General Risks and Complications of Cosmetic Surgery

All invasive surgery carries risks and complications. The decision to proceed with surgery should be based on a careful comparison of risk against potential benefit, made in consultation with your doctor. During your consultation with Dr Georgina Konrat, you are encouraged to ask questions about any risks relevant to your planned procedure. Dr Konrat and her team will explain how each risk is managed. Although the majority of patients do not experience the complications listed below, you should discuss each one with Dr Konrat to ensure you have a full understanding of possible consequences before proceeding.

AHPRA Requirements Before Cosmetic Surgery

All cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia are subject to AHPRA regulation. Before surgery can be booked, patients must:

Obtain a referral from a general practitioner (GP)
Attend two pre-operative consultations (one may be conducted via telehealth)
Observe a minimum seven-day cooling-off period after the second consultation
Complete any requested pre-operative assessments (blood tests, health checks)
Receive written information about the procedure, risks, and alternatives
Provide informed consent

These requirements exist to ensure patients have adequate time and information before proceeding. They apply to every cosmetic surgical procedure performed at Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic.

Before Your Procedure

Prior to your procedure, you will receive detailed written information covering your surgery, what to expect, and pre- and post-operative care instructions. It is important to follow Dr Konrat’s post-operative care protocol to support the best possible recovery and outcome. All patients are encouraged to have realistic expectations about surgical results, based on your anatomy and individual healing.

Scarring

Every patient heals differently. Your genetics, lifestyle, and how closely you follow post-operative care instructions all affect the appearance of surgical scars.

All surgery leaves scars.
Scars present differently from patient to patient.
Surgical scars can take 12 to 18 months to fully mature. With time, scars typically lighten and soften.
In the early stages of healing, it is normal for a scar to feel firm, appear darker in colour (purple or red), and feel uneven or lumpy — particularly at the ends of the scar.
Some patients are more prone to abnormal scarring (keloid or hypertrophic scarring). If this occurs, silicone-based dressings or other management options may be recommended.

Contact the clinic at any time during your recovery if you have concerns about your healing.

Risks Common to All Surgery

The following risks and complications may occur with any surgical procedure. This list is not exhaustive. Specific risks for each procedure are discussed at consultation.

Bleeding and haematoma — bleeding into the tissues. This rarely requires a return to theatre or a blood transfusion. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (even a single dose taken within two weeks of surgery) can increase bleeding risk. Patients on anticoagulants require specific peri-operative management.
Wound separation or delayed healing
Inflammation and infection
Pain — the severity and duration of post-operative pain varies between patients.
Asymmetrical swelling and pain — when a procedure is performed on both sides of the body, swelling and pain are rarely identical on each side. Uneven swelling does not necessarily indicate a complication, but should be reported to Dr Konrat.
Sore throat — caused by the tube used to administer anaesthesia, where general anaesthetic is used.
Nausea and vomiting — modern anaesthetic agents usually but not always control post-operative nausea.
Other anaesthetic complications — specific concerns should be discussed with the anaesthetist at your pre-operative appointment.
Sensitivity or allergy to dressings and tape.
Abnormal scarring — thick, wide, depressed, or discoloured scars (including keloid or hypertrophic scars).
Unsatisfactory result and need for revisional surgery.
Asymmetry
Post-operative fatigue and low mood — physical recovery from surgery and anaesthesia is gradual. Many patients experience a period of feeling emotionally low post-operatively. This typically improves over several weeks. Please contact the clinic if you have concerns.

Rarer Complications

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) — blood clots can form in the veins of the legs and travel to the lungs. The oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase DVT risk and should be stopped at least one month before surgery. Anti-embolic stockings and anticoagulant (heparin) injections significantly reduce this risk and are used where appropriate.
Pneumothorax — particularly in very thin patients. Rarely requires a chest tube post-operatively.
Severe allergic reaction to anaesthetic agents — rare (approximately 1 in 10,000).
Cardiovascular complications — including stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmia. Extremely rare in otherwise healthy patients.

Procedure-Specific Risks

Each procedure carries its own specific risks in addition to the general risks listed above. Please see the relevant page for more information:

Questions and Concerns

If you have questions about risks at any point before or after surgery, contact the clinic directly. Phone: 07 3391 5710 Email: info@brisbanecosmetic.com.au Consultations are by appointment, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm, at 45 Denham Street, Annerley QLD 4103. Content reviewed by Dr Georgina Konrat MBBS FACCSM. AHPRA Registration: MED0001407863. This page provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. Last reviewed: June 2026.