Changes to AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Regulations, as of July 1 2023, Learn More

About Cosmetic Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE – Coco Ruby is a Private Practice

  • We don’t offer ‘No Gap’ Surgery, we do NOT accept VOC Victims of Crime, TAC claims, Workcover Claims  or DVA claims at the clinic.
  • Our plastic surgeons NO longer perform public surgery in a Public Hospital

Surgeon Consultation FAQs

  • A standard consultation is $300
  • A Consultation and Nose Examination with Dr Kleid is $600

How soon can I get a consultation?

Our Specialist Plastic Surgeons are always busy. It helps to plan ahead and try not to change an existing appointment time.
However, with clever management of their diaries and theatre dates, we can typically arrange your consultation within 5 to 10 working days up to 2 to 3 weeks.

Occasionally schedules and specific surgeons will be more difficult and have longer waiting periods. Such as when our Surgeons present at international conferences such as ASAPS (Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) or the Breast Masters in Sydney.

How do I schedule a consultation or surgery date?

Last-minute consultations may be available as some patients may reschedule at short notice.
Sometimes surgery can also be arranged in a short period of time after the mandatory waiting period.
It’s usually best to plan for your surgery so you can arrange time off from your normal activities. You will need the time off to, rest, recover and heal properly.

Initial consultations may also be available after-hours and on Saturday mornings. Please ask our Patient Care Coordinator.

Planning and Scheduling Your Surgery FAQs

We work hard to accommodate special date requests for most patients and minimise both surgical and consult wait times. There are mandatory wait times, however, so if you have a specific date in mind, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to help you schedule your Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery to best meet your scheduling preferences. Surgery wait times can vary depending on the time of year and other factors including; the type of surgery you are wanting and whether there is preparation required for your procedure. Sometimes your Surgeon may have a month to six month waiting period for surgery; so it pays to get your surgery date booked as far in advance as possible. Especially if you NEED to have surgery on a specific week or time of year (over Christmas or school holidays, for example). Stand-by surgery times can also be available at short notice, as occasionally patients need to reschedule for personal reasons (e.g. due to illness) please ask. There are also mandatory waiting periods or cooling-off periods

Waiting period FAQ

What are the mandatory waiting periods for cosmetic surgery?

Patients must observe a cooling-off period of at least seven days after signing a consent form before proceeding with surgery, including booking and making deposits.

There is a mandatory cooling-off period for procedures. Insured patients or medically necessary procedures may incur delays.

  • patients may need to seek permission or assess coverage and/or
  • provide extensive documentation and photographs in order to apply for rebates from Medicare and Insurance companies for some procedures.

What are the busy and best times of the year to have surgery?

  • February and November are the quietest months for surgery.
  • Around the start of any school holiday is a busy time.
  • Many patients choose to have surgery pre and post-Xmas day to recover during the Summer Holidays.
  • Others choose Easter Holiday breaks, mid-year breaks or September School Holidays.
  • Surgery, while the kids are at school, can reduce disruption to the family.
  • Some patients choose Winter months as a good time to have plastic surgery because you can hibernate and recover at home.

Age Limits on Plastic or Cosmetic Surgery

Is there a Minimum Age for Plastic or Cosmetic Surgery?

We prefer a minimum age of 18 years, although we can operate on younger patients for corrective or reconstructive purposes.

Hospitals

Which Australia Hospitals do you operate at in Melbourne?

We only operate at Accredited Hospitals. This improves patient-safety measures and excellent care from fully-qualified medical and surgical staff, our major plastic surgery procedures are performed at accredited Hospitals.

Note that many ‘Cosmetic Surgeons’ or doctors often don’t have operating rights in actual hospitals.

Our Surgeons usually operate at:

Anaesthetists

Which Anaesthetists do you use?

Each Coco Ruby surgeon has a very small, select group of Anaesthetists for their procedures. Most of our anaesthetists have been with our surgeons for up to two decades.

