Dr. Brett Beber - Toronto's Best Plastic Surgeon
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Dr. Brett Beber - Toronto's Best Plastic Surgeon
Request a consultation

FAQ

Abdominoplasty

Most frequent questions and answers

What is an abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty procedure is a common procedure performed by Dr. Beber where excess skin and fat is removed from the abdomen to improve the contour and appearance of the abdomen. Often during this procedure the abdominal muscles are tightened together to make the abdominal contours even better.

Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty procedures?

People who are in good health but have extra abdominal skin from either pregnancy or weight loss are excellent candidates for abdominoplasty procedures.

How is an abdominoplasty performed?

Abdominoplasty procedures are usually done with patients comfortably asleep under a general anesthetic. Dr. Beber will make an incision in the lower abdomen, which usually extends from hip to hip. An incision is also usually needed around the belly button to get the best effect. These incisions will allow Dr. Beber to remove the extra skin and fat from the abdomen and also tighten the abdominal muscles. Patients who have only moderate skin excess in the lower abdomen can sometimes undergo a “mini-abdominoplasty” where the scar in shorter. The incisions are then closed using dissolving stitches. Many patients often combine an abdominoplasty with liposuction of the “love handles” to maximize the aesthetic outcome.

How long is the recovery time after an abdominoplasty?

Patients are usually able to return home the same day after an abdominoplasty procedure. Patients are encouraged to get up and walk around the house frequently to help minimize complications, but should avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for approximately 4 weeks. It is important for people to protect their incisions during this time by preventing excess pulling on the incisions. For this reason patients are encouraged to sleep with extra pillows behind their head and a pillow under their legs to keep the hips flexed at night during the first 2 weeks. In addition, patients wear a special compression garment under their clothes for 4 to 6 weeks to help minimize swelling and to help in the healing process. Usually 1 or 2 surgical drains are placed in the abdomen during the surgery to help prevent any fluid buildup. These drains are removed during the 1st or 2nd week after surgery after which patients are able to return to work.

LIPOSUCTION

Most frequent questions and answers

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a common surgical procedure performed by Dr. Beber where fat deposits in different parts of the body are gently vacuumed out through small incisions. A variety of techniques have been used over the years (tumescent, ultrasonic, power assisted, laser assisted, etc) and there is still much debate over whether one is better than the other. However, they all have one thing in common the fat is removed from the desired areas with the help of thin cannulas (tubes) that gently vacuum out the fat. Some of the more common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, and arms. Men often undergo liposuction of the chest.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is a common surgical procedure performed by Dr. Beber where fat deposits in different parts of the body are gently vacuumed out through small incisions. A variety of techniques have been used over the years (tumescent, ultrasonic, power assisted, laser assisted, etc) and there is still much debate over whether one is better than the other. However, they all have one thing in common the fat is removed from the desired areas with the help of thin cannulas (tubes) that gently vacuum out the fat. Some of the more common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, and arms. Men often undergo liposuction of the chest.

What if I have loose skin in addition to fat deposits?

Because liposuction removes the fat without removing the overlying skin, patients who have lots of loose skin in the areas of concern are generally not good candidates for this surgery, since removing the fat from under loose or hanging skin can cause the skin to become even more loose. A mild amount of skin looseness is okay since liposuction does create some tightening of the skin if the skin itself has good tone. If there is too much loose skin, other procedures that remove both the fat and the skin are available. Dr. Beber will review with you the areas you are concerned about and can tell you if liposuction will improve these areas or whether other procedures might better address your cosmetic goals.

Will I lose weight from this procedure?

Liposuction is a contouring procedure aimed at improving the contours of your body by removing stubborn fat deposits, which sit underneath the skin. Many people have these fat deposits that do not go away despite eating well and exercising. They find these areas are out of proportion to the rest of their body. Liposuction helps to even out these areas and improve the body’s contours and proportions. However, while several litres of fat can be removed during the procedure, this does not create a significant change in a person’s weight. Therefore, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure.

How long is the recovery after liposuction?

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, which means you are able to go home the same day. You will be up and walking immediately after surgery. Recovery and time off work will vary depending on how many areas you chose to address. Most patients take a week off work to allow them to rest before having to return to work. After surgery patients wear a special compression garment under their clothing for 4 to 6 weeks. This garment helps to minimize swelling and bruising and helps in the healing process.
         

bREAST AUGMENTATION

Most frequent questions and answers

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery?

Women who are good candidates for breast augmentation surgery are in good overall health and wish to increase the overall size of their breasts. Some of Dr. Beber’s patients feel that their breasts have always been small compared to the rest of their bodies and wish to have a fuller breast appearance. Many of Dr. Beber’s patients have found that pregnancy and breast-feeding have decreased the volume of their breasts and they wish to replace the volume they have lost.

What are the different types of implants?

In Canada, both silicone and saline implants are available. Silicone implants come pre-filled and are available in many sizes. Saline implants are sent from the manufacturer empty, and are then filled with saline (salt water) at the time of your surgery. Implants can be either round or anatomic (teardrop shaped), and can have either a smooth or textured surface. Dr. Beber is experienced with all these types of implants. During your consultation, Dr. Beber will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of these implants to help you chose the implant that will address your personal cosmetic goals.

How long will my implants last?

Breast implants are not designed to last forever. Like most implants in medicine today, they may wear out over time and need to be replaced. Women undergoing breast augmentation should assume that they will have their implants replaced/removed at some point in their lives. However, there is no expiry date on breast implants, and they do not need to be removed just because a certain number of years have passed since their augmentation surgery.

Is there a lot of pain after breast augmentation surgery?

