Frequently Asked Questions.
April 2022: Update on genital reconstructive surgery.
The ongoing COVID 19 pandemic continues to put pressure on our service provision at Iris Plastic Surgery. Restrictions on surgery may be recently lifted, but there is a shortage of nursing staff and access to operating theatre is limited. Our waiting list for gender affirming surgery remains longer than usual, and at Iris Plastic Surgery we are doing our best to address the issue.
In recent weeks, we have also had a high volume of enquiries regarding Male-to-Female genital reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, due to limitations in manpower, support and infrastructure, we are not able to accept further referrals involving vagina cavity construction.
For other aspects of "bottom" surgery (without cavity construction), please contact us.
We will be re-assessing the situation annually (next update April 2023).
What is happening with COVID 19 pandemic?
The pandemic has disrupted our surgical practice and service provision since 2020. As a result of the pandemic and necessary lockdowns, we have had to re-schedule both consultations and surgery. We are all adapting to life with the pandemic. Please be patient while we, at Iris Plastic Surgery, also adapt to ensure your safety and equitable access to surgical care as soon as possible. While we work to minimise the negative impacts on you, it is important that we all continue to follow government recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID 19 (including getting COVID 19 vaccinations).
Why should I choose IRIS Plastic Surgery?
Iris Plastic Surgery is a boutique medical practice aiming to provide optimal surgical care. We prefer a personal and individualised approach, tailoring our services to suit your needs wherever possible. When you choose Iris Plastic Surgery, you are choosing reassurance, integrity, comprehensive care and careful decision making.
You will never be subjected to high pressure selling tactics. In the event that we cannot help you, we will strive to refer you to the best person for the job or provide you with a solution to your problems.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
At Iris Plastic Surgery, we aim to provide a medical consultation as soon as possible. In rare circumstances where you feel that an urgent appointment may be necessary, please let us know and we will do our best to assist. In an emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
Can I get an appointment after hours?
We understand that it may be difficult for you to attend a medical consultation within office hours due to work commitments etc. Therefore, we have made available a selection of after hours appointment times. Please contact our reception for more information.
Do I need a referral?
It is not mandatory to have a referral to have a medical consultation at Iris Plastic Surgery. For aesthetic consultations, you do not have to have a referral. For non-aesthetic consultations, you will need a referral to be eligible for Medicare benefits/rebates. In this instance, you will need to see your general practitioner (GP) for a referral prior to seeing us.
What are the consultation fees that I can expect?
Our fees are based on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) List of Medical Services and Fees, and our costs of running a medical practice. Starting 1 July 2021, the standard consultation fee at Iris Plastic Surgery is $230.00 for an initial consultation and $130.00 for subsequent consultations.
You may be eligible for Medicare, meaning that some of the fees payable will be covered by Medicare. In general, the Medicare benefit/ rebate is 85% of the Schedule fee (Medicare Benefits Schedule). This amount is $76.80 for an initial consultation and $38.60 for subsequent consultations. These amounts are subject to change as the Medicare Benefits Schedule is periodically updated/ revised by the Australian Government Department of Health.
What are the surgery fees that I can expect?
Our fees are based on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) List of Medical Services and Fees, and our costs of running a medical practice. If you proceed to have surgery, out of pocket costs or a gap fee may apply. At Iris Plastic Surgery, you will be fully informed of all fees applicable prior to any services being rendered. There are no hidden costs.
Concessions apply in selected circumstances.
We encourage you to develop an understanding of costs of specialist medical services (Medical Costs Finder).
What if I do not have private health insurance?
If you do not have private health insurance, it does not mean that you are precluded from receiving care. You may choose to self-fund your treatment at a private hospital (fees apply). Alternatively, we may be able to facilitate your treatment at a public hospital.
What information should I bring to my medical consultation?
You should bring your Medicare care, private health insurance card, Workcover or DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) details if applicable. It would be prudent for the medical power of attorney or parent to be present if the patient is unable to provide consent or if the patient is a child, respectively.
Can I choose to be treated in a public hospital?
Mr Cheng Hean Lo has admitting and operating rights at Monash Health, Alfred Health and Western Health. We may be able to facilitate your treatment at these public hospitals (conditions apply).
I cannot find before and after photographs on your website?
We take patient privacy and cybersecurity issues seriously. In addition, there are rules and guidelines from various regulatory bodies discouraging the use of before and after photographs:
ACCC states “ …use of before and after photographs in advertising can create an unrealistically favourable impression of the results of services… a further difficulty arises when consumers are led to believe that the outcome achieved for one person can necessarily be achieved for others…. ”
AHPRA states “ …use of before and after photographs in advertising…. has a significant potential to be misleading or deceptive, to convey to a member of the public inappropriately high expectations of a successful outcome….. ”
For these reasons, before and after photographs of our patients are not available on our website. However, we do spend a lot of time talking to clients or patients about scars, what they aim to achieve etc. Photographs may be used as aids during this consultation process.
