Month: October 2020

So, why do people get plastic surgery?

Some people ask for plastic surgery in order to reverse the effects of time. They want to get their body back to its previous, youthful shape. Ageing, weight change, pregnancies – these all take their toll on our bodies. Some of these changes can be reversed by exercise, a healthy lifestyle and non-surgical treatments. However, there are those that can’t be corrected without surgery.
The majority of patients seek plastic surgery to correct an aspect of their body that they don’t like. These patients usually tinker with the idea of having surgery for a long period of time before they actually request it.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t go under the knife?

A classic example of someone who shouldn’t have plastic surgery is a patient with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). These patients experience obsessive worry about some aspects of their physical appearance. The flaw they perceive is usually minimal and not noticed by others. These patients will never be satisfied with plastic surgery because they will continue to notice small abnormalities and asymmetries. They will typically benefit far more from psychological help than surgery.

Another example of a patient who shouldn’t have surgery is someone undergoing it to please someone else, like a partner or spouse. Surgery is invasive and has short and long term consequences and should be purely the patient’s choice.

How do you mentally prepare for plastic surgery?

If someone is considering plastic surgery I advise them to learn about the procedure by reading and talking to people who have had similar procedures done. There are many social media platforms where patients can discuss their experiences. It’s also easy nowadays to find information online.
However, the pure volume of online information can be overwhelming. It can also sometimes be inaccurate or irrelevant to a particular case, which often causes confusion. For this reason, patients need to speak to a professional to sort the fact from the fiction.

Mr Ross can advise his patients on all of the risks involved in a patient’s desired procedure and can offer expert advice on the best possible surgery options for that individual patient. Mr Ross tailors all of his surgeries to each individual patient in order to ensure that each patient achieves the best result they can. It is important to book in for a consultation with Mr Ross before considering any surgery in order to ascertain what surgery you wish to proceed with in order to achieve your desired results.

During your consultation with Mr Ross, he will ensure that all of your expectations regarding your chosen surgery are reasonable and can be achieved. It is really important to be well-informed before proceeding with any surgery, and Mr Ross ensures that all of his patients are well-informed and have reasonable expectations.

Mr Ross also offers an additional service to his patients requesting breast surgery. Due to the latest technology, Mr Ross can provide his patients with a virtual reality experience of their desired results. This software is called Crisalix and enables patients to view their body after it has been digitally altered to mirror their expected results. This is an excellent way for patients to mentally prepare for surgery.

Any words of advice for people considering surgery?

• Your body is unique and so should be your surgery – in plastic surgery, one size doesn’t fit all.
• Make sure your surgeon is familiar with various techniques and modifications of the procedure you are interested in, as Mr Ross is.
• A good surgeon is one who adapts and tailors various aspects of the procedure to meet the unique shape of your body and your specific needs, Mr Ross will ensure that each surgery is tailored to each specific patient’s needs.

A GRANDFATHER-of-four who lost skin from half his head through cancer has issued a warning over safety in the sun.

Alun Smith, 85, bravely shared pictures showing the extent of his basal cell carcinoma (BCC) which cost him a dinner-plate sized section of his head, as well as his left ear.

Alun, from Mold in North Wales, warned attitudes towards tanning were creating generations of people who may find themselves struck down with skin cancer in later life.

BCC is the commonest form of skin skin cancer. Although aggressive BCCs are rare, careful skin surveillance is required for them to be picked up early.

The most common cause of BCC is exposure to the sun.

Alun said that while he has always covered up while holidaying with his family, he neglected to wear a sun hat in his younger years.

The dad-of-two suspects exposure to the sun during his national service in Singapore 65 years ago may have been the root cause of the damage.

He said: “My doctors suspect I may have got it all that time ago but it lay dormant for many, many years.

“I don’t sunbathe, I’ve never done it. But when I was doing national service I would never bother with hats. As I got older I would always wear hats when we took the children on holiday, as that would encourage them to wear them.

“The thing is with skin cancer, you’re more vulnerable in your younger years.”

“If I saw a family on the beach now I would go and tell them. Young children are very, very susceptible and you should always cover them up.

“I don’t think the sun does you any good. You see tourists in Spain and they just don’t seem to realise the damage it can do. We’ve been indoctrinated to think tans look better. You see people on TV who have deep tans, and you just don’t need it.”

Alun’s ordeal started when he found a small lump on the side of his head, which he had inspected by a dermatologist.

He explained: “It started off as a little thing on the side of my face. No exaggerating, it was a quarter the size of my little fingernail.

