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Month: November 2017

Choosing autologous fat transfer surgery

Posted on by Gary Ross

Undergoing autologous fat transfer surgery to improve the signs of ageing

For patients seeking procedures in Manchester that offer natural looking results, autologous fat transfer surgery could be the answer. Unlike other invasive procedures to tackle facial ageing such as facelift surgery, this is a more holistic cosmetic procedure.

This type of anti ageing surgery has multiple benefits and can be undertaken as a solo treatment or as part of combination cosmetic approach. Mr Ross answers some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this form of facial rejuvenation procedure in this week’s blog.

What is fat transfer surgery and why is it popular?

Popular with both male and female patients, procedures transferring fat are deigned to improve common ageing concerns such as volume loss. Fat is harvested from another part of the patient’s body, often the abdomen, before being returned to a new location. It’s also a great alternative to liposuction.

Various types of autologous fat transfer are available; which is most suitable is down to the individual. It’s becoming one of the most requested anti ageing facial rejuvenation procedures because the results are natural-looking and can be an alternative for injectable treatments and, in some cases, invasive surgical procedures.

Who is fat transfer surgery suitable for?

Autologous fat transfer is usually suitable for patients of a stable body weight who would benefit from volume enhancement. Patients need to be in good overall health and must be aware of the pros and cons of undergoing this form of facial rejuvenation.

This anti ageing surgery unlikely to be suitable for patients with unrealistic expectations of what this facial rejuvenation treatment can achieve, and those with a significant medical history. Patients must also have fat available in another area of the body in order to be eligible for this type of skin rejuvenation.
Are the results of fat transfer reliable?

For many patients, fat transfer surgery can provide excellent facial rejuvenation results. It can improve facial volume and contour the face without the need for surgery. It is useful as an anti-ageing tool, and can provide excellent results for both men and women.

The results of this anti ageing surgery are generally good, although every patient and body is different, and how one patient takes to autologous fat transfer surgery may differ to another. It’s a good idea to book a consultation to discuss the reliability of this form of facial rejuvenation compared to other options available to you.

How long does the procedure take?

In most cases fat transfer surgery takes between one and two hours. It’s advised to ask someone to collect you post-treatment, and you should expect some swelling and mild discomfort for a few days.

Can I undergo this type of anti ageing surgery alongside other cosmetic procedures?

Yes, it’s often used in combination with other facial rejuvenation methods to improve facial contours and/or improve volume that may have been lost due to weight loss or the ageing process. In some cases autologous fat transfer may be used as part of wider anti ageing surgery, for example alongside a mini facelift.

What will be covered in the consultation for fat transfer?

If you’re considering fat transfer in Manchester booking a consultation is the next step. This informal meeting allows patients to find out more about the cosmetic procedure and the setting in which it will be performed. You’ll learn about the procedure in more detail, as well as the risks, pros and cons associated with it. It’s then advised you take away that information and digest it, assessing whether or not you feel it’s best suited to you, before making a decision to go forward with treatment.

For more information about fat transfer in Manchester you can visit the treatment page, or email the team to book a consultation with Mr. Gary Ross.

Direct Brow lifting in Aesthetic Surgery

Posted on by Gary Ross

The appearance of the eyebrow is an important landmark in facial aesthetics. Its shape and position convey youthfulness and attractiveness. Most authors suggest the brow in women should arch above the supraorbital rim and for men; the brow should arch along the rim. Aesthetically the brow is considered more aesthetic if it starts lowest in the inner portion with the peak of the arch is in the outer third of the eyebrow.

Botox has been used to alter the position of the brow by altering the pull of the muscles that elevate and depress the brow. Fillers have also been used to try and elevate the brow and may be considered a good option for many patients wishing to have a subtle change to the brow.

Surgically many operations have been suggested to elevate the brow and reduce the wrinkle lines. These techniques can be broken down into indirect methods and direct methods.

Indirect brow lifting

Indirect methods involve incisions remote to the brow. These may involve incisions in the hairline and the brow accessed through these incisions and the brow elevated either with or without the use of endoscopic devices with or without muscle division.

