faq

Q. Do I need a referral?

A. To receive a Medicare rebate or health fund rebate you will require a referral from your GP for your consultation.

Q. Do you have payment plan options?

A. We accept cash, credit, eftpos and cheques. We do NOT directly offer payment plans or loans, however, there are numerous medical loan and finance companies you can enquire with. Ask us for a DOWNLOADABLE Medicare Guide information sheet by sending an Enquiry.

Q. How much is a consultation?

A. Our Surgical consultation fee starts at $200 depending on the time needed to discuss your procedures.

Q. How long has Mr Maxwell been a surgeon?

A. Mr. Maxwell has been a surgeon for over 20 years and has extensive experience in facial and body procedures including cosmetic and plastic surgery. He specialises in body contouring and body lifting surgery after massive weight loss. Also breast lifts and reductions, tummy tucks and facelifts.

Q. Will there be any visible scarring?

A. Any time there is a surgical skin incision there will be a scar. This is an important part of the healing process. Where possible, scars are hidden (e.g. in the hair in face-lifting or inside the nostrils in rhinoplasty). Where hiding the scar is not possible, Mr. Maxwell produces fine scars by performing meticulous surgery. His extensive training minimises scarring ensuring he uses the most inconspicuous area as possible.

Q. What is the typical recovery time?

A. Recovery from Plastic Surgery varies for each procedure. Recovery is dependent on what type of surgery is taking place and the individual patient's health, age, medical history and other factors. This will be discussed in depth at your consultation or contact a Patient Care Advisor for general procedure recovery information. Phone (03) 8849 1462.

Q. Will my healthfund cover my surgery?

A. Health Fund rebates for Plastic or Cosmetic Surgery vary on a case by case basis. There are numerous health funds and different levels of cover. In any Corrective Surgery (cosmetic) procedure. the health fund will generally NOT cover the surgery costs. If the procedure is required due to an accident or unforeseen circumstances, the Health Fund may cover you. As long as there is an ITEM NUMBER applicable to your Surgery, there might be some cover from Medicare or possibly from your health fund. We will offer a detailed estimate (a surgery quote) after your surgery consultation. It is then up to you to contact your health fund and find out if you are covered for the item numbers listed on the estimate.

Q. What risks are involved?

A. All Surgery incurs risks. You and your Surgeon will discuss these during your consultation and these will be provided in your Surgery Consent Forms. Risks can be minimised provided you follow ALL instructions given. There are risks inherent in any surgical procedure and these vary from procedure to procedure. These will be discussed with you during your consultation. However, with any operation there is a chance of infection, bleeding and localised pain in the area of surgery. Again this will be explained in your consultation.

Q. What are the most common procedures you perform?

A. Our most commonly performed procedures are: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Bodylift, Brachioplasty (Arm Reduction), Inner Thigh Lift, Breast Reduction/Uplift/Enlargement, Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery), Rhinoplasty, Prominent Ear Correction, and Anti-Wrinkle/Filler Injections/Fat Grafting

Q. Are all procedures performed in hospital?

A. Some procedures can be performed in the rooms under local anaesthetic. You will be informed during your consultation as to whether your proposed procedure is suitable to be done in the Practice Rooms in Hawthorn or Williamstown.

Q. In fat grafting, how much do you put in, and how long does it last?

A. As a general rule about half of the injected fat survives and half fades away, so the defect has to be over-corrected to make allowance for this. Whatever fat survives (‘takes') is usually permanent. If a lot of the transferred fat doesn't take, then the procedure will need to be repeated.

Q. What is the right age to have a facelift?

A. Whilst there is no ‘right age' to have a facelift, most patients who have this procedure are between the ages of 45 and 70 years, but it is by no means unusual to operate on patients over the age of 70.

Q. At what age should otoplasty (bat-ear correction) be performed?

A. Typically, when children are around 5 years old and about to start Primary School and when they have already been bullied or teased - or when their parents are concerned that they may be bullied in the future - then the parents make a decision on behalf of the child to have their ears pinned back (an Otoplasty).

The other group of patients are anywhere from late teens to mid-30's, when they decide for themselves that they would like to undergo the surgery. In the adult setting. the procedure is often performed as an in-clinic procedure, especially if the patient is uninsured.