Frequently Asked Questions.

All CosMediTour plastic surgery procedures are conducted under general anaesthetic. This means that, no matter what procedure you’re having, you’ll be in a sleep-like state and won’t feel anything for the duration of the surgery. After your procedure, it’s normal to experience mild, moderate, and, sometimes, severe pain or discomfort—all clients feel pain differently, so it’s hard to predict what your experience will be. Pain relief medication will be prescribed by your Plastic Surgeon as required and your symptoms will lessen every day. In most cases, pain will subside completely 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. 

The length of your surgery will depend on the type of Plastic Surgery procedure you’re having. CosMediTour procedures typically range from 1 to 5 hours, however specific timings will depend on the techniques needed to perform your unique procedure. Your Surgeon will advise you of this during consultations. For more information please contact our Client Support team on 1300 000 633. 

While there isn’t a specific weight (numerical value) for Plastic Surgery procedures in Australia, our Surgeons recommend being within a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) for your own health and safety. To ensure optimal results, it’s best that you’re at your goal weight prior to surgery. If you experience weight fluctuations after your Plastic Surgery procedure, you may compromise the quality of your results. Check out our blog about BMI and Plastic Surgery to learn more.

To ensure a safe and successful Plastic Surgery procedure, our Surgeons ask that clients refrain from drinking 2 weeks before and for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Alcohol is a blood thinner. Drinking around your surgery date will increase your risk of excess bleeding, swelling, and bruising, ultimately slowing down your recovery process. 

Yes. Smoking restricts blood flow and increases your risk of infection, skin loss, and poor circulation. Clients who smoke or vape prior to their procedure heal slower, experience increased scarring and risk accelerated skin aging, a loss of skin elasticity, blood clots, difficulty breathing, and an increased chance of capsular contracture (if undergoing Breast Surgery). Necrosis, the disfiguring and sometimes fatal premature death of cells and tissues, is also a complication associated with smoking or vaping pre- and post-surgery.

To undergo surgery with CosMediTour, our Plastic Surgeons require you to give up all types of smoking and vaping for at least 6 weeks before and after your procedure.

Yes. Just as nicotine can have negative impacts on your surgery and results, so too can marijuana/cannabis use. Clients who use cannabis often need higher doses of anaesthesia to become sedated and to stay unconscious. This can extend recovery time and increase the risk of complications after surgery. Clients who inhale marijuana are also more likely to have increased phlegm on or around the lungs and cough and wheeze more – this increases the risk of respiratory infections.

To undergo surgery with CosMediTour, our Plastic Surgeons require you to give up marijuana/cannabis use at least 6 weeks before and after your procedure. 

You will be able to exercise after your Plastic Surgery procedure but be prepared for some initial downtime. In most cases, clients can resume light exercises 2 weeks after surgery (walking, assisted stair climbs etc). This timeframe will vary depending on the complexity of your surgery and your personal healing rate. Your Surgeon will provide you with tailored advice about your specific recovery timeframe.

To ensure optimal results, it’s important that you do not reintroduce strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks post-surgery, or until your Surgeon advises it’s safe to do so. This includes lifting anything over 5kgs (weights, children, etc.). Swimming must also be avoided during this time—it’s vital that you let your incision sites heal completely before submerging them in water. For more information, please refer to the specific FAQs relating to your procedure or contact our Client Support Team. 

Swimming, bathing, time spent in the spa or sauna, and other extended exposure to water or steam must be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks after your plastic surgery procedure. Your Surgeon will monitor your recovery closely and advise when it’s safe for you to swim again. 

Exposing your suture sites to water early can slow down your recovery rate and increase your chances of infection and permanent, visible scarring. Initially after your procedure, your suture sites will be porous—if they do get wet, be sure dry them completely and change your dressings. To reduce the chance of this happening because of steam, shower in lukewarm or cold water in the first few weeks.

All CosMediTour Surgeons ask that you avoid tanning (fake or sun) before surgery—fake and spray tans can increase your risk of infection and skin tanned by the sun becomes more sensitive, leading to increased inflammation, risk of bleeding, and poor healing. For the best results, avoid tanning for at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to your procedure date and for at least 3 months afterwards. Excess sun exposure, particularly to your incision sites, can dry out the skin. This permanently ages it and can lead to darker scars.

No – please refrain from getting any kind of tattoo before your plastic surgery procedure. Tattoos and eyebrow microblading can increase your risk of infection and, ultimately, impact your results. If you have a regular microblading or cosmetic tattoo booking, please speak to your Client Manager and your Plastic Surgeon about how long you will need to delay this appointment around your procedure date. 

No – please refrain from getting any kind of tattoo before your plastic surgery procedure. Tattoos and eyebrow microblading can increase your risk of infection and, ultimately, impact your results. If you have a regular microblading or cosmetic tattoo booking, please speak to your Client Manager and your Plastic Surgeon about how long you will need to delay this appointment around your procedure date. 

As is the case with cosmetic tattoos and eyebrow microblading, standard tattoos can also increase your risk of infection. Avoid getting a tattoo of any kind before your procedure and, for optimal results, wait a few months afterwards so that your body can have a chance to heal. Your Plastic Surgeon will advise when it’s safe for you to get a tattoo based on your recovery progress. 

