Yearly Archives: 2014

Consider liposuction for your face

Face Lift, Liposuction, Plastic Surgery

While a face lift may be the first procedure that comes to mind for patients who are considering improving their facial shape and appearance, I recommend that men and women alike who want to enhance their natural facial contours consider the possibility of facial liposuction.

A face lift is one option, but liposuction is a less-invasive, more conservative procedure. It is especially suited to patients whose skin is pliant and will more readily conform to the muscle and bone structure beneath after fat has been removed.

Facial liposuction is a procedure that targets the lower half of the face and primarily addresses two problems: jowls and double chins.

Jowls are heavy, sagging cheeks that may wobble and give a face a drooping, weighty appearance.

A double chin is actually an accumulation of fat at the neck that creates the appearance of another or multiple chins positioned below the actual chin. This effect can be more pronounced when a person looks down and compresses the fatty tissue there.

Facial liposuction can treat both of these areas. It is accomplished via a single tiny incision placed under the chin, and requires only a local anesthetic. Consider this in comparison to a face lift, which involves lengthy incisions and is a much more complex and costly procedure.

Not every patient is appropriate for facial liposuction, but those who are will find that they can often get results as pleasing as from a face lift, but with fewer scars, reduced bruising, and quicker recovery time.

Learn more about liposuction, face lifts, and what each procedure can offer by calling (416) 322-7108. Set up a consultation with Dr. Carman at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto to get your questions answered.

A brief breast anatomy lesson

Breast Augmentation, Plastic Surgery

If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your breasts and are considering breast augmentation or some other type of breast surgery, you want to be sure that you understand what the procedure you have your eye on will accomplish. A breast lift, for example, is very different from a breast augmentation.

Patients rely on plastic surgeons who are experts in anatomy and draw upon their surgical skill and knowledge to create optimal results. Even so, it never hurts for patients to have knowledge of their own anatomy and how it relates to potential surgical decisions.

A breast is made up primarily of two components: fatty tissue and glandular tissue. The fatty tissue is usually the bulk of the breast. This tissue is technically known as adipose tissue and provides volume to the breast without any specialized metabolic function. The glandular tissue is the functional portion of the breast in that its purpose is to produce milk following a pregnancy.

The breast is made up of glandular lobules, which are organized into larger lobes. A typical breast has a dozen to 20 such lobes. Milk produced in these glands moves through increasingly larger ducts until it gets to the nipple.

In addition to these tissues and ducts, breasts are laced with blood vessels and nerves, connective tissue, and ligaments. It is the glandular tissue that may develop a breast tumor, and it is this component of the breast that we target for mammogram screening.

You certainly don’t need to know all of this to be able to discuss breast surgery during a consultation, but understanding what gives a breast its size and shape can help when it comes time to decide which surgical procedure would best achieve your goals.

An informed patient tends to be a happy patient, and a patient’s ultimate satisfaction is what cosmetic plastic surgery is all about.

A consultation visit to discuss breast augmentation or other aesthetic procedures with Dr. Carman may be scheduled by calling the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto at (416) 322-7108.

Liposuction is for more than tummies

Liposuction, Plastic Surgery,

As a method of fat-removal, liposuction is typically associated with the abdominal area—and for good reason. The procedure is great for removing fat that clings to the belly and creates a bulge that won’t go away despite exercise and the best dieting efforts. While it isn’t really a weight-loss procedure, liposuction is very effective when it comes to helping patients slim down once they’re relatively close to an ideal healthy weight.

The contouring effect of liposuction is not limited to the tummy. It has a much wider application. Fat obviously does not accumulate only at a person’s midsection. The unwanted chubbiness can accumulate in many areas of the body and face, which is why I offer a wide range of liposuction options at my Toronto clinic.

A common request for liposuction is to treat the face and neck. Specifically, this procedure focuses upon the lower half of the face and the upper neck to address jowls and the dreaded double chin. Since fat removal allows pliant skin to more readily conform to underlying contours, the results of facial liposuction are quite noticeable—even dramatic.

Another targeted technique that is becoming increasingly popular is liposuction breast reduction. Overly large breasts can pull down on a woman’s shoulders, causing upper back, shoulder, and neck pain. In this case, liposuction is employed to  relieve physical discomfort as well as to provide aesthetic benefit.

More proportionate breasts are now in balance with the rest of the body. After liposuction, women find that they fit into a wider range of clothing styles that formerly stretched and bunched in all the wrong places. Physical activities are easier, and best of all, scarring from the procedure is virtually invisible.

Most areas of the torso can be treated with liposuction. Areas of excess fat can be contoured to give the body a more streamlined look. I am able to use the procedure to remove fat from thighs, buttocks, hips, upper arms, and lower legs. As long as skin quality is good, liposuction can be a very versatile means of improving body shape.

