Before, During and After Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Before your booking:

How much does surgery cost?

All plastic surgery provided by Artiste is bespoke. Dr Jack Zoumaras has created various options for each procedure that sets our clinic apart. For example, eyelid surgery can vary from $4000 – $9000 for the surgical fee, depending upon the extent of the surgery.

How much is a consultation?

Consultations with our plastic surgeons and Dr Jack Zoumaras are $350 for up to an hour. This includes a detailed analysis of your desired results and presenting solutions and recommendations. Information packs, including FAQs, cost estimates and post-operative journey are given.

Do you offer payment plans?

Artiste does not offer payment plans. We are happy to accept pre-payment for surgery in instalments leading up to surgery (similar to lay-by). Some third party providers (finance companies) may offer this as a solution.

Does Dr Jack Zoumaras perform No-Gap surgery?

Dr Jack Zoumaras occasionally performs No-Gap surgery for only insured patients for reconstructive surgery. Not for plastic or cosmetic surgery. This is assessed on a case by case basis where there are extenuating circumstances.

Can you send before / after photos?

We cannot send before and after photos as this represents a privacy issue for our existing patients. Most of our patients would rather not have photos displayed on the website. During the consultation, a more extensive selection of before and after photos will be shown to you.

What if I am considering more than one procedure? Can I ask for both during the consult? (e.g. rhinoplasty and chin implant)

You are encouraged to ask about additional procedures during the consultation should you desire. However, bear in mind the consultation is for up to an hour. If more time is required, it is important to attend a follow-up appointment to outline everything in greater detail.

What hospitals does Dr Zoumaras operate from?

Artiste Plastic Surgery and Dr Jack Zoumaras operate out of various day surgery units in Sydney and major private hospitals. Including; St Vincent’s, North Shore Private, Bondi Junction Private and East Sydney Private.

How soon after the consultation can I have the surgery?

Surgery can be performed as early as 6 weeks based on waiting lists.

After your consult: FAQ

When do I have to pay my account?

Your consultation fee can be paid by Cash, EFTPOS, credit card (including AMEX) on the day. A deposit to secure a surgery date is required, and full payment before surgery is expected. Payment can be made by direct debit, credit card or cash.

How many times do I have to come back after surgery?

This depends on what procedure you have. You are required to attend at week one for wound review, removal of sutures and depending on your procedure, a week 2 or 3 visit and then six weeks followed by a visit at 3, 6 and 12 months for photography.

How long should I take off work?

For face procedures, 7-21 days are recommended. See the following:

• Facelift 10-14 days.
• Face and Neck Lift 14-21
• Face and Neck Lift with Eyelid surgery, Dermabrasion/Chemical Peel and Fat Grafting 21 days
• Brow Lift 7-10 days
• Eyelid Surgery 7-14 days
• Rhinoplasty 7-14 days
• Chin or cheek implants 7 days.

For breast procedures up to one week is recommended, see the following:

• Breast Augmentation 1-3 days
• Breast Lift 1-3 days
• Breast Reduction 3-5 days
• Breast implant exchange or revision 2-4 days
• Nipple surgery one day

For body procedures, up to two weeks is recommended. See the following:

• Chin or cheek implants 2-4 days
• Liposuction 1-7 days
• Tummy Tuck 14 days
• Brazilian Buttock Lift 7-14 days
• Thigh lift 7-10 days
• Body lift 14 days
• Labiaplasty 4-7 days

How much is the hospital stay?

Your private health fund will cover your hospital stay if there is a Medicare item number and you have health insurance. Otherwise, a hospital fee is required to be paid by the patient to the hospital to cover the surgical bed and hospital stay.

Procedures that have a Medicare item number depending on circumstances and indications are as follows:

• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelid Surgery
• Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck
• Breast Reduction

Procedures such as Breast Augmentation, Facelift and Liposuction do not have item numbers. The cost of the hospital will be estimated for you before obtaining a formal quote from the hospital.

