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Male Breast Reduction

Most of us have a male friend with larger than normal breasts. You may have heard people call them “man boobs.” You may even have heard men with said breasts describe their own chests this way.

Most people just assume the larger breasts are simply due to weight gain. But in half the cases you’d be wrong with that assumption — around half of men with this condition have what is known as male breast enlargement, clinically known as gynecomastia.  It’s a condition that can really impact a man’s self-esteem, making him avoid trips to the lake or even taking off a shirt while out working in the yard.

Dr. Frank can address the condition with male breast reduction.

What leads to gynecomastia?

When adults develop gynecomastia, the causes are not always easy to pinpoint.

But in teenagers, gynecomastia is more the norm than not. Up to 70 percent of adolescent/pubescent boys have enlarged breasts to some degree. In teens, the cause is obvious: rampaging testosterone and estrogen levels. As these levels fluctuate wildly during puberty, so can breast size and other issues that are linked to hormone levels such as facial hair. These changes are temporary in most teens, resolving when they exit puberty.

In adults, middle-aged and older men can also develop enlarged breasts due to hormone changes that come with aging. But more often gynecomastia comes from taking certain medications. These are the medications known to have a link to gynecomastia:

  • Antibiotics
  • Heartburn treatment drugs
  • Anti-anxiety drugs
  • Steroids
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • AIDS treatment drugs

Heavy drinking and smoking marijuana can also lead to gynecomastia.

Breast reduction surgery

Men with gynecomastia have a firm, rubbery mass underneath the nipple area. The size of this mass is around 1.5 inches across and it may be sensitive to the touch.

If surgery is required, small incisions are made in the armpits or around the areolae. Through those incisions, excess fat and glandular tissue are removed and excess skin is trimmed. Dr. Frank may also include liposuction to remove fat pockets. If excess fat is the key, the patient may only need liposuction.

If you’re a man and you have larger than normal breasts, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

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Breast Implant Revision

breast revision surgery calgary abBreast augmentation isn’t a perfect science, and there are times when a patient desires implant revision surgery. Whether she decided she would simply like larger implants or whether there has been some other issue, breast revision surgery is generally easier than the original surgery. This is because often the incisions can be made on the same spot as the original incisions.

To learn more about breast revision surgery with Dr. Frank in Calgary AB, call today to schedule a consultation. Below are some reasons Dr. Frank performs revision surgery, and the approach taken for each.

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Capsular Contracture

Besides possible rupturing of the implant, this is the main side effect of breast augmentation. When an implant is placed into the body, there is a reaction, as you would assume. This reaction is called the “capsule” and it is made up of calcified cells and scar tissue. If this capsule becomes very thick and causes the implant to shift or the breast to feel very firm, or if there is pain from the constricting scar tissue, this is called capsular contracture. When this occurs, breast revision surgery is required. If the capsule is very calcified, Dr. Frank will remove it along with the implant. If that hasn’t happened, he may leave the capsule. If there is a rupture of a silicone implant, the capsule may contain silicone shell fragments, silicone gel, and inflammatory cells that all need to be removed prior to placing new implants.


Changing the Implant Size

Sometimes a woman decides she would like a different size implant. This isn’t a decision that should be made soon after surgery, however. Dr. Frank generally advises patients to wait one full year before deciding to make a change. This will allow the implants to fully settle into their final position, and any residual swelling will have passed by then. If the patient still wants to change her implant size, Dr. Frank will perform breast revision surgery and will enter through the original incision. If a larger implant is desired, he will increase the size of the pocket, the space in the breast to hold the implant. If the patient seeks smaller implants, the size of the pocket is reduced with sutures to fit the smaller implants. In cases of reduction, a breast lift may need to be done in conjunction with the breast implant revision to remove any sagging tissue and possibly relocate the nipples.

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Implant Position

Sometimes a less experienced surgeon will place the implant pockets either too far away or too close together and the patient doesn’t like the look. In these cases, the scar tissue from the capsule can be used to reconstruct new pockets in better positions.


Implant Rippling

Implant rippling is usually a result of saline implants that have been placed atop the chest muscle. There isn’t enough skin and tissue to cover the implant, and rippling occurs. Sometimes the edge of the implant may even be able to be felt. During breast revision surgery, Dr. Frank will enter through the original incisions and replace the implants with better muscle coverage. This may involve switching implant types and/or placing them in new breast pockets. Saline gel implants have less occurrence of rippling.

