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How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
What is the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?
A Plastic Surgeon is a surgical specialist (a Surgeon) who has completed a minimum of five years of study and training in surgery after receiving a medical degree. They are specifically qualified to practice Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This qualification is regulated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
"Cosmetic Surgeon" is a general term used by many physicians, including physicians who may not have had any formal training in surgery. There is no certification process to become a "Cosmetic Surgeon" and there is no such specialty designation by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. O'Grady is a Plastic Surgeon
Dr. O'Grady is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery, the only recognized certification for Plastic Surgery in Canada.
As well, the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only recognized certification process for Plastic Surgeons in the United States.
Many Surgeons, who have been certified by the Royal College in other specialties, but not in Plastic Surgery, can use the word "Plastic" in their advertising. For example, Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons may advertise as Facial Plastic Surgeons - their training is in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery. As well, some Ophthalmologists refer to themselves as Oculoplastic Surgeons.
There are many ways to be sure that a certified Plastic Surgeon performs your surgery. The first is to simply ask what their training is in. Any reputable Surgeon will be happy to tell you where and when they trained and what their Canadian certification is in.
Another very easy way is to visit the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website at www.cpso.on.ca. Search for your physician by name. Under the "Summary" section you will see "Specialties". This section will tell you what your physician has been trained and certified in. If it does not say Plastic Surgery, they are not a Plastic Surgeon.
"Certified" or "Board Certification" Doesn't Tell You What They're Certified In
In Canada, all Surgeons must be Certified to practice surgery within their area of specialty. It is the law. In Ontario, the College of Physicians and Surgeons has mandated that only Surgeons certified in a surgical specialty with five years of training may call themselves Surgeons. This has gone a long way in helping protect the public. All Surgeons will have the letters FRCSC at the end of their names and stands for Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. It does not mean they are certified in Plastic Surgery - all Surgeons are entitled to this designation.
However, Surgeons can be certified in General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ophthalmic Surgery (eye) or Plastic Surgery for example. You may consider it to be very important to ask two questions:
- Is my Surgeon certified?
- Precisely what Certification does your Surgeon have from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?
To become certified in Plastic Surgery, your Surgeon must first complete an approved five-year residency in Plastic Surgery. At the end of their residency training, they must pass a two day written and oral examination in all areas of Plastic Surgery. In addition, your Surgeon may have also gone on to extra training after becoming certified as a Plastic Surgeon in subspecialty areas of Plastic Surgery. This extra training is known as Fellowship training.
In order to maintain these credentials, your Plastic Surgeon must complete 400 hours of continuing medical education in Plastic Surgery in a five-year period. This is mandatory and is set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeon of Canada. This process continues until your Surgeon retires.
Dr. O'Grady is a Certified and Fellowship Trained
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. O'Grady underwent a five year qualified Plastic Surgery residency at McMaster University, which entitled him to the classification of Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Plastic Surgery.
After his residency training, he undertook a Fellowship in Breast Reconstruction and Cosmetic Breast Surgery at Women's College Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in Canada for Breast Reconstruction and Breast Surgery. He also obtained a fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada's busiest trauma centre. Craniofacial Surgery is a subspecialty of Plastic Surgery that deals with congenital (birth) and acquired deformities of the skull, face and jaws. It deals with the manipulation of bone, skin, muscle and teeth to improve the form and function of the face.
Why do I need a highly trained surgeon?
The techniques used during aesthetic surgery are derived from those used in the complex and demanding field of reconstructive surgery. It requires competent surgical skill, an in-depth understanding of body parts and good aesthetic judgment on the part of the surgeon.
There is a balance and harmony to the human body. Even "simple" surgical procedures like liposuction, for example, can be dangerous if performed by someone without extensive surgical training. The removal of too much fat may result in tissue damage and poor cosmetic results. In rare circumstances, organ damage and even death can result. Be smart and be safe. Choose a Plastic Surgeon to perform your liposuction.
Dangers of Plastic Surgery
With modern technology, complications from Plastic Surgery are extremely rare, but any type of surgery does involve a degree of risk.
The dangers associated with the operation will depend on the type of surgery performed and the individual's reaction to surgery and anesthesia.
New techniques of plastic surgery are minimizing the need for general anesthetics and the associated risks, such as allergic reactions and side effects of the drugs used.
Risks from surgery can range from scarring to fatality in the most extreme cases.
Scarring will occur any time the skin is opened and heals. As a result, most surgeries will result in permanent scars, but your surgeon can help hide them from sight, for example, by making incisions in creases in your skin.
Other potential dangers of Plastic Surgery include bleeding, infection and blood clots. Close monitoring of the patient after surgery will allow any complications to be quickly noticed and promptly treated.
Any type of surgery causes bleeding in the area of the operation, normally noticeable by swelling, discolouration of the skin and pain. If the accumulation of blood is small, it will absorb by itself. If it is large, your surgeon may need to drain it.
External bleeding (blood leaking from the incision and onto your dressing) can normally be stopped by applying pressure to the area. A small amount of ooze is entirely expected. However, if it continues and it is significant, your surgeon may need to reopen the incision to stop the bleeding.
Any surgery risks infection. An infection normally becomes noticeable a few days after surgery, by pain, redness, heat and swelling. It can normally be treated with antibiotics and dressing changes. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Some patients may experience nerve injury and have trouble moving muscles or lose feeling in the area of the operation. In most cases this is temporary and sensation will return.
Other risk factors are directly related to the type of procedure and area on which it will be performed. For example, breast enhancement (augmentation) related complications include sensory damage, skin discolouration, formation of scar tissue and asymmetry. On the other hand, Plastic Surgery of the face can cause tissue damage, unnatural looking features and premature aging.
You are more susceptible to complications from plastic surgery if you have pre-existing health issues such as a heart condition, diabetes or are a smoker. For example, patients who smoke are at a greater risk for tissue loss, called tissue necrosis, which occurs when tissue does not receive sufficient oxygen from the blood. When this happens, the skin becomes discoloured and forms a dark dry crust that will become black and fall off, leaving a scar. The underlying tissues heal by themselves. Tissue loss is uncommon in non-smokers.
To help minimize your risk factors, it is important to have blood tests and a physical prior to surgery. You should discuss your health with your Plastic Surgeon to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
The unfortunate side effects of botched surgeries are also greatly reduced when you work with a highly trained professional. Dr. Kevin O'Grady has extensive surgical training and, as a result, he can react and remain calm under pressure should something go wrong during the procedure.
Dr. Kevin O'Grady is trained and prepared to respond to any issues that may occur. He has emergency resuscitative gear in his clinic, and the training to use it, and has surgical privileges to take you to a nearby hospital in an emergency.
Dr. O'Grady will evaluate your health factors and your surgery options and help you to minimize any risks of complications.
"My clinic is a no-pressure zone. I want you to make a careful informed decision."
Dr. Kevin O'Grady
BASc. MHSc. MD. FRCSC
Plastic Surgeon
