Interstate Patients

The decision to explore and undergo surgery is not to be made lightly, and we place emphasis on choosing the right surgeon for your surgical procedure as every surgeon has a different personality and approach. This is why we encourage patients considering surgery to visit us in person in the first instance to ensure your chosen surgeon is the right ‘fit’ for you.

Dr. Richardson and the Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery team welcome many interstate patients into our practice each week. We strive to provide these patients with the highest level of personalised service from the outset.

The following steps outline the standard process undertaken by an interstate patient:

Step 1: Consultations with Dr. Richardson

To explore surgery options with Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, you will have two consultations with Dr. Richardson to ensure you are able to gain the most information to make an informed decision about your surgical procedure. Your first consultation is required to be in person at our Hamilton or North Lakes clinic so you can meet Dr. Richardson, learn more about your possible procedure and ensure Dr. Richardson is the right fit for your surgical procedure. Your second consultation can be a virtual one and will have a number of phases to offer the most valuable consultation possible.

Your consultations with Dr. Richardson are an opportunity to thoroughly discuss what you want to achieve from your procedure and formulate a treatment plan to suit these goals. Dr. Richardson seeks to understand each patient’s unique lifestyle so that he can create their surgical plan accordingly.

Step 2: Surgery Booking

Following your initial consultation with Dr. Richardson you will be provided with your personalised quotes, additional details of your surgical procedure, and we can schedule your second consultation if you would like to proceed. Following your second consultation, we can then book your surgery and organise your timeline of your travel to Brisbane for surgery. At this time, we will organise your pre-operative face-to-face consultation with our nurses, a day, or a few days prior to your operation. You will also receive a pre-operative phone call from our Nurse a few weeks prior to your scheduled operation to ensure you have all the information required to prepare for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Step 3: Surgery

Once it’s time for your surgery, we recommend arriving in Brisbane a day prior to your pre-operative appointment to get settled. You will attend your pre-operative appointment where Dr. Richardson will finalise the details of your surgery and ensure you are all prepared for your procedure.

Step 4: Recovery

Dr. Richardson recommends that interstate patients stay in Brisbane for at least one week following your operation to ensure your recovery is on track, prior to travel. You will receive a post-op call from the nurse following your procedure to check in and see how you’re feeling, and you will then organise your post-op appointment to assess progress before you return home.

Step 5: Long-Term Care & Support

Here at Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery we provide lifetime care and support which extends to our interstate and overseas patients through the BRAS Clinic. The BRAS Clinic is run by our Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Keren, and can be completed virtually via Zoom or phone call. These appointments involve a physical assessment through photo review, and we are able to then refer you for an ultrasound that can be completed at a clinic close to you.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner