Cosmetic or Aesthetic Surgery involves techniques intended for the "enhancement" of appearance through surgical and medical techniques, and is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.
In 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the United States alone (Canadian numbers are not available but are assumed to be proportionally similar). The number of cosmetic sprocedures performed in the United States has increased over 50 percent since the start of the century. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, with the five most common being breast augmentation, liposuction, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty. Europe is the second largest market for cosmetic procedures.  Brazil also deserves a mention as a country where cosmetic surgery is very common and is socially accepted as normal.

Breast augmentation is extremely popular in women of all ages and is one of the most common procedures performed in our facilities.  Breast augmentation is achieved through the insertion of a breast implant under the breast tissue, either below or above the chest muscle.  There are two main types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-gel-filled implants. Saline implants have a silicone elastomer shell filled with sterile saline liquid. Silicone gel implants have a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel. Several alternative types of breast implants had been developed, such as polypropylene string or soy oil, but these are no longer manufactured as they have been found to have unacceptably high problem rates.  

Abdominoplasty is another very common procedure performed at our clinic.  Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure that makes the abdomen more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightening of the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss.

Breast Reduction (also known as Reduction Mammoplasty) is a common surgical procedure which involves the reduction in the size of breasts by excising fat, skin, and glandular breast tissue.  It may also involve lifting of the breasts.  Breast reduction surgery is ideal for women with large, pendulous breasts, since the weight of their breasts may cause chronic pain of the head, neck, back, and shoulders, plus circulation and breathing problems. The weight may also cause discomfort as a result of brassiere straps abrading or irritating the skin.  For these reasons, the surgery is covered by OHIP. Even if physical discomfort is not a problem, some women feel awkward with the enormity of their breasts in proportion to the rest of their smaller bodies. Except in unusual cases, this procedure is performed on individuals with fully-developed breasts, and it is not typically recommended for women who desire to breastfeed.