5 Advantages of Mini Neck Lift Compared to Liposuction for Neck Rejuvenation
Neck contouring surgery is commonly requested of plastic surgeons. For patients who have excess (sagging or lax) neck skin, a neck lift procedure (or one of its variants) will be required. These procedures include Neck Lift, extended Neck Lift, or Facelift. What about when excess skin is NOT an issue? Patients are often better suited to a less invasive Neck Liposuction or alternatively, a Mini Neck Lift. To ensure patients’ cosmetic goals are achieved, Dr. Tong carefully assesses each patient to determine which procedure is best suited for a particular individual. In this blog post, Dr. Lawrence Tong compares Mini Neck Lift to Neck Liposuction. What is Neck (submental) Liposuction? Neck Liposuction is a less invasive procedure that is performed specifically to reduce subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat that sits beneath the skin) in the areas under the chin and neck. This area, called the submental area, is where a “double chin” resides. Submental fat is often situated under the chin from the bottom edge of the jawline, extending laterally to the ears, and is also a main culprit when patients complain about a lack of jawline definition. Treating the area under the chin and the neck with Liposuction allows Dr. Tong to sculpt the area to correct a double chin, reveal a more defined jawline, and create a slimmer neck. What is a Mini Neck Lift? A Mini […]
Maximize Your Facelift Results with Complementary Enhancements
Facelift surgery is an effective procedure that can turn back the hands of time and rejuvenate your appearance. For many patients, achieving the best possible Facelift results involves a combination of treatments. Choosing treatments which are right for you and your aesthetic goals are key to a comprehensive and harmonious transformation. As a reminder, Facelift surgery aims to: Improve deep lines and wrinkles on the face, such as smile lines Improve sagging of the cheeks and jawline Improve the appearance of the neck by tightening loose skin, removing excess fat, and smoothing away wrinkles and platysmal bands As a Toronto plastic surgeon experienced in delivering natural-looking Facelift results, Dr. Lawrence Tong shares some of his favourite complementary procedures for optimizing Facelift results below. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Blepharoplasty, also called Eyelid Surgery or an Eye Lift, enhances the eyes by addressing sagging eyelids and puffiness. The upper and lower lids can benefit from blepharoplasty. Combining this procedure with Facelift surgery restores a youthful look for a balanced and refreshed appearance. Brow lift As the face and neck sag and descend with age, so do the forehead, temples, and brows. An endoscopic brow lift or lateral brow lift are procedures that aim to rejuvenate the upper third of the face. A brow lift can elevate and tighten the forehead and temples, reduce wrinkles, reposition the brows, and reshape the brow arch. Brow […]
7 Things to Know About Eyelid Surgery Recovery
The recovery period after eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is different for every patient. Still, there are some aspects to eyelid surgery recovery that are universal. To help his Toronto-area patients feel educated and prepared for recovery after eyelid surgery, Dr. Lawrence Tong shares some helpful information about what can be expected, as well as tips to help make recovery easier. 1. Swelling and bruising are common It is common to experience swelling and bruising after eyelid surgery. This is a normal part of the healing process and should subside over the next week or two. Applying cold compresses to the area can help reduce swelling and bruising. Dr. Tong also recommends sleeping with your head elevated for the first week after your procedure. It is also normal to feel some discomfort after eyelid surgery, and your eyes may feel irritated or dry. Dr. Tong will recommend eye drops to help with this, and these symptoms should resolve quickly.1 2. You’ll need to take time off from work If you go to work performing a non-strenuous job (eg. in an office setting), Dr. Tong recommends taking approximately one week off from work after eyelid surgery. If you work from home, you can generally start working sooner, especially if you do not need to show your face on video. Dr. Tong will let you know when you are cleared to return to work, […]
Breast Augmentation Myths
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is frequently performed by Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong. Despite its popularity, there are still many myths surrounding breast augmentation. To help patients make an informed decision about this procedure, we have debunked some of the most common myths about breast augmentation. Myth 1: Breast Implants Are Dangerous And Can Cause Cancer One of the most common myths surrounding breast augmentation is that breast implants are dangerous. However, this is not true. The Canadian government has approved both saline and silicone breast implants as safe for use in cosmetic surgery.1 This is not to say that breast augmentation surgery is completely risk free; every surgical procedure has its associated potential risks and complications. In general though, breast augmentation is a very safe procedure with a low risk profile. There is no increased risk of developing breast cancer with breast implants. However, there is an association with breast implants and a type of cancer of the immune system (BIA-ALCL). This rare form of cancer is not classified as breast cancer, it is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant. For patients who receive appropriate and timely treatment, the prognosis is very good.2 Additionally BIA-ALCL is almost exclusively associated with textured implants which Dr. Tong […]
