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How To Prepare for a Tummy Tuck Procedure

Perfect,Slim,Toned,Young,Body,Of,The,Girl,.,An An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery used to contour and tighten the abdomen. During the procedure, your surgeon removes excess fat and skin and tightens the abdominal muscles, which may have become separated due to pregnancy or weight gain.

If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, taking the proper steps during your preparation and recovery is essential to ensure you achieve long-lasting results. Keep reading to learn more about how you can prepare for your procedure and recovery.

Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck isn’t for everyone. Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck include those who are at a stable weight and are generally in good health.

We also recommend that patients receive a tummy tuck after their last child, as pregnancy after a tummy tuck can adversely affect your results.

If you have heart disease or diabetes, you may not be a candidate for a tummy tuck, as this can put you at increased risk of complications. Furthermore, if you have a body mass index over 30 or are using tobacco products, you will have to quit smoking and reduce your BMI before you’re eligible for this procedure.

Preparing for a Tummy Tuck

Before you go in for an abdominoplasty, you will have a consultation with Dr. Ryan Frank, who will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. Be sure to provide a thorough background on your medical history and that of your family. You should also bring a list of your medications with you – if any of them pose a risk to your recovery, you may have to stop taking them temporarily.

In addition, Dr. Frank may ask to take photos for your medical record so you can compare the before and after photos. He’ll then discuss your expectations, including why you want a tummy tuck and your goals for your procedure.

Finally, we recommend arranging for help during the recovery process. This includes having someone to drive you home after the surgery and stay with you for at least the first night after you return home.

Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation

To learn more about abdominoplasty, schedule a tummy tuck consultation with Ryan Frank, MD, at 403-245-1228. We proudly serve Calgary and the surrounding areas in Alberta.

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Is Breast Implant Revision Right for You?

Confident,Young,Woman,Wearing,Underwear,In,A,Studio.,Anonymous,Young Whether you want to change your size or type of implants, replace old implants, or address dissatisfaction with a prior breast augmentation procedure, breast implant revision may be your solution.

Regardless of why you want a breast implant revision, Dr. Ryan Frank takes great care to ensure he provides the results that best meet your expectations. His primary goal for each procedure is a safe, satisfying outcome for each patient.

Breast augmentations are intended to help you feel comfortable and confident in your appearance. If that’s no longer the case, consider what a breast implant revision can do for you.

How Do Implants Change Over Time?

The size and shape of your breasts will continue to change over time as a natural part of the aging process, even after you get implants. Additional factors that can affect their appearance include changes in weight and hormones. These changes may eventually prompt you to consider a breast implant revision.

Modern implants have no expiration date, but you shouldn’t expect them to last a lifetime. On average, breast implants can last between 10 and 20 years, although they can last longer than that. You may also want to have them replaced earlier due to changes in your cosmetic preferences or to address complications.

Why Have a Breast Implant Revision?

Breast augmentation has consistently remained one of the most common plastic surgery procedures, largely due to its high satisfaction rate. However, certain conditions can cause patients to consider breast implant revision.

For example, bottoming out, which occurs when the implants drop noticeably on the chest, can cause the implants to appear too low and the nipples too high. In addition, this process can cause the implants to bulge or elongate. The best solution is often to position the implant higher on the chest with an acellular dermal matrix, resulting in a more natural, youthful shape.

How Dr. Frank Can Help

If you’re unsatisfied with your breast implants, contact the office of Dr. Ryan Frank in Calgary, AB, at (403) 245-1228 or submit an online contact form. Dr. Frank can answer your breast implant revision questions or provide other solutions.

Is Breast Implant Revision Right for You? Read More »

Can Exercise Reduce Male Gynecomastia?

Fit,Man,Jogging,On,The,Beach.,Mid,Adult,Fitness,Man Male gynecomastia is a medical condition characterized by excessive breast tissue, which can severely affect a man’s masculinity and self-confidence. This may leave you wondering what your treatment options are. While the right exercise regimen can improve your appearance, it cannot reduce the amount of glandular breast tissue you have. However, Ryan Frank, MD, does provide a solution for addressing your condition.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential treatment options for gynecomastia.

