An Experienced Hand: Ethnic Rhinoplasty
In parts one and two of our blog series on rhinoplasty, our experienced plastic surgeon in Toronto, Dr. Lawrence Tong, reviewed typical patient goals and concerns as well as the three keys to successful rhinoplasty surgery. This final installment will explain why rhinoplasty surgeons must take ethnicity into account when performing the surgery and how to achieve the best results possible. Toronto has been previously recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. Having a practice located in Toronto means that there is a very diverse mix of patients seeking rhinoplasty. Thus, it is important to appreciate that performing rhinoplasty among different ethnic groups requires different strategies. There are often unique anatomic traits and cultural characteristics among ethnic groups that a surgeon must take into account. For example, some ethnic groups have certain anatomical features that necessitate particular rhinoplasty techniques. Additionally, cultural influences within an ethnic group may shape their outlook and opinion about nasal aesthetics. Understanding these issues and applying the appropriate surgical principles is required for success in ethnic rhinoplasty. It is also important to note, however, that every patient is unique, and may not necessarily follow any anatomic or cultural patterns. A key tenet in ethnic rhinoplasty is that most patients want to maintain their ethnic identity. Although these patients want a look that is closer to the ‘western’ ideal of beauty (straight, […]
5 Keys To Successful Rhinoplasty
In our last blog post, Dr. Lawrence Tong discussed some common goals and concerns of his rhinoplasty patients. This second installment of our three-part blog series will outline the technical aspects rhinoplasty surgeons need to consider to achieve exceptional results. Because the nose is such a surgically dynamic anatomical area, there are some principles of rhinoplasty a surgeon (and their patients) must always keep in mind: Planning is key. As outlined in my prior post, the consultation process allows the surgeon and patient to agree on an intended objective. The method to arrive at that goal involves using a careful step-by-step surgical plan. Prior to the surgery, I create this plan by referring to a patient’s photographs, their detailed consultation notes, and the VECTRA® rhinoplasty simulations. Perfect results are impossible. There are limits to what can reasonably be accomplished with rhinoplasty. For example, it is unreasonable for a patient to expect that their nose will look like some chosen celebrity’s nose following rhinoplasty. An individual’s basic nasal architecture, tissue characteristics, and the effects of post-operative swelling and internal scar formation set limits that no amount of surgical skill can overcome. Patients should be educated on realistic expectations, or else even the best possible surgical outcome may still lead to patient disappointment. An individual’s tissue characteristics have a significant effect on the surgical outcome. A patient with firm cartilages and forgiving […]
Helping You Visualize Your Rhinoplasty Results
My rhinoplasty patients at Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery generally desire two related goals: an improved appearance and a boost in self-confidence. A typical patient has a few specific concerns about their nose such as a ‘dorsal hump’ or a ‘bulbous tip’. Other common complaints include an over-projected nose (‘sticks out too much’ / ‘too big’), crookedness, or a ‘drooping tip’. During the rhinoplasty consultation, I identify features of a patient’s nose that have potential for aesthetic improvement. My findings usually coincide with the patient’s concerns but more often than not, my examination reveals aspects of their nose they had not noticed previously. As a result, I present all surgical options, and collaborate with the patient in designing a plan for their rhinoplasty. My aim as a rhinoplasty surgeon is to educate my patients and to engage them in making decisions about their surgery. Due to the complex nature of rhinoplasty, a common concern my rhinoplasty patients voice is uncertainty about the outcome. Patients want to have a better idea of ‘how they will look’. With any plastic surgery procedure, pre-operative patients will always have some degree of anxiety about results. This is especially true with rhinoplasty – which is part of the reason why having a plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty is so vital. I find that alleviating the uncertainty requires a multipronged strategy. First, I spend a great […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon Simulates Results with VECTRA® 3D Imaging
