Choosing a Plastic Surgeon: 8 Questions to Ask | Dr Jeremy Richardson

Choosing a plastic surgeon involves more than comparing procedure photos or finding someone who does the surgery you are considering. Qualifications, relevant surgical experience and planning, communication and follow-up care all matter.

A consultation with Dr Jeremy Richardson, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne, can help you understand which options may be suitable for your anatomy, concerns and goals.

If you are researching facial cosmetic surgery, your consultation is an opportunity to understand who will perform your surgery, what is specifically being recommended and why, as well as the risks, limitations and recovery involved.

Below are eight questions for a plastic surgeon to ask at your consultation when choosing a Plastic Surgeon.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Are you a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?

Start by checking the surgeon’s recognised qualifications and specialist registration.

The AHPRA public register shows if a doctor has specialist registration and their recognised specialty. In Australia, use of the title “surgeon” by medical practitioners is now restricted under national law, but it is still important to look past the marketing language and check the practitioner’s actual registration. You can check the register here.

This can help you confirm their AHPRA specialist registration and if they are recognised as FRACS (Plast). FRACS means Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Earning this fellowship involves a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical education, including at least five years of specialist postgraduate training in plastic surgery, as well as formal assessment and Fellowship examinations.

What experience do you have with the procedure I am considering?

Specialist registration is an important starting point, but it is also worth understanding the surgeon’s experience with the procedure you are researching.

If it is facial surgery, this includes procedures such as facelift, deep plane facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty eyelid surgery, brow lift or rhinoplasty. RACS recommends asking about a surgeon’s experience with the specific procedure as part of choosing who will perform your surgery.

Dr Richardson has a special interest in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and has completed Specialist Plastic Surgery training in Australia, as well as further international fellowship training.

Am I suitable for this procedure and why is it being recommended?

Not every procedure is suitable for every patient. Your consultation should assess your anatomy, health, medical history, medications, previous surgery and any factors that could affect healing or surgical risk.

It should also explain why a particular procedure is being recommended. If you have concerns around the jawline and neck, for example, this may involve a neck lift, facelift or a combination.

With Dr Richardson, your consultation is a clear assessment and discussion around what the proposed surgery is intended to address, what it will not address and why it suits your anatomy and concerns more specifically.

What are the risks and possible complications?

All surgery carries risk, but the type and relevance of those risks will vary depending on the procedure, your health and the extent of surgery.

With Dr Richardson, this discussion is specific to you. He will explain the general and procedure-specific risks, anything in your medical history that may affect healing and how these are considered before, during and after surgery. General risks may include bleeding, infection, scarring, changes in sensation, delayed healing or the possibility of further surgery.

You should also understand what to expect during recovery, which symptoms are part of normal healing and when you should contact the surgical team. This forms an important part of informed consent and helps you make a more informed decision about whether to proceed.

What changes are realistic for my anatomy?

Photos and examples can be useful when explaining your concerns and goals, but another patient’s result cannot predict what will be achievable for you.

Dr Richardson will assess your facial structure, skin quality, tissue position, previous surgery and the areas you are hoping to address. He will explain what the proposed procedure is designed to change, what it cannot change and how your anatomy influences the surgical plan.

This can include comparing procedures that treat connected areas, such as facelift and neck lift surgery, or assessing the eyelids, brow and surrounding tissues together when the concern is around the eyes.

This discussion gives you a more individual understanding of the realistic scope and limitations of surgery before you decide to proceed.

Where will my surgery be performed and who will provide the anaesthesia?

Where your surgery takes place and who provides your anaesthesia are important parts of the surgical plan.

Dr Richardson will explain the facility being used, the type of anaesthesia planned, who will provide it and if an overnight stay is required.

Current Medical Board guidelines require cosmetic surgery to be performed in an accredited facility and surgery must also take place within facilities that meet applicable state registration requirements in Victoria.

You should leave consultation understanding where your surgery will be performed, who is responsible for your anaesthetic care and what support is available during and after the procedure.

What will my recovery involve?

