Cosmetic Surgery

Are you considering cosmetic surgery?

Are you unsure about the different types of medical professionals performing cosmetic procedures, and their qualifications?

This section is designed to provide you with unbiased information about your doctor’s formal training and tips to help you decide which surgeon to choose.

Please remember your surgeon will generally have additional training and experience in cosmetic procedures they have a special interest in.

What is the difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is a specific field of medicine that focuses on enhancing the physical appearance through surgical and medical techniques and can be performed on all areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is generally considered to be 'elective' as treated areas function properly but lack aesthetic appeal.

Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns and disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature.

Common acronyms and their definitions:

Surgical Qualifications and Training pathways:

Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+3 to 5 years as a junior hospital doctor

+4 years in surgical fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During this fellowship the doctor will perform cancer removal, skin flaps, trauma surgery and burns. No specific "cosmetic" procedures are necessarily performed such as face-lift, breast augmentation, eyelift etc.

+To become experienced in cosmetic procedures, the surgeon will often go overseas to spend time with a surgeon experienced in cosmetic procedures. They will also do a number of surgical workshops in cosmetic procedures.

=Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Facial Plastic Surgeon

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+3 to 5 years as a junior hospital doctor

+4 years in surgical fellowship (usually in ear, nose and throat surgery). During this fellowship the doctor will perform cancer removal, skin flaps, rhinoplasty and airway procedures, head and neck surgery. No specific “cosmetic” procedures are performed such as facelift, breast augmentation, eyelift etc.

+To become experienced in cosmetic procedures, the surgeon will often go overseas to spend time with a surgeon experienced in cosmetic procedures. They will also do a number of surgical workshops in cosmetic procedures.

=Member of the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons (AAFPS).

General Surgeon

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+3 to 5 years as a junior hospital doctor

+4 years in surgical fellowship focusing on surgical treatment of abdominal organs, e.g. intestines including esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often include endocrine surgery, breast surgery and hernia surgery.). No specific "cosmetic" procedures are performed such as facelift, breast augmentation, eyelift, etc.

+To become experienced in cosmetic procedures, the surgeon will often go overseas to spend time with a surgeon experienced in cosmetic procedures. They will also do a number of surgical workshops in cosmetic procedures. General Surgeons often perform Breast Augmentation.

=Member of General Surgeons Australia (MGA)

Cosmetic Surgeon

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+Usually training as a General Practitioner or may spend 3 to 5 years as a junior hospital doctor or have a FRACS.

=Member of the Australian College of Cosmetic Surgeons (ACCS). To become a member, the doctor must have three years basic surgery training and a further two years specific cosmetic surgery training. The college also has a surgical register where a doctor has to perform 50 to 100 cases of a particular procedure to become fully registered.

Cosmetic Physician

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+Usually training as a General Practitioner

=Member of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia (CPSA). Cosmetic Physicians mainly perform non-surgical procedures, though some perform laser resurfacing and liposuction.

Dermatologist

6 years of medicine at university (MBBS)

+3 to 5 years as a junior hospital doctor

+4 year fellowship in Dermatology. During this fellowship the doctor specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin, nail and hair diseases and skin cancers. No specific cosmetic surgical procedures are performed.

=Fellow of the Australian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Some Dermatologists will further their knowledge in cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing, liposuction and facelift. This option for Dermatologists is more popular in the USA than Australia.

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