Yearly Archives: 2018

Post-Surgical Care Matters

Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tuck

When Dr. Wayne Carman finishes a procedure, such as an abdominoplasty, it is not the end of the patient’s plastic surgery journey. In fact, it could be considered a beginning. After the last suture is placed for tummy tuck surgery at Toronto’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute, the patient steps into a more active role in ensuring ideal results.

“Active” is, of course, used loosely here, since a tummy tuck patient’s primary job after surgery is to rest. Dr. Carman keeps abdominoplasty patients overnight for observation by his private nursing staff, as well as a personal check the next morning.

Rest should continue at home in the following days. More time spent devoted to recuperation shortly after the procedure means less time overall spent on recovery. A return to activity should be gradual, with slight increases each day.

Dr. Carman welcomes his tummy tuck patients back for weekly check ups. The frequent meetings with the plastic surgeon allow him to further advise each individual on post-procedural activities tailored to their unique situations. These regularly scheduled check ins become more spaced out after about six to eight weeks, at which point recovery from the surgery is considered complete—though there are still factors to monitor. If the ongoing development of scars seems to be resulting in particularly visible marks, for instance, this can be addressed before too much time has passed. These continued check ins also give Dr. Carman the opportunity to see how the tummy tuck results resolve in relation to the rest of the body. As other features change with the passing of time, he may suggest complementary procedures so that patients can maintain proportional body contours overall.

The six- to eight-week mark also represents the time when tummy tuck patients can expect to make a full return to common, everyday activities—even strenuous ones. While care should always be taken to not put undue stress on areas that have recently undergone surgery, two months is a reasonable window for healing.

Throughout this entire post-surgical time, patients should continue to eat well, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, avoid tobacco products, and get as much gentle physical activity as is allowed based on their recovery. A healthy body will be your greatest ally in maximizing your abdominoplasty results.

Find out more about what to expect after a tummy tuck in Toronto from Dr. Wayne Carman. Call the Cosmetic Surgery Institute at (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140. You can also reach out via his the practice’s online contact form.

Tips for Helping Your Skin in the Summer

General, ,

Summer months typically turn Toronto residents’ heads to thoughts of more time spent in the sun, which is great for anyone longing for relief from cold, wet winters, but is not so great for your skin. As we recently explored in this blog, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin are vital components of healthy, youthful-looking skin that break down naturally over time and gradually diminish. This destruction is hastened by ultraviolet light exposure.

It is true that UV rays from the sun are constant, not stopping for clouds on overcast days. That said, people tend to expose more skin when the sun is out, so the warmer seasons tend to invite more opportunities for damage in the form of early development of lines and wrinkles, volume loss, and more. Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman often sees—and corrects—these signs of premature aging due in part to unchecked sun exposure, which is why he offers these tips to consider while enjoying summertime activities.

Wear sunscreen. A barrier sunscreen with a significant SPF (sun protection factor) makes a good line of defense against harmful rays. Apply it about 15 minutes prior to going outside, then again every two hours. It should also be applied any time you think it may have washed off due to a dip in the pool, a swim in the lake, or even excessive sweating. Do not forget your scalp, the tops of your ears, and the tops of your feet!

Dress for the occasion. Shorts, T-shirts, and swimwear make up a standard summer wardrobe, but consider covering up when possible to provide even more protection against the sun. Enjoy the shade of a sun hat, wear loose long sleeves when on a walk, or simply spend time under an all-encompassing umbrella.

Stay hydrated. Well-moisturized skin is youthful-looking skin, but that hydration does not come from doing cannonballs into the deep end. Drink plenty of water, especially if you are sweating.

Get plenty of sleep. Longer days, shorter nights, and a “school’s out” vibe can all contribute to a desire to put off sleep—even for men and women whose summer vacation days are long past. Avoid the temptation to live like a night owl, since your body works to repair the damages of the day while you are sleeping. Lack of sleep can contribute to a range of cosmetic problems, including dark circles under your eyes.

Avoid smoking. This is true for all seasons. Smoking constricts blood vessels and has other negative effects that can contribute to early signs of aging, as well as hinder proper healing after cosmetic surgery.

