Why Plastic Surgery?

The art and science of plastic surgery concerns itself with the reshaping of the human body. In a general sense, plastic surgery is used to correct deformities due to birth defects, developmental problems, trauma and cancer.

Aesthetic surgery, a subspecialty of plastic surgery, uses the knowledge acquired from reconstructive surgery and applies it in its own unique way. Only a certified plastic surgeon has the skills necessary to offer you the quality of treatment demanded by you.

Although aesthetic surgery is not necessary for our overall health, it may contribute significantly to changing the quality of life when it improves the physical appearance and psychological image of oneself. In fact, recent statistics reveal an important Canadian trend when considering plastic surgery. More and more people are asking plastic surgeons for help and the changes that are asked for vary from small to major.

Long-time relegated the exclusive domain of women, plastic surgery has become a real part of men’s lives. Men are coming in increasing numbers to ask their plastic surgeon for changes.

The ideal patient is one who finds a particular body trait undesirable and wishes for it to be corrected. This person should also have realistic expectations and be willing to understand the limitations of plastic surgery. Your best source of information in this regard is definitely your certified plastic surgeon.

How do I know if your surgeon is any good?

A surgeon is as good as his results, but that does not help you in answering this question! What you have to go by is the recognition and training that your surgeon has received. In addition to training in plastic surgery, Dr Hashim underwent a fellowship specifically in Aesthetic Surgery. Throughout his training, from undergraduate to graduate to fellowship, Dr Hashim has been the recipient of many awards for his hard work and excellent results. Dr Hashim is also a member of numerous national and international associations dedicated to Aesthetic Surgery.

How much does it cost?

Prices are roughly determined by the operating time and the technical challenges of a particular surgery. There also may be costs for materials, such as breast implants. The prices that we quote include surgical fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees and any applicable taxes. As you can see, the overall price of surgery is not purely the surgical fee, but may include many other components. Quotes coming from our office are complete, and there are no hidden surprises. For a quote given over the phone, however, the price may vary after the consultation, since the surgeon may decide that you require additional surgery to get the optimum result.

Do I have to take a decision when I see the doctor? Do I need to make a deposit?

The first consultation is really a consultation session, and there is no pressure to make a decision right away. You would come to the office, meet with Dr Hashim and describe your concerns to him, after which point he will examine you. Photographs may be taken and saved into your chart. After the exam, Dr Hashim will suggest the different treatment options.

On your way out, documentation will be prepared that you can take home with you. You can take all the time you need before deciding on opting for the proposed surgery. Once decided, you would call the office to reserve a date for surgery. At this point, a deposit is required to reserve the date for you. If you need to see Dr Hashim again before taking a decision, you are welcome for another discussion, and no additional fee is required for this.

On occasion, Dr Hashim will decide that surgery is not the best option for you. If this is the case, he will suggest alternate treatment options.

Am I too old or too young for surgery?

There is no age limit for healthy adults. We do not operate on patients under the age 18.

I’m scared of surgery!

Fear of the unknown is perfectly normal. It’s the same as the trepidation one feels before going to the dentist. Going through an aesthetic surgery procedure is meant to improve your well-being, and not to undergo undue suffering.To compound the issue, everyone has heard of ‘plastic surgery horrors’, which are in reality extremely rare. A bad outcome is patient-dependent, surgeon dependent and surgery dependent. The vast majority of outcomes in plastic surgery do very well, and these stories aren’t juicy enough to gossip about!

Different people have different ideas in regards to plastic surgery. Some individuals will never invest the time or money on self-improvement. Others are more willing to explore what makes them unhappy and do something about it! Those that are ‘anti-plastic surgery’ are often jealous of others who are self-assured enough and financially secure enough to seek plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is not for everyone, and it should be done for personal reasons. Consider this: have you ever met anyone who regrets looking more energetic and youthful?

Are there any risks?

A surgical procedure remains a surgical procedure with it’s share of risks, no matter how you try to wrap it, and it should be taken seriously. Your surgeon will give you instructions to follow before and after surgery, and if they are followed properly, the risks are minimized. Deviating from the instructions will increase that chance of a less-than-perfect outcome and delayed healing.

Dr Hashim is known as someone who takes charge of your care in all aspects before, during and after surgery. No detail is left untouched and nothing is left to chance. Under his care, you are you are certain to receive the best care possible.

Why choose Dr Hashim instead of another surgeon?

Whether you choose Dr Hashim or another surgeon, there should be the right chemistry between surgeon and patient, and the only way to find out is to meet with him.

