Planning a Cosmetic Surgery Trip Abroad: A Checklist for Australians and New Zealanders
Short answer: Plan a cosmetic surgery trip around safety and recovery, not the flight deal. The essentials are:
Verify the surgeon and the hospital.
See your GP for a health check at least six weeks before you go.
Budget for the whole trip, not just the operation.
Confirm in writing what your insurance will and will not cover.
Stay long enough for your surgeon to clear you to fly.
Bring a support person if you can.
Arrange your follow-up care at home before you leave.
This checklist is written for Australians and New Zealanders, but most of it applies wherever you live.
By the MedSanctuary team, Bangkok. Updated October 2026.
What should I consider when planning a medical tourism trip for cosmetic surgery?
There are eight things to consider: the surgeon, the hospital, your health before surgery, the full cost, insurance, how long you will stay, who will travel with you, and your aftercare at home. The sections below take each in turn. If you only do one thing, verify the surgeon's credentials yourself before paying anything.
How far ahead should I start planning cosmetic surgery abroad?
Start three to six months ahead. A workable timeline looks like this:
Three to six months before: Research the procedure, shortlist surgeons, verify their credentials, send photos for an assessment and have a video consultation.
At least six weeks before: See your GP for a health check and a letter summarising your medical history and medicines. Australia's Smartraveller service advises a health check at least six weeks before travelling for treatment.
Four or more weeks before: Stop smoking and vaping, which harm wound healing. Stop oestrogen-containing medicines if your surgeon and doctor advise it.
Two weeks before: Stop any medicines and supplements your surgeon lists as affecting bleeding. Confirm your itinerary, insurance and leave.
How do I check a surgeon and hospital overseas?
Ask for the operating surgeon's full name and licence number, and check them against the public register. Then confirm the surgeon's specialist training in plastic surgery and the hospital's accreditation or certification. Ask the questions Ahpra recommends Australians ask any cosmetic surgeon: the total cost, refund terms, who pays for follow-up, and how complaints are handled. Our guides on verifying a Thai surgeon and what Australian and New Zealand regulators say walk you through both.
How much should I budget beyond the price of the surgery?
The operation is only part of the cost. Also budget for:
Return flights, preferably with flexible dates.
A support person's flights and accommodation.
Extra nights if your recovery takes longer than planned.
Meals and local transport.
Specialised travel or complications insurance.
Scar care.
Lost income.
A contingency fund.
Our real total cost of surgery in Thailand guide works through each line. If you are thinking of using superannuation, read this first.
Will Medicare, private health insurance or travel insurance cover cosmetic surgery abroad?
Generally, no, so plan as if you are not covered. Medicare does not cover medical treatment overseas, and Australia has no reciprocal health care agreement with Thailand. Australian private health insurance generally does not cover procedures performed overseas and may not cover follow-up treatment of complications after you return. Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned medical treatment, so look for a policy written for medical travel and read the exclusions. New Zealanders should not count on ACC. The New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons states that ACC does not cover injuries from surgery overseas. Published ACC claims data show that some overseas claims have been accepted, but cover is not guaranteed, so confirm your position with ACC directly. See Medicare and health funds and ACC and overseas surgery.
How long should I stay after cosmetic surgery before flying home?
It depends on the procedure and on how you recover, and the guidance varies. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests waiting five to seven days after body procedures and seven to ten days after facial procedures. The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons advises Australian and New Zealand patients not to fly for six to eight weeks after surgery. For major face and body procedures we recommend 14 days in Bangkok, ending with a face-to-face fitness-to-fly review. Read how long before you can fly after surgery and the milestones that set your flight home.
Should I bring a support person on a cosmetic surgery trip?
If you can, yes, at least for the first week. After a general anaesthetic and major surgery you will need help getting to appointments, with meals and medicines, and simply with company. A support person also notices warning signs you might dismiss. If you travel alone, tell your coordinator early so that extra support can be arranged. Our guide to where to recover in Bangkok covers your accommodation options.
What should I pack for surgery overseas?
Pack your GP's letter, a printed list of your medicines and allergies, copies of your passport and insurance, loose front-opening clothes, slip-on shoes, and anything your surgeon asks you to bring. Leave space for compression garments and paperwork on the way home. Our full list is in what to bring to Thailand for surgery.
What follow-up care should I arrange at home?
Before you leave, tell your GP your plans and ask whether they will see you after you return. Come home with your operation report, your discharge summary, a list of your medicines, any implant cards and a direct contact for your surgeon. Know which symptoms mean you should go to an emergency department rather than wait. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, a hot, swollen calf, fever with shaking, or a rapidly swelling wound all qualify. Our red flags guide and post-operative care guidelines cover the details.
What are the warning signs that a medical tourism offer is not safe?
The surgeon is not named, or you cannot verify their licence.
The price is not itemised, or it is quoted as a single "all-in" figure with no list of what is included.
You are pressured to pay a deposit or book quickly.
The flight home is scheduled a few days after major surgery.
There is no plan for complications after you get home.
Results are promised or described as risk-free.
How does MedSanctuary help Australians and New Zealanders plan surgery in Bangkok?
MedSanctuary coordinates surgery with Dr. Rushapol Sdawat (Medical Council of Thailand licence No. 17689) at Intrarat Hospital in Bangkok. You get a free photo assessment and an itemised quote, a video consultation before you book, and a written itinerary. Packages include airport transfers, a pre-operative health check, first-night monitoring in intensive care, recovery accommodation and a coordinator. See how it works, or start your free assessment.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