Contact Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto by calling (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140, or send a message online.

What Happens to Cells Used for Fat Injection?

Plastic Surgery,

Dr. Wayne Carman considers a person’s own fat to be the ideal filler for treatments to add volume where it is needed and wanted. The result is a long-lasting full and natural look. Also consider that since no foreign body is being introduced, there is no risk of the patient having an allergic reaction to a fat injection. Toronto women and men should get used to seeing the results of this treatment on the street, as the sophisticated technique is increasing in popularity: Studies have shown that the use of fat as a soft tissue filler is rising in general. In particular, breast augmentation with fat injection is growing in prominence.

While fat may seem like an easily moveable resource—at least for a cosmetic surgeon—the reality is that the procedure requires a great amount of skill and care. Fat cells are fixed in place (not floating freely like balloons in certain areas of the body), so they must be loosened prior to removal. Fat cells being harvested for transfer must remain intact and viable throughout their entire journey. This means the techniques used for this procedure must be forceful enough to free the fat cells, but not so forceful that they rupture.

Typical donor areas are the abdomen and thighs. Dr. Carman will make small incisions for the insertion of a cannula, which serves as a wand that loosens the fat cells when moved back and forth, then as a vacuum tube when the cells are ready to be suctioned out.

Once free from the body, the cells must be purified. A centrifuge separates the desired cells from other material collected during the liposuction process, including blood and the tumescent solution used to make the tissue firm for the liposuction procedure. Again, this process must be handled by an experienced plastic surgeon who can ensure the cells’ continued integrity.

Now armed with a collection of living fat cells, Dr. Carman can begin the process of injection. Popular areas for added volume are the lips, cheeks, and chin, as well as the breasts. Fat injection is not a procedure for “bulking up,” but rather for adding definition, filling out depressions and scars, and evening out irregular contours. The healthy cells stabilize within months, continuing their lives as cells in a new location in the body.

Discover more about fat injections in Toronto at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute. Call Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman to schedule a consultation at (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140. You can also fill out an online contact form.

Implants May Last A Lifetime

Breast Augmentation,

One of the most common plastic surgical procedures Dr. Wayne Carman performs is breast augmentation with implants. Toronto women who want to add volume to their breasts benefit from advances in implant technology with the devices being used today proving to be safer, longer lasting, and more customizable than the options available to previous generations of women. There are more implant designs available, which means that education regarding the pros and cons of various implant styles is more important than ever.

 Studies show that women who choose implants can reasonably expect their devices to last for many years. But for each year after the first 10, an implant has a 1 percent chance of rupturing. A leak would soon be obvious with saline implants, as they are filled with a sterile liquid that would lead to visible deflating as saline is absorbed from the device. A silicone rupture is more difficult to detect without specialized screening as the gel is not absorbed and breast volume does not decrease. A ruptured silicone gel implant may provoke a scar tissue reaction that hardens the breast and thereby leads to the diagnosis. The good news is that an implant rupture does not lead to any systemic health problems.

Any woman choosing breast augmentation should select an experienced plastic surgeon to handle the initial procedure, not only to minimize risk during and immediately after the surgery, but to remain a trusted resource for future years as mammograms and other screening tests are scheduled. Building a relationship with a surgeon will help a patient to get answers to questions as they arise, as well as having someone to deal with revisionary procedures that might some day become necessary.

Regular screening mammograms help medical professionals keep a lookout for breast pathology giving patients peace of mind as the years pass. The presence of implants does not prevent accurate mammograms from being performed.

Implants do not have to be removed after any specific time interval but for personal reasons, some patients may wish to have this done. If implants are removed after having been in place for many years, the breast returns to (an older version of) its former appearance. In some cases, additional procedures such as a breast lift may be considered to give the best final result.

Talk to Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute about breast augmentation in Toronto and what to consider for the future. Call (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140, or visit drcarmanplasticsurgery.com.