Causes of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is an excess accumulation of glandular tissue in the breast. Its most common cause is hormonal fluctuations during puberty, but it can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Many drugs can exacerbate male gynecomastia, including alcohol, marijuana, and anabolic steroids. In addition, medications that treat anxiety and depression can also contribute to gynecomastia. This generally occurs because they’re altering the hormones in your body, leading to an imbalance.

There’s also pseudogynecomastia, which is a separate condition that can cause men to have oversized breasts. It’s caused by the accumulation of excess fatty tissue in the chest. However, gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia can be present in the same person.

Treatment

Exercise could be part of an overall treatment plan for gynecomastia, but it’s generally impossible to reduce the amount of glandular breast tissue through exercise alone. While the right exercise can develop the underlying chest muscles, even regular, vigorous workouts usually won’t create a significant improvement in gynecomastia. Male breast reduction surgery is typically needed to physically remove the excess glandular tissue from the breasts.

In the case of pseudogynecomastia, however, diet and exercise are more promising options. Like any fatty tissue, the excess fat in the chest that causes this condition can be improved through a fitness program. The combination of diet and aerobic activity like running or cycling can reduce the amount of fat throughout the body, including the chest.

How Dr. Frank Can Help

Dr. Frank specializes in male breast reduction surgery and has the years of experience needed to perform this procedure with care and precision. Contact us online or call our office at (403) 245-1228 to schedule your appointment today!

Can Exercise Reduce Male Gynecomastia? Read More »

PRP Benefits for Skin Laxity

platelet rich plasma platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a three-step process that can help your skin appear more youthful. In addition to platelets, PRP also contains stem cells and growth factors, which stimulate tissue growth. It can also assist with collagen production, microcirculation, and collagen production, helping to naturally tighten and enhance the appearance of your skin.

Keep reading to learn more about what treatment with PRP in Calgary, Alberta, can do for you.

What Is the Process for PRP Treatment?

During this process, a doctor draws your blood and places it in a centrifuge that separates the platelets from the rest of your blood. Once separated, they will inject the platelets into the targeted areas. The whole process takes about an hour.

The doctor only draws about two to four tablespoons of blood to harvest the platelets, which can then be injected into your face or scalp. They may use a syringe or a microneedling device, which is a roller with many tiny needles. In some cases, the doctor may also use a filler with the platelets.

What PRP Could Do for You

Some researchers have found that platelet-rich plasma injections can:

  • Diminish acne scars
  • Reduce wrinkles
  • Minimize deep creases
  • Plump sagging skin
  • Improve complexion

What to Expect After PRP

After you receive a PRP treatment, you may exhibit some bruising, swelling, and a bit of pain at the injection site(s).

Results and the Number of Injections

Most people require at least three treatments to see any visible results. The full effects of the results can take anywhere from a few weeks to months. Some doctors will use a filler mixed with your platelets for more immediate results. Your younger-looking face could last up to 18 months before you have to repeat the process.

When You Should Not Have a PRP Treatment

Under certain circumstances, you should not receive PRP treatment, including when you have:

  • Hepatitis C
  • AIDS or HIV
  • Skin cancer in the area your doctor will be treating
  • Cardiovascular disease that requires you to take a blood thinner

Where to Find Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments in Calgary, AB

Ryan C. Frank MD FRCS(C) serves the Calgary, Alberta, area in Canada. Talk to Dr. Frank to determine if platelet-rich plasma treatments can help you look younger. To arrange for an appointment, please call 403-245-1228.

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3 Ways a Nose Job Can Change Your Face

how a nose job can change your face Many people seek out a rhinoplasty or nose job when they want to alter the appearance of their nose to achieve facial balancing. However, what most people may not realize is that once facial balancing is achieved, the results from your rhinoplasty can affect more features on your face than just the nose.

