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Do Uneven Breasts Make You Self-Conscious?

Breast Augmentation

Many women have uneven breasts. It’s a very common fact of anatomy affecting roughly one half of all women. But sometimes, asymmetry can make a woman feel self-conscious when naked or in a swimsuit. No one should feel that way about her body. To help get past these thoughts, Dr. Frank offers various options to even out the differences between breasts. This may require breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a breast reduction, depending, of course, on the patient’s individual situation.

So that you understand why your breasts may be uneven, here’s some information that may help.

Breast size fluctuates

You probably already know this, but your breasts are actually glands contained within your chest wall. Each breast weighs an average of seven to 10 ounces and is made up of from 12 to 20 lobes that branch out from the nipple, kind of like bicycle spokes. Each of these lobes has a central duct that opens at the nipple, the exit location for milk during breastfeeding.

You’ve no doubt noticed fluctuation in your breast size during ovulation and menstruation. Breasts usually are fuller, more even, and more sensitive during ovulation. This is due to your body retaining water and also the increased blood flow during that phase of your cycle. Then during menstruation, your breasts tend to shrink back to their normal shapes and sizes.

But why are they sometimes uneven?

Here are four reasons why your breasts may be uneven:

  • Anatomy

Normal anatomy is one reason. Most of our body parts aren’t exactly symmetrical. Look at your eyebrows — they’re likely to be a little different in size and shape. Your legs and arms probably aren’t even exactly the same length. It’s normal.

  • Puberty

Hormonal changes that are raging during puberty can initiate one breast to begin growing before the other. Then, since the body will trigger them to stop growing at the same time, you’re left with somewhat uneven breasts. Again, really normal.

  • Lumps

Lumps can develop in your breasts. Some come and go. Others you may want to have surgically removed. Most are benign and are caused by a variety of conditions or sometimes from a traumatic injury. Lumps can be fluid-filled sacs called cysts. They can be caused by fibrocystic breasts, where the breasts feel lumpy or rope-like. Or they can be due to fibroadenoma, a condition that causes breast lumps in adolescent girls and women under age 30.

  • Breast cancer

Generally, this applies to women whose breasts have been even, but suddenly begin to become more and more asymmetrical. Sudden changes in the size, shape, and appearance of one of your breasts can be a symptom of breast cancer and needs immediate attention from your gynecologist.

Now you know that asymmetrical breasts are not abnormal in the least. Still, if they’re affecting the way you see yourself and make you feel self-conscious, you may want to consider one of your surgical options with Dr. Frank to even out your breasts. If so, call us for a consultation, (403) 245-1228.

Do Uneven Breasts Make You Self-Conscious? Read More »

Nose Surgery Recovery Timeline

Rhinoplasty

While very rewarding for our patients from Calgary and the surrounding areas, nose surgery involves a fairly difficult recovery. There’s no way around it due to the tissue trauma created by this surgery. Your eyes will probably blacken. You’ll have swelling come and go (usually in the evenings) for weeks. You’ll need some patience.

But all of that will be rewarded. Rhinoplasty is one of our most rewarding procedures, correcting features about their nose that our patients have hated their entire life.

Here’s a timeline of what you can expect after this procedure.

  • 1 week — Dr. Frank will remove your splint, and you can go out. But you’ll likely have some bruising that will need covering.
  • 2 weeks — Your bruising should have resolved, as should most of your swelling. But swelling will return at night at times.
  • 4 weeks — You can return to cardiovascular activities such as running, swimming, and cycling.
  • 6 weeks — Your bones should be stable by this point. You can put glasses back on, blow your nose lightly, and return to resistance/weight workouts.
  • 3-6 months — Any residual numbness and abnormal sensations in your nose and the nasal skin should be resolved.
  • 1 year -1.5 years — Healing is complete.

We know, that sounds like a long time, but this area of your face involves sensitive, thin tissues. You can speed your healing, to a degree, by doing some of these things:

  • Don’t rush it — Your body will let you know if you’re pushing things.
  • Keep your head elevated — You cannot sleep on your side. This will increase your bruising and swelling, and it can displace your repaired nose. You’ll need to sleep upright for 6 weeks. Use two pillows or a foam wedge.
  • Cold compresses — Use a cold compress for the first three days after your surgery, but don’t apply it to your nose. Apply it to your cheeks so that you don’t shift any bones or cartilage.
  • Get your rest — Rest is good for healing.
  • Eat good foods — Your body likes good foods, so lose the junk during your recovery…and beyond maybe.
  • Stay cool — Heat is not good for your recovery. Don’t take steamy showers.
  • Don’t get in a sauna — Don’t eat a bunch of hot soup. Heat increases your swelling.
  • Don’t blow your nose — You can’t blow your nose for 6 weeks. Try to use a saline nasal spray to gently moisturize your nasal passages until the swelling goes down.

