What Actually Happens at a Cosmetic Surgery Consultation in Sydney

A framework that exists for patient protection

Cosmetic surgery in Australia operates under a framework set by AHPRA — the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The framework exists to protect patients from making decisions about elective surgery without adequate information, time to reflect, or independent advice. The steps it requires can feel like bureaucratic hurdles to a patient who has already decided what they want, but each step exists for a clinically defensible reason.

This article walks through what actually happens at a cosmetic surgery consultation in Sydney, what each step is designed to achieve, and what to expect from arrival at the first appointment through to the booking of surgery.

Step 1: The GP referral

Before the first consultation, a GP referral is required. The referral is obtained from the patient's own GP and includes a confirmation that the patient has discussed the procedure with their doctor and that there are no medical concerns that would make surgery inappropriate.

The referral is not a recommendation that the procedure should go ahead. It is a step in the framework — a confirmation that the patient has had a conversation with someone who knows their broader medical context. Patients sometimes find this frustrating ("I already know what I want"), but the referral exists because patients are often best served by a conversation with their own GP before pursuing elective surgery.

If the patient does not have a regular GP, they can see any GP for the referral. The referral letter is brought to the first consultation.

Step 2: The first consultation

The first consultation typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Its purpose is to gather information from the patient, examine the relevant anatomy, explain the procedure and the alternatives, discuss risks, and provide a personalised fee estimate.

The consultation usually covers, in this order:

1. The patient's history and reason for considering the procedure — what change is being sought, how long the patient has been considering it, what they have already tried (if relevant)
2. General medical history — current medications, previous surgery, anaesthesia history, medical conditions, smoking and alcohol use
3. Family history — relevant where there is a hereditary component to consider
4. The clinical examination — assessing the anatomy that is relevant to the procedure
5. Explanation of the procedure — what is being done, where the incisions sit, what the surgical plan is, why a particular technique is being recommended
6. Risks and complications — both general (bleeding, infection, anaesthesia, scarring, asymmetry) and specific to the procedure being discussed
7. Recovery expectations — what the first days look like, when normal activities resume, what time off work to plan for
8. Realistic expectations — what the procedure can and cannot change
9. Alternatives — non-surgical options, other surgical options, no surgery at all
10. The fee estimate — the surgical fee, facility fee, anaesthesia fee, follow-up costs, support garments if applicable

The fee estimate is discussed openly. Medicare rebates and private health insurance rebates do not apply to procedures performed at Dr Konrat's practice — Dr Konrat is a cosmetic doctor (MBBS, FACCSM). All fees are out-of-pocket and the total is provided in writing.

Step 3: The time between consultations

After the first consultation, patients are given written information about the procedure, the risks, and the recovery. They are encouraged to:

• Take time to read the material carefully
• Discuss the information with family or trusted people
• Seek a second opinion from another suitably qualified practitioner
• Write down any questions that arise

The second consultation is scheduled at least two weeks later — sometimes longer if the patient needs more time. Patients who decide during this period not to proceed can let the practice know; there is no pressure to continue.

Step 4: The second consultation

The second consultation is shorter than the first — typically 20 to 30 minutes. Its purpose is to:

• Confirm that the patient has read and understood the information provided
• Address any new questions that have arisen
• Re-confirm the surgical plan
• Repeat the risk discussion (this is required under AHPRA rules, not just preferred)
• Confirm informed consent

Patients sometimes feel the second consultation is repetitive. That is intentional — the framework requires the conversation to happen twice, in a structured way, so the patient demonstrates they have absorbed the information rather than simply being told it once.

Under current AHPRA rules, at least one of the two consultations must be in person.

Step 5: The seven-day cooling-off period

After the second consultation, a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period applies before surgery can be booked. The period cannot be waived under any circumstances.

The cooling-off period gives patients time to:

• Reflect on the information without the immediate context of the consultation
• Confirm their decision when they are not feeling time pressure
• Cancel if they have changed their mind, with no obligation

After the seven days have passed, patients who wish to proceed can confirm the booking. A deposit is generally required at booking.

Step 6: Booking and pre-operative preparation

Once the cooling-off period has passed and the patient has confirmed the booking:

• A surgical date is scheduled
• Pre-operative instructions are provided in writing
• Pre-operative pathology or imaging is arranged if required
• Anaesthesia consultation is scheduled (sometimes the same day as surgery, sometimes earlier)
• Recovery planning is finalised — time off work, support at home, transport on the day

The pre-operative instructions typically include guidance on medications to pause, fasting requirements, smoking cessation if relevant, alcohol, and any specific preparation for the procedure.

What the consultation is not

The consultation is not a sales meeting. It is not a yes-or-no decision point. Patients are explicitly encouraged to seek a second opinion. Dr Konrat will advise against surgery where it is not in the patient's interest — for example, where realistic expectations cannot be met, where medical conditions create unacceptable risk, or where the patient's reasons for considering the procedure suggest a non-surgical pathway would serve them better.

The consultation is also not an opportunity to discount or pressure-test the framework. The GP referral, the two-consultation rule, the cooling-off period, and the AHPRA framework all apply to every patient regardless of how decided they already are.

When to book the first consultation

The first consultation is the right step when:

• You have done initial research on the procedure
• You have a clear sense of what change you would like to discuss
• You have either obtained or are arranging a GP referral
• You have allowed at least a month between booking the first consultation and any planned surgery date

A consultation is not a commitment to proceed. Many patients use the consultation to clarify whether surgery is the right step for them.

If you are considering a consultation with Dr Konrat in Sydney, the booking page explains the next steps and the documents to bring on the day.