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Cosmetic Surgery Procedures at a Glance

‘The pertinent facts on our most popular procedures’

Breast Enhancement

Body Enhancement

Facial Enhancement

Eyelids / Brow / Forehead Enhancement

Non-Invasive

Breast Enhancement Procedures

Breast Augmentation
What the procedure does Enhances breast volume (size and fullness), and shape
Duration of the result Permanent, but implants may need replacement in the future (10-20 years)
Length of time to perform the procedure 1-1.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used General anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5 – 7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Over dissection of pocket leading to ‘bottoming out’ or ‘lateral drift’
  • inappropriate implant size selection
Learn more about Breast augmentation
View the Breast augmentation before and after photos with patient stories
Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
What the procedure does Lifts drooping breasts, improving shape, nipple size and position
Duration of the result Usually permanent but breast may sag with weight gain, aging
Length of time to perform the procedure 2-3 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • nipples placed too high
  • not re-arranging the tissue to improve fullness and longevity
Learn more about Breast lift
View the breast lift before and after photos with patient stories
Breast Augmentation with Breast Lift
What the procedure does Makes the breast fuller and rounder, lifts the breast, lifts the nipple position and reduces nipple size
Duration of the result Usually permanent although breast may sag with weight gain, aging, implants may need replacement (10-20 years)
Length of time to perform the procedure 3.5-4.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used General anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • failing to appreciate complexity of procedure
  • ending up with the ‘long breast’ look
  • nipples placed too high
Learn more about Breast augmentation with Breast lift
View the Breast augmentation with breast lift before and after photos with patient stories
Breast Reduction
What the procedure does Reduces breast size and weight, lifts breasts, elevates nipple position
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 3 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used General anesthesia
Length of time off of work 4-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • placement of nipples too high
  • asymmetry
Learn more about Breast Reduction
View the Breast Reduction before and after photos with patient stories
Male Breast Reduction
What the procedure does Contours the chest to be smooth and flat
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 30 min – 3 hours, depends on extent of problem
Type of anesthetic most commonly used Local only, IV sedation, general; depends on extent of problem
Length of time off of work 2-7 days; depends on extent of problem
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Over resection of breast tissue leading to an inverted nipple region
Learn more about Male Breast Reduction
Nipple Inversion Correction
What the procedure does Corrects inverted nipple to normal protruding nipple
Duration of the result Usually permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used Local only, IV sedation
Length of time off of work 3-5 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Recurrence of nipple inversion
Learn more about Inverted Nipple Correction

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Body Enhancement Procedures

Mommy Makeover
What the procedure does A combination of body or facial procedures tailored to restore your pre-pregnancy appearance
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Depends on area(s)
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia, local anesthesia for smaller areas (depends on specific procedure)
Length of time off of work Varies according to specific procedure(s)
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Trying to do too much at one surgery
Learn more about Mommy Makeovers Toronto
Liposuction
What the procedure does Removes fat selectively from targeted areas
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Depends on area(s); usually 45 minutes to 1 hour per area
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia, local anesthesia for smaller areas
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 1 week for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Poor candidates (loose skin, scars, significant obesity)
  • Over removal causing contour irregularity
Learn more about Liposuction Toronto
View Liposuction before and after photos with patient stories
Tummy Tuck
What the procedure does Slims and tightens the abdomen by removing excess skin, fat, stretch marks, and repairing loose abdominal muscles
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 2-3 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 10-14 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Placing the scar too high
  • Performing the procedure on someone who has significant internal abdominal fat
Learn more about Tummy Tuck Toronto
View Tummy Tuck before and after photos with patient stories
Mini Tummy Tuck
What the procedure does Slims the abdomen, tightens the skin and tightens the lower abdominal wall
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 1.5- 2 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Trying to use a mini tummy tuck for a patient that needs a regular tummy tuck
Learn more about Mini Tummy Tuck Toronto
Arm Lift
What the procedure does Slims the arm by removing excess fat and/or skin through liposuction and direct removal
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 2.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Removing too much skin, resulting in wider scars
  • Not educating patients about potential scar visibility
Learn more about Arm Lift Toronto
Thigh Lift/ Mini Thigh Lift
What the procedure does Tightens skin and removes fat of the inner thigh
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Thigh Lift: 3 hours
Mini Thigh Lift: 2 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Removing too much skin, resulting in wider scars
  • Not educating patients about potential scar visibility
  • Performing a mini thigh lift when a regular thigh lift is needed
Learn more about Thigh Lift Toronto
View Thigh Lift before and after photos with patient stories
Lower body Lift
What the procedure does A procedure that gives a result equivalent to undergoing a combination of Tummy Tuck, Buttock Lift, Lateral Thigh Lift, and Flank Liposuction
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 6 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 10-14 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Poor scar placement (too high on back and front)
  • Insufficient contouring of the waistline
Learn more about Lower Body Lift Toronto
Brazilian Butt Lift
What the procedure does Improves the volume and shape of the buttocks by transferring fat from one area of the body to the buttock region
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 3 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Insufficient fat harvest for augmentation
  • Augmentation placed too low on buttocks
Learn more about Brazilian Butt Lift Toronto
View the Brazilian Butt Lift before and after photos with patient stories

