Toronto, Ontario – The Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, a center for plastic surgery in Toronto, offers a variety of cosmetic surgery and med spa procedures, from skin resurfacing to breast augmentation to liposuction. After any plastic surgery procedure, Dr. Lawrence Tong says patients need to take care of their investment. He stresses the importance of exercise and healthy nutrition in order to maintain the results achieved from surgery, adding that without an effort to have some type of a diet and exercise regimen, individuals can jeopardize their aesthetic results.
Dr. Lawrence Tong, a board-certified Toronto plastic surgeon, says although plastic surgery can make patients look thinner or more proportionate, cosmetic surgery does not prevent or cure disease (such as diabetes or high blood pressure). Plastic surgery, therefore, represents just one facet of looking good and feeling healthy.
According to Dr. Tong, allowing the body to heal after surgery is just as important as exercising afterward. If an individual begins to exercise too early, they risk adversely affecting the healing process. Additionally, exercising too early can be uncomfortable and can lead to swelling, thus prolonging the recovery time. Premature exercise after surgery also places stress on both the healing incisions and muscles, which can negatively affect the end result.
The timing to start exercising varies according to the procedure. Dr. Tong says once a patient has sufficiently recovered from surgery (as specified by their surgeon), patients are advised to resume exercise. He says after liposuction, his patients can resume exercise after two weeks, whereas with breast augmentation and tummy tuck, his patients should wait until six weeks. In general, he adds that patients starting to exercise after surgery should gradually increase their workout intensity over time, as not to risk injury.
Along with exercise, diet and nutrition are also important components of maintaining aesthetic results. Dr. Tong says:
“A well balanced diet provides good nutrition and prevents unwanted fat from affecting the surgical results. This is important both during and after the healing stage. Lean meats, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables are key components for a speedy recovery and maintaining good nutrition afterwards. In addition, proper portion control is as important as the types of food that are consumed.”
Dr. Tong says abstaining from smoking and sun tanning is also very important as these activities tend to age a person by diminishing the skin’s natural elasticity. With facial procedures in particular, minimizing sun exposure and abstaining from smoking will maintain the effectiveness of the procedure by helping the face and the skin sustain its youthful appearance.
Good nutrition, regular exercise, and good lifestyle habits are important components for a healthy existence, and equally important for maintaining the results of cosmetic procedures such as tummy tuck and liposuction. Dr. Tong views any cosmetic surgery not as a quick fix, but as one part of an entire lifestyle change that people undergo to achieve their individual goals.
About Lawrence Tong, MD
Dr. Lawrence Tong is a double board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon who was born and raised in Toronto. He earned his medical degree at the University of Toronto and trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the world-renowned University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeon of Canada, earning him dual-country board certification. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). He offers breast enhancement surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery, and body contouring, along with non-surgical procedures. Dr. Tong’s mission statement at Yorkville Institute for Plastic Surgery is to provide patients with an exceptionally superior cosmetic surgery experience, from beginning to end, and beyond.
To contact the Yorkville Institute of Plastic Surgery, visit the center’s website at myplasticsurgerytoronto.com or call 416-972-0999. Their office is located at 199 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario.
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