How to Choose a Plastic Surgery Clinic in Canada
Table of Contents
- What is Plastic Surgery?
- How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon
- Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
Looking your best often goes hand in hand with feeling your best, being confident, and feeling happy in your own body. As people age, it is only natural for fine lines and wrinkles to appear. Face and body start to show a person’s age long before they feel old.
When faced with this kind of issue, plastic surgery offers an excellent option to help you look and feel younger again - but plastic surgery can do much more than just improve a person’s looks. This area of medicine is essential to help repair damage caused by illness, trauma, and injuries.
What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is a field of medicine that includes both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
From a surgeon’s perspective, cosmetic procedures are about taking a person with a normal appearance and improving that appearance to meet an ideal. Procedures such as facelifts, liposuction, or brow lifts are common cosmetic surgery procedures.
Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, is about helping clients or patients look normal again. One of the most common reconstructive surgical procedures is breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, for example. Improving the appearance and functionality of a cleft lip would also be considered reconstructive surgery.
In addition, reconstructive procedures are common to help improve a person’s appearance after an accident. Trauma plastic surgeons specialize in reconstructive procedures.
How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon
Whether you are considering cosmetic surgery or require reconstructive surgery, choosing the right surgeon is one of the most effective ways of ensuring a positive outcome. While there are no guarantees, working with a surgeon you trust will allow you to feel more confident about the procedure you are receiving.
1. Consider the Surgeon’s Credentials
It may sound obvious, but one of the most important steps in finding a reputable surgeon is to check their credentials. Someone referring to themselves as a “cosmetic surgeon” may not hold surgical training. They may be a general practitioner who also offers a selection of cosmetic procedures.
To be sure you are talking to and working with a fully trained and certified individual, double-check that they are certified. Both certifications by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are highly coveted.
To become board-certified as plastic surgeons, individuals not only need to complete their medical degree - they need to follow up their degree with no less than five years of training in surgery. After that, they can apply to the Royal College and sit a thorough examination. Once they pass the examination, medical professionals can refer to themselves as plastic surgeons. At this stage, they can practice both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Apart from Royal College certification, most plastic surgeons are also affiliated with the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery, or The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
2. Consider the Surgeon’s Experience
Like many other professionals, surgeons hone their skills when they practice and gain experience. The more they have practiced, the more finely tuned their skills are likely to be.
When you are selecting the right surgeon for your procedure, ask about their experience. Ideally, you are working with someone who is highly experienced in the specific procedure you are considering.
Many plastic surgeons specialize throughout their careers. Some choose to perform mostly body-shaping procedures while others focus on facial reconstruction and cosmetic procedures.
Lastly, if you are considering a private practice plastic surgeon, you must ensure that the surgeon has hospital admitting privileges locally. Not all cosmetic or reconstructive procedures require hospital admission, but it is important to know that you have the option if it is needed.
3. Check the Plastic Surgery Clinic
You can learn a lot from taking a closer look at the environment where the surgery will be performed.
Don’t be afraid to visit the plastic surgery clinics you are considering and meet the staff. Ask for a tour of the facilities and a personal meeting to discuss your concerns and requirements. A personal visit to a plastic surgery clinic is ideal to get a feel for the place and the people who will be looking after you.
4. What About Pricing?
Pricing should never be your main criterion when you are choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada.
With that said, most surgeons will understand that their clients have budgetary constraints. For that reason, some of the most reputable plastic surgeons offer payment plans.
Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgeons in Canada perform thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures every year. Plastic and reconstructive surgery help clients overcome medical conditions, but these treatments can also be essential to improving self-esteem and mental health.
In 2021, Botox treatments were the most researched procedures with more than 18,000 searches performed every month. Rhinoplasty was the second most popular procedure according to internet searches, with just under 10,000 searches performed per month.
Hair transplants, liposuction, and tummy tucks complete the top five surgical procedures being researched in Canada.
According to practitioners, some of the most commonly performed - rather than researched - procedures include breast and burn reconstructive surgeries as well as facial trauma repairs. Gender-affirming surgery and skin cancer removal were also performed frequently.
Dealing with Facial Trauma
Facial trauma can be devastating for a person, and facial cosmetic or reconstructive surgery offers a fantastic treatment option. Facial Cosmetic Surgery offers expert solutions for rhinoplasty, face and neck lifts, as well as chin augmentation. Eyelid and brow lifts are among the most sought-after procedures, and our team also offers earlobe repairs.
Each procedure is preceded by an in-depth consultation. This consultation allows surgeons to assess their clients’ needs and offer the most suitable solution. In addition, consultations also offer clients a chance to get to know their doctor and ask any questions they may have.
Choosing a plastic surgeon in Canada does not need to be difficult, but it is worth being thorough throughout the process. Double-checking credentials and confirming experience and expertise are the prerequisites for a successful outcome.
Dr. Kristina Zakhary is a highly respected facial surgeon in Calgary, Alberta. To contact Dr. Zakhary and our team at Facial Cosmetic Surgery, please call (403) 775-2583 or book online for a free consultation.
