Surgery. These procedures require more recovery time and provide more dramatic results.
Both Invasive and Non-Invasive procedures have become more popular over the last two decades. And although the procedures are considered Cosmetic, it is very important to note that these are medical procedures that, in all cases, should be carried out by an experienced professional with the appropriate qualifications. It’s a true, but unfortunate, fact that results can vary dramatically and one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is who you choose to trust with your procedure.
Now that we have lifted the first veil of confusion, let’s lift the next veil by looking at the nature and qualifications of those who regularly perform surgical and other cosmetic procedures.
DOCTORS AND SURGEONS – HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE
Not long ago, cosmetic surgery was the sole domain of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Such surgeons are specialists who must complete many years of intense schooling and practical experience specialising in moulding the body.
More recently, other doctors began to recognise a financial opportunity in performing Cosmetic Surgery. While these professionals have medical training… unfortunately, many of them do not have any formal training in Cosmetic Surgery! Yes that’s right, although they are selling and performing Cosmetic Surgery, often you will discover they have not spent years studying and practicing the intricate procedures required.
When Considering Surgery On Your Body There Is A Big Difference Between Qualified and Competent
How is this possible? The basic medical degree in Australia qualifies, by law, the recipient to perform any surgical procedure. However, it does not guarantee that the graduate is competent enough to carry out an operation. Competence comes from many more years of post-graduate study and experience.
So What Do Doctor’s Qualifications Mean?
There are actually three levels of qualification you need to be aware of before you choose whom to trust with your procedure.
(a) Basic qualifications – Where All Doctors Begin
All doctors must complete a medical course, which is undertaken at a university for between five and six years. Upon graduation, in Australia, they receive an MBBS, which stands for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
It is the Bachelor of Surgery that has caused so much confusion both in and out of the medical profession. This Bachelor of Surgery confirms the doctor in question has a theoretical knowledge of surgery rather than an ability to perform an operation. However, under Australian law, the new doctor is entitled to do any operation he or she sees fit.
There are no laws in place to stop a new surgeon from observing a few cosmetic operations, either in Australia or overseas, and then commencing surgical practice. In fact, they can commence practice in their own name (or become affiliated with an existing clinic), buy some advertising and then perform operations without any formal surgical training.
You need to be aware of this interesting quirk in the laws governing the Medical Profession. Later on in this Report, I’ll share with you the questions you need to ask to ensure you are not confused by the letters after a doctor’s name.
The second level of qualification is the…
(b) Specialist Qualifications — The Committed Few
Having attained a medical degree (MBBS) a small percentage of doctors decide to specialise. These Specialists generally fall into two main groups: those who perform surgery as their primary focus and those who do not. Each group requires a further seven to ten years of specialised study and practical experience in a hospital.
The ‘non-surgical group’ includes Physicians (who predominantly use drugs in treatment), Anaesthetists and Dermatologists (who focus on diseases of the skin). Almost all Dermatologists are trained to remove small skin lesions and several also perform non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing.
A small minority of such non-surgeons have expanded into performing invasive procedures such as liposuction and a handful even do facial cosmetic surgery. Something to consider at this point is that formal surgical training for these latter procedures is usually minimal.
The Toughest Qualification In The World
Formal surgical training in Australia is demanding and extensive. You should feel some comfort in knowing the entry requirements for specialist Australian surgeons are amongst the toughest in the world.
After a minimum seven years of post-graduate surgical training (in addition to the initial 5 – 6 year basic medical degree), a candidate is then entitled to complete the final series of examinations covering all aspects of surgical practice.
Success at this examination enables the young surgeon to become a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). Most Surgeons usually then travel to overseas hospitals for further experience before returning to Australia and setting up practice – usually at least ten years after completion of the basic medical degree.
This should provide you with a certain level of confidence in their training – but is it a sign of their competence?
Special Warning!
Beware of letters after a doctor’s name referring to American or European surgical qualifications WITHOUT equivalent Australian qualifications. Entry requirements for some of the American or European Colleges or Academies are much less stringent than Australian requirements.
For the most part, the various types of surgeons are clearly defined. Orthopaedic Surgeons work with bones; Neurosurgeons work with the brain and nerves; Vascular Surgeons work with blood vessels and so on.
Unfortunately, over recent years, the distinctions have become vague particularly with regards to Cosmetic Surgery. This intricate surgery is now being performed by General Surgeons, ENT surgeons, Ophthalmic Surgeons and others as well as Plastic Surgeons.
Some of these surgeons are better trained in Cosmetic Surgery than others and it can be difficult for the general public to differentiate. By asking the potential surgeon the questions I give you later in the Report, their qualifications and experience will become more obvious to you.
