May 2018 - Manchester

Surgery v non surgical cosmetic treatments

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Gary Ross

Can non surgical cosmetic treatments ever replace surgical procedures?

One of the most frequently asked questions aesthetic experts are asked is whether non surgical cosmetic treatments can ever replace surgical alternatives.

This is usually asked with regards to anti ageing facial rejuvenation treatments. It is common to combine non surgical cosmetic treatments with surgical procedures when it comes to facial rejuvenation.

In some cases non invasive cosmetic treatments including dermabrasion and dermal fillers are offered in combination with procedures including surgery.

This can be for multiple reasons, but it’s most commonly because skin needs resurfacing or smoothing as well as lifting. A facelift can lift sagging skin on the face but it can’t improve the appearance of skin around the eyes or mouth, for example.

What is the main difference between non surgical cosmetic treatments and anti ageing surgery?

Non surgical cosmetic treatments do not require invasive procedures or surgery. They are suitable for men and women who are looking to make subtle aesthetic changes, most commonly with regards to ageing of the face and neck.

Unlike cosmetic surgery procedures such as the facelift, neck lift or eye lift, non invasive skin rejuvenation treatments don’t permanently alter the structure of the face. Many also require ‘top up’ treatments to maintain the results.

Popular non invasive cosmetic treatments include dermal fillers, dermabrasion, skin peels, muscle relaxing injections and skin tightening. They all offer different results and last various lengths of time.

How to choose between surgical and non surgical treatments

This comes down to what you hope to achieve and the advice of your medical professional. For some patients non surgical cosmetic treatments may offer the desired outcome, but for more advanced cosmetic changes surgery may be required.

A consultation is the best way to find out what cosmetic procedures are suitable. You can book a consultation here if you wish to ask any questions about specific aesthetic treatments and procedures.

Motivations for undergoing cosmetic procedures

One of the most important parts of a patient’s journey is meeting with a plastic surgeon and discussing the procedure they are considering.

At this meeting, one of the surgeon’s priorities will be to make sure the patient not only understand what the cosmetic procedure entails, but also why the patient wants to undergo it.

A patient’s motivations for choosing cosmetic surgery should be clear, and they should always be to enhance their self-esteem. It might seem like a quick fix to some, but cosmetic surgery is a serious decision that should only be made for the individual.

It is the responsibility of the plastic surgeon to turn down any patient he/she believes may be seeking aesthetic enhancement to please someone else or imitate someone, such as a celebrity.

Get more information online now

Would you like more information about non invasive anti ageing treatments? Contact us today to discuss your needs and ask any questions you feel may help you may your decision.

You can read patient testimonials on the site if you wish you hear more from a patient perspective too. Use the navigation bar to find information specific to the treatment you’re considering.

Five facial rejuvenation procedures for anti ageing

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Gary Ross

Choosing facial rejuvenation procedures as part of an anti ageing makeover

There are multiple facial rejuvenation procedures designed to help patients seeking anti ageing benefits. Procedures can be undertaken as stand alone surgical treatments or in combination with others.

Facial rejuvenation surgery is designed to make areas of the face appear more youthful. This can include the upper face and eye area, mid face and cheeks, or lower face and neck.

There are five main facial rejuvenation procedures available, although obviously this is not a limited list. This blog simply explores the benefits of the most commonly requested forms of anti ageing surgery for the face.

Lower blepharoplasty

A lower blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the appearance of eye bags. It differs from an upper blepharoplasty in that it only alters the skin below the eye.

It’s a popular procedure with both male and female patients, and is usually undertaken in patients over the age of 50. You can find out more about lower blepharoplasty via the treatment pages.

Upper blepharoplasty

If the concern is the skin above the eyes, an upper blepharoplasty may be the solution. Hooded eyes can be a concern as they tend to make someone appear older than their years. In some cases they can also impede vision.

Often combined with a lower blepharoplasty, an eye lift is popular because it’s capable of making a clear change to the way the eyes appear. Check the upper blepharoplasty treatment page for further information about the procedure itself.

Brow lift

Brow lift surgery is designed to change the appearance of the upper eyes; it’s often combined with and upper blepharoplasty. A brow lift may be undertaken if the eyebrows are drooping or causing a ‘sad’ expression.

It’s more common in male patients, and often for those who are over 50. There is detailed treatment information on the brow lift page.

Facelift

The most popular of all facial rejuvenation procedures, the facelift is an umbrella term for surgery to lift the face. There are numerous forms of face lift surgery available; which is right for you is determined through a consultation.