During your Plastic Surgery procedure, your medical team will need at least 1 natural nail free for heart monitoring—polish and fake nails prevent the clip-on device from getting an accurate reading. Some hospitals require all nails to be free from polish and acrylic/gel nails as part of their policy. It’s a good idea to phone ahead and check on the specific rules for the hospital that your procedure will take place in.

Similarly, hair extensions (metal fastening and clip-on) and piercings must be removed. These items can interfere with the equipment used in the operating theatre and, in the case of piercings, can fall out and get lost in transit. If you need help removing your piercings, or placing them back in after surgery, a nurse will be able to assist you.  

As a general rule, it’s best if you do all your necessary hair removal at least 4 to 7 days before your surgery. This is because the micro-abrasions caused by waxing/shaving can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Shaving or waxing too close to your procedure date will significantly increase the chance of infection spreading to your surgical site.

If you regularly colour your hair and are concerned about regrowth during recovery, dye your hair at least 1 week before your procedure date. Some procedures require you to keep your arms below shoulder height for at least 5 days. Others limit you to sponge baths only in the first few days after surgery. Dying your hair a week out from surgery will ensure your wounds stay protected from excess water, hair product/chemicals, and reduce your chance of infection.

There’s no need to worry if your menstrual cycle aligns with your scheduled Plastic Surgery date. In most cases, Surgeons can perform your procedure regardless of your period—just wear a tampon or pad as you normally would. Occasionally, Surgeons will prefer to schedule your procedure around your menstrual cycle—this depends on the specific procedure you’re having and your health history (excess blood loss may need to be limited). Be sure to speak to your Surgeon and Client Manager about this prior to booking your procedure so that you’re all on the same page. 

If you are due to have your period, but it hasn’t come, it may be due to the stress of anticipating your surgery. This is normal, however it’s still best to let your Surgeon know—if your cycle is disrupted due to pregnancy, your plastic surgery will need to be postponed.   

Your Surgeon will provide you with tailored instructions that you need to follow to ensure a smooth surgical experience. Not all procedures require you to fast. Check your Final Treatment Plan document to see if you need to fast before your procedure—there you will find details on what time you need to cease eating and drinking based on your scheduled surgery time. 

On the day of your Plastic Surgery procedure, you will get up and follow the instructions your Surgeon has specified on your Final Treatment Plan. Your allocated support person will then drive you to the hospital, where you will need to complete your admission paperwork and some mandatory pre-surgical tests (blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, and anything else specified on your Treatment Plan). You will then meet with your Surgeon before being prepared for theatre. General anaesthetic will be administered by an Anaesthetist, and you will have a team of nursing and medical staff accompany you to the operating room. 

Once your procedure is finished, you will be transferred to Recovery, where your medical team will monitor you as you wake from the anaesthetic. You will then be moved to your hospital room before being discharged—this is usually on the same day however the exact amount of time will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your rate of recovery afterwards. You will need to be collected from the hospital by your allocated support person. You can then return home, or to your hotel (if you’re not local) to rest and recover.

On the day of your Plastic Surgery procedure, you will get up and follow the instructions your Surgeon has specified on your Final Treatment Plan. Your allocated support person will then drive you to the hospital, where you will need to complete your admission paperwork and some mandatory pre-surgical tests (blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, and anything else specified on your Treatment Plan). You will then meet with your Surgeon before being prepared for theatre. General anaesthetic will be administered by an Anaesthetist, and you will have a team of nursing and medical staff accompany you to the operating room. 

Once your procedure is finished, you will be transferred to Recovery, where your medical team will monitor you as you wake from the anaesthetic. You will then be moved to your hospital room before being discharged—this is usually on the same day however the exact amount of time will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your rate of recovery afterwards. You will need to be collected from the hospital by your allocated support person. You can then return home, or to your hotel (if you’re not local) to rest and recover.

There are a few forms you need to complete before you have your Plastic Surgery procedure. These include our Client Information forms and your hospital admission paperwork. Your Surgeon may also ask you to complete some forms, however these will be discussed during your consultations. You will receive more information about the paperwork we need you to complete once you have received your Surgery Recommendation. To start your CosMediTour journey, click here. 

Every Plastic Surgery procedure is different, but you can use this as a guide for how it will unfold: 

• Arrive at hospital and complete required paperwork
• Change into a gown/surgical underwear
• Remove any jewellery, glasses, or contacts that you forgot to leave at home
• Have vitals checked by a nurse and a cannula placed in your arm for medicines and fluids
• Meet with your Surgeon/medical team so they can mark out your procedure on your body
• Get wheeled to the theatre 
• Meet the rest of your medical team
• Have general anaesthetic administered by your Anaesthetist (via your cannula or a mask)
• Wake in the recovery room to find nurse monitoring your vital signs
• Clear your lungs by taking deep breaths
• Let the nurse know if you’re feeling nauseous—medications can be adjusted as required
• Return to your hospital room to eat and await discharge
• Your support person can join you at this time