The third and final level of qualification, we will be discussing in this report is…
(c) Plastic Surgeons – The Specialists’ Specialists
Australian Plastic Surgeons are fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). The major difference from other Surgeons is their extensive training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Cosmetic Surgery. These two main components are an integral part of their training.
Australian Plastic Surgeons can apply to become a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Please note that I said APPLY… Membership is not automatic. Only those who have true Australian qualifications and are of good character are accepted.
Adherence to the strict membership guidelines is expected and each Member is under constant peer review. Some of these Plastic Surgeons choose to do little or no Cosmetic Surgery; others do a mixture of Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery while there are a few who focus entirely on Cosmetic Surgery.
Generally, the professionals who have a special interest in Cosmetic Surgery become members of the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
Cosmetic Surgical Tip!
If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery in Australia, membership of ASPS (www.asps.asn.au) and ASAPS should be seen as the gold standard for your Cosmetic Surgeon.
Members of ASPS and ASAPS have trained extensively, are highly skilled and importantly can tailor the procedure to meet your individual needs. Watch for these Memberships when discussing Cosmetic Surgery with a professional.
The ability to personalize a procedure is a critical factor for determining how successful the outcome will be. Often a surgeon with minimal training will not have the breadth of knowledge and experience to discuss other surgical and non-surgical options with you. This is particularly important if for some reason you are not suited to the proposed procedure… and this knowledge is gained through the experience of the surgeon.
Summary of important points so far
- Cosmetic procedures can be invasive or non-invasive
- Any Australian doctor (MBBS) is permitted by law to do a cosmetic procedure
- Invasive Cosmetic Surgery is being performed by some who have minimal surgical training
- Australian surgeons will have FRACS after their name
- The gold standard for Cosmetic Surgeons is membership of ASPS and ASAPS
THE SURGEON’S EXPERIENCE – HIS/HER MOST VALUABLE ASSET
While Plastic Surgeons have experience with many cosmetic procedures, most select three or four operations in which they develop special expertise. This generally becomes clear after the surgeon has been in practice for about five years and is the result of further knowledge gained from additional post-graduate courses or overseas specialised medical meetings.
A surgeon’s experience is his or her most valuable asset and should also be your initial guide to gauge competency. By determining their level of experience it will help you to:
- Determine if the surgeon can provide you with the result you desire;
- Choose the most appropriate procedure for you;
- Lessen the chance of an adverse outcome, but appropriately deal with any complication if it occurs.
Special Warning!
In an ideal surgical procedure nothing will go wrong. This is the case in the vast majority of cosmetic operations. However, please understand that COSMETIC SURGERY IS REAL SURGERY and the potential for complications is always present. This is another critical reason to search out a surgeon with considerable experience and a long list of satisfied patients.
Let’s consider the often glossed over topic of risk. Mitigating or reducing the risk involved in your procedure is one of the keys to enjoying a successful outcome. With Cosmetic Surgery, as it is often with elective surgery, you have a choice. A choice of which procedures to have, a choice of which professional surgeon you use, and a choice of the level of “After Care Service” you want. Not only are these choices important for building your confidence in the procedure, they also play a role in reducing the risks (no matter how small).
Here are two questions to ask yourself when deciding on which professional will perform your Cosmetic Surgery:
- Does this person have the experience to know how to deal with potential complications that may appear during the operation?
- Do I trust this person to work with me to get the best outcome if, in the remote chance, that something goes wrong?
Finding a skilled and experienced surgeon who specialises in the procedure you have chosen to have performed will greatly reduce the risks and in most cases ensure your experience is both successful and enjoyable.
The question now becomes, just how do you find a surgeon with these qualities. A good place to start is the ASPS website (www.asps.asn.au) or www.plasticsurgery.com.au in order to find a qualified surgeon in your geographical area. It is then helpful to determine if your surgeon comes with a recommendation…
RECOMMENDATIONS – WHO CAN HELP?
Good Surgeons will be highly recommended by reliable sources. Here are the three most common sources of recommendations:
a. General Practitioners
Your local or family doctor may be able to provide you with good advice about the right surgeon for a particular procedure. It is likely he or she has seen patients with similar requests before.
This can prove to be a good source as, inevitably, the referred patient will provide feedback about the surgeon to the local doctor. The local doctor generally will only refer patients to those surgeons who have obtained excellent results and display a high standard of care.
Similarly, if the patient feedback is less than positive, the local doctor will generally not send any of their patients to these surgeons with poor reputations.
b. Your Family & Friends
If you know of a family member or friend who has had a procedure similar to the one you are considering, talk with them. Ask them about the surgeon, the after care service, and the results. If you have a friend or family member who provides a glowing report of a surgeon and their after care service, then it is worthwhile following it.
c. Other Patients
Most patients are often happy to talk about their experience. The surgeon’s staff should be able to put you in contact with past patients and they can be a valuable resource for you. I recommend you talk with patients who had the same procedure you are considering so you can get a real feel of what to expect from the Surgeon and his Staff.