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Implant Removal

When a patient decides she no longer wants to have her implants, they are removed through the same incisions. Dr. Frank will also remove the capsule if it is calcified and thick. In most cases, he will recommend a breast lift at the same time to remove excess sagging skin and breast tissue that were created with the larger breasts when they had implants.


Breast augmentation is major surgery. It’s not something to trust to a low-ball estimate or an inexperienced practitioner. Dr. Frank is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience. Do your research beforehand and the odds are you’ll be happy with your results.

If you have questions about possibly breast revision surgery, or anything to do with implants and augmentation, don’t hesitate to call our office at (403) 245-1228. Dr. Ryan Frank serves patients in Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Okotoks, AB, CA.

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Women are Happy with their Augmentation Surgery

Breast Augmentation CalgaryThe last few blogs we’ve covered the ins and outs of breast augmentation. The procedure is among the top cosmetic procedures performed in Canada, with around 20,000 augmentation procedures being done each year. That’s not anywhere near the yearly 300,000 procedures in the U.S., but it’s still sizeable.

Dr. Frank likes his patients to have all the information possible about any potential procedure. To that end, this month we’ll share some statistics about breast augmentation. They are taken from American women, as statistics are easier to gather with the larger numbers involved. Still, it should give you a good idea of five reasons why breast augmentation keeps increasing in popularity, both in the U.S. and Canada.

#1 Extremely high satisfaction rates

Women who have had breast augmentation are routinely surveyed in the months and years afterwards. They report incredibly high rates of satisfaction. A recent survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that 98 percent of women felt their augmentation either met or exceeded their expectations. Over 90 percent of the women also said they felt the procedure increased their self-esteem.

#2 Easy recovery

Breast augmentation surgery does not involve a difficult recovery. Most women are able to return to work after just a few days of recovery. The pain is not acute, and is often related to being similar to the feeling after a rigorous upper body workout.

#3 Implants are proven to be safe

Before any implants were initially approved the FDA in the U.S. and Health Canada studied them extensively. Later, in the 80s, when there was some concern about silicone and safety, even more rigorous research was done and found no link between health issues and silicone breast implants. Plus, modern silicone gel is now very cohesive, meaning it usually adheres to itself and doesn’t leak out into the breast pocket if the implant ruptures.

#4 Duration

Implant durability is continuing to improve. Although most implants will need to be replaced at least once in a patient’s life, there is no specific timeline. Manufacturers guarantee their implants for at least 10 years, and many patients have implants that can last double that time. Plus, replacing implants is not difficult as Dr. Frank can simply enter through the same original incisions to remove the old implants and place the new ones.

#5 Variety of options

There are a variety of implants available from different manufacturers. These vary by the size, the shape, and the projection. This allows patients to choose an option that fits their goals, rather than adapting to a one-size-fits-all approach.

If you’re interested in augmenting your breasts, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

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Don’t Forget the Gummy Bear Implant

Breast Augmentation CalgaryIf you’ve been considering having breast augmentation, you know you have many decisions to make beyond just the overall procedure. We covered many of those decisions in Dr. Frank’s December blog.

Of course, you’ll need to choose the type of implants you want. Most women think of choosing between saline and silicone implant options. But there really is another choice that is different enough to merit almost its own category, the gummy bear implant. Dr. Frank wants his patients to have as much information as possible, so here’s some information on these implants.

What is a gummy bear implant?

Gummy bear implants are relatively new to the Canadian market, but they’ve been used in the U.S. and Europe for nearly 20 years. After years of use throughout the country, Health Canada finally approved the use of gummy bear implants in October 2006. These implants retain their shape, unlike other implant choices, because the gel is thicker than traditional silicone implants. In addition to “gummy bear implants” they are also known as cohesive, form-stable, or highly cohesive.

Cohesive silicone gel

There is some misunderstanding about what “cohesive gel” breast implants really are. In reality, all silicone implants sold today use a more “cohesive” silicone gel than implants from the 80s and early 90s. Only the most cohesive, i.e. thicker, are deemed to be “gummy bear implants.” To get an idea of the density, if a cohesive implant is cut in half, there is no gross movement of gel, and the implant maintains its shape.

