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Are There Age Limitations for Breast Augmentation?

This is an excellent question asked by numerous patients who come to my practice seeking to enhance the volume, contour, and overall appearance of their breasts. Health Canada advises that patients should be at least 18 years old for saline implants and 22 years old for silicone implants. That being said, age is not considered a significant factor in determining candidacy for breast augmentation. In fact, here at the Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, I have successfully performed breast augmentation for women ranging in age from the late teens and early twenties to those in their fifties, sixties, and beyond. Typically more important than a one’s age, is their health status and overall expectations for the outcome of their procedure. Patients should be generally fit and healthy, with no unmanaged medical conditions or detrimental lifestyle habits (such as smoking) that could pose a threat to proper healing. In addition, they should have a good idea of what can realistically be achieved with breast augmentation based on their unique needs and aesthetic goals. If you are interested in breast enhancement with implants, I strongly encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience and demonstrable augmentation results. Taking age and various other factors into consideration, he or she should be able to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. – Dr. […]

Do Breast Implants Obstruct Mammograms?

The possibility of breast implants obstructing mammogram screenings is a concern expressed by many women who are interested in breast augmentation. Although it is true that the presence of implants can make viewing breast tissues more difficult during a traditional mammogram, particular methods can be utilized to aid in the delivery of more accurate and definitive mammography results. One technique that can be employed to enhance the precision of mammograms for women with breast implants positioned below the pectoral muscle (submuscular) is referred to as “implant displacement.” Using this method, the breast tissue is pulled forward while pushing the implant backwards along the chest wall during the mammogram. Along with the four normal mammogram x-rays, this technique enables four special images to be captured for a more complete view of the breast tissues. Anyone who has breast implants scheduling a mammogram should inform the clinic or hospital of this when making their appointment. Doing so will enable the radiology team to better prepare for the screening, ultimately leading to the most precise and conclusive results possible. In the event the implant displacement technique (or any other approach) fails to produce an acceptable mammogram result, an MRI can be requested. This advanced imaging method allows the radiologist to obtain a more detailed view of the breast tissues when implants are causing a substantial hindrance to examining the tissues. Despite the utilization […]

Which Implant Placement Provides the Most Natural Appearance?

When it comes to achieving natural-looking breast augmentation results, choosing the right implants is generally the first decision that comes to mind. While this is certainly a major factor in creating an ideal outcome, there are several other choices that can significantly impact the final results of treatment, one of which is the location of breast implant placement. For the vast majority of women, I advise placing breast implants below the pectoral muscle (submuscular positioning) as opposed to above the muscle (subglandular positioning). In my experience, this location tends to yield the most natural-looking and feeling results due to the increased tissue coverage and smoother, more gradual contour between the implant and chest wall. Additional advantages of the submuscular placement can include a decreased risk of capsular contracture, more accurate mammogram imaging, and improved long-term support for the implant. Although submuscular placement is generally preferred, it does not imply that placing breast implants above the pectoral muscle will result in an unnatural-looking outcome. In fact, many patients achieve excellent results with subglandular implant positioning, particularly those who have a sufficient amount of breast skin and tissue to cover the implants. To identify the best implant placement for you, I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who has considerable experience and proven results with both techniques. Following an evaluation of your unique needs and goals, the most […]

Toronto Plastic Surgeon Answers Three FAQs about Plastic Surgery and Pregnancy

Lawrence Tong, MD of the Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery responds to a trio of common questions regarding how pregnancy can affect a previous breast augmentation or tummy tuck. Toronto, ON — For women who desire to start a family in the future, the decision to undergo certain cosmetic surgery procedures can be a bit more complex than for those who have already had children, states Dr. Lawrence Tong, a double board certified plastic surgeon in Toronto. These individuals have to consider the physical changes that typically accompany pregnancy and breastfeeding, he continues, as well as how the timing of surgery can impact the results of a treatment they may have previously received. At his practice, Dr. Tong says two procedures that often raise questions regarding plastic surgery and pregnancy are breast augmentation and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Some of the most common inquiries he hears from prospective patients include: “Will pregnancy harm my breast implants?” “Can I still breast feed with breast implants?” “Is it okay to undergo tummy tuck surgery before having kids?” According to the Toronto plastic surgeon: “Regardless of the specific changes that may occur during and after pregnancy, the form and integrity of breasts implants should not be compromised, no matter the type of implants that were placed.” That said, some woman may develop excess skin and/or breast drooping as a result of breast volume fluctuations, […]

Will Breast Implants Affect My Ability to Breast Feed?

When considering breast augmentation, it is not uncommon for women to wonder if implants will impede their ability to breast feed should they plan to have children in the future. The truth is this: not all females are able to produce enough breast milk to breast feed, regardless of whether or not they have undergone augmentation. Consequently, if the patient has not attempted to nurse a child before receiving implants, she may not know she was unable to do so in the first place (which contributes to the misbelief that breast implants invariably have a negative impact on breast feeding). There is no doubt that breast augmentation has the potential to negatively impact the ability to breast feed. That said, women who are capable of producing a sufficient amount of breast milk prior to receiving breast implants should still be able to breast feed their children after breast augmentation, especially when specific techniques are utilized. Breast augmentation surgery can affect breast feeding by disrupting milk glands while placing the implants, or injuring the nerves around the nipple/areola region. In addition, compression of the glandular tissue by the implant can impact the ability to nurse. Ultimately, for patients concerned about breast feeding after breast augmentation, there are certain techniques that can be employed to minimize the risk. These methods include inserting the implants through an incision made in the breast fold […]

