Thinking of getting a cosmetic surgery procedure but need a GP referral? At Instant Consult, getting your cosmetic surgery referral is super easy and all done online! Simply go on a video call with our AHPRA-accredited doctors and discuss the procedures you’re planning to get. If deemed suitable, you'll receive a referral to a specialist plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon - all without leaving your home!
Convenient Online Consultations for Cosmetic Surgery Referral
The best part? You don’t have to wait for the usual clinic hours. Our doctors are available from 6 AM to midnight AEST, seven days a week. That means you can get a doctor’s referral for plastic surgery, whether it’s in the middle of the night, on the weekend, or even during public holidays!
Our online consultations are not only convenient, they’re tailored to your comfort too! Since consultations are done online, you can choose to have it anywhere you’re most comfortable in. From your private office to your bedroom, you don’t have to worry about anyone listening in on your cosmetic concerns.
With Instant Consult, the first step to your transformation is just a click away. Book your online consultation now and get ready to embrace a fabulous new you!
Get in touch with our online GP doctors for our other specialist referrals like an opthalmologist referral, gynaecologist referral, and more.
Why You Need a Doctor’s Referral for a Plastic Surgeon in Australia
As per the guidelines set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), starting July 1, 2023, anyone considering cosmetic surgery must first secure a referral from a doctor or another medical specialist. But why is this important? Let’s break it down:
- Holistic Health Assessment: Your doctor evaluates your overall health. They consider your physical and mental well-being, ensuring you’re fit for surgery. This is crucial, as factors like mental health and existing medical conditions can impact surgery outcomes.
- Informed Decision Making: Referring doctors can offer personalised advice based on your medical history. They help you understand the risks and benefits specific to you, leading to better-informed decisions.
- Patient Safety First: With a doctor’s referral, there’s a higher level of patient safety. They ensure that the surgery is appropriate for your health situation and that you’re not undertaking unnecessary risks.
- Screening for Psychological Concerns: Your doctor can screen for issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This is important, as such conditions can affect how you perceive the outcomes of cosmetic surgery.
- Continuity of Care: Your doctor, who knows your medical history, remains part of your care team. They can coordinate with your plastic surgeon and other healthcare providers for comprehensive care.
- Medicare Rebates: If the procedure is deemed an essential reconstructive surgery, having a referral may make you eligible for Medicare rebates. Some private health insurance companies also require a referral for reconstructive surgical procedures.
- Preventing Impulsive Decisions: The referral process provides a ‘cooling-off period’. It gives you time to reflect on your decision away from the influence of social media or marketing pressures.
How to Get a Cosmetic Surgery Referral Online
So, you’ve decided to explore cosmetic surgery, maybe a facelift or breast augmentation? Here’s the great news: Getting a referral for your procedure can be done online! Here’s how you can get an online cosmetic surgery referral at Instant Consult:
- Sign Up and Book: Start by downloading the Instant Consult app from the PlayStore or App Store. Create an account or log in if you’re a returning user. Once you’re in, click on the “Request a Consult” button on the app’s dashboard. One of our doctors will connect with you in 15 minutes or less.
- Prepare Your Details: Have your medical information ready. This includes any previous surgeries, current medications, and your reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery. The more info, the better!
- Attend the Video Consultation: You’ll chat with an AHPRA-accredited doctor via video call. It’s just like a regular doctors visit, but from wherever you’re most comfortable. Discuss your health, your cosmetic surgery goals, and any concerns you might have.
- Get Your Referral: If your doctor agrees that cosmetic surgery is suitable for you, they’ll provide a referral. This will be sent directly to your Instant Consult inbox. You can then use this to book an appointment with a specialist plastic surgeon.
Can Telehealth Doctors Issue Cosmetic Surgery Referral?
Yes, online doctors can indeed issue referrals for cosmetic surgery. At Instant Consult, in particular, all our medical practitioners are AHPRA-accredited and practice to the standards set by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This means they’re just as qualified as any GP you’d see in person and that their referrals are just as valid as ones you’d get from an in-person visit.
