…Researched and contributed by Jack Sylva.
The Medical Board of Australia will introduce harsher regulations on July 1 for those seeking cosmetic surgery, including Botox, breast lifts, boob jobs, face lifts, and nose jobs.
The regulations will require some patients to see a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
Patients seeking cosmetic surgeries must receive a referral from a general practitioner and undergo two meetings with a surgeon to evaluate their mental health.
Even after these meetings, patients may still be required to see a psychologist to clear them for the procedure.
The new regulations were introduced to understand the “motivations and inspirations” behind a patient wanting surgery.
The medical practitioner performing the surgery must assess the patient for underlying psychological conditions that may make them an unsuitable candidate for the surgery.
The same medical practitioner must also discuss other options with the patient, including surgery, procedures, or treatment offered by other health practitioners, and the option of not having surgery.
The practitioner must use a validated psychological screening tool to screen for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
The rules also require a cooling off period of seven days following the second consultation with a practitioner before surgery can commence.
The new regulations seek to protect those with mental health issues such as body dysmorphia.
However, reality TV star Jessika Power claims that it is “the people’s choice” whether to undergo surgery.
She has undergone an autologous fat transfer, Botox, and fillers.
Power argues that individuals should have the right to make their own choices about cosmetic surgery.
The Medical Board has also announced new advertising guidelines for practitioners or clinics that offer cosmetic surgery.
These guidelines include no use of hashtags or taglines, no sexualized images, testimonials, or use of social media influencers.
Advertising must also have pre-written consent from clients before-and-after images must not be misleading, and be consistent across advertising.
Changes to the title of “surgeon” might also be on the horizon, restricting it to specialists in surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and ophthalmology.
Commentary
The new regulations for cosmetic surgery in Australia aim to address the growing trend of patients seeking cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons.
While the regulations seek to protect those with mental health issues such as body dysmorphia, they have received criticism from some, including reality TV star Jessika Power, who argues that individuals should have the right to make their own choices about cosmetic surgery.
However, it is important to ensure that patients are well-informed about the risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery and are in the right mental and emotional state to undergo such procedures.
The new advertising guidelines are also significant, as they prevent practitioners or clinics from misleading patients with false images or exaggerated results.
The changes to the title of “surgeon” could also prevent unqualified practitioners from performing cosmetic surgeries, improving patient safety.