“In lots of skin cancer cases you have a job seeing it. The dermatologist had two or three goes but discovered it was bigger than he first thought, and wasn’t able to get it all.

“After they cut it out they did a biopsy and found it was cancerous.”

Alun then underwent MOHS surgery, which involves taking out the cancer cells while trying to spare the healthy surrounding tissue.

Alun was then referred to Gary Ross, a specialist cosmetic and plastic surgeon based in Manchester.

Mr Ross put together a crack team of specialists to rid Alun of the cancer for good. If left, it threatened to spread into his nose, eye, and even deeper towards his brain.

Alun said: “The specialists sat me down and told me the bad news. They said the previous treatments hadn’t got it all and they wanted to take my left eye and my left ear.

“I told them I wasn’t bothered about my ear, but I was quite keen on my eye.

“I was surprised. All of this came from absolutely nothing.”

Businessman Alun underwent a lengthy procedure which involved moving tissue from his cheek and scalp in order to reconstruct the defect.

A large piece of skin was also taken from his thigh and placed onto the left side of his head.

The procedure was a complete success, with all traces of the cancerous cells removed. He now has a prosthetic ear which is held onto his head by two metal clips.

Alun said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Mr Ross. He saved my life, without a doubt.

“People always ask me what it’s like but quite honestly I forget about it most of the time. It doesn’t bother me at all.

“I don’t look in the mirror and think ‘Oh Christ, I need to go out and buy a wig’. I suppose I could shave the rest of my hair off, but it doesn’t bother me one bit. And other people don’t seem to notice, either.

“To look at me, you would never know my ear was prosthetic.

“It can make quite a talking point at dinner parties.”

Alun still regularly returns to the Christie Hospital in Manchester for check-ups, and to have any new skin lesions that appear on his face removed.

BCC usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance.

It can also look like a red, scaly patch and occasionally some brown or black pigment within the patch. The lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer.

My Ross, who works from BMI Alexandria in Cheadle and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, said: “Incidence of skin cancer have been steadily growing over the past decade.

“This shows just how important it is to be well educated and aware of the dangers of exposure to the sun.

“Surgery is often the best way to treat skin cancer and in Alun’s case, a significant procedure was the only option.

“We combined oncological, reconstructive and aesthetic elements to do extensive work specifically tailored to Alun.

“Stories such as Alun’s are an inspiration to other patients. Combining flaps, grafts and prosthetics can often give back patients a great quality of life and replace what has been taken away.

“This case highlights the importance of utilising the skills of different surgeons from different disciplines to obtain the optimal outcomes.

“I’m really pleased Alun’s surgery was such a success and he continues to remain fit and healthy – even enjoying rounds on the golf course.”

Last month Mr Ross became the first plastic surgeon to be officially certified under a prestigious new scheme designed to boost patient safety.

He has been certified by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) professional standards system, which sets-out tough industry benchmarks to help provide quality assurances for any patients looking to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

Mr Ross has a specialist interest in skin cancer, skin oncology and reconstructive options to obtain the optimal results for patients.

Full article available in the Mirror.

We’re all a little guilty of sticking to our trusted make-up routine throughout the years that we most likely developed in our early 20’s or even late teens. As you age, you can suddenly find that your go-to look is no longer cutting it and that your eye makeup is now hidden under your eyelids. It might be time to reconsider your options.

Beauty is in the eyes – are you unhappy with your eyelids?

Are you finding applying your make-up more difficult due to sagging eyelids? You’re not alone. The once perfect winged eyeliner and eyeshadow you loved so much is not only difficult to apply but once you’ve finished, it disappears under the additional sagging skin on your eyelids that seemingly appeared from nowhere. So, what are your options?

Non-surgical option – change up your technique

Is your over liner disappearing under sagging skin or your winged liner drooping instead of soaring? Tight lining your eyeliner is a technique where you apply eyeliner by pushing it up gently in between the eyelashes, giving you a depth of colour and definition to your eyes that is both subtle and will not be hidden by sagging skin.

Surgical option – upper eyelid rejuvenation surgery

This can be a more permanent fix if you want to restore your eyes to their former glory and continue with your favourite eye makeup routine. Upper eyelid rejuvenation surgery can make a big difference to the appearance of your eyes and can give you a more youthful look. Upper eyelid surgery removes the excess, sagging skin to lift your eyelids and rejuvenate their appearance.

Surgical options – brow lift

A brow lift procedure can be performed to reposition the brow area. It is often performed alongside eye rejuvenation surgery for optimum results. A brow lift can also give your overall facial appearance a more youthful and rejuvenated look.