Direct brow lifting

Direct methods involve the placement of scars within the periorbital region. These can be through an upper eyelid incision or through an incision immediately above the eyebrow hair. Again the muscles can be altered via these methods.

The direct method of brow lifting with scars just above the brow has been a source of controversy with many surgeons concerned about how the scars are accepted by patients.

A recent study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal from Italy where a direct brow lift was performed in 212 patients has shown a 98% satisfaction rate with this method of brow lifting.
Mr Ross agrees with the findings of this study and believes that in the carefully selected patient and utilizing a similar technique as described in this study that patients are very happy with the results achieved.

Any patient wishing to undergo peri-orbital rejuvenation need to consider the various non-surgical and surgical options and be taken through the pros and cons and risks in order to be empowered to proceed or not. You can read more about brow lifts here.

Reference

Breast Uplift Surgery (Mastopexy) – Is It Right For You?

Posted on by admin

Breast uplift surgery is designed to help those women whose breasts have sagged, either as part of the natural ageing process – sadly, gravity takes its toll on our bodies as well as our faces – or as a result of childbearing or weight loss.

What is it?

A mastopexy is aimed at lifting and recontouring the breasts to a more youthful shape and position.This usually involves repositioning the nipples and might also include Breast Augmentation Surgery (p 63) or Breast Reduction Surgery (p 65), depending on what your breasts look like to start with and the results you are trying to achieve.

Who is suitable?

You will need to undergo a thorough consultation to assess whether you are a suitable candidate. There are several different options depending on the degree of
sagging. The technical term for sagging is ‘ptosis’ and in breast uplift surgery the degree of ptosis is graded according to the distance between the nipple and the crease of the breast. In grade one, the nipple is about level with the crease; in grade two, the nipple is less than three centimetres below the crease and in grade three cases, it is more than three centimetres below the crease.
The surgeon will assess what grade of ptosis is present at the consultation and will then tell you which technique is most suitable for you. If you have only very mild sagging, you may only need a Breast Augmentation (p 63), but this will only lift the breasts by one to two centimetres and won’t halt further drooping as you age.

 

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Cosmetic Surgery and Body Image. A Public Health epidemic?

Posted on by Gary Ross

The reasons for patients wishing to undergo cosmetic surgery are complex. Although cosmetic surgery can improve quality of life and can help improve ones body image, patients should only consider cosmetic surgery after carefully considering the pros and cons and risks. It is also imperative that potential patients have realistic expectations and aspirations.

Patients must be fully informed and others should not influence decisions. Increasingly decisions to proceed are being made based on body image “norms” that have been created by fiends on social media and through aspirational peers within the media that may influence their decisions.

A new survey for the 2017 Dove Global Girls Beauty and Confidence Report, interviewed 5,165 girls aged 10 to 17 in 14 countries and showed that over 50% of girls had low body esteem. Having a negative body image was also linked to negative health effects.

The Dove “Real Truth About Beauty Revisited” also highlighted that only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful.

The negative self esteem of not feeling “normal” or similar to friends or peers can affect ones own body image and lead patients to explore cosmetic surgery.

The evidence would suggest that the prevalence of negative body image is increasing and there are increasingly more women looking to alter their body in an attempt to conform to a social “norm”.

Sadly advertisements and social media that are altering our perception of reality are affecting the social norm.

Although we have recently seen a move in Israel and France to reduce the use of overly thin models and a move to limit the prevalence of “photo shopped” or altered images within the media we have a long way to go to stop the epidemic that is upon us.

Within my own cosmetic surgery practice I now only offer cosmetic surgery to less than 30% of patients I consult with. I have seen a dramatic increase in very beautiful women with low self esteem who are incredibly vulnerable. More and more I am telling patients “the perception of yourself is not how others would perceive you”.

Sadly, it is very difficult to build self esteem when it has been negatively affected throughout childhood and cosmetic surgery is rarely the cure.

Prevention of a negative body esteem is undoubtedly a public health issue that threatens our society unless addressed urgently.