Follow these tips and your recovery after rhinoplasty can beat the timelines listed above. If you’re interested in nose surgery, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

Nose Surgery Recovery Timeline Read More »

Downsizing Your Breasts

Breast Reduction Surgery

These days, it seems everyone wants to have larger breasts. Canada doesn’t track cosmetic surgery numbers the same way the U.S. does, but you can assume the trends are similar. Breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgery in the U.S. in 2018. In 2018 313,735 U.S. women had breast augmentation. That was a 48 percent increase from 2000.

But not everyone is of that mindset. For some women, their breasts have become a true burden, causing back and neck pain, chafing, embarrassment, and a host of other problems. For these women, smaller breasts are the goal.

If this sounds like your situation, breast reduction surgery with Dr. Frank can deliver the changes you seek.

Who could use breast reduction surgery?

Very large natural breasts are anything but desired by many women who have them. The excess weight can cause back and neck pain and even nerve damage. Bra straps dig into the shoulders. Finding clothing can be difficult. Overly large breasts can become a hindrance when pursuing certain sports and exercise routines. And the attention they merit is unwanted. This undue attention can make some women with very large breasts shun social interaction.

Breast reduction surgery is known as reduction mammaplasty. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and tissue from the breasts. The end goal is to have breasts that are smaller, lighter, and proportional to the body.

The procedure

When Dr. Frank performs reduction surgery it is an involved procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. As with all of his cosmetic surgeries, every case is unique, but to remove the amount of sagging, stretched skin necessary, in most cases he uses the “anchor” incision. This incision circles the nipple-areolar complex, extends downward to the breast crease, and then moves outward along the crease in both directions. The nipple-areolar complex is moved upward to the desired position and excess tissue and fat are removed. The entire procedure usually takes from two to four hours.

Recovery

Patients usually return home the same day of the surgery. A surgical bra will need to be worn for 1 week to provide support and decrease swelling. This will transition to a support bra and then to a strong sports bra. Dr. Frank will stress the importance of wearing these bras 24 hours a day for at least one full month. This can seem excessive, but it eliminates placing weight and pressure on your incisions, which is important to minimize their future appearance. Swelling can persist for up to eight weeks, and a patient’s final results won’t be fully realized until six months after surgery.

If you’re ready to downsize the burden of overly large breasts, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation for breast reduction.

Downsizing Your Breasts Read More »

Is There an Age Limit for Male Breast Reduction?

Male Breast Reduction

It’s not unusual for a woman with overly large natural breasts to seek to have reduction surgery. The reasons are often a mix of both physical and emotional, even social factors.

Conversely, while many men suffer from enlarged breasts, a condition clinically known as gynecomastia, few have the surgery with Dr. Frank to correct the problem. Instead, they simply avoid taking off their shirt or tolerate the “man boob” jokes from friends. That’s not good for anyone’s self-esteem.

It’s usually not simply due to weight gain

Gynecomastia, commonly known as abnormal male breast enlargement, is frequently associated with teenage boys. This is largely due to hormonal shifts around this period, as well as excess body weight gained throughout childhood. Recently, as the procedure has received more attention, older patients in their 50’s & 60’s have considered the procedure. The question is — is there a top age limit for male breast reduction? The short answer is — it depends.

There is no specific age limit in reducing the appearance of enlarged male breasts via surgery. Older men can still go through the procedure as long as they’re generally healthy and have no existing health issues that could potentially increase the risk of complications from anesthesia and the surgery itself.

Skin laxity can be a problem with breast reduction on older men. After the excess glandular tissue is removed, the skin needs to tighten down to its new slimmer contours. Otherwise, the procedure is somewhat pointless. So, when you’re in for your consultation with Dr. Frank, he will assess how elastic or inelastic your skin is. The maturity that comes with the passing years also allows older patients to have a more realistic view of this surgery and what it can, and cannot, improve. So, know that age alone is not a deciding factor in whether or not male breast reduction surgery would be effective.

