Dr. Christopher Tolan, facial plastic surgeon, is a contributing supporter and health care provider for congenital cleft lip, palate and nasal deformities. He recently participated in a mission trip to Kiafeng, China with the organization Love Without Boundaries (LWB). Dr. Tolan has been a member of the LWB Team for many years and enjoys being a part of this organization dedicated to helping those with cleft issues. This Spring 2014, Dr. Tolan was one of a team of medical doctors who took the trip to Kiafeng, China. Drs. Tolan and Ness provided cleft surgery care; Drs. Kathy Clinch and Neil Derschin provided pediatric anesthesia services. Along with several other nurses and support staff, the group traveled to Kiafeng Children’s Hospital in the Henan province of China to exchange knowledge and perform cleft surgeries on children from Chinese healing homes and orphanages. During this medical mission trip, the doctors shared their knowledge of the latest developments and advances in the treatment of cleft deformity, while the Chinese medical staff shared their expertise. Through intercontinental collaboration, the Chinese medical staff gained invaluable knowledge of medical techniques, the American team gained greater knowledge of their specialty, and dozens of children received lifesaving cleft surgery in the best conditions.
During this mission trip, Dr. Tolan was joined by a group of volunteers who assisted him from support in the operating room, to holding babies and logging in children as they arrived for their evaluations and surgeries. This is a phenomenally large operation that requires lots of hard work, patience, and dedication throughout the year. Knowing that many children will be given new smiles, however, is rewarding for all involved in the process. Dr. Tolan is proud to be a part of this journey—sharing knowledge with others and creating beautiful new smiles.
The LWB organization was founded in 2003 after a group of adoptive parents came together to help save the life of one tiny boy in China. Following his successful heart surgery, they realized that people with a pure love for helping children can truly make a difference. LWB has watched the foundation grow from providing a handful of surgeries and baby formula in 2003 to touching the lives of thousands of children today. The mission of this organization is to transform the lives of orphaned and impoverished children by providing hope and healing.
It is LWB’s vision to provide the most loving and compassionate help possible to orphaned and impoverished children in China, and to show the world that every child, regardless of his or her needs, deserves to experience love and be treated with dignity and care.
The dedicated and talented LWB team all share a love for the children in China and work together to bring the gifts of hope and healing to the lives of orphaned and impoverished children. Please learn more about LWB by visiting their website at https://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
Look no further. Dr. Tolan and the entire team is amazing. I’ve been a client for many years, and refer many friends and even my mother to their offices. Very professional and love the “less is more” approach. Sarah is my only go to for facials. If you haven’t tried a hydrofacial, book one soon. I can’t praise this clinic high enough, no need to look any further. This is the A team, on time and skilled all around. – AP
The staff is professional and personable. I have seen Dr. Tolan for several years and have been extremely satisfied with the results of treatments. I have facials with Amie, and it really feels like such a treat for myself. I would recommend this team to anyone who wants to look their best, without looking like they had help to get there. – KW
I saw Dr. Christopher Tolan at both the Woodbury and Eagan locations to remove a benign pillar cyst (bump from ingrown hair follicle) that had developed on the left side of the bridge of my nose, where glasses would sit. This was an extremely slow growing “hard ball” under the skin, that took 15 years to get big enough to be noticeable to others. I had asked my Mayo Clinic doctor about the bump a few years ago, and he said, “yea, it’s just a cyst.” Once it was large enough that it was bothering me and many were commenting on it, I knew it I wanted it to be removed and I asked my doctor who should I go to? Without any hesitation he said from his memory, “You want to go to Christopher Tolan”. After a free initial consultation, I felt confident in his skills, his facility, his reputation and his professional team. A few weeks later, the surgery took place in Woodbury at their surgery center, and it took about 1 hour. It was easy, painless and not scary. The entire surgery team was professional, friendly and put me at ease. I was not in much pain afterwords, and went to work the next day. They sent the cyst off to the lab, just to make sure it was benign, and they called a week later to confirm that. I am thrilled with the cosmetic look of the final look of the incision and scar. It will only keep getting more invisible as time goes on. It’s as good as I hoped and nearly invisible. I had three followup appointments with him at the Eagan location which is very close to my work. After about 4 months I am done with follow up appointments. Thanks Dr. Tolan! I am glad I found you and trusted my face to your expertise and surgery skills! – JG
Some of us inherit favorable family traits like our mother’s emerald green eyes, or our father’s dark full hair. But, what if the feature that is passed onto us is the dreaded ‘double chin’? Luckily, a new injectable on the market, Kybella, promises to make turtlenecks a thing of the past and let patients embrace a whole new profile.
