Benefits of having plastic surgery in the winter

Men and women throughout Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Canmore turn to plastic surgery for many different reasons. A common reason, however, is to boost their confidence by enhancing and defining the appearance of their body contours.

Most of these patients link this desire to the summer months when they can show off their physiques in bathing suits, shorts and sundresses. Unfortunately, plastic surgery is something of a multi-step process in that it requires planning, a surgical date and a recovery period. This recovery period can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

….so, what are the benefits of having plastic surgery in the winter? To ensure that your recovery will not interfere with your summer plans, consider scheduling your plastic surgery procedure during the winter months so that you have plenty of time to heal. By planning ahead, you can enjoy the warm, summer months participating in something you love, not spending it recovering inside on the couch.

 

Scars fade

While scarring is an inevitable part of plastic surgery or any other type of surgery, the scarring is always at its worst immediately after the procedure. Even after the wound heals, scars will be red, raised and swollen.

While it can sometimes take years for all of the discolorations to fade to their final appearance, a significant amount of scar healing happens within the first few months. By choosing to have your surgery during the winter, you are giving your scars ample time to heal and fade before summer, when you may want to show off your figure and expose the areas where scarring is present.

This timing can be especially beneficial for procedures such as tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction procedures

 

Swelling disappears

Just as scars can take months to lose their initial redness, swelling can be noticeable for the same amount of time. The majority of swelling subsides after a few weeks, but the rest of it can take up to six months to fully dissipate. The presence of this swelling affects the overall quality of your results and hinders the appearance of your final contour.

Plan for your surgery early so that all of the expected swelling is gone before summer.

 

Cold weather allows for easier concealment

Even after you have been cleared to return to your normal activities and routines, you may still experience the visible effects of the recovery process. Winter allows for easier concealment of these recovery effects. Long sleeves, loose sweaters and scarves all enable you to hide the treatment areas until you feel ready to show off your results.

 

Starting your plastic surgery journey

If you think that plastic surgery might be right for you and your aesthetic goals, be sure to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 10 years of plastic surgery experience. His artistic and highly technical approach produces natural results tailored to enhance and complement your specific goals and circumstances. 

If you are interested in learning more about surgical procedures, or to book a consultation, please complete our online form, call us, or email us at office@radianceplasticsurgery.ca.

Is Plastic Surgery for Men?

male breast reduction

For many years, plastic surgery has been portrayed as a women’s interest. Now, that is a thing of the past.

More than ever before, looking young and fit is important for men. From looking to roll back the hands of time via a facelift or trimming their waist with liposuction, there are a variety of plastic surgery and med spa style treatments that can help men achieve their cosmetic goals.

 

The unique cosmetic concerns of men

While more men get cosmetic procedures done now than in the past, there is still often a lot of hesitance. Society paints men who are concerned about their looks in an unflattering light, often treating them as less masculine. This can cause guys to worry about others finding out about their cosmetic procedures and judging them for it. They also have to overcome their own prejudices.

Then there is the frequent concern that opting for a cosmetic treatment will result in a more feminine appearance. If they get liposuction on their waist, will they look curvier? While the right plastic surgeon will ensure a manly look, the concern is still there.

Ultimately, there is no reason why men cannot get cosmetic procedures to help them feel better about their appearance, while still maintaining a natural, masculine look.

 

The best plastic surgery and med spa treatments for men

Men and women are different, and as such, the best procedures for guys won’t necessarily be the same as those for women. Procedures for men are tailored to their goals and concerns. So, which procedures are the best for men?

 

Liposuction for Men

As men age, they are more likely to start carrying extra weight around the middle. In many cases, these fat cells are stubborn and do not always respond well to diet or exercise. With the right approach, fat removal can trim the waist while also crafting a more masculine V-shape.

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male chest

Gynecomastia surgery (Male Breast Reduction)

Sometimes, feminine surgical results aren’t the concern; it is the feminine features already present. This is the case with gynecomastia, which is when the male breast tissue is enlarged and looks more like female breasts. Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, can reshape the chest for a more masculine look.

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Eyelid surgery for Men

After the hairline, the eyes are often the next place men show signs of aging. From wrinkles to drooping lids to bags under the eyes, this is a spot that ages you in a number of ways. Eyelid surgery can help to lift the skin and address under-eye bags, delivering a more awake and energized look.

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male breast reduction

Botox® for Men

Botox has long been known for its use by the Hollywood elite, but it works for the everyday man just as well. In addition to addressing frown lines and wrinkles, Botox can also be used to improve the appearance of a drooping brow, a common cosmetic concern for many men.

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So guys…what’s next?

If you are a prospective male patient who would like to improve your appearance, there are a few things you must bear in mind. First, you want to ensure you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery,  who has extensive experience in male procedures with incredible results. Second, based on their assessment, you must be open to the possibility that your surgeon may recommend a different course of action than the one you initially had in mind. Lastly, you must be committed to following all post-operative instructions and guidance, including maintaining a long-term healthy diet and exercise regimen to sustain your results.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is a key stage in your decision-making process. A board-certified plastic surgeon is certified by the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon and additionally,  a trained specialist in male surgical procedures. His artistic and highly technical approach produces natural results tailored to enhance and complement your specific goals and circumstances. 

If you are interested in learning more about body procedures, or to book a consultation, please complete our online form, call us, or email us at office@radianceplasticsurgery.ca.