Recommendations can provide you with a good starting point, but are to be considered as just the beginning. There is a very clear step-by-step strategy you can follow after you have identified a potential Surgeon. Before we move to this strategy, let’s do a quick review:
Summary of important points so far
- Cosmetic surgery is real surgery with real risks
- Try to find out if your procedure is one of the surgeon’s preferred procedures
- A surgeon’s experience is his greatest asset
- Seek positive recommendations from those who should know
THE 6 STEPS TO A WONDERFUL COSMETIC SURGERY EXPERIENCE
My goal with this Special Report is to help make sure your Cosmetic Surgery experience is one that you enjoy and pleasantly exceeds your expectations.
For this to occur it is important that you assume some of the responsibility for the outcome by becoming fully informed about your desired procedure and your selected surgeon.
There are two simple ways which you can do this:
- Use this and other websites to research the various surgical procedures
- Ask your potential surgeon and their staff the questions I’ve listed in the Six Step Strategy Below.
Both of these tasks should be done BEFORE making any decision.
Please note that the questions below are to assist you in getting started and are not designed to be an exhaustive list to cover all contingencies or surgical procedures. What they should provide you with is a very good feeling about the surgeon and the staff… and how you feel about the whole procedure.
Never feel rushed when going through your list of questions. It is important you’re given time to ask the questions and to get direct and detailed answers. Any well-trained and confident surgeon will recognise the importance of your comfort and knowledge and will encourage you to be fully informed. Be wary of the Surgeon or their staff if they are not willing to spend the time needed to answer your questions to your satisfaction.
So without further ado, here are the Six Proven Steps to follow before you commit to a procedure. To ensure you have the questions in front of you, please feel free to take this Report with you.
The 6-Steps To Follow To Ensure You’re Making An Informed Decision About Your Procedure And Your Surgeon
Step 1: Understand Your Procedure
Review details about the procedure you are considering. The easiest way to do this is by reviewing the detailed descriptions and background information given on this website if yours is not listed there, please feel free to e-mail us or one of our listed plastic surgeons.
Step 2: Make Sure Your Surgeon is Fully Qualified
Check the Surgeon’s standing with Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
You can do this easily in a couple of ways:
- Visit the ASPS Web Site to see if the surgeon is listed and accredited: www.asps.asn.au
- Call the associations and have them check to confirm Membership. ASPS/ASAPS telephone 61 2 94379200
Step 3: Contact the Surgeon’s Rooms
Call the Surgeon’s office and use the Questionnaire below. For most people the initial contact with the practice will be by telephone. You can learn an enormous amount by the way the surgeon’s staff respond to these questions.
- What are the doctor’s qualifications for performing this procedure?
- How many of these procedures has he performed in the past?
- Is the doctor comfortable with performing this procedure?
- If I decide to move forward with this doctor, are there a number of past patients I can speak with about their experiences?
- Will I be fully informed of the benefits and possible complications?
- How will I be informed – Written information? Web site? Consultation with a staff member? Consultation with the Surgeon? Access to other patients? Pre and Postoperative photographs? Other?
- What is the approximate total cost of the procedure i.e. including the Anaesthetist, Surgical assistant, Pathology tests, Hospital and postoperative follow-up?
- Are there any Medicare, Health Insurance or Tax rebates applicable and is GST included in the cost?
Remember, this is just to give you a feel of the professional practice and how it operates. Although these seem like fairly simple questions, pay attention to how clear and upfront the answers are.
The Surgeon’s Staff – A Direct Reflection Of The Surgeon!
You can learn a lot about a Surgeon from his support staff. He or she will have chosen them and taught them to reflect his or her attitude to Cosmetic Surgery. If the staff are not interested in you as a person, be very wary; it may also be true of the surgeon.
In some ways a surgeon’s support staff are just as important as the surgeon. In a good practice, they will be your support network before, during and after your procedure. As such, you can expect to spend a lot of time with them. You must feel comfortable with them. Ensure they listen to you and can provide the level of respect and care which you deserve.
You deserve and should expect excellent service. By talking with the staff in both Step #3 and Step #4 you will get a very good feel for the overall service and competence you can anticipate.
Step 4: Meet the Surgeon’s Staff
Call the Surgeon’s office and book a consultation appointment. Many practices offer a FREE preliminary consultation with a Cosmetic consultant who is trained nurse. This person may in fact oversee your whole procedure. This person should take as much time as necessary to make sure you are fully informed. Repeat the questions from step #3 above if the answers were not clear and add the following to your list.