“I knew I couldn’t escape it. My dad’s side of the family calls it the ‘Bullfrog Neck’, and while my sister was skipped, my brother and I succumbed to this unfortunate genetic legacy,” laughs Jackie, a Woodbury, MN healthcare professional who asked that her last name not be used for professional reasons.
“All joking aside, my chin was making me painfully self-conscious. I work out daily at the gym and eat clean, but the fat under my chin wouldn’t budge,” complains Jackie. “When I heard about this new fat melting injection, Kybella, on the news, I immediately made an appointment for a consultation with Midwest Facial Plastics.”
“We’ve been limited for years in non-surgical treatment options for the chin area,” says Dr. Christopher Tolan, an ENT & Facial Plastic Surgeon with Midwest Facial Plastics and a national physician trainer for Kybella. “We could, somewhat, downsize a double chin with tightening lasers, or mask the appearance by using dermal fillers along the jawline, but never consistently address it,” explains Dr. Tolan. “The addition of Kybella to our practice allows me to improve the appearance of the chin area for patients, and heighten their confidence,” he adds.
Kybella is the first, FDA approved, injectable for the treatment of sub mental fullness, or “double chin”. It is precisely injected, by your provider, into the areas of excess fat under your chin. In time, it progressively destroys the fat cells there, and your lymphatic systems clears them from your system permanently. Depending on the quantity of fat in the treatment area, multiple treatments may be needed. These are spaced 8 weeks apart, with full results seen 16 weeks after your initial injection.
“I still can’t believe the results,” exclaims Jackie, now a regular patient of Dr. Tolan. “I had quite a bit of fat there to start, so I needed the full 4 treatments, but I literally watched my chin change each month in the mirror. My results from Kybella have vastly improved my confidence in my appearance,” she continues.
“I even got Botox at my second Kybella appointment with Dr. Tolan,” Jackie proclaims. “I felt so much better about myself that I wanted to check out other treatments to make me look as young as I feel. That huge crease between my eyebrows was driving me crazy and people kept asking me if I was tired or mad at them. These are obviously NOT good questions from people when you’re a nurse,” laughs Jackie!
“Jackie is like many of our female patients, she initially comes to the practice with a specific concern, and once that concern is resolved, she becomes curious in other treatments to naturally improve her appearance, “explains Dr. Tolan. “It’s exciting to see the landscape of this industry change as women take a more proactive role in maintaining their skin’s health and appearance,” he continues.
Call today to schedule a consultation for Kybella, or any other treatment at Midwest Facial Plastics 651.632.9700! – Defy
I want to thank Dr. Tolan for doing such an amazing job with my rhinoplasty surgery. I absolutely love my nose! There doesn’t appear to be any swelling at all that I can see, but I know it takes awhile for it to heal. I feel fantastic! I’m able to breathe a lot better. Thank you so very much! – AS
I was very impressed with how prepared Dr. Tolan was for my appointment. While I hadn’t seen him in years (8-10) and I didn’t remember my own history, he took the time to review my incident and spoke very knowledgeably about my patient history, even providing pictures documenting my last visit. He clearly outlined my options, and explained the potential surgery process, which was helpful.
