I performed my first labia reduction in 1994, when just a resident. Training at the University of Toronto included a 6 month cosmetic surgery rotation in which patients could obtain cosmetic surgery from a senior resident at a reduced fee. A young woman came to the clinic requesting labia reduction because she was an actress and was being offered ‘Sharon Stone-type’ roles! Since then, Labia Reduction has grown in popularity, in part driven by the opportunity for women to see images on the internet of labia different from their own. The internet has also allowed women to become aware of the availability of this procedure. Labia reduction has obvious cosmetic…

Cheek and Chin augmentation don’t get enough respect from patients, or sometimes surgeons, but a recent increase in chin augmentation requests reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (and observed anecdotally in our Toronto office) is giving people some cause to reflect. There is speculation that the increased use of Skype and videophones is causing people to take a closer look at themselves, and a closer look at feature enhancement. Chin augmentation is a relatively easy procedure performed with a silicone implant through an incision under the chin. There are variations of the implants intended to mask jowls, or even create a chin dimple. Cheek augmentation with implants carries…

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has released statistics for sugical and non-surgical procedures in 2011, and 2011’s winner for top surgical procedure is……………Liposuction! Liposuction defeated Breast Augmentation for the first time in three years, regaining its old crown! Toronto cosmetic surgery statistics generally match the American numbers, although Toronto breast implant numbers have been relatively steady as we have had access to cohesive gel breast implants for several years longer than Americans, and so the surge in Toronto breast augmentation surgery was spread over and longer time frame. Other procedures seeing increased popularity are the body contour surgeries (tummy tuck, breast lift, arm lift/brachioplasty), likely a reflection of successful…

Whether a mommy make-over or full rehab for a major weight-loss patient, body contour surgery is the most powerful tool for removing or lifting excess skin and fat on the abdomen (abdominoplaty/tummy tuck), breasts (breast lift/mastopexy), thighs (thigh lift), arms(arm lift/brachioplasty) and back/buttocks. Many consultations in our practice are focused on how much surgery to do in one operation. Some procedures go together very well, like liposuction hips with a tummy tuck, or tummy tuck and breast lift together. Advantages of combination procedures include: 1. single recovery period 2. lower cost- if procedures are compatible, once you are in the operating room it is cheaper to keep operating than to…

Fewer consultations in our practice are as emotionally charged as the patient seeking hymenoplasty.  Patients seek this procedure for many reasons, but most commonly it is to physically reverse an unwanted sexual encounter, or to enable a marriage which requires virginity as a precondition. Our patients are often surprised to find themselves in a Plastic Surgeon’s office, not associating plastic surgery with a gynecologic procedure.  It so happens that reconstruction of female genitalia, either following cancer surgery (vulvectomy) or in transgender surgery is a common part of plastic surgery training, and repair of a torn hymen is extremely simple relative to these other reconstructive procedures.  An office like ours is…

There are few procedures in plastic surgery with more variations than the facelift.  Understanding something about this operation may help you to understand the controversies, and may help you to ask the right questions when you meet with a prospective surgeon. (more…)