Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
OUR PROCEDURES
A small selection of our procedures is featured below. More procedure descriptions will be added soon.
ABDOMINOPLASTY
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the abdomen or tummy region. Skin and fat are removed by excision +/- liposuction and abdominal muscles are restored into position if widened.
There are several variations of the surgery including:
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Mini tummy tuck: Mini tummy tucks are reserved for patients with minimal excess skin and fat and/or those troubled by stretched or weakened abdominal walls. Rectus diastasis, or separation of the ab muscles, can occur with pregnancy and previous weight gain. Unfortunately, repair of rectus diastasis is not currently covered under our MSP healthcare plan. This procedure can help target stubborn areas of fat and remove stretch marks below the belly button as well as tethered C-section scars. This procedure is typically shorter in surgery length and recovery time.
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Standard tummy tuck: A standard abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region resulting in a flatter and firmer appearance. Liposuction is often used as an additional tool to improve the waist contour. The belly button is repositioned and ab muscles are realigned into anatomic position.
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Fleur-de-lis: Patients with excess skin in the vertical direction (up and down) may require a second incision in the midline region to improve overall waist contour.
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Circumferential bodylift: Patients with excess skin and fat that extends around the abdomen to the buttocks and back may benefit from a body lift.
Cost: Starting at $6,800 - $14,500+
Surgery length: 1-4 Hours
Anaesthesia: General Anesthesia
Recovery: 1-6 weeks
GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY
Some men develop fullness to their chest secondary to weight gain or due to development of breast tissue. The goal of surgery is to remove excess tissue and retore chest contour. There are many reasons why this can occur and some patients chose to discuss with primary care physicians ahead of consultation. Some patients may be candidates for removal of overdeveloped breast under MSP and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Cost: Variable
Surgery length: 2 Hours
Anaesthesia: Local or General Anesthesia
Recovery: Most patients require at least 1-2 weeks off light duties work
6 weeks off from strenuous activity
IMPLANT REMOVAL
There are many reasons patients may present wanting implant removal without replacement. Some reasons include:
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Implant deflation
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Capsular contracture: This occurs when scar tissue around the breast implant becomes thick leading to the breast feeling firm, appearing less natural, and/or cause pain
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Patient wishes: Our office welcomes all patients to share their motivations for implant removal to help provide a patient-centred approach to their breast surgery goals
Each patient wishing for implant removal surgery will be assessed as an individual as there are several factors that weigh into creating a surgical plan. Implant removal often results in deflation of the breast. Patients may choose to pursue a breast lift or mastopexy in addition to implant removal to improve breast aesthetics. In some patients, removal of implant along with scar tissue (aka capsulectomy) surrounding the implant may be desired or required.
You may be a candidate for breast implant removal procedures if you:
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Are in good health and are a non-smoker
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Have realistic expectations for your outcome
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Understand the appearance of your breasts will change post-removal (with or without additional procedures)
Cost: Variable - Dependant on the reason for implant removal and if additional procedures are requested
Surgery length: 1 -3 Hours
Anaesthesia: General Anesthesia
Recovery: 2 weeks - Back to work (light duty work only)
4-6 weeks surgical bra – light activities
6-8 weeks – return to full activities including vigorous exercise
In challenging cases, two stage breast reconstruction may be suggested.
SKIN CANCERS
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells and represents the most common type of cancer. It most often forms on skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun but can also occur in other locations of the body. The three most common type of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. If your healthcare team member is suspicious of skin cancer, a biopsy will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Most skin cancers are removed surgically but other treatment options may exist for you depending on the type of skin cancer. Excised skin is sent for pathology review to determine if your cancer is completely removed or if further surgery is indicated. Your Plastic Surgeon will make every effort to preserve your health and appearance without compromising your cancer care. Although scars are an inevitable part of invasive surgery, your Plastic Surgeon will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible using specialized reconstruction techniques. Reconstruction can be performed by using local tissue (local flap) or using skin from elsewhere (skin graft) and in some cases, more than one surgery may be necessary.
These operations are commonly performed under local anesthesia in the outpatient setting. In larger cancers, a general anesthetic may be required.
Some possible complications and risks associated with surgery to remove a skin cancer may include but are not limited to:
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Bleeding
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Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases
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Incomplete excision of the skin cancer which requires further surgery
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Wound breakdown
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Loss of skin graft or flap requiring further surgery
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Scarring of the surgical site including keloids or lumpy scar tissue, which are pink, raised and irregularly shaped
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Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions
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Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening
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Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s)
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Slow or delayed healing
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Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia
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Risk to nearby structures including sensory nerves (resulting in temporary or permanent numbness)
Skin cancer treatment is covered under MSP and a referral from your family physician, nurse practitioner, or specialist is required. For skin lesions treated for cosmetic reasons alone patients can call directly without a referral but these type of procedures are not covered by the medical plan.