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Plastic Surgeon Training

The term plastic comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to mould or shape, hence the term “plastic surgeon”.  The word cosmetic originally conjured up images of the very vain and so was not used.

In Australia, a specialist plastic surgeon must complete :

1.         5 or 6 years of medical school. 
2.         then complete at least one year of intern training in a teaching hospital,
3.         then complete between 2 and 4 years of basic surgical training. 
4.         After this they must complete 4 years of advanced surgical training in all  aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. 
5.         Once through this rigorous training, and two arduous examination processes (each with pass rates of only 30-60%), they are accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

 Dr McGovern passed both Part 1 and Part II Examinations at the earliest opportunities allowed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.  He then completed 18 months further post-graduate training in the United Kingdom and the USA, before settling on the Sunshine Coast to begin his private practice in 1994.

Cosmetic Surgeon’s Training

Any doctor whatsoever may decide to call themselves a “Cosmetic Surgeon”.  They often have no valid training, qualifications or experience in cosmetic surgery and their only qualification is as a general practitioner. 

Many have never done any surgical training at all, whilst a few are ENT(ear, nose and throat) or  general surgeons, who would normally take out your  tonsils or appendix. 

 Many become members of impressively titled colleges and societies, whose members are  generally equally unqualified to perform cosmetic surgery.  These groups band together to give the general public an impression of professionalism and qualification. 

Foremost amongst these is the so-called Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery, founded by a paediatrician (children’s specialist) who developed an interest in penis enlargement, Dr Colin Moore.  He wished to legitimise his involvement in Cosmetic Surgery prior to the New South Wales Ministerial Inquiry into Cosmetic Surgery and so formed his “College”!

Since that Inquiry, Queensland has legislated to restrict use of the term “surgeon” to those who are qualified surgeons ie they have completed and passed the rigorous training and exams as set out above and have become Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), however this law is poorly policed.

If the doctors you are researching do not have the letters FRACS (Plast.Recon.Surg) behind their name they are not qualified to perform cosmetic surgery. Caveat emptor ! (let the buyer beware !).

 What does this mean to you?

 Ask yourself – would you hire a gardener to build your house? Of course not! You want to be  in the hands of an expert and you don’t want complications.

Choosing a Qualified Surgeon

The very best way to choose a surgeon to perform your intended surgery is to ensure they are properly qualified to perform that procedure.  This means checking that they are members of The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, by telephoning ASPS on 02-94379200 or surfing to www.plasticsurgery.org.au.  

We recommend seeing more than one qualified plastic surgeon, before making your decision. Always ask for qualifications. If the word “surgeon” is not in their qualifications, then they have no surgical qualifications!  Don’t be mislead by advertisements talking only of expertise in “cosmetic surgery”. Ask to see credentials, and if the letters FRACS(Plast.ReconSurg) are not behind their name, then find someone who is qualified.

Look for ASPS membership – this ensures that your surgeon is qualified not only in surgery, but in plastic and cosmetic surgery.