Procedure Risks — NZ Guide
Risks of 14 medical procedures, categorised by frequency (common, uncommon, rare, very rare) and cited from NZ + Australasian surgical college guidance.
For your specific situation always consult a registered NZ practitioner. How we source risk data · Sources we cite.
How to read these pages
Every risk is labelled by frequency: common (most patients), uncommon (a subset), rare (documented but unusual) and very rare (well below 1%). No risk page is a substitute for the in-person clinical assessment you'll get from a registered practitioner before a procedure.
Browse by procedure
Risks of LASIK / refractive eye surgery
7 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers LASIK, SMILE and PRK refractive procedures performed by FRACS/RANZCO-qualified ophthalmologists in New Zealand.
Risks of breast surgery
10 risks documented · cites 3 NZ sources
Covers breast augmentation, reduction, lift and reconstruction performed in NZ by FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons.
Risks of cosmetic surgery
8 risks documented · cites 3 NZ sources
Covers facelift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck and other cosmetic surgical procedures in New Zealand.
Risks of dental implants
7 risks documented · cites 1 NZ source
Covers single, multiple and all-on-4 dental implants placed in NZ.
Risks of general dental treatment
7 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions and other general dental procedures performed by registered NZ dentists.
Risks of hair transplant
8 risks documented · cites 1 NZ source
Covers FUE (follicular unit extraction), FUT (strip method) and DHI hair transplant procedures performed in New Zealand.
Risks of weight loss (bariatric) surgery
10 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers gastric sleeve, gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y and mini), gastric band and other bariatric procedures performed in New Zealand.
Risks of appearance medicine (Botox, dermal fillers, non-surgical treatments)
7 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers Botox (botulinum toxin), dermal fillers, threads, non-surgical skin treatments performed by NZ practitioners.
Risks of dermatology procedures (mole removal, skin checks, treatment of skin conditions)
6 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers dermatology consultations, skin checks, mole removal and treatment of skin conditions including acne, eczema and skin cancers.
Risks of fertility treatment and IVF
7 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers fertility assessment, ovulation induction, intra-uterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) in New Zealand.
Risks of chiropractic care
5 risks documented · cites 1 NZ source
Covers spinal adjustment, manual therapy and related musculoskeletal treatment by NZ Chiropractic Board-registered chiropractors.
Risks of sleep apnea and snoring treatment
5 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers sleep studies, CPAP fitting, oral appliances and surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring.
Risks of varicose vein treatment
6 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and surgical stripping for varicose veins.
Risks of physiotherapy
6 risks documented · cites 2 NZ sources
Covers musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports physiotherapy, post-surgical rehabilitation, dry needling and manual therapy performed in NZ by physiotherapists registered with the Physiotherapy Board of NZ.
What this is not
- · Not a substitute for an in-person clinical assessment.
- · Not a ranking of clinics or surgeons by risk.
- · Not a complete list — your practitioner will discuss procedure-specific risks during informed consent.
Explore Procedures
LASIK Eye Surgery
Laser vision correction for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Breast Surgery
Augmentation, reduction, lift and reconstruction.
Cosmetic Surgery
Facelift, rhinoplasty, liposuction and body contouring.
Dental & Orthodontics
General dentistry, braces and aligners.
Dental Implants
Single, multiple and all-on-4 implant options.
Weight Loss Surgery
Gastric sleeve, bypass and band procedures.