August 2014

The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures In The World

Breast-Implant-OptionsApproximately 23 million cosmetic procedures were performed throughout the world in 2013, and those numbers are expected to rise as plastic surgery surges in popularity, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which recently released statistics on surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures around the world.

Botulinum Toxin (usually known by its brand names, BOTOX and Dysport) took the top spot as the number one cosmetic procedure. Here are the top five plastic surgery procedures in the world:

  1. Breast Augmentation: Breast augmentation has long reigned supreme in the world of plastic surgery, so it’s no surprise that it took the top spot again in 2013, with 1,773,584 procedures performed. With so many options available including implant size, type, shape and minimal down time, it’s easy to see way so many women choose to enhance their appearance with this surgery.
  2. Liposuction: Liposuction has been around for decades, though the techniques and technology used have evolved over time. This procedure is easily tailored and is targeted to remove unwanted fat from several areas of the body, including arms, thighs, abdomen and even neck. In 2013, 1,614,031 patients underwent some form of liposuction to sculpt their bodies.
  3. Blepharoplasty: Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes by removing extra skin and fat. Many people with sagging, tired-looking eyes tun to this procedure to give them a more youthful an alert look. Aside from its cosmetic application, blepharoplasty can also help patients whose vision is hindered by sagging or drooping skin. Last year, 1,379,263 men and women opted to undergo eye surgery to improve their appearance.
  4. Fat Grafting: Fat grafting, also referred to as lipostructure or lipofilling, is a technique that uses a person’s own fat to fill in areas of the face that have become sunken or hollow, such as the eyelids or  cheeks. The fat is removed through a small liposuction procedure, and then transferred to the new area in small pieces, sometimes called “pearls”. There were 1,053,890 reported fat grafting patients throughout the world in 2013.
  5. Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery, is another procedure that has remained in-demand over the past few decades. This surgery has both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes, as it can reshape or reduce the size of a patient’s nose or correct defects from birth or caused by trauma. There were 954,423 rhinoplasties performed in 2013.

Plastic Surgery in Calgary

If you are interested in learning more about any of the cosmetic procedures we offer, contact Dr. Frank today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

Breast Reduction Techniques: Which One Is Right For You?

breast reductionBreast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a solution for women who are unhappy with their appearance, or who suffer from back pain or breathing problems due to overly enlarged breasts.

This procedure involves removing excess fat, skin and breast tissue to reshape smaller breasts that are more proportionate to the rest of the body. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about two hours.

There are a number of breast reduction techniques used by plastic surgeons, each with its own set of pros and cons. Some surgeons specialize in several techniques, so that they can tailor the procedure to each individual patient’s needs and desired outcome. The breast reduction technique used in each surgery should be chosen with care, based on a number of factors. During the consultation process, Dr. Frank carefully examines each patient and offers his recommendation on the technique that will work best and is in alignment with the patient’s goals.

Here is a guide to the three breast reduction techniques most frequently performed by Dr. Frank:

Traditional Breast Reduction

The most widely used technique, this method involves the surgeon making an anchor-shaped incision to remove fat, skin and glandular tissue from the lower breast. The incision is then closed, lifting the skin, and the nipple and areola are repositioned. This technique is ideal for women with very large breasts. However, scarring is more apparent with this method.

Vertical Incision Breast Reduction

Also known as a “lollipop” or “short scar” reduction, this technique requires the surgeon to make incisions which extend around the areola and down to the breast crease, creating a scar that resembles a lollipop shape. The vertical incision technique is ideal for women with moderately large breasts, since it creates a shapelier breast profile and the scarring is minimal. However, this technique cannot be used for women who require extensive breast tissue to be removed.

Scarless Breast Reduction

This method of reduction uses the liposuction technique to remove fatty tissue from the breast area. This procedure leaves little to no scarring, however it only removes fat cells. Therefore, the patients who would best benefit from this technique are those who have a large amount of fatty tissue as opposed to glandular tissue. This technique is commonly used on men who suffer from enlarged breasts.

Breast Reduction in Calgary

If you are interested in undergoing breast reduction surgerycontact Dr. Frank today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

What to Expect from Cosmetic Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

ear surgeryEar surgery, (otoplasty is the medical term)  is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of the ears. Otoplasty does not affect hearing, and provides significant psychological benefits to anyone who is teased about ear size and/or shape, has had a serious ear injury, or simply wants to improve his or her appearance. Ear surgery is most often performed to set unusually protruding ears closer to the head (ear pinning) or to reduce the size of abnormally large ears.

Candidates for Ear Surgery

People of any age who feel self-conscious about their ears may be good candidates for otoplasty, although it is typically performed on children between 5 and 14 years old. Ears are almost fully developed by the of age 5, so early surgery can help create self-confidence when a child begins going to school. Not everyone is a candidate for otoplasty; a patient must be in good general health, and have realistic expectations of what it can do.

Procedure

Otoplasty generally takes 2 -3 hours, and is performed on an outpatient basis. The type of anesthesia used typically depends on the age of the patient, with general anesthesia recommended for very young patients, and local anesthesia with or without a sedative is recommended for older children and adults.

Incisions are placed in the natural folds and creases of the ear to reduce visibility. After the procedure is complete, bandages will be applied to assist in he healing process and to aid the reshaped cartilage from reverting to its original form. Bandages are not to be removed until Dr. Frank has instructed the patient to do so, and healing is complete.

Recovery

Although the ears may ache or throb for a few days, patients usually feel normal within hours of the surgery’s completion. Medication is prescribed to help alleviate any discomfort.  Otoplasty patients should avoid sleeping on their sides for the first 2 weeks after surgery, and are instructed to wear a toque/headband for the first month following the procedure.  About 1 week following otoplasty, most patients are able to return to their normal routines.

Associated Risks

Complications of otoplasty are rare and usually minor. Some patients report a change in skin sensation, which generally resolves itself overtime. There is a small possibility that a patient may be unsatisfied with their results following surgery – Dr. Frank will do everything in his power to make his patients happy and is very reasonable when it comes to the need for revisions.   Patients should not expect ears to be completely symmetrical because this does not occur naturally. Slight variances between the appearance of ears is expected.

Otoplasty in Calgary

If you are interested in otoplasty, or would like to learn more about any of the other cosmetic surgery procedures we offer, contact Dr. Frank today. We can be reached at (403) 245-1228. We look forward to hearing from you!

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