Your safety
comes first.

Understanding surgical risk

Every operation carries potential risks. The likelihood and significance of these risks vary according to the procedure, your health, the duration and complexity of surgery, anaesthesia, medications, smoking or nicotine use, previous surgery and other individual factors.

Possible complications of surgery can include:

• bleeding or haematoma
• infection
• delayed wound healing or wound breakdown
• fluid collections (seroma)
• pain or persistent discomfort
• bruising and swelling
• temporary or permanent changes in sensation
• numbness or nerve injury
• unfavourable, widened, raised or noticeable scars
• asymmetry or contour irregularities
• skin, fat or tissue loss
• problems related to implants or other medical devices
• anaesthetic complications
• blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
• blood clots travelling to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• cardiovascular or respiratory complications
• an outcome that differs from what was anticipated
• the need for additional treatment or revision surgery.

Some complications are minor and resolve with appropriate treatment. Others may require medication, additional procedures, hospital admission or further surgery. Very rarely, serious complications can be life-threatening.

The risks that are particularly relevant to your proposed procedure and your individual circumstances will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Your individual risk assessment

Surgical risk is different for every patient. Before recommending surgery, we consider factors such as your:

General health

Existing medical conditions, previous operations, allergies and previous problems with surgery or anaesthesia may influence treatment.

Medications and supplements

Prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements can affect bleeding, blood pressure, anaesthesia and recovery. Please provide us with a complete and accurate medication list.

Smoking, vaping and nicotine use

Nicotine can significantly impair blood flow and wound healing and may increase the risk of infection, wound breakdown, tissue loss and other complications. You may be asked to stop all nicotine products for a period before and after surgery.

Risk of blood clots

Your individual risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is assessed and preventative measures are used when appropriate.

Weight and general fitness

These can influence anaesthetic risk, wound healing, mobility after surgery and the likelihood of certain complications.

Previous surgery

Previous operations and scarring can alter anatomy, blood supply and the risks associated with subsequent procedures.

Psychological wellbeing and expectations

It is important that the decision to undergo surgery is your own, that your expectations are realistic and that the proposed procedure is likely to be appropriate for your circumstances and goals.

Sometimes the safest recommendation is to delay surgery, modify the proposed operation or not proceed with surgery at all.

Informed consent

Consent is much more than signing a form. Before surgery, you should understand:

• what the proposed operation involves
• why it is being recommended
• reasonable alternatives, including choosing not to have surgery
• the expected recovery
• likely scars
• expected benefits and limitations
• important short and long-term risks
• possible complications
• the possibility of further treatment or revision surgery
• what you should expect from your final result.

You should have an opportunity to ask questions and enough time to consider the information you have been given.

For cosmetic surgery, Australian Medical Board guidelines include specific requirements regarding consultation, informed consent and cooling-off periods. These are designed to give patients appropriate time to consider their decision without unnecessary pressure.

Realistic expectations

Plastic surgery is not an exact science.

Your surgeon can plan and perform an operation carefully, but a particular result cannot be guaranteed. Healing varies from person to person, and factors such as scar formation, swelling, tissue characteristics, ageing and individual anatomy affect the final outcome.

Our aim is to provide you with a realistic understanding of both the potential benefits and the limitations of surgery.

Where your surgery is performed

The appropriate setting for an operation depends on the procedure, anaesthetic requirements and your individual risk profile.

Procedures requiring hospital or day-surgery care are performed in appropriately equipped facilities with the personnel and resources required for the planned procedure, anaesthesia, recovery and management of unexpected complications.

Your surgeon will discuss where your operation will be performed and the type of anaesthesia proposed.

Anaesthesia safety

Depending on your procedure, surgery may be performed under local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia is generally very safe, but it is not risk-free. Potential complications range from relatively minor problems such as nausea or sore throat to uncommon but serious cardiovascular, respiratory or allergic complications.

Your individual anaesthetic risk will be considered as part of planning your surgery.

Preventing infection

A number of measures may be used to reduce the risk of surgical infection, depending on the procedure.

