The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is the only body in Canada that has the right to certify someone as a specialist. To qualify, the surgeon must have finished a rigorous surgical training program, undergone numerous surgical examinations throughout his or her training, and at the end of the training period, he or she must have passed the “Royal College” examination which certifies the individual as someone who has completed his/her training in good standing, is competent and skilled to perform his or her specialty, and has the common sense to be a safe and responsible plastic surgeon.

Reliable sources of Certification in Canada

• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (requires the surgeon to pass a rigorous training program and a final exam)
• The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (requires the applicant to have trained in an accredited Plastic Surgery Training Program)
• The Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (requires the applicant to fulfill all the requirement for the above qualifications, in addition to documented history of four years in practice in good standing)

Unreliable sources of Certification (Membership here does NOT represent any qualification or training. Click on the links below to see their membership criteria for yourself)

• American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (No surgical examination/ qualification required. Membership fee of $350 annually buys a ‘certification’)
• American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery (No surgical examination / qualification required. Membership fee of $300 annually buys a ‘certification’)
• Canadian Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (No surgical examination/ qualification required. Membership fee of $300 annually buys a ‘certification’)
• American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (No surgical examination / qualification required. Membership fee of $200 annually buys a ‘certification’)
• American Academy of Liposuction Surgery (this Academy has no known website and we were not able to verify their existence and their requirements for certification)
• many other American and International “Academies” and “Societies” that are created to sell fancy looking titles and diplomas to members who simply pay membership fees.

As you can see from the above unreliable certification sites, all you need to join is to go to their “Join” section, fill out the application form and send them a cheque. There. Now you a Certified “Surgeon”. Done. Congratulation! Now all you need is to build your own clinic and you’re all set.

Martin Jugenburg,MD, FRCSC
Toronto, ON

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is becoming more common among teens, however it is unclear how appropriate it is for teenagers to have cosmetic plastic surgery. Plastic Surgeons generally try to avoid performing cosmetic surgery on teenagers for various ethical reasons. Teenagers may not truly understand the appropriateness of cosmetic surgery, they may not fully comprehend the potential risks and complications. There is no legal limitation on who can and cannot have cosmetic plastic surgery, so it is up to the surgeon to properly assess each teen and determine whether or not they are fully aware of what it is that they are asking for. It is also essential to ensure that their expectations are realistic. Young age, in addition to unrealistic portrayal of cosmetic surgery on TV, can often lead to unrealistic expectations.
Some of the common cosmetic procedures that teens ask for are rhinoplasty, breast surgery ( reduction or correction of asymmetry, and male breast reduction ).
When teens want cosmetic surgery, it is important that extra time is set aside in addition to the typical consultation, to ensure that they understand the nature of the surgery, the recovery, and potential complications.

Martin Jugenburg,MD, FRCSC
Toronto, ON