Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney
Most patients I see at the Campbell clinic for breast augmentation aren’t deciding whether they want surgery for the first time. They’re working out whether the timing is right, whether their expectations are realistic, and whether the surgeon they’re sitting in front of is the right fit. Different questions from “what does the operation involve,” and procedure pages don’t always answer them well.
This page is a decision guide. Not a procedure overview, not a pricing guide. If you want surgical detail, including implant choice, incision options and recovery, start with the Breast Augmentation Canberra procedure page. For pricing, see the Breast Augmentation Cost in Canberra 2026 guide. This article is for the patient who’s earlier in the process. The “should I, shouldn’t I, what do I need to think about?” stage.
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) consulting at the Campbell clinic in Canberra and at Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly. The questions below are the ones that come up most often in those consultations, and how I tend to think about them.
How do you know if you’re ready for breast augmentation?
You might not. That’s fine.
Some patients walk in knowing exactly what they want and have spent years considering it. Others are still working it out. Both are normal starting points. The job of a consultation is to help clarify your thinking, not pressure you into a decision you haven’t made yet.
Before booking, sit with a few questions.
How long have you been thinking about it? No perfect timeframe exists. But patients who’ve considered breast augmentation for six to twelve months or longer usually have a clearer sense of what’s driving the decision. If it’s only been a few weeks, that isn’t wrong. It just means slowing down may help.
What’s actually motivating the change? Some motivations hold up well over time. Long-standing concerns about size. Significant asymmetry. Volume changes after pregnancy or breastfeeding. Proportion you’ve thought about for years. Other motivations deserve more pause. Trying to fix a relationship. Responding to recent grief or major stress. Heavy comparison to social media imagery. The screening process isn’t there to judge motivation. It’s there to make sure the decision is considered and unlikely to harm you.
Is your life stable right now? Surgery during major upheaval is rarely ideal. Separation. Bereavement. Job loss. Mental health crisis. Stable doesn’t mean perfect. It means you aren’t deciding under pressure.
Have you finished having children, or do you have a clear plan? Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast tissue significantly, and future pregnancy may alter your surgical result. Some patients still proceed before children. If pregnancy is planned soon, waiting may be the better call. If your family is complete, the timing may be different. We discuss this individually.
Is your weight stable? Active weight loss or gain affects breast volume, skin quality and surgical planning. Stabilising first gives a more reliable basis for implant choice.
Are you a non-smoker, or willing to stop? Smoking and vaping affect wound healing and increase surgical risk. If quitting feels impossible right now, that’s useful information about timing. Surgery should wait until you can safely meet pre-operative requirements.
If you’ve worked through these questions and your answers are mostly “yes, I’ve thought about this and I’m ready to explore it properly,” booking a consultation makes sense. If the answers are mixed, that’s a signal to give yourself more time.
What changed after the July 2023 cosmetic surgery guidelines?
The Medical Board and AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines that came into effect in July 2023 apply to cosmetic breast augmentation regardless of which surgeon or practice you choose. They matter because they change the pathway from initial enquiry through to surgery. They make it harder for cosmetic surgery to be rushed, sold impulsively, or booked without proper assessment.
A GP referral is required. Patients seeking cosmetic surgery need a referral from an independent GP or specialist physician before the cosmetic surgery consultation. The referral isn’t a recommendation that you should have surgery. It provides relevant medical history and gives you the chance to discuss your request with an independent doctor first. Book the GP appointment before arranging your surgical consultation.
At least two pre-operative consultations are required. At least one must be in person with the surgeon who’ll perform the operation. This gives time for assessment, discussion, planning and informed consent. The process should not feel like a single sales appointment.
A seven-day cooling-off period applies. After two consultations and informed consent, surgery cannot be booked and a deposit cannot be paid until at least seven days have passed. Even when you feel confident after consultation, the process is structured to allow time for reflection.
Psychological screening is part of the process. The guidelines require screening for body dysmorphic disorder and other factors that may make a patient unsuitable for surgery. This isn’t about refusing patients automatically. It’s about looking at motivation, expectations and decision-making, and identifying the smaller number of patients who would not benefit from cosmetic surgery.
The timeline from initial enquiry to surgery is usually several weeks at minimum, often longer. If a practice appears to skip or compress these steps, that’s a concern, not a feature.
Questions worth bringing to your consultation
The consultation is your chance to gather information and assess whether the recommendation makes sense for you. It shouldn’t feel like a sales process.
On qualifications. Ask about specialist registration, training pathway, hospital admitting rights, where surgery is performed, and how serious complications are managed. The relevant distinction for breast augmentation is Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS), not the broader term “cosmetic surgeon.” The two titles are not equivalent. The AHPRA register is public and worth checking directly.