A mini facelift is more common in younger patients, whereas a full facelift is usually more suitable for older patients. You can find out more about all types of face lifting surgery and facial rejuvenation procedures like this in the treatment page section.

Neck lift

Often completed alongside facelift surgery, the neck lift is designed specifically for below the jawline. It’s a procedure common with patients over 45 to lift the skin of the neck and smooth the area to look more youthful.

Find in depth information about neck lift surgery on the treatment pages, or email us for more specific guidance.

More information

Get in touch if you would like more information about blepharoplasty procedures, facelift, neck lift surgery and brow lift surgery. Contact us via email or phone if you wish to book a consultation regarding anti ageing facial rejuvenation procedures.

Choosing facelift surgery over non surgical alternatives

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Gary Ross

The benefits to choosing facelift surgery over non invasive treatments

When it comes to choosing facelift surgery you must make sure you have considered all of your options. This includes deciding whether undergoing surgery is likely to provide you with better and more long-term results than non surgical alternatives.

There are pros and cons to any kind of cosmetic treatment, and they should be considered thoroughly of treatment is decided upon. Booking consultation is a great way to find out more about your chosen anti-ageing surgery procedure, and to get expert advice regarding skin rejuvenation alternatives.

Making your decision

Below you will find three of the most impressive benefits to choosing facelift surgery over a non-invasive anti-ageing treatments. This list is not exclusive and every patient is in individual, so what works for one person may not work for another one.

The advice below is simply to be used as a guide if you are considering moving on from non surgical facial rejuvenation treatments to facelift surgery.

– Long term results

One of the undeniable benefits of choosing a surgical facelift over non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments is that the results are long-lasting. Unlike treatments such as skin tightening with energy assisted devices or injectables such as dermal fillers, the surgical facelift is designed for longevity.

Whilst a facelift cannot stop the ageing process, it is often found the patients who have undergone this form of facial rejuvenation surgery look more useful in 10 to 15 years than a patient who has not undergone facelift surgery.

– Versatility in the procedure

There is a common misconception that undergoing facelift has to involve lifting the entire face. This however is not the case, and there are multiple forms of facelift surgery offered if you are more concerned about specific area of the face.

For example: a mid-facelift is ideal for patients who are only concerned with skin laxity in the midsection of the face. Whilst there are non surgical treatments that can also tackle ageing in the midsection of the face, in the long term they cannot replicate the results of the mid-face lift.

– No follow up treatments

As all patients who enjoy nonsurgical anti-ageing treatments will testify, there is a certain amount of upkeep and follow-up treatments that are necessary in order to maintain the results. A prime example of this would be fillers, which require ‘top up treatments’ to preserve the results.

On of the clear benefits to undergoing facelift surgery as an alternative is that the results are long-lasting and do not require the patient to clinic every 12 to 18 months in order to maintain the smoothing or lifting results of the injectable product.

Making the right choice for you

Choosing facelift surgery is a decision that should only be made by the patient, for the patient. If you are considering undergoing any kind of cosmetic surgery for the benefit of or to please another person it is advise that you seek expert advice before moving forward.

It is also important to do your research before choosing a cosmetic surgeon. You can read this previous blog post on surgeon selection if you would like more advice regarding how to pick the person to perform your facelift surgery.

There is plenty of information on the treatment pages if you are considering choosing facelift surgery over non surgical alternatives. Have a thorough read of the information regarding the different types of facelift surgery and contact the team if you have any questions or wish to book a consultation with Mr Ross.

Can Laser Resurfacing Be An Alternative to a Facelift?

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Gary Ross

What can laser resurfacing and facial rejuvenation offer you?

Laser resurfacing is a skin rejuvenation treatment designed to improve the appearance of the skin by removing or resurfacing the top layer. It’s classed as non-invasive and can be performed as a standalone anti ageing treatment or as part of a wider skin rejuvenation plan.

Unlike facelift surgery, which is an invasive surgical procedure, most types of laser resurfacing for the skin are non-surgical. The aim is to revitalise the skin.

This type of treatment is ideal for helping to reduce the appearance of ageing lines and wrinkles. Some patients also seek treatments using a laser for acne scars.

Will laser resurfacing replace the facelift?

No, a non-surgical laser skin resurfacing treatment will never replace the long-term benefits of a facelift, but it does have numerous skin rejuvenation benefits.

A laser treatment can be both an anti ageing treatment and a skin rejuvenation solution. The benefits of choosing non-surgical treatments like this include:

wrinkle reduction around the forehead and mouth
minimising of facial lines around the eyes
acne and acne scarring reduction
removal of skin pigmentation concern including age spots, brown spots etc
improvement in skin firmness
improvement in skin smoothness
glowing skin
more youthful looking skin

Who is laser resurfacing suitable for?

