Choosing a surgeon for a cosmetic procedure is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make. The results live on your body, and undoing a poor outcome – whether from a rushed rhinoplasty or a breast augmentation that healed unevenly – is far harder than getting the first surgery right.
The consultation is your best tool. Most people walk in with photos and leave without asking the questions that actually matter. These seven questions will tell you what you need to know before you say yes.
1. Are You Board Certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?
Credentials aren’t a formality. When choosing a plastic surgeon in Toronto, look for Royal College certification in Plastic Surgery (FRCSC). This designation indicates that the surgeon has completed the required specialist training, including an accredited plastic surgery residency, and successfully met the Royal College’s certification examination requirements.
The term “cosmetic surgeon” does not, by itself, establish a physician’s specialist qualifications in Ontario. A physician’s professional credentials and training scope matter far more than the title they use. Ask whether the surgeon holds Royal College certification in Plastic Surgery, and verify their registration and specialist qualifications through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
You can also ask about their specific experience and additional training in the procedure you’re considering. A surgeon’s general qualifications matter, but so does their experience performing your specific procedure.
2. How Many Times Have You Performed This Specific Procedure?
Volume matters, but specificity matters more. A surgeon who’s completed 500 breast augmentations may have only done 20 rhinoplasties. Ask about the exact procedure you want, not the surgeon’s overall caseload.
A straight answer here is a good sign. Experienced surgeons know their numbers and don’t shy away from discussing them. If you get a vague response about “lots of experience,” push gently for a figure. You can also ask what year they started performing the procedure and whether their technique has changed recently, which often signals that they stay current with how methods evolve.
3. Can I See Before-and-After Photos of Your Patients?
Before-and-after photos are the clearest window into what a surgeon actually produces. Ask to see a gallery that includes patients with a body type, skin tone, or facial structure similar to yours – not just the best outcomes from across years of practice.
Pay attention to consistency. One exceptional result proves luck; twenty consistent results prove skill. Look for natural proportions, symmetry, and healed scars that sit flat and fade well. And don’t just accept a curated digital portfolio. Ask if any patients have agreed to speak with prospective clients, since a brief conversation with a past patient tells you far more than a filtered photo ever could.
4. Where Will the Surgery Take Place?
The operating environment matters as much as the surgeon’s hands. In Ontario, cosmetic surgeries performed in private clinics should take place in an accredited facility – one that has been evaluated for safety standards including sterile technique, equipment, and staffing.
Ask directly: “Is this facility accredited, and by which body?” A reputable clinic will be upfront about its accreditation status. Confirm that a qualified anesthesia team will be present and that the clinic has protocols for transferring you to a hospital if something goes wrong. Surgeries performed in non-accredited settings carry higher risk. That risk is entirely avoidable.
5. What Results Can I Realistically Expect?
This question does two things: it gets you honest information, and it reveals something about the surgeon’s character. Any surgeon who promises dramatic, guaranteed results without caveats is a red flag. The honest answer always includes variables, since your healing response, skin quality, anatomy, and lifestyle all affect what’s achievable.
Ask the surgeon to describe a realistic range of outcomes, not just the best-case scenario. If you have specific concerns, like asymmetry or scarring from a prior procedure, ask how those factors affect what’s likely. Good surgeons take time with this question. They’ll also push back if your expectations don’t match what the procedure can actually deliver.
6. What Are the Risks and How Do You Handle Complications?
Every surgical procedure carries risk. Infection, bleeding, nerve changes, asymmetry, and poor scarring are all possibilities, depending on the procedure. A surgeon who glosses over risks to close a consult isn’t protecting you – they’re protecting their booking rate.
Ask for a plain-language explanation of the most common complications for your specific surgery, what the warning signs look like during recovery, and what the follow-up protocol involves. Then ask the harder question: “If a complication occurs, do you manage it personally, or would I be referred elsewhere?” You want a surgeon who stays accountable throughout the process, not just during the procedure itself.
7. What Does the Total Cost Include and What Happens if I Need a Revision?
Quoted prices in plastic surgery can be misleading if they exclude anesthesia fees, facility costs, or post-operative garments. Get the full itemized breakdown in writing before you book anything.
The revision question is equally important. Some practices include minor revisions within a defined window at no additional cost; others do not. Ask what the policy is, under what circumstances a revision would be covered, and what the process looks like if you’re unhappy with the outcome at the six-month mark. A transparent answer tells you that the practice stands behind its work.
Conclusion
The questions you ask a plastic surgeon before booking are as important as the procedure itself. Credentials, volume, facility accreditation, realistic expectations, and clear financial terms aren’t details to revisit after you’ve signed a consent form; they’re the foundation of a safe and informed decision. Write your questions down beforehand, take the consultation seriously, and trust your instincts if the answers feel rehearsed or rushed. A skilled surgeon welcomes a thorough consult, because it’s how you both know you’re a good fit.
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