Your Guide to Travel Surgery

February 25, 2025

Are you considering travelling to Canada for your desired cosmetic procedure? Whether south of the border or across the pond, you are not alone. Canada’s reputation for top-tier plastic surgeons and commendable medical facilities has made it a hotspot for people seeking high-quality cosmetic procedures.

That’s why this year, we’re excited to announce that we’ve opened up our services to non-Canadian residents. But before you pack your bags, there are some key things to keep in mind to make sure your journey is smooth and your results are everything you’re looking for.

Finding the Right Person

Finding the right surgeon is the first and arguably the most important step in your plastic surgery journey. Canada is home to a host of board-certified plastic surgeons who bring years of experience and a meticulous approach to their craft. You’ll want to spend some time doing your homework: Looking up surgeon bios on clinic websites (and not skipping the reviews) and checking out their work online. This will give you a sneak peek at your surgeon’s style and skill set.

Once you feel confident and impressed by the results you’ve perused, you’re ready to move on to the next step: setting up a virtual consultation. This is your chance to ask questions, discuss goals, and see how you get along with your surgeon. Rapport is important throughout this process and a consult will give you a sense of the surgeon you’ll be working with throughout your surgical journey.

Budgeting

As many Canadian residents already know, plastic surgery isn’t covered by our healthcare plan. For non-Canadians, this rule applies just the same. This means you will need to take some time to determine how you’ll cover the out-of-pocket costs for your procedure. Here’s what to expect:

• You’ll need to put down a $2,500 CAD deposit when you book your surgery, which will go towards your total bill.
• You’ll also want to look up the exchange rate in your local currency. For example, if you’re interested in a breast augmentation the cost range, as of February 2025, is $14,000-$18,000 CAD, which would be *$9900-$12,700 USD.
• Bear in mind that these are only estimates; prices change and so do exchange rates. Your consultation will provide a definitive answer on the full cost.

A couple of notes before proceeding. While we do our best to treat our non-Canadian residents the same as our Canadian ones, non-Canadian residents cannot receive buttock augmentations due to health policies and regulations. Non-Canadians also don’t have access to our partner, Beautifi, which offers patients monthly payment plans. For these two items, you will need to explore your options in your country of residence.

Booking Your Consultation

The consultation process is fairly straightforward. You will begin by filling out an intake form with your contact info, the procedure you’re interested in, and your medical history. You can fill out an intake form directly here. Next, you’ll be contacted to arrange a virtual consultation with your chosen surgeon.

Given the remote nature of the consult, you will be expected to submit photos beforehand, which your assigned patient care coordinator will guide you on. Along with detailed instructions to help you prepare for your consult, you will receive a governing law and jurisdiction agreement that allows the clinic to treat international patients.

Once your consultation is scheduled, you’ll have about 30 minutes to chat with your surgeon, discuss your options, and make a plan. If everything feels right, you can likely book your surgery 4-8 weeks after the consult, depending on the time of year.

Planning Your Trip

Once you’ve sorted out a payment plan for your travel and surgery, completed your consultation, and booked your surgery, you’ll want to consider the logistics of the trip. Travelling for surgery isn’t like your average vacation—there’s some extra planning involved:

• All of our surgical patients require a caregiver who will support them for the first few days following their surgery. You will need to bring someone with you or hire a support worker locally who will pick you up and tend to your after-care needs once you are discharged from your procedure. Please note that The Plastic Surgery Clinic is an outpatient facility, which means that we do not accommodate patients overnight.
• You will need to arrive a few days early to meet your surgeon in person and finalize any last-minute details. After the procedure, you’ll be required to stay in Canada for at least 10-14 days to ensure everything is healing properly. Some procedures require a longer stay, but patients are instructed on this beforehand.
• It would be advisable for you to book flexible flights just in case your schedule changes. While we do our best to maintain consistent scheduling, emergencies and last-minute changes can happen—it’s good to be prepared and have that peace of mind.
• You should also consider choosing accommodations close to the clinic as you’ll appreciate the convenience. Thankfully, our clinic is in a central location in Mississauga near the international airport, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a spot nearby.

Before and After Surgery

Preparation is key to a successful surgery and smooth recovery. Before the procedure, you must ensure that you’ve completed all necessary medical tests and clearances. You will also receive detailed guidance from your surgeon regarding diet, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Support is critical during this time, so don’t forget to make a plan to have a trusted friend, family member, or support worker to help you during recovery.

Once you’ve returned to home base, you will set up virtual follow-ups to keep your surgeon up-to-date on your progress. It’s also a good idea to loop in your local healthcare provider for any follow-up care you may need.

Final Thoughts

Canada offers an exceptional standard of care for international patients seeking plastic surgery. By meticulously selecting a reputable surgeon, gaining a clear understanding of financial commitments, preparing thoroughly, and adhering to post-operative protocols, you can achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes while ensuring a secure and comfortable medical journey.

We cannot wait to treat you and welcome you to our clinic! If you’re ready to begin your journey with our team of experts, you may do so by filling out an intake form here, and one of our patient care coordinators will be in touch.

*Please note, the above-mentioned prices may be subject to change due to reasons such as your personal quote from your surgeon, and the exchange rate from your native currency at the time of treatment. During your consultation, your surgeon will provide a definitive answer on the full cost.