Patients sometimes ask why they cannot simply book a procedure at their first appointment. The answer involves both regulation and, I think, good sense.
What the rule requires
Under the Medical Board of Australia’s guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery, a cooling-off period of at least seven days applies before any cosmetic surgical procedure. In practice, this period runs after your second consultation, at the point where informed consent is given.
For patients under 18, the requirements are considerably stricter, including a three-month cooling-off period and mandatory assessment by a registered psychologist, psychiatrist or general practitioner.
Why two consultations
The first consultation is where we discuss your concerns, your health and your options. The second is where we go through the specifics in detail: the technique proposed, the recovery, the risks, the costs, and what the procedure can and cannot achieve.
Separating these conversations matters. A great deal of information is covered, and very few people absorb all of it in one sitting. Coming back with questions you thought of afterwards is not an inconvenience. It is exactly how the process is meant to work.
What the waiting period is for
The cooling-off period exists so that you can make a decision away from the consulting room, without any sense of momentum carrying you forward. Surgery is a significant undertaking with permanent consequences, and it should never feel like something you were swept into.
Use the time. Talk to people you trust. Reread the material we have given you. Write down anything that is still unclear. If you decide not to proceed, that is a legitimate outcome and no explanation is owed to anyone.
Psychological assessment
All patients seeking cosmetic surgery are screened for body dysmorphic disorder, and where indicated I will refer for assessment by an appropriate practitioner before proceeding. This is a standard part of responsible practice, not a judgement about any individual.
A safeguard, not a hurdle
I understand that waiting can feel frustrating when you have thought about something for a long time. But I have never had a patient tell me they regretted having extra time to consider. The safeguards exist because they protect people, and I apply them fully.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. All surgery carries risk. Suitability for any procedure is assessed during consultation.