How to Evaluate — and What the Evidence Shows
Searching for the “best” plastic surgeon is the right instinct. This is your face, your body, your safety. The surgeon you choose is the single most important decision you will make in your cosmetic surgery journey.
But “best” needs to be defined by something more than marketing. Here is a framework for evaluating a plastic surgeon — followed by how Dr. N. S. Huq at Niagara Plastic Surgery Centre measures against each criterion.
Board Certification: The Non-Negotiable
In Canada, the gold standard for plastic surgery credentials is certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Plastic Surgery. This requires completing a rigorous residency training program and passing comprehensive examinations.
Dr. Huq’s credentials: – FRCSC — Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (1998) – ABPS — American Board of Plastic Surgery (2000) – FACS — Fellow of the American College of Surgeons – Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand (Kleinert Institute fellowship)
Dr. Huq is triple board-certified — holding both the Canadian and American board certifications in plastic surgery, plus fellowship status in the American College of Surgeons. Fewer than a handful of surgeons in the Niagara Region hold this combination.
Surgical Volume and Experience
Experience matters in surgery. The more procedures a surgeon has performed, the more variations in anatomy they have encountered, the more complications they have managed, and the more refined their technique has become.
Dr. Huq’s volume: – 28 years in practice – Over 70,000 individual patients seen personally – Over 60,000 separate operations performed – Approximately 1,000 facelift and neck lift procedures – Over 1,000 eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasty) – Hundreds of brow lifts
This is not a surgeon who performs a handful of procedures per month. This is a surgeon whose career volume places him among the most experienced in Ontario.
Published Safety Record
Any surgeon can claim to be safe. The question is whether that claim is supported by published data.
Dr. Huq’s published safety record: – Published infection rate of less than 1% across more than 2,800 in-office surgeries (published in Canadian Plastic Surgery, 2024) – Facility accredited by both CPSO and Accreditation Canada – All anesthesiologists are Canadian board-certified FRCPC physician MDs (not nurse anesthetists) – Facility fully equipped with emergency resuscitation equipment, including crash cart – Greater Niagara General Hospital located half a block from the clinic
A published infection rate is a level of transparency that few practices offer. It is objective, verifiable evidence of safety.
Academic Standing
Academic appointments indicate that a surgeon is trusted by a medical school to teach, train, and uphold clinical standards.
Dr. Huq’s academic record: – Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, McMaster University — 23+ year appointment (since January 2002) – Trains medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing physicians – Quality Assurance assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (2004–2011) – Peer reviewer for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global journal – Guest Editor, Elsevier textbook on local anesthesia in plastic surgery
Surgeons who teach are held to a higher standard. They must not only perform well — they must be able to explain why and train others to do the same.
Patient Reviews and Recognition
Third-party reviews offer an unfiltered perspective on the patient experience.
Dr. Huq’s recognition: – Google Reviews: 4.5/5 stars across 77+ reviews for Dr. Huq and 80+ reviews for NPSC – Three Best Rated: #1 Plastic Surgeon in Niagara Falls (116/120 points) – Readers’ Choice Awards: Winner in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (Niagara Falls Review, Niagara This Week) – International Who’s Who of Professionals — Honored Member
“Dr Huq is not only a skilled professional surgeon, he is also a kind and compassionate human being. His exceptional team made all the difference.” — Laura D.
For a full collection of patient testimonials, visit Reviews & Testimonials.
Personal Surgery Model
Many practices employ multiple surgeons, fellows, or physician assistants who may perform parts of your procedure. At NPSC, the model is different.
Dr. Huq personally leads every surgery. He is the operating surgeon on every case; assistant surgeons on his team support him in the operating room. He is assisted by his team of registered nurses and surgical assistants, and your case stays with Dr. Huq from start to finish. He also personally calls every patient after their procedure — not delegated to staff.
“Dr Huq himself called me to give me the great news on the biopsy results — not staff, actually Dr. Huq himself.” — Michael S.
Community Roots
Dr. Huq has been practising in Niagara Falls since 2001. His investment in the community goes well beyond the clinic:
- $200,000 donation to St. Catharines Public Library (Huq Family Library branch)
- Ongoing donations to Nova House for women and children, Boys and Girls Club, and YMCA in Niagara Falls
- International humanitarian work spanning over 14 years (Armenia, South Asia, Haiti, Africa, Philippines)
- Hospital privileges at all Niagara Health System sites
He is not a surgeon who arrived recently to capture a market. He is a surgeon who has built his career and his life in the Niagara Region.
The Question You Came to Answer
You searched for the best plastic surgeon in Niagara Falls. We have presented the credentials, the volume, the published safety data, the academic standing, the patient reviews, the awards, the personal surgery model, and the community roots.
The best surgeon is the one who meets your specific needs. If you would like to discuss your goals with Dr. Huq directly, the consultation is where that conversation begins.
Niagara Plastic Surgery Centre | Suite 1, 5668 Main Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 5Z4 (905) 357-2360 | Toll Free 1-866-929-3223 | niagaraplasticsurgery@gmail.com