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Facial Enhancement Procedures

Rhinoplasty
What the procedure does Makes the nose more attractive looking, can make breathing easier if due to deviated septum
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 1.5-3.0 hrs
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Not removing enough nasal hump
  • Shortening the nose too much (pig nose)
  • Unnatural appearance
Learn more about Rhinoplasty
View the rhinoplasty before and after photos with patient stories
Mini Facelift
What the procedure does Restores youthful facial features by elevating the jowls and cheeks, softening the marionettle lines and nasolabial folds (does not improve neck directly)
Duration of the result 7-10 years, face may gradually sag with weight changes, aging, smoking, sun exposure
Length of time to perform the procedure 1.5-2.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Trying to correct the neck with just the Mini Facelift
  • Unnatural (pixie) ears, unnatural hair shifts
  • Poor scars
Learn more about Mini Facelift Toronto
Facelift
What the procedure does Restores youthful facial features by elevating the jowls, cheeks, softening the marionette lines, nasolabial folds AND makes the neck more youthful by removing fat and elevating the skin
Duration of the result 7-10 years, face gradually may sag with weight gain, aging, smoking, sun exposure
Length of time to perform the procedure 3.5-4.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Overnight stay recommended
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Unnatural ‘pulled’ look
  • Unnatural (pixie) ears
  • Unnatural hair shifts
  • Poor scars
Learn more about Facelift
View the Facelift before and after photos with patient stories
Neck Lift
What the procedure does Makes the neck youthful and slimmer by removing fat, tightening neck muscles, and elevating the skin, (also lifts the jowls if the ‘extended’ Neck Lift option is chosen)
Duration of the result 7-10 years, face gradually may sag with weight gain, aging, smoking, sun exposure
Length of time to perform the procedure 2.5 – 3.0 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • ‘Operated-on’ look (too tight)
  • Overly defatted neck (skeletonized appearance)
  • Poor scars
Learn more about Neck Lift
View the Neck before and after photos with patient stories
Mini Neck lift
What the procedure does Makes the neck slimmer and smoother by removing fat and tightening the neck muscles
Duration of the result Usually permanent, neck may sag with weight gain, aging, smoking, sun exposure
Length of time to perform the procedure 30 – 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia, local anesthetic only in select patients
Length of time off of work 3-5 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Overly defatted neck (skeletonized appearance)
  • Using a Mini Neck Lift when a regular Neck Lift is needed
Learn more about Mini Neck Lift
Neck and Chin Liposuction
What the procedure does Makes the neck/area under the chin slimmer by removing fat
Duration of the result Usually permanent, neck may sag with weight gain, aging, smoking, sun tanning
Length of time to perform the procedure 30 minutes – 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general, local anesthetic only in select patients
Length of time off of work 3-5 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Overly defatted neck (skeletonized appearance)
  • Performing Neck Liposuction when a Neck Lift is needed
Learn more about Chin and Neck Liposuction
Chin Augmentation (Chin Implant)
What the procedure does Augments the chin (makes a ‘weak’ chin stronger), can widen chin, or add length
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Implant malposition
  • Choosing the wrong size implant
Learn more about Chin Implant Surgery
Otoplasty (correction of protruding ears)
What the procedure does Corrects protruding ears, large earlobes, asymmetry
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 1-2 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Pinning the ears too flat against the head
  • Ears not looking symmetric after surgery
  • Unnatural look with ear cartilage folds ‘too sharp’
Learn more about Otoplasty
Torn Earlobe Repair / Earlobe Reduction
What the procedure does Repairs torn lobes from earring use/ Reduces large or elongated earlobes
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 15 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used Local anesthesia
Length of time off of work 0 days (patients can go back to work immediately)
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Asymmetric correction
  • Visible scars
  • Notching of the lobes
Learn more about Earlobe repair/reduction
Facial Fat Transfer (Micro Fat Grafting)
What the procedure does Adds fat to an area to improve volume, soften lines and folds
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Depends on area(s); usually 1-1.5 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Improper technique leading to increase risk of fat being resorbed
  • Placing too much fat (puffy face)
Learn more about Fat Grafting Toronto
Lip Lift, Lip Reduction & Lip Augmentation Toronto
What the procedure does Reduces Lips fullness
Lifts a sagging lip due to age, improves fullness
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 30 minutes to 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation, general anesthesia, or local anesthesia
Length of time off of work 2-5 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Visible scars
  • Too much lift/ too much reduction
Learn more about Lip Lift, Lip Reduction & Lip Augmentation Toronto
Chemical Peel
What the procedure does Improves skin texture (lines and wrinkles), and colour uniformity (sun spots, melasma)
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Depends on area(s); usually 15 minutes to 1 hour (for full face)
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia, local anesthesia for smaller areas
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Scarring
  • Bleaching of the skin (when used in inappropriate patients)
Learn more about Chemcal Peels Toronto
Scar Removal / Mole Removal / Cyst Removal
What the procedure does Removes scars or small growths from the face and body
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 15 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used Local anesthesia
Length of time off of work Usually no time off needed
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for heavy exercise
Learn more about mole /Scar / Cyst removal Toronto

