Board certification isn’t just a credential—it’s proof a surgeon completed rigorous training, passed comprehensive examinations, and maintains ongoing education standards. In Ontario, FRCSC (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada) certification is the gold standard for plastic surgery. Some surgeons also hold ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) certification, demonstrating additional verification. This guide focuses specifically on Toronto’s board-certified plastic surgeons who combine proper credentials with proven patient outcomes and transparent care approaches.
Why Board Certification Matters
Before comparing surgeons, understanding what board certification actually means helps you make informed decisions.
FRCSC certification requires completion of a five-year plastic surgery residency program accredited by the Royal College, passing written and oral examinations covering all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and demonstrating surgical competency through case reviews. It’s not automatic after residency—surgeons must prove they meet national standards.
The certification process evaluates knowledge of facial surgery, breast reconstruction and aesthetics, body contouring, hand surgery, trauma reconstruction, and burn treatment. Even if a surgeon focuses primarily on cosmetic work, their training covered comprehensive reconstructive techniques that inform their aesthetic approach.
Board-certified surgeons must also maintain hospital privileges, which require regular peer review and outcome reporting. This means other surgeons evaluate their work and complications are tracked. Non-certified practitioners working solely in private clinics don’t face this same oversight.
You can verify any surgeon’s FRCSC status through the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons member directory or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) registry. If someone calls themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” but isn’t FRCSC-certified, they may have trained in another specialty like dermatology or general surgery. That doesn’t make them unqualified for certain procedures, but it’s worth understanding their actual training background.
McRae Plastic Surgery (Dr. Mark McRae & Dr. Matthew McRae)
Both Dr. Mark and Dr. Matthew McRae hold dual board certification—FRCSC in Canada and ABPS in the United States. This combination is relatively rare, held by fewer than 30% of Canadian plastic surgeons.
Their academic credentials include Associate Professor positions at the University of Toronto, where they teach plastic surgery residents. Dr. Mark trained at Cornell, Yale, NYU Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, and completed microsurgery training at the Buncke Clinic. Dr. Matthew’s training encompasses the University of Toronto and specialized fellowships in facial reconstruction and breast surgery.
What distinguishes their practice is the surgeon-led care model. You meet directly with the surgeon who will perform your procedure for consultation, surgery, and follow-up care—not a rotating team of physician assistants or nurse practitioners. For complex cases, they offer a two-surgeon approach, which can reduce surgical time and improve outcomes for extensive procedures.
They maintain hospital privileges at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, requiring regular outcome reporting and peer review. The practice serves patients across three locations: Toronto, Burlington, and Stoney Creek. Their specialties include facial rejuvenation, breast surgery (cosmetic and reconstructive), and body contouring.
Best For: Patients who want academic-level expertise, direct surgeon involvement throughout the process, and the option of a two-surgeon approach for complex procedures.
Dr. Brett Beber
Dr. Brett Beber is FRCSC-certified and completed his plastic surgery training at the University of Toronto. With 18+ years in practice and more than 9,000 procedures performed, he brings substantial experience to common cosmetic procedures.
His patient satisfaction ratings stand out—over 500 combined five-star reviews across Google, RealSelf, and RateMDs. Patients consistently mention feeling heard during consultations and supported throughout recovery. His practice operates as a boutique model with smaller patient volume and longer appointment times.
Dr. Beber specializes in breast augmentation, breast lift, gynecomastia (male breast reduction), and body contouring. He’s particularly known for his work with male patients seeking gynecomastia treatment, an area where specialized experience matters for achieving natural chest contours.
The central Toronto location makes the practice accessible for downtown and midtown residents. His approach focuses on understanding individual goals before recommending any procedure, and he’s known for straightforward conversations about what surgery can and cannot accomplish.
Best For: Patients prioritizing high satisfaction ratings and boutique practice experience, especially those considering breast surgery or gynecomastia treatment.
Dr. Asif Pirani
Dr. Asif Pirani holds FRCSC certification and completed advanced training in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto. His practice brings a different dimension through integrated aesthetics—combining surgical procedures with advanced non-surgical treatments under one roof through SKN Yorkville.
He’s received extensive media recognition with features in Forbes, Fox News, and major Canadian outlets, along with multiple industry awards for surgical outcomes and patient care. His Yorkville location reflects the premium positioning of the practice, emphasizing discretion and high-touch service.
Surgical specialties include facial rejuvenation (facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery), breast surgery, and body contouring. The integration of non-surgical options—laser treatments, injectables, and medical-grade skincare—allows for comprehensive treatment planning that addresses both structural concerns and skin quality.