Whether you subtly or drastically change the appearance of your nose, the change can still enhance other facial features, such as your eyes, mouth, cheeks, and forehead to appear more proportionate on your face. These three ways a rhinoplasty can change the appearance of your face for the better just may help you understand all the benefits of getting a nose job.

1. A rhinoplasty can bring attention away from the nose.

Many people who are interested in getting a rhinoplasty can feel like a lot of attention is often put on their nose rather than their overall face when looking or talking to people. By altering the appearance of the nose, most likely changing its shape to make it appear smaller or altering the nose bridge to make it less prominent, a subtle softness can be achieved on the face. This brings less attention to the nose and more attention to other facial features, such as the eyes.

2. A rhinoplasty can affect the appearance of your smile for the better.

While the rhinoplasty procedure will not alter the structural appearance of your smile, changes made to the tip of your nose can affect the appearance of your smile. If the tip of your nose looks as if it touches your upper lip when smiling, this can be altered to eliminate the appearance of touching, allowing the nose to look smaller and for the patient to have more of their upper lip visible, which can create a bigger, more noticeable smile.

3. A rhinoplasty can help you achieve facial balancing.

Most patients seeking drastic changes from a rhinoplasty often do so because of the size of their nose. Achieving a smaller nose allows the eyes, mouth, cheeks, and forehead all to look proportionally balanced to each other, achieving facial balancing and symmetry, which is often a great confidence booster for many patients.

Book Your Rhinoplasty Consultation in Calgary, AB Today

If you’re interested in getting a rhinoplasty but are unsure where to begin, book your first consultation with Dr. Ryan Frank in Calgary, AB by clicking here or calling (403) 245-1228.

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Lift Your Confidence With a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

breast lift A healthy body image and self-confidence are paramount to maintaining a content and thriving life. Some people are satisfied precisely the way they are, while others are eager to change things about themselves, like their hairstyle or weight—and there’s no wrong answer as long as it is a positive force in your life. For some folks, their journey of self-improvement leads them to seek out a breast lift (also known as a mastopexy) to achieve a variety of helpful benefits.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a simple surgical procedure that is performed to raise and reshape the breasts of patients who may be dissatisfied with them for reasons such as age-related sagging, post-pregnancy changes, or a side-effect of weight loss.

Breast lifts are widely sought-after because they allow patients like you to:

Improve Asymmetrically Resting Breasts

Breast asymmetry is an issue plenty of women face across the US. Breasts can develop asymmetrical naturally as they grow into their full shape. An asymmetry can also arise due to sagging, hormonal issues, injuries, and even certain diseases. With mastopexy, the breasts can be brought back into a symmetrical alignment that looks and feels good.

Feel More Comfortable and Confident in Your Body

The most important benefit that people seek when they are on the lookout for a quality breast lift is comfort and confidence. Asymmetrical and sagging breasts—or breasts that don’t conform to your ideal body shape—can create both emotional and physical discomfort. So, by correcting any issues and concerns through mastopexy, you’ll find it a lot easier to feel comfortable and confident in your body.

Expand Your Wardrobe

Though certainly not as pressing of matter as breast symmetry and comfort, those who undergo a mastectomy will likely find that they’re able to expand their wardrobe and wear the clothes they may have been too self-conscious or uncomfortable to wear before. This can further empower your regained comfort and confidence.

First-Class Mastopexy From Ryan C. Frank, MD

If you think that a breast lift is the right avenue for you to achieve your ideal body, then reach out to Dr. Ryan Frank at 403-245-1228. Under his expert care, patients all across Calgary, AB, and beyond have found the first-class plastic surgeon they were looking for.

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Clear Signs That You Could Benefit From Breast Reduction

breast reduction You and your body should be able to coexist in harmony in a way that is happy and healthy. Whether that’s having confidence in your body, fostering the correct mindset to be able to achieve the physical goals you’ve laid out for yourself, or something else entirely, it’s up to you to decide. However, there are a lot of factors that can negatively influence your ability to achieve that peace. One such problem is breast size, which is why countless women (and men as well) seek out breast reduction so they can live life the way they want.

