Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. In general, reconstructive surgery is performed to improve function, but may also be completed to approximate a normal appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is typically covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

As with all surgical procedures, some level of risk is possible. Our medical staff is highly trained and has many hours of surgical experience. We will do everything possible to minimize complications during your procedure.

Additionally, it’s essential to follow all your pre-and post-operative instructions exactly, and thoroughly discuss any and all medical conditions with us before your procedure. This is the best way to ensure a smooth surgery and recovery process.

In general, nonsmokers who are in good overall health and are currently at a healthy body weight are good candidates for cosmetic surgery. Those who suffer from serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder, heart disease or depression should not consider cosmetic surgery.

It’s also very important for prospective patients to have realistic expectations for their surgery results. Honesty about your medical history, plastic surgery goals and any concerns you have is crucial so we can make an informed and realistic assessment about what procedures may be best for you.

There’s no “right age” for plastic surgery. Treatments such as breast augmentation, liposuction, nose jobs and dermabrasion tend to be more common for younger patients, while older patients may be more likely to seek procedures such as an eyelid lift, facelift or neck lift.

We schedule pre-surgical consultations with every patient to discuss your desired results and evaluate your goals on a case-by-case basis. During the consultation, we will also discuss individual factors, such as your unique body type, bone structure, size, age and overall health.

Earning board certification is one of many ways a surgeon can prove his or her skills and knowledge. Each certifying board has different requirements and measures a physician’s education and experience in their chosen fields. Dr. Laliberte, MD FRCSC is a board-certified plastic surgeon. See Dr. Laliberte’s credentials with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta here and with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada here.

Legally, any medical doctor is permitted to do any surgery. For example, there is no law that says an ear, nose and throat doctor can’t perform a facelift. Board certification provides assurance that a doctor has undergone formal training in the fundamentals of cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon cannot earn board certification without completing at least four years of residency training in cosmetic surgery procedures.

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Our consultation fee is $125 plus GST and is non-refundable. A valid credit card number is required at the time of booking your consultation. If you do not attend your appointment or cancel with less than 3 business days’ notice, the $125 consultation fee (plus taxes) will not be refunded.

Payment of the consultation fee will be deducted from the final surgical fee if you schedule an operation. There is no charge for a second consultation. This deduction does not apply for non-surgical facial injectable procedures. For residents of Canada, there is no consultation fee for reconstructive procedures. However, a referral from your primary care physician is encouraged.

All major credit and debit cards as well as e-transfers are accepted. The details of payment for each individual procedure, including the cost of surgery, a facility fee or anesthetic fees, can be discussed for each individual procedure with the appropriate schedule of payment reviewed.

Generally, cosmetic surgery procedures are not covered by the provincial health plan. However, in some cases where there are associated functional problems, the procedure may be partially or fully covered after an application to Alberta Health Services.

Our office will send you quote including the cost of the procedure(s) we have discussed. This quote will be inclusive and there will be no hidden fees. In some cases, Dr. Laliberte may request that you have tests or consultations with other specialists prior to your surgery to ensure that you are healthy and the procedure can be done safely.

In general terms, cosmetic plastic surgery is considered “elective surgery” and is not covered by most insurance plans. For patients interested in financing options, we are pleased to partner with Credit Medical, Paybright & Medicard.

Medicard offers competitive interest rates and payment plans ranging from as short as 6 months to up to 6 years. A finance application may be completed in-office or online.

Preparing both mentally and physically for cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, or facelift, though fairly straightforward, is necessary for a successful surgical outcome.

The process begins with a consultation, during which our staff will have an in-person meeting with you to thoroughly discuss every aspect of the procedure, the recovery time, and your ideal results. During this time, you should ask to see before-and-after photos of patients with similar facial and/or body features to yours who have had the same procedure you’re planning to have, so you have a clearer idea of what results you can expect.

We will also review your health history and give you additional instructions for pre-and post-surgery. Please come prepared with a list of cosmetic surgery questions – when you’re planning to make such a big change to your appearance, there’s no such thing as being too inquiring.

There are several steps you can take to get the best possible surgical results, including the following:

• Stop taking any over-the-counter supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and herbal products, seven days prior to surgery.
• If you smoke, quit smoking at least six weeks before your surgery to avoid healing problems and serious medical complications during your recovery.
• Tell us if you are taking aspirin or drugs with anticoagulation properties, as they can cause unnecessary bleeding during surgery. We may ask you to discontinue them before surgery to minimize the risk of unnecessary bleeding.

You want to be in the best of health before coming in for surgery. For this reason, if you come down with a cold or fever, or experience an infection or injury, contact our office immediately to reschedule your procedure and minimize the risk of surgical complications.