These may include appropriate skin preparation, sterile surgical technique, carefully selected antibiotic prophylaxis when indicated, wound-care protocols and postoperative monitoring.

Despite these precautions, infection can occasionally occur and may require antibiotics, drainage, hospital treatment or further surgery.

Preventing blood clots

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are uncommon but potentially serious complications of surgery. Prevention may include:

• assessment of your individual risk
• compression devices or stockings where appropriate
• early mobilisation after surgery
• maintaining appropriate hydration
• blood-thinning medication when clinically indicated.

You can contribute to your safety by following the mobility and postoperative instructions provided to you.

Recovery and aftercare

Good surgery requires good aftercare.

Before leaving hospital or the surgical facility, you will be given instructions appropriate to your procedure. These may cover:

• wound and dressing care
• showering
• compression garments
• medications
• pain management
• activity restrictions
• driving
• exercise
• returning to work
• follow-up appointments
• symptoms that should prompt you to contact us.

Please follow these instructions carefully and attend your scheduled postoperative appointments, even when your recovery appears to be progressing well. The warning signs to watch for are set out above.

Your role in safer surgery

Patient safety is a partnership between you and your healthcare team. You can help reduce risk if you:

• Tell us about your health. Provide complete information about medical conditions, previous surgery, allergies, medications and supplements.
• Tell us about nicotine. Let us know about smoking, vaping, nicotine replacement and other nicotine products.
• Follow your pre-operative instructions. These may include medication changes, fasting requirements and other preparation.
• Ask questions. If there is something you do not understand, please ask. There is no such thing as an unimportant question when making a decision about surgery.
• Arrange appropriate support. Depending on the operation, you may require someone to drive you home and remain with you during the early recovery period.
• Follow your postoperative instructions. Restrictions on exercise, lifting, driving, wound care and compression garments are intended to reduce complications.
• Attend your follow-up appointments. Follow-up allows your surgical team to monitor healing and identify problems early.
• Contact us early if you are concerned. Early assessment can sometimes prevent a relatively small problem from becoming a significant complication.

Choosing a surgeon

Patients considering surgery should understand the qualifications and experience of the practitioner who will perform their procedure.

In Australia, patients can check a doctor's registration, recognised specialty registration and any relevant conditions on the Ahpra Register of Practitioners (opens in a new tab).

You should feel comfortable asking your surgeon:

• What are your qualifications?
• What specialist training have you completed?
• How frequently do you perform this operation?
• Where will my operation take place?
• Who will provide my anaesthetic?
• What are the major risks for someone like me?
• What happens if I develop a complication?
• Who will provide my postoperative care?
• What happens if I require revision surgery?

A reputable surgical consultation should make it easier, not harder, to ask these questions.

Cosmetic surgery and patient protection in Australia

Australia has strengthened the regulation of cosmetic surgery in recent years.

Current requirements include enhanced informed-consent processes, consultation and cooling-off requirements, assessment of patient suitability, requirements relating to facilities and aftercare, and tighter regulation of cosmetic-surgery advertising.

Patients seeking cosmetic surgery should also obtain the required GP referral and should be given appropriate time to consider their decision.

These protections are intended to ensure that decisions about cosmetic surgery are based on appropriate clinical assessment and informed choice rather than pressure or unrealistic expectations.

Independent patient safety resources

We encourage patients to use independent sources of information when considering surgery.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)

Check your practitioner's registration and specialist qualifications (opens in a new tab).

Medical Board of Australia

Read the Guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and procedures (opens in a new tab).

Australian Government cosmetic surgery patient safety resources

The Australian Government provides a cosmetic surgery patient safety checklist (opens in a new tab) and a list of questions you may wish to ask before surgery (opens in a new tab).

Questions are encouraged

Choosing whether to have plastic surgery is an important decision. Our role is to provide you with clear information, professional advice and an individual assessment so that you can make a decision that is right for you.

We encourage you to take your time, involve your GP or other healthcare professionals when appropriate, and ask questions at any stage.

Your safety should never be secondary to your decision to have surgery.

This page provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. The risks associated with a particular procedure and your individual circumstances will be discussed during your consultation.