To discuss your options, book in for a consultation with Mr Ross where he will explain all of the techniques he can perform to give your problem area a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. It is always important to be aware of surgical limitations and to manage your expectations. Click here to take a look at Mr Ross’s patients’ before and after pictures to view their results.

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery needs to have minimal stress and anxiety in their lives before considering surgery. If you have suffered with stress and anxiety here are some recommendations: –

1. Speak to your GP

If you are feeling overwhelmed with stress and anxiety and this is impacting your health, then the most important thing you can do is to speak to your GP. Your GP will help you define the cause of your stress and could refer you for further treatment, such as counselling or support group help, or prescribe medication if this is appropriate.

2. Schedule in some ‘me-time’

Whether this is going for a coffee with a friend, reading a chapter of a book, going to a yoga class or treating yourself to a beauty treatment, just taking time out of your regular schedule will help you relax and gain some much-needed rest and relaxation.

3. Ask for help

Often this can be the hardest thing to do but asking for help can really help to relieve the pressure and stress from your life. If you’re struggling to juggle work and home life, you could ask a friend or family member to help out with childcare; speak to your employer about changing your work contract to flexitime or employ a cleaner to handle your household chores while you spend more quality time with your children.

4. Learn how to combat your problems

If there’s a certain person or activity which triggers your stress, then one way to tackle this is by learning a new skill to help you handle the stress more effectively. If a person at work consistently treats you like a doormat, then attending a course on assertiveness could be a way to combat this. If money worries are stressing you out, book in a session with a financial advisor for help and advice on handling your money or sign up to a bookkeeping course. Working in a job you don’t like can be very stressful, you can find out what areas you might want to focus your career on by doing volunteer work or taking a course in a subject you’re interested in.

5. Have a break from technology

Studies have shown that excessive use of technology can cause sleep disorders and symptoms of stress and depression and as many as 1 in 5 people say they feel depressed as a result of using social media sites. Try a technology detox, whether this is not checking social media for a week or not reading online news sites after 7 pm so you can avoid traumatic stories before bed. Doing something to cut down on the time you spend online should help to reduce stress levels.

Looking after ourselves can help to diminish feelings of stress and anxiety. If you’re busy with commitments at work and home, taking the time to look after yourself can soon slip way down on your ‘to do’ list. It’s so important to take a holistic look at your health and pinpoint exactly what factors in it are causing you to feel so stressed. There are options open to you and people who can help you feel in control again, whether this is something as simple as booking in for a pampering or cosmetic treatment to gain some valuable ‘me time’ or something more in depth such as a counselling sessions to get to the root of what is stressing you out.

To help combat anxiety, ask yourself these questions to help bring some logical thought to your problems:

1. Will this problem I’m worrying about matter to me in 2 months time? If the answer is no, then you can bring some grounding to your anxiety and realise that this problem is really not that important, and in two months’ time this worrying will have been for nothing.
2. Can I do anything about the problem I’m worried about? If the answer is no, then again you are realising that this problem is not worth worrying about and you must let the worry go.

Questions like these will help ground your anxiety in logic and will help you combat your worry and stress.

Mr Ross will always give you an honest and open opinion regarding the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery and will only offer surgery when you are empowered to make an informed decision about the pros and cons.

For many individuals, getting facelift surgery is a question of when not if. If you have decided that a facelift is in your future, remember that everyone ages in a unique way and on an individual timeline. There is no specific point at which it is clear that it is time to undergo a facelift. Nonetheless, there are specific indicators that you can watch out for to help you decide when it would be best for you to reap the benefits of this life-changing facial rejuvenation surgery.

Ageing Signs to Look For

Certain signs of ageing can be valuable indicators that it may be time for you to consider facelift surgery. These usually do not include the first signs of nasolabial folds and the early signs of facial sagging. Instead, you should be on the lookout for moderate to severe signs of facial ageing. Loosened facial muscles, deeper furrows and folds, lax skin, sagging jowls, and sagging skin and muscles on the neck may all require surgical correction with a facelift. Patients should be on the lookout for these more advanced signs of ageing in the lower face. If you have observed these things, schedule your initial consultation for facelift surgery so that Mr Ross can help you determine whether now is the right time for your surgery.

The Role of Age in Facelift Surgery Timing

Age plays an important role in determining the timing of your facelift surgery. A facelift corrects signs of ageing that typically appears in patients between the ages of 50 and 60. Therefore, most patients who undergo facelift surgery are within this age range. However, some individuals with particularly good skin laxity, favourable genetics, and a healthy lifestyle may be able to achieve their desired results by undergoing facelift surgery even into their 70s. Others with signs of premature ageing, especially those who smoke or have extensive sun damage to their skin, may be younger candidates for facelift surgery.