The procedure

Male breast reduction surgery with Dr. Frank is not an overly difficult procedure. Under a general anesthesia, first, liposuction via tiny incisions is performed to remove excess fat. Excess breast glands may be removed through a tiny incision made beneath the areola (the dark portion of nipples). The procedure can take from two to three hours with initial recovery lasting two-4 weeks, with full recovery at about 6-8 weeks.

If you have enlarged breasts, you don’t have to “man up” and live with them. You may have gynecomastia and no matter what you do you can’t decrease your breasts. If you have questions, call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 and set up a consultation for male breast reduction.

Is There an Age Limit for Male Breast Reduction? Read More »

Common Questions about Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Calgary ABThe decision to have breast augmentation is a big one, and it will change your life. Dr. Frank’s patients have lots of questions when considering this surgery. Here are the answers to a few of the more common questions. Of course, if you have other questions, call us and schedule a consultation.

How long will my implants last?

Although it would be nice if they lasted forever, like any manufactured product, breast implants have a lifespan. At some point the implants will rupture or begin leaking and will need to be replaced. How long will that be? Manufacturers warranty their implants for 10 years, and will generally reimburse patients for failure prior to that timeframe. But the lifespan of patient implants can vary wildly.

If you opt to have breast augmentation, you’ll need to expect to have at least one replacement surgery in your lifetime. You should expect to need to replace your implants every 15 to 20 years. Implant durability is increasing, so these lifespans could lengthen. Replacement surgery is much easier than the original augmentation surgery, as Dr. Frank can enter through the original incisions.

How will I know what size to choose for my implants?

Some women think implants are sized similar to bra sizes, but this isn’t the case. Implants are sized by the amount of material filling the implant shell, measured in cubic centimeters (ccs). For instance, an implant could be 300 ccs. Dr. Frank & our breast augment nurse, will help you determine which implant will be best suited for the enhancement you are looking for.

When can I return to normal activities after my augmentation surgery?

Most patients are surprised when we tell them they can return to work approximately 3-5 days after surgery. One very important facet of recovery is wearing a support bra 24 hours a day for one full month after your surgery. It can be tempting to not follow these instructions, but it is important so as not to place any stress on your incisions. Otherwise, normal activities can resume in 2-3 weeks, but any impact exercise will need to wait for at least one month. Upper body exercise, such as lifting weights, will need to wait for six weeks.

Dr. Frank’s Calgary patients are very satisfied with their augmentation surgeries. If you want to add some shape to your figure, maybe it would be right for you. Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation or with any questions you may have.

Common Questions about Breast Augmentation Read More »

Questions About Breast Lifts

Breast Lift

Breast Lift Surgery Calgary ABBreast lifts are not fully understood by most patients. Most people understand the goal is to lift the breasts, hence the name of the procedure, but details can get a little sketchy. Do they make the breasts larger? Do they make the breasts smaller? Where are the scars? Will I lose sensation?

Since Dr. Frank performs breast lifts to address flattening and sagging breasts for many Calgary patients, he’s very experienced with these procedures. Let’s get you a little more expertise by answering some questions in this first blog of the New Year.

Breast lift or breast augmentation?

The goals of these two surgeries with Dr. Frank are different. Some women assume you can simply place breast implants to overcome sagging and loose skin. While implants can reverse mild sagging, and return volume to the upper breast area that is more prone to flattening, they cannot reverse extensive sagging. That’s the job of a breast lift.

There is also some misunderstanding about breast lifts. The goal of a breast lift is to return the breasts to their former, higher position on the chest. To do this, Dr. Frank removes excess sagging skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and usually moves the areolae to compensate for the removed sagging tissue. Breast lifts do not add volume to the breasts. Because the breasts are brought back up on the chest, there is less mass at the bottom of the breasts, which can even dictate a smaller cup size in the bra.

So, lift or augmentation, which is the way to go? If you have minimal sagging and would like to add volume and shape to your breasts, augmentation is the answer. If you have flattened breasts and a fair amount of sagging, a breast lift is the answer.

Is it possible to breastfeed after a breast lift?

