When you start looking for the right plastic surgery clinic, there are actually multiple important factors to keep in mind.
Your choice will ultimately affect your surgery experience, each aspect of the journey and your procedure results, so it’s always important to take the time to do your research and choose carefully.
In this blog, we’ll give you some tips on how to make sure that you find a clinic that will suit your needs.
If you’re searching for a plastic surgery clinic on the Sunshine Coast or nearby, Vie at Fraser-Kirk is owned by thoroughly experienced and trained Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk. He can perform a variety of procedures that require an intensive level of skill and benefit from an understanding, supportive and patient-centred approach.
Learn about the importance of experience and qualifications
While researching your options nearby, one of the first steps you should take is to find a clinic who has highly qualified and experienced surgeons. Ideally, choosing a plastic surgeon is a good idea when you’re looking for someone to perform an extensive surgical procedure.
In Australia, not every doctor who offers cosmetic surgery has undergone specialist surgical training. A fully qualified plastic surgeon will have completed extensive training, including years of additional surgical education after their initial bachelor degree. They’ll also be registered as a plastic surgeon with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold FRACS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) in Plastic Surgery.
Most of the time, surgeons who are qualified at this level will make it clear on their website and on any social media pages that they may have, but you can always contact their team and confirm. Apart from the surgeon’s qualifications, if you can’t find any information on their previous experience, you should also feel free to ask their team. When it comes to such an important choice like selecting a surgeon to perform your procedure, you shouldn’t hesitate to any and all of your questions.
Make sure that all of the surgical procedures are performed at appropriate facilities
If the information is not available on the plastic surgery clinic’s website, you should ask the surgeon’s team where the procedures will be performed.
If your surgeon is a well-respected, fully qualified plastic surgeon, they will most likely perform the procedures at an accredited hospital or surgical centre. Unfortunately, there have been some cases of less qualified and experienced surgeons performing procedures in less official locations, so this is an important step to confirm the quality of your surgical experience.
Understand the costs involved with your chosen procedure – and the reasoning behind the number
For high-quality results, cosmetic surgery is something worth budgeting and saving up for. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper option elsewhere, as qualified plastic surgeons need to reflect their experience level and qualifications in their costs, this could ultimately put the quality of your experience at risk.
This is a step that will normally need to wait until you have had your first consultation with your surgeon, as your costs will need to be calculated after refining your surgical plan.
When you do receive your quote, you can discuss the reasoning behind the costs and get a deeper understanding of exactly what you’re paying for. Your quote will typically include surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist’s fees and hospital costs.
Review the surgeon’s before and after photos
Another helpful step is to look at the surgeon’s past examples of previous patients. We recommend finding examples of the specific procedure you are interested in.
Looking at before and after photos can help you to gain a clearer perspective of what the surgeon can achieve, but it’s always important to understand that results vary from patient to patient.
If the surgeon’s website does not have any before and after examples of the procedure you are thinking of undergoing, you can typically ask to see examples during your consultation. Before and after photos are always taken and shown with the patient’s consent and with their privacy in mind.
Note how comfortable you feel with the clinic’s team
When you choose a plastic surgery clinic, you’re not just choosing the surgeon; you’re choosing the whole team that will support you before, during, and after your procedure.
Nurses and other staff are normally involved in your surgical journey, whether it be as a point of contact or to provide you with information and additional support during your preparation and recovery.
A supportive, friendly team can make a positive difference, especially during the sometimes-challenging early stages of recovery.
Ask about the clinic’s approach to recovery
The recovery journey after your chosen surgical procedure will require you to rest, follow your surgeon’s instructions and receive the care you need.
On the phone or during your consultation, we recommend asking about how the recovery process is approached. For example, you should find out when follow-up appointments are typically scheduled, who you can contact should you need support or have any questions, and other important parts of the recovery stage.
A good clinic will have a sufficient and thorough aftercare plan for your chosen procedure, that will be carefully tailored to your personal needs.
Have an open and honest consultation with your plastic surgeon
A good plastic surgery clinic will strongly focus on thorough, honest consultations. During these, you should be able to ask questions, discuss your goals, and learn about the procedure.
During your consultation, the surgeon should explain what’s achievable for you personally, what the procedure involves, what the risks are, and what recovery will realistically look like. They should also take the time to understand your medical history and determine if you are a suitable candidate.
You should feel that you have the opportunity to take your time and make an informed decision, as well as that you have all of the important information you will need.
Vie at Fraser-Kirk: Plastic Surgery Clinic on the Sunshine Coast, QLD
Led by Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk, Vie at Fraser-Kirk is the longest established plastic surgical practice on the Sunshine Coast.
Our experienced team is held to high standards and will aim to make your surgical journey supportive. A Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and a qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Fraser-Kirk has completed his studies in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
He has the required skill level to perform various surgical procedures, each extensively tailored to every patient’s needs and expectations.
If you are interested in any of our surgical procedures, please feel free to contact our team to schedule a consultation.