Trimming Your Waistline: A Comparative Look at Full and Mini Tummy Tuck Procedures
Achieving a flat, toned abdomen is a common goal, but it’s often difficult to accomplish through diet and exercise alone. For those looking for surgical solutions, there are two primary options: the full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and the mini tummy tuck. Each procedure offers unique benefits, and understanding the differences can help you decide which option is best for you. What is a Full Tummy Tuck? A full tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a comprehensive surgical procedure designed to create a thinner, flatter, and tighter midsection. This surgery addresses three main components: loose skin, excess fat, and lax abdominal muscles. During the procedure, excess skin and fat are removed, and the abdominal muscles are tightened to create a firmer abdominal wall. Benefits of a Full Tummy Tuck: Removes Loose Abdominal Skin and Stretch Marks: This procedure directly removes excess skin and accompanying stretch marks, resulting in a tighter abdomen with fewer stretch marks. Reduces Excess Abdominal Fat: In addition to skin removal, excess fat attached to the skin is also removed. Supplementary liposuction may be performed to further reduce fat. Tightens Lax Abdominal Muscles: Pregnancy and weight gain can stretch and weaken the abdominal muscles. A full tummy tuck stitches these muscles back together, creating an internal girdle that leaves the abdomen flat and possibly concave, and slims the waistline. Ideal Candidates for a Full Tummy Tuck: Significant skin laxity […]
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 […]
Can I Get a Breast Lift Without Noticeable Scars?
In a perfect world, all aesthetic surgeries would be performed without scarring. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for surgical procedures that require incisions to be made on the surface of the skin. Breast lift surgery—also known as mastopexy—is one such procedure, as incisions are necessary to remove excess skin and correct breast drooping (ptosis). That said, board-certified plastic surgeons are trained in achieving the least visible degree of scarring possible through meticulous technique and expert positioning of incisions. There are three different scars typically associated with mastopexy. These scars may or may not be present, depending on the type of breast lift. These include: Periareolar Scar – The periareolar scar occurs from an incision made around the outer perimeter of the nipple-areolar complex, where the darker pigment of the areola meets the lighter-coloured breast skin. This scar tends to be fairly inconspicuous when nude because of the colour difference. Breast Fold Scar – The breast fold scar is produced by an incision running horizontally along the natural crease below the breast (inframammary fold). The breasts themselves generally keep this scar well concealed. Vertical Scar – The vertical scar is created by an incision that extends from the bottom of the nipple-areolar complex to the inframammary fold. In the nude, this tends to be the most visible scar of the three. Some individuals who have minimal breast ptosis may only […]
Diastasis Recti Treatment After Pregnancy
Numerous women complain about significant abdominal bulging following pregnancy even after their weight has returned to pre-pregnancy levels. Diastasis recti is a cosmetic concern that numerous women encounter after pregnancy. This condition occurs as a result of stretching of the abdominal wall and a separation between the rectus (‘six-pack’) muscles. It is characterized by a prominent bulge or “pooch” in the mid to lower abdomen. The protrusion or bulge is typically immune to both diet and exercise. In some cases, this protrusion can be so apparent that new mothers often feel they still look pregnant. Fortunately, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is an excellent treatment option for women bothered by diastasis recti following pregnancy. In addition to removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, tummy tuck surgery allows plastic surgeons to bring muscles of the abdominal wall back to their initial position, making the muscles tighter in the process. The end result can be a significantly flatter stomach and slimmer waistline. If you are troubled by a post-pregnancy stomach bulge that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise efforts, my advice is to seek the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon who has considerable experience in abdominoplasty. Surgery is quite often the only solution for diastasis recti, and a plastic surgeon can determine whether a tummy tuck—or possibly a mini tummy tuck—would be an appropriate treatment option for your unique needs […]
Dr. Lawrence Tong discusses a recent study stating cosmetic plastic surgery is now deemed safe for seniors, and even octogenarians!
Plastic surgery, once thought to keep the middle aged forever young, has now been deemed just as safe for their older counterparts wishing to maintain or rejuvenate their appearance. A study released by Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, shows that cosmetic surgeries performed on patients over the age of 65 have almost identical margins for post-operative complications as those for younger patients. With a compilations rate of 1.94% for patients in their senior years and 1.84% for patients who are younger, the study deems these differences “statistically insignificant”. The only procedure that showed a higher complication rate among older patients was Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)—5.4% to 3.9%, respectively. Further in the study, the author states that plastic surgery is even safe for those in their octogenarian year, with a post-operative complication rate of 2.2%. Dr. Tong agrees but adds that age is not the only factor used to evaluate whether a patient is a suitable candidate for surgery. Other very important factors include prior medical history (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity etc…), smoking history, prior surgical procedures, and any difficulties with prior anesthetics, to name a few. When appropriate, further coordination between the anesthesia staff and a patient’s own physician(s) may occur to determine a patient’s suitability. We strive to provide the highest quality care for adult patients of all ages, and patient safety is our highest concern. […]
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 […]