When choosing a surgeon there are things that are important, things that are unimportant and warning signs to look your for.

1. Qualification of surgeon.

Ensure your surgeon is a fully qualified Plastic Surgeon with FRACS after his name. All genuine plastic surgeons in Australia are members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS.

2. Experience of the surgeon.

How long has the surgeon been doing the procedure?
How many has he or she performed?
How often does he or she do the procedure?
Have any complications occurred?

You should be shown photographic examples of the surgeon's own work (pre and post-operative photographs) for the operation. This should include several examples, not just one or two, in order to satisfy you of the volume of operations the surgeon is doing.?

3. Rapport with the surgeon.

You should feel comfortable with the surgeon and satisfy yourself a full and unbiased explanation of the procedure has been given with a full and detailed explanation of potential complications and side effects. At the end of the consultation you should feel happy your surgeon will look after your interests. The surgeon may be able to arrange other patients who have had the procedure to speak to you.?

4. Aftercare

You need to make sure that your surgeon will look after you after the operation. What if you have questions or concerns? What if there is a problem after surgery? Will you be able to access the surgeon or his staff readily? Will the surgeon himself speak to you and offer advice and solutions? How many times will the surgeon see you after surgery? Make sure your follow-up visits are included in your surgical fee.?

5. Reputation.

This can be by word of mouth (from friends and associates) or from your general practitioner. Your general practitioner will usually be aware of the reputation of particular surgeons in your area.

Q. What is the difference between a Cosmetic Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon? What qualifications should a surgeon have? And what do they mean?

Answer: All surgeons have differing levels of training, experience and expertise. Plastic surgeons practice plastic and reconstructive surgery, including cosmetic surgery. To qualify as plastic surgeons a doctor must be trained through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), which involves a minimum of eight years after graduation as a doctor. Most are also members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a group whose members are ALL trained through RACS.

Cosmetic surgeons are usually registered General Practitioners, some of whom do not undertake the same medical training as plastic surgeons. Some cosmetic surgeons are fellows of the Australian College of Cosmetic Surgeons (FACCS), who recommend that members of their Faculty of Surgery complete three years of general surgical training plus two years of cosmetic surgery training, after becoming a doctor.

However none of the ACCS's qualifications or examinations are currently recognised by the official credentialing body, the Australian Medical Council and they therefore have no official status. This means that many cosmetic surgeons find it difficult to obtain operating privileges in private hospitals and licensed day surgeries.

Verify the medical credentials of your surgeon in detail before you make your final decision.