This depends on what your aesthetic and cosmetic needs are, in both the short and long term. If you wish to lift the skin of the face noticeably you’ll likely be better off choosing a facelift.

A facelift is a permanent and long-term solution to the sagging of skin on the face. While skin rejuvenation treatments like laser resurfacing can reduce ageing symptoms it is not the same as a facelift or neck lift surgery.

It’s common for patients to undergo laser resurfacing as part of a facial rejuvenation makeover, and can be beneficial before or after facelift surgery to improve the appearance of the skin overall.

Is it just for older patients?

Not at all. As well as part of anti ageing plans, laser skin resurfacing can benefit younger patients seeking to improve their overall skin appearance because of concerns such as acne.

The scarring that acne leaves behind can be unsettling, and it’s common for young adults to seek a cosmetic solution to the uneven skin they’re left with.

You can find out more about laser for acne scars via the treatment pages.

Getting more information

Would you like to book a consultation or learn more about facelift surgery, laser resurfacing, or skin rejuvenation procedures? We welcome you to contact us and discuss your needs.

We appreciate every patient is different and everyone’s needs are unique. Let us help you discover healthier skin and improve your self-esteem.

There is more information about skin rejuvenation treatments and anti ageing procedures via the treatment pages in the menu. Take a look and get in touch if we can be of assistance.

How to choose a surgeon for fat transfer

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Gary Ross

What to look for from a cosmetic surgeon when considering fat transfer

Are you considering fat transfer procedures to re-contour and reshape your body? If so, you’re one of the growing number of patients turning to this form of body shaping surgery in the UK.

At the start of the year, Mr Gary Ross spoke to Harper’s Bizarre about the trend of body contouring shifting to focus on fat removal and fat transfer, and from the rise in patients we can see his prediction was right.

So what is fat transfer and what can it offer patients?

Fat transfer is a procedure to take fat from one part of the body and replace it in another. The aim of this cosmetic procedure is to rejuvenate the body or face by improve volume.

Popular areas of the body to use fat transfer include the abdomen and buttocks, where fat is often taken from before being replaced in areas including the hips.

Similarly fat can be removed and then replaced in the face, if facial rejuvenation is the main goal of treatment.

Who is this cosmetic procedure suitable for?

This form of body rejuvenation or facial rejuvenation treatment is ideal for both men and women, although it is undoubtedly more popular amongst females. It’s suitable for patients that wish to improve contours or volume in the face and body.
It is not suitable for patients that are looking for fat reduction; this is a different procedure which involves removing fat from the body. Other procedures such as liposuction may be more suitable in this case.

How do you know which surgeon to choose for fat transfer?

It’s best to pick a medical professional that specialises in body contouring surgery including fat removal and fat reduction. When researching your cosmetic surgeon make sure to research which type of procedure is being offered at your chosen clinic.

Mr Ross offers Body-jet Fat Transfer to patients looking to reshape and contour the body in a more natural way. This form of fat transfer is water-assisted and therefore represents a more gentle procedure.

You can find out more specific information about this procedure, and how it can be beneficial to you, via the treatment pages in the menu bar.

What specific questions should I ask at my consultation for fat transfer?

The key to getting the most from your consultation is asking the right questions. If you’re considering fat transfer or fat removal with Body-jet here are some questions to ask:

– What can this treatment offer me?
– Where will I undergo this treatment?
– Am I a suitable candidate and will I be likely to get good results?
– How long do the results last?
– Who will perform my surgery?
– Will I be awake during the treatment?
– Are the results natural-looking?

Get more information

If you wish to book a consultation please contact the clinic team who will be happy to help you and advise you regarding what this form of body contouring surgery involves. You can also find out more in depth procedure information via the treatment pages.

Metro Online – mental health and cosmetic surgery

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Gary Ross

May Metro:

What implications come with undergoing cosmetic surgery, and how can you avoid getting an unsatisfactory result? Mr Gary Ross spoke to Metro newspaper about mental health and cosmetic procedures, indicating that patient suitability and surgeon selection should be at the forefront of any responsible decision. The article appeared online and was a trending article on the health section for a week.

Read the full article here.

Guide to the stages of wound healing post surgery

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Gary Ross

What are the different stages of wound healing after cosmetic surgery?

A popular question asked by patients before surgery is what are the stages of wound healing like. Before undergoing any form of cosmetic surgery, or indeed any surgery at all, it’s important to understand the recovery process.