I emphasize a personal approach to cosmetic surgery, so that each patient who visits me can expect an individual assessment and a uniquely tailored treatment plan. Liposuction is one of many techniques that can potentially be utilized to achieve a patient’s goals.

To discuss liposuction or other plastic surgical procedures, please call my Toronto office at (416) 322-7108 and my staff would be happy to arrange a consultation appointment.

Wake Up Your Look with a Blepharoplasty

General, Plastic Surgery

There are plenty of reasons to be tired these days. The stressful elements of home life can cause us to lose sleep. Deadlines at work can keep us awake with worry. Fun stuff can lead us to choose the enjoyment of friends and family over our regularly scheduled bedtime.

Our bodies need sleep. Not getting enough restful sleep makes us look and feel unhealthy.

While being tired doesn’t exactly feel good, looking tired can be even worse—who needs friends asking “Are you OK?” If you’re avoiding any midnight oil burning but still look like you’ve been up all night,  you might want to consider a blepharoplasty.

This eyelid surgery addresses the physical issues that can make an alert, awake person look to be exhausted and bleary. While you should always be getting plenty of sleep in order to maintain your overall body health, no amount of rest will correct a problem caused by saggy, puffy eyelids.

Fat tends to accumulate in the eyelid area, and the older you get, the more prominent the fat  becomes. Deposits in the upper eyelids make them droop, while lower-lid fat pockets appear as puffy bags. As time goes by, skin can start to sag in that area too, adding to the heavy-lidded look of a person operating on too little sleep.

A blepharoplasty removes, remodels, and tightens the excess tissue, including fat, muscle, and skin. A combination of careful incision placement and very fine sutures ensures that your newly alert eyes won’t be marred by overtly visible scars. In fact, scarring is minimal and will eventually blend in with the surrounding skin, hiding in natural expression lines.

Within a few weeks, most people who received eyelid surgery are fully recovered and enjoying a fresh new look—no caffeine required!

To learn more about blepharoplasty, call my Toronto office at (416) 322-7108 or set up a consultation.

Botox® is at a Significant Milestone

General,

The prescription drug Botox® Cosmetic is a popular choice for patients around Canada and the world. While Health Canada regulations prohibit a detailed list of its uses here, the drug’s prevalence and prominence—as well as your reading about it on my Cosmetic Surgery Institute website—ensure that its benefits and properties are widely known in Toronto.

Allergan, manufacturer of Botox®, first received approval for the drug from the FDA in 1989. This year, 2014, marks 25 years of Botox® use—its silver anniversary. After its arrival on the cosmetic scene, it has since been found to be effective for a dozen or so additional uses, making it difficult to miss in national headlines and medical reports.

I have been using Botox® Cosmetic for more than 20 years. I personally administer it to each patient who comes to my practice seeking its benefits. My individualized approach ensures ideal results for each unique indication. I begin with a thorough consultation, at which I go over information at a level of detail impossible to cover here. I answer questions and walk prospective patients through what they can expect from making the choice to use Botox® Cosmetic.

The visits at which the Botox® is actually administered are typically quick and efficient. Many patients who choose to enjoy its effects find themselves booking a visit on their lunch break or on their way home from work. One of the best things is the quick return to one’s regular day. There is really no scheduled downtime. Within three to five days, the effects are visible, and the benefits last for months.

To learn more about what Botox® can do for you, call my Toronto office at (416) 322-7108.

See the Results of a Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck,

When it comes to plastic surgery, the results are in the visuals. A tummy tuck, for instance, is all about improving the appearance of the abdominal area. While gathering information to make a decision about a particular procedure, surgical candidates can talk to people who have undergone the same procedure that they are considering. They can research techniques and can read up on surgery details, but there is little that beats the visual reference that comes from before-and-after photos.

I make such photos available on my website, so prospective patients can see the results of surgeries performed at my Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto. Visitors to my site can see what patients looked like before and after their breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tuck surgery. These visitors should also understand that the photos illustrate unique cases, so the results are inherently individualized, but the images do provide a visual reference for what sort of general transformation is possible.

As of this writing, there are five before-and-after references available in the tummy tuck category, each with comments explaining the photos in greater detail. I show more than one perspective, including side profiles and straight-on views. Visitors to the gallery can see tummy tuck procedures that resulted in a dramatic change, as well as a surgery that toned up and slimmed down an already fit patient.

Since the photos show post-surgical results, they are ideal for showcasing the placement of incisions for minimizing the appearance of scars. Viewers can note how well the lines are hidden by the underwear or bikini line.

