Gender Transitioning in Ontario

For transgender patients without a lot of disposable income, it is still possible to undergo gender reassignment surgery by qualifying for OHIP coverage. In order to begin the transition process, they must first be referred to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health by their doctor or nurse. CAMH is the only organization in Ontario with the authority to approve OHIP coverage for gender reassignment surgery, and they require patients to be over the age of 18 and meet a set of stringent criteria including:

Receiving a diagnosis of gender dysphoria
Getting mental health and substance abuse problems under control
Completing at least one year of medically supervised hormone therapy
Completing a continuous Gender Role Experience (GRE) in which they document how they live in their new gender

However, neither cosmetic nor gender reassignment surgery are necessary to legally change your gender on government documents including birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and health cards. A legal change of gender requires a person only to fill out an online form and pay a processing fee of $137. This alters all information at a provincial and federal level.

Cosmetic Procedures

For those willing and able to spend extra time and money, cosmetic procedures are a common part of transitioning. Dr. Solomon sees as many as 50 MTF patients a year who are nearing the end of their transformation and wish to further feminize their features.

Common procedures used to create a more feminine appearance include:

Rhinoplasty to create a narrower and lower bridge with a more refined tip and narrower base
Cheek implants to create a dramatic change to the shape of their face, softening the lines of their cheek and jaw
Brow reshaping to smooth the typically fuller male brow into a more feminine appearance
Reshaping the Adam’s apple. Made entirely of cartilage, the Adam’s apple can be entirely removed with virtually no risk to the patient

The combined procedures can reach a total of $15, 000 to $20, 000 depending on the treatments chosen, but Dr. Solomon notes that patients see the end results as well worth the price tag, saying, “They’re happier, their self-esteem is high, they’re more comfortable in their own skin.”

Dr. Philip Solomon

May 16th 2015

Itay Kreinin

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Solomon!! I had a rhinoplasty around 2 and a half months ago and I am obsessed with the results. It’s still far from fully healing, but I can honestly say that it looks absolutely incredible! From the first consultation, everyone at the office was friendly, passionate and knowledgable. Dr. Solomon was transparent with what to expect from the operation, and the healing process, as well as wasn’t deceiving and comforted any worries along the way. My procedure was smooth, I had no pain at all. I was contacted several times after to make sure my recovery was going well. I thank everyone who contributed in my surgery!! Dr. Solomon is truly a genius and I 100% recommend to anyone who is looking to get a nose procedure done.

Ruth Mandelman

I am a 70 year old woman who had a face lift when I was younger. Time to do it again and this time I went to Dr. Solomon. What a find! He did an amazing job. Made me look at least 10-15 years younger. Everyone says I look so restedHe also did a CO2 laser treatment in my full face. My skin has never looked this good, not even as a kid. And the best part, he listens and cares. Understood my concerns and gave me exactly what I wanted. So happy!

meme corp

My name is Salvatore. I wanted to share my incredibly positive experience with Dr. Solomon and his entire team. Before undergoing a facelift, I had significant fears, especially as someone who wanted to look younger without it being obvious that I had undergone plastic surgery. It’s a delicate paradox—wanting to appear rejuvenated but still natural. Dr. Solomon and his staff exceeded my expectations and completely resolved this concern. Dr. Solomon is not just a conventional plastic surgeon—he is an artist and an empathetic professional. He truly understands how to achieve subtle yet transformative results. My facelift was performed with the utmost care and artistry. The outcome was amazing: my face looks 10 years younger, yet it remains natural and harmonious. I was functional within a week and started seeing people after two weeks. The best part? Nobody suspected I had a facelift! Instead, everyone assumed I had just returned from a relaxing vacation, which is exactly the result I was hoping for. I cannot recommend Dr. Solomon and his staff highly enough. They provided exceptional care from start to finish, and I am beyond grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me such a positive and life-enhancing experience. Five stars all the way!

anonymous (calendar)

I recently underwent a deep plane facelift and CO2 laser treatment, and couldn't be happier with the results. From the initial consultation with Dr. Solomon to my follow-up appointments, I was greeted with warmth and kindness that immediately made me feel at ease. Dr. Solomon took the time to explain every step of my procedure, ensuring I fully understood the process and felt confident in my decision. Although I was understandably nervous, Dr. Solomon's reassuring manner and empathetic nature made me feel completely comfortable throughout the entire experience. His expertise and attention to detail were clear from the start, and the surgery and recovery were much easier than I had anticipated. I can honestly say I experienced no pain whatsoever. I took no pain medications, not even a Tylenol. What truly stands out and pleases me the most, is the natural result. I look like a rejuvenated and refreshed version of myself, which is exactly what I was hoping for. My features have been enhanced, but I still feel like me. Dr. Solomon and his entire team are exceptional. They are highly professional, and incredibly empathetic, taking the time to listen to concerns and questions without ever making you feel rushed. What truly sets this practice apart is the dedication to patient care and the compassionate, accommodating nature of the entire staff. Whether it was Dr. Solomon's manager, Nancie, helping me with scheduling and providing support during recovery, or his nurse, Maddie, who was so kind and encouraging during my post- surgery visits, every team member was available and eager to assist. They genuinely care about their patients and go above and beyond to ensure you have the best possible experience. If you are considering facial cosmetic surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Solomon and his team. Their expertise, combined with their kindness and personalized care, made all the difference in my journey. I would certainly return to Dr. Solomon should I require any future procedures and will continue visiting the clinic for non-surgical treatments to maintain the results of my surgery. I am very grateful for the outstanding care I received!

Donna Najjar

I came to see Dr. Solomon to inquire about a chin implant. I didn't have much definition on my jawline and my chin before was almost non-existent. Dr. Solomon discussed my options and further explained the benefits of a chin implant which excited me even more. I decided to proceed with the surgery, which went super well and the staff took care of me so well. The healing process was super easy, I didn't need to take any pain medication, my smile was crooked which is totally normal. After four months, my chin completely healed and I couldn't be happier with the results! The shape of my face looks great, more defined and balanced. Dr. Solomon is an artist who works magic to make your vision come to life. Thank you to Dr. Solomon and his wonderful staff for the exceptional experience!

Ashley Cox

I recently had rhinoplasty completed by Dr. Solomon and I am so happy with the outcome! His wealth of knowledge and expertise were evident in our initial assessment. I felt completely comfortable and at ease trusting his opinion. He helped shape my nose in a way that better suited my face. I knew very little about the process but Dr. Solomon and his staff were able to answer my questions in a timely and efficient manner. I was able to book surgery very quickly and I was back to work in a week. Overall a fantastic experience!

Francesco Racanelli

Dr. Solomon is a nothing short of professional and an exceptional surgeon. I am a Canadian citizen who lives in the US and it was important to me to do my surgery back home. I had a virtual consultation for a facelift with Dr. Solomon which was extremely informative. His team was incredibly helpful in assisting with the necessary logistics needed for my surgery. My recovery was flawless much easier than I had anticipated. I was ready to celebrate the holidays 4 weeks later. I would highly recommend Dr. Philip Solomon and his team without hesitation. They are exceptionally caring and deliver first class care.