The right age for facelift surgery is determined by individual needs. If you think it may be time for you to get this surgery, request your personal consultation with Mr Ross today by filling out our online enquiry form.

Smoking and Surgery

To quit smoking, in general, is difficult but quitting before surgery, and continuing to refrain post-surgery, can make dramatic differences to your recovery and is one of the most beneficial changes any patient can make. Giving up the habit is a smart decision no matter what the circumstances are as there are so many positive impacts to your health. If you quit smoking before surgery, it can also significantly decrease the risk of complications for patients during and after surgery. Smokers are forever being inundated with information about the health risks of smoking, however, the benefits to your health by quitting prior to surgery are immediate and substantial.

When to Quit Smoking Before Surgery

With each passing smoke-free day, the overall risk of complications lessens. The earlier a smoker can quit, prior to surgery, the better. Even 12 hours prior to surgery, patients have noticed a difference when abstaining from smoking. Mr Ross advises his patients to have stopped smoking for a minimum of 6 weeks prior to surgery and quitting smoking for this long will have dramatic effects on your health and recovery.

• 8 weeks before surgery: the risk of clot-related problems decrease (i.e. heart attack and stroke), the body’s immunity will improve which decreases the risk of infection and the response to anaesthetic medications also improves.
• 3 weeks before surgery: the wound healing time is quicker.
• 2 weeks before surgery: less breathing problems will occur during surgery.
• 12 hours before surgery: improved oxygenation, blood pressure and heart rate.

A smoker’s cough can disrupt the abdominal healing of a tummy tuck, breast reconstruction complication rates are significantly increased by smoking and after breast reduction, healing of surgical wounds can be impaired. Smokers undergoing facelift procedures are 13 times more likely to experience skin necrosis compared to non-smokers. They also face a higher risk of a hematoma (bleeding) after surgery.

In general, being a non-smoker or giving up smoking is a key eligibility criterion for candidacy in all surgical procedures.

After Surgery

Continuing to abstain after surgery will improve recovery time and continue to decrease the risk of complications. It is found that by refraining from smoking after surgery – wound healing is improved; the risk of pneumonia is decreased and overall recovery time is minimized.

How to Quit Smoking

Quitting is not easy but the long-term results and effects make it completely worthwhile. For many people going ‘cold turkey’ is the best way for them to give up smoking, without the use of patches or similar products. Some find nicotine replacements effective, this is where nicotine can be obtained from a source other than cigarettes, such as nicotine gum, patches, lozenges and nasal sprays.
Long-term, the benefits of continuing life as a non-smoker are enormous, decreasing the risk of cancer, severe breathing problems, heart problems and early death from other causes.

Mr Ross always discusses the pros and cons of surgery with his patients, and if you are a smoker Mr Ross will be very clear on when you need to stop smoking before surgery, and if you want to carry on smoking after you have had surgery he will make it clear when it is safe to do so. To discuss any cosmetic surgery options with Mr Ross, book in for a consultation.

Boob jobs gone BUST: Surgeons spending MORE time taking out implants

Last year, four times as many women were having them removed on the NHS as having new ones.

A few years ago boob jobs were booming, with twice as many women having enlargements compared with those having implants removed.

Experts believe the reduction in enlargement operations is down to an NHS clampdown on the procedures.

Last year 1,602 women were admitted to hospital for breast implant removal compared with 390 wanting enlargement.

Twelve years ago 633 women went in to have implants out, while 1,778 were admitted for boob boosts.

Taxpayer-funded cosmetic surgery became a political issue in 2013 when it was revealed would-be model Josie Cunningham had a £5,000 boob job on the NHS to go from 32A to 36DD.

Six months later she wanted them reduced, saying they were so big they were preventing her from getting modelling jobs.

Celebrities such as Katie Price, who had enlargements that made her a 32GG, and Victoria Beckham who had a boob job to swell her bust to 34DD, have both undergone reduction procedures in recent years.

Gary Ross, a plastic surgeon in Manchester, said: “There are more removals done in the NHS, mainly due to faulty PIP implants, and women going abroad for surgery who then have problems later.”

Find out more about Gary Ross by clicking here.

 

Women are having ‘bum fat’ pumped into their faces to make them look younger.

The Procedure has been rated one of this year’s top cosmetic surgery trends.

