Silicone gel breast implants are used worldwide for cosmetic purposes and are approved in Canada by the government agency Health Canada, whose role is to ensure, on the basis of evidence, that medical devices are safe and effective before being offered to Canadians.

Faced with an increase in cases of complications and suboptimal results following cosmetic surgeries performed abroad, specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Quebec are keen to warn the population against this form of medical tourism.

The plastic and aesthetic surgery clinics, members of the Association of Specialists in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery of Quebec (ASCPEQ) have all obtained a permit from a specialized medical center (CMS) in addition to meeting the standards of recognized accreditation bodies.