Level 4, 18 North Tce, Adelaide SA

Contact us


Phone
(08) 8213 1800

Fax
(08) 8213 1811

Email
admin@apsa.com.au

Patient Forms
Click to download
Patient Registration Forms for an appointment with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Specialist General Surgeon, Hand Therapist, Laser/Injecting Nurse.

Please complete electronically and return via email to reception@apsa.com.au or bring them with you on the day of your consultation.

Have a Question?


Fees


Our Specialist Plastic Surgeons consult with private patients only at Adelaide Plastic Surgery, including those with private health cover, WorkCover injuries and those who are fully self-funded (uninsured).

Please be assured that we are committed to informed financial consent, so you will receive a pre-treatment written quote for all medical expenses.

In order to claim through private health insurance, your planned procedure must fit the Medicare item number criteria. If not, you will be liable for all the associated costs. Even when there is a Medicare item number, you will be liable for costs which may not be fully covered by Medicare or your health fund. These costs may include a ‘gap’ between the surgical fee and what is covered by Medicare, hospital, anaesthetic and surgical assistant fees, implants and prostheses, non-rebatable single-use surgical equipment, radiology and pathology tests, scar management treatments, allied health care and clinic visits beyond usual after-care. We suggest that you liaise with your insurer prior to your consultation to see if your fund covers the procedure you are interested in.

If you do not have private hospital cover, we encourage you to thoroughly consider the likely treatment costs prior to your consultation, or to investigate private hospital insurance, bearing in mind there is usually a 12 month exclusion for cover of preexisting conditions.

Location


Our rooms are on Level 4, 18 North Terrace, Adelaide in the Adelaide Day Surgery building, near the corner of West Terrace and North Terrace.

Please note that nearby on-street parking is limited and parking inspectors are vigilant. However, commercial parking is available in both Newmarket and Hindley Street; alternatively, bus and tram stops for the Royal Adelaide Hospital are nearby on North Terrace and the Adelaide Railway Station is a ten-minute walk away.

Download location & parking information

Frequently Asked Questions


Do I need a referral letter?

Yes, a valid referral is required for all consultations as of July 1st. If you are not sure, you are welcome to call us on (08) 8213 1800 and we’ll advise you.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring the following items:

Medicare card
Private Health Insurance details
Pension or DVA cards
Referral letter
Third party insurance information i.e. Return to Work
Any relevant radiology and pathology results
List of current medications and medical history

We also highly recommend preparing a list of any questions you may have for your surgeon. During your initial consult you are given lots of information in a short space of time, which may mean you to forget to ask important questions of your own.

Will my private health or Medicare cover my surgery?

If your procedure is deemed medically indicated, and has a Medicare item number, both Medicare and your private health fund may contribute to the cost. This will depend on your fund’s policy and your level of cover. There are many variables involved in determining if your procedure is medically indicated, and we will be able to provide you with this information after your initial consultation with your surgeon.

Do you have before and after photos online?

Our practice has chosen not to post before and after photos online and on social forums, as we believe each patient is unique and will have individual results. Instead, we show our patients real ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos in the privacy of our offices, where we can fully explain how and why each outcome was achieved, and how this may relate to your individual situation.

We are also pleased to offer the latest Vectra 3D Imaging Technology, a special camera which demonstrates predicted before and after results on your own body. This is a complimentary service as a part of your initial consult with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon – it is very well regarded by our patients.

Do I need someone to drive me home after my procedure?

Generally speaking, if you’re only having a local anaesthetic, you should be able to drive. After any other anaesthesia, however, you will need someone else to pick you up drive you home. Similarly, if the procedure is performed on your eyes, hands or feet, it may also restrict your ability to drive and void your car insurance cover in the event of an accident. Your surgeon’s personal assistant will indicate whether you require someone to drive you home during your consultation. If you do require someone to drive you home post surgery, please note that for reasons of patient safety you will not be discharged to be taken home in a taxi. If you do not have someone who can drive you home, let us know prior to surgery and we would be please to make arrangements for you.

When can I get back to normal activities post procedure?

Your individual recovery time will be discussed between you and your surgeon, and is dependant on numerous factors, including the complexity of your surgery and the nature of your employment. It is always better to schedule more recovery time than you think you will need – letting your body rest will ensure you get the best possible outcome after surgery.

Will I have scarring post procedure?

Any surgery that involves an incision will leave a scar. When possible, our Specialist Plastic Surgeons will place incision sites in places that can be naturally camouflaged by the body i.e. the natural crease of the breast, behind the ears, in the hairline or on the lower abdomen where it will be covered by your underwear. As a practice, we offer a number of strategies to help your scar heal as discreetly as possible, including laser treatments and the use of post-operative dressings. Ultimately, the best thing for your scar is time and patience – your scars will continue to heal and improve day by day.

Is there someone I can call with a post-operative problem?

If you have any concerns or questions after your operation, you can call (08) 8213 1800 from Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. to speak to our friendly nursing staff. If you experience an emergency after-hours, you can still call that same number and speak to our on-call nurse or surgeon or, if necessary, your surgeon. Just follow the instructions on the message.

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Absolutely. Our staff adheres to Australia’s stringent privacy laws, and your records are electronically encrypted before being safely stored.

View our privacy statement here.

What are the new regulations and how might it affect me?

The AHPRA medical board has implemented new regulations for cosmetic surgery patients. These new guidelines have stronger protections designed to improve standards of care for cosmetic procedures.

Adelaide Plastic Surgery will require mandatory GP referrals for all patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Note that a referral is not required for cosmetic injecting or laser treatments. Additionally, there is now a requirement of a minimum of 2 consultations, a pre-screening assessment and a 7 day cooling off period before any cosmetic procedure can take place.

Is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon trained in cosmetic surgery?

Yes! There is a common misconception that a cosmetic surgeon does cosmetic procedures and a Specialist Plastic Surgeon only does medically indicated procedures, however, this is incorrect. A Specialist Plastic Surgeon is expertly trained to perform both medical and cosmetic procedures – and in the instance of a medical complication a plastic surgeon is more capable in rectifying the issue. Basically, you’re in the safest of hands!

What is the difference between a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?

A highly qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon is not at all the same as a cosmetic surgeon. Many people are surprised to learn that there is often a vast difference in skill and prerequisits between the two.

After completing a medical degree, graduate doctors must undertake a further eight to twelve years of specialist surgical training and sit a series of rigorous exams in order to be invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Only then do they gain recognition as fully qualified Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

In contrast, any doctor in Australia with a basic medical degree and a current registration can refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon.

Given that ‘cosmetic surgery’ is a useful description for some procedures, we understand that this terminology can be quite confusing. If you are considering cosmetic surgery, find confidence in knowing our plastic surgeons are recognised industry specialists. Their additional years of medical training have allowed each of our surgeons to master an array of techniques, across a range of procedures, giving them the necessary skills and expertise to perform plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Australia.

Stay up to date


News – November 1, 2023

2023 ASAPS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

ASAPS President Dr Timothy Edwards and Vice President Dr Amira Sanki at the 45th annual ASAPS Conference in the Gold Coast. Read it now