Plastic surgeons glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a plastic surgeon provider in Ontario.
- What is a board-certified plastic surgeon?
- A board-certified plastic surgeon holds certification in plastic surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), signifying completion of specialized training and rigorous examination.
- What is a chemical peel?
- A chemical peel is a skin treatment that uses acidic solutions to remove damaged outer layers of skin, revealing smoother, clearer skin beneath.
- What is a cohesive gel implant?
- A cohesive gel implant is a silicone breast implant with a thicker, more densely cross-linked gel interior that holds its shape independent of implant shell integrity, often called a "gummy bear" implant.
- What is a deep plane facelift?
- A deep plane facelift is a facelift technique that lifts and repositions tissue beneath the SMAS layer, reaching deeper facial structures for extended rejuvenation results.
- What is a panniculectomy?
- A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the panniculus, a hanging fold of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen, often performed for medical or functional reasons rather than cosmetic improvement.
- What is a rhytidectomy?
- Rhytidectomy is the medical term for a facelift, a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens facial tissues to reduce wrinkles and restore a more youthful appearance.
- What is blepharoplasty?
- Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape or restore the eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, or tissue from the upper or lower lid, often to address aging, drooping, or impaired vision.
- What is botulinum toxin type A?
- Botulinum toxin type A is a purified neurotoxin that blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, temporarily paralyzing facial muscles to smooth wrinkles caused by repetitive expression.
- What is capsular contracture?
- Capsular contracture is the tightening and hardening of scar tissue that naturally forms around a breast implant, causing the implant to feel firm or distorted.
- What is diastasis recti repair?
- Diastasis recti repair is a surgical procedure that closes the gap between the left and right rectus abdominis muscles when they have separated, typically due to pregnancy or significant weight changes.
- What is fractional laser resurfacing?
- Fractional laser resurfacing is a skin treatment that uses laser energy to create microscopic columns of injury across a fraction of the skin's surface, leaving untreated areas intact to promote faster healing than full-field ablative resurfacing.
- What is FRCSC?
- FRCSC stands for Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, a designation indicating a surgeon has completed accredited specialty training and passed the College's examination in their surgical field.
- What is hyaluronic acid filler?
- Hyaluronic acid filler is a clear gel made from a naturally occurring sugar polymer that is injected under the skin to add volume, hydrate tissue, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds.
- What is hyaluronidase?
- Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid filler, allowing it to be dissolved and removed from injection sites when needed for correction or reversal.
- What is microneedling?
- Microneedling is a skin treatment that uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries, triggering the body's natural collagen production and skin renewal.
- What is radiofrequency skin tightening?
- Radiofrequency skin tightening is a non-invasive treatment that delivers RF energy into the dermis to heat tissue and trigger collagen remodeling, resulting in skin firmness and tightness.
- What is rhinoplasty (open vs closed)?
- Rhinoplasty is nose reshaping surgery performed using either an open approach (with an external columellar incision) or a closed approach (with incisions hidden inside the nostrils).
- What is submuscular vs subglandular placement?
- Submuscular placement positions an implant beneath the pectoralis major muscle, while subglandular placement positions it directly under the breast tissue but above the muscle.
- What is the Baker classification scale?
- The Baker classification scale is a four-grade system used to measure the severity of capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue hardens around a breast implant.
- What is the difference between textured and smooth implants?
- Textured implants have a rough surface designed to reduce rotation and capsular contracture, while smooth implants have a polished surface and carry a documented association with a rare condition called BIA-ALCL.
- What is the dual plane technique?
- The dual plane technique is a breast implant placement method where the implant sits partially beneath the pectoral muscle in the upper portion and partially beneath the breast tissue in the lower portion.
- What is the SMAS in facial plastic surgery?
- The SMAS is the layer of muscle and connective tissue beneath the facial skin that surgeons lift and tighten during facelift surgery to restore definition and address descent caused by aging.
- What is tumescent liposuction?
- Tumescent liposuction is a fat removal procedure in which a solution of saline, anesthetic, and epinephrine is injected into subcutaneous tissue to numb and constrict blood vessels before suction extraction.
- What is VASER liposuction?
- VASER liposuction is an ultrasound-assisted fat removal technique that uses sound wave energy to break down fat cells before suctioning, allowing for greater precision and tissue preservation than traditional liposuction.