Canada is home to world-class plastic surgeons and state-of-the-art medical facilities, making it a premier destination for patients seeking high-quality cosmetic procedures. We are now able to operate on non-Canadian residents; exciting news as prior to this year, we have not been able to do so. If you’re a non-Canadian resident considering plastic surgery with Dr. Lista, Dr. Ahmad, Dr. Austin, or Dr. Pereira, here’s everything you need to know to facilitate a seamless and rewarding travel surgery experience.
Choosing a highly qualified and experienced surgeon is paramount. The Plastic Surgery Clinic is home to a handful of meticulous, board-certified professionals with years of experience and hundreds of successful surgeries to their names. You can explore their biographies here. If you want to preview some of their work, you’re welcome to visit our Instagram page for before & after images or peruse our photo gallery.
Most plastic surgeries are deemed to be ‘elective procedures’ and, as such, are typically excluded from provincial healthcare coverage. Most of our patients must anticipate out-of-pocket expenditures and the same applies to non-Canadian residents interested in surgery.
To reserve a date for surgery, a $2,500 CAD deposit is required at the time of booking. This goes towards your total payment for surgery and ensures we can schedule your procedure in the month of your choosing. You will receive an exact quote with the full cost of your operation when you first meet your surgeon during consultation. Prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
The advantage of paying in Canadian dollars is quite substantial. Given the current exchange rates, you will likely be paying much less for a procedure—depending on your country of residence. If you live in the U.S., for example, and pay with a debit or credit card, your bank will automatically change your payment to USD, so if your surgical fee is $15,000 CAD, then you will end up paying only $10,500 USD.
Please note that our partner, Beautifi, does not lend to non-Canadians. However, you can explore options for monthly payments in your state of residence to see if you qualify for support in covering the costs of surgery.
Prospective patients are required to complete an intake form detailing their procedure of interest* as well as some relevant information such as contact information, place of residence, surgical history, etc. Once this form is submitted in full, one of our patient coordinators will reach out to you with the next steps to book a phone consultation with your preferred surgeon, or the next available—if you have no preference.
At this point, you will be asked to complete a governing law and jurisdiction agreement which allows our clinic to provide care to non-Canadian residents. This agreement provides sufficient details on relevant legal frameworks governing patients living abroad, but we encourage you to familiarize yourself with relevant policies and inquire should you have any questions.
Patients will need to send us photos of the areas for the procedure of interest. Generally you will be asked to provide clear images of the front and side views of the relevant area, at minimum. Your patient coordinator will provide further instructions on taking these photos, specific to the desired site of surgery. To ensure clarity, we ask that you take the photos on a good-quality device, facing a light source and standing in front of a solid background.
While we are committed to ensuring your privacy in handling your consult photos, you are welcome to de-identify them (e.g. by covering your eyes/face or identifying tattoos/piercings) so long as this doesn’t obstruct your surgeon’s view of your area of concern
Once you’ve set a date for your complimentary, 30-60 minute consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your procedure of interest and collaborate to create a plan of care with one of our board-certified surgeons. It’s important to have an idea of when you want to have surgery so your surgeon can advise you on how long before and after your procedure you’ll need to stay in the area. Dates for surgery can typically be booked 4-8 weeks after the consultation.
To promote the safety and health of our patients, we require that you stay in town for around 10-14 days following your surgery, depending on the surgery and your unique case. After your consultation, our team will provide you with exact details. We want to make sure that you are on track to a full recovery, and that any potential complications are addressed before you head home for the remainder of your healing process.
Depending on the procedure of interest, you should expect to arrive in the area at least 2-4 business days before your surgery to meet with your surgeon in person and address any final questions/concerns. Patients who are coming in for breast augmentation will try on their implant sizers at this time.
We advise that you secure flexible airfare in case of scheduling modifications, and opt for accommodations in proximity to our surgical facility for convenience and accessibility. If you are unfamiliar with the area, and hoping for guidance in booking your time with us, we are happy to provide our patients with a list of local hotels for your pre- and post-operative stay.
Please also ensure that you travel with a caregiver, or have one to greet you here when you arrive. You will receive further instruction on this matter, but suffice it to say that you will need extended support during the first 24 hrs of your recovery (at minimum).
Aside from ensuring you have all of the necessary travel documentation (e.g. a valid passport, and a visa, if necessary), here is a summary of the documents you need to have completed before your surgery:
The pre-op is a physical examination typically performed by your family doctor which includes a general outline of your medical history. In terms of bloodwork, we will provide you with a requisition that you can take to your local lab. Please note that patients over the age of 45 will also be asked to complete an ECG.
Upon confirming your procedure, we advise that you adhere to the following preparatory measures:
A successful recovery is, similarly, contingent upon strict adherence to post-operative protocols:
Once you have reached the end of your stay, you will receive medical clearance for departure from your surgeon, as well as recommendations for continued post-op care, such as regular use of compression garments, and modified exercise/activity precautions to mitigate post-surgical swelling and thrombosis risks.
It’s also a good idea to include your local healthcare provider in your care plan for continued monitoring. If you have further questions about surgery as a non-Canadian resident, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We’re excited to be a part of your journey and look forward to seeing you at The Plastic Surgery Clinic.
*Please note that we cannot perform Buttock Augmentations on non-Canadian residents
Did we answer all your questions? Our goal is to ensure you have the best information possible to make your decision. If you still have questions, we’re here to help.
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