Your first consultation is where Dr Kumar examines you, explains what surgery can and cannot achieve in your case, and gives you the information you need to decide. There is no obligation to go ahead.
In short: The first consultation with Dr Rohit Kumar costs $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 when you have a valid GP referral. It takes 60 minutes, or 90 minutes after major weight loss, and is held in Westmead, Penrith or Orange, or by video. A GP referral is required. You meet Dr Kumar’s nurses before and after you see him, and you leave with an itemised quote.
Your path, step by step
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | Call 1300 267 726 or send an enquiry online. One of Dr Kumar’s nurses calls you back within one business day, or on the day and at the time you choose. |
| 2. Nurse phone call | You talk through what you are considering, whether a consultation is the right next step, and what you will need for it. |
| 3. GP referral | Ask your GP for a referral addressed to Dr Rohit Kumar, Specialist Plastic Surgeon. |
| 4. Booking | Your consultation is booked and the fee is paid to secure it. A Welcome Pack is emailed to you. |
| 5. First consultation | 60 to 90 minutes with Dr Kumar and his nurses. You leave with an information pack and an itemised quote. |
| 6. Second consultation | Required for cosmetic surgery. Dr Kumar confirms the plan, answers new questions and you sign the consent forms. Garments are measured if you need them. |
| 7. Cooling-off | At least seven days after you give consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid. |
| 8. Surgery | At Westmead Private Hospital, or at Somerset Private Hospital in Kingswood for day surgery. |
| 9. Reviews | At 7 to 10 days, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. |
Booking and your GP referral
To book, call 1300 267 726, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or request a call from Dr Kumar’s team and choose the day and time that suit you.
A referral from your GP is required to see Dr Kumar, for every procedure. It also allows you to claim the Medicare rebate on your consultation, and, where Medicare criteria are met, rebates on surgery. Asking your GP before the nurse calls means your consultation can usually be booked on that first call. More about GP referrals.
What to bring
- Your GP referral, if it has not already been sent to the rooms
- A list of your current medications and supplements
- Letters or reports from any previous surgery, including bariatric surgery
- If you have lost a lot of weight: your highest weight, your current weight and how long it has been stable
- Your questions, written down
- A support person, if you would like one with you
Please arrive 10 minutes early to complete the registration and medical history forms, if you have not done so beforehand. Because the discussions are adult in nature, please do not bring children under 12. Checklists for common procedures are on the patient forms and checklists page.
Your first consultation, and who you will meet
Before you see Dr Kumar, one of his nurses, Kate or Meg, spends time with you and takes clinical photographs. These are de-identified and used by Dr Kumar in his discussion with you.
With Dr Kumar, you go through your medical history, your concerns and what you hope to achieve. He examines you, explains whether surgery can achieve it or whether another option would suit you better, and describes the technique and the risks as they apply to you.
Afterwards, you see the nurse again. You are given an information pack about your procedure, and an itemised quote setting out the surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and hospital fees is explained to you.
The nurses who prepare you for surgery are the same nurses who see you at every review afterwards. Dr Kumar aims to see you at your appointment time; if an emergency causes a delay, Dr Kumar’s team will let you know as early as they can.
Video consultations
If you live in Orange, the Central West or further afield and cannot easily travel, Dr Kumar offers consultations by video. Dr Kumar’s team can tell you whether a video consultation suits your situation. At least one consultation in person is needed before any surgery.
You can also send photos to Dr Kumar’s team before deciding, so they can review them with Dr Kumar and advise you on the next step.
Costs, quotes and deposits
- Consultation: $400, paid at booking to secure your appointment, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 when you have a valid referral. The fee is non-refundable. If something unexpected comes up, your appointment can be rescheduled once; if the rescheduled appointment is missed, the fee is forfeited.
- Surgery: quoted individually after your consultation, once the operation you need has been decided. Dr Kumar’s practice does not publish package prices. The hospital confirms what your health fund covers in its own quote.
- Deposit: paid when you book surgery, which can only happen once the seven-day cooling-off period has ended. The balance is due one month before your operation.
- New concerns later: if you return about a different procedure, a consultation fee may apply.
See costs and Medicare for more detail.
Cosmetic surgery: second consultation, cooling-off and screening
Under the national guidelines for cosmetic surgery, three extra steps apply when your procedure is classed as cosmetic:
- A second consultation with Dr Kumar before surgery is booked, where the plan is confirmed and consent is given.
- A cooling-off period of at least seven days after you give consent, before you can book surgery or pay a deposit.
- Screening for body dysmorphic disorder, using a validated questionnaire. You complete it through the QR code in your Welcome Pack and discuss the result with Dr Kumar.
If your procedure has a Medicare item number, Dr Kumar’s team will tell you which of these apply. Before deciding on any operation, read the risks and considerations of surgery.
After surgery: reviews for 12 months
You receive a post-operative care booklet covering pain relief, dressings and showering, and a dedicated phone line to Dr Kumar’s nurses for patients of the practice.
Scheduled reviews are at 7 to 10 days, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months, with no out-of-pocket fees for the first year. Extra dressing changes outside the schedule, or treatment beyond standard care, may attract a small fee.
Common questions about the first consultation
How much does a first consultation with Dr Kumar cost?
$400, paid at booking. With a valid GP referral, Medicare rebates approximately $88 of that.
Do I need a GP referral?
Yes. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar for every procedure, and it is also what allows you to claim the Medicare rebate on the consultation.
How long does the consultation take?
About 60 minutes, or 90 minutes if you are seeing Dr Kumar after major weight loss or about more than one area. Allow an extra 10 minutes for the forms.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A friend or family member is welcome to stay with you throughout. Please do not bring children under 12.
Can I have a video consultation?
Yes, video consultations are available for patients who cannot easily travel. At least one consultation in person is needed before any surgery.
Will I get a quote at my first consultation?
Yes. After seeing Dr Kumar, a nurse goes through an itemised quote with you, setting out the surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and hospital fees.
Are follow-up appointments included?
Yes. Scheduled reviews for the first 12 months after surgery have no out-of-pocket fees.
Ready to arrange your consultation?
Request a call from Dr Kumar’s team or call 1300 267 726.
About Dr Kumar
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) is an ANZBCPS Board Certified specialist plastic surgeon with over 20 years of surgical experience. His main focus is body contouring after major weight loss, along with breast surgery and abdominoplasty. More about Dr Kumar.
