Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Canada

Blue Water Surgical Centre

Unquestionably the most important decision you will make - which surgeon you will choose to perform your surgery.

By choosing a PLASTIC SURGEON you know your surgeon has gone through extensive plastic and reconstructive surgery training and residency, and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations.

When going on a consultation it is important you ask what qualifications the surgeon has, and in what specialty. Ask if they have a Royal College (or Collège des Médecins du Québec) certification in PLASTIC SURGERY. Also enquire if they are members of any societies, such as the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

You will be amazed at the amount of surgeons that have been trained in areas other than plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgeons are not the same as plastic surgeons. A cosmetic surgeon can pick up breast augmentation surgery techniques at a weekend workshop and start practicing legally in Canada. However some Plastic surgeons do specialize in cosmetic surgery, so again the most important thing is to ask if they have a Royal College (or Collège des Médecins du Québec) certification in PLASTIC SURGERY.

During your consultation the surgeon should patiently answer all your questions and give you advice on what procedure they recommend for you. They should not pressure you into a decision and most surgeons prefer you to leave and think about everything you have discussed. Some surgeons will show you before and after photos of their work, but some don't feel it is neccesary, as every woman is an individual and would not get the same results.

The best way to find a surgeon is word of mouth...through a friend or family member, or perhaps your doctor. Also check out the surgeons recommendations from any previous patients the surgeon may have had that is willing to talk with you.

Price should not be a deciding factor in which surgeon you choose, and many 'cosmetic' surgeons charge less than plastic surgeons. Be suspicious of special offers you see in newspapers or in magazines as most plastic surgeons charge a similar amount and rarely, if ever, give 'specials'. Prices can vary between surgeon depending on location, experience, where the surgery is performed (hospital vs. private clinic) and implant chosen. If you decide to go to an unqualified surgeon because of the price you could end up spending more money later on revision or corrective surgery.

When choosing a surgeon most patients go with their instinct and choose the one they feel most comfortable with and who has similar ideas about the procedure. You will have a relationship with your surgeon for many years to come, so it is very important that you feel comfortable with them, agree on which method of surgery is best for you and trust their expert opinion.