OTL-Head & Neck Surgeon with Special focus on Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Kristina Zakhary is an Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgeon with a focused practice in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Calgary, Alberta. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master of Science from McGill University, completed a Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Zakhary is also certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and currently serves as President of the Canadian Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. With more than 21 years of experience and over 8,000 facial cosmetic surgeries performed, she is widely recognized as one of the top plastic surgeons in Calgary.

Dr. Zakhary’s Calgary clinic offers a comprehensive range of surgical and non-surgical facial procedures. Surgical options include rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelift and neck lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), forehead and brow lift, chin augmentation, neck liposuction and deep neck lift, otoplasty (ear surgery), earlobe repair, and mole or scar revision. Non-surgical treatments include wrinkle reduction, Botox injections, dermal fillers, microneedling, Coolpeel laser and Deka Laser treatments, chemical peels, laser vein therapy, acne and acne scar treatments, and laser hair removal. During your consultation, Dr. Zakhary will evaluate your concerns and recommend the procedure or combination of procedures best suited to your goals.

A facial plastic surgeon and a general plastic surgeon follow different training pathways. General plastic surgeons complete residency training in general or full body plastic surgery, possibly but not always followed by a fellowship in cosmetic plastic surgery, which covers procedures across the entire body. Facial plastic surgeons complete residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, a specialty focused on the anatomy of the nose, head, neck, and face, followed by a dedicated fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Both pathways are rigorous and produce qualified surgeons. The key distinction is depth of focus: a facial plastic surgeon’s entire advanced training and practice is concentrated on the structures above the collar bones. When selecting a surgeon in Calgary or elsewhere, review their board certifications, examine their before-and-after photos, and ensure their surgical experience and long term results aligns with the specific procedure you are considering.

Patients travel to Calgary from across Canada to have rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery with Dr. Zakhary for several reasons. Dr. Zakhary is one of a limited number of surgeons in the country who performs Closed Mini Dissection Ultrasonic rhinoplasty, a less invasive rhinoplasty technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to reshape the nasal dorsal hump bone without damaging surrounding soft tissue. This approach results in greater precision, more predictable results, less bruising, and a shorter recovery period compared to traditional methods. Her clinic is also one of the few in Canada equipped with ultrasonic instrumentation for nasal surgery. Combined with her 9,000-plus surgical cases, her consecutive Consumer Choice Awards for Cosmetic Procedures in Southern Alberta (2017–2026), and her leadership role as President of the Canadian Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, these credentials attract patients seeking a surgeon with specialized expertise in facial procedures.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Zakhary will review your medical history, discuss your aesthetic goals, and conduct a physical examination of the area of concern. Professional photographs are taken from multiple angles for surgical planning. She will explain which procedures may be appropriate, outline what the surgery involves, describe the expected recovery timeline, and address potential risks. You will receive an honest assessment of what can realistically be achieved based on your anatomy. The consultation is also an opportunity to review many long term before-and-after photos of previous patients and ask questions about Dr. Zakhary’s experience with the specific procedure you are considering.

Recovery time varies depending on the procedure and the individual patient. For most facial plastic surgeries performed at our Calgary private non hospital surgical facility and clinic, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in the days immediately following surgery. Many patients are presentable and able to return to work within two to three weeks. Appearance continues to improve over the following six to eighteen months as residual swelling gradually resolves. Factors that can influence recovery include skin thickness, general health, smoking history, and adherence to post-operative instructions. Dr. Zakhary provides detailed recovery guidelines and schedules follow-up appointments to monitor your healing.

Yes. Dr. Zakhary performs touch up revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary rhinoplasty, for patients for whom she was the primary surgeon. She does not typically perform revision surgery for patients who are dissatisfied with the outcome of a previous nose surgery performed elsewhere. Revision cases are often more complex than primary rhinoplasty because they involve altered anatomy, scar tissue, and sometimes weakened nasal structures. Dr. Zakhary’s fellowship-level training in facial plastic surgery and her extensive experience with nasal anatomy allow her to evaluate primary cases thoroughly. A detailed consultation is required to assess the nose, discuss realistic goals, and determine whether a revision procedure is appropriate.

Cosmetic procedures performed for aesthetic purposes are not covered by Alberta Health Services (AHS). However, certain functional procedures may be eligible for coverage. For example, septoplasty performed to correct a deviated septum and improve breathing is considered medically necessary and may be covered by AHS, whether it is performed on its own or at the same time as a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Please note that Dr. Zakhary’s clinic does not perform surgeries covered by Alberta Health Services. During your consultation, Dr. Zakhary can explain which components of your treatment, if any, may be considered medically necessary.

Dr. Zakhary’s clinic offers in-office 0% financing that allows you to split your surgical fee into up to four equal payments. For patients who require a longer payment plan, the clinic also works with Beauti, and Medicard, third-party medical financing companies that offers extended terms. Detailed pricing is discussed during your consultation, and a comprehensive quote is provided that includes the surgeon’s fee, anaesthesiologist fee, surgical facility fees, and medications used during surgery. For more information on costs and payment options, visit our rhinoplasty cost page or contact the clinic directly.

As with any surgical procedure, facial cosmetic surgery carries potential risks including bleeding, infection, nerve injury, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, excessive scarring, and, in cases involving implants, the possibility of implant displacement. Specific risks vary by procedure and by patient. During your consultation, Dr. Zakhary will review the risks relevant to your particular surgery, discuss how they are managed, and explain the steps taken to minimize complications. Procedures are performed in a fully accredited surgical facility in Calgary, and Dr. Zakhary provides thorough pre-operative and post-operative care instructions to support the safest possible outcome.

Good candidates for facial cosmetic surgery are generally in good overall health, do not smoke or are willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery, and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. It is important that any medical conditions are disclosed and managed before surgery. Dr. Zakhary evaluates each patient individually, considering bone structure, skin quality, facial proportions, and personal goals, to determine whether a procedure is appropriate. A consultation at our Calgary clinic is the first step in establishing whether you are a suitable candidate and which approach would best address your concerns.

You can request a consultation by calling the clinic at 403-450-3759 or by completing the consultation request form on this page. The clinic is located at 2303 4th Street SW, Suite 404, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 2S7. When you contact us, our team will ask about the procedure you are interested in, your availability, and any relevant medical information. Consultations are available for patients in Calgary, and can be arranged virtually across Alberta, and from other provinces in Canada such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan.