Feel Great in Every Season

Here’s a look at some of the most popular body contouring procedures offered at Lawrence Park Plastic Surgery.

Liposuction

For some lucky individuals, working out and sticking to a healthy diet is enough to slim their body in time for summer. For others, stubborn fat could be standing in the way, making it impossible to achieve the toned figure you want.

If you’re in your ideal weight range and suffer from pockets of stubborn fat, you might consider liposuction, a popular and effective fat removal technique. Liposuction can be used in many areas of the body in one procedure including the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs, upper arms, calves, bra-roll area, and under the chin. Liposuction allows for controlled sculpting to give you the balanced contour you need.

What Is Liposuction and How Does It Work?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical fat removal technique designed to help patients refine and contour specific areas of the body. During the procedure, Dr. Plant will make small incisions hidden in areas that will be covered even with the smallest of bikinis then a thin, hollow tube (called a cannula)is inserted through these incisions to suction out unwanted fat cells. He has dozens of different cannulae in different sizes to allow for precise, controlled sculpting and a smoother, more balanced silhouette. Unlike non-surgical treatments, liposuction removes fat cells permanently from the treated area.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Fat Reduction: What’s the Difference?

While non-surgical body contouring treatments have grown in popularity, they typically offer modest, gradual improvements and often require multiple sessions and an extreme diet afterwards to “maintain” the results. Liposuction provides more dramatic, immediate, and predictable results in a single procedure. It is especially ideal for patients who want to see a visible difference with minimal downtime compared to the cumulative time investment of non-invasive options.

Combining Liposuction with Other Procedures

Because liposuction is so versatile, it is frequently used in combination with other body contouring or enhancement procedures. For example, pairing liposuction with a tummy tuck allows Dr. Plant to remove both excess fat and skin in the abdominal area. It is also commonly performed as part of a mommy makeover, or alongside breast surgery to enhance overall body balance.

Tummy Tuck Surgery

Excess abdominal skin and weakened core muscles are common concerns after pregnancy or significant weight loss. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes loose skin and tightens the abdominal muscles to restore a flatter, firmer midsection. Dr. Plant typically combines his tummy tucks with liposuction for a more comprehensive, three dimensional result. The incision is placed low on the abdomen (below the typical c-section scar), making it easy to conceal beneath clothing and swimwear.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while also tightening the underlying abdominal muscles and reshaping the belly button. It’s especially beneficial for patients who have loose or stretched abdominal skin following pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.

Which Option is Right for You?

Tummy tuck is not a one-size-fits-all procedure, and like everything else Dr. Plant does, is highly customized to the patient. Depending on your anatomy, goals, and how much excess skin and fat you have and exactly where it is located, Dr. Plant may recommend one of several abdominoplasty techniques:

• Full (no-drain) Tummy Tuck: This is the most common type and ideal for patients with excess skin and muscle separation both above and below the belly button. It involves a hip-to-hip incision liposuction to contour the abdomen and waistline and Dr. Plant’s reshaping of the belly button.
• Mini Tummy Tuck: A less invasive option for patients with mild to moderate loose skin and muscle laxity below the navel only. It involves a slightly shorter incision and does not reposition the belly button.
• Extended Tummy Tuck: This option is suited for patients with significant skin laxity extending around the flanks or hips, such as after major weight loss. It involves a longer incision to address a wider area.

Dr. Plant will walk you through each option during your consultation and recommend the most appropriate approach based on your specific needs and desired outcome.

Combining Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

While a tummy tuck addresses loose skin and muscle repair, it doesn’t eliminate fat deposits in surrounding areas like the flanks or upper abdomen. That’s why Dr. Plant typically combines his tummy tucks with liposuction for a more complete, natural-appearing, contoured result.

Breast Enhancement Surgery

While it’s not technically body contouring, breast enhancement is one of the most common procedures patients seek in order to feel “summer ready” as people think about wanting to wear certain clothing options without needing a bra. If you’re feeling unhappy with your breast size, shape, or symmetry, breast enhancement surgery can help restore your confidence. Breast augmentation adds volume and reshapes the breasts using implants tailored to your aesthetic goals. For women experiencing sagging due to age, pregnancy, or weight changes, a breast lift can reposition the breasts for a more youthful contour.

Add Volume with Breast Augmentation

Adding volume can shape or improve the symmetry of your breasts and help you achieve the proportions that feel right for you. Breast augmentation uses implants or your own fat to enhance breast size and contour. Specializing in balanced, natural-looking outcomes, Dr. Mathew Plant works closely with each patient through a personalized, one-on-one consultation process to select the right implant type, size, and placement for a natural-looking result that complements your frame. Of course, if you are looking for something unnatural, Dr. Plant is more than happy to deliver the results you are looking for.

Address Sagging with a Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, focuses on repositioning the nipples and breast tissue higher on the chest, reshaping the breast and tightening any excess skin without the use of implants. It’s especially helpful if you’ve experienced changes from weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or aging. While a lift alone doesn’t add volume, it can be combined with implants or fat transfer to both lift and enhance the breasts in one procedure.

Explore Your Options for Customization

Breast enhancement needs to be customized to each patient. There are various options for lifts, and implants. Your goals, anatomy, and lifestyle also play a role in crafting the right procedure to suit your goals. Implant options can include saline or silicone, smooth or textured surfaces, and various shapes and profiles. Lifts can include periareolar (donut), circumvertical (lollipop) or inverted T (anchor) patterns depending on exactly what is needed.

Exploring a clinic’s before and after gallery can be a great way to compare options, but be sure to speak to a qualified surgeon that specializes in breast surgery to understand what’s possible for your goals and unique anatomy. At Lawrence Park Plastic Surgery, Dr. Plant takes the time to educate patients about each choice to ensure your results are tailored, balanced, and long-lasting.

Ready to Feel More Like You?

Your body goals aren’t seasonal, they’re personal. If you’re considering a body-enhancing procedure, Dr. Mathew Plant can help you determine the best options for your needs. Book a consultation at our Toronto clinic to take the first step toward feeling your best.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.