Your initial consultation is your opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and receive personalised advice from Dr Doherty.
How to book an appointment
Appointments can be made by:
What to bring
- A current referral from your specialist GP (required for cosmetic surgery consultations, and needed to claim any Medicare rebate)
- Your Medicare card and private health insurance details
- Any relevant imaging or pathology (mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, biopsy reports)
- A list of your current medications, vitamins, and supplements
- A list of any relevant medical conditions or previous surgeries
- Any photos or examples that help illustrate what you’re hoping to achieve
- A list of questions you’d like to discuss
- A support person, if you’d like one
If you are considering cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery is subject to specific safeguards under Medical Board of Australia guidelines, and our practice follows them in full:
- You will need a referral from a general practitioner — ideally your usual GP — before your first consultation.
- You will have at least two consultations before any decision to operate, and the first consultation can be used to ask questions with no commitment.
- A cooling-off period applies after you give informed consent, before surgery can proceed.
- Dr Doherty will assess whether surgery is appropriate for you, and will say so honestly if he believes it is not.
What to expect during your consultation
Initial consultations run for 30 minutes (45 minutes for aesthetic consultations). During your appointment Dr Doherty will:
- Take a detailed history of your concerns, goals, and medical background
- Perform a focused clinical examination
- Discuss the surgical options most appropriate for your circumstances
- Outline expected outcomes, recovery, and risks
- Take clinical photographs for your medical record where indicated
- Answer any questions you have
You will not be asked to make a decision on the day. Most patients take time after the consultation to consider their options, and follow-up consultations can be arranged.
After your consultation
If you decide to proceed with surgery, our team will guide you through scheduling, pre-operative requirements, and informed financial consent. You will receive a detailed quotation outlining the surgeon, anaesthetist, assistant, and hospital fees, with any Medicare and private health rebates clarified.
See the Fees page for details of consultation costs.