About Plastic Surgery in Melbourne

At the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre in Melbourne, Dr Donato and his staff will carefully listen to your individual needs and discuss with you the best option that will help you realise those goals.

Dr Robert Donato MB BS MS FRACS (Plast)
Plastic Surgeon

Dr Donato graduated from Monash University Medical School in 1990. He commenced internship at the Alfred Hospital in 1991 where he continued with his basic surgical training until 1993. Then he won the Sir Donald Trescowthick Surgical Research Scholarship and completed his Master of Surgery at the Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery. He continued with his surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and was awarded the Davis and Geck Surgical Prize in 1994. Whilst a surgical trainee, he was also tutor at Trinity College, University of Melbourne.

Dr Donato entered advanced plastic surgery training in 1997 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian Surgeons in 2000. That same year he won the RACS John Lowenthal Surgical scholarship and completed a microsurgery Fellowship at the Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery. He commenced private practice in 2001.

Currently, he is appointed as Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery. He is a Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Dr Donato is in private plastic surgery practice at the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre. He is an active member of Interplast Australia, offering time to do volunteer surgical work in the Third World. Dr Donato attends overseas meetings in the US and Europe on a regular basis to keep up to date with new plastic surgery procedures. He has delivered lectures in both the US and Europe at international conferences. Most recently, he participated and completed the International Masters Course on Ageing Skin in Paris, 2006.

Dr Donato is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)

Dr Donato has selected the following fully accredited hospitals to carry out his surgery:

Epworth Freemasons Private Hospital

Cliveden Hill Private Hospital

All hospital operations are carried out under the safety and care of a specialist anaesthetist.

Nicki Hardie RN (Div 1)
Practice Nurse and Clinical Aesthetician

Nicki has worked with Mr Donato for over five years. She has specialised in plastic surgery nursing since 1997, and obtained a university graduate certificate in Clinical Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2004.

Nicki is involved in both the surgical and non-surgical aspects of the practice. She will assist with your post operative care, and is available to answer any concerns you may have regarding wound care and scar management following your procedure.  In The Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, Nicki will make a thorough assessment of your skin and devise a rejuvenation program to meet your individual needs. 

Amanda Ellis RN (Div 1)
Practice Nurse and Clinical Aesthetician

Amanda has been at Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre since August 2006, bringing with her extensive knowledge in the field of plastic surgery nursing. She has a particular interest in breast surgery, and has recently completed further post graduate studies in this area.

Like Nicki, Amanda is experienced in both post surgical nursing and cosmetic medicine. She will answer any queries you may have regarding your procedure, and is also available to discuss your specific requirements in The Skin Rejuvenation Clinic.  She works closely with Mr Donato during the planning and management of patients undergoing breast surgery.

Jodie Pollock RN (Div 1) Practice Nurse

Jodie joined the Burgundy Hill Plastic Surgery Centre team in February 2008.  She is highly experienced in post-surgical nursing, and has cared for many of Mr Donato's patients in the hospital system for over four years.

Jodie works in the surgical area of the practice.  She assists Mr Donato with minor procedures performed in the rooms, and will be involved in your care after surgery.  She is available to answer any queries regarding your post-operative course, and will provide you with guidelines regarding scar management and wound care in order to obtain the best long term results.   

Trish McCristal RN (Div 1) Practice Nurse

Trish has joined our team more recently, and brings with her vast experience in the peri-operative care of plastic surgery patients.  She completed her post graduate peri-operative studies in 1991, and has since obtained a Bachelor of Education through LaTrobe University.

Like Jodie, Trish's work is focused in the surgical side of BHPSC.  She assists predominantly with surgical procedures, and is also involved in the post surgical care of our patients.  Due to her background, Trish is able to provide you with a good insight into what to expect during your peri-operative journey.         

Reception/ Administration Staff

Kay, Tonia and Mary are our frontline reception staff and are available to answer any queries before, during or after your treatment.