There is some pain associated with breast augmentation surgery, but this is usually well controlled with medication after surgery. Dr. Beber minimizes the amount of postoperative pain by careful surgical technique and gentle handling of the tissues. However, the amount of postoperative pain can also be affected by the size of implant that is inserted, and by the position of the implant. In general, implants placed under the chest wall muscle involve more initial discomfort than those placed on top of the muscle.

Will there be changes to the sensation of my breast and nipple?

Many women experience changes in the sensation of their nipple and breast skin after augmentation, and these are usually temporary. Some women find a decrease in the sensation while others find that the nipples or breast skin are more sensitive after surgery. Most of these changes are temporary, but there is a small chance that the changes can be permanent.

What happens if I get pregnant after surgery?

Although many women can still breast-feed after augmentation, placement of breast implants can negatively affect a woman’s ability to breast-feed. Many women find that pregnancy significantly changes the appearance of their breasts, and breast augmentation does not prevent these changes from happening. Breast lifting procedures can help to improve the appearance of the breast after pregnancy, both for augmented and natural breasts.

How do breast implants affect mammograms?

Breast implants can affect the way mammograms are done. Implants placed above the muscle can hide some of the breast tissue, while implants placed below the muscle hide less of the breast tissue. Women with breast implants often have a few extra pictures taken during their mammograms, which push the implants out of the way to better view the breast tissue. Your radiologist may also suggest the use of ultrasound or MRI if required.

What are the possible scar locations for breast augmentation?

Breast implants can be inserted through an incision in the crease under the breast (inframammary), an incision around part of the nipple (periareolar), or through an incision in the armpit. Each of these choices has its own advantages and disadvantages. During your consultation, Dr. Beber will review these options with you and help you chose the option that will best address your goals.

How do I choose the right implant size?

During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to try on’ implants of different sizes. This will give you an idea of what size of implant will help you to achieve the look that you desire. Your natural chest dimensions also play an important role in determining what implant sizes will be possible. Implants are measured by volume or by weight. They are not measured in cup’ sizes. This is because the same implant will result in a different cup size in different women, depending on their overall build and the original size of their breasts. Looking at pictures in magazines can help you decide what size of breast you find desirable, and bringing these photos to your consultation with Dr. Beber can help to determine which implant will achieve the appearance you desire.

BREAST LIFT

Most frequent questions and answers

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift, known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure performed by Dr. Beber to restore the breast to a higher, more youthful position. Increased drooping of the breasts can occur for many reasons including pregnancy, breast feeding, age, as well as weight loss. Regardless of the cause, a breast lift procedure can make a dramatic change in the position and aesthetics of the breasts.

Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?

Women who are in good health, who are dissatisfied with the low position of their breasts, and who are near or at their desired body weight are excellent candidates for breast lifting procedures. Dr. Beber recommends that patients be at a stable weight before their surgery, since weight changes after surgery can decrease the longevity of the lift. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also cause the breast to fall again, therefore Dr. Beber recommends that women postpone this surgery until after they have finished having children. Breast lifting procedures can also be combined with either a breast augmentation or with a breast reduction for women who wish to increase or decrease the overall size of the breasts at the time of the lifting procedure.

How is a breast lift performed?

During a breast lift, incisions are made on the breasts to allow the nipple to be raised to a higher position and to allo contouring and shaping of the breast. The excess skin left over after the lift is removed, and the incisions are closed using stitches which are usually dissolving. The incisions are made around the areola, down the front of the breast, and sometimes in the crease under the breast. These incisions result in scars which become lighter over the years but do not completely disappear. Liposculpting of the side of the chest is often combined with breast lift procedures.

What is the recovery time after a breast lift?

Patients undergoing breast lift procedures are able to return home the same day. Patients are up and mobile immediately and are able to resume normal daily activities as early as the next day. However, Dr. Beber recommends that patients avoid strenuous activity and and heavy lifting for a period of 3 to 4 weeks after surgery to minimize swelling and to promote healing.
 

Gynecomastia

Most frequent questions and answers

What is gynecomastia?

Excess male chest tissue, known as gynecomastia, is an extremely common condition treated by Dr. Beber. It often first shows up during puberty, but can occur at any age. For most men, the reason it happens is not known. In some cases it can be a result of certain medications, drugs, or genetic conditions. The amount of excess tissue in the chest can vary from a small lump underneath the nipple to significant enlargement of the entire chest wall skin. The enlarged tissue underneath the skin is usually a mixture of fat and glandular tissue which is more firm.

How is gynecomastia treated?

Surgery is an extremely effective treatment for gynecomastia. Diet and exercise can help by decreasing the fat component of the problem, but the enlarged glandular tissue often still remains. Surgical correction of gynecomastia usually begins with liposuction of the chest to remove the fat component. The glandular tissue that remains is then removed either through the liposuction incisions or through a separate small incision around the border of the areola. Occasionally patients may benefit from removal of excess chest skin, but this is usually not required and is usually done at a later date to try and minimize scarring.
 

What is the recovery time after gynecomastia correction?

Most patients are able to go home the same day of surgery. Patients are generally able to do most day to day activities right away after surgery, but should avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 3 to 4 weeks to minimize swelling and maximize healing. Patients who undergo this procedure wear a special compression garment under their regular clothes for 4 weeks to help in the healing process. Mild bruising and swelling of the chest is common and goes away in a few weeks. Some degree of numbness of the chest skin and nipple is common, and while most of the numbness is temporary, it can sometimes be permanent. Complications such as infections and bleeding are rare. 

PRP HAIR RESTORATION

Most frequent questions and answers
Contact
416.466.5023

40 Holly St. Suite 203 Toronto, ON M4S 3C3

info@bebersurgery.com

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