How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon in Sydney

Sydney Plastic Surgery – Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS 

Patients searching for the best plastic surgeon in Sydney are usually asking something more practical. How do you tell a properly qualified surgeon from someone who is not?

In Australia, Specialist Plastic Surgeon is a protected title that requires fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Cosmetic surgeon has historically not carried the same requirement, meaning practitioners using that title may have very different levels of surgical training. Understanding that distinction is the single most useful thing a patient can do before booking a consultation.

This guide explains what the qualifications mean, how to verify them independently, and what a properly conducted consultation involves. Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon practising at Sydney Plastic Surgery, with consulting rooms in Glebe, Chatswood and Parramatta.

What is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?

A Specialist Plastic Surgeon is a medical practitioner who has completed accredited specialist training in plastic and reconstructive surgery and holds fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. In Australia the title is legally protected, and specialist registration is recorded on the AHPRA public register.

Plastic surgery as a specialty covers both reconstruction and aesthetics. Training includes burns, trauma, hand surgery, skin cancer reconstruction and congenital deformity alongside cosmetic procedures. That breadth is part of why the training pathway takes as long as it does.

At Sydney Plastic Surgery, Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS practises as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon across three Sydney locations, performing both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures at accredited private hospital facilities.

Check the procedures performed at Sydney Plastic Surgery by Dr Laith Barnouti HERE. 

What is the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon?

The difference is training and title protection. Specialist Plastic Surgeon requires fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and specialist registration with AHPRA. Cosmetic surgeon has historically not required specialist surgical training, meaning a general practitioner could adopt the title after a short course.

Regulation has tightened in recent years and endorsement pathways now exist for cosmetic surgery. The underlying issue remains relevant for patients. When searching for cosmetic surgery in Sydney, results will include practitioners with substantially different training backgrounds, and the titles alone do not always make that clear.

The reliable way to tell the difference is the AHPRA register, which records specialist registration and the specialty it applies to.

What does FRACS mean for a plastic surgeon?

FRACS means Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. For plastic surgery it indicates the surgeon has completed a medical degree, at least five years of accredited specialist surgical training in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and passed the college fellowship examination.

The full pathway involves:

1. 1. A completed medical degree
2. 2. Registration as a medical practitioner with AHPRA
3. 3. Selection into an accredited surgical training programme
4. 4. A minimum of five years of supervised specialist training
5. 5. Successful completion of the fellowship examination
6. 6. Ongoing continuing professional development to maintain specialist registration

Patients searching for the best plastic surgeon in Australia are in practical terms looking for someone who holds this qualification and maintains it. Dr Barnouti has held FRACS fellowship and specialist registration throughout his practice in Sydney.

How do I check if a plastic surgeon is registered?

Search the practitioner’s name on the AHPRA public register. The register shows their registration type, whether they hold specialist registration, and in which specialty. If a practitioner describes themselves as a plastic surgeon but the register does not show specialist registration in plastic surgery, that answers the question.

There are five checks worth making before booking any surgical procedure:

1. 1. Search the AHPRA register. Confirm specialist registration and the specialty it applies to.
2. 2. Check the RACS fellowship. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons maintains a public list of fellows where FRACS can be verified.
3. 3. Ask where they operate. Accredited private hospitals grant admitting rights based on assessed credentials.
4. 4. Ask who administers the anaesthetic. For any procedure under general anaesthesia, a specialist anaesthetist should be present.
5. 5. Ask what happens if there is a complication. A clear answer covering after-hours contact, revision policy and hospital admission is a reasonable expectation.

Any surgeon uncomfortable with these questions is telling you something useful.

Do I need a GP referral for cosmetic surgery in Sydney?

Yes. Under current Australian requirements, a referral from your general practitioner is needed before your initial consultation for cosmetic surgery. A mandatory cooling off period also applies between the consultation and the procedure.

The cooling off period exists specifically so that decisions are not made under pressure. It is a patient protection measure rather than an administrative delay, and any practice suggesting it can be bypassed is not operating within current requirements.

Sydney Plastic Surgery follows both requirements for all cosmetic procedures across its Glebe, Chatswood and Parramatta rooms.

What happens at a plastic surgery consultation?

A consultation should involve a physical examination, a review of your medical history, and a clear explanation of the risks specific to the procedure you are considering. You should also be told what the procedure cannot achieve.

A properly conducted consultation for plastic surgery in Sydney should not feel like a sales appointment. Expect to leave with a written quote, written procedure information, and time to consider it before making any decision. A surgeon who describes only benefits is not giving you enough information to consent properly.