- What are the benefits and potential complications of the procedure?
- Is this procedure right for me?
- What will happen in the hospital – Before the operation? During the operation? After the operation?
- How will I be followed up?
- When does the doctor see me?
- What happens if something goes wrong? (This is the most important question to ask. You need to be satisfied you will receive extra special care.)
- Can I see some photographs of the usual results achieved?
- Can I speak with some of your recent patients?
Step 5: Meet the Surgeon
At this stage, you have talked with the Staff, and some of the past patients. Now, check how you’re feeling about the answers you have received to date. Are you feeling comfortable, or is there something bothering you? Of course there will be some nerves at this point, but check deep into your instinct. You’ll want to ensure you’re feeling comfortable about the staff, the procedure and Surgeon’s office.
The next step is to meet the potential Surgeon. At this stage, you have not made a commitment to the Surgeon as you are still in fact gathering mode. Remember, the Surgeon is working for you not the other way around. They will have recommendations and suggestions, but the final decision whether to use them or not is completely up to you. Never, ever feel pressured to make a decision before you’re ready. If you feel this pressure, be wary.
Good surgeons are confident in themselves and their ability, without being arrogant. Good surgeons are honest with you. They will tell you if they cannot give you the result you desire. In some cases, they will send you to a colleague for a second opinion.
The most caring surgeons may even send you to a colleague they know would give you a better result. You need to be able to trust your surgeon. The best surgeons recognise this and never abuse your trust.
Feel free to ask any of the previous questions you’ve asked of the staff, just to judge the response. The Surgeon should make you feel comfortable and will gladly answer any of your questions. If he or she doesn’t, be wary. Here are the additional questions to ask the Surgeon:
- What are your qualifications? (Remember you are seeking Australian Surgical qualifications, with preferably membership of ASPS and ASAPS)
- Are you comfortable with this procedure?
- Is this the right procedure for me?
- Are there any alternatives?
- What happens if something goes wrong? How often do you see me? Will it cost me any extra? Will any revision procedures cost me extra?
- What is the worst thing that can happen to me?
- Do you understand the result I am hoping to achieve?
- Are you confident you can give this to me?
Step 6: Decide to Proceed
After your conversation with the Surgeon, you will know instinctively if this is the Surgeon and staff you can trust. The rest is easy. Once you’ve made the choice, all you need to do is tell the staff you would like to proceed, they will take care of the rest as a professional medical team. By following the first 5 steps, you will have gathered enough information and had enough questions answered to ensure that you have put yourself in the hands of a wonderful and trusted Surgeon and their team.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cosmetic Surgery is different from most other surgery because the decision to proceed lies entirely with you. Without having all of the information you received in this Special Report, making an informed decision can be difficult. But now that you’re aware of the Six Critical Steps to take, your decision becomes much more simple.
The most satisfied patients are those who have taken the responsibility to fully inform themselves BEFORE the operation. If you have chosen your surgeon well, by following the Six Critical Steps, you will be listened to, put at ease, cared for and have the best chance of receiving the result you desire.
Cosmetic Surgery can have an enormous positive impact on the way you feel about yourself and therefore affect the way you interact with others. It can and should be an enjoyable experience as it is with many patients. I trust, no matter which surgeon you choose, the experience is one you enjoy and will have a positive impact on your life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. What is a Cosmetic Procedure?
2. Doctors and Surgeons – How to Choose the Right One
3. The Surgeon’s Experience – His/Her Most Valuable Asset
4. Recommendations – Who Can Help?
5. The 6 Steps to a Wonderful Cosmetic Surgery Experience
6. Final Thoughts
The Secrets To Choosing The Right Cosmetic Surgeon
The 6 Steps To Ensuring A Safe, Enjoyable and Effective Experience
Confusion and misinformation abounds in the field of Cosmetic Surgery. This Special Report is designed to help lift this veil of confusion, so you’ll be armed with all the information you require to make an intelligent and informed decision.
To assist in clearing the confusion, this Report has been deliberately written in plain English, not ‘Surgeon Speak.’ Within these pages, you will find strategies and information you can use to make the right choices BEFORE you have a Cosmetic Surgery procedure including:
- What is Cosmetic Surgery – And Is It The Answer You’re Looking For
- How To Identify and Minimize Any Potential Risk To The Surgery
- How To Choose The Right Surgeon For You
- The 6 Steps you Must Follow To Ensure A Safe & Enjoyable Experience
- Special Warnings You Can Use Throughout The Decision Process
If there is one principle message you’ll learn from this Report, it is that Doctors and Surgeons are service providers who work for you. This is especially true when considering a Cosmetic procedure.
