Plastic surgeons in New Zealand are warning people against travelling to destinations, mostly in Asia, for large surgical procedures.

This follows the death of a young Australian man in Melbourne after surgery in Malaysia.

He died as a result of a deep vein thrombosis, which caused a fatal pulmonary embolism.

President of the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons Dr Sally Langley says the Victoria coroner has pointed out it raises questions about the serious risks of travelling overseas for cosmetic and dental surgery.

"People are putting their lives at risk. They're often having very long operations and several procedures over a period time.

"In New Zealand, they'll be well looked after. But overseas, we just don't know what they're being subject to."

She said New Zealand patients are turning up at local hospitals in a serious condition after opting for overseas operations.