Hospitals bill by the hour or procedure type, and the following are estimates:

• One hour of surgery: $2000
• Two hours of surgery: $2500-3000
• Three hours of surgery: $4000-4500 (includes one night)
• Four hours of surgery: $5500 (includes one night)
• Five hours and beyond: $6000 + and beyond (includes one night)
• Additional nights hospital stays are approximately $200-1000

Estimated time of common procedures:

• Facelift: 3-6 hours
• Face and Neck Lift 5 hours
• Face, Neck, Eyes 7 hours
• Rhinoplasty: 2-4 hours
• Eyelid Surgery:1-2 hours
• Breast Augmentation: 1 hour
• Breast Reduction or Lift or Mastopexy Augmentation: 2-3 hours
• Abdominoplasty: 3 hours
• Liposuction: 1-2 hours
• Brazilian Buttock lift: 2 hours

How much is the anaesthetist?

Anaesthetists bill by the hour, and fees vary between $600-660 per hour.

How long is expected for recovery?

Recovery depends on the surgery, any existing medical conditions and the individual. As a general rule, breast augmentation and reduction surgery are rapid recovery surgeries where you can return to regular activities after a few days. A facelift will take two weeks for swelling and bruising to subside, but you should feel better after three days.

Will I have scars?

All incisions heal like any wound and form fine scars. Dr Jack Zoumaras ensures that your incisions are closed meticulously. Once healed, the scars will be a fine line, hidden increases, and unnoticeable. Scars for breast implants and surgery are under the breast fold or around the nipple-areolar. A tummy tuck scar is hidden low in your brief line, and scars from a facelift are hidden within the ear and hairline.

After Surgery Is Booked: FAQ

Do I have to stop any medications before surgery?

Blood thinners need to be stopped before surgery and over the counter medications that thin the blood also. Examples of blood thinners are Aspirin, Xarelto, Eliquis, Warfarin, St John’s and fish oils. The stopping of blood thinners before surgery is a risk balance scenario discussed with Dr Jack Zoumaras and the treating cardiologist if necessary.

When will the hospital/anaesthetist contact me for payment?

The hospital will call to confirm the surgery and logistics of arrival time and what to bring the day before surgery. The hospital will expect payment on the day of surgery. An estimate will be provided before this. Anaesthetists will contact the patient about arrangements the day before. Some anaesthetists expect payment before the procedure and others after.

What can I claim through Medicare / Private Health Fund?

If a Medicare item number is available for your procedure, you can claim the Medicare rebate and private health rebate after the procedure is completed, and you have paid the total cost of the procedure. We do not bulk bill or provide gap cover as a specialist practice. You are required to pay for the procedure in full and then claim your rebate after surgery. A rebate is also possible for the anaesthetic fee if your procedure has an item number.

Do I get my own room if I stay overnight?

This depends on the private hospital where you are admitted. Generally speaking, all of our patients have a private room when staying overnight.

How long will I be bed-bound after surgery?

This depends on your surgery. If you have a face or breast procedure, you are encouraged to sit out of bed and mobilise on the same day. This also applies to liposuction and Brazilian buttock lift. For a thigh lift or tummy tuck, you are encouraged to sit out of bed on day one and then mobilise after that. Mobilising results in a faster recovery.

Can I claim an anaesthetist fee?

Yes, if there is a Medicare item number for your procedure, you may also claim the anaesthetic fee.

After Surgery: FAQ

Can I have a shower after surgery?

You may shower from day two post any surgery on the face, breast and body. A waterproof dressing will be applied, or you will be instructed to not soak the dressing in water.

How soon after surgery are sutures removed?

For face procedures, sutures are removed between 5-7 days. Sutures are removed at 10-14 days for breast and body procedures.

What painkillers can I have? / Can I have a script for painkillers?

The anaesthetist will discuss your expectations and pain management regime before and after the procedure. Strong pain relief will be prescribed as required for you as well as anti-nausea agents.

I have to change my dressings, what do I use?

If you have to change your dressings, clear instructions will be given. The first dressing change will be at Artiste Plastic Surgery.

Can I have a Doctor’s Certificate for work/study?

Yes, this will be provided at your request. Any personal information about the procedure will not be disclosed.

When can I start wearing cosmetics / make up?

You can begin wearing facial makeup one week after the first dressing change. If you have had a rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery alone, then you may apply facial makeup from the first day except for the nose and eye areas.

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons.

Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence:

Level V:  How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery.

The blogs are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.