You should feel a connection, a bond of trust between you and your Surgeon, and the whole experience from the initial consultation right through to post operative visits should be focused on you, your comfort and your needs.
A Positive & Enjoyable Experience
The truth is, Cosmetic Surgery can be a positive and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. That will be the case if you’ve done a little homework, chosen the right Surgeon, and have received honest answers to the tough questions contained in this report.
I trust ‘The Secrets To Choosing The Right Surgeon For a Cosmetic Procedure’ will answer many of your questions and address some other issues you may not have yet considered.
1. What Is A Cosmetic Procedure?
The first step in clearing up the confusion is to clearly define a Cosmetic Procedure. It is a procedure performed to enhance a person’s appearance, generally leading to a dramatic improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem.
There are two types of Cosmetic Procedures — invasive and non-invasive.
Generally speaking, non-invasive refers to procedures performed on, in or immediately beneath the skin. Such procedures include laser resurfacing to smooth wrinkled or sun- damaged skin, Collagen injections to enhance lips or treat wrinkles and Botox injections to improve frown lines.
Invasive procedures, including facelifts, breast augmentations, “tummy tucks” (abdominoplasty) and liposculpture are what most people consider to be Cosmetic Surgery. These procedures require more recovery time and provide more dramatic results.
Both Invasive and Non-Invasive procedures have become more popular over the last two decades. And although the procedures are considered Cosmetic, it is very important to note that these are medical procedures that, in all cases, should be carried out by an experienced professional with the appropriate qualifications. It’s a true, but unfortunate, fact that results can vary dramatically and one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is who you choose to trust with your procedure.
Now that we have lifted the first veil of confusion, let’s lift the next veil by looking at the nature and qualifications of those who regularly perform surgical and other cosmetic procedures.
2. Doctors & Surgeons – How To Choose The Right One For Your Procedure
Not long ago, cosmetic surgery was the sole domain of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Such surgeons are specialists who must complete many years of intense schooling and practical experience specialising in moulding the body.
More recently, other doctors began to recognise a financial opportunity in performing Cosmetic Surgery. While these professionals have medical training… unfortunately, many of them do not have any formal training in Cosmetic Surgery! Yes that’s right, although they are selling and performing Cosmetic Surgery, often you will discover they have not spent years studying and practicing the intricate procedures required.
When Considering Surgery On Your Body There Is A Big Difference Between Qualified and Competent
How is this possible? The basic medical degree in Australia qualifies, by law, the recipient to perform any surgical procedure. However, it does not guarantee that the graduate is competent enough to carry out an operation. Competence comes from many more years of post-graduate study and experience.
So What Do Doctor’s Qualifications Mean?
There are actually three levels of qualification you need to be aware of before you choose whom to trust with your procedure.
(a) Basic qualifications – Where All Doctors Begin
All doctors must complete a medical course, which is undertaken at a university for between five and six years. Upon graduation, in Australia, they receive an MBBS, which stands for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
It is the Bachelor of Surgery that has caused so much confusion both in and out of the medical profession. This Bachelor of Surgery confirms the doctor in question has a theoretical knowledge of surgery rather than an ability to perform an operation. However, under Australian law, the new doctor is entitled to do any operation he or she sees fit.
There are no laws in place to stop a new surgeon from observing a few cosmetic operations, either in Australia or overseas, and then commencing surgical practice. In fact, they can commence practice in their own name (or become affiliated with an existing clinic), buy some advertising and then perform operations without any formal surgical training.
You need to be aware of this interesting quirk in the laws governing the Medical Profession. Later on in this Report, I’ll share with you the questions you need to ask to ensure you are not confused by the letters after a doctor’s name.
The second level of qualification is the…
(b) Specialist Qualifications — The Committed Few
Having attained a medical degree (MBBS) a small percentage of doctors decide to specialise. These Specialists generally fall into two main groups: those who perform surgery as their primary focus and those who do not. Each group requires a further seven to ten years of specialised study and practical experience in a hospital.
The ‘non-surgical group’ includes Physicians (who predominantly use drugs in treatment), Anaesthetists and Dermatologists (who focus on diseases of the skin). Almost all Dermatologists are trained to remove small skin lesions and several also perform non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing.
A small minority of such non-surgeons have expanded into performing invasive procedures such as liposuction and a handful even do facial cosmetic surgery. Something to consider at this point is that formal surgical training for these latter procedures is usually minimal.
The Toughest Qualification In The World
Formal surgical training in Australia is demanding and extensive. You should feel some comfort in knowing the entry requirements for specialist Australian surgeons are amongst the toughest in the world.
