Before you begin on the path of finding a properly qualified provider, you should firstly be aware of the difference between plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a medical specialty field whereby surgery is used to restore patients to normal form and function. It is the treatment of un-normal, diseased or injured tissue. Cosmetic surgery is a branch of plastic surgery used to improve upon the normal to enhance one’s aesthetic appearance and self esteem. While all plastic and reconstructive procedures are invasive, only certain cosmetic procedures are invasive.

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are required to undergo stringent specialty training which takes at least 7 years following their medical school graduation. Members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons are the only cosmetic plastic surgery specialists recognised as specialists in this discipline by Medicare Australia. They must be Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), an award fully accredited by the Australian Medical Council. ASPS members operate only in accredited medical facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics and undertake continuing professional development requirements.

In Australia, any doctor may perform surgery if the patient consents to the operation. So, basically, anyone with a medical degree can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon without necessarily having any surgical skills or training. The ASPS have recognised that many doctors are carrying out complex cosmetic surgery procedures without specialist training, resulting in potential risks to consumers. The legislature has begun to step in to regulate the industry but so far, when it comes to selecting a suitable surgeon or physician, it certainly remains a “buyers beware” market.

Doctors who are fellows of the Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) are required to comply with a Code of Practice as a condition of their membership. Disciplinary action may be taken by ACCS’s Board of Censors should a breach occur. Further, ACCS actually provides accreditation services. So if a doctor is an ACCS accredited cosmetic surgeon, it means they have a minimum of 13 years training and have been specifically trained and assessed in cosmetic surgery. They are also required to undergo annual reaccreditation. The ACCS continually moves to uphold standards within the industry. For example, as part of their recent disclosure rules, ACCS members are now required to disclose to patients the number of times they have performed a procedure if less than 100.

Doctors who are members of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australia specialise in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. They are required to have minimum training and experience prior to being admitted. As a condition of membership, doctors are required to adhere to a code of conduct and keep up to date with the latest scientific and medical advances. Members specialise in various procedures including laser treatments, non-surgical skin tightening, thread lifting, hair restoration, microdermabrasion, wrinkle and acne treatments and more, cosmetic mole removal, sweat-reducing treatments, leg vein treatments, fillers and contouring agents, liposuction, liposculpture, fat/cellulite reduction, chemical peeling and photodynamic therapy.

Member doctors of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine supply a comprehensive range of laser and non-surgical cosmetic medical procedures such as wrinkle reduction, acne scarring solutions, leg vein removal, laser resurfacing, mole and skin cancer removal, removal of sunspots and pigmented lesions, facial peels, laser treatment of capillaries, lip wrinkle treatment, the Paris Lip technique, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, non-surgical facelift, sun damage and pigmentation treatment and IPL therapy.

Members are required to comply with the Society’s rules which require continued study, application and advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of cosmetic medicine and minimally invasive cosmetic surgery. Members have the responsibility of reporting techniques, new methods and products at the Society’s meetings to allow evaluation and authentication of such techniques, products and new methods.

There are so many procedures available that no one surgeon or doctor can be an expert in all of them. The doctors and surgeons listed on this website have provided us with a list of procedures they are qualified to perform. Many of them are Members or Fellows of either one or more of the following professional bodies:

The “Organisations” tab on the menu bar has links to each one of the above bodies. Each organisation’s website stipulates what academic qualifications, training and experience doctors are required to have before being accepted as Members or Fellows of the respective organisation. It is important to note that being a Member or Fellow of an organisation does not mean a particular doctor or surgeon has experience in the procedure you are considering.

When selecting a doctor or surgeon, be sure to research their educational background, training as well as experience in the procedure you are seeking. Avoid compromising quality for price. You may still save money by selecting a non-invasive procedure but never exchange quality care for cost. It is essential to ask the right questions at the consultation. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

There are many books and resources available to guide you through the complex web of plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery accreditation and certification processes and what you need to look out for when selecting your provider. Take the time to research the recommended steps you should take. This site does not provide comprehensive advice on how to go about researching your surgeon and prospective procedure. It is a guide only to help you get started on your research journey. Don’t put your health at risk, avoid costly mistakes by doing your homework; don’t cut corners. It may be a lengthy and perhaps arduous process, but one which will ultimately be worthwhile.

The increase in popularity of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic procedures has brought with it deception, hucksters and practitioners performing procedures with dubious qualifications. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) states that 40% of patients of cosmetic plastic surgery agree they should have researched about potential side effects and complications prior to surgery. The homework and decision making process that should be undertaken to find a suitably qualified plastic cosmetic surgeon is just as important, if not most important.