What are the most common risks of cosmetic surgery?

Common risks include bruising, swelling, pain, temporary numbness, scarring, delayed wound healing and minor asymmetry. Infection, bleeding and seroma can occur. Specific procedures have unique risks (e.g., capsular contracture for breast implants, contour irregularities for liposuction, breathing changes for rhinoplasty).

What serious but less common complications should I know about?

Serious complications include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), significant bleeding or haematoma, severe infection, anaesthesia reactions, skin or tissue necrosis, nerve injury, and in very rare cases, life-threatening events. Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical.

How do I reduce my risk before cosmetic surgery in Australia?

Obtain a GP referral, disclose your full medical history and medications, stop smoking/vaping well in advance, optimise BMI where possible, choose a surgeon with appropriate registration and training, use an accredited facility with a specialist anaesthetist, avoid combining excessive procedures, and follow pre- and post-op instructions.

What warning signs after surgery mean I should seek urgent help?

Call 000 if you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden leg swelling/pain, confusion or severe bleeding. Contact your surgeon or hospital urgently for fever over 38°C, worsening redness or pus, rapidly increasing pain, sudden swelling, foul odour from a wound, or one breast or side becoming tense and very painful.

How can I check a surgeon’s registration and endorsements?

Use AHPRA’s public register to confirm the practitioner’s registration type, specialty, endorsements and any conditions. Verify hospital admitting rights and anaesthetist involvement. See our guide: /how-to-check-a-surgeons-registration-and-credentials/

Are combined procedures riskier?

Combining multiple procedures can lengthen anaesthetic time, increase blood loss, elevate DVT/PE risk and complicate recovery. Discuss whether staging procedures would be safer for your situation.

What if I am unhappy or worried about my result?

Ask for a review with your surgeon and follow their aftercare plan. If concerns persist, seek a second opinion from another qualified surgeon. You can also explore complaints pathways or revision options. See: /second-opinion-cosmetic-surgery/, /revision-surgery/ and /complaints-and-disputes/

Independent, Australia‑wide guidance

Cosmetic surgery risks in Australia: what can go wrong and how to reduce it

Q: What are Australia’s rules for cosmetic surgery consent and cooling-off?

Australia requires a GP or other non-cosmetic specialist referral, at least two pre-operative consultations (one in person), and a minimum seven‑day cooling-off period after informed consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit taken. These rules are overseen by AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia.

Every operation has risks. This practical guide explains common and serious complications, Australian consent and referral rules, early warning signs after surgery, and the questions to ask so you can make a safer, more informed decision.

Discuss your personal risk See warning signs

AHPRA rules Referral, consent and cooling‑off requirements explained

Risk by procedure Breast, body and face procedures compared

Support Second opinions, revision and complaints help

Common risks

Bruising, swelling, pain, temporary numbness and scarring can occur after most procedures.

Serious but rare

DVT/PE, severe infection, haematoma, tissue loss and anaesthetic reactions need urgent care.

Post‑op red flags

Rapid swelling, high fever, pus, severe pain or shortness of breath need immediate assessment.

Get help early

Call 000 in an emergency. For concerns, contact your surgeon or request confidential guidance.

Informed consent rules

Cooling‑off, documentation and what must be explained before you book.

Questions to ask

Risk, surgeon experience, facility safety and aftercare inclusions.

Red flags to avoid

Warning signs when choosing a clinic or practitioner in Australia.

Recovery & aftercare

What normal healing looks like and when to seek help.

Understand risks by procedure

Different procedures carry different complication profiles and recovery considerations. Use the guides below to explore likely risks and the questions to ask at consultation.

Need help comparing your risks?

Breast surgery risks

Learn about implant‑specific risks and breast procedure considerations.

Breast augmentation risks (capsular contracture, rupture, BIA‑ALCL)
Breast lift and reduction risks overview
Scarring, sensation changes, asymmetry

View breast surgery risks

Body contouring risks

Consider risks that rise with longer procedures and higher BMI.

Tummy tuck risks (DVT/PE, seroma, wound issues)
Liposuction risks (contour irregularities, fluid shifts)
Body contouring after weight loss

View body contouring guidance

Facial surgery risks

Understand procedure‑specific trade‑offs and downtime.

Rhinoplasty risks (breathing, infection, revision)
Eyelid surgery (dry eyes, vision changes, asymmetry)
Facelift (nerve injury, haematoma, scarring)

View facial surgery guidance

Safety, consent & surgeon choice

Follow Australia‑specific rules and verification steps.

Explore safety guidance

How risk changes by setting, surgeon and your health

Complication rates vary with the facility, anaesthesia, surgeon training and personal health factors. This overview helps you ask specific, safety‑focused questions.

