Choosing Your Surgeon

Deciding to have cosmetic or plastic surgery and choosing your surgeon can be a significant decision.

When choosing a surgeon to perform your surgery, it is important to ensure that they are properly trained to perform the procedure. Australian surgeons should be members of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and this can be confirmed by the letters FRACS after their name. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is the only surgical training body which is recognised by the Australian Medical Council. Doctors claiming to be members of other institutions such as the College of Cosmetic Surgery (CCS) are not recognised by the Australian Medical Council or the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as being qualified to perform surgery.

The difference between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon is additional training. At present, anyone with a basic medical degree may perform cosmetic surgery and promote themselves as a Cosmetic Surgeon. Only members of The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are Plastic Surgeons with extensive training. It takes an additional 8-10 years of advanced specialist training after graduating from medicine to qualify as a Plastic Surgeon.

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons is recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as the only legitimate professional body representing the field of cosmetic surgery in this country. Not all doctors who practice cosmetic surgery are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and therefore will not be entitled to use FRACS after their name. Although some doctors may call themselves cosmetic surgeons they are not entitled to be members of ASPS.

Each member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons is fully trained and qualified in Plastic Surgery, operates only in accredited surgical facilities, adheres to a strict code of ethics, and regularly attends continuing medical education courses.

Mr Dean White is fully trained and qualified in Plastic Surgery.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of:

• The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• Australasian Society of Aesthetic Surgeons (ASAPS)
• Australian Medical Association (AMA)

You can contact the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons on 1300 367 446 or visit their website to check if your surgeon is a qualified plastic surgeon.

• Read Mr White's Profile for more information about his plastic surgery training and experience.