Eyelid Surgery Toronto

Factors in Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery

Various forms of cosmetic surgery exist today. All have the aim of altering the physical appearance of an individual. An implicit – sometimes explicit – part of this alteration, change or transformation is the individual’s image of themselves as well;  not only how they see themselves, but how they see themselves seen by the people around them. For this reason, there are two elements at stake in cosmetic surgery: the physical and the psychological.

Valid advertisements of cosmetic surgery do not represent themselves as the be all and end all. They allow the individual to understand that it’s a complex process with many factors to consider. Even a simple goal like having a smoother stomach, can become complicated by the various procedures available. Even then, the range of techniques. In the end, a consultation is always recommended, with a review of the various options available. As well, the attendant risks. What follows is an attempt to acquaint the reader with some of the issues regarding the procedures available. It does not explore what – if any – legal restrictions there may be depending upon where the procedure is done. For example, in Canada, there are can be regulations regarding the use of silicone in prosthetic devices, namely breast implants. The reader should also try to acquaint themselves with whatever follow-up or check-ups are necessary after the fact.

General vs. local anesthetic

If a general anesthetic is used, it is usually performed in a hospital setting. There are certain risks associated with any kind of procedure involving a general anesthetic. Regardless, a hospital stay is normally required. In contrast, a local anesthetic usually carries fewer risks and hospitalization is not required.

In-patient vs. out-patient

For the in-patient, a hospital stay is in part meant to ensure that any potential complications that can arise from the procedure can be dealth with immediately. As well, the individual will likely require a certain amount of rest and recovery in a hospital setting. In contrast, the out-patient can go home after the procedure should no complications arise. Regardless, having a qualified physician performing the procedure in a sterile, controlled setting is critical.

The health of the individual

The individual should be in good general health. Procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks are not meant for the purpose of weight loss as much as what’s known as body contouring. Also, pregnancy can be a factor in precluding one from most procedures.

What you should avoid

Smoking a few weeks before and after the procedure. This is because smoking affects the blood’s circulation and can hamper the body’s ability to heal.

Excessive exercise, dieting and heavy physical acitivity after the procedure. Again, this can affect the individual’s ability to recover. The former two should also be avoided prior to the procedure.
Certain types of medication can also seriously affect your ability to recover. For example, anticoagulants should be avoided if undergoing liposuction.

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What Types of Cosmetic Surgery Are Available

Cosmetic surgery comes in many forms. What follows is an attempt to cover some of the more popular types. It is in no way exhaustive. As with any type of elective surgery, there may be many options available to the individual. Options range from the type of procedure, technique used, and not just the physician themselves. Each option carries its own attendant risks. As such, they should be reviewed carefully with a qualified physician.

Breast augmentation: this essentially involves the use of a prosthetic device to change – usually increase – the size of an individual’s breasts. Over time, advances have been made in the type of prosthetic used since the 1970s. However, all employ a type of silicone shell filled with a solution that is then implanted. The solution itself consists of either saline or a silicone gel. Regardless, as in the past the risk of the implant’s rupture remains. However, this risk appears to have been greatly reduced. Yet, follow-up checkups are required to ensure this.

The main techniques used for this procedure are sub-glandular, sub-fascial, and sub-muscular. In addition, there are variations on these techniques based on the incision used by the surgeon. The types of incisions are Peri-Areolar, Infra-Mammary, and Axillary. Each technique and type comes with its attendant pros and cons. In the end, a lot will depend upon the individual themselves and the surgeon’s preference.

Botox, also known as Vistabel or Dysport, is the brand name used for botulin toxin type A. It is used in injections, most popularly for removing lines. Since it is an injection, and is normally performed in an outpatient setting, with no anesthesia required, it is quite popular. However, since its effects are not permanent, follow-up injections are usually required. Botox is considered a prescription drug. As such, it should be performed by a qualified physician.

Botulin toxin type A comes from bacteria. After it has been processed, it works by interfering with nerve impulses, amongst other things. It has only been in the last few years that, it has come to be recognized for its cosmetic function. These range from the appearance of severe frown lines between the eyebrows, excessive underarm sweating and spasticity.