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Eyes and Forehead Enhancement Procedures

Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Lids)
What the procedure does Makes the eyes look younger be removing excess skin, fat, eliminating shadows
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure Upper lids: 30 minutes
Lower Lids: 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia, local anesthesia for select patients (upper lids)
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks light exercise, 4 weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Removing too much fat (skeletonized look)
  • Removing too much skin (lids look pulled, unnatural)
Learn more about Blepharoplasty Toronto
View Blepharoplasty before and after photos with patient stories
Asian Double Fold Blepharoplasty
What the procedure does Creates a upper lid crease in patients that do not have one
Duration of the result permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 1 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation
Length of time off of work 7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for light exercise, 4 weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Making the crease too high (ethnic incongruity)
  • asymmetry
Learn more about Asian Double Fold Blepharoplasty Toronto
View Asian Double Fold Blepharoplasty before and after photos with patient stories
Endoscopic Brow Lift
What the procedure does Lifts the brows, reshapes the brow arch, treats frown lines, treats forehead wrinkles
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 90 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for light exercise, 4weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Elevating the inner brow too much (surprised look)
  • Patients often need Blepharoplasty in conjunction with Brow Lift, make sure your plastic surgeon evaluates this
Learn more about Endoscopic Brow Lift Toronto
View Endoscopic Brow Lift before and after photos with patient stories
Lateral Brow Lift
What the procedure does Lifts the tail of the brow in patients with moderate drooping
Duration of the result Years to permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 40-45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 7-10 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for light exercise, 4 weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Using this procedure for patients with significant brow drooping will not provide a satisfactory result
Learn more about Lateral Brow Lift Toronto
Corrugator Muscle Removal
What the procedure does Eliminates frown lines (between eyebrows) by removing the muscle that causes the wrinkles
Duration of the result Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure 45 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used IV sedation or general anesthesia
Length of time off of work 5-7 days
Time to get back to exercise 2 weeks for light excercise, 4 weeks for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Numbness of the forehead from nerve injury
  • Contour depression in the area
Learn more about Corrugator Removal Toronto

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Non-invasive Enhancement Procedures

BOTOX®
What the procedure does Reduces or eliminates wrinkles on a temporary basis
Duration of the result Average: 4 months
Length of time to perform the procedure Injections take 2-3 minutes
Type of anesthetic most commonly used No anesthesia is required
Length of time off of work No time off work is required
Time to get back to exercise 24 hours
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Migration of BOTOX® to adjacent areas
  • Causing drooping in susceptible patients
Learn more about BOTOX® Toronto
Soft Tissue fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse)
What the procedure does ‘Fill in’ lines or wrinkles
Adds volume to needed areas
Duration of the result Average: 9 months; depends on the area and filler used
Length of time to perform the procedure 15 – 20 minutes per area
Type of anesthetic most commonly used local anesthesia with some fillers
many fillers already contain local anesthesia mixed in
Length of time off of work No time off required
Time to get back to exercise 24 hours for heavy exercise
Pitfalls your Plastic Surgeon should avoid
  • Using a filler when a surgical procedure is needed
Learn more about Soft Tissue fillers Toronto

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Dr. Lawrence Tong has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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Dr. Lawrence Tong