If you’re someone who has struggled to find peace with the size of their breasts, these are a few clear signs that breast reduction may be to your benefit:

Difficulties With Exercise

Those with overly or disproportionately large breasts often find specific exercises challenging to endure or perform. From trouble running to keeping up with cardio to being unable to build muscle through weight lifting, many patients find that breast reduction can help them achieve their preferred exercise regimen and weight.

Uncomfortable Shoulder Grooves

As you can imagine, the weight of large breasts exerts a lot of downward pressure. For those who routinely wear bras, this weight can cause the bra to dig into the skin on your back and shoulders, creating uncomfortable and often painful shoulder grooves when worn for too long.

Chronic Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

Excessively large breasts can also directly cause pain to your body around the back, neck, and shoulders. The aforementioned weight and pressure can create an uneven weight distribution between the front and backside of your body—leading to chronic aches and pains in the areas tasked with carrying that extra weight.

By alleviating the weight of your breasts through breast reductions, the two above issues can be resolved.

Unhappiness With Size and Shape

Lastly, breast reduction can also be an excellent option for those who are dissatisfied with the shape and size of their breasts and would prefer that they were reduced for aesthetic reasons.

Simple and Effective Breast Reduction From Dr. Ryan Frank

If you believe that breast reduction would be of benefit to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Ryan C. Frank at 403-245-1228. With a conveniently located practice in Calgary, AB, Dr. Ryan proudly also serves the surrounding communities.

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Recovery and Aftercare: What to Expect After Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty is the surgical altering of the nose and can be done for cosmetic or functional purposes. This process is commonly known as a “nose job” and is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries available today.

Like with all surgical procedures, the recovery and aftercare process is one of the most essential parts. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect after rhinoplasty and some rhinoplasty recovery tips.

Rhinoplasty Post-Op

The rhinoplasty recovery will look different for each person. It all depends on what work was done during the rhinoplasty.

A rhinoplasty requiring more extensive altering of cartilage and bone tissue will likely have a longer recovery than a simpler procedure. After surgery, you’ll likely experience swelling, puffiness, nose aches, a dull headache, bruising, and light bleeding.

The most intensive part of rhinoplasty recovery is usually over within two days, and most patients return to work after a week. Patients that wear glasses will have to take extra care not to have the frames against their noses.

It is recommended that you wear contact lenses instead. If contact lenses aren’t an option, it is best to tape the glasses to your forehead or have the frames rest on your cheeks instead of your nose.

Aftercare Tips

Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

The best way to make your recovery faster and more comfortable is to follow your surgeon’s instructions. Your surgeon will send you home with instructions and resources to make sure your recovery process is as easy as possible.

Avoid Strenuous Activity

Your body is healing during this time and needs to refrain from strenuous activities like weight lifting, biking, and more. These activities are typically avoided for two to three weeks. However, your surgeon will assess your recovery process, and it’s important to be cleared by them before resuming any strenuous activities.

Avoid Blowing Your Nose

Your nose is healing during this time and should not be blown for up to several weeks. If you need to remove any mucus, gently wipe your nose with a soft tissue. This is to avoid damaging the sensitive tissue in your nose.

Taking the First Step

It is always best to be informed about what the recovery will look like for rhinoplasty. That’s why Dr. Ryan Frank beings every rhinoplasty with an in-depth consultation, where he will walk you through the entire process and discuss your cosmetic goals.

During this process, Dr. Frank will go over what every step of the recovery process will look like. If you’re considering rhinoplasty, contact Dr. Frank’s office in Calgary, AB, at 403-245-1228 today for a consultation.