Liposuction involves the removal of deposits of fat from the body. Technically, the procedure goes by the names of Lipoplasty or Suction Lipectomy. More popularly, it’s known as body contouring. It is not considered an alternative to weight loss. However, it’s used when normal diet and exercise have not worked to reduce these deposits.

The main techniques used are basic liposuction with a fluid injection, tumescent liposuction, use of stitches, super wet liposuction, ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL), power assisted liposuction (PAL) and external ultrasound assisted liposuction (XUAL or EUAL). A local or general anesthetic may be used depending upon the technique.

There are many considerations prior to undergoing the procedure. Issues include the elasticity of the skin around the area to be treated, and the general health of the individual. Exclusions include having diabetes, heart and/or circulation problems and/or any medication that affects the healing process. The main type of medication to be aware of are anticoagulants.

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All There Is About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is, technically speaking, epilation by laser or with the use of a special light. Besides the body, certain types of laser hair removal may safely be used to reduce facial hair as well. The laser (or light) of a particular wavelength is used to cause damage to dark elements in hair follicles. These elements are referred to as chromophores. They can be artificially produced or naturally occurring.

Today, most techniques target naturally occurring chromophores, in particular, melanin. Melanin gives colour to both hair and skin. Of the former, there are two types: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives a brown or black colour. The latter gives a blonde or red colour. Since the dark matter in hair follicles are the target, only the former – darker – type of hair is suitable for this procedure.

While laser hair removal became a commercial cosmetic procedure about 10 years ago, it has been experimented with well before then. In fact, medical lasers have been used to remove dark spots, acne scars, other types of skin blemishes and even tattoos. The point about laser hair removal is that, it’s not permanent. In fact, in countries like the U.S., the FDA prohibits the advertisement of FDA-approved laser treatments to be described as a method of “permanent removal”. Hence, use of the term “permanent reduction” or laser hair reduction to describe the procedure.

A more realistic description of laser hair removal is the “permanent reduction” of hair. It should be noted that, it’s sometimes required to have multiple sessions of laser treatment over a certain period of time to achieve this goal. There is also no guarantee that ALL of the hair in the area treated will be reduced. To actually guarantee genuine permanent hair removal is to risk genuine scarring.

Ideally, the first thing the individual should do is to consult a qualified dermatologist. They should be able to advise on the suitability of the procedure. In any event, results will be most noticeable on light skinned individuals with dark hair. A lot more care will need to be taken, if the procedure is done on darker skinned and/or tanned individuals.

What you should be careful about

As noted above, one is well advised to avoid establishments that make false claims. The following are some of the more popular ones:

There is absolutely no pain or it’s virtually painless. It is for many without needing any relief from the pain, but not for everyone.

The safe, permanent removal of hair. Again, the safe goal is hair reduction. Permanent removal is possible with scarring.

No re-growth of hair whatsoever. To date, there has been no real, genuine, qualified and objective evidence to support this claim.

It’s “laser electrolysis” or “lasertrolysis”. Hair reduction via electrolysis is completely different from reduction via the use of a laser. Both have their pros and cons, in terms of suitability and effectiveness.
In the end, it’s best to consult a qualified dermatologist first.

News Update

TV Review | ‘China Revealed’ A Tour of China, Travel Not Required
New York Times – United States
… So she has eyelid surgery and facial reconstruction. “This way I will look more like a Barbie doll,” Eliza says. “She’s so lovely.”. …

Double trouble
Malaysia Star – Malaysia
… ingenue Zhang Yuqi paid the price for vanity recently when she returned to the set of Stephen Chow’s movie after undergoing double eyelid surgery during a …

Ask the Doc…
Hindu – Chennai,India
… This May I underwent laser surgery for cataract. … Why does this happen? S. Visvanathan. Answer: Most eyelid conditions do not affect vision. …

Blindness prevention drug may make matters worse
African News Dimension (subscription) – Johannesburg,Gauteng,South Africa
… eyelid becomes deformed, forcing the eyelashes to turn inwards and stick on to the eyeball. This causes debilitating pain and can only be corrected by surgery. …

‘Flab jab’ is all the fad, but regulation is thin
Kansas City Star – MO,USA
… Lower eyelid, double chin, jowls , hips, buttocks, abdomen, inner thighs, upper arms … From The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: www.surgery.org …