He was professional, personal, and instrumental in guiding me to making an informed decision. I am comfortable getting surgery under his care. – CG
I am loving the results! My best friend of 35 years told me that I look so relaxed and younger since I retired. She does not know about any of the procedures I’ve had. Everything is great, the filler for my tear troughs is something I will want to do again. I can’t thank you enough!!! – NR
I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Tolan and the Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery & Esthetic Skincare staff for the reconstructive surgery for my husband. Your team was a Godsend. My husband and I have been married for 28 years and have four kids. He’s always been a confident man, but occasionally I would see him become so self-conscious about his cleft lip and nose it tore at my heart. I know it pained him. This never happens anymore. It’s been over a year since his first initial surgery and I’ve wanted to share with you how much I appreciate you helping others to see (at least physically) what I’ve always seen (spiritually) about my husband…the wonderful handsome man he is! I know he views you as a dear friend and incredible doctor. Thank you for sharing your God given talent. – LC
I love the results. Love them, love them, love them. I am going to get the peels and Botox from Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery & Esthetic Skincare for as long as I live. Wonderful. FIVE STARS! LOVE IT! – KD
I have found Dr. Griffin to be a highly skilled surgeon who listened carefully to my requests and preferences, answered all my questions pre- and post- surgery, and provided clear information. I’m very please with the results of my surgery and with all of my interactions with Dr. Griffin and his staff.
I just want you to know how thankful I am to you for everything that you’ve done for me since my consultation, until now. You have helped me be optimistic throughout the entire process. I could not be happier with the results of my septorhinoplasty and I beam with confidence everywhere I go! Oh, and it helps that I can now breathe too
“Hello Dr. Girffin, I tried to send this via email but once again I am technology challenged. You operated on my husband _____ face on ________. His follow up caregivers have all told us they were expecting a bizarre looking person according to the facial fractures he sustained that were documented in the chart and were surprised at how perfect his face looks now. One of the therapists said ____ it looks like Michaelangelo must have operated on him. His eye site is improving also. I can’t say thank you enough Dr. Michaelangelo!” – Dr. Michelangelo
So often we fail to express appreciation for those who attend to our everyday needs. This is certainly true who service our medical needs. However I want to thank you and your associate for going “the extra mile” in diagnosing, planning, preparation details and expert surgery skills and healing care during my surgery. Thanks for your patience, kindness and overall medical care for this 96 yr (not easy to care for) patient. Please express my appreciation to the many staff members. – RC
My experience with this office was TOPS from the first phone call for setting an appointment, to the receptionist at the front desk when I arrived, to the nurse who took me back to the studio and prepared me, and to the doctor who did my surgical procedure. I am extremely grateful and happy for my entire experience with MFPS and the results of Dr. Griffin’s precision work which removed a lump from the center of my face with minimal scarring (in fact it is practically invisible, amazing). I am most pleased and delighted. It was the best health care experience I have had all year–a total success. I have been proud of Dr. Griffin’s work (since the moment I took off the bandage some days after the procedure), and I have been singing his praises ever since, referring my friends to Dr. Griffin for their future reference, should they ever need a facial plastic surgeon. Thank you so very much for your professional expertise and help! I feel greatly relieved, happy, and confident for all that we accomplished together. It was great team work, a winner solution. I cannot think of one thing to improve my experience. Keep up the great work. I will be happy to come again if/as needed. – LC
I want to commend Dr. Griffin for his demeanor and calming way as I was very anxious. He explained each step of the surgery on my nose. I had basal cell cancer removed. I felt comfortable and confident that I had someone who knew I was anxious and knew how to allay my fears. I was elated when he removed the stitches and I saw my nose looking as normal as it had before the cancer. He is truly an excellent surgeon and I would not hesitate recommending him to my family and friends. – JL
Dr. Griffin spent plenty of time with me and discussed lots of options. He was honest and direct about my appearance and ways to improve it. He was not at all pushy. I was very happy with the treatment and would recommend Dr. Griffin to anyone interested in facial plastics or esthetic skincare. – RW
I was recently in for face fillers and botox, performed by Dr. Griffin. I have been simply astounded by the results. My closest family and friends just keep telling me I look great, but not one of them knows I had work done unless told. Dr. Griffin is an artist, pure and simple, and has the best bed-side manner. I am thrilled with the results and the experience. Never felt better. I am so happy with the results. – SM