Here’s the thing. Patients opting to have a breast lift should have made the decision that they are not interested in having additional children. That’s because the size gain and loss of pregnancy, along with the volume loss due to breastfeeding, will negate all of the benefits you received from the breast lift in the first place. Plus, there is a good chance your weight gain will distort your incision scars.

OK, but things happen, even if they weren’t planned for. In those cases, there will likely be some disruption of your milk glands with a breast lift. This is because the nipple/areola complex is usually moved.

Do you have more questions about breast lifts? Would you like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Frank? Call us at (403) 245-1228.

Questions About Breast Lifts Read More »

A New Nose for a New Year

Rhinoplasty

All of us have issues with our body or our appearance that we’re not happy with, but we can’t do much about. If you have narrow shoulders. If you’re shorter or taller than you’d like. If you have fair skin that gets hammered by the sun. Stuff like that.

But if you don’t like your nose, you have the ability to change it with Dr. Frank.

Nose surgery is clinically known as rhinoplasty and it can be used to change the shape or balance of your nose, or to improve its function.

Experienced with a long-performed procedure

Rhinoplasty was one of the original cosmetic procedures. The first closed rhinoplasty was performed in 1887 by an American ENT surgeon named Dr. John Orlando Roe. It’s hard to find statistics for our first Canadian nose surgery, but it probably was not long afterwards. Since those bygone days, improvements in surgical technology have made this procedure even better for changing the shape and size of the nose, or for repairing or correcting any deformities that disrupt normal function of the nasal pathway.

But nose surgery isn’t something to be taken lightly. The surgery is very complex and Dr. Frank has extensive experience with these procedures. His Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons status attests to his training and expertise.

Nose surgery removes, rearranges, or reshapes the bone or cartilage of the nose to correct irregularities. As one of the main focal points of the face, the nose has a big impact on how people see themselves.

Deciding on your new nose

 During your consultation with Dr. Frank, you will discuss how you want to change your nose. The more specific and realistic your expectations the better, and this should include some research on your part.

The procedure

Due to the length of the surgery, general anesthesia is used for Dr. Frank’s nose surgeries. He uses an “open” approach for procedures where more change is the goal. This is the method where the incisions are created across the tissue between the patient’s nostrils. It allows more significant changes to things such as overall nose size. If the goal is to reduce the nose size or shape, or to straighten it, the skin covering the underlying bone and cartilage will be separated, allowing the cartilage and bone to be reshaped. Once this has been done, the skin is then re-draped over the surface. Flared nostrils can be narrowed by creating an incision at the junction between the nose and the skin of the upper lip.

If the situation is right, Dr. Frank uses the “closed” method where all incisions are made within the nose itself. This method is used when smaller refinements are needed. It’s not right for more dramatic changes in the nose shape.

Life’s too short to live with a nose you hate seeing in the mirror every morning. Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 and schedule a consultation for rhinoplasty.

A New Nose for a New Year Read More »

Textured Implants and Cancer

Breast Augmentation

On March 21, 2017, the U.S. FDA made a safety announcement about a link between textured breast implants and a very rare form of cancer: anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. In the announcement, the FDA called the cancer “breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Since then, the ante has been upped. On May 28 of this year, Health Canada suspended the sale of Allergan Biocell breast implants. In July, the U.S. FDA followed suit with a ban.

Dr. Frank does not use textured implants, but wants his patients to know about this move from Health Canada.

What Health Canada said

Health Canada issued its May suspension citing research that, compared to other implants, found patients with textured implants had a higher risk of breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare cancer that affects the immune system.

Health Canada had previously issued an announcement of textured implants and BIA-ALCL, but not a ban. The group then received reports of new cases of BIA-ALCL. When a safety review was conducted in 2017, Health Canada knew of only five confirmed Canadian cases. Since that time, that number of confirmed cases has risen to 26.

The suspension means that Allergan is no longer allowed to sell its Biocell macro-textured implants in Canada, and all unused implants are to be sent back to the manufacturer.

There is no recommendation to remove textured implants, as the number of cases is exceedingly low. Still, women who have received Allergan Biocell macro-textured implants should be on the lookout for any signs such as swelling, lumps, and pain in the breast.

What is ALCL?

ALCL is an uncommon cancer that can develop in any part of the body, most commonly the lymph nodes and skin. Research suggests that BIA-ALCL is usually found near the breast implant within the surrounding scar tissue, not in the breast itself. The lifetime risk for developing BIA-ALCL from a textured implant is estimated to be from one in 4,000 to one in 30,000. At this point, the type of implant (silicone or saline) doesn’t seem make a difference. It is the implant texture.

