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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon on Benefits of Fat Transfer Procedures
TORONTO — Dr. Lawrence Tong, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Toronto, says new innovations in surgical techniques have dramatically improved the number of options available to patients for improving their appearance as well as their self-esteem. According to Dr. Tong, one of the most influential advancements in plastic surgery over the past few years has been the use of fat transfer to achieve safe, natural results during procedures like facial rejuvenation, buttock augmentation, and breast augmentation. “Fat transfer is basically removing fat from one area of the body and placing it in another to improve the volume of the recipient area,” says Dr. Tong. “The most noticeable benefits of fat transfer procedures are that the results last longer than treatments such as dermal fillers. It has the ability to create a more natural-looking outcome, especially in cases where a significant amount of volume is needed.” Dr. Tong says he typically takes fat from places where patients have an excess amount, for example the flank, outer thigh, or abdomen, and carefully injects it into areas that have lost fullness or shape. While fat transfer can be used for procedures such as buttock enhancement or breast augmentation, he says a majority of his Toronto plastic surgery patients request the technique to enhance the appearance of their faces. Particularly with facial procedures, Dr. Tong says fat transfer has become a popular method because […]
Breaking Down the Facelift with Toronto Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong
TORONTO, ON, CA — According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), facelifts are the fifth most popular cosmetic surgical procedure, with almost 120,000 performed in 2011. Having increased in demand by over five percent, Dr. Lawrence Tong and his Toronto plastic surgery practice say the rising demand for facial rejuvenation and facial lifting treatments has necessitated improved patient education as well as an increase in awareness about the complexities of the procedure. As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Toronto, Dr. Tong focuses on a wide variety of treatments ranging from nonsurgical injections such as BOTOX® Cosmetic to breast augmentation and the mommy makeovers. He says patient education is an essential part of the plastic surgery process, and one he promotes no matter what procedure patients are interested in. For facelifts in particular, Dr. Tong says patients should be aware of how the procedure is performed and how plastic surgeons strive to create the most natural, youthful outcome possible before they choose to undergo any treatment. “The most common concern amongst my facelift patients is the desire to look younger but with a natural appearance,” says Dr. Tong. “When I perform a facelift procedure, there are two tissue layers that are lifted and tightened: the inner ‘muscle’ layer and the skin. Most of the lift effect is attained by lifting the inner layer, and […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon on Latest Breast Augmentation -Trends
Toronto, ON — According to the latest statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), breast augmentation is the second most common form of surgical cosmetic enhancement, with more than 316,000 procedures performed in 2011. Liposuction was the most common procedure in 2011 with 325,332 procedures performed; however, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong says breast augmentation is still the most popular surgical procedure at his practice. According to the ASAPS numbers, of the 316,848 breast augmentation procedures performed, 31% of these procedures used saline implants, while 69% used silicone implants. At his Toronto plastic surgery practice, Dr. Tong says an even greater percentage of patients choose silicone implants: “In Canada, silicone implants have been available for many years longer than in the United States, following the moratorium. I believe this time difference has led to significantly higher utilization of silicone vs. saline implants. In my practice, silicone implants make up more than 95% of the breast implants I use.” Regardless of whether his patients choose silicone or saline implants, the Toronto plastic surgeon says he urges anyone considering a breast enhancement procedure to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. He says the process of undergoing multi-year specialty training and passing rigorous examinations in order to become board-certified is unparalleled, and provides surgeons with the tools and techniques to ensure each patient receives the safest care and most […]
Dr. Lawrence Tong treats PIP Breast Implant patients in Toronto, Canada
Recently, I have started to see patients at my Toronto plastic surgery practice, to have their PIP breast implants removed. All of these women had their breast augmentation surgery performed abroad. The PIP implants were never approved for use in North America, so patients who had breast augmentation performed in Canada should not be alarmed. Background Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) breast implants have been a subject of major concern for women around the world over the last few months. The French company is accused of manufacturing breast implants with industrial grade silicone gel, instead of a much higher quality medical grade silicone. There is concern that these implants have a higher rupture rate, and that the silicone inside these implants may release toxic substances if a rupture were to occur. On December 23, 2011, the French government recommended that the estimated 30,000 women in France with PIP implants seek surgical removal. On January 6, 2012, the British government has also stated that it would pay for women who require the implants removed (if deemed medically necessary), for the estimated 30,000-40,000 women in Britain who have PIP implants. Surgical Options for PIP Breast Implant Removal The goal in removing these implants is to do so en bloc. This means that the breast implant and surrounding scar tissue (the capsule) is removed as one single unit. The implants are not traumatized in […]
Toronto Breast Augmentation: How to choose the proper breast implant size
My breast implant patients often ask how to choose the optimal breast implant size. In my opinion, there are three factors that should be taken into account: The patient’s personal wishes The patient’s anatomy Trialing breast implant sizers The patient’s wishes Cosmetic surgery is often about obtaining a certain look that a patient is seeking. Most patients have an idea of how they would like their breasts to look, but are not able to verbalize exactly what this is. I find that having patients look through photos of breast augmentation patients helps me to understand what they are seeking. By looking at the photos, they let me know if a particular result is ‘too small’, ‘too large’, or ‘just right’ for them. Based on this information, I can usually define the ‘look’ that a patient is trying to achieve. I tell patients not to be hung up on particular cup size or ‘number of cc’s’ of a particular implant. Instead, they should focus on what looks good to them. A patient’s anatomy Any given breast implant will look different in one patient versus another, due to variations in patient height, weight, chest circumference, native breast volume, etc… Every patient’s anatomy determines an optimal range of implant sizes that will achieve a natural appearance. By this, I mean some implants will be too small, and some implants will be too large, […]