Safety

Gummy bear implants have a lower rate of capsular contracture and rupture. Like traditional implants, gummy bear implants can rupture, although the gel tends to stay within the implant. Rippling is far less prevalent with cohesive implants than with traditional silicone implants, although this is usually related to how much tissue is atop the implant.

Are you considering breast augmentation? Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation and you can discuss whether gummy bear implants would be right for you.

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Decisions Beyond THE Decision with Augmentation

Breast Procedures Calgary, ABBreast augmentation is a very popular cosmetic procedure in terms of numbers of procedures. But beyond that, it has one of the highest satisfaction ratings of any cosmetic procedure. If a woman has always felt dissatisfied with her breasts, whether that stems from size, asymmetry, or any other reason, augmentation surgery can really change her self-esteem and body image.

Deciding to move forward with breast augmentation is a big decision, but Dr. Frank reminds his patients that there will be other decisions to be made beyond the initial yes or no.

The choices can sometimes feel daunting — How do I know what to choose? — but Dr. Frank will provide information and help you with each decision.

Implant type

You’ll first choose your implant type: saline, silicone, or cohesive silicone. Each option has its own pluses and minuses.

Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision, as they are filled once placed into the breast pocket. If they rupture, the body simply absorbs the saline water. Saline implants do have a higher incidence of wrinkling. Plus, if they rupture, you’ll still need replacement surgery to remove and replace the deflated shell.

Silicon implants have become more popular than saline. They are generally thought to feel the most like natural breast tissue. However, if they rupture, the silicone needs to be removed. Most of today’s silicone gels are far more cohesive, however, and stay in or near the implant shell.

Cohesive silicone implants (commonly known as gummy bear implants) are a new addition to the implant options. They are filled with thicker gel, hence the gummy bear name.

Implant size and shape

Beyond the type of implant, you’ll need to decide on the size and the shape of your implants. Some patients believe they will select their implant size based on the same sizing system used with bras. That’s not the case. Implants are sized based on the amount of the substance filling the implant. For instance, implants may be 350 ccs. That is cubic centimeters. The most popular sizes are generally between 330 and 400 ccs.

You’ll also need to choose projection. As an example, these are the five styles available with the Allergan Natrelle Inspira breast implant line:

  • Smooth Round Low Profile (widest base/lowest projection)
  • Smooth Round Low Plus Profile
  • Smooth Round Medium Profile
  • Smooth Round Full Profile
  • Smooth Round Extra-Full Profile (narrowest base/highest projection)

All manufacturers have similar options. Currently, the two most popular styles with these Allergan implants are Full Profile first and Medium Profile second.

There are other choices you’ll make, such as do you want to place your implants atop or beneath the pectoral muscle? Again, Dr. Frank will help you with all of these so that come the day of your surgery, you’ll be calm and excited for your new figure.

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

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Working out after Breast Augmentation

Breast AugmentationBreast augmentation is a popular procedure that we conduct to help our patients gain the confidence they wish to feel in their physical appearance. One attribute that is shared among a good number of women who seek this procedure is a desire to stay physically fit. Breast augmentation gives them the complementary curves that top off their beauty goals. When exercise is an important aspect of a woman’s life, she may find it challenging to allow herself full recover from her surgery. “When can I work out?” is one of the most common questions we hear as we prepare for this body-enhancing procedure.

The techniques employed in the placement of breast implants is so precise and gentle that most patients feel able to return to normal activities relatively quickly. This can be good, but it can also create confusion in the area of exercise. We submit that our patients do the following:

  • Wait until the post-op follow up visit to even think about hitting the gym, or the yoga studio, or whatever form of exercise is preferred. We provide post-operative instructions for a reason, and one of the top details is to postpone exercise until cleared by Dr. Frank. Trust the timing of your return to exercise.
  • Let your body be your guide. Once you are medically cleared for your return, pay close attention to what your body has to say about your workout routine. Give a little extra rest when needed. In fact, schedule that day off when you do nothing more than take a nice relaxing walk.
  • Go easy on the upper body. Upper body exercises can stress the muscles in the chest and arms, those that have been disrupted in surgery. Resist the urge to reach for your former weight, and start your post-surgical workouts with lighter weights that are gentle on these muscles as they build up their strength.
  • Get support. In the first few days after breast augmentation, you may have relied on a few close friends or family members to help you. Now, your biggest support is a good sports bra. This is necessary regardless of the type of exercise you do, even yoga can put strain on recuperating muscles and tissues.

