Choosing Your Surgeon
Choosing Your Surgeon
Specialist Plastic Surgeons are the only body recognised by the Commonwealth and Australian Government as fully trained and qualified to perform invasive aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive plastic surgery. The Medical Board of Australia states that the title โSpecialist Plastic Surgeonโ can only be used by Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) who are approved as Specialist Surgeons in Plastic Surgery.
The medical specialty of plastic surgery encompasses both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Specialist Plastic Surgeons complete more than 5000 procedures over the course of their training – of which, almost two-thirds have a cosmetic component. In fact, Specialist Plastic Surgeons draw from both reconstructive and cosmetic skills and training in order to deliver the optimal result for each patient, no matter the circumstance.
Currently in Australia, it is legal for any doctor who has a basic medical degree (MBBS) to perform surgery and to call them self a โCosmetic Surgeonโ, without any additional accredited training.
However, Specialist Plastic Surgeons, have extensive surgical education and training in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, including a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical training, with at least 5 years of specialist postgraduate Specialist training. Upon completion of this, qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons become a โFellowโ of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), which is reflected by the title FRACS (Plast) in their qualifications.
The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the peak body for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Australia. It administers specialist plastic surgical training, and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is the only college in Australia accredited by the Commonwealth Government to deliver this training.
Dr Jeremy Richardson is a member of the Australasian Society of Plastic Surgeons. The Societyโs role is to maintain the highest quality plastic surgery care by:
โ Facilitating government accredited surgical education and training for all Specialist Plastic Surgeons
โ Upholding ethical and professional standards
โ Promoting public education about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
ASPS membership criteria is stringent and by invitation only. Members are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), the only College in Australia accredited by the Commonwealth Government to deliver specialist surgical training.
