Dr Jayant Patel, guarded by two senior detectives and possibly handcuffed, is scheduled to land in Australia tomorrow morning on a Qantas jumbo jet packed with passengers.
It will be a major step in the long-running investigation by Queensland authorities and a moment of relief for the surgeon's alleged victims.
Patel, accused of manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and fraud offences during a stint at Bundaberg's Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005, has spent the past three months locked up in jails in his home town of Portland, Oregon, and the past week in Los Angeles' Metropolitan Detention Centre, as Queensland, Australian and US authorities raced against the clock to complete the paperwork to ensure the 58-year-old faced justice in Queensland.
US District Court Judge Dennis Hubel set a deadline of Tuesday 5am AEST for Patel to be handed over to Australian authorities.
Queensland Acting Superintendent Detective Darryl Johnson and Detective Sergeant Graham Walker, who arrived at Los Angeles international airport's Tom Bradley Terminal tonight without Patel, said they were pleased to be taking the surgeon back to Brisbane.
Patel was taken by prison van from the LA jail to the airport by US Marshals.
The Marshals will take Patel on board the plane, seat him and wait for the Queensland detectives to take their seats.
"Certainly for the investigators, led by Det Sgt Walker, it's very pleasing and it will be the culmination of a long investigation," Det Johnson told reporters.
"He has to face court and natural justice will be seen to be done.
"It certainly has been a very large job, a significant job and a lot of resources have been devoted to it."
Patel will be seated at the rear of the economy cabin of Qantas' fully-booked LA to Brisbane flight.
He will be guarded by Det Johnson and Det Walker, who will sit beside him and prevent Patel from talking to other passengers.
The detectives will follow Patel to the bathroom during the 14 hour flight.
"He'll be escorted on the plane for the duration of the trip," Det Johnson said.
It was reported Patel would not be handcuffed during the journey, but Det Johnson did not rule it out.
"That's something I will discuss with the cabin crew," Det Johnson said.
"It's a decision that will be made at the time."
The detectives, however, were not expecting any trouble from the short, pudgy Patel who has appeared subdued and polite during his court appearances since his arrest in Portland on March 11.
Patel gave up his legal battle late last month to prevent extradition to Queensland.
"I'm not expecting any trouble on board myself," Det Johnson said.
"We have two escorts for the prisoner and I'm not expecting any issue on board."
Patel, an Indian-born, US citizen, is accused of performing botched operations on patients in Bundaberg and committing fraud by allegedly hiding his chequered work history as a surgeon in Oregon and New York when he applied for the Queensland job.
If convicted of the three manslaughter charges in Queensland, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
His wife, Kishoree, a doctor in Portland, is not expected to make the trip to Brisbane.
Brisbane airport will be inundated with media when Patel arrives about 6am Monday AEST, although it is likely he will be whisked away out of the public and media eye by Queensland authorities.
"We'll be met at Brisbane airport and he will be transported to the Brisbane Watchhouse," Det Johnson said.
The media, however, will be watching Patel during the flight.
Reporters and cameramen from Australia's TV networks bought tickets for Qantas Flight 176 and will attempt to film Patel during the journey.