Factor

Lower risk approach

Higher risk approach

Why it matters

Facility

Accredited hospital or licensed day surgery

Unaccredited office theatre

Accreditation supports protocols, sterility and emergency response

Anaesthesia

Specialist anaesthetist with full monitoring

Sedation by non‑anaesthetist

Specialists manage airway, pain and complications more safely

Surgeon credentials

AHPRA‑registered specialist with appropriate endorsement/qualifications

Unclear training or limited oversight

Training and volume influence judgment, technique and outcomes (check credentials)

Your health

Non‑smoker, optimised BMI, stable conditions

Smoking/vaping, high BMI, unmanaged conditions

These increase wound, infection and DVT/PE risks

Procedure plan

Staged or shorter procedures

Many procedures in one long session

Longer anaesthesia increases serious risk probability

Aftercare

Structured follow‑up, clear contact pathway

Limited or unclear after‑hours support

Early review helps detect problems before they escalate

Get personalised risk guidance

Your four‑step plan to reduce risk

Use this safety‑first pathway before you book or pay a deposit. It aligns with Australian rules and good clinical practice.

Open the pre‑booking checklist

Start with your GP

Obtain a GP referral, share your full history and medications, and discuss suitability.

Verify surgeon & facility

Check AHPRA registration, training and admitting rights; choose accredited facilities.

Understand consent

Have two pre‑op consults and a 7‑day cooling‑off period. Read informed consent carefully, including risks specific to you.

Follow aftercare

Plan time off, arrange support and follow recovery instructions to detect issues early.

Speak with a nurse‑led team

Key Australian rules that improve safety

Cosmetic surgery in Australia is regulated by AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia. Knowing the rules helps you spot safe practice and avoid red flags.

Referral required GP or other non‑cosmetic specialist referral before consulting the operating practitioner

Two consults At least one in person before booking surgery or taking deposits

Cooling‑off Minimum seven‑day cooling‑off period after informed consent

Transparency Clear information about risks, alternatives, costs and aftercare in writing

Read consultations & safety See clinic red flags

What increases risk — and how to reduce it

Smoking or vaping nicotine Raises wound breakdown and infection risk. Stop well before surgery and follow your surgeon’s policy.

Modify

High BMI and long anaesthesia Increase DVT/PE and wound issues. Consider staging procedures and weight optimisation.

Plan

Unaccredited settings Lower sterility and emergency capacity. Choose accredited hospitals/day surgeries.

Choose

Poor medication disclosure Bleeding or drug interactions can occur. Disclose all prescriptions, supplements and allergies.

Disclose

Limited aftercare access Slower detection of problems. Confirm review schedule and 24/7 contact instructions.

Support

Unclear practitioner credentials Training and oversight vary. Verify registration and endorsements before booking.

Verify

Ask how to lower your risk How to choose a surgeon

Complication warning signs and when to seek help

Do not wait if you are worried. Prompt assessment can prevent serious problems. In an emergency, call 000.

Immediate red flags (call 000)

Seek emergency care if you develop:

Chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or confusion
Severe bleeding or vomiting blood
Sudden leg swelling/pain (possible DVT)

Urgent review by your surgeon

Contact your clinic or hospital if you notice:

Fever 38°C or higher, shaking chills
Rapidly increasing pain, redness, heat or pus at an incision
Rapid swelling or tightness on one side (e.g., breast or facial haematoma)

Request urgent guidance

Questions to ask before you book

Arrive prepared to your consultation:

What are the top risks for my anatomy and health profile?
Who is my anaesthetist and where is the surgery performed?
How are complications handled and what aftercare is included?

Open the consultation checklist

Frequently asked questions

Clear, Australia‑specific answers to common cosmetic surgery risk questions.

Will a hospital setting reduce my risk?

Accredited hospitals and licensed day surgeries maintain sterility, monitoring and emergency protocols that reduce complication severity. Ask to see proof of accreditation and your surgeon’s admitting rights.

What affects infection or wound healing?

Smoking/vaping, diabetes, poor nutrition, higher BMI, long operations and inadequate aftercare can all increase infection and wound issues. Optimising these before surgery lowers risk.

How are anaesthetic risks managed?

A specialist anaesthetist will assess your medical history, monitor you during surgery and manage pain and complications. Share all medications and allergies to reduce risk.

Can I avoid scars?

All surgery creates scars, which typically fade over time. Their position and quality depend on procedure type, genetics and aftercare. See scars after cosmetic surgery for more.

What if I think something is wrong after surgery?

Contact your clinic for a same‑day review. If you have red‑flag symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding or sudden leg swelling, call 000 immediately.

Where can I get a second opinion or help with a complaint?

Explore our guides on second opinions, revision surgery and complaints & disputes. You can also request confidential help below.

Get help with a risk concern

Confidential advice and next steps

Worried about cosmetic surgery risks or a possible complication?

Ask about your personal risk profile, warning signs, second‑opinion options and what to do next. We provide Australia‑specific guidance aligned with AHPRA rules, including referral and consent requirements.

Safety‑first support

Risk reduction, procedure comparisons and aftercare guidance.

Next steps

Verification checks, surgeon selection tips and escalation pathways.