It’s vital to understand the recovery process firstly so you have some idea of what the post-surgery healing process is like. As well as this, knowing how to care for your scars and the best scar treatment after surgery is beneficial.

Why do we get scars?

Scar tissue forms when a wound closes and fibrous tissue forms. They often start off red and angry looking, but in most cases fade in time to a pink or even grey colour. They may feel raised and can be itchy in the first year or so after surgery.

They are totally normal although in most cases your surgeon will endeavour to make them as small and neat as possible. The key is to make sure you know what to expect and how to help the scars heal after surgery.

Do all procedures incur scarring?

In most cases, yes. If you’re undergoing a cosmetic procedure such as a tummy tuck or brachioplasty you should be prepared to have visible scars, although most patients agree it’s a reasonable trade to be rid of loose skin.

Breast augmentation scars can often be hidden in the crease under the breast, although with breast uplift surgery the scar may run long the nipple. Ask your surgeon for advice before committing to surgery.

Can I prevent scars?

Not really, but you can make sure you care for them. If you would like more advice on preventing scars or scar management please ask your medical professional.

What are the stages of wound healing?

The stages of wound healing vary patient to patient. However, most follow a similar pattern. The stages of wound healing proceed in an organised way and follow these four processes:

1. Hemostasis: wound clotting
2. Inflammation: controls bleeding and prevents infection
3. Proliferation: wound is rebuilt with new tissue made up of collagen
4. Maturation: when collagen is remodelled and the wound fully closes

What is the best scar treatment after surgery?

You can care for your scars by massaging them. There is a previous blog post on scar massage here you may find helpful.

I don’t like my scars. What can I do?

In most cases, cosmetic surgery scars are considered a trade for a reduction in loose skin or augmented breasts. If you don’t like your scars, or you are unhappy with the results of your after surgery, you should firstly speak to your plastic surgeon. He/she will be able to give you advice and reassure you.

In extreme cases, scar revision surgery can be offered, but this will still leave you with a scar.

More information

If you would like to discuss undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures, scarring, and the best scar treatment after surgery please contact us. Booking a consultation would be the next step.

Popular cosmetic surgery choices for men

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Gary Ross

The five most popular cosmetic surgery choices for men

It was often considered to be something mainly undertaken by women, but more men than ever are undergoing cosmetic surgery, according to reports across the world.

There are numerous cosmetic and aesthetic treatments and procedures that are specifically designed to rejuvenate the face and body. Some have surgery for anti ageing reasons and others for body rejuvenation.

The experts all agree that the trend for male plastic surgery is on the rise. Mr. Rajiv Grover, a former president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), has previously noted an increase in the number of men having cosmetic procedures over the last 10 years has increased, with 2,417 men going under the knife last year alone.

Below you’ll find more information about the five most popular cosmetic surgery choices for men. If you’d like more information on any of them please get in touch with the team in clinic.

Rhinoplasty (nose job surgery)

Male rhinoplasty is more popular than ever. Nose job surgery is designed to alter the aesthetic appearance of the nose; this can include the shape or size of it. The bridge of the nose may be altered, or the tip may be defined depending on what the patient’s goals are. There are different types of rhinoplasty surgery and which technique is most suitable for you can be defined during a consultation.

Blepharoplasty (eye rejuvenation surgery)

Eye rejuvenation surgery can take shape in two ways: upper and lower blepharoplasty. Lower eye rejuvenation surgery is designed to improve the appearance of below the eyes, for example reducing eye bags. Upper blepharoplasty tackles hooded eye lids and aims to open the eyes and give a more youthful overall appearance.

Liposuction (fat removal)

For men that want to remove body fat, liposuction is a popular procedure. Popular areas to remove fat from including the abdomen and the waist/hips. There are new techniques too including fat transfer with Body-jet that takes fat from one area and replaces it to another.

Male breast reduction (moob surgery)

Male breast reduction surgery is designed to tackle ‘moobs’ or male breasts as they’re more commonly known. Male breasts can form for various reasons including hormonal issues, and before undergoing male breast reduction surgery patients need to be aware of the cause of this issue. A consultation is the best way to determine this.

Otoplasty (ear correction surgery)

More commonly known as ear pinning, otoplasty procedures alter the position of the ears, or how the ears specifically look. It’s often thought to be more common in children, but ear correction surgery is increasingly being undertaken by adult males. It is often more common amongst men due to them having shorter hair and the ears therefore being more on show.

More information

Would you like more information about Rhinoplasty (nose job surgery), Otoplasty (ear correction surgery), Blepharoplasty (eye rejuvenation surgery), Liposuction (fat removal) or male breast reduction (moob surgery) please contact us to book a consultation.