Recovery and Aftercare: What to Expect After Rhinoplasty Read More »

Everything You Need To Know About Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty After losing a lot of weight and finally reaching your desired weight loss goals, you may have extra tummy skin, which can make things look a little flabby. After all the hard work you’ve put in, it’s time to finish the process and get your desired look. A tummy tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, can help remove this excess skin and help you get your desired look. Here is everything you need to know about Abdominoplasty.

What is an Abdominoplasty Procedure?

An Abdominoplasty procedure, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that helps remove loose and excess skin around the tummy. Occurring in the lower portion of the abdominal area, loose and excess skin can commonly be the case for those who have rapid or significant weight loss results.

During the procedure, a long, thin, and horizontal incision is made on the waistline, and it is done along the waistline. The length and width of the incision line can vary from person to person as it depends on a few different variables such as how much skin is being removed, desired results, etc. After that is determined, the surgeon will then contour the muscles, tissue, and skin in the area to help provide a more natural look.

Am I a Good Candidate For Abdominoplasty?

Great candidates for a tummy tuck procedure are those who have good skin elasticity, good general health and do not smoke. This procedure is great for individuals looking to flatten and tone out their tummy and remove excess skin in the process.

This procedure may not be suitable for those who have lung, liver, or heart disease. This may also not be the right procedure for you if you plan on getting pregnant or are currently still on your weight loss journey. It is best to schedule a consultation to see if an Abdominoplasty procedure is right for you.

Maintaining Results

After your procedure, you’ll want to maintain your stunning results. Exercising frequently and maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent gaining any more weight and maintain your tummy tuck results. It is important to avoid sugars, eat moderately, and avoid starchy food as much as possible. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to not only maintain tuck results but to feel energized as well.

Give Us a Call Today!

We know how important it is to feel your best and look your best, so we want to help do just that. Dr. Ryan C. Frank and our team of healthcare professionals located in Calgary, CAN look forward to helping you achieve your dream physique and figure. Give us a call at 403-245-1228 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.ryanfrankmd.com for more information.

Everything You Need To Know About Abdominoplasty Read More »

What Are the Causes of Gynecomastia?

male breast reduction Men of various ages and sizes may be affected by the disorder known as gynecomastia. Swelling, soreness, or discomfort are common symptoms, and it frequently results in excessive tissue development in the chest region. Although it is not a life-threatening illness, having it can be painful and embarrassing. In this blog article, we’ll examine the several potential causes of gynecomastia and discuss the various viable treatments. We’ll also look at how altering one’s food and way of living might lessen the symptoms of gynecomastia while also enhancing one’s general well-being and standard of living. Let’s dive into the causes of gynecomastia and how you can treat your condition.

Causes 

An imbalance in hormones, often brought on by a drop in testosterone or a rise in estrogen, is one of the most frequent causes of gynecomastia. While it can happen in maturity as well, this hormonal imbalance frequently happens during adolescence when hormone production normally rises and falls. Certain prescription medicines, such as steroids, thyroid problems, underlying medical diseases, such as renal failure, and specific tumors or malignant cells close to the breast tissue are other potential reasons.

Treatment 

Gynecomastia can be treated in a variety of ways. Changes in diet and lifestyle can aid with symptom reduction while also enhancing general health and quality of life. A balanced diet, avoiding processed foods, frequent exercise, and stress management are some of these adjustments. In order to control hormone levels or to lessen the size of enlarged breasts, prescription drugs may also be recommended. Surgery may be a possibility in more severe situations to remove extra glandular tissue or fat from the chest region.

Get Your Gynecomastia Treatment With Dr. Ryan Frank 

If you are in or around the Calgary area and are interested in learning more about how you can treat your gynecomastia, Dr. Ryan Frank is your ticket to feeling and looking better than ever. He specializes in male breast reduction surgery and provides the experience and expertise to ensure that your treatment is done with the utmost care and precision. Contact us today at (403) 245-1228 visit us online at www.ryanfrankmd.com to schedule your consultation!

What Are the Causes of Gynecomastia? Read More »

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