Is breast augmentation something you have always wanted to do? Learn more about this procedure by calling our Calgary office at (403) 245-1228.

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A Primer on Everything Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Calgary, CAIt’s easy to think that today’s aesthetic surgeries are new, reliant on technology, and in some cases such as endoscopic brow lifts that is true. But other procedures have been around for a long time. Rhinoplasty is one of those.

The first recorded nose-enhancement surgery can be traced back to ancient times in Egypt and India. Fast forward to 2018, nose surgery, clinically known as rhinoplasty, is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries. Some patients want to aesthetically improve the appearance of their nose while others want to correct deformities brought about by trauma.

Dr. Frank has been helping Calgary patients like the nose they see every morning when they look in the mirror. Nose surgery is a very satisfying procedure.

What’s involved?

Whatever your reasons for wanting rhinoplasty, below is a run-through of everything involved with the procedure:

  • Rhinoplasty with Dr. Frank is more than just about altering the size and shape of your nose. Dr. Frank will consider all of these factors — your overall facial balance, nasal support, skin elasticity, ethnicity, and medical history.
  • A good cosmetic outcome from rhinoplasty is not solely dependent on the skills of your surgeon but also the patient’s healing response, which may be influenced by the state of his or her health and lifestyle habits such as smoking.
  • Rhinoplasty can be performed via the open or closed approach. In an open rhinoplasty, the nasal cartilage and surrounding bone structure are exposed, while a closed approach keeps them untouched and unexposed because the incisions are made inside the nose.
  • It’s not uncommon to be disappointed with the appearance of your nose following surgery. The significant amount of swelling post-surgery will be unappealing. You need patience at this time.

Whether it’s a droopy nasal tip or a variety humps and bumps that are bothering you, we’d love to help you review your nose-enhancement options. Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to make a consultation for rhinoplasty.

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What to Do After Your Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty CalgaryWhether your nose surgery was for cosmetic or functional reasons, the goal is to recover as soon as possible without complications. Dr. Frank knows that a successful recovery is a critical component of your overall rhinoplasty experience. Patients want to see their final results as soon as possible, but patience is a virtue, especially with rhinoplasty recovery!

Your initial recovery will take two weeks or more, although you will have some residual swelling for a few weeks. This swelling can come and go for a few months, especially in the evening. Here are some tips for a successful, speedy recovery from this rewarding cosmetic procedure with Dr. Frank:

  • Limit facial muscle movements— This sounds obvious, but during your recovery you need to limit things such as laughing and smiling (only hang out with your more boring friends!). Be careful not to open your mouth too wide. Keep your nose from stretching too much or from being hit. Opt for food that is easy to chew; postpone having foods like steak that require more chewing.
  • Protect your nose from the sun— Unprotected sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration in your nose after rhinoplasty. Apply 30+ spf sunscreen and wear protective clothing. You don’t want “a little sun,” your nose doesn’t want any. This seems easy if you have your procedure during a Calgary winter, but even if you’re up skiing protect your nose with sunscreen.
  • Choose the right clothes— During recovery, choose clothes that won’t possibly have physical contact with the nose area. Also, don’t wear sunglasses or reading glasses. If you need regular glasses tape them above your bridge. Avoid tops that must be pulled over your head, such as sweaters, t-shirts, or that Flames’ jersey. Button-up shirts are your best choice as you recover, as they minimize nose movement and possible bumping while dressing.
  • Keep the exercise light— You may be tempted to get back to hardcore exercise soon as a way to help deal with recovery, but you can’t. You need to opt for lighter workouts that restrict up-and-down movement. Also, don’t participate in sports that put you at risk of hitting your nose. Lastly, your nose will feel tender during recovery, which makes swimming, diving, and similar exercise a temporary no-no until you’re fully healed.

