Q: I am interested in having a consultation with Dr Drielsma, do I need a referral?
A: Actually, you don’t NEED a referral to see Drielsma. However, many procedures attract a medicare rebate and, if you have private insurance, a health fund rebate. Your initial consult with Dr Drielsma also may attract a medicare rebate. In order to claim these rebates, if you are seeing Dr Drielsma for procedures such as breast reduction, ear pinning (otoplasty), tummy tuck, skin cancers, scars and hand surgery, you will need to bring a referral from your GP or specialist to your appointment. You will then be entitled to a Medicare rebate on our consultation fee and, if you proceed with such surgery, relevant applicable rebates.
If you wish to see Dr Drielsma and/or have surgery without a referral, any such applicable rebates from medicare or your health fund will not be claimable.
If you wish to discuss purely cosmetic procedures such as anti wrinkle injections, breast enlargement or a facelift for example, you require no referral. However you are still welcome to bring one to your appointment.
Q: I am very keen to have surgery, how long is the waiting list?
A: We can generally schedule surgery within 4 to 6 weeks from the date of your initial consultation. However peak times such as winter and school holidays book in advance. We can advise you of specific dates at the time of your consultation.
Q: I am seriously considering breast augmentation. I am 24 years old and I want to have children in the future. Will I be able to breast feed after surgery?
A: Breast feeding can occur normally after breast augmentation, providing that it was possible to do so prior to surgery.
Q: My teenager is concerned about the shape of her nose. She feels that it is too large for her face and is very self-conscious about it. When is the best age for surgery?
A: Rhinoplasty or reshaping of the nose should be carried out on those individuals in whom the nose is fully developed. Usually 17 or 18 years or older.
Q: I am interested in breast augmentation and would like to know how long my implants will last.
A: Modern implants are excellent and should last long term. As long as you are experiencing no specific problems, there is no need to remove or change breast implants. It is best, however, not to assume breast implants are going to last forever but if they give no problems, they do not need removal.
Q: Is breast reduction surgery covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
A: Generally speaking, breast reduction qualifies for applicable rebates from medicare. If you are in a private health fund, private hospitalisation and theatre costs may be partially or fully covered as well attracting a Medicare and health fund rebate. Check with your individual health insurance and ask them specifically if your policy covers surgery. You will need to bring a GP referral to your appointment.
Q: I have a scar from an accident, can you remove it so I have no scar?
A: The short answer is no. However Dr Drielsma can often revise the scar so it has a much better chance of healing in a more natural and less obvious way than the original scar.
Q: I have heard that any medical practitioner or doctor can call himself a “cosmetic surgeon” and perform plastic surgery procedures. Is this true? How do I know if my surgeon is properly trained and well experienced?
A: It is true that in Australia a doctor such as a GP can call himself a cosmetic surgeon regardless of his post graduate training. Unfortunately general practitioners with no specialist surgical training today commonly masquerade as plastic surgeons and practice cosmetic surgery. However what defines a properly trained and qualified plastic surgeon compared to these practitioners is very clear. Plastic surgery requires at least 3 years of basic surgical training after medical school. This is followed by 4 years of training under the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) in the speciality of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The degree FRACS after your surgeons name indicates this is the case.
Q: Is it safe to have cosmetic surgery performed overseas because I have heard that it is a cheaper option?
A: Brokers in Asia generally organise these surgeries. There is little control of the qualification of surgeon offered. Once you have committed to such surgery, you have no choice or control over who will do your procedure. You will likely only meet the surgeon briefly on the day of your surgery. Appropriately trained and qualified surgeons similar to plastic surgeons in Australia would generally be based in countries of similar medical standards such as USA, Canada and England and definitely not be offering surgery any cheaper than in Australia. It is important to consider all the benefits and risks of overseas surgeries. Should complications arise it may be very difficult and expensive to return overseas for follow-up consultations or secondary surgery.
Q: Do you offer financing?
A: All cosmetic surgery is pre-paid prior to your surgery. Finance is available independently through various finance companies or possibly your own financial institution. One must carefully consider the affordability of such finance options but our staff can help you with such an option should you wish.