The Quarantine 15 and Weight Gain During COVID-19 Lockdown

Have you gained a little bit of weight during the COVID-19 lockdown? That’s OK. So has nearly everyone else.

How can you not gain weight? The gyms in Toronto have been opening and closing at an infuriating rate. Most people are now working from home, which means they’re never more than a few steps away from the fridge. Stress eating has now become one of the day’s regular meals.

We can confidently say that anyone who does plastic surgery in Toronto probably had the busiest summer and fall of their careers. We’re getting a lot of calls from people asking, “So, how does liposuction work?” Our calendar has been full of people looking to get body contouring treatments to help them deal with the so-called Quarantine 15.

Some may snicker at the punny name, but it’s no laughing matter for a lot of people. In fact, a recent report revealed that 30% of surveyed Canadians said that they have gained weight during this lockdown, while 21% of those people have gained more than 5 pounds.

You know things are bad when runners are gaining weight! A report from RunRepeat revealed that 35% of the people they surveyed have gained more than 5 pounds recently. If they’re struggling with their weight, what chance do the rest of us have?

Some people have been able to create a passable home gym to help deal with all of the closed Goodlife and LA Fitness locations. In fact, Canada has seen a 500% increase in home workout equipment sales, as thousands of people try to fill their homes with kettlebells and free weights.

That’s all well and good for people with a spare bedroom, a basement, or a garage. However, it’s not really feasible for people living in a 400 sq./ft. 1-bedroom condo downtown. They’re already using every inch for living space, a home office, and a Google Classroom.

If you have gained some weight over the last few months, don’t feel bad. And don’t feel like you have to wait until the gyms re-open to lose it.

A body contouring treatment can help you regain your pre-pandemic body today!

Option #1: Liposuction

A liposuction procedure remains one of the most popular ways to remove unwanted fat from multiple parts of your body.

Despite all of the new innovations and new procedures in the world of body contouring, liposuction was still the second most popular plastic surgery in North America (just behind breast augmentation) with over 260,000 successful procedures.

Why are these treatments so popular? It’s because the technology keeps moving forward and producing better results. In fact, the evolution of liposuction technology over the last 20 years has been game-changing.

The introduction of energy-assisted liposuction technology has been massive. These devices are able to break down the fat cells and make them easier to extract, while tiny microcannulas remove the fat through a very small incision. This leads to far less scarring and better results than we have ever seen before.

Our clinic currently offers 3 unique types of energy-assisted liposuction:

BodyTite™ Lipo (Radiofrequency Energy)

Our very own Dr. Thomas Bell is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on this procedure.

Our surgeons will use radiofrequency energy to melt and coagulate your extra fat using technology that has the best safety controls and soft tissue contraction on the market today. In fact, many of our patients have experienced soft tissue contraction between 40-50% in 12 months after this procedure.

SmartLipo™ (Laser Energy)

Patients that go with SmartLipo or BodyTite are looking for a contraction and tightening of the skin, with safe and effective fat reduction. Data shows that SmartLipo can help you achieve a 17% increase in skin contraction and a 25% improvement in skin elasticity.

Your surgeon will use leading-edge laser technology to dissolve your unwanted fat, followed by aspiration using a micro-cannula. Our patients love it because there is almost no bruising and a very tiny incision.

SmartLipo can be used to treat multiple parts of your body, which means it’s a less-invasive alternative to procedures like:

• Tummy tucks
• Arm lifts
• Thigh lifts
• Neck lifts

Whether you’re a woman or a man seeking out liposuction options, you will return back to your pre-pandemic body and feel like yourself again with TPS.

You get real body contouring results, with no downtime.

Vaser Liposuction (Ultrasound Energy)

This painless procedure releases ultrasonic energy that gently vibrates to liquefy your fat cells for safe and simple extraction.

If you’re considering a fat grafting procedure of some sort (i.e. the Brazilian butt lift or Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation), this is likely the liposuction treatment your surgeon will choose. It extracts the fat, yet keeps it intact and well-preserved for transfer procedures.

However, if you’re looking for a decent amount of skin contraction, you would probably be better off with one of the other two options.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

The cost will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the area(s) being treated. The price will also depend on things like how much experience your surgeon has, and even the city you live in.

So how much is a Toronto liposuction procedure compared to one in Ottawa? Our prices start at $4,999 – $6,999. We also offer financing options to make your procedure even more affordable.

Option #2: The Tummy Tuck

This is another very popular surgical option for people struggling with unwanted fat in the midsection and core area.

But the great thing about the tummy tuck is that it can help you get rid of the stretch marks and extra skin that you may also be dealing with.

This is what makes the tummy tuck procedure such a great option for people who have had children or experienced substantial weight gain. They’re left with unsightly and unwanted loose skin and stretch marks, and no amount of cardio or sit-ups can help.

