Do you dream about the thighs you had in your twenties, or wish your tummy could go back to what it was before 3 kids?  Though cosmetic surgery isn't for everyone, advances in techniques have made looking better even easier. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Trevor Born came by to give us the basics about some common 'problem areas'!

Watch this segment in episode 57 now!

BREAST LIFT:

The Breast Lift or Mastopexy can be performed a number of ways:

• With Implants


• With Micro-Fat grafting


• Incision around the Areola/nipple


• Incision around the Areola/nipple and vertically down to the fold under the breast


• Incision like an anchor and around the Areola/nipple

The technique depends on the patient's goals, desired scars/incisions, size, the starting shape of the breast and quality of the breast tissue.

The amount of lifting and shaping desired will dictate the type of incision. Some breast tissue may be removed with the lift and the skin envelope is adjusted to shape and lift the breast.

The deep layer of breast tissue is shaped with permanent sutures to give a strong internal support that is long lasting. With the strong deep layer closure the skin is closed without tension and the sutures are dissolving so that scarring is minimal and hard to detect. There are no visible sutures at the end of the surgery and no drains are used.

Tapes are worn on the incisions for 3 months and this helps limit the visibility of the scars.
The lift can be combined with an implant to add size and shape or Micro Fat Grafting can be utilized to add additional shape (particularly to the top of the breast, which tends to lose volume with time).

Bruising may be present for 3 to 10 days. The breasts will swell for 3 to 5 days and then begin to settle by the end of the first week. There will be changes in size for the first month as the swelling resolves. The breasts will soften and feel 'normal' in this time period.

TUMMY TUCK/Abdominoplasty:

The tightening of the tummy can involve tightening the:

• Skin- this may involve just the lower tummy (Mini- abdominoplasty) or the full tummy


• Muscles


• And possible hernia repair

The surgery is done under a general anesthetic. The patient will stay overnight in the clinic/facility with a nurse. Most of the sutures are dissolving. The deep sutures are permanent - these help keep the incision scar to a minimum. There are 2 drains that are placed for 3 to 4 days. There is long acting freezing placed in the tissues, which minimizes post operative discomfort.

The general approach is to lift the skin of the tummy to expose the muscle. The muscle is repaired and tightened. The excess skin is removed. The wound is closed in several levels to take the tension off the skin. A compression garment is applied to help with controlling the swelling.

Additional liposuction of the abdominal skin may be needed at 6 months after surgery.  The reason for this is that the fat in this area cannot be completely contoured as it may affect the blood supply of the skin flap of the lower tummy.

LIPOSUCTION:

There are 2 types of liposuction, which are regarded as safe and have been proven in clinical trials that are published.

Power Assisted Liposuction
Power Assisted Liposuction is a technique that uses a device, which assists the surgeon in movement of the cannula and thus makes removal of the fat much easier and faster.

This technique is used for patients with good skin tone and specific areas that fat volume can be reduced without creating a contour deformity.

The surgery is performed with the patient asleep or under a sedation. You enter and leave the facility the same day.

The incisions are small (3 to 4 mm) and hidden so they are not visible with underwear or a bathing suit on.

Fluid is placed into the tissue to be removed, which helps with the pain control and reduces the bruising and bleeding.

Ultrasonic Liposuction
As with Power Assisted Liposuction fluid is placed into the tissues to be removed.

How does it work?

This device uses sound energy that specifically melts the fat. It does create heat, which helps the overlying skin and connective tissues to contract and tighten. This device has been used for several years and has a proven safety record. We have not had any complications when using this system.

The device for the Ultrasonic liposuction is a 4th Generation machine with excellent safety features. This Device is excellent for areas that have had liposuction previously, male abdomen, flanks and chest, and areas that may have loose skin and/or cellulite- such as the lateral thigh in Women. The Device is used for specific time periods so to limit over-exposure and prevent complications. The remainder of the contouring is done with the Power Assisted Liposuction.

It does take more time to perform ultrasonic liposuction but it makes the results much better.
There is no difference in recovery from Power Assisted Liposuction.

Visit Dr. Trevor online:
http://toronto-ontario.drtrevorborn.com/