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
| Steps | What to Expect |
| Virtual Consultation | Meet 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 Timeline | Surgery dates are usually available 6 weeks or more after your consult—perfect for arranging travel. |
| Deposit & Policies | A $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.
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.
| Procedure | Arrive | Minimum 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 surgery | 1 day pre-op (in-person exam) | 10-14 days |
| Mommy Makeover or combination procedures | 1 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!
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 Experience | How We Make It Extra Comfortable |
| Dedicated OR team | You’ll meet the same board-certified anesthesiologist and nursing staff who stay by your side throughout surgery and recovery. |
| Private recovery bay | Soft 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.
| Need | Our Top Picks (+ Distance from Office) |
| Luxury Hotel | The 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 & Eateries | Westfield UTC: Boutiques, Mendocino Farms, Din Tai Fung, True Food Kitchen (5 min) |
| 24-Hour Pharmacy | CVS (3 min) |
| Groceries & Delivery | Whole Foods (4 min), Ralph’s (5 min), Instacart/Uber Eats |
| Casual Post-Op Friendly Meals | Inside or adjacent to Westfield UTC: Tender Greens, Sweetgreen, Tocaya Modern Mexican (5-10 min) |
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. Ask Ava to secure your discounted reservation while scheduling your procedure.
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.
Your dream results—and a mini coastal getaway—are just a flight (or scenic drive) away!