Everything you need to know about getting a facelift

With so much information out there about facelifts and facelift alternatives, separating the facts from fiction can sometimes be difficult. To help you find the accurate answers you’re looking for, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about getting a facelift, how to tell if a facelift could be right for you, and the best way to achieve long-lasting results.

Can facial exercises work as well as a facelift?

There has been a multitude of misleading information lately around performing various facial exercises in order to tone and tighten your face, much like your working out at the gym can tone and tighten your abs or biceps. Unfortunately, the two concepts are very different.

Signs of skin aging like lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin can actually be worsened by repetitive and consistent facial movements. Unfortunately, no amount of facial exercise is going to be able to combat these common signs of aging. If these are your main cosmetic concerns, a facelift or other minimally invasive alternatives like injectable treatments are most likely going to be your best options.

How do I know if it’s the right time for a facelift?

So if facial exercises aren’t going to do the trick, how do you decide if it might be time to commit to a facelift? If your self-confidence is impacted by the appearance of sagging skin or deep lines and creases, or if minimally invasive treatments don’t seem to be cutting it anymore, a facelift may be the most beneficial treatment.

There is no age cutoff for getting a facelift, as long as you are in general good health, just about anyone at any age could be a good candidate for this procedure. You know it’s time for a facelift is when you are not content with the appearance of your neck and jawline. There is nothing short of a facelift that corrects the loose skin and neck muscles and extra fat under the chin like a well-performed facelift done by an experienced plastic surgeon.

What’s recovery from a facelift procedure like?

For the first few days after your facelift, plan on taking it easy and having someone else around to help you. The general recovery period is usually about 10 days, and stitches are usually removed after the first week. Most patients tend to feel comfortable returning to work and other normal activities around the two-week mark.

To support your recovery process, make sure you’re eating healthy, nourishing foods, are getting plenty of rest and are following your plastic surgeon’s specific recovery guidelines.

How long will facelift results last?

No plastic surgeon can precisely guarantee the length your results will last.  The effects of most facelifts typically last for years before a touch-up might be needed. To maintain your results even further, try to reasonably limit sun exposure, wear sunscreen, eat a healthy diet and talk to your healthcare team about which skincare products are right for you.

What should I look for in a facelift plastic surgeon?

Women and men considering any surgical options are encouraged to get answers to their questions and find out more about their procedure of choice by consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you think a facelift could be right for you, the first step is to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. Look for both board certification and extensive experience performing plastic surgeries like facelift and eyelid surgery when narrowing down your search.

A board-certified plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only board the American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes to certify doctors in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon and additionally, a Harvard-trained specialist in surgical face procedures. His artistic and highly technical approach produces natural results tailored to enhance and complement your specific frame, goals and circumstances. 

If you are interested in learning more about Face procedures, or to book a consultation, please complete our online form, call us, or email us at office@radianceplasticsurgery.ca.

Is eyelid surgery right for you?

As you age, eyelids can start to sag. Not only can they make a person look older, but they may begin to feel heavy. If you are experiencing drooping eyelids, you may wonder if an elective blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is right for you.

Several changes start to occur in our eyelids as we age. By your late 30s or early 40s, the thin skin of our eyelids begins to lose its elasticity and start to stretch, resulting in excess folds of skin that, in some cases, may actually hang down over the edge of the upper eyelids. In most people, this skin is the “first to go.” You may feel an extra heaviness in the upper lid or feel the skin sitting on your lashes. In some cases, a forehead lift might also be advised to increase peripheral vision.

The procedure can be done on just the upper eyelids or both the upper and lower. Many patients have the upper eyelids procedure done under minimal anesthesia, allowing them to recuperate faster and get back to work in under a week.

The lower eyelid area is something that needs additional medical attention to correctly diagnose the problem. Occasionally, it can be due to too much fat, too much skin, or perhaps not enough of either. For this reason, it is imperative to have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon well skilled in these areas, such as Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery.

There are three distinctly different types of eyelid procedures. The eyelid procedure you will require can vary depending on the shape of your eyes and other health conditions factors. One of these three types will be recommended by Dr. Laliberte:

Upper Eyelid Surgery: This type of blepharoplasty is generally used to improve vision loss and appearance of the eye due to aging or genetics. As the name implies, it’s focused on the upper eyelid. This type of surgery can restore the function of the eye or provide a more rounded, open appearance.

Lower Eyelid Surgery: This procedure is centered around the lower lid and eyes, focusing on the removal of wrinkles in the skin, correction of baggy eyes and improving appearance.

Double Eyelid Surgery: In a double eyelid surgery, a crease is made in the upper eyelid, creating a wider, larger-looking eye. This is the procedure that has recently gained huge traction and popularity in East Asia, and the one most often referenced in relation to blepharoplasty as a whole.

Eyelid lifts can have a drastic effect on your face and improve your self-confidence. If you are considering a blepharoplasty procedure, your next step will be arranging a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Laliberte - Radiance Plastic Surgery's Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Laliberte – Radiance Plastic Surgery’s Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is key to your decision-making process. A board-certified plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only board the American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes to certify doctors in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Laliberte at Radiance Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon and additionally,  a trained specialist in surgical eyelid procedures. His artistic and highly technical approach produces natural results tailored to enhance and complement your specific goals and circumstances. 

If you are interested in learning more about eyelid procedures, or to book a consultation, please complete our online form, call us, or email us at office@radianceplasticsurgery.ca.