Founded in 1970, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Inc (ASPS) is the peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgeons (both reconstructive and cosmetic). Its mission is to provide the highest quality plastic surgery care to all Australians.

MEDIARELEASE–30thAugust2017

Howtochoosetherightplasticsurgeon

AroundoneintenAustralianshashadplasticsurgeryoverthepastthreeyearsorisintendingtodosowithinthenextthreeyears.

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons hasmade it easier for those people to select the rightsurgeonwiththelaunchofournewwebsitethatmatchessurgeonswithproceduresandlocation.

“Undergoing plastic surgery, whether reconstructive or cosmetic is a serious undertaking andchoosingtherightsurgeoniscrucialtoensuringanindividual’ssatisfactionwiththeoutcomeaswellas patient safety,” says Professor Mark Ashton, President of the Australian Society of PlasticSurgeons.

NewresearchcommissionedbytheAustralianSocietyofPlasticSurgeonsshow4%ofthepopulationofAustraliahaveundergoneplastic,cosmeticorreconstructivesurgeryinthepast3years,withanaverageof1.7proceduresperpatient.8%ofthepopulation(includingsomewhohavealreadyhadplasticsurgery)are intendingtohavesurgerywithinthenext3years.Thenetresult is10%ofthepopulationhavehadplastic surgery in thepast threeyears and/or are intending tohave it in thenextthreeyears.

Ofthosethathavehadsurgery,themainproceduresundertakenwerefacialcontouring(37%);facial(31%)andbreast/chestenhancement(27%).

“WewanttoensurethatAustralianshaveapositive,andsafe,plasticsurgeryexperience.ThereisanenormousamountofinformationontheInternetbutit’snotalwaysclearwhat’sreputableandwhat’snot.

“PeoplecanbeassuredtheAustralianSocietyofPlasticSurgeonswebsite(www.plasticsurgery.org)is a credible and accurate resource for anyone looking for a fully trained and qualified plasticsurgeonaswellasinformationabouttheirprocedure,”saysProfessorAshton.

Belowisachecklisttoconsidertohelpensureyouhavetheplasticsurgeonthatisrightforyou.

• Alwayscheckyoursurgeonscredentialsandexperience:

Notallmedicalpractitionersperformingcosmeticsurgeryareplasticsurgeonsorevenpractitionerswithformalsurgeryqualifications.Socheckyoursurgeon’squalifications.

AllAustralianSocietyofPlasticSurgeons’MembersarecertifiedbyTheRoyalAustralasianCollegeofSurgeons (RACS) and have completed specialist surgeon training in plastic surgery (cosmetic andreconstructiveandoperateonlyinaccreditedmedicalfacilities.

Additionallytheyfulfilprofessionaldevelopmentrequirementsincludingstandardsandinnovationsinpatientsafetyandadheretoastrictcodeofethicswhichincludesensuringpatientshavea10daycoolingoffperiodaheadofanyprocedure.

Founded in 1970, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Inc (ASPS) is the peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgeons (both reconstructive and cosmetic). Its mission is to provide the highest quality plastic surgery care to all Australians.

• AskyourGPsorHospitals:

GPsandhospitalswillbeabletoassistinfindinganappropriatelyqualifiedsurgeoninyourareaandwillhavefeedbackoftheirreputationandskillincertainareas.

• Askyourfriendswhotheyrecommendforcosmeticsurgeryprocedures:

Friends,or family,canbeahelpful resource in recommendingsurgeonswithwhomthey’vehadapositiveexperience.Butstillbediligentandcheckforyourselftheyareappropriatelyqualified.Justbecausetheywererightforyourfrienddoesn’tguaranteetheywillbeforyou.

• Bepreparedaheadofyourinitialconsultation

Beforeyouhaveplasticsurgery,youmeetwithyoursurgeonforaconsultationduringwhichyouwillbeabletodiscussyourgoals.Yoursurgeonshouldundertakeathoroughexaminationandifsurgeryis appropriate, advise the best procedure to achieve your desired results. It’s important you feelcomfortablewithyoursurgeonandthatheorshehasansweredallyourquestions.

• Becrystalclearaboutyourgoals:

Beclearaboutyourexpectationssoyoursurgeoncanadvisewhetheryourgoalsarerealistic.Takingaphotocanbehelpfultoshowwhatyouwouldlike–thiscanbehelpfulinassistingyoursurgeontoadvisewhetherornotthisisarealisticoutcomeforyou.

• Askaboutrisks:

In your consultation, you need to feel comfortable that your questions have been appropriatelyansweredandanyrisksneedtobeoutlined.Nosurgery, includingcosmeticsurgery isrisk free,soask your surgeonaboutanypotential complicationsduringorafter the surgery.Askyour surgeonabout his or her safety record and their experience with the particular procedure you areconsidering.

• Youshouldnotfeelrushedorpressuredintoaprocedure.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Code of Conduct specifies patientsmust have a cooling offperiodtoconsidertheirdecisionaheadofsurgery.Ifyoufeelpressuredintohavingasurgerytakeastepbackandconsider.

• Whataboutaftercare?

Find out aboutwhat aftercare is provided andwhat you can do before and after your surgery toensurethebestpossibleoutcome.

Founded in 1970, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Inc (ASPS) is the peak body for Specialist Plastic Surgeons (both reconstructive and cosmetic). Its mission is to provide the highest quality plastic surgery care to all Australians.

• Cost

Ask about all the fees and costs associated with your surgery – these will include hospital andanaestheticcosts.Ifyouhaveconcerns,discussthesewithyoursurgeon.

• Taketimetoconsider

Beforeyoumakeyourfinaldecisionaskyourselfwhetherthisisrightforyou;areyourexpectationsrealistic; are you satisfied your questions havebeen answered? If youhave anydoubts over anyaspectofyoursurgeryorcostsdon’tbeafraidtogobacktoyoursurgeonandask–orgetasecondopinion.

Alistofquestionsthatmaybehelpfultotaketoyourconsultationcanbefoundonourwebsite

http://plasticsurgery.org.au/information-for-patients/questions-for-your-surgeon/

Mediaenquiries:EdwinaGatenby,mobile:0402130254.