This approach particularly benefits patients considering facial aging management, where combining surgical procedures with skin treatments can enhance overall results. The practice coordinates timing and techniques across different modalities for balanced outcomes.
Best For: Patients wanting comprehensive treatment combining surgical and non-surgical options in a premium environment with coordinated care planning.
Dr. Lawrence Tong
Dr. Lawrence Tong holds dual certification—FRCSC in Canada and ABPS in the United States. He completed plastic surgery training at the University of Michigan, one of the top US programs, and practiced in Michigan for nine years before returning to Toronto.
This dual-country experience gives him perspective shaped by both Canadian and American surgical standards and healthcare systems. His Michigan training included high-volume trauma and reconstruction cases that built strong technical skills now applied to cosmetic work.
The practice emphasizes what Dr. Tong calls the “complete patient experience”—thorough pre-operative education, detailed recovery planning, and structured follow-up care. Patients mention feeling well-prepared for surgery and supported through healing.
His surgical expertise spans facial procedures (facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery), breast surgery (augmentation, lift, reduction), and body contouring (tummy tuck, liposuction). He’s known for realistic consultations where he’ll discuss whether surgery timing is appropriate or if other factors should be addressed first.
Best For: Patients valuing dual Canadian-US certification and structured patient education with emphasis on preparation and recovery planning.
Dr. Quinton Chivers
Dr. Quinton Chivers is FRCSC-certified and completed three fellowships after residency: microsurgery, aesthetic surgery, and hair transplant surgery. This extensive post-residency training provides advanced skills across multiple specialty areas.
He’s particularly known for mommy makeover procedures and post-bariatric (after weight loss) body contouring. After significant weight loss, patients often face excess skin that doesn’t respond to exercise. Dr. Chivers specializes in transforming these cases through procedures like lower body lifts, thigh lifts, arm lifts, and breast lifts—often staging multiple procedures for comprehensive results.
His mommy makeover expertise combines breast surgery (lift with or without augmentation) and tummy tuck, addressing common post-pregnancy concerns. He’s performed hundreds of these combination procedures and understands how to balance recovery time with life demands.
Dr. Chivers maintains two GTA locations—North York and Scarborough—making him accessible across Toronto’s north and east areas. His patient reviews (hundreds of five-star ratings) frequently mention his approachable manner and willingness to answer questions throughout the process.
Best For: Patients considering mommy makeover or post-weight loss body contouring who need multiple procedures and want specialized training in complex body contouring cases.
How to Verify Board Certification
Never assume someone is board-certified based on their website or marketing materials. Verify credentials directly through official sources.
For FRCSC certification, check the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons member directory at plasticsurgery.ca. You can search by surgeon name and location to confirm active membership, which requires current FRCSC status.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) registry at cpso.on.ca lets you verify any Ontario physician’s license status, training details, and disciplinary history. Look for “Plastic Surgery” listed under their qualifications.
For surgeons claiming ABPS certification, verify through the American Board of Plastic Surgery website at abplasticsurgery.org. Their verification tool confirms current certification status.
If you can’t find a surgeon through these official channels, ask them directly during consultation: “Are you board-certified by the Royal College?” and “Can you provide your CPSO number so I can verify your credentials?” Legitimate surgeons welcome these questions.
Red Flags to Watch For
Some practitioners use misleading titles that sound legitimate but don’t indicate proper plastic surgery training.
“Cosmetic surgeon” isn’t a protected title in Canada—anyone with a medical license could theoretically use it. What matters is their actual certification. A dermatologist or ear-nose-throat surgeon might perform certain cosmetic procedures within their training scope, but they haven’t completed plastic surgery residency.
“Board-certified” without specifying which board can be misleading. Some organizations offer “certification” with minimal requirements. The legitimate board for plastic surgery in Canada is the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Surgeons who only practice in private clinics without hospital privileges skip the peer review and outcome tracking that hospital affiliation requires. While some excellent surgeons work primarily in private settings, the absence of hospital privileges is worth asking about.
Be cautious of practices that emphasize marketing over credentials, push you to book surgery during the first consultation, or can’t clearly explain their training background when asked directly.
Conclusion
Board certification represents the foundation of surgical competence, but it’s just the starting point. Within the group of certified surgeons, experience with your specific procedure, patient care philosophy, and personal comfort during consultation all matter. Schedule consultations with multiple board-certified surgeons to compare approaches and find the right match for your goals.