On your procedure plan. Based on your anatomy, what approach is recommended and why? What implant size, profile and shape? What placement and incision? What is the surgeon not recommending, and why? Are you better suited to augmentation alone, or do you also need to consider a lift? How might your breasts change over the next five to ten years? This part of consultation should be individual to you. A recommendation should rest on your anatomy, skin quality, breast tissue, chest wall and goals, not a default approach.
On risks and revision. Ask about the main risks specific to your anatomy. How is capsular contracture managed? Implant malposition? Asymmetry? What follow-up is included if revision becomes necessary, and is it charged separately? Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Patients should understand that further surgery may be required at some point, even when the first operation goes well.
Choosing the right surgeon: what to look for
The most important starting point is the qualification distinction. Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) is the title used by surgeons who’ve completed accredited specialist training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. That training includes medical school, internship, surgical residency and specialist plastic surgery training.
“Cosmetic surgeon” has historically been a broader title in Australia and does not mean the same thing. Patients should check qualifications directly rather than rely on website language. For more detail, read the FRACS vs Cosmetic Surgeon in Canberra guide.
Beyond qualifications, look for clear specialist credentials, hospital operating arrangements, transparent fees, no pressure to book quickly, direct answers to risk and revision questions, clear follow-up pathways, and a willingness to advise against surgery when appropriate. The right surgeon isn’t simply the one who agrees to the size or result you think you want. It’s the one who helps you understand what’s realistic, what’s safe, and what may not suit your anatomy.
Red flags when researching breast augmentation in Canberra
Be cautious if you notice several of these patterns.
Headline pricing that seems too low. Very low advertised fees can be incomplete. The final cost may change once hospital, anaesthesia, implants, garments and follow-up are added. Always ask whether the quote is all-inclusive and what’s excluded.
Pressure to commit quickly. Cosmetic surgery shouldn’t be booked impulsively. The cooling-off period exists for a reason. If you feel pushed to decide on the spot, that’s important information.
Vague answers about qualifications. If a practitioner cannot clearly explain their specialist training and operating arrangements, be cautious. The AHPRA register is public.
Consultation mainly with a coordinator rather than the surgeon. Practice staff can help with administration and scheduling. They shouldn’t replace the surgeon’s role in assessment, planning and informed consent. You should have adequate time with the surgeon performing the operation.
Overseas surgical packages. Lower-cost packages overseas can seem attractive. Travel, accommodation, time off work, recovery logistics and complication management all need to be considered. The hardest question is what happens if a complication develops after you return to Australia. Revision care can be more complex when the original surgery was performed offshore.
What if you decide breast augmentation isn’t right for you?
That’s a valid outcome. Some patients go through consultation and decide not to proceed. Others decide the timing isn’t right. You might wait until after pregnancy. You might realise your motivations are less settled than you thought. Your anatomy may be better suited to a breast lift or reduction, or to discussion about tuberous breast correction or significant asymmetry. The discussion can be revisited later if circumstances change.
Where to go from here
For surgical detail, implant planning, incision choices and recovery, read the Breast Augmentation Canberra procedure page.
For pricing, read the Breast Augmentation Cost in Canberra 2026 guide.
For implant-specific information, read the Breast Implant Options for Canberra Patients guide.
For information about surgeon qualifications, read the FRACS vs Cosmetic Surgeon in Canberra guide.
To arrange a consultation, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758. A GP referral is required before any cosmetic surgery consultation. Consultations at the Campbell clinic are held on Fridays by appointment.
Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612 Email: [email protected] Consultations: Fridays by appointment
Frequently asked questions
How long should I think about breast augmentation before booking a consultation?
There’s no fixed timeframe. Patients who’ve considered breast augmentation for six to twelve months or longer often have a clearer sense of what’s driving the decision. If you decided more recently, you can still book a consultation, but slowing down may help. Check that the decision isn’t being driven by recent stress, comparison or external pressure.
Is a breast augmentation consultation the same as deciding to have surgery?
No. A consultation helps you understand whether breast augmentation is appropriate for your anatomy, goals, health and timing. Some patients proceed after completing the required process. Others decide not to, or decide to wait. Both outcomes are reasonable, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to commit at the first appointment.
Can I have breast augmentation if I may want children later?
Some patients choose to have surgery before pregnancy, but future pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast tissue and may affect your surgical result. If pregnancy is planned soon, waiting may be advised. If children are not planned for several years, the discussion may be different. This is something we work through individually at consultation.
How do I check if a Canberra breast augmentation surgeon is properly qualified?
Check the AHPRA register and look for specialist registration in Plastic Surgery. The qualification to look for is Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS), not the broader term “cosmetic surgeon.” You can also ask where the surgeon trained, where they operate, whether they hold hospital admitting rights, and how complications are managed.
Should I get a second opinion before deciding on breast augmentation?
Many patients find a second opinion useful, particularly if they’ve received different recommendations or remain unsure about implant size, lift requirements or timing. If you do seek another opinion, consider another Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) and bring your questions clearly to the appointment.
