Considering Plastic Surgery in Waterloo? Here’s what Out of Towners Need to Know

Surgery is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and a great surgeon with a wealth of experience is well worth the road trip. We see many patients from outside the Waterloo area who come to us through word-of-mouth, rave reviews, searches for surgeons with results like ours, or through professional recommendations. We’ve been performing skilled surgeries for over 40 years in our heritage building, with a legacy of excellent care and beautiful results. The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic draws in folks from Kitchener, Cambridge, London, Toronto, and throughout Southwestern Ontario. If you’re taking a car, plane or train to visit us or have your surgery booked already, here’s what you’ll want to know about Waterloo and how to prepare for your surgical visit.

Where is The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic located?

Located in Waterloo, Ontario, The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic is just one hour from Toronto and a short drive from other major centers including London and Windsor. The Clinic offers the warmth and elegant ambiance of a traditional, beautiful Edwardian home built in 1903. You’ll notice beautiful brick buildings, lovely restaurants, and boutique shops peppered along the street. The Clinic is a Certified Independent Health Facility through the Ontario Ministry of Health and all of our surgical procedures are performed in a state-of-the-art operating room located in the building. Using sophisticated medical equipment in a sterile, fully equipped hospital-like setting, the qualified, pleasant staff will ensure safety and peace of mind. Our whole team is committed to a surgical experience that puts you first at every step.

Where to eat in Waterloo

Once you arrive at your hotel, bed and breakfast, or Airbnb, and put down your bags, you might want to have a lovely dinner or explore Waterloo. Ask our staff about their favourite spots to check out for delicious food, cocktails and local flavour. 

“I’m visiting Waterloo from out of town and am looking for a comfortable, peaceful place to recover from surgery.”

Here are a few places we recommend with quiet, well-maintained cozy rooms where you can comfortably recover from surgery or stay while you see us for your consultation and get to know Waterloo.

Where to stay in Waterloo after surgery

• Delta Hotel Waterloo
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo/St. Jacobs
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo/St Jacobs

If you’d prefer to stay in an Airbnb, feel free to ask our staff for recommendations or suggestions.

What should I bring with me for my out-of-town surgery?

If you’re coming to see us and have a trip ahead of you, here’s an overview of what you’ll want to pack to make your recovery maximally comfortable and enjoyable. Please note that you’ll need to leave your pets at home; even if they’re gentle and well-meaning, the softest little jump from a tiny dog could cause trouble if you’ve just come out of surgery. Find a trusted, reliable dog or cat sitter you can feel good leaving them with.

Packing list for surgery

• Comfortable clothes. Comfort is key, so bring your softest slippers, robe, tennis shoes, and sweatpants. Make sure they’re loose so they don’t cause any friction or tension where you’ll be most sensitive. Pack layers so you can easily remove sweaters with zippers without pulling them above your head if you get warm or cold. 
• A companion. You must have someone with you, at least for the first 24 hours following surgery. Choose someone who is supportive and caring because you’ll really need someone to lean on during your recovery.
• Health snacks, vitamins, and probiotics. We can help recommend a surgical nutrition plan so you know what foods to avoid or focus on while you’re recovering. Depending on your surgery, you might need extra liquids like soups or juices which you can buy in Waterloo or have delivered.
• Plenty of water. Keep a water bottle with you after surgery to ensure you’re staying hydrated. If you buy a jug of water, choose one with a tap so you don’t need to do heavy lifting to pour your water.
• Entertainment, books and movies. The benefit of an out-of-town surgery is getting to enjoy the entertainment your hotel or Airbnb provides. Make sure you know whether they have a full range of TV channels, offer Netflix access, or other offerings. Bring along books, laptop, crossword puzzles, notebooks, and anything else that will help you honour the rest you’ll need to recover well.
• An enVy® pillow. If you already own an enVy® pillow you know it’s designed to provide therapeutic neck, head and shoulder support while helping prevent wrinkles and lines. Ask our team about the enVy® pillows to purchase one for your recovery.
• Plastic shower chair or stool. If you’re driving to visit us, consider bringing along a small stool or chair in the car so you can use it when you’re in the shower. You can also call the hotel or Airbnb where you’re staying ahead of time and ask if they have one; some hotels offer great accessibility options. Local Walmart or dollar stores also often offer cheap versions you can purchase the day before surgery. Having a comfortable place to sit or rest in the shower can be incredibly helpful, especially if you’re having an abdominoplasty.
• If you have diabetes make sure you bring your glucometer, lancets, insulin and test strips the day of the surgery. 
• If you use an inhaler for asthma, bring that with you as well.
• If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at home please bring it with you the day of your surgery.
• A car you can easily get into. If you’re getting a ride from your friend who’s got a big pickup truck that’s high off the ground, consider bringing a vehicle that ‘s lower and is easy to get in and out of following surgery. If you’re planning to Uber or rent a car, choose a vehicle that keeps this in mind.
• Arnica. Bring this along if it was already prescribed to you by the clinic before you leave home for your surgery.
• Unscented soap and lotions or creams. You’ll want fragrance-free products to wash with following your surgery, so make sure you’ve got unscented products to use.
• Sunscreen. Even when you’re driving home and have gone through the key parts of recovery, your scars and surgically-treated areas will be more susceptible to sun damage and pigmentation if you don’t use sunscreen. Choose a product with an SPF of 30 or higher with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. If you’re looking for sunscreen options, our skilled Beauty Nurse® team can give you some great recommendations and you can shop sunscreens in our online shop to have them delivered right to your door.

Is there parking at the surgical clinic?

Yes. You can find parking behind the clinic on Dorset Street. There is paid parking available behind The Pub on King, at the corner of King Street and Bridgeport Road. Rates are about $3.75/hour. Additional parking is available at the Waterloo Public Library, 35 Albert Street, as well as street parking on Dorset Street. If you plan to take Erb Street into Waterloo, you will need to turn left on King Street, left onto Bridgeport Road, and then left onto Dorset Street to get to our parking lot.

Ready to book your surgical consultation in O?

If you’re researching plastic surgery, trust The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Waterloo. Request a consultation online to meet personally with a member of our talented team of surgeons, or call our office at (519) 746-1132 to schedule an appointment. We also offer surgical financing options for Canadians to help make your surgical dream a reality this year. You can also book through our contact form.