:: Choosing Your Surgeon

Choosing your surgeon is one of the most important decisions of this process. It is critical that you feel comfortable and confident in the surgeon that you choose and that you have adequate time to communicate your specific concerns and expectations. There are several questions that you should ask at the time of your consultation to ensure that your surgeon has the proper experience and credentials to safely and successfully perform your surgery.

Is the doctor a plastic surgeon?
To be a plastic surgeon, the doctor must have completed a five-year residency program at an accredited University, specifically in the field of plastic surgery.

Is the doctor certified by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery?
A certified plastic surgeon must have successfully completed examinations set by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

If the doctor performs cosmetic surgery in a private surgical clinic, does the doctor also have privileges to perform that same procedure in a public hospital? In order for the surgeon to perform a procedure in a public hospital, its credentialing committee will have to be satisfied that the surgeon has been adequately trained in that area.

Does the surgeon have a special area of interest?
Although most plastic surgeons are trained to perform all forms of cosmetic surgery, it is common for them to develop a specialized expertise in a specific technique. It is important to ask if your surgeon regularly performs your desired procedure.

Will the surgeon show you representative before and after photos of their patients to help you with your expectations?
It is always important for a surgeon to show you a portfolio of before and after photographs of their patients to help you visualize your potential result. Although this is not a guarantee of an outcome, it will help you to obtain a sense of what is possible.

For a printable list of questions to ask at the time of your consultation, click here.