Recovery should be discussed before surgery so you can plan work, transport, home support and other responsibilities. These discussions with Dr Richardson include:

Time away from work and social activities
Driving
Exercise and lifting restrictions
Sleeping position
Wound and scar care
Dressings or support garments
When you may return to usual activities
Symptoms that should prompt you to contact the rooms

Recovery varies between patients and can also change when more than one facial procedure is performed at the same time.

Dr Richardson will provide advice based on your procedure, healing and post-operative reviews more specifically, not relying only on a standard recovery timeline.

What follow-up care and costs are included?

Surgery does not finish when you leave hospital.

Before proceeding, understand how your post-operative care will work, including when you will be reviewed, who to contact if you have a concern and how unexpected issues are managed.

It is also useful to understand the full costs involved. These may include the surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital or facility fees, as well as if post-operative care is included. ASPS (Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons) recommends discussing both aftercare and the fees associated with surgery before proceeding.

Dr Richardson will explain this clearly and provide any information relevant to your individual procedure before you make a decision.

What should happen before cosmetic surgery is booked?

Cosmetic surgery in Australia has specific consultation and cooling-off requirements. Current Medical Board guidelines require a referral from a GP or another medical specialist who does not perform cosmetic surgery, as well as at least two consultations. At least one consultation must be in person with the surgeon who will perform your procedure.

After these consultations and signed informed consent, there is a minimum seven-day cooling-off period before surgery can be booked or paid for. These requirements apply to cosmetic surgery more so than reconstructive surgery for a medical indication.

Dr Richardson feels this process also gives you time to understand your surgical plan, risks and recovery before deciding to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if someone is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?
Search the AHPRA public register and check the doctor’s specialist registration and recognised specialty. Do not rely on website wording or social media titles.

Should I choose a plastic surgeon based on before and after photos?
Before and after photos can help you understand the type of work a surgeon performs and support discussion about your concerns. They should not be the only reason you choose a surgeon. Qualifications, experience with the procedure, the quality of your consultation and the follow-up care offered are also important.

What are the red flags when choosing a plastic surgeon?
Be cautious if qualifications are unclear, you feel pressured to book quickly, risks or limitations are glossed over, or follow-up arrangements are vague. A consultation should give you enough information and time to understand the proposed surgery before deciding to proceed.

How do I compare two plastic surgeons after consultation?
Compare more than price or procedure names. Consider how clearly each surgeon explained the recommended surgery, their experience with that procedure, the risks and limitations discussed, the recovery and follow-up plan, and how well you understood the reasoning behind their recommendation.

Do I need a GP referral for cosmetic surgery?
Yes, patients seeking cosmetic surgery need to have a referral, preferably from their usual GP, although another GP or medical specialist who does not perform cosmetic surgery may provide it.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson, is a Melbourne-based Specialist Plastic Surgeon with qualifications including MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat and FRACS (Plast) and is ANZBCPS Board Certified.

He has a special interest in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including facelift, neck lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty nose surgery.

If you are considering facial surgery, consultation with Dr Richardson is an opportunity to discuss your concerns, suitable procedure options, risks, recovery and follow-up care.

To book a consultation, contact Queens Parade Specialists in Fitzroy North, Melbourne.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Read more: There Is No Such Thing as a “Cosmetic Surgeon”

References

AHPRA. (2025). Thinking about having cosmetic surgery? https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Information-for-the-public.aspx

AHPRA. (2023). Win for patient safety with ‘surgeon’ now a protected title. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2023-09-13-Title-bill-passes

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). How to choose the right Plastic Surgeon. https://plasticsurgery.org.au/how-to-choose-the-right-plastic-surgeon/

Medical Board of Australia. (n.d.). Cosmetic surgery: Requirement for GP referral. https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Policies/FAQ/FAQ-Cosmetic-surgery-Requirement-for-GP-referral

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. (n.d.). FRACS – a symbol you can trust. https://www.surgeons.org/Patient-information-and-resources/trust-fracs/FRACS-a-symbol-you-can-trust

This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All surgery carries risk and results may vary. Consult Dr Jeremy Richardson, MED0001204528, MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat, FRACS (Plast), Specialist Plastic Surgeon, for personalised advice and tailored treatment.