COSMETIC SURGERY CHECKLIST
When it comes to cosmetic surgery, choosing the right surgeon is the most crucial step to ensure a good outcome. With your safety in mind, ASAPS has developed a Cosmetic Surgery Checklist to help you achieve good results.
#1 – I have checked that surgeon performing my cosmetic surgery is an AHPRA registered specialist in Plastic Surgery
Why is this important?
- Did you know that there are untrained and unqualified doctors who mislead the public by calling themselves ‘surgeons’ without being registered by AHPRA as a Surgeon?
- These ‘pretend surgeons’ use social media to continue their false and misleading advertising in Cosmetic Surgery to lure in unsuspecting patients.
- If you are after good outcomes in Cosmetic Surgery choosing the right surgeon makes all the difference between a good result and a bad one.
How do I find out if my surgeon is a real surgeon?
Visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) website to find out if your surgeon has a current registration, what their qualifications are, if they have any conditions that limit their practice and if they have a speciality.
All Specialist Plastic Surgeons are registered with a Speciality in Surgery, and the Speciality Field will be in Plastic Surgery.
How will it benefit me?
By choosing an AHPRA registered Specialist Plastic Surgeon who is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) you are assured of a ‘real’ Surgeon who has met the Australian and New Zealand Government’s professional standards and has recognised qualifications.
If you choose an AHPRA registered Surgeon, you are guaranteed the highest standards in surgical safety and ethical practice.
Read more about suitably qualified surgeons.
#2 – I understand what my surgery involves
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions in your consultation with your surgeon.
You should know and understand what will happen to you during the surgery, what results you can expect, and that upon leaving the hospital, you will have the appropriate support mechanisms in place to aid in your recovery.
Find out more about your surgery.
#3 – I know my surgery will happen in a reputable hospital or clinic
Make sure you’re operation is taking place in an accredited and licenced facility, such as a hospital or day surgery facility.
All surgery carries risks. It’s important that if something does go wrong that the appropriate safety equipment is on hand and that the team operating on you are trained to respond appropriately.
Office-based facilities are not required to be licensed in any Australian jurisdiction and therefore do not offer any safety protections for patients. Don’t put yourself unnecessarily in risk.
Read more about finding a reputable facility for your surgery.
#4 – I’m confident my surgeon will supervise my recovery
Having a good rapport with your surgeon and his or her team is essential. You are going on a very personal journey and you want to feel comfortable with the team looking after you. There are also follow-up appointments to check you are healing and, if you aren’t happy with the results, you want to be able to have an honest discussion with your surgeon and know that they will be sympathetic to your concerns.
Click here to find a world-class surgeon.