Besides, the AHPRA guidelines only require that the consultation must be in real-time. This can be either via video or in person. So, a chat over video with your telehealth doctor ticks this box.
The beauty of using Instant Consult’s telehealth service is its convenience. You can have a consultation with a fully qualified doctor from the comfort of your home – perfect for your busy schedule!
Instant access to chat with a doctor with a comprehensive range of services
With Instant Consult, you can chat with a doctor and get help for a wide range of medical requests, all from the comfort of your home!
1
Medical Certificates
Are you too ill to come into work and need to give your boss a medical certificate? With Instant Consult you can chat with a doctor and get a medical certificate sent directly to your app’s inbox, all without getting out of bed!
2
Prescriptions
If you need a new prescription or need to update an ongoing one then you can use our app to instantly chat to a doctor who can prepare your prescription promptly!
3
Referrals
If you have a medical condition that needs treatment from a specialist, one of our GP’s can send a digital referral straight to your app’s inbox.
4
Pathology Requests
If you need a blood cell count or to check for STDs/STIs or need any other kind of bloodwork you can easily get a pathology request sent to your inbox by any of our fully licensed online GPs. You can then take the request to the clinic of your choice.
5
Radiology Requests
If you require any special kind of diagnostic imaging such as a CAT scan or an MRI you can get a request from one of our online GPs which you can then take to your preferred provider.
Cosmetic Procedures that Require a doctor’s Referral
Not all cosmetic procedures require a doctor’s referral. As per the AHPRA guidelines, a GP referral is only required for surgical procedures. This includes:
- breast augmentation
- breast lift
- abdominoplasty
- rhinoplasty
- blepharoplasty
- facelifts
- liposuction and fat transfer
- cosmetic genital surgery
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures like fillers, cosmetic injectables, laser treatments, and similar don’t need a doctor’s referral.
Why Choose Instant Consult for Your Cosmetic Surgery Referral
When you’re considering cosmetic surgery, the journey starts with a doctor’s referral. Instant Consult makes this step a breeze! Here’s why we’re a great choice:
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: Forget about travel and waiting rooms. With Instant Consult, you can chat with an Australian registered doctor from wherever you’re comfortable – your home, office, or even on the go.
- Flexible Appointment Times: Busy schedule? No worries! Instant Consult offers appointments outside regular hours. You can book a consultation that fits into your life.
- AHPRA-Accredited doctors: All our doctors are fully accredited and adhere to the RACGP standards. This means you’re getting quality care, just like an in-person visit.
- Quick Access: We connect you with a doctor in less than 15 minutes. This means you’re one step closer to your cosmetic surgery goal without the long wait.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Your consultations are private and secure. That means you can discuss your needs and concerns openly.
- Seamless Referral Process: If our doctors deem cosmetic surgery suitable for you, they’ll issue a referral quickly and efficiently. It’s all done online – hassle-free!
Instant Consult isn’t just great for cosmetic surgery referrals. We also offer a whole range of convenient healthcare services. From general medical consultations to online prescriptions, medical certificates, blood tests and X-ray requests, and referrals to dermatologists, psychologists, optometrists, and more, your healthcare needs are just a few clicks away!
Community of Doctors
Australian registered, fully qualified, insured and experienced Doctors right at your fingertips ready for an instant online consult
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. The AHPRA guidelines only require that the referring doctor must be independent of the practitioner providing the surgery. This means they should not:
- be a close relative of your cosmetic surgeon
- have no financial relationship
- practise in the same clinic location or belong to the same employer/business
Nope, the referral doesn’t have to name a specific cosmetic surgery. It just needs to outline your situation and what you’re looking to achieve. The decision on the exact type of surgery will be made between you and the cosmetic surgeon during your consultation.
Yes, our doctors can say no to giving a referral. If they feel cosmetic surgery isn’t right for you, based on your health or other reasons, they have the right to decline.