To arrange a consultation with Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS, contact Sydney Plastic Surgery on 1300 002 006 or 02-9561 0222.

What questions should I ask a plastic surgeon?

Eight questions are worth asking at any initial consultation:

1. 1. Are you registered with AHPRA as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon?
2. 2. How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
3. 3. Where will the surgery take place, and is the facility accredited?
4. 4. Who administers the anaesthetic?
5. 5. What are the specific risks for someone with my medical history?
6. 6. What does the quoted fee include, and what is excluded?
7. 7. What is your revision policy?
8. 8. Who do I contact after hours if something concerns me?

Bring the list to the appointment. A surgeon working to a proper standard will expect these questions rather than resent them.

About Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS

Dr Laith Barnouti is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, registered with AHPRA under registration number MED0001192783. That registration can be verified on the public register.

He practises across three Sydney locations, with consulting rooms in Glebe, Chatswood and Parramatta, and operates at accredited private hospital facilities. His practice covers reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery including breast, body, facial and reconstructive procedures.

Patients considering plastic surgery in Sydney are encouraged to verify these details independently, as they would with any surgeon under consideration.

Regulatory Notice: Individual results vary. All invasive surgery carries risks. Seek a second opinion from a qualified medical practitioner before proceeding.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon in Australia?

Specialist Plastic Surgeon is a protected title requiring fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and specialist registration with AHPRA. Cosmetic surgeon has historically not carried the same requirement, meaning practitioners using that title may have varying levels of surgical training.

Can any doctor call themselves a cosmetic surgeon in Australia? 

Historically yes. Until recent regulatory changes, any registered medical practitioner could use the term cosmetic surgeon regardless of surgical training. Specialist Plastic Surgeon has always been protected and requires specialist registration recorded on the AHPRA register.

What qualifications should a plastic surgeon have in Australia? 

A medical degree, current AHPRA registration with specialist registration in plastic surgery, and fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, indicated by the postnominal FRACS. Ongoing continuing professional development is required to maintain that registration.

How many years does it take to become a plastic surgeon in Australia? 

The pathway typically takes twelve years or more. It involves a medical degree, internship and residency, selection into accredited surgical training, a minimum of five years of specialist plastic surgery training, and the college fellowship examination.

How do I verify a plastic surgeon's credentials? 

Search their name on the AHPRA public register to confirm specialist registration in plastic surgery. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons also maintains a public list of fellows where FRACS can be independently confirmed.

What does specialist registration mean? 

Specialist registration is a category recorded by AHPRA indicating a practitioner has completed accredited specialist training and been recognised in a defined specialty. For plastic surgery it means the practitioner completed the RACS training pathway and fellowship examination.

Is FRACS the same as a fellowship? 

Yes. FRACS stands for Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. It is the specialist surgical qualification awarded on completion of accredited training and the college fellowship examination.

Do I need a GP referral for cosmetic surgery? 

Yes. Australian requirements state that a referral from your general practitioner is needed before an initial consultation for cosmetic surgery. A mandatory cooling off period also applies between consultation and the procedure.

What is the cooling off period for cosmetic surgery? 

A mandatory waiting period between your consultation and the procedure, required under Australian cosmetic surgery regulation. It exists to ensure decisions are not made under pressure and applies regardless of how ready a patient feels.

Can a GP perform cosmetic surgery in Australia? 

Registered medical practitioners can perform certain cosmetic procedures, but surgical procedures requiring specialist training should be performed by a surgeon with specialist registration in the relevant specialty. Checking the AHPRA register confirms what registration a practitioner holds.

How do I find a plastic surgeon in Sydney? 

Start with the AHPRA register filtered by specialty and location, or the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons fellowship list. Both allow verification of specialist registration before making contact with a practice.

What should I bring to a plastic surgery consultation? 

Your GP referral, a list of current medications, your relevant medical history, and a written list of questions. Bringing a list ensures nothing is forgotten during the appointment.

What should a plastic surgery quote include? 

A written quote should itemise the surgeon's fee, anaesthetist's fee, hospital or facility fee, and any follow-up appointments included. Ask specifically what is excluded and what a revision procedure would cost.

Where does Dr Laith Barnouti practise in Sydney? 

Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS consults at Sydney Plastic Surgery rooms in Glebe, Chatswood and Parramatta, and operates at accredited private hospital facilities in Sydney.

All surgical procedures carry risks, which will be discussed during your consultation. Individual results vary. This information is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice. Before proceeding with any surgical procedure, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. A GP referral is required prior to consultation.

Dr Laith Barnouti FRACS is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, registration number MED0001192783.