The Plastic Surgeon & I

For some in our community whose gender identity doesn’t align with their body, it can be frustrating to seek services or procedures in a fragmented and costly system. An application has been made to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) to have gender-affirming surgeries added to Medicare, which aims to reduce confusion and out-of-pocket costs for patients. The president of the Australian Association of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Associate Professor Nicola Dean, discusses the current process in Australia for those seeking solutions to gender-affirming surgery, including referral options. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

AusPATH (Australian Professional Association for Trans Health)
https://auspath.org.au/ 

ACON
https://www.acon.org.au/ 

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 
www.plasticsurgery.org.au 

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If you’re considering plastic surgery for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, the first step is ensuring your surgeon is trained in the area you’re seeking and to the standard of the Australian Medical Council. That’s according to Prof. Mark Ashton, Clinical Professor of Surgery and Honorary Professor of Anatomy at the University of Melbourne.

Some people, he says, have unrealistic expectations about what plastic surgery can achieve or the results it can yield. And so, it’s important to discuss your options with an AMC-accredited surgeon who are all Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Prof Ashton explains what patients should do before and after surgery, how to convey their expectations to a surgeon, and the variuous outcomes after a procedure.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

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Women with overly large breasts often face a variety of issues, including discomfort, physical pain and emotional concerns. Breast reduction is a life-changing procedure for the many thousands of women across Australia who undergo surgery each year. Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Shagun Aggarwal explains the process of breast reduction surgery, as well as the potential risks and complications, scarring, post-operative care, how Medicare may cover the costs, and if additional surgery is required at some stage.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

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The decision to undergo breast reconstruction following a mastectomy involves multiple factors, including the tumour size, breast size and overall health of the woman. According to plastic surgeon Dr Kirstin Miteff individualised medical consultations are important for women to fully understand the risks and benefits of surgery and choose the right procedure. Breast reconstruction not only restores physical appearance but also has profound psychosocial, sexual, and functional effects, improving a woman's self-esteem and overall well-being.

This episode of The Surgeon & I provides valuable insights into breast reconstruction options, their significance in cancer treatment, and the need for improved accessibility and awareness.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 
www.plasticsurgery.org.au 

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The body’s natural ability to heal damaged skin leaves a scar. The appearance of the scar is dependent on the nature of the injury, the skin type, location of the scar and so on. Those and other factors may determine the treatment and management of the scar. Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Jeremy Rawlins explains the common scars he comes across, his holistic approach given to scar revision, and the surgical and non-surgical scar treatments including new and evolving technologies.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

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An increasingly popular plastic surgical procedure is a facelift, which can help soften the dominant ageing features of the face. In this episode, plastic surgeon Dr Jonathan Azzopardi explores various types of facelifts, including the en bloc deep plane facelift, to gain a better understanding of the techniques involved. He also examines the potential risks and complications, as well as what to expect during the recovery period and any complementary or alternative treatment options available. For those considering this procedure, he also addresses the initial steps they should take to start their journey towards a more rejuvenated appearance.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

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Fewer than 10% of Australian specialist plastic surgeons live and work in regional and rural areas, despite close to 30% of the population living outside capital cities. However, much has been done to improve surgical care for people in the bush. For one thing, there has been a concerted effort by medical colleges, particularly the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), to encourage its members to practice in regional centres across the country. An example is plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Rob Toma who moved to Warrnambool in south-western Victoria. Dr Toma explains the options for patients considering or requiring plastic surgery for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes with access to smaller regional hospitals.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cosmetic tourism is becoming increasingly popular for Australians who see it as a cheaper alternative to surgery back home. But overseas surgery can result in serious long-term complications performed by people who may not have the same rigorous training and qualifications as surgeons in Australia.

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Kim Taylor has seen the consequences of surgery gone wrong among some who choose to head overseas for cosmetic surgery. She discusses those risks and some of the misconceptions that exist of cosmetic tourism.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surprisingly high percentage of women suffer from rectus diastasis after pregnancy. The condition can occur when the abdominal muscles separate. It often improves, but for some women it can lead to back pain and a loss of mobility, and so abdominoplasty is necessary. 

Fortunately, surgery to treat post-partum rectus diastasis has been relisted on the Medicare Benefits Scheme.  

Dr Nicholas Moncrieff, an aesthetic plastic surgeon and co-founder of Hunter Plastic Surgery in Newcastle NSW, discusses the symptoms and treatment of rectus diastasis, what to expect from abdominoplasty and how to plan for recovery after surgery. 

Information on rectus diastasis and abdominoplasty
https://plasticsurgery.org.au/information-for-patients/abdominoplasty-with-muscle-repair-after-pregnancy/ 

Hunter Plastic Surgery
https://hunterplasticsurgery.com.au/ 

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au 

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Dr Fiona Wood is a world-renowned pioneer into the treatment of burns, who made media headlines in the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, when she and a medical team handled 28 victims flown to Perth for life-saving treatment.

Over the years, she’s worked tirelessly into the advancement of burns treatment. Dr Wood pioneered the world-famous ‘spray-on skin’ technique, and she continues to be influential in other medical innovations through her not-for-profit, Fiona Wood Foundation.

In 2005, Dr Wood was awarded Australian of the Year in recognition of her research and technology development in burns medicine.

In this episode she discusses crucial medical breakthroughs that have made the lives of burns victims immeasurably better off.

Fiona Wood Foundation
https://www.fionawoodfoundation.com/

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
www.plasticsurgery.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.