Frequently Asked Questions

A Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is a doctor who holds specialist registration in Surgery (Plastic Surgery) with the Medical Board of Australia. To gain it, a doctor completes a medical degree, several years of hospital training, and accredited specialist training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). The training covers both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, including the management of complications.

Dr Marc Seifman (MBBS, BMedSc, MSurgicalEd, FRACS) is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery), registration MED0001201595. FRACS means Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He is board certified with the Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons. He is also a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Australian and New Zealand Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The difference is the type of registration and training behind the title. "Specialist Plastic Surgeon" is a protected title that only doctors with specialist registration in plastic surgery can use. Doctors with other kinds of registration also perform cosmetic procedures, and their training varies. Before choosing any surgeon, it is worth asking what registration and training they hold and checking it yourself.

Search the surgeon's name on the public register on the AHPRA website (ahpra.gov.au). It shows their registration type and any specialty. You can also find Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons at surgeons.org and members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons at plasticsurgery.org.au.

Yes. Before-and-after photos of Dr Seifman's patients, shared with their consent, are on the Our Work page. Further photos, which patients have consented to being shown for educational purposes, can be viewed at your consultation. Results vary from person to person, and your own likely outcome will be discussed at your consultation.

Yes. Since 1 July 2023, everyone seeking cosmetic surgery in Australia needs a referral, preferably from their usual GP. If that isn't possible, another GP or a specialist can refer you, as long as they work independently of Dr Seifman and don't perform cosmetic procedures themselves. A referral is also needed to claim any Medicare rebate for reconstructive, skin cancer or hand surgery. GP referrals are usually valid for 12 months and specialist referrals for 3 months. (Medical Board of Australia guidelines)

For cosmetic surgery, at least two consultations followed by a cooling-off period of at least seven days; for reconstructive, skin cancer and hand surgery, usually one.

For cosmetic surgery, you will have at least two consultations before surgery is booked, and at least one is in person with Dr Seifman. After your second consultation, once you have gone through the consent process with Dr Seifman, there is a cooling-off period of at least seven days. Apart from consultation fees, nothing is paid until the cooling-off period has ended.

For reconstructive, skin cancer and hand surgery, these requirements don't apply. You will have one or more consultations, and if surgery is recommended it can be booked without a waiting period. Urgent cases such as skin cancers are treated promptly.

The first consultation is an extended appointment. Dr Seifman will talk through your goals, review your medical history, examine you, and explain your options, the risks and the recovery. Bring your referral, a list of your medications and any questions. You are welcome to bring a support person.

Yes. Dr Seifman performs reconstructive surgery for patients under 18, with a parent or guardian involved in consultations and consent.

Yes. Patients travel to see Dr Seifman in Melbourne from regional Victoria, interstate and overseas. You will still need a referral, and at least one consultation must be in person with Dr Seifman before cosmetic surgery. How long you need to stay nearby after surgery depends on your procedure, and Dr Seifman will discuss this with you at your consultation. Tailored Plastic Surgery can help arrange accommodation if needed.

The total cost depends on the procedure, whether multiple procedures are combined, the hospital, and whether any prostheses (such as breast implants) are required. It usually includes Dr Seifman's surgical fee, the anaesthetist's fee, hospital and theatre fees, any prostheses, and aftercare such as compression garments. You will receive a written quote with the full cost and the deposit and payment dates after your consultation, so you can compare it before deciding. Post-operative lymphatic massage is included in the cost of most cosmetic procedures except facial procedures.

Cosmetic surgery is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Some procedures performed for a medical reason may attract a Medicare rebate and private health insurance cover if strict criteria are met. Examples include reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction) for neck and shoulder pain, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) where skin affects vision, skin removal after major weight loss, breast reconstruction, skin cancer surgery and hand surgery. Any procedure that meets Medicare's criteria for being medically necessary can be billed with a Medicare item number. Dr Seifman will tell you at your consultation whether any Medicare item numbers apply, so you can check your level of cover with your health fund.

Yes, a general price range. The Tailored Plastic Surgery team can give you an indicative range over the phone. Your actual quote depends on your anatomy, your goals and the surgery Dr Seifman recommends, so it is confirmed in writing after your consultation. The team can also explain the consultation fee and what to expect.

Dr Seifman consults at 345 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North VIC 3161, and at Peninsula Private Hospital, Suite 17/525 McClelland Dr, Langwarrin VIC 3910. Surgery is performed at Cabrini Private Hospital, Holmesglen Private Hospital, Masada Private Hospital and Peninsula Private Hospital. Smaller procedures, such as some skin cancer removals, and simple graft or flap surgery, can be done under local anaesthetic at the practice.

You will receive written instructions, including when to stop eating and drinking and which medications to pause. Plan for someone to take you home and help you for the first few days. Dr Seifman may also ask you to stop smoking and to reach a stable weight before surgery.

Most people need between a few days and three weeks off work, depending on the procedure and their job. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are usually avoided for two to eight weeks. Each procedure page lists its typical recovery times (see the links below), and Dr Seifman will give you a plan for your own recovery.

Depending on the procedures, you may be able to have more than one procedure at the same time. Procedures such as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and mastopexy (breast lift), or blepharoplasty (eyelid reduction) and a brow lift, are often combined. Combining adds to the length of surgery and recovery, so Dr Seifman will advise whether it is safe for you or better done in stages.

All surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, reactions to anaesthetic, blood clots, poor wound healing, scarring and changes in sensation. Each procedure also has its own risks, which are listed on its page and discussed in detail at your consultations. Results vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed.

Swelling settles gradually, so the final result is usually seen between three and twelve months after surgery, depending on the procedure. Ageing, weight changes and pregnancy can change results over time. To help manage swelling during recovery, lymphatic massage with Tailored Plastic Surgery's on-site therapists is included after most cosmetic procedures except facial procedures. Recovery and results vary from person to person.

Follow-up appointments are usually at one, two and six weeks after surgery, and you receive a care pack with instructions. Tailored Plastic Surgery has an on-site practice nurse, lymphatic massage therapy and hand therapy. All patients receive the on-call nurse's number for any concerns outside business hours.