Toronto Plastic Surgeon Discusses Latest Trends in Asian Plastic Surgery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada — According to the most recent statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), Asia currently boasts the highest number of cosmetic procedures performed with over 5.8 million total enhancements in 2010, almost 32% of all aesthetic procedures performed across the globe. With North America in second at just over 4.5 million procedures, Dr. Lawrence Tong, a plastic surgeon in Toronto, says he has observed a similar demand for cosmetic procedures at his practice, noting that an estimated one-quarter to one-third of his patients are of Asian descent. In some Asian countries such as Korea and Japan, Dr. Tong says plastic surgery has been very popular for some time; however, he says Chinese patients are a newer trend. While Japan jumped up two spots since 2009 to the fourth most plastic surgery procedures performed per country, China sits just ahead with over 1.2 million cosmetic enhancements. Dr. Tong attributes much of the rising demand for Asian plastic surgery amongst the Chinese to cultural shifts, and China’s rising affluent consumer class. He says there is a greater emphasis on beauty in modern Chinese culture, and many Chinese are looking to enhance their appearance through following Western aesthetic trends. Ironically, the desire to pursue Western aesthetic trends has led to China’s cosmetic surgery industry to become a ‘Wild West’ of sorts. There is virtually no regulation of […]
Toronto Plastic Surgeon Discusses Positive Experience with Innovative Gummy Bear Breast Implants
Development of advanced breast implant offerings over the past few years such as the cohesive silicone gel (‘gummy bear’) implant has led some plastic surgeons to see a surge in popularity of these implants for breast augmentation. Having offered the ‘gummy bear’ breast implants at his Toronto plastic surgery practice, Dr. Lawrence Tong says he is extremely satisfied with the results achieved, and plans to continue offering them as an important option for elective breast enhancement surgery. Cohesive silicone breast implants (also nicknamed ‘gummy bear implants’) are the latest generation of breast implants. Although these implants have been available in Canada for a number of years, Dr. Lawrence Tong, a plastic surgeon in Toronto, says the vast majority of them are used for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. The implants have some notable aesthetic and safety advantages when compared to traditional silicone implants. Despite this, the popularity of gummy bear implants still lags behind traditional silicone implants for cosmetic breast augmentation. Following his experience with using cohesive silicone implants for breast augmentation in Toronto, Dr. Tong believes they offer significant benefits for many patients, and has seen the implants become an increasingly popular option at his practice. Cohesive silicone implants originated from the desire by implant companies to create a silicone implant that could maintain a natural teardrop shape. To accomplish this, the silicone composition was chemically altered, making it firmer […]
Dr. Lawrence Tong treats PIP Breast Implant patients in Toronto, Canada
Recently, I have started to see patients at my Toronto plastic surgery practice, to have their PIP breast implants removed. All of these women had their breast augmentation surgery performed abroad. The PIP implants were never approved for use in North America, so patients who had breast augmentation performed in Canada should not be alarmed. Background Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) breast implants have been a subject of major concern for women around the world over the last few months. The French company is accused of manufacturing breast implants with industrial grade silicone gel, instead of a much higher quality medical grade silicone. There is concern that these implants have a higher rupture rate, and that the silicone inside these implants may release toxic substances if a rupture were to occur. On December 23, 2011, the French government recommended that the estimated 30,000 women in France with PIP implants seek surgical removal. On January 6, 2012, the British government has also stated that it would pay for women who require the implants removed (if deemed medically necessary), for the estimated 30,000-40,000 women in Britain who have PIP implants. Surgical Options for PIP Breast Implant Removal The goal in removing these implants is to do so en bloc. This means that the breast implant and surrounding scar tissue (the capsule) is removed as one single unit. The implants are not traumatized in […]
Dr. Tong quoted in the press about non-Plastic Surgeons performing cosmetic surgery
A family physician who was performing liposuction and other cosmetic surgery procedures was recently punished by the CPSO, after being found guilty of incompetence and failing to uphold the medical standard of practise in relation to her care of multiple cosmetic surgery patients. One of her patients died from her incompetence after a liposuction procedure. One of her patients died from her incompetence after a liposuction procedure. Read the full story. Her punishment was medical license suspension for two years, but she will be able to assist in surgery after the two years have elapsed. Dr. Tong feels that the punishment was too light, and that she should not have the ability to practise medicine again. Only fully trained surgeons should be performing surgery. Additionally, Dr. Tong strongly believes that only plastic surgeons, who are trained in the full spectrum of cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, should be performing the full breadth of cosmetic surgery procedures. Make sure your doctor is actually a plastic surgeon.
Dr. Tong featured on CityTV news discussing Plastic Surgery and the Holidays
The December Holidays are a busy time for Dr. Tong. He was featured in a recent CityTV news segment discussing how his practice sees an explosion of activity around Christmas and New Years. Note: video may be preceded by third party advertisement Apple users Click here to see the video! (Opens in a new tab)
U of T Training Program lets Patients Cut a Deal on Plastic Surgery
Read the full story. Dr. Tong is involved with the training of Plastic Surgery Residents and Fellows from the University of Toronto. They come to train at 199 Avenue Road because it is known for its excellence in Cosmetic Surgery. A special program has been set up so patients can have procedures done at lower fee. The procedures are done entirely by the resident or fellow, however, every surgery is supervised by one of the staff members at 199 Avenue Road, which Dr. Tong is proud to be a part of.
Dr. Tong Quoted in The Globe and Mail on guilty verdict for disgraced Family Doctor practising Cosmetic Surgery
Read the full story. Dr. Tong was quoted in the Globe and Mail making the argument that surgery should be performed by legitimately trained surgeons, and cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body should be performed by certified Plastic Surgeons. The gold standard in accreditation for Plastic Surgeons is either: a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, OR a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Tong is certified by both of these respective Canadian and American Plastic Surgery certification bodies.
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