Tummy Tuck and Pregnancy

Two questions that are frequently asked by women interested in tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) include: “Can I get a tummy tuck before having children?” and “Will my health or my child’s health be at risk if I become pregnant after a tummy tuck?” My response to these inquiries ultimately depends on the unique individual, but the following information can generally apply to most women seeking abdominoplasty. From a health perspective, receiving a tummy tuck prior to having children is typically fine for the majority of patients. However, for aesthetic purposes, I usually advise females to hold off on abdominoplasty until after they are done having kids, especially if they plan to have children in the near future. When women who have previously undergone a tummy tuck become pregnant, the skin and muscle tissues of their abdomen often restretch to accomodate the developing baby, frequently compromising the results of their former procedure. For many patients, this creates the need and/or desire for a revisional procedure to help regain the more toned and slimmer abdominal shape attained with their initial abdominoplasty. Regarding any wellness issues related to post-tummy tuck pregnancy, the majority of women do not need to be concerned. Aside from the cosmetic changes noted above, becoming pregnant after abdominoplasty should not pose any threat to a woman’s health or the health of her baby. For those who do become pregnant, […]

Will Pregnancy Harm My Breast Implants?

This is a question I hear commonly from prospective breast augmentation patients who desire and/or are planning to have children in the future. Prior to answering this question, it is important to first call attention to the fact that the various changes women experience during pregnancy and breastfeeding will be unique to every individual. As a result, some females will encounter entirely different physical changes than others. That said, the great majority of women with breast implants (as well as those who don’t have implants) will experience some degree of breast swelling during pregnancy, generally followed by subtle to significant volume loss once nursing has stopped. Regardless of the specific changes that may occur during and after pregnancy, the form and integrity of breasts implants should not be compromised, no matter the type of implants that were placed. This does not mean, however, that the look and feel of the breasts will return exactly to their pre-pregnancy state. Depending on the particular physical changes experienced, some women might notice an excess of skin or drooping (ptosis) in the breasts. If this is the case – and if desired – a breast lift (mastopexy) and/or larger implants may be an excellent option for restoring the breast shape, size, and projection achieved with the original breast augmentation. Ultimately, it is nearly impossible to predict the degree to which the breasts will change […]

Is Liposuction or Abdominoplasty Right for Me?

Is Liposuction or Abdominoplasty More Appropriate for Me? Many individuals who are interested in body sculpting around the midsection wonder if liposuction or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) would be a better option for achieving their aesthetic goals. Although these treatments can both be used to restore a flatter, more toned abdominal contour, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are performed to address distinctive cosmetic concerns. Consequently, determining which would be more appropriate for each patient will be dependant upon the specific issue(s) he or she desires to improve. For men and women whose concerns consist exclusively of stubborn pockets of fat in and/or around the stomach region, liposuction will generally be the most effective option as it’s aim is to remove diet and exercise-resistant fat cells from numerous areas of the body. For individuals whose aesthetic concerns include redundant skin, lax abdominal muscles, and/or noticeable stretch marks, abdominoplasty will usually be the best technique. This popular procedure is designed to remove excess skin, tighten muscles of the abdominal wall, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. As a result of the removal of excess abdominal skin, a significant amount of fat is typically removed as well. However, if additional fat removal is needed and/or desired in other areas of the trunk, liposuction can also be incorporated with the tummy tuck procedure. Ultimately, liposuction and abdominoplasty can each be extremely beneficial for […]

What Will My Scar Look Like After Abdominoplasty?

Following abdominoplasty – commonly known as tummy tuck surgery – the final appearance of your scar(s) will depend on a combination of factors, including the specific surgical technique employed, how much skin is removed, how well you care for your incisions postoperatively, and your body’s natural healing process. Keeping this in mind, there are a few general principles that can often apply to tummy tuck scarring as a whole. During a full abdominoplasty procedure, an incision will typically be made from hipbone to hipbone along the lower abdomen (usually at or below the location of a C-section scar). This scar tends to heal well and can be hidden by most underwear and bathing suit varieties. Similarly, the incision for a mini tummy tuck is generally made below the bikini line, though it’s shorter length is similar to that of a C-section scar. In fact, the mini abdominoplasty scar can often be designed to replace an existing, unsightly C-section scar for patients who have previously undergone a cesarean delivery. With a regular tummy tuck, a second incision will be made circumferentially inside the lip of the belly button, hidden within the navel’s natural curvature. With a mini tummy tuck, a much smaller (3 mm) incision is made at the inside lip of the belly button to remove fat via liposuction, which blends nicely with surrounding skin. Ultimately, it is the plastic […]

What’s the Difference Between a Mini and Full Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty) is a popular body sculpting option for individuals seeking to enhance the appearance of their abdominal midsection because it typically involves less surgery and a quicker recovery than a full tummy tuck. These advantages can be credited to a key difference between the two surgical techniques: the size of the targeted treatment area. A full tummy tuck – also called a full abdominoplasty – is performed to rejuvenate the entire abdominal region, extending from the upper pubic area to just below the ribcage. This approach involves removing excess skin and fat, minimizing stretch marks, and tightening abdominal muscles located both above and below the belly button. In contrast, a mini abdominoplasty is a less extensive procedure with shorter incisions designed to address concerns mainly below the belly button level. While this technique also involves the removal of excess skin as well as the tightening of abdominal muscles, the amount skin removal is more limited, and muscle tightening is concentrated on the lower abdomen. Fat removal via liposuction, however, is performed throughout the entire abdomen during a mini tummy tuck. Based on what each procedure can accomplish, a mini tummy tuck is typically better suited for patients whose aesthetic concerns are: excess fat of the abdomen, minor skin excess in the lower abdomen, and muscle laxity below the belly button. A full tummy tuck is […]

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