With patience and attention, gracefully recovering from rhinoplasty is not difficult. Dr. Frank will explain the best practices for your recovery, so that you will be pleased with your new nose for the rest of your life. Call us at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation or with any questions you may have.

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Plastic Surgery Mythology

Cosmetic Services CalgaryMyths are as old as mankind. The original meaning of the word was that of a traditional story, passed on from generation to generation and often explaining superhuman feats. That could be why they meaning of the word has shifted to a belief that is widely held, but false.

There are plenty of myths out there these days, such as that American beer is as good as Canadian beer! The aesthetic industry and plastic surgeons have their fair share. Here are six myths about the business that Dr. Frank would like to dispel.

Plastic surgery doesn’t leave scars

When human skin is cut, healing creates a scar. That is without exception. Talented plastics surgeons such as Dr. Frank, however, are expert at minimizing the appearance of scars by placing the incisions in inconspicuous places such as where a natural crease occurs.

Liposuction is a great weight loss tool

Nope. Liposuction is meant to remove pockets of fat that don’t respond to exercise or to diet. Things like love handles. It is not meant to be a procedure for people that are over 10% above their ideal weight. In fact, removing too much fat during liposuction is dangerous. Dr. Frank requires his liposuction patients to be within 10% of their ideal weight to have liposuction.

Breast augmentation is a one-time event

While breast implants have a longer lifespan now than they formerly did, they still have a lifespan, usually around 10 to 15 years. Plus, as the person with implants ages, her breasts will still droop with that aging. So, you will likely need another breast implant replacement procedure, and possibly a breast lift.

You can’t go out in the sun after surgery

When you live in a beautiful place such as Calgary, it would be a crime not to be able to go outside. After surgery, you should limit your sun exposure because it can delay your healing to a degree and it can make your scars redden. But, as long as you wear sunscreen, you don’t have to pretend you’re a vampire.

Liposuction isn’t permanent fat removal

Fat removed by liposuction is permanently gone from that area. We only have so many fat cells; the number is basically finished when we exit puberty. If you gain a ton of weight new fat cells can be created, but otherwise, their number is static.

Cost is all you should consider when contemplating cosmetic surgery

A procedure isn’t going to make you an entirely new person. You may have a nicer nose or rounder chest, but a procedure doesn’t make your whole life change. Unrealistic expectations make for unsatisfied patients.

Now that we’ve set those misperceptions straight, are you interested in having Dr. Frank help you turn back the clock just a bit? Call us for a consultation at (403) 245-1228.

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A Couple of Tummy Tuck Options

Abdominoplasty CalgaryIf you’ve had children or lost a good deal of weight, odds are your abdomen isn’t what it once was. Loose skin and a little pooch — that’s the usual situation. Why? Because when skin and connective tissue beneath is stretched, due to pregnancy or weight gain, it can only maintain its ability to return to its former tautness for so long. After that, the elasticity is lessened. The result? The tummy pooch or worse.

But Dr. Frank can bring your abdomen back closer to its former self with a tummy tuck. There are a few options when it comes to Dr. Frank’s tummy tuck procedures.

 

Full tummy tuck

A full tummy tuck is recommended for those women with a good deal of loose abdominal skin. During a full tummy tuck, a larger section of excess skin and fat is removed, and the underlying muscles are often brought back to closer to the center to produce a shapelier waistline. A full tuck will also include a second incision, through the belly button if possible, to address looseness above the belly button. In a full tuck, the belly button may be repositioned to a higher location, depending on the amount of skin removed.

Muscle repair

To create the tight, flat abdomen that everyone wants, Dr. Frank not only removes excess skin, but also may reposition muscles that have become separated in the center of the abdomen. It’s not that the muscles have lost their ability to contract, it’s that they may have separated and no longer provide the same support to the middle of the lower abdomen. Of course, every patient’s situation is unique.

Liposuction

There was a time when women chose between a tummy tuck and liposuction, but now the two procedures usually have at least some overlap. In addition to loose, saggy skin, most people also have pockets of fat that don’t respond to exercise or dietary changes. Liposuction removes these pockets.

Who says having a stomach pooch is a part of middle age? Let Dr. Frank tighten up your lower abdomen and give you back a stomach you like to show off in a swimsuit. Call us at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

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