After a minimum seven years of post-graduate surgical training (in addition to the initial 5 – 6 year basic medical degree), a candidate is then entitled to complete the final series of examinations covering all aspects of surgical practice.
Success at this examination enables the young surgeon to become a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). Most Surgeons usually then travel to overseas hospitals for further experience before returning to Australia and setting up practice – usually at least ten years after completion of the basic medical degree.
This should provide you with a certain level of confidence in their training – but is it a sign of their competence?
Special Warning!
Beware of letters after a doctor’s name referring to American or European surgical qualifications WITHOUT equivalent Australian qualifications. Entry requirements for some of the American or European Colleges or Academies are much less stringent than Australian requirements.
For the most part, the various types of surgeons are clearly defined. Orthopaedic Surgeons work with bones; Neurosurgeons work with the brain and nerves; Vascular Surgeons work with blood vessels and so on.
Unfortunately, over recent years, the distinctions have become vague particularly with regards to Cosmetic Surgery. This intricate surgery is now being performed by General Surgeons, ENT surgeons, Ophthalmic Surgeons and others as well as Plastic Surgeons.
Some of these surgeons are better trained in Cosmetic Surgery than others and it can be difficult for the general public to differentiate. By asking the potential surgeon the questions I give you later in the Report, their qualifications and experience will become more obvious to you.
The third and final level of qualification, we will be discussing in this report is…
(c) Plastic Surgeons – The Specialists’ Specialists
Australian Plastic Surgeons are fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). The major difference from other Surgeons is their extensive training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Cosmetic Surgery. These two main components are an integral part of their training.
Australian Plastic Surgeons can apply to become a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Please note that I said APPLY… Membership is not automatic. Only those who have true Australian qualifications and are of good character are accepted.
Adherence to the strict membership guidelines is expected and each Member is under constant peer review. Some of these Plastic Surgeons choose to do little or no Cosmetic Surgery; others do a mixture of Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery while there are a few who focus entirely on Cosmetic Surgery.
Generally, the professionals who have a special interest in Cosmetic Surgery become members of the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
Cosmetic Surgical Tip!
If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery in Australia, membership of ASPS (www.asps.asn.au) and ASAPS should be seen as the gold standard for your Cosmetic Surgeon.
Members of ASPS and ASAPS have trained extensively, are highly skilled and importantly can tailor the procedure to meet your individual needs. Watch for these Memberships when discussing Cosmetic Surgery with a professional.
The ability to personalize a procedure is a critical factor for determining how successful the outcome will be. Often a surgeon with minimal training will not have the breadth of knowledge and experience to discuss other surgical and non-surgical options with you. This is particularly important if for some reason you are not suited to the proposed procedure… and this knowledge is gained through the experience of the surgeon.
Summary of important points so far
- Cosmetic procedures can be invasive or non-invasive
- Any Australian doctor (MBBS) is permitted by law to do a cosmetic procedure
- Invasive Cosmetic Surgery is being performed by some who have minimal surgical training
- Australian surgeons will have FRACS after their name
- The gold standard for Cosmetic Surgeons is membership of ASPS and ASAPS
3. The Surgeon’s Experience – Their Most Valuable Asset
While Plastic Surgeons have experience with many cosmetic procedures, most select three or four operations in which they develop special expertise. This generally becomes clear after the surgeon has been in practice for about five years and is the result of further knowledge gained from additional post-graduate courses or overseas specialised medical meetings.
A surgeon’s experience is his or her most valuable asset and should also be your initial guide to gauge competency. By determining their level of experience it will help you to:
- Determine if the surgeon can provide you with the result you desire;
- Choose the most appropriate procedure for you;
- Lessen the chance of an adverse outcome, but appropriately deal with any complication if it occurs.
Special Warning!
In an ideal surgical procedure nothing will go wrong. This is the case in the vast majority of cosmetic operations. However, please understand that COSMETIC SURGERY IS REAL SURGERY and the potential for complications is always present. This is another critical reason to search out a surgeon with considerable experience and a long list of satisfied patients.
Let’s consider the often glossed over topic of risk. Mitigating or reducing the risk involved in your procedure is one of the keys to enjoying a successful outcome. With Cosmetic Surgery, as it is often with elective surgery, you have a choice. A choice of which procedures to have, a choice of which professional surgeon you use, and a choice of the level of “After Care Service” you want. Not only are these choices important for building your confidence in the procedure, they also play a role in reducing the risks (no matter how small).
Here are two questions to ask yourself when deciding on which professional will perform your Cosmetic Surgery:
- Does this person have the experience to know how to deal with potential complications that may appear during the operation?
- Do I trust this person to work with me to get the best outcome if, in the remote chance, that something goes wrong?