This results in a shorter anaesthetic with a lower chance of post-operative complications and better postoperative pain management. Where indicated, our Anaesthetists organise for Patient Controlled Analgesia devices to be implemented, for efficient post-operative pain management in the ward.

All Anaesthetists are fully qualified and experienced in working in accredited hospitals.

Choosing the Best Surgeon for Your Surgery – FAQs

What if I don’t like the Surgeon I met with at my first consultation?

  • Our Surgeons are known for their experience, caring nature, empathic style and positive communication styles.
  • They aim to provide respect and dignity at all stages of your surgery journey.
  • If, however, for any reason YOU do not want to proceed with the first Surgeon you met with at our clinic, we offer you the chance to meet with another of our top Specialist Plastic Surgeons to discuss your chosen procedure.
  • Whilst all of our Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgeons are highly trained and experienced each has a different personality and style of communication.

It’s best if you feel 100% comfortable with your choice of Plastic Surgeon. All of our Surgeons pride themselves on patient education and on being honest, caring communications that respect patient dignity at all times.

Plastic surgeon Vs Cosmetic Surgeon FAQ

How do you know who is a Plastic Surgeon versus just a cosmetic doctor or so called cosmetic surgeon?

Discover the difference between a Cosmetic Surgeon vs a Plastic Surgeon Look for recognition on sites such as ASAPS ( Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) ASPS ( Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons)  RACS ( The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons)  and AHPRA ( The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency )  If your Surgeon is really a Plastic Surgeon, they will have memberships or recognition in these groups:

Disclaimer

The content available on our website is meant solely for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any medical inquiries or concerns you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on information obtained from this website. The author and publisher of this content do not provide any warranty regarding the accuracy, applicability, or completeness of the information presented herein. Any actions taken based on the information in this article are solely at your own risk. Disclaimer Page.

There is a large degree of surgery customisation and varying methods and surgical techniques between different surgeons and Surgery groups in Australia. So please be sure you affirm any information you find online with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon, whose opinions and techniques may vary.

Dr Craig Rubinstein
Dr Broughton Snell
Dr Stephen Kleid
Dr Gary Kode

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001124843 Dr Craig Rubinstein

Dr Craig Rubinstein is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. With over 20 years of surgical experience especially in all areas of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, but particularly in breast surgery. These include Breast Augmentation and Breast Reduction as well as Breast Surgery Revision.

Furthermore, he believes that surgical customisation, precision planning and technical expertise help him to provide optimal surgical outcomes for his patients.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001190266 Dr Broughton Snell

Dr Broughton Snell is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His training in Plastic Surgery took place in Australia and the United States of America (USA).

Dr Snell is a fully qualified specialist plastic surgeon having completed his Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has also spent time following the completion of this qualification gaining further experience and training in the area of craniomaxillofacial surgery, training which he completed in world-renowned centres here and in the United States.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon MED0001052799 Dr Stephen Kleid

Dr Stephen Kleid is an experienced Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) based in Melbourne with a passion for Septo-rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, as well as, a strong interest in Rhinoplasty Revision.

Dr Kleid trained at Melbourne University, then completed surgical training at various hospitals including Royal Melbourne, Royal Children’s, The Eye and Ear and St Vincents. He worked as a surgeon at the University of Florida Medical school for further experience.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001405964 Dr Gary Kode

Dr Gary Kode is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, with experience in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as non-surgical treatments.

Dr Kode is a member of several organisations, including the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), The International Confederation for Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and he holds a Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

What to do next?

Our Patient Liaison Team can assist with any questions you may have when considering a procedure. You can send in an enquiry form below or call our Melbourne Clinic between 9 am – 5 pm Monday - Friday.

Disclaimer: Results depend on individual patient circumstances and can vary significantly. Results may also be impacted by a variety of factors including your lifestyle, weight, nutritional intake and overall health. Consult your Specialist Plastic Surgeon for details. This information is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your Surgeon.

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