The ongoing COVID 19 pandemic continues to put pressure on our service provision at Iris Plastic Surgery. Restrictions on surgery may be recently lifted, but there is a shortage of nursing staff and access to operating theatre is limited. Our waiting list for gender affirming surgery remains longer than usual, and at Iris Plastic Surgery we are doing our best to address the issue.
In recent weeks, we have also had a high volume of enquiries regarding Male-to-Female genital reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, due to limitations in manpower, support and infrastructure, we are not able to accept further referrals involving vagina cavity construction.
For other aspects of "bottom" surgery (without cavity construction), please contact us.
We will be re-assessing the situation annually (next update April 2023).
What is happening with COVID 19 pandemic?
The pandemic has disrupted our surgical practice and service provision since 2020. As a result of the pandemic and necessary lockdowns, we have had to re-schedule both consultations and surgery. We are all adapting to life with the pandemic. Please be patient while we, at Iris Plastic Surgery, also adapt to ensure your safety and equitable access to surgical care as soon as possible. While we work to minimise the negative impacts on you, it is important that we all continue to follow government recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID 19 (including getting COVID 19 vaccinations).
Why should I choose IRIS Plastic Surgery?
Iris Plastic Surgery is a boutique medical practice aiming to provide optimal surgical care. We prefer a personal and individualised approach, tailoring our services to suit your needs wherever possible. When you choose Iris Plastic Surgery, you are choosing reassurance, integrity, comprehensive care and careful decision making.
You will never be subjected to high pressure selling tactics. In the event that we cannot help you, we will strive to refer you to the best person for the job or provide you with a solution to your problems.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
At Iris Plastic Surgery, we aim to provide a medical consultation as soon as possible. In rare circumstances where you feel that an urgent appointment may be necessary, please let us know and we will do our best to assist. In an emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
Can I get an appointment after hours?
We understand that it may be difficult for you to attend a medical consultation within office hours due to work commitments etc. Therefore, we have made available a selection of after hours appointment times. Please contact our reception for more information.
Do I need a referral?
It is not mandatory to have a referral to have a medical consultation at Iris Plastic Surgery. For aesthetic consultations, you do not have to have a referral. For non-aesthetic consultations, you will need a referral to be eligible for Medicare benefits/rebates. In this instance, you will need to see your general practitioner (GP) for a referral prior to seeing us.
What are the consultation fees that I can expect?
Our fees are based on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) List of Medical Services and Fees, and our costs of running a medical practice. Starting 1 July 2021, the standard consultation fee at Iris Plastic Surgery is $230.00 for an initial consultation and $130.00 for subsequent consultations.
You may be eligible for Medicare, meaning that some of the fees payable will be covered by Medicare. In general, the Medicare benefit/ rebate is 85% of the Schedule fee (Medicare Benefits Schedule). This amount is $76.80 for an initial consultation and $38.60 for subsequent consultations. These amounts are subject to change as the Medicare Benefits Schedule is periodically updated/ revised by the Australian Government Department of Health.
What are the surgery fees that I can expect?
Our fees are based on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) List of Medical Services and Fees, and our costs of running a medical practice. If you proceed to have surgery, out of pocket costs or a gap fee may apply. At Iris Plastic Surgery, you will be fully informed of all fees applicable prior to any services being rendered. There are no hidden costs.
Concessions apply in selected circumstances.
We encourage you to develop an understanding of costs of specialist medical services (Medical Costs Finder).
What if I do not have private health insurance?
If you do not have private health insurance, it does not mean that you are precluded from receiving care. You may choose to self-fund your treatment at a private hospital (fees apply). Alternatively, we may be able to facilitate your treatment at a public hospital.
What information should I bring to my medical consultation?
You should bring your Medicare care, private health insurance card, Workcover or DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) details if applicable. It would be prudent for the medical power of attorney or parent to be present if the patient is unable to provide consent or if the patient is a child, respectively.
Can I choose to be treated in a public hospital?
Mr Cheng Hean Lo has admitting and operating rights at Monash Health, Alfred Health and Western Health. We may be able to facilitate your treatment at these public hospitals (conditions apply).
I cannot find before and after photographs on your website?
We take patient privacy and cybersecurity issues seriously. In addition, there are rules and guidelines from various regulatory bodies discouraging the use of before and after photographs:
ACCC states “ …use of before and after photographs in advertising can create an unrealistically favourable impression of the results of services… a further difficulty arises when consumers are led to believe that the outcome achieved for one person can necessarily be achieved for others…. ”
AHPRA states “ …use of before and after photographs in advertising…. has a significant potential to be misleading or deceptive, to convey to a member of the public inappropriately high expectations of a successful outcome….. ”
For these reasons, before and after photographs of our patients are not available on our website. However, we do spend a lot of time talking to clients or patients about scars, what they aim to achieve etc. Photographs may be used as aids during this consultation process.
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