The size and location of the incision will depend on what type of tummy tuck you’re getting.

That could include:

Mini Abdominoplasty / Modified Abdominoplasty

This procedure focuses on the area below your belly button with a tiny incision.

Standard/Full Abdominoplasty

Takes care of the extra skin and fat surrounding the belly button area. It also tightens abdominal muscles.

Extended Abdominoplasty

This could be the best option if your excess skin extends to the hips or love handles.

Your surgeon will repair your weakened core muscles. Next, the excess fat will be removed by using advanced energy-assisted liposuction techniques, and then excess skin will be surgically removed.

We will monitor you following your surgery, and you can expect to stay overnight under the supervision of our specialist nurses. Patients can usually go home the following day.

We’re proud to say that we offer one of the absolutely world-class tummy tuck surgeons. Dr. Bell has over 20 years of advanced body contouring and tummy tuck experience. This makes him one of the industry’s most experienced BodyTite liposuction practitioners.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck in Toronto Cost?

The price can vary, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. But our tummy tuck procedures start at $8,999. If you are a man interested in a tummy tuck, check out men’s tummy tuck costs. 

Option #3: Non-Surgical Body Contouring

If you’re looking for a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure, we can also help you find the perfect combination of treatments.

Our clinic currently offers options such as:

VelaShape (VelaSmooth)

VelaShape’s radiofrequency soft tissue heating system gives you industry-leading fat reduction, cellulite improvement, and skin tightening. It can be safely used on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen.

CoolSculpting

This technique uses non-invasive cool temperatures to freeze fat cells in your body. There is no pain or downtime.

Venus Freeze

Get skin tightening and fat reduction in the same treatment. It has also led to some great outcomes in treating cellulite.

Evolve

These treatments use radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy to destroy fat, tighten skin, and make your existing muscle tone stand out and pop.

EMsculpt

Want the equivalent of 20 years worth of sit-ups in 30 minutes? EMsculpt uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to create 20,000 supramaximal contractions, yet it’s painless with no downtime!

These treatments are all very popular among people who are looking to trim up areas of their body that diet and exercise can’t seem to reach. They’re looking for body contouring, but they don’t want a full-blown surgery. They’re also looking for something with no pain, scarring, bruising, or downtime.

Which One of These Treatments Will Work Best For Me?

You may have read that Victoria’s Secret models swear by Velashape III treatments. Or a co-worker may tell you that they got a 6-pack by using Venus Freeze. That doesn’t necessarily mean these treatments will work for you.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions in the world of body contouring. In fact, in most cases, we don’t even believe in using one procedure. We find that the best results come from using different combinations of multiple procedures to give you optimal results.

What combination will work best for you? Our surgeons will walk you through all of your options and help you come up with a fully customized plan. Trust the experience and expertise that comes from creating success stories for the last 20 years.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Body Contouring?

There is no ideal candidate, per se. However, the best results often come from people who are near their goal/ideal weight (typically under 15 pounds away) and just need a little bit of help. They are living a healthy lifestyle, but they are looking to get over the hump that diet and exercise can’t seem to get them over.

Liposuction, tummy tucks, and non-surgical body contouring treatments are not meant for people who are dealing with obesity or looking to lose a significant amount of weight. 

It would also be best if you’re a non-smoker. At the very least, you should give up smoking 2 weeks prior to (and 2 weeks following) any type of surgery.

You will also, ideally, already be living a healthy and active lifestyle with a balanced diet. This is how you make your results last. We have the tools and talent to perform your body contouring, but you will be the one who determines how long the results will last.

Are We Still Open During the Pandemic?

Yes, we are! We are still open and we’re ready to help you!

Of course, like everyone else, we have changed the way we do business and put new social distancing measures in place.

We are actively limiting the number of people in our clinic at all times, so all of our pre-op and post-op meetings will now take place over secure video conference calls. We always enjoyed the face-to-face interactions. But we’re finding that this is still a very effective way to get to know you and your goals, while answering any questions that you may have.

Safety and sanitization are our top priorities and we take our responsibility very seriously. If you have any questions about how surgery works in the era of social distancing, we would love to talk to you about everything so you can feel confident going into your procedure.

Are You Ready to Talk About Your Options?

How does laser liposuction work? Let us show you. Our experienced surgeons are both regarded as thought-leaders in the world of body contouring. They are both regularly interviewed on Podcasts, radio shows, and television shows to speak about trends in the world of plastic surgery.

Their impressive techniques and technology can help you deal with The Quarantine 15, or simply help you get the dream body you’ve always wanted.

“Dr. Bray had something extra. It was as if he knew everything I wanted and everything that bothered me without having to tell him. I never felt as if I had to explain anything to him – he just knew. No other surgeon made me feel so understood and confident,” – A Tummy Tuck review from Realself.com.

The new you can be a lot closer than you think. Reach out today!