COVID-19 Health Update
Our Commitment to Your Safety During COVID-19 Dr. Lawrence Tong and Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery are very pleased to announce that our office is open and operational! We are also happy to report that cosmetic surgery in the operating room has also resumed. Obviously, the current health environment demands extra vigilance from everyone. As we all adjust to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our practice takes the responsibility of providing quality care very seriously. We are working diligently to ensure you are coming into a safe environment and we would like to share with you some of the safety measures that have been implemented. As an alternative to in-person visits, patients can choose to have virtual visits for new consultations and follow-up appointments. Clearly, some circumstances (eg. undergoing injectable treatments) make virtual visits impossible, and an in-person appointment would be the most appropriate option. When you come for an appointment at our office, we are: Enhancing social distancing by scheduling appointments that are carefully timed with the goal of eliminating any physical contact between you and any other patients. Eliminating the practice of seating patients in the waiting room to minimize potential contact with others. Implementing new physical arrangements and barriers within the office to improve distancing measures between patients and staff when possible. Controlling the flow of patients and potential contact with others by directing their movements […]
Can Blepharoplasty Get Rid of Tired Eyes?
The eyes are typically considered the most expressive feature of the face, which is why puffiness, dark circles, and lax skin around the eyelids often feign the appearance of tiredness and fatigue—even at your most energetic state. Tired-looking eyes may be experienced by a diverse range of ages, from individuals in their twenties to middle-aged patients and beyond. If you struggle with a weary appearance, both upper and lower blepharoplasty can help you look more awake and alert by minimizing the characteristics that give the impression of aging or fatigue. In the upper eyelids, puffiness, crow’s feet, and eyelid hooding can culminate to jeopardize a bright and wide-eyed aesthetic, often making patients seem older than they are. Upper blepharoplasty is designed to minimize this aged look by variously tightening loose skin, smoothing wrinkles, removing excess fat bulges, and rejuvenating droopy lids (medically known as ptosis). By resolving these tissue attributes, the eyes can generally appear more expressive and youthful. In the lower eyelids, loss of support from the tissues surrounding the eyes can cause shadowing, dark circles, and eye bags to develop. Lower blepharoplasty is often utilized to treat these concerns, with the procedure intended to smooth the contour under the eye. This is accomplished by addressing protruding excess fat as well as tightening loose skin and lax supporting structures. Depending on your concerns, upper and lower eyelid surgery can […]
How to Get Rid of Jowls
One of the biggest aesthetic concerns experienced by patients as they grow older is the formation of jowls, a key sign of facial aging that is characterized by sagging skin along the cheeks and jawline. Relaxed facial skin is caused by a number of factors, including the natural waning of collagen production as well as depleted volume in the mid-face. These bodily changes are inevitable, but patients don’t have to resign themselves to living with jowls forever. If you believe your outward appearance does not reflect how you feel inside, our board-certified plastic surgeon can help you lift and tighten sagging facial skin to reclaim a more youthful look. Dr. Lawrence Tong performs facelift surgery at his Toronto plastic surgery practice, a highly effective procedure that can eliminate jowls, soften wrinkles, and generally smooth the facial appearance to restore a younger-looking version of yourself. This rejuvenation is achieved by tightening the underlying muscle layer in the face and neck, after which excess skin and fatty deposits in the lower face are removed. The skin is then redraped and incisions are closed to yield a natural and “unoperated” aesthetic, allowing patients to appear more vital and refreshed. A facelift is considered the most powerful technique to get rid of jowls, with results typically lasting well into the future despite the continuation of the aging process. However, variations of a facelift can […]
How Can I Get Rid of a Double Chin?
