Plastic Surgeon’s Clinic Closes Following Disciplinary Investigation

The Ziesmann Cosmetic Clinic, operated by suspended plastic surgeon Dr. Manfred Ziesmann, has permanently closed following an investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. The closure was confirmed by a staff member at the clinic’s Portage Avenue location, who expressed emotional distress over the situation and declined to provide further comments.

The college suspended Ziesmann’s medical license on October 15, 2023, as part of an ongoing investigation into his practices. Dr. Guillaume Poliquin, the assistant registrar of complaints and investigations, confirmed that the inquiry is examining allegations related to patient care and surgical complications.

Former patients have reported unexpected changes following the clinic’s abrupt closure. One woman, who was exploring options for a breast reduction, revealed that she received a phone call from the clinic notifying her that all appointments were cancelled. “They said he is gone, he is retired. The office is shutting down in a couple of hours,” she recounted, describing the communication as “a complete, out-of-the-blue shock.”

This patient had previously met Ziesmann during a consultation for cool sculpting, a non-surgical fat reduction procedure. She noted that during her consultation for breast reduction, Ziesmann arrived approximately four hours late and the meeting felt rushed, failing to adequately address her concerns about the procedure.

Ziesmann has had a lengthy career since registering with the college in 1981 and becoming licensed as a plastic surgeon in 1987. Earlier this year, he faced restrictions on his practice following a disciplinary hearing that investigated several complaints. These complaints primarily focused on issues such as obtaining informed consent, monitoring post-operative complications, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.

In previous years, Ziesmann was required to undergo additional training in record keeping and communication after being ordered by the college twice, once in 2017 and again in 2020. The college’s investigations committee, which includes medical professionals and a public member, reviews complaints to determine their validity and decide on appropriate actions. If complaints are substantiated, they may lead to a disciplinary hearing that would be documented in a public report. However, the investigation into Ziesmann had not yet advanced to this stage prior to the clinic’s closure.

As the Ziesmann Cosmetic Clinic ceases operations, patients are left to navigate the implications of the closure and seek alternative care options. The abrupt ending of services raises concerns not just for those who sought cosmetic procedures, but also highlights the broader issues surrounding patient safety and medical accountability in cosmetic surgery practices.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough vetting and informed decision-making in the realm of cosmetic procedures, where the stakes are high for patient health and well-being.