Dr. Lawrence Tong now utilizes VECTRA® 3D imaging to help patients visualize potential results from their cosmetic surgery procedures. Toronto, Ontario — “During your cosmetic surgery consultation, VECTRA® 3D imaging can help you visualize potential results as if you actually underwent the procedure,” writes Toronto plastic surgeon Lawrence Tong, MD in a recent blog entry. The post, entitled “How VECTRA® 3D Imaging Enhances Consultations,” details some unique advantages enabled by the VECTRA® 3D imaging system – the newest addition to Dr. Tong’s plastic surgery armamentarium. Produced by Canfield Scientific, Inc., VECTRA® is a digital capture and computer software system designed to simulate realistic surgical results that patients may be able to achieve from cosmetic plastic surgery. Utilizing six camera angles, a three dimensional, high-definition image of the patient’s target treatment area is generated that can be manipulated to simulate different surgical approaches and their outcomes. Images created and manipulated by the VECTRA® software are provided as hard copies for the patient’s personal reference after the consultation. In his blog post, Dr. Tong highlights two procedures for which VECTRA® 3D imaging has greatly improved the consultation process: Rhinoplasty – “…VECTRA® 3D provides me with a ‘virtual patient’ on which I can simulate surgical adjustments and see what works best aesthetically. Additionally, the software gives details of all the changes and their precise measurements; this provides me with a roadmap of sorts […]
How VECTRA® 3D Imaging Enhances Consultations
Our practice now offers a new and exciting imaging technology for Breast Augmentation and Rhinoplasty called VECTRA® 3D Imaging. It can also be used for imaging Chin Augmentation, and Body Contouring. This technology combines a three-dimensional image capture system with surgery modeling software that allows for generation and manipulation of a digital version of your face, chest, or body. This service is part of the consultation process at no extra charge to you. During your cosmetic surgery consultation, VECTRA® 3D imaging can help you visualize potential results as if you actually underwent the procedure (I emphasize the word “potential” because VECTRA® is a computer simulation; however, the simulation is fairly accurate). Additionally, the simulation can be given to you as a hard copy, allowing comparison of different surgical options after you have gone home. I believe that this is a great improvement from the past; as opposed to trying to recall what was discussed or described in the consultation, a potential outcome is given in a form you can look at and study. From my perspective as a plastic surgeon, VECTRA® 3D imaging has also helped me improve my pre-procedure planning and analysis as well. For example, with Rhinoplasty cases, the VECTRA® 3D provides me with a ‘virtual patient’ on which I can simulate surgical adjustments and see what works best aesthetically. Additionally, the software gives details of all the […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon Harnesses Mobile Revolution with Responsive Website
The Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery recently upgraded to an innovative, responsive mobile website design that optimizes the layout of procedure information and enhances research efficiency on a variety of devices. Toronto, Ontario – With a state-of-the-art facility and a commitment to the latest in aesthetic enhancement procedures, Dr. Lawrence Tong says he strives to deliver exceptional results for the patients of his private plastic surgery practice in Toronto. Recently, Dr. Tong has taken the mission of the Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery one step further with the practice’s new, responsive mobile website. Dr. Tong says this innovative website keeps his online presence up-to-date and utilizes the latest design technology, helping patients obtain comprehensive information about the practice and the plastic surgeon, as well as educational details about specific procedures. Dr. Tong, a board-certified plastic surgeon, notes his new website allows patients to access vital information from virtually any location in a format that is digitally optimized for their personal internet device. With so many of his patients now conducting much of their internet research on a smartphone or tablet, Dr. Tong believed creating a website that is easy to navigate from those mobile devices was essential – a website that does not have to abbreviate information in order to successfully fit a smaller screen. Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery’s new mobile website includes features such as: Easy-access interactive Google […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon Highlights Techniques To Ease Breast Augmentation Recovery
With his breast augmentation patients, Dr. Tong utilizes education intensive preoperative consultations to reduce anxiety, employs precise surgical techniques to ease recovery, and provides exemplary postoperative care to provide an “extraordinary cosmetic surgery experience.” Toronto, Ontario – According to Dr. Lawrence Tong, his practice’s mission is “to provide clients with an extraordinary cosmetic surgery experience, from beginning to end, and beyond.” At Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, his private Toronto plastic surgery practice, Dr. Tong feels that this is particularly true with breast augmentation. He guides every patient through a preoperative consultation that includes detailed discussions on breast implant types, implant sizes and shapes, and different surgical approaches. Additionally, Dr. Tong keeps the patient’s recovery in mind throughout the consultation to ensure a recuperation process that is as quick and easy as possible. Dr. Tong says many breast augmentation patients have read about the experiences of others on the internet and expect significant discomfort post-surgery; however, most of his patients are surprised by the ease of their recovery. In his recent blog post entitled, “Keys to a Smoother Breast Augmentation Recovery,” Dr. Tong notes that detailed patient education about the recovery process is imperative to establishing a foundation for a smooth recovery. During preoperative consultations, patients are taught what to expect during their recovery period, which he says will significantly reduce anxiety after surgery. According to Dr. Tong, one of […]