Many patients at our Toronto practice visit Dr. Lawrence Tong in search of a way to improve the contour under their neck and eliminate submental fat in the region, which can create the appearance of a “double chin.” Whether a more defined neck profile is being inhibited by excess fatty deposits, stretched skin, loose musculature, or a combination of all these factors, our board-certified plastic surgeon offers a number of surgical and non-surgical solutions to achieve the sleeker, leaner aesthetic you desire. In general, chin and neck liposuction is considered the most effective way to reduce excessive fullness in the chin and neck region. Using a single tiny incision and a narrow surgical instrument called a cannula, fatty deposits under the chin are extracted, thereby creating a slimmer and sharper facial profile. This technique can be very effective if fatty tissue is the only component contributing to the look of a double chin; however, if a smoother neck contour is also being inhibited by horizontal neck bands, loose skin, or muscle laxity (platysmal bands), a neck lift is usually better suited to address these concerns more comprehensively. The procedure utilizes a number of discreet incisions behind the ears and beneath the chin to access the framework of the neck, allowing correction of excess fat, loose skin, and lax musculature. The neck lift (and its related procedures, such as extended neck […]
What are the Benefits of Brow Lift Surgery?
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, is a popular cosmetic procedure designed to achieve a younger-looking and rejuvenated brow and forehead region. Signs of aging can be pronounced in the forehead due to factors such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, and the formation of wrinkling from repeated facial expressions. As a result, many patients have ‘permanent’ horizontal forehead creases, vertical frown lines, and sagging brow skin that can yield an elderly appearance in the upper facial region. Furthermore, over time, the aging process causes the eyebrows to droop to a lower position, causing excess skin to descend into the eyelids (especially laterally), creating a look of stress, anger, or constant tiredness. For patients in Toronto and surrounding areas seeking to address signs of aging in the forehead and brow region, plastic surgeon Lawrence Tong, MD offers brow lift surgery to resolve these concerns and achieve a refreshed, natural-looking outcome. The procedure is designed to (i) alleviate and tighten lax skin in the forehead, (ii) smooth horizontal forehead wrinkles and “frown lines” between the eyebrows, and (iii) elevate the brows to a more pleasing and youthful position. Dr. Tong typically utilizes the endoscopic brow lift technique, which employs specialized surgical instruments via shorter incisions than a traditional ‘open’ approach. This results in a less invasive surgery with a shorter recovery period and lesser risk of complications when […]
Combining Eyelid and Brow Lift Surgery
As the brow often ages in conjunction with the eyelids, patients who exhibit signs of facial aging in the upper face frequently opt to combine the blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) procedure with a brow lift. Due to factors such as sun exposure, formation of facial expressions, genetics, and the natural aging process, the eyes and forehead typically age at an accelerated pace when compared to other facial features. Skin in the eyelids and brow starts to loosen and sag, eyebrows often droop to create the appearance of persistent fatigue, and horizontal forehead creases and “crow’s feet” around the corners of the eyes begin to develop. Together, these aesthetic concerns can compromise a youthful, well-rested facial appearance. While each surgery is designed to achieve different goals, undergoing both an eyelid lift and a brow lift simultaneously can provide far-reaching facial rejuvenation in one operation. Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper and/or lower eyelids depending on your needs. This procedure is designed to remove and tighten excess eyelid skin, smooth wrinkled skin around the eyes, and remove and/or reposition fatty deposits to correct the appearance of puffy or baggy eyelids. In contrast, brow lift surgery is focused on improving the forehead and brow position. The eyebrows are elevated to a more youthful and rejuvenated position, while lax forehead skin is tightened and horizontal forehead wrinkles are made smooth. The frown lines […]