Arguably, the biggest decision you can make when it comes to plastic surgery is not whether or not you are going to get it done, what kind of procedure you need, or even how you want it to look. The most important, life-changing decision you can make in the entire process is who your cosmetic surgeon will be.
Your cosmetic surgeon needs to have the right qualifications, experience, and style; anything less could put your safety and the success of the surgery at risk. Every procedure, even the minimally invasive ones, have possible complications. Getting a qualified cosmetic surgeon will help ensure that you come out of your operation safe and satisfied.
Here are the things you need to check when you’re choosing a cosmetic surgeon.
You should only trust a cosmetic surgeon that is board-certified. Now, while many can claim to be certified, that doesn’t mean that all certifications are made equal. Two of the better sources of certifications come from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Both have very strict standards of membership, and you can be assured that their surgeons have had years of education and training.
Proper certification and licensing ensure that you’re getting high-quality, expert service, from a credible cosmetic surgeon. Plus, you’ll also be protected and can report to a higher authoritative body if necessary.
There are many kinds of cosmetic plastic surgery. Some of the most popular include liposuction, breast augmentation, nose reshaping, and tummy tucks. Each procedure is different and requires completely distinct tools, techniques, and training.
At the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Jugenburg more than satisfies the requirements for finding an expert plastic surgeon.
Dr. Jugenburg obtained his undergraduate degree in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto, where he continued to study Medicine before beginning training at one of the world’s top Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery programs located in Winnipeg, Canada.
Following this training, Dr. Jugenburg was chosen from a worldwide pool of applicants to complete a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at one of the worlds most prestigious Cancer institutes, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
During this time, Dr. Jugenburg had the opportunity to learn from some of the best, most accomplished Plastic Surgeons in the United States.
Cosmetic surgeons, much like other doctors, also have their own areas of expertise. Choose one who offers the procedure you want as one of their top 3 specializations. Make sure they have had extensive recent experience in your surgical procedure, at least once a week for the last 3-5 years. This is important so that you are guaranteed that they’re practiced and up-to-date with the latest techniques and equipment.
Cosmetic surgery is a combination of art and science. On the one hand, it’s a complex medical procedure that requires years of study to do safely and properly. On the other hand, taste is subjective; what looks good for one person may not necessarily look good for another.
Before you sign on with a cosmetic surgeon, ask to see their previous work. Most, if not all, surgeons keep before and after photos of former patients. Pay special attention to the patients who had a similar face/body shape, age, skin condition, and procedure. This will help you gauge what kind of aesthetic you can expect if you go with this surgeon.
More than perfection, look for consistency. Even the best of surgeons have a couple of patients who are dissatisfied, but if they regularly deliver excellent results, they’re probably a very trustworthy option. If they can’t (or refuse to) show you samples of what they’ve done, or if the photos look faked, edited, or are wildly inconsistent, take that as a sign to move on to another surgeon.
Now here is the adage “you get what you pay for” truer than in cosmetic plastic surgery. Of course, it’s not unreasonable to want a budget-friendly cosmetic surgeon but beware of people who offer their services for super cheap. If it’s too low, you’re most likely sacrificing either quality or safety. Cosmetic surgery is too complex to risk cutting corners.
Get a full costing before you proceed with any procedures so that you aren’t slapped with an excessively expensive bill. Make sure the final quote includes all the fees, including surgeon’s fee, anesthesiologist’s fee, and the facilities fee. Some places will give you a discount if you avail of other services or purchase a package.
The Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute’s prices for each procedure can be found here.
A great cosmetic surgeon is more than their credentials. Some surgeons sound great on paper, but not so great in person. You have to like your surgeon, be confident that they will listen to your wants and needs, and trust that they will do a good job. You have to be comfortable enough that you can talk openly about your concerns and ask as many questions as you need to. Choose a cosmetic surgeon who is not only reputable and professional, but compassionate, empathetic, and ready to answer your questions.
Always trust your instinct. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, don’t force it. A little nervousness is normal, but if you’re always in a state of unease around your potential surgeon, that’s a red flag you shouldn’t ignore. Other red flags include them being in a rush, pressuring you to have an operation you don’t want, being hesitant to discuss aspects of the operation or recovery, or not discussing the potential risks and negative outcomes.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. We hope that this article gives you a little more confidence in Dr. Jugenburg’s expert hands. We hope you feel comfortable, and if you’d like to schedule an in-person consultation, call us at (647) 360-1975,