Finding a skilled and experienced surgeon who specialises in the procedure you have chosen to have performed will greatly reduce the risks and in most cases ensure your experience is both successful and enjoyable.
The question now becomes, just how do you find a surgeon with these qualities. A good place to start is the ASPS website (www.asps.asn.au) or www.plasticsurgery.com.au in order to find a qualified surgeon in your geographical area. It is then helpful to determine if your surgeon comes with a recommendation…
4. Recommendations – Who Can Help?
Good Surgeons will be highly recommended by reliable sources. Here are the three most common sources of recommendations:
a. General Practitioners
Your local or family doctor may be able to provide you with good advice about the right surgeon for a particular procedure. It is likely he or she has seen patients with similar requests before.
This can prove to be a good source as, inevitably, the referred patient will provide feedback about the surgeon to the local doctor. The local doctor generally will only refer patients to those surgeons who have obtained excellent results and display a high standard of care.
Similarly, if the patient feedback is less than positive, the local doctor will generally not send any of their patients to these surgeons with poor reputations.
b. Your Family & Friends
If you know of a family member or friend who has had a procedure similar to the one you are considering, talk with them. Ask them about the surgeon, the after care service, and the results. If you have a friend or family member who provides a glowing report of a surgeon and their after care service, then it is worthwhile following it.
c. Other Patients
Most patients are often happy to talk about their experience. The surgeon’s staff should be able to put you in contact with past patients and they can be a valuable resource for you. I recommend you talk with patients who had the same procedure you are considering so you can get a real feel of what to expect from the Surgeon and his Staff.
Recommendations can provide you with a good starting point, but are to be considered as just the beginning. There is a very clear step-by-step strategy you can follow after you have identified a potential Surgeon. Before we move to this strategy, let’s do a quick review:
Summary of important points so far
- Cosmetic surgery is real surgery with real risks
- Try to find out if your procedure is one of the surgeon’s preferred procedures
- A surgeon’s experience is his greatest asset
- Seek positive recommendations from those who should know
5. The 6 Steps To A Wonderful Cosmetic Surgery Experience
My goal with this Special Report is to help make sure your Cosmetic Surgery experience is one that you enjoy and pleasantly exceeds your expectations.
For this to occur it is important that you assume some of the responsibility for the outcome by becoming fully informed about your desired procedure and your selected surgeon.
There are two simple ways which you can do this:
- Use this and other websites to research the various surgical procedures
- Ask your potential surgeon and their staff the questions I’ve listed in the Six Step Strategy Below.
Both of these tasks should be done BEFORE making any decision.
Please note that the questions below are to assist you in getting started and are not designed to be an exhaustive list to cover all contingencies or surgical procedures. What they should provide you with is a very good feeling about the surgeon and the staff… and how you feel about the whole procedure.
Never feel rushed when going through your list of questions. It is important you’re given time to ask the questions and to get direct and detailed answers. Any well-trained and confident surgeon will recognise the importance of your comfort and knowledge and will encourage you to be fully informed. Be wary of the Surgeon or their staff if they are not willing to spend the time needed to answer your questions to your satisfaction.
So without further ado, here are the Six Proven Steps to follow before you commit to a procedure. To ensure you have the questions in front of you, please feel free to take this Report with you.
The 6-Steps To Follow To Ensure You’re Making An Informed Decision About Your Procedure And Your Surgeon
Step 1: Understand Your Procedure
Review details about the procedure you are considering. The easiest way to do this is by reviewing the detailed descriptions and background information given on this website if yours is not listed there, please feel free to e-mail us or one of our listed plastic surgeons.
Step 2: Make Sure Your Surgeon is Fully Qualified
Check the Surgeon’s standing with Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
You can do this easily in a couple of ways:
- Visit the ASPS Web Site to see if the surgeon is listed and accredited: www.asps.asn.au
- Call the associations and have them check to confirm Membership. ASPS/ASAPS telephone 61 2 94379200
Step 3: Contact the Surgeon’s Rooms
Call the Surgeon’s office and use the Questionnaire below. For most people the initial contact with the practice will be by telephone. You can learn an enormous amount by the way the surgeon’s staff respond to these questions.
- What are the doctor’s qualifications for performing this procedure?
- How many of these procedures has he performed in the past?
- Is the doctor comfortable with performing this procedure?
- If I decide to move forward with this doctor, are there a number of past patients I can speak with about their experiences?
- Will I be fully informed of the benefits and possible complications?
- How will I be informed – Written information? Web site? Consultation with a staff member? Consultation with the Surgeon? Access to other patients? Pre and Postoperative photographs? Other?