Before meeting with Dr Hashim, you can verify his credentials on the website. Other doctors may not be plastic surgeons, so verify this simple fact by consulting with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (www.royalcollege.ca) or the Quebec College of Physicians (www.cmq.org). A ‘facial plastic surgeon’ is not a plastic surgeon, and it is not even a recognized specialty! Similarly, there is no such specialty as an ‘Aesthetic Doctor’. Caveat emptor!

Some patients comment on chat sites that Dr Hashim is a bit ‘cold’, which is entirely false. Dr Hashim is first and foremost your doctor and not your friendly car salesman, and he takes his job seriously. If you come to the office expecting laughs and claps on the back, you won’t! What you will get is a serious and honest evaluation of your condition and an equally just proposed surgical plan and costs. The approach we take is one of extreme professionalism, and we strive to deliver!

Some website show ‘before-and-after’. Dr Hashim finds the use of real patient photos on websites somewhat distasteful, and prefers to show you real patient pictures in his office. Another testimony for his respect for patients!

FInally, be careful of chat sites since there is no way to confirm who is actually doing the writing. It could be actual patients, or it could be people who are paid to write things. The best way to evaluate your feelings for a surgeon is to meet with him/her personally. Our door is always open for you!

Why do prices vary between offices?

This is an excellent question, but without a definite answer since we do not follow pricing in other offices. Plastic surgeons generally charge similar prices for the surgery, but other fees may be different such as operating room fees and anesthesia fees. It is similar to when you need to fix your car. You can go to a garage where the costs are lower, or stick with the one that is more expensive, but with better service. Personally, for surgery, I would go for the best service!

Choosing a specialist

As in any major decision, you choice of plastic surgeon is of utmost importance. There are many doctors who offer plastic surgery but who have not gone through the necessary training to become a plastic surgeon. They may call themselves doctors in ‘aesthetic medicine’, ‘aesthetic surgeon’ or other such similar term that refers to a non-existent specialty. Even more confusing, if a doctor calls himself a ‘facial plastic surgeon’, it does not necessarily mean that he/she is a plastic surgeon.

You should verify that your surgeon is indeed a certified plastic surgeon since only this will ensure that you will receive ethical, state-of-the-art treatment.

In Canada, certification exams are given by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a member carries the title of Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or FRCS(C) in abbreviated form. In Quebec, the Collège de Médecins du Québec administers a separate exam, which gives a Certificat de Spécialiste de la Province du Québec in Plastic Surgery. You may contact these organisations to verify that your surgeon is indeed a qualified plastic surgeon and to ensure that he/she has completed a minimum of 5 years of training in a plastic surgery residency program.

Do not get confused with other titles that seem similar to this certification. For example, the title of ‘Aesthetic Surgeon’ or even the abbreviations FRCS – CSPQ on a medical prescription or business card does not indicate certification in Plastic Surgery. Remember that all specialists have these abbreviations (e.g. dermatology, ENT, cardiology). Even more incredible, in Canada, all doctors (including family physicians) with or without any surgical training can legally practice interventions in aesthetic surgery. When contacting the certification board, ask specifically if your surgeon is a plastic surgeon.

It becomes obvious why the certification in plastic surgery is of capital importance. If you doubt the competency of your surgeon, you should ask if your physician has the Specialist Certification in Plastic Surgery with the following organizations:

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC)
The Collège des Médecins du Québec
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (Board Certified)

After verifying the credentials of your Plastic Surgeon, you should arrange an initial appointment to be informed of your surgical options. Together you will determine the areas that need surgical treatment and discuss the safest possible alternatives and solutions in order to obtain the best result. Do not hesitate to ask for clarifications, express any concerns, or inquire about the possible risks associated with surgery. In summary, it is important for you as the patient to be happy with your physician and thus be able to make an informed decision.

The quality of the surgical result depends on the plastic surgeon selected. It is important from your first consultation to choose a good surgeon specialized in Plastic Surgery, who has the certification required by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

In our clinic, our plastic surgeons are:

Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery,
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Posses the ‘Certificat de Spécialiste de la Province du Québec’ in Plastic Surgery.
Our plastic surgeons have completed three certification exams in two countries. They will listen to your concerns, evaluate your expectations and advise you according to the highest standards of patient care and surgical excellence.

Our Plastic Surgeons make an emphasis on establishing a solid doctor-patient relationship that will help guide the patient through the entire surgical process. Our surgeons are involved in each step: the initial consultation, the surgical procedure, and the postoperative care.