1- Why do you not include before and after pictures on your web site?
The College des Medecins du Quebec imposes certain restrictions on the use of before and after photographs. You will see many before and after photographs during your consultation. In fact, you will get far more information about the pictures while discussing them with ussince not all of the pictures necessarily apply to your specific needs and desires..
2- What can I anticipate during my visit to the Gatineau Cosmetic Surgery Clinique?
At the Gatineau Cosmetic Surgery Clinique, you will be warmly greeted by our highly trained staff. If it is your first visit, you will be required to complete a short medical questionnaire. We endeavour to limit your time in the waiting room knowing that time is important to everyone.
During your consultation, we will discuss the reasons for your visit, your goals and your medical history. We will conduct a directed physical examination. We will then discuss the treatment options at length and show you before and after photographs. We will give you written information about the procedures.
We welcome your questions at any time during the interview. It is important to us that you feel that all your concerns have been addressed. We typically arrange a second visit to consolidate all information obtained during the consultation, and to answer any further questions.
Minor treatments such as injections may be performed during the initial visit.
We will also offer you a consultation with a qualified esthetician. This meeting will likely occur on a separate day. The esthetician will examine and evaluate your skin. If you wish, she will recommend appropriate skin treatments and daily skin care dependent on your skin type and medical history.
It is our aim that your visit be positive, informative, pleasant and reassuring.
3- Can more than one operation be performed at the same time?
Several operations may be combined such as a breast procedure (augmentation, reduction) and an abdominoplasty or liposuction. A facelift may be performed in combination with a blepharoplasty (eyelid procedure) or forehead lift.
We would avoid any combined operations that would place your health at risk. The risk of complications increases.
We do recognize that in appropriate circumstances, a combination operation gives a more dramatic result with a single recovery period.
4- Should I stop smoking before my operation?
Clinical studies show that patients who stop smoking before an operation have fewer healing and anaesthetic complications.. It is particulary important to stop smoking before procedures such as an abdominoplasty or breast reduction where there is a significant amount of dissection. Ideally we would prefer that you stop smoking 6 weeks before your procedure but we will discuss this with you during your consultation.
5- Should I lose weight before my operation?
If your weight is stable, you may not need to lose weight. If you are overweight, you may not be a suitable candidate for certain operations. In some cases, a well-controlled weight loss will allow us to remove excess skin and obtain better results. There are many possibilities and we invite you to disccus this with us in person.
6- I have had children and my body is not like it used to be… What Can you do about it?
Pregnancy wrecks havoc with the female body! Your breasts and abdomen are stretched and after delivery, rarely return completely to their pre-pregnancy state. Once you have completed your family, you may be an excellent candidate for cosmetic surgery. A breast lift/reduction or augmentation, combined with a “tummy-tuck” is a popular choice. There is only one convalescence. We look forward to discussing the options with you.
7- Which type of breast implants do you use?
At the Gatineau Cosmetic Surgery Clinique we use saline or cohesive silicone gel breast implants. During your consultation, we will discuss with you the risks and benefits of each type. You will have a chance to feel the different implants and try out various sizes to help you make the best choice.
8 Is there a risk involved with injections?
There is always a risk involved with any procedure. On the other hand, the techniques and the products we use at the Gatineau Cosmetic Surgery Clinique have been chosen because of their negligible risk of complications. Because these products are temporary, we are able to tailor the treatments according to your preference in the short and long-term.
9- Are injections painful?
The possibility of pain with injections depends on which products are used and where they are injected. We prefer to use local anaesthesia during filler treatments to ensure your comfort. Local anaesthesia is superior to topical agents. Injections of botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) may be mildly uncomfortable. We attempt to minimize any discomfort by using high quality, very small calibre needles.
10- Which methods of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, Interac, Mastercard, American Express, certified cheque or bank drafts. Financing is available through companies such as Credit Medical and Medicard. We do not accept cash.