- What is the approximate total cost of the procedure i.e. including the Anaesthetist, Surgical assistant, Pathology tests, Hospital and postoperative follow-up?
- Are there any Medicare, Health Insurance or Tax rebates applicable and is GST included in the cost?
Remember, this is just to give you a feel of the professional practice and how it operates. Although these seem like fairly simple questions, pay attention to how clear and upfront the answers are.
The Surgeon’s Staff – A Direct Reflection Of The Surgeon!
You can learn a lot about a Surgeon from his support staff. He or she will have chosen them and taught them to reflect his or her attitude to Cosmetic Surgery. If the staff are not interested in you as a person, be very wary; it may also be true of the surgeon.
In some ways a surgeon’s support staff are just as important as the surgeon. In a good practice, they will be your support network before, during and after your procedure. As such, you can expect to spend a lot of time with them. You must feel comfortable with them. Ensure they listen to you and can provide the level of respect and care which you deserve.
You deserve and should expect excellent service. By talking with the staff in both Step #3 and Step #4 you will get a very good feel for the overall service and competence you can anticipate.
Step 4: Meet the Surgeon’s Staff
Call the Surgeon’s office and book a consultation appointment. Many practices offer a FREE preliminary consultation with a Cosmetic consultant who is trained nurse. This person may in fact oversee your whole procedure. This person should take as much time as necessary to make sure you are fully informed. Repeat the questions from step #3 above if the answers were not clear and add the following to your list.
- What are the benefits and potential complications of the procedure?
- Is this procedure right for me?
- What will happen in the hospital – Before the operation? During the operation? After the operation?
- How will I be followed up?
- When does the doctor see me?
- What happens if something goes wrong? (This is the most important question to ask. You need to be satisfied you will receive extra special care.)
- Can I see some photographs of the usual results achieved?
- Can I speak with some of your recent patients?
Step 5: Meet the Surgeon
At this stage, you have talked with the Staff, and some of the past patients. Now, check how you’re feeling about the answers you have received to date. Are you feeling comfortable, or is there something bothering you? Of course there will be some nerves at this point, but check deep into your instinct. You’ll want to ensure you’re feeling comfortable about the staff, the procedure and Surgeon’s office.
The next step is to meet the potential Surgeon. At this stage, you have not made a commitment to the Surgeon as you are still in fact gathering mode. Remember, the Surgeon is working for you not the other way around. They will have recommendations and suggestions, but the final decision whether to use them or not is completely up to you. Never, ever feel pressured to make a decision before you’re ready. If you feel this pressure, be wary.
Good surgeons are confident in themselves and their ability, without being arrogant. Good surgeons are honest with you. They will tell you if they cannot give you the result you desire. In some cases, they will send you to a colleague for a second opinion.
The most caring surgeons may even send you to a colleague they know would give you a better result. You need to be able to trust your surgeon. The best surgeons recognise this and never abuse your trust.
Feel free to ask any of the previous questions you’ve asked of the staff, just to judge the response. The Surgeon should make you feel comfortable and will gladly answer any of your questions. If he or she doesn’t, be wary. Here are the additional questions to ask the Surgeon:
- What are your qualifications? (Remember you are seeking Australian Surgical qualifications, with preferably membership of ASPS and ASAPS)
- Are you comfortable with this procedure?
- Is this the right procedure for me?
- Are there any alternatives?
- What happens if something goes wrong? How often do you see me? Will it cost me any extra? Will any revision procedures cost me extra?
- What is the worst thing that can happen to me?
- Do you understand the result I am hoping to achieve?
- Are you confident you can give this to me?
Step 6: Decide to Proceed
After your conversation with the Surgeon, you will know instinctively if this is the Surgeon and staff you can trust. The rest is easy. Once you’ve made the choice, all you need to do is tell the staff you would like to proceed, they will take care of the rest as a professional medical team. By following the first 5 steps, you will have gathered enough information and had enough questions answered to ensure that you have put yourself in the hands of a wonderful and trusted Surgeon and their team.
6. Final Thoughts
Cosmetic Surgery is different from most other surgery because the decision to proceed lies entirely with you. Without having all of the information you received in this Special Report, making an informed decision can be difficult. But now that you’re aware of the Six Critical Steps to take, your decision becomes much more simple.
The most satisfied patients are those who have taken the responsibility to fully inform themselves BEFORE the operation. If you have chosen your surgeon well, by following the Six Critical Steps, you will be listened to, put at ease, cared for and have the best chance of receiving the result you desire.
Cosmetic Surgery can have an enormous positive impact on the way you feel about yourself and therefore affect the way you interact with others. It can and should be an enjoyable experience as it is with many patients. I trust, no matter which surgeon you choose, the experience is one you enjoy and will have a positive impact on your life.