A cosmetic surgery consultation in Australia is a structured process, not a casual appointment. AHPRA's 2023 reforms set the framework: a GP referral before the first consultation, two consultations before any procedure is booked, a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period, and detailed informed consent documentation. This page walks through what each step looks like in practice at Dr Georgina Konrat's Bondi Junction practice in Sydney, so you know what to expect and how to make the most of each visit.
Before the First Consultation
The GP referral
A current GP referral is required before the first cosmetic consultation. Book a standard appointment with your GP, explain that you are considering a cosmetic procedure, and ask for a referral. The referral is dated within the last 12 months and is brought to the consultation or emailed to the practice ahead of time. For more detail on the referral requirement, see GP referral for cosmetic surgery in Australia.
Booking and what to bring
First consultations at the Bondi Junction practice are booked online, by phone, or through reception. When you book:
- Provide the GP referral, ideally before the appointment.
- List your current medications, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements.
- Note any previous surgical history, particularly anything in the area being considered.
- Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the appointment, including time to settle and complete any paperwork.
The First Consultation — Step by Step
Welcome and history
On arrival you complete any remaining intake paperwork. Dr Konrat meets you, reviews the GP referral, and takes a thorough medical history — past surgical procedures, current medications, allergies, anaesthetic history, smoking status, and any mental health history that may be relevant. This is also when you have the opportunity to explain in your own words what has brought you to consultation and what change you are hoping to make.
Examination
A focused physical examination of the area being assessed follows. The room is private, the practice has an all-female clinical team, and a chaperone or support person is welcome if you prefer. Standard clinical photographs may be taken for the medical record — these are stored securely and are not used for advertising. The examination looks at the specific anatomical features that drive the operative plan, including any factors that affect candidacy or technique choice.
Discussion of the proposed plan
Dr Konrat then explains what would be involved in the procedure for your specific case, including:
- The anatomical features being addressed and why.
- The technique being recommended, and why it suits your case rather than alternatives.
- Anaesthesia options.
- Where the procedure would be performed.
- The expected operative time and same-day discharge details.
- What recovery will involve, including time away from work, exercise, and intimate activity where relevant.
- Final settling timeline and follow-up appointment schedule.
Risks and limitations
The risks specific to the procedure are discussed in detail. This is deliberately not glossed over — informed consent in cosmetic surgery means understanding what can go wrong, how often, and how it would be managed if it did. AHPRA prohibits outcome promises in cosmetic advertising and that approach extends to consultation: Dr Konrat explains what the procedure can typically achieve and what it cannot guarantee.
Fees and written documents
At the end of the first consultation you receive:
- A written fee quote — itemised practitioner, anaesthesia, facility, and follow-up costs.
- Written procedure information.
- Risks and consent documentation.
- Practical instructions for the lead-up to surgery if you decide to proceed.
These documents are intended to be read at home during the cooling-off period before the second consultation.
The Second Consultation
The second consultation is scheduled at least a week after the first. Its purpose is to confirm the operative plan, work through any questions that have come up since the first visit, and finalise the operative date if you wish to proceed.
Bring your written notes from the cooling-off-period reading. Common questions at the second consultation include:
- Practical timing — how the surgery date fits around work or family commitments.
- Specific risk discussions you want to revisit.
- Anaesthesia preferences and the conversation with the anaesthetist.
- What aftercare looks like in your specific home environment.
- Anything in the written materials that wasn't clear.
If a final decision is made, the operative date is booked subject to the seven-day cooling-off period from the second consultation date. If you are not yet ready to decide, a third visit can be arranged or the decision can be deferred without obligation.
The Cooling-Off Period
AHPRA requires a minimum of seven days between the second consultation and the booked surgery date. This is not a delay tactic. It is a regulatory protection that gives every patient a defined period to consider the decision away from the practice setting, with all the written information at hand.
During the cooling-off period:
- Re-read the written procedure information.
- Re-read the risks documentation.
- Talk to the people whose support matters in your life — partner, family, close friends.
- Note any new questions and email or call the practice.
- Consider the alternative of not proceeding, or proceeding at a later time, as genuinely open options.
Some patients book surgery on day eight; others take weeks or months. Both are fine. The decision is yours.
Common Questions That Come Up
"Do I need to decide today?"
No. The two-consultation pathway and the cooling-off period mean decisions are not made on the day. Even if you arrive feeling certain, the structure of the pathway gives you time to consider.
"What if I change my mind?"
That is genuinely fine. The consultation fee covers the practitioner's time and assessment regardless of whether surgery is booked. If you decide later, you can re-engage — sometimes another consultation is needed if significant time has passed or circumstances have changed.
"What if I'm told no?"
Some patients are told the procedure is not appropriate for them. That is part of the assessment process, not a sign anything is wrong. AHPRA expects practitioners to decline where surgery is not suitable. Reasons can include medical factors, anatomical factors, or expectations that the procedure could not realistically meet. Dr Konrat will explain the specific reason and, where relevant, suggest alternatives.
Practical Logistics — Bondi Junction
Dr Konrat's practice is at Suite 402, Level 4, 59-75 Grafton Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022. Three minutes' walk from Bondi Junction station, opposite Westfield. Public transport from across Sydney lands at the bus interchange next door. Paid parking is available in Westfield. The clinic is wheelchair accessible.
For specific procedure pages, see the procedures index. To book your first consultation once your GP referral is ready, visit book a consultation.