Patient Resources Newcastle

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Cosmetic Surgeon vs Specialist Plastic Surgeon

By far the most important decision you will make when contemplating breast surgery, or indeed any type of cosmetic surgery, is your choice of surgeon.

There are countless media reports of botched surgery resulting from poorly-qualified and inexperienced doctors, and the inappropriate use of anaesthetics.

ABC News – Patient Lives at Risk
ABC 7.30 Report – Knife’s Edge

These stories highlight the dangers of choosing ‘cosmetic doctors’ over ‘specialist plastic surgeons’.

It is not a well-known fact, but there is a significant difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a specialist plastic surgeon. Currently in Australia, it is legal for any doctor to perform surgery and call themselves a ‘cosmetic surgeon’. Consequently, the training, skills and experience of cosmetic surgeons varies greatly, as can the operating environments used and the use of anaesthetics.

The key difference with Dr Mistry is that he is a fully qualified and accredited specialist ‘plastic surgeon’ – not a doctor without specialist training and experience calling themselves a ‘cosmetic surgeon’.

Importantly, your surgery takes place in a fully-accredited, premium hospital under general anaesthetic, administered by a fully-qualified anaesthetist accredited with ANZCA (the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists).

Understanding the difference between Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery refers to procedures performed to alter a person’s appearance for aesthetic purposes. These procedures are elective and are generally undertaken to change physical features rather than to treat a medical condition.

In most cases, cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. This is because it is not associated with the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) and does not have MBS item numbers. As a result, individuals choosing cosmetic surgery usually pay the full cost themselves. Surgical costs may include fees for the surgeon, anaesthetist, and use of the operating theatre.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

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Please Note: Information provided on Dr Mistry’s website is provided as a basic guide, it does not constitute a diagnosis and should not be taken as medical advice. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

A Newcastle Surgeon That Cares

“I care because it’s my job as a surgeon, as a plastic surgeon, to do the appropriate thing and to give you a good outcome. I want to leave knowing that I can tell a patient, hand on heart, that I did the very best I could and that I looked after them, so when I see them post op later that day or the next morning, that they feel they were in good hands.”

– Dr Yezdi Mistry

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