How is BIA-ALCL treated?

This is still a very rare risk. Plus, when BIA-ALCL is caught early it is usually curable. Treatment involved surgical removal of the implants and the scar tissue capsule, as the lymphoma appears almost always to be only in the scar tissue capsule.

Do you have questions about your implants? Please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 for more information.

Textured Implants and Cancer Read More »

About That Sagging Tummy of Yours…

Abdominoplasty

Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty Calgary ABPart of aging is slackening of both our skin and the support tissues beneath. This creates sagging across the body, but especially in certain areas such as the lower abdomen, the tummy. If you’re a woman and have had a couple of kids, it’s almost guaranteed. Clinically known as abdominoplasty, the goal of a tummy tuck is to tighten and change the contour of the abdomen area. The procedure removes excess fat and skin, and restores weakened or separated muscles, resulting in a flatter, more contoured abdomen.

Abdominoplasty is a specialty of Dr. Frank and his patients from Calgary and the surrounding areas are thrilled with their slimmer contours afterwards.

What causes the sagging that merits a tummy tuck?

When the skin is overstretched for a long period of time, it has trouble rebounding to its former degree of tautness. That’s what happens during the weight gain of pregnancy, or if the patient has gained a good deal of weight and has then shed the pounds. In many cases, the muscles that control the area have become stretched and separated, diminishing their ability to tighten the area as they formerly did. Plus, simple aging tends to make both our muscles and the underlying tissues less tight. A tummy tuck is more about skin and muscle than fat.

Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?

If you have loose, inelastic skin, with some pockets of fat, a tummy tuck is the best option (combined with light liposuction to remove the fat). Pregnancy is especially hard on the abdominal muscles because the way it focuses the weight gain in such a small area. This can permanently stretch and separate the abdominal muscles and they won’t return to their former degree of tautness without surgery.

However, if you think you may want to have additional children, your tummy tuck will have to wait. The effects of pregnancy will negate the results of your tummy tuck. Also, people who plan on losing additional weight should delay their tummy tuck because the additional weight loss will create more loose skin. It’s important to remember that abdominoplasty is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure. You should be at a healthy weight prior to surgery, with a BMI (Body Mass Index) no greater then 30.

Are you interested in a slimmer contour on your lower abdomen? Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 and set up a consultation for abdominoplasty.

About That Sagging Tummy of Yours… Read More »

A Nose for Change

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Calgary, AB CanadaAfter the eyes, the nose is the defining feature of the face. People tend not to notice it if everything is even and balanced, but they really notice things such as a bulbous tip, a knob on the bridge, or an unsymmetrical shape. And people who have a nose that they aren’t happy with see it looking back at them every morning in the mirror.

Why put up with that? Get that nose you’d like to have with nose surgery from Dr. Frank. Dr. Frank customizes your reshaping surgery to complement your features, and he has a long list of happy Calgary patients who’ve benefitted from his surgical expertise.

Should you have nose surgery?

Really, anyone unhappy with his or her nose is a good candidate for nose surgery, known as rhinoplasty. Whether it is congenital or the result of an injury makes no difference. Here are some things to consider.

  • Your nose appears too large compared to your face
  • When viewed in profile, there is a bump on the bridge
  • The tip of your nose droops or is enlarged
  • Your nostrils are overly flared

The surgery

Prior to even deciding on surgery, you will consult with Dr. Frank about your potential nose surgery.

The actual surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Frank matches the method used to the patient. In open rhinoplasty, the incision is made across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. All the skin and cartilage are then lifted up off the underlying structure. In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made within the nose. The skin is lifted off of the underlying bone and cartilage, which is then shaped and sculpted. With either method, once the changes are complete, Dr. Frank redrapes the skin and the nose is taped with steristrips and covered with a molded plastic splint to provide support.

Recovery

Recovery is not fast with nose surgery. You’ll need to lay low for a full week, with your splint in place on your nose. In this time, your bruising should run its course. Over the next six weeks, your swelling should decrease up to 80%, but you must be patient.

If you’d like to get a nose you like seeing every morning in the mirror, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to set up a consultation for rhinoplasty.

A Nose for Change Read More »

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