The before-and-after tummy tuck photos also show what the surgery can do for a patient’s skin quality and the removal of stretch marks. A tummy tuck—also known as an abdominoplasty—is commonly requested by women who want to make a change to their bodies that show the after-effects of childbearing. This includes loose skin and stretch marks, as well as muscle weakness. The tummy tuck procedure can also eliminate some excess fat in the abdominal region. The overall result is a tight, snug tummy shape that is ready for the beach!

To learn more about what a tummy tuck entails, read more about the surgery on my website, or call my Toronto office at (416) 322-7108.

A Natural-Looking Face Lift—the Ultimate Goal

Face Lift, General, Plastic Surgery,

Did she? Didn’t she?

Celebrity-centric headlines around the world love to focus upon speculation. We’re always wondering whether one star or another has received a face lift or other plastic surgery treatment.

The plastic surgeons behind these subtly successful procedures should be proud. After all, the goal of a face lift is not to make a patient appear stretched and unnatural or make glaringly obvious changes that look strange. Rather, the goal is to assess an individual’s unique facial structure and anatomy and then tailor a procedure to create natural-looking results. Friends and family will certainly notice a change. They will see improvement—but they are not quite sure why.

Surgery results can be subtle or dramatic, but they should never look “fake.”

An individualized care plan is of tremendous importance. Your face belongs to you and no one else. Think about how you want your face to appear to the world. It is a decision for you to make; it is best made with guidance from an experienced and certified professional, but it is still your decision.

That’s why I personally consult with every patient who comes to my private clinic, the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto. The key to successful planning is communication and in the openness and honesty that we share as we build rapport and trust. The better I know you—from the reasons behind your plastic surgery decision to your underlying facial structure—the better we can work together to select the plan of action that offers the most rewards with the least amount of risk.

When it comes to a face lift, it is important to understand that the procedure focuses upon three specific areas: the cheeks, the jawline, and the neck. Through a combination of incisions, excess skin is removed, muscles tightened, and fat recontoured, leaving the lower face looking more youthful and snug.

But the changes don’t have to stop there. A newly lifted face may look naturally improved, but the streamlining may also appear out of balance with other facial elements. To maintain an overall natural look, patients may want to consider such complementary procedures as a forehead lift or eyelid surgery. Fat injection can also restore volume to areas where fullness has diminished with age.

With the right plan of action, based upon a custom-designed approach, a face lift and related procedures can give you a whole new look without any obvious sign that you’ve had surgery at all!

Breast Augmentation is the World’s Favorite Plastic Surgery Procedure

Breast Augmentation, General, Plastic Surgery, ,

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery released its 2014 Global Stats Report on July 31, totaling and tallying plastic surgery and related information, including breast augmentation from around the world.

The results come from data regarding procedures performed in 2013, and were gathered from surveys given to almost 1,600 international plastic surgeons.

So what are those results?

Four surgeries in particular surpassed the 1 million mark in terms of the number of times they were performed around the globe in 2013. Lipostructure, eyelid surgery, and liposuction all proved popular, but they all fell shy of breast augmentation, which represented a bit more than 15 percent of the total plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide in 2013.

The United States leads the pack, with 313,703 out of the total 1,773,584 breast augmentation procedures reported in 2013. Brazil is next, followed by Mexico and Germany.

While the numbers are impressive, they should not come as a surprise. Breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery procedure in Toronto and in North America. Though liposuction took the top spot in some countries, according to the stats report, breast augmentation reigns supreme.

Why is breast augmentation so popular? It could be because the surgery treats so many different issues that stem from a variety of causes. A woman may simply want to add volume to her breasts so her clothes fit better or because she likes the aesthetics of larger breasts. Another woman may want to correct an asymmetry, having grown tired of one breast being larger than the other and giving her an imbalanced look. Yet another woman might want to augment breasts that have suffered trauma or disease. Still another woman might want to recapture what her chest looked like before she gave birth to and nursed her children. There are just about as many reasons to get a breast augmentation surgery as there are women seeking the procedure.

When handled properly and thoughtfully—which includes approaching the surgery with realistic expectations and a healthy, positive mindset—a breast augmentation can provide psychological as well as physical benefits.

Proper preparation and communication with an experienced and committed plastic surgeon can also lead to a decision to combine breast augmentation with other popular procedures. Implants can give the breasts more projection, but a profile can be further refined with a tummy tuck or liposuction—the latter of which currently sits as the fourth most popular plastic surgery procedure in the world.

It is clear from the statistics that the popularity of plastic surgery in general, and of breast augmentation in particular, is not limited by geographic boundaries, but rather is a reflection of our desire for self improvement—a theme that appears to be consistent across the globe.