The Problem With Fat …

Liposuction,

Too much body fat in the wrong areas is often the motivator behind a New Year’s resolution or a pre-summer swimsuit season diet. Anyone who has ever given up hamburgers for plates of lettuce and carrots knows that losing unwanted fat takes commitment and time—but not everyone realizes that even the most dedicated dieter may still have a problem with what might be called “stubborn” fat.

A prime target for liposuction surgery at Toronto’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute, “stubborn” fat is made up of cells that refuse to budge despite lifestyle alterations that include rigorous exercise and healthy eating, While many people describe slimming down as “losing fat,” the reality is that pushing that pizza away does not remove fat cells from the body. When people diet and exercise, their large fat cells grow smaller, which results in changes to their facial or body contours.

This is where the problem lies: Not all fat cells shrink at the same rate. Fat volume does not necessarily reduce evenly all over the body. One person may notice that a belly bulge goes away, while a double chin remains. Someone else may find that their upper body appears trim, but love handles still stick out on either side. Moreover, the fat cells that shrink during times of committed lifestyle change can grow larger again if proper diet and regular exercise are not properly maintained

The fact that fat reduction efforts do not specifically address problem areas prompts many people to consider liposuction, which—in contrast to diet and exercise—does remove fat cells from the body in specific target zones. With liposuction, fat cells are permanently removed, making it easier to maintain a sleek contour over the long term.

Liposuction can be used in most areas of the body, so the procedure can be tailored to specifically address those problem areas where “stubborn” fat lingers.

Find out more about fat and liposuction to remove it at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto. Contact Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman at (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140, or visit drcarmanplasticsurgery.com.

What Makes Healthy, Youthful-Looking Skin?

BOTOX, General

Patients considering facial rejuvenation may know that they do not look as young as they used to but they may not know why. Of course, wrinkles are an obvious difference between aging skin and a youthful, healthy look. Visible folds and fine lines are signs that key elements, which keep the surface smooth, have started to diminish.

There are several natural components that are plentiful throughout the skin in youth, but that break down over time.

Collagen: A versatile protein, this molecule is responsible for creating a woven structure in the skin that is both sturdy and flexible. Collagen helps to give skin its shape, as well as providing a framework for essential structures like nerves and blood vessels . Collagen is constantly being broken down and regenerated—but this cycle slows down with age, leading to collagen loss and thinner, more fragile skin. Without collagen support, facial contours can change and lose youthful structure. Collagen production can be stimulated by creams such as Retin A or by various nonsurgical techniques.

Hyaluronic acid: It’s not an “acid” in the everyday sense (it won’t burn you) but rather it is a carbohydrate found throughout the body, known for its ability to hold onto water molecules. This allows it to do everything from being a primary constituent in the fluid that fills our eyes to keeping our skin moist and pliant. Like collagen, time causes it to break down—a phenomenon hastened by damage from ultraviolet light and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Also like collagen, its natural replacement cycles gradually diminish with age, leading to a reduction in skin volume and a loss of smooth surface texture. This creates ideal conditions for wrinkles. Many popular dermal fillers have hyaluronic acid as their main ingredient to replace volume where necessary.

Elastin: Another powerful protein, elastin is what gives skin its ability to stretch into new positions, then bounce back its original shape. Every smile, frown, nose wrinkle, and forehead furrow pushes the skin into folds that should disappear once muscles stop contracting. As we age, elastin levels actually increase. This makes the skin stiffer, and wrinkles tend to persist even when underlying muscles are relaxed. As a preventative measure, BOTOX® injections can temporarily prevent muscle movement, thereby keeping lines from deepening despite aging changes in the skin.

Each of these three elements is vital for skin to remain vibrant, firm, and unlined. We all know that changes with aging are inevitable, but our goal is to minimize these changes and maintain the healthiest skin possible. When appropriate, nonsurgical treatments are available to compensate for loss of volume, moisture, and flexibility, and surgery can help to physically tighten skin, lift sagging tissues, and restore youthful contours.

Discover options for treatments and procedures to gain more youthful-looking skin at the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto. Call Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman at (416) 322-7108 or 1-888-451-1140, or visit drcarmanplasticsurgery.com.