Keys to a Smoother Breast Augmentation Recovery
Recovery from a breast augmentation doesn’t have to be as difficult as it’s often portrayed to be. In fact, there are a number of techniques that plastic surgeons can utilize to ease recovery, as well as advice patients can heed in order to expedite the process themselves. Below is a Q&A session we conducted with our double-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Tong, to highlight the keys to a smoother recovery following breast augmentation surgery. Question: Most importantly, what do patients need to know about recovery from breast augmentation? Dr. Tong: Most patients are actually surprised about the ease of recovery. Many have read about the experiences of others on the Internet and expect something much worse. In general, patients only require the narcotic-based pain medications for a few days before tapering them significantly or stopping them altogether and opting for something without narcotics. Patients are usually back to work within five to seven days, but are not allowed to exercise until one month after surgery. Tightness of the chest is a common complaint. This occurs because the muscle and skin is stretched by the implant, giving the sensation of chest tightness. The good news is, this feeling generally fades within the first few days. Sleeping with the head and chest slightly elevated will decrease chest swelling much more rapidly while helping the breast implants to settle faster. Q: What techniques […]
SPF – Its Importance
Sunscreen – Its Importance I would like to start by introducing myself, my name is Annamaria, the medical Esthetician for Dr.Tong here at the Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery and I will be writing from time to time regarding our lovely skin care products as well as the many treatments that we offer. Our clinic stands out from the rest because it is not only a full medical clinic that customizes and tailors each treatment for each individual skin condition or concern but we incorporate a variety of treatments in one session. We love to pamper and indulge our clients with luxurious serums that treat conditions such as Rosacea or acne but are also highly effective as anti-aging creams. For my first blog and probably the most important one, I will be discussing the importance of SPF. I have come across many clients that choose not to use/wear sunscreen and repeatedly I cannot help but to stress the fact that it is detrimental to your skins health. We tend to forget how crucial SPF can be in our regular daily skin care routine. It is also very important to realize that we need sun protection both in winter and summer months. Surprisingly the sun’s rays bounce off the snow and reflect onto our skin, causing damage just at a slower rate. In my opinion, sunscreen is the #1 anti-aging product […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon on the Benefits of Mommy Makeover Procedures
Dr. Lawrence Tong provides individualized mommy makeover procedures at his Toronto plastic surgery practice and lets prospective patients know what they can expect for results and recovery. Toronto, Ontario – Dr. Lawrence Tong, a Toronto plastic surgeon, knows that while motherhood brings joyful changes into a woman’s life, the progression of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and child care often cause significant changes to her physical appearance. He notes that the post-pregnancy modification of exercise routines, eating habits, and lifestyle can result not only in physiological changes, but also can negatively affect self-esteem and confidence levels. For this reason, Dr. Tong says he offers his patients at Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery mommy makeover procedures in order to address their post-pregnancy concerns. According to Dr. Tong, about 20% of his plastic surgery patients receive mommy makeover procedures. The ideal mommy makeover candidate is a woman who is in good general health, not significantly over or underweight, and near her desired post-pregnancy weight. Additionally, he says the patient should also have completed breast feeding and be at least three to six months post-delivery if she is considering tummy enhancement. A mommy makeover typically consists of a combination of procedures that are individually customized to address each patient’s unique concerns. Common mommy makeover procedures can include: Breast augmentation Breast lift Tummy tuck Liposuction Each consultation is personally conducted by Dr. Tong, and a recommendation is […]