Private Ultrasound

A private ultrasound can help you get answers faster, so you and your doctor can make decisions sooner. Find the right centre that fits your needs below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.

The founder of Surgency, Dr Sean Haffey smiling
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Sean Haffey
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Informational purposes only, not medical or legal advice. Please consult your doctor or surgeon.

How Surgency works

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Decide where to go

Private surgery in Canada generally requires travelling out-of-province. So step one is deciding where.
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Search by specialty

Our app makes it easy to search Surgeons by specialty & location.
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Schedule a consult

Book a consult directly on Surgency. It's secure, private, fast.

What is a ultrasound?

An ultrasound (sonography) is a scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of your body—without radiation.

It’s especially useful for looking at organs (like the liver, gallbladder, kidneys), pelvic structures (uterus/ovaries, prostate), soft tissue lumps, and blood flow (Doppler ultrasound).

A private ultrasound means you book the scan at an accredited, fee-for-service imaging clinic instead of waiting for a publicly funded appointment. The test itself is the same—what changes is usually speed, scheduling, and appointment clarity.

Why do Canadians choose to get ultrasounds done privately?

Canadians might consider a private ultrasound when public wait times delay diagnosis and symptoms—abdominal pain, pelvic pain, swelling, a new lump, or pregnancy concerns—need answers sooner. Waiting can mean prolonged discomfort, anxiety, delayed treatment, and more time away from work, school, travel, or family responsibilities.

Private ultrasound offers faster access to accredited Canadian imaging clinics with clearer timelines—often within days. For many people, choosing private imaging is about getting answers early and moving forward with a plan, while putting less strain on the public healthcare system.

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Why use Surgency

For Canadians who want surgery in weeks, not months

Surgency is a free resource by a Canadian physician in the public system to help you find the right surgeon for your needs.

  1. Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that  surgery is advisable. A private surgeon can also confirm the diagnosis if needed.
  2. Research.
    • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
  3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
    • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
    • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
    • We recommend booking 2 - 4 consultations with different surgeons to better understand your options.
  4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
  5. Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical (and non-surgical) options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
  6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.

What does an ultrasound help diagnose?

Ultrasound is often the first-line imaging test for many common concerns, including:

Abdomen

  • Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation
  • Liver and kidney cysts or masses
  • Kidney stones (sometimes), hydronephrosis
  • Abdominal fluid (ascites)

Pelvis

  • Fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic masses
  • Endometrial thickening, abnormal bleeding workup
  • Prostate size estimates (in some cases)

Soft tissue and lumps

  • Breast lumps (often paired with mammogram)
  • Thyroid nodules
  • Lumps in the arm/leg, cyst vs solid mass

Blood flow (Doppler ultrasound)

  • Blood clots (DVT) in the legs
  • Varicose veins and venous reflux studies
  • Blood flow problems in arteries (selected cases)

Pregnancy

  • Dating/viability scans, fetal anatomy screening
  • Placenta location, fetal growth monitoring
Closeup of private shoulder ultrasound

How much does a private ultrasound cost in Canada?

Costs vary by body part, whether Doppler is included, and the clinic location.

Typical private ranges:

  • $250–$450 for a single-region ultrasound
  • $450–$1,000+ if Doppler or multiple regions are included

Price is impacted by:

  • Single area vs multiple areas (e.g., abdomen + pelvis)
  • Doppler (blood flow assessment adds time and complexity)
  • Specialized studies (e.g., detailed vascular mapping)

Tip: ask if the fee includes the radiologist report and how quickly it’s delivered.

Choosing a clinic

Choosing the right imaging centre matters for scan quality, safety, and how quickly you get results.

What to look for

Accreditation and equipment quality

  • Accreditation (provincial requirements like DAP in BC, CPSA in AB, Accreditation Canada, and/or recognized accreditation bodies)
  • Experienced sonographers and board-certified radiologists reading the scan
  • Clear report turnaround times (often 24–72 hours)
  • Transparent pricing (including Doppler, extra views, copies of images)

Questions to ask

  • Is a referral required? If so, can the centre help coordinate?
  • How soon can I be scanned?
  • When will the report be ready—and who receives it?
  • Will a radiologist be onsite or reading remotely?
  • Is Doppler included if needed?

Private ultrasound frequently asked questions

How do I know if I should get an ultrasound scan?

Ultrasound is a good fit if

  • Your symptoms involve abdomen/pelvis, a new lump, or swelling
  • You need an imaging test that is radiation-free
  • Your doctor wants a fast, accessible first step before CT/MRI

Ultrasound may not be enough when

  • The area is hard to see with sound waves (e.g., deep structures, bowel gas)
  • You need detailed imaging of bones, lungs, or complex internal anatomy
  • Your doctor suspects something that’s better evaluated with CT or MRI

Do I need a referral?

Yes, you generally do need a referral for private ultrasounds in Canada. However, you can usually contact the centre directly, and they will assist with setting up the referral for you.

What happens after the ultrasound?

A radiologist reviews the images and writes a report. The report is sent to your referring provider (and often shared with you on request). Next steps depend on results:

  • Normal: you and your doctor may monitor symptoms or pursue other causes
  • Clear finding (e.g., gallstones, cyst): treatment plan or referral
  • Unclear finding: follow-up imaging (CT/MRI), repeat ultrasound, or specialist consult

What are the risks involved with ultrasounds?

Ultrasound is considered safe:

  • No radiation
  • Generally painless (pressure can be uncomfortable if the area is tender)
  • Very low risk overall

Potential minor issues:

  • Discomfort from probe pressure
  • Mild discomfort during transvaginal ultrasound

How do I prepare for an ultrasound scan?

Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound:

Abdomen ultrasound

  • Often requires fasting for 6–8 hours (improves gallbladder and liver visibility)
  • Water may be allowed—follow clinic instructions

Pelvic ultrasound (especially transabdominal)

  • You may need a full bladder (drink water beforehand)

Transvaginal ultrasound

  • Usually no full bladder needed
  • A probe is used internally for clearer pelvic images

Thyroid / soft tissue / limb ultrasound

  • Usually no special prep

Bring:

  • Your requisition (if required)
  • Any prior imaging reports (helpful for comparison)
  • A list of symptoms and where the pain/lump is located

I still have questions

If you still have questions, then feel free to contact us directly.

Browse Vetted Private Surgeons for Ultrasound

QC
Accepting patients from all provinces
VM Med Radiology Center
Surgeon location icon
Montréal, QC
English, French
Sees adult patients

Offering rapid, high-res diagnostic MRI, CT, and PET-CT, specialized in fast breast cancer detection.

ON
Accepting patients from all provinces
Whole Body MRI
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Toronto, ON
English
Sees adult patients

Get a complete picture of what's happening inside your body to help you detect issues early and give you time to act.