FAQS

In Australia, it is currently legal for any doctor who has a basic medical degree (MBBS) to perform surgery and to call themself a ‘Cosmetic Surgeon’, without any additional accredited training. The Australian Medical Council does not recognise ‘cosmetic surgeons’ as a medical specialty or accreditation.

A Specialist Plastic Surgeon is a Commonwealth Government accredited Plastic Surgeon, trained and qualified to perform invasive reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery in public and private hospitals, and accredited day surgeries. It is a registered title conferred by the Australian Medical Council and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). It can only be used by accredited Plastic Surgeons who have completed their training under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 

The Medical Board of Australia states that the title “Specialist Plastic Surgeon” can only be used by Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) who are approved as Specialist Surgeons in Plastic Surgery.

Specialist Plastic Surgeons, have extensive surgical education and training in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, including a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical training, with at least 5 years of specialist postgraduate Specialist training.

Dr Kirstin Miteff is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).  

The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the peak body for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Australia. 

ASPS membership criteria is stringent and by invitation only. Members are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), the only College in Australia accredited by the Commonwealth Government to deliver specialist surgical training.

https://plasticsurgery.org.au/

Phone: +61 2 9437 9200

FRACS stands for Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The distinction is only awarded to specialist surgeons who have completed a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical education, with at least 5 years of specialist postgraduate training. A Specialist Plastic Surgeon with the letters “FRACS Plastics” appearing after his or her name is accredited to perform invasive reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is the peak body responsible for surgical training and the maintenance of high surgical standards and practice. RACS has been recognised for over 80 years as the authoritative body for standards and training in surgical practice in Australia and New Zealand. RACS is accredited in Australia and New Zealand to train surgeons as competent, independently practising specialists in each of the nine surgical specialties.  

Only qualified Plastic Surgeons that have trained through RACS can become a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 

https://www.surgeons.org/

Phone: +61 03 9249 1290

Choosing the right Plastic Surgeon is a very personal decision. Before deciding on your surgeon or proceeding with surgery, it’s very important to do your research and carefully consider the following:

• Is my chosen surgeon a fully qualified and experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon?
• Is my procedure going to be performed in a fully accredited hospital?
• Am I in good health and at a healthy, maintainable weight or stable BMI?
• Do I have realistic expectations about what my selected surgery can achieve?
• Am I choosing to have surgery for the right reasons and at the right time?
• Am I able & willing to undergo a recovery and healing period of around 4-6 weeks?
• Do I have a friend, partner or relative who can assist me during my recovery?

Dr Kirstin Miteff encourages patients to be extremely careful and do their research. Choosing the right Plastic Surgeon is crucial to a patient’s surgical experience and, more importantly, their surgical results. 

Your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with honest and accurate surgical advice to ensure you undergo the correct procedure for your particular concern.

A medical referral (from a GP or Specialist) is required to book a consultation with Dr Kirstin Miteff.

A referral can allow you to claim a small rebate on the cost of your first consultation back from Medicare.

Please note that a GP referral to a Plastic Surgeon is valid for 12 months, and a Specialist referral to another Specialist has 3 months validity.

You have decided to have plastic surgery. Here’s what to typically expect at your initial consultation with Dr Kirstin Miteff:

• Have a physical examination
• Have your photos and measurements taken
  
• See Before & After photos from past patients
• Undertake a BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) Questionnaire with Dr Miteff
• Find out more about surgical options
• Go through the possible risks and complications associated with surgery
• Have your questions answered, you can bring a supportive friend or family member with you

Dr Kirstin Miteff will guide you through the choices you have for surgery, given your unique circumstances. The consultation will take approximately 90 minutes.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Aspire practice. Please assist us by bringing the following to your appointment:

• Your referral letter from your GP or Specialist
• Your Medicare Card
• Your Private Health Fund card (If applicable)
• Patient Information form (If not already returned to us)

Download a new patient form here: Click here to download

• Your complete medical history, including current medications. Any information that may be relevant. 
• Any pathology results, x-rays, or previous surgery details
• A list of questions for Dr Kirstin Miteff
• A supportive friend or family member to help you

We encourage you to familiarise yourself with your procedure of interest by browsing our website.

At Aspire we value the privacy of our patients and as such do not have an online photo gallery. Before and after photos can be requested during face-to-face consultations. These will help you gain a greater understanding of what you can expect for your own results.

Due to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency) restrictions, no testimonials or reviews can be included on our website and social media channels. This is to ensure any opinions or information you read come from an unedited and unbiased source. 

We understand that reviews and testimonials are an integral part of your decision-making process when selecting a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. You are able to find some of Dr Kirstin Miteff’s reviews online.

We do value the feedback of our patients on all aspects of the Aspire practice and welcome any feedback via email or through our contact us form on the website. 

We are always striving to offer our patients the best care and surgical experience.

Dr Kirstin Miteff operates at the following fully accredited hospitals in Newcastle and the Greater Hunter region:

• Belmont Hospital
• Calvary Mater Hospital
• John Hunter Hospital
• John Hunter Children’s Hospital
• Lingard Private Hospital
• Warners Bay Private Hospital

We request all our patients to stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery. Smoking increases surgical and anaesthetic risk and delays healing of the surgical site. 

We encourage patients to continue to stop 6 weeks post-op. This allows for optimal wound healing. Smoking inhibits the body’s ability to heal and can lead to wound breakdown.

Scars are an inevitable part of any surgery. Dr Kirstin Miteff will endeavour to keep scarring to a minimum by making incisions along natural lines and creases of your body. Scars may fade with time and become barely noticeable. You will need to advise us if you are prone to scarring. 

 Scar management is included in your follow-up after surgery.

The cost of each procedure varies. The cost may be reduced by a Medicare specific code, which can be used with your health care fund (This is dependent on your level of cover). 

After your first consultation, you will be given an estimated cost for your procedure. The quote will detail the cost of the type of procedure, Surgeon fee, Anaesthetist fee, Surgical Assistant fee (if required) and Hospital fees.

As a patient, you have the right to expect a high standard of plastic surgery care. However, concerns or complaints may occasionally arise.

It is advisable to initially discuss any issues with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon to seek a resolution together.

If a resolution is not possible, or if you wish to make a formal complaint, there are several commissions in Australia that can provide further assistance.

HEALTHCARE COMMISSIONS AND MEDICAL BOARDS NSW

NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
Phone: (02) 9219 7444
Toll Free in NSW: 1800 043 159
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.hccc.nsw.gov.au

Medical Council of New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9879 2200
Email: mcnsw@mcnsw.org.au
Website: www.mcnsw.org.au                                                         

AUSTRALIAN HEALTH PRACTITIONER REGULATION AGENCY (AHPRA)

Phone: 1300 419 495
Website: www.ahpra.gov.au