Restore SD Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery San Diego

Katerina Gallus, MD
Janet Chao, MD
Serving San Diego & La Jolla
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858-224-2281
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Restore SD Plastic Surgery»About Our San Diego Plastic Surgery Practice»Plastic Surgery Travel Guide to La Jolla & San Diego

Plastic Surgery Travel Guide to La Jolla & San Diego

Out-of-Town Patient Guide
Restore SD Plastic Surgery San Diego lobby

Patients routinely fly or drive to our San Diego plastic surgery practice from near and far to work with female plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao. Follow this guide to make planning a breeze—from your virtual consultation, to luxurious and private post-op accommodations! Once you’ve scheduled your procedure, you will work with our dedicated out-of-town patient coordinator, Ava, to make sure everything goes as planned.

  • Pre-Consult & Scheduling
  • Travel Timeline & Length of Stay
  • Surgical Facility & Recovery Support
  • Getting Here
  • Where to Stay, Dine & Stock Up
  • Companion Guide: Things to Do While You Heal
  • Book Your Virtual Consultation

Pre-Consult & Scheduling

StepsWhat to Expect
Virtual ConsultationMeet Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao on a secure video call. Your out-of-town patient coordinator, Ava, will text you a link at your appointment time.
Typical TimelineSurgery dates are usually available 6 weeks or more after your consult—perfect for arranging travel.
Deposit & PoliciesA $1,000 deposit ($500 for in-office procedures with local anesthesia) reserves the operating room for your surgery date. 

If you need to reschedule, we appreciate receiving notice at least 3 weeks in advance; we will review our full policies with you before booking.

View our Plastic Surgery Financing & Payment Options »

Travel Timeline & Length of Stay

To help you schedule flights, accommodations, and time off with confidence, the chart below outlines our typical surgery and recovery timeline for out-of-town patients traveling to La Jolla / San Diego. During your virtual consultation, your surgeon will provide a personalized estimate of the number of days you will need to recover before traveling home. 

ProcedureArriveMinimum Local Stay*
In-office procedures w/ local anesthesia (i.e. labiaplasty)1 day pre-op (in-person exam)5-7 days
Breast, body, or facial surgery1 day pre-op (in-person exam)10-14 days
Mommy Makeover or combination procedures1 day pre-op (in-person exam)14+ days

*We will clear you to return home based on your recovery progress and the safety of your mode of travel at a given time in the healing process.

Follow-ups

Follow-ups are crucial for monitoring your healing and fine-tuning after-care; once Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao confirms you’re healing as expected, you’ll receive formal clearance to fly or drive home safely.

  • Day 1 & Day 5-7: You’ll return to our office so Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao can confirm you are healing as expected and answer any questions you may have.
  • 2-Week Visit: Relax in your hotel room (or back home) while Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao checks incisions, movement, and comfort over a secure video call. It’s the perfect time to ask questions that have come up about scar care, shower tips, and activity guidelines.
  • Subsequent visits: Choose in-person (we love seeing you!) or virtual check-ins. We’ll track swelling, celebrate milestones, and help you keep your long-term results on course.

A 24-hour answering service connects you to our on-call nurse or surgeon anytime during your recovery, so you will never be without our support!

Operating room with LED lighting panels over surgical area with general anesthesia equipment and full safety equipment to promote safe plastic surgery. Procedures performed in our operating room include examples like breast lift surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

Surgical Facility & Recovery Support

Our private, QUAD A-accredited operating suites give you hospital-level safety with the calm, spa-like atmosphere you expect from a boutique practice. We’ve thoughtfully designed this on-site surgery center to keep you comfortable from the moment you drift off to sleep until you open your eyes to a familiar, caring face.

What You’ll ExperienceHow We Make It Extra Comfortable
Dedicated OR teamYou’ll meet the same board-certified anesthesiologist and nursing staff who stay by your side throughout surgery and recovery. 
Private recovery baySoft lighting, warm blankets, and noise-dampening doors let you wake up gently while we monitor vitals and manage early comfort.

Concierge Nursing Wherever You Stay

If you (or your loved ones) want extra peace of mind, we can connect you with aftercare and nursing concierge services. These RNs specialize in aesthetic aftercare and come directly to you! Your recovery nurse can:

  • Monitor vitals and medications
  • Prepare light meals and hydration stations
  • Assist with first walks, garment changes, and gentle stretching
  • Coordinate lymphatic massage or compression-garment fittings
  • Provide real-time updates to Dr. Gallus or Dr. Chao

Ava will provide contact information for trusted concierge nurses upon request. And remember, our 24-hour answering service connects you to a member of our clinical team anytime you need reassurance. With Restore SD Plastic Surgery, you’re never recovering alone; we’re just a phone call or text away.

Getting Here

Here’s everything you need to know about airports, routes, and convenient parking so you can arrive relaxed and ready for surgery.

  • Airport: San Diego International (SAN)—20 minutes from our office
  • Driving: Quick freeway access from I-5, CA-52, and coastal Highway 101
  • Parking: Free, validated, 6′6″ clearance garage; rideshares also available
  • EV Charging: Stations at nearby Westfield UTC mall (5 minutes away)

Where to Stay, Dine & Stock Up

Here are our hand-picked lodging, dining, and convenience options—each just minutes from the practice—to keep you comfortable, nourished, and fully stocked throughout your La Jolla stay.

NeedOur Top Picks (+ Distance from Office)
Luxury HotelThe Lodge at Torrey Pines (See Below for More Information): Discreet check-in, rooms with special access and accommodations, ocean views, on-site dining (8 min)
Upscale Shopping & EateriesWestfield UTC: Boutiques, Mendocino Farms, Din Tai Fung, True Food Kitchen (5 min)
24-Hour PharmacyCVS (3 min)
Groceries & DeliveryWhole Foods (4 min), Ralph’s (5 min), Instacart/Uber Eats
Casual Post-Op Friendly MealsInside or adjacent to Westfield UTC: Tender Greens, Sweetgreen, Tocaya Modern Mexican (5-10 min)

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

For the ultimate recovery experience, we’ve partnered with the five-star Lodge at Torrey Pines, just a short drive from our La Jolla office. As our patient, you’ll enjoy preferred room rates and access to on-property amenities such as in-room dining, the world-renowned golf course, and the serene spa—perfect for your recovery and for your travel partner’s downtime. 

Review current pricing below, or ask Ava to secure your discounted reservation while scheduling your procedure.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines information

Companion Guide: Things to Do While You Heal

Whether your travel companion needs a fun distraction or you’re cleared for light, low-key outings yourself, La Jolla and greater San Diego offer a wealth of nearby attractions perfect for gentle exploration during the healing window:

  • Torrey Pines State Reserve for gentle coastal walks & sunset views
  • La Jolla Village for galleries, cafés, sea-lion spotting 
  • Birch Aquarium or Scripps Coastal Meander Trail for family-friendly half-day outings
  • Museum hop in Balboa Park (30 min drive) at the San Diego Museum of Art and Air & Space Museum
  • Day-trip golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course next to The Lodge (book early)

Packing Tip: Pack light layers! The cooler, marine-layer mornings warm up around noon; however, San Diego evenings cool back down quickly so you’ll want to have layers on hand to keep comfortable throughout the day. 

Book Your Virtual Consultation

Ready to begin your destination plastic surgery journey in beautiful Southern California? Call 858-224-2281 to schedule your secure video consultation with Dr. Katerina Gallus or Dr. Janet Chao.

Dr. Gallus and the Restore SD Plastic Surgery team

Your dream results—and a mini coastal getaway—are just a flight (or scenic drive) away!

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