Harvested fat cells provide volume on bony or lined areas of the face.

Plastic surgeon Gary Ross explained: The fat can be take from an area in the body and placed into the face to try to volumise the areas affected by ageing. Frequently, patients opt to have their fat injected on the bony portions of the face – usually the mid face. It can also be used for finer lines.”

Hair transplants also feature among 2017’s top surgical trends. Transplants are often being sought by women who have experienced hair loss.

The industry has seen a spike in the number of women seeking help with hair loss, said aesthetic surgeon Dr Somji.

He said: I have seen a surge due to hair extensions but this still remains most popular with men.”

Elsewhere the focus has been on having quick and convenient procedures such as one-stitch face lifts, and using lasers to zap saggy skin and wrinkles in as little as 20 minutes.

How would mummy makeover surgery improve your self-esteem?

For women seeking to improve their self-esteem post pregnancy, mummy makeover surgery can offer life-changing results, both physically and mentally.

Surgical body contouring procedures can be combined to improve the appearance of areas of the body most commonly affected when pregnant; in most cases this includes both the abdomen and the breasts. Breast rejuvenation, breast uplift and tummy tuck surgery can all be offered as part of one surgical visit, making this form of cosmetic surgery increasingly popular.

Mr. Ross is a body contouring surgery expert in Manchester, helping patients from across the region in areas including Cheshire, Altrincham, Wirral, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Sale, Prestwich and Whitefield look and feel fantastic again.

Who is mummy makeover surgery suitable for?

Pregnancy can take its toll on a woman’s body, affecting both the skin quality and the tightness of muscles. Regardless of how trim or ‘in shape’ a patient may have been before having a baby, the process of gaining and losing weight, as well as breast feeding, can leave the body looking remarkably different.

Of course, this can impact someone’s self-esteem leading to unhappiness – but there are body contouring options that can help. For women unhappy with the appearance of loose skin on the abdomen or empty, sagging breasts post-pregnancy (or alternatively due to the ageing process) Mr. Gary Ross offers a combination of procedures known collectively as mummy makeover surgery.

What is involved in combination body lift surgery?

Designed to surgically improve these aesthetic concerns and boost self-esteem, procedures can include abdominoplasty, liposuction and fat removal, breast augmentation, breasy rejuvenation and mastopexy/breast uplift.

Each surgical procedure offered as part of combination surgery offers patients a different aesthetic resolution, and Mr. Ross will tailor the surgical solutions to ensure your specific goals and issues are addressed.

Tummy tuck surgery: During an abdominoplasty several issues can be improved; excess skin and fat can be reduced, the abdominal wall muscles can be tightened, and – if required – hernias can be addressed. In terms of skin rejuvenation in this area, stretch marks can also be removed or the appearance improved. Abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck surgery) is an effective form of cosmetic surgery that offers long term results.

Breast rejuvenation: For lifting and improving volume in the breasts, mastopexy/breast uplift or breast augmentation can be considered as part of the breast rejuvenation side of mummy makeover surgery. The position, shape and volume of the breasts can change during and after pregnancy, and each concern can be corrected during breast surgery.

A proportion of women will require a breast uplift whilst others may need mastopexy plus breast implants to address volume loss or to increase breast size. In some cases the nipple will need to be repositioned during breast rejuvenation surgery, which is discussed during your consultation.

Things to consider before undergoing surgery

Whether you choose to undergo breast uplift or other breast rejuvenation surgery procedures with a tummy tuck there are some things to consider before committing to undergoing cosmetic surgery. Scaring is to be expected with procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast rejuvenation procedures including mastopexy or breast uplift, but most women choosing this form of cosmetic surgery agree that this is a reasonable trade off for improved self-esteem and body confidence. The recovery process can also be demanding and you will require time away from work.

A consultation is required to determine suitability and every patient is given a bespoke treatment plan designed for their specific concerns. During a consultation you will also learn about the risks associated with the procedures involved, such as tummy tuck surgery and breast rejuvenation, and you’ll given time to consider your options before committing to mummy makeover surgery.

More information on mummy makeover surgery

You can improve your self-esteem and rejuvenate the body with a combination of body lift, tummy tuck and breast rejuvenation procedures. For more information about undergoing body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck surgery and breast uplift, or to book a consultation to discuss your needs, please contact the team on 0161 4014064.

Prospective patients from Manchester, and surrounding areas including Cheshire, Altrincham, Wirral, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Sale, Prestwich and Whitefield, can also find out more detailed information about this type of cosmetic surgery via the Mummy Makeover page.