A/Prof Damian Marucci has been performing cosmetic surgery for the past 16 years. His training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery involved the intensive study and practice of cosmetic surgery techniques. A/Prof Marucci then completed the Mentor Aesthetic Fellowship in London working with world renowned plastic surgeon, Mr Barry Jones (known as “Mr Facelift”). A/Prof Marucci has published on cosmetic surgery techniques and outcomes in the plastic surgery literature. He regularly teaches trainee plastic surgeonsabout cosmetic surgery. A/Prof Marucci holds specialist registration in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A/Prof Marucci performs a range of cosmetic surgery procedures, including

• Facelift and Neck lift Surgery
• Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
• Prominent ear correction (Otoplasty)
• Male breast reduction (Gynaecomastia correction)
• Breast lift (Mastopexy)
• Breast reduction
• Breast Implant Surgery (Breast Augmentation)
• Revision Breast Augmentation
• Breast lift with implants (Augmentation mastopexy)
• Abdominoplasty (“Tummy tuck”)
• Total body lift
• Thigh lift/ Thigh reduction
• Arm lift (Brachioplasty)

It is important to understand the following things about cosmetic surgery.

• Cosmetic surgery is elective. This surgery is not being performed to save a life or treat a disease. Patients must fully consider the elective nature of cosmetic surgery before deciding to undergo it.
• Cosmetic surgery involves risks. It is important to understand the potential risks of cosmetic surgery but clicking the link here.
• There will be recovery time or “downtime” after cosmetic surgery procedures. You can read some general information regarding the recovery after cosmetic surgery by clicking the link here.

In 2023, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) released new guidelines for medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery as well as guidelines regarding the advertising of cosmetic surgery. This was in response to media reports of “cosmetic cowboys” – unscrupulous medical practitioners who often had little/no formal surgical training and who were performing substandard surgery. Patient safety was the main issue. These “cosmetic cowboys” would use advertising and social media tactics that would exploit a patient’s insecurities, promoting unnecessary and invasive procedures to patients who may not need them.

The new guidelines are meant to clarify a cosmetic practitioner’s experience and training in a way that is readily understandable by the general public. Cosmetic practitioners can no longer claim an “expertise” in an area where they have no expertise. Formal rules regarding consultations, the description of risks and recovery as well as stringent guidelines for the advertising of cosmetic surgery procedures have been introduced.

The results of these new AHPRA rules are far reaching. There are additional requirements compared to non-cosmetic procedures that must be carried out before a patient can proceed to the actual surgery. As part of the new requirement patient need to:

1. Obtain a referral from a GP or a registered medical practitioner
2. Have 2 consultations before proceeding to surgery
3. Undergo a screening questionnaire to identify your goals, motivation and expectationsfor the proposed surgery.

To comply with the third point, A/Prof Marucci uses a scientifically validated patient screening tool (a formal questionnaire) as part ofthe consultation. The aim of any surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, is to benefit the patient. The screen questionnaire is to try to identify before the operation if there are any issues that may affect the patient’s satisfaction with the physical outcome of the surgery.

Ultimately,everyone wants the patient to be happy after the surgery. This screening tool is part of the discovery process for the patient and allows identification and highlighting of goals for, and aims of, the proposed surgery. It tries to marry the expectation of these goals and aims with realistic physical changes and outcomes that are possible as a result of the proposed procedure. The outcome of the screening tool may highlight the need or desire for further information, written or verbal, to fully understand what will and won’t be achieved by the surgery. It may also indicate a need for a period of delay to consider and process all the issues, further consultations with an allied specialists, or other advice and opinion from an alternate Plastic Surgeon. Very occasionally, it may be in the patient’s interest to be helped with the emotional issues around their decision to seek surgery, so that they can best equipped to make decisions in their own best interests.

These new regulations are being mandated by AHPRA to better protect patients and produce better outcomes for the patient holistically. This is also the goal of A/Prof Marucci and ultimately the patient.