Tuesday, April 21
Elective Plastic Surgery Update - Dr Eddie Cheng
What does the latest government announcement mean for plastic surgery patients?
Scott Morrison indicated today that some elective surgery can resume after Anzac Day, long weekend. This will mean a gradual return to elective surgery starting with category 2 surgery.
What are the different elective surgery categories?
Category 1 – Needing treatment within 30 days. Has the potential to deteriorate quickly to the point where the patient’s situation may become an emergency.
Category 2 – Needing treatment within 90 days. Their condition causes pain, dysfunction or disability. Unlikely to deteriorate quickly and unlikely to become an emergency.
Category 3 – All other plastic surgery needing treatment at some point in the next year. Their condition causes pain, dysfunction or disability. Unlikely to deteriorate quickly.
What does this mean for patients?
In addition to skin cancer and trauma surgery this means that surgery for the following can proceed:
- breast reconstruction after cancer
- removal of breast implants due to rupture and discomfort
What about other plastic surgery procedures such as category 3?
Unfortunately restrictions on elective surgery will continue for all other surgery including:
- breast reduction
- tummy tuck
- breast lift
- body contouring or post weight loss surgery
- breast implant surgery
- revision surgery
- facelift surgery
- eyelid surgery
- liposuction
- injectable procedures
When will these restrictions be reviewed?
National cabinet will meet again to discuss easing of elective surgery restrictions on 11 May 2020 so be sure to follow our updates for the latest news about elective plastic surgery.