Do you know the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon? Most people don’t and chances are that many people in Australia who are considering a surgical procedure or who have already had one, are not aware of their surgeon’s qualifications (or lack thereof).

At Dr Warwick Nettle, our patients’ safety is our absolute priority, which is why we want you to know what makes Dr Nettle so different to cosmetic surgeons and why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon.

In Australia, any medical practitioner including GPs is allowed to perform surgical procedures and call themselves cosmetic surgeon. Unfortunately this means that even doctors who haven’t had sufficient training for invasive surgical procedures can perform cosmetic procedures if the patient agreed to it.

Dr Nettle is a fully qualified plastic surgeon who has had a minimum of 12 years medical and surgical education and specialist training plus at least 5 years of specialist postgraduate training. Moreover, they are members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Another very important aspect to consider when choosing a surgeon, is the facilities they operate in. Unfortunately, it is not illegal in Australia to perform surgery in unaccredited facilities, such as office rooms or day procedure centres. These facilities often lack a sterile environment and crucial equipment needed in the case of an emergency.

At Dr Warwick Nettle, Dr Nettle performs all surgical procedures in fully accredited hospitals with qualified clinical teams and quality controlled equipment and monitoring. This creates a much safer environment for patients.

As a result of the limited regulation when it comes to using titles in Australia, patients are often confused and misinformed. Summing up, it is important to remember that just because someone promotes themself as an expert or a “cosmetic surgeon” does not mean they are a qualified specialist plastic surgeon.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call on (02) 9387 3900 if you have any questions or would like more information about our Dr Nettle. Click here to read more about his qualifications.