Be prepared for your first consult. Use this practical checklist to confirm referral requirements, what to bring, the most important questions to ask, key red flags, realistic recovery planning and how informed consent works in Australia.
Know who will operate, where, and what risks apply to you.
Understand timelines, aftercare and the consent process.
Request a written, itemised quote and revision policy in writing.
Check registration, surgeon selection guides and risk pages.
Use these focused steps to prepare for a safe, informed and low‑stress consultation. They align with Australian requirements around referral, informed consent, cooling‑off and advertising standards.
Make sure the basics are in place and that you’re seeing the right practitioner.
Arrive organised so your appointment covers what matters most.
Get clarity on suitability, risks, recovery and costs for your situation.
Decide without pressure and follow Australia’s consent rules.
These evidence-based questions keep the conversation focused on safety, suitability and realistic outcomes. Use them alongside your written goals.
Understand the steps you’ll typically follow, from referral to informed consent and beyond. Move at a pace that feels safe for you.
Obtain a GP or non-cosmetic specialist referral before your cosmetic surgery consultation.
Discuss goals, anatomy, options, risks and early recovery considerations. Take notes.
Review the plan with the operating surgeon, receive written consent info and an itemised quote.
Minimum 7 days after informed consent. Use this time to reflect or seek a second opinion.
If you encounter any of these, pause and consider another opinion. You should never feel rushed or pressured to proceed.
Arrive prepared so you can focus on a clear, useful conversation.
Essentials to start the appointment smoothly.
Helps assess suitability and safety.
Clarify expectations and next steps.
Quick answers for common consultation questions in Australia.
Yes. The steps apply across breast, body and facial cosmetic surgery. For procedure-specific details, see our hubs: Breast Surgery, Body Contouring and Facial Surgery.
Start with our national guides: Risks & complications and Recovery & aftercare. For timelines by procedure, see Recovery timeline.
Use the cooling-off period to reflect, compare options, or seek a second opinion. If you have concerns, review Complaints & disputes and Revision surgery.
Request an itemised quote and read our guides on Costs & finance, Medicare & private health and specific procedure cost pages like Tummy tuck cost or Rhinoplasty cost.
Send your questions and we’ll share a tailored consultation checklist, guidance on GP referral and consent rules, and links to verify practitioner credentials. No pressure—just clear next steps.
We can prioritise your questions and email you the bring list.
Registration checks, red flags, risks and recovery planning.