How Long Is the Wait to See Dr Callan — and Why?

What does it take to see a specialist plastic surgeon?

Five steps sit between your first phone call and a surgery date:

1. An initial call with reception. Everything starts with a phone call to the practice. Reception will take your details, listen to what you’re considering and explain how the process works from there.

2. A phone consultation with a nurse. Before you meet Dr Callan, you’ll speak with one of the practice nurses by phone. It’s a proper conversation rather than a booking script: what to expect from the process, whether the procedure you’re considering is likely to be suitable for you, and an indication of costs. The purpose is to make sure the appointment you book is the right appointment for you.

3. A GP referral. Specialist plastic surgeons see patients by referral. Your GP writes one after discussing your concerns, and it’s also how Dr Callan receives your medical history before you ever walk in.

4. A first consultation. An unhurried appointment with Dr Callan himself, with a nurse present. You’ll cover your anatomy, the options available to you, realistic expectations, risks and costs.

5. A second consultation. Standard for every surgical patient. It gives you time to reflect, raises the questions that only surface after the first visit, and means no decision is ever made under pressure.

Only after both consultations is surgery scheduled.

Why is there a wait?

Because there is one surgeon, and he doesn’t hurry. Dr Callan is a single specialist plastic surgeon — there’s no associate seeing overflow patients, and consultations are never delegated to a coordinator. Every patient is examined, advised and followed up by the surgeon who operates on them, drawing on more than 25 years of surgical experience.

The phone consultation and the two-consultation structure together mean significant time is invested in every patient before surgery is ever scheduled, and each appointment is long enough to properly examine, explain and answer questions. Costs are discussed openly from the very first phone conversation, so you leave with a transparent quote rather than a surprise.

What should you do while you wait?

The wait isn’t dead time, it’s preparation time.

Sort your referral early. See your GP now rather than later; a current referral is the first thing the practice will ask for, and having it ready means your consultation can be booked without delay.

Understand the process before you’re in the room. Knowing what each stage covers helps you arrive prepared — the phone consultation gives you a sense of suitability and cost, the first appointment explores whether surgery is right for you, and the second confirms your decision once you’ve had time to think.

Do your research. Read through the blog and follow along on Instagram. Learning the terminology and understanding how Dr Callan approaches each procedure will sharpen the questions you bring to your consultation.

How do you secure a consultation?

Call the practice to start the process and join the consultation book. To make the most of your phone consultation and your appointment, have ready:

A current GP referral

Your medical history and a list of current medications

A clear sense of what concerns you 

Your questions — written down, so nothing is forgotten on the day

Ready to start the process?

Contact our Geelong practice to arrange your consultation with Dr Callan, and use the time between now and then to prepare well. Good surgical decisions are made slowly, and that starts here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I speak to anyone before my consultation with Dr Callan?

Yes. Your first contact is a phone call with reception, and before you see Dr Callan you’ll also have a phone consultation with one of the practice nurses. That call covers what to expect from the process, whether the procedure you’re considering is likely to be suitable for you, and an indication of costs — so you know where you stand before booking.

Will I know the cost before I book a consultation?

You’ll be given an indication of costs during your phone consultation with the nursing team, well before you commit to anything. A detailed, personalised quote follows your consultations with Dr Callan, once the plan is specific to you.

Do I need a referral to see a plastic surgeon?

Yes. In Australia, you need a current referral from your GP or another specialist before your first consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon. It also gives your surgeon your medical history ahead of your appointment.

How many consultations do you need before plastic surgery?

At Dr Callan’s practice, two. The first explores your anatomy, options, risks and costs; the second confirms your decision once you’ve had time to reflect. No surgery date is set until both are complete.

How can I get a plastic surgery consultation sooner?

Have your GP referral ready when you contact the practice. The steps can’t be skipped, but a ready referral means your consultation can be booked straight away, with nothing holding up your place on the book.

What happens if I decide not to go ahead with surgery?

Nothing, that’s a valid outcome of the process. The consultation structure exists so you can make an informed decision either way, with no pressure and no obligation to proceed at any point.

Can I see a plastic surgeon in a different city?

Yes. Patients travel from Melbourne, Sydney and across regional Victoria to consult with Dr Callan in Geelong. If you’re travelling, mention it when booking so appointments can be arranged with your travel in mind.