FAQs about Plastic Surgery with Plastic Surgeon Dr Robert Owen
HOW MUCH DOES AN INITIAL COSMETIC CONSULTATION COST?
The cost of an initial cosmetic consultation with Dr Owen is $350 which is payable at the time of booking your consultation.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE DR OWEN?
As of July 1st 2023 a referral from either a General Practitioner (GP) or Medical Specialist is needed for all patients undergoing consultation for cosmetic surgery. Having a referral also allows you to receive a subsidy from Medicare for your initial consultation fee and is required in order for you to claim any applicable rebates related to your surgery.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE MY CONSULTATION?
Upon booking your consultation (that you have secured with the $350 fee) you will receive an e-mail containing specific details regarding your appointment. We do ask that you fill out a medical history questionnaire and read and sign the privacy act information and consent for photographs prior to your appointment. These can be e-mailed straight back to the practice.
It is also a good idea to write down a list of questions that you may have and bring this on the day to make sure that you receive all the information you need to make an informed decision about a procedure.
WHERE DOES DR OWEN CONSULT FOR COSMETIC SURGERY PROCEDURES?
Dr Owen offers cosmetic consultations at 8 Ventnor Avenue, West Perth, 6005. There is street parking available on Ventnor Avenue. The parking cost is $4 per hour.
DOES THE COST OF SURGERY NEED TO BE PAID UPFRONT?
We require a 20% deposit to secure a cosmetic surgical date then the remaining portion to be paid 28 days prior to your procedure. Your anaesthetic and hospital fees will also need to be paid in full prior to undergoing surgery. You will be contacted by the Hospital and Anaesthetists rooms for these payments.
DOES PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER COSMETIC SURGERY?
For some procedures (medically necessary) you may be able to claim hospital fees and/or a rebate on surgical and anaesthetic fees. This being said, purely cosmetic surgery is elective and therefore most insurance plans do not cover it. There are exceptions and if your procedure is medically necessary and has a Medicare item number attached you may qualify for a rebate. Check with your private health insurer if you are uncertain if your procedure will be covered or if you have any exclusions to your policy.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE I CAN HAVE SURGERY?
The waiting time for surgery can vary significantly depending on the procedure that you wish to have. On average, the waiting time is approximately 4-8 weeks from your initial consultation.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A GENERAL ANAESTHETIC?
This will depend on your procedure and the complexity of the surgery. Some procedures may be performed using local anaesthetic alone or local anaesthesia +/- sedation. However, on average the majority of procedures Dr Owen performs will require a general anaesthetic, where you will be unconscious for the duration of the operation.
Smaller procedures may only require you to remain in hospital for a few hours and then you will be able to return home with friend or family member. For larger procedures you may be required to stay in hospital overnight or for a couple of days for observation and monitoring.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY INITIAL CONSULTATION?
You will be required to fill in the registration form and medical history questionnaire prior to your appointment. During your initial consultation Dr Owen will listen to your specific concerns, conduct a physical examination, including photographs and discuss procedural options that you may potentially benefit from. It is encouraged that you learn a little about your procedure of interest (if known) prior to your first consultation and write down a list of questions to ask Dr Owen.
Dr Owen can provide you with information regarding a specific procedure you are interested in as well as advising or recommending others that may better suit your needs and goals. Dr Owen will be able to help explain your results and discuss any associated risks and complications.
After your consultation we will be happy to provide you with an estimate of the surgical fee for your chosen procedure. If you would like to go ahead with a cosmetic procedure, it may be booked after a 7 Day cooling off period or subsequent consultation.
Please note that this is a consultation only and that cosmetic surgery procedures are not performed in the rooms.
