Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

Are hang-ups about podge, unwanted hair, and all things disappointingly saggy a modern phenomenon, or are we just being presented with solutions to problems we weren’t aware we had?

Think of cosmetic surgery and five years ago you would probably have pictured an A-list celebrity looking particularly good for their age, or one that had gone too far in the pursuit of perfection, but these days the practice is growing much closer to home.

Do you know someone who has dabbled in Botox? Had a boob job? Or even a mummy makeover – a combination of liposuction, tummy tuck and breast surgery to return new mums to the way they looked before pregnancy? The chances are that someone you know has at least considered altering a part of their body or face and, with this in mind, it’s about time that attitudes towards cosmetic surgery were altered too.

Recent studies have shown that an increasing number of people are at ease with the thought of cosmetic surgery, that large numbers would consider it when the fine lines and wrinkles start to appear, and that brides-to-be are willing to fork out thousands to look their best on the big day.

Casual phrases such as nip ‘n’ tuck and boob job help to dispel any taboos that might remain but they can also trivialise what is essentially a medical practice that should be taken seriously. Even something non-invasive like laser hair removal can carry risk if performed by an unqualified person, and the dangers of opting for cheap liposuction or breast enlargement surgery abroad have been tragically illustrated in recent news stories.

For women who have a hang up about their faint moustache, or men whose man boobs would put the chests of some women to shame, it’s vital to realise that while cosmetic surgery is easier to come by, it has also never been more important to do your research and stick to reputable clinics only.

A wise man once said to me “don’t take any risks when it comes to your heart or your eyes” and I might add all things gynaecological to that short list too.

For many women, their face and figure is the key to self-confidence and this goes further than just a face of makeup or a good hairstyle. Some women find body confidence from having breast reduction surgery or breast implants, while others opt for liposuction to sculpt their silhouettes and look as good as they feel.

For others, feeling happy and confident is about something much more personal and yet something which is becoming less and less of a taboo as it is written about and talked about by more and more women. Being open about cosmetic gynaecology (or designer vagina if we’re being colloquial) is the first step towards realising that while all forms of surgery carry risk, there is no shame in wanting to make a very private part of your body look its best and to feel completely comfortable with every inch of your body – after all, you are at your most vulnerable when you’re naked.

And it’s not just self esteem that drives women to vaginal tightening or labial reduction surgery, it can be out of a need to deal with a physically uncomfortable problem.

Finding a responsible cosmetic surgery provider is the first step if you’re considering cosmetic gynaecology. It is essential to feel completely confident in your surgeon and the only way to achieve this is by attending a consultation and getting all worries, concerns and questions off your chest. But while you’re here, below are the answers to some frequently asked questions on the subject:

Is the surgery becoming more widespread?
Yes. In 2008-2009 for example, The Harley Medical Group had 870 enquiries for cosmetic gynaecology, of which 566 booked in for labial reduction surgery. 2009-2010 saw a 256 per cent increase on bookings when compared to the previous year. In 2010, the Group received more than 5,000 enquiries.

Why do women choose to have the surgery?
For many different reasons but the main three are to improve appearance and feel more confident in themselves, to feel comfortable when wearing tight fitting clothing and swimwear, and to rejuvenate the area and improve sexual gratification.

Is it only women who have had babies that have the surgery?
Absolutely not. There is a wide range of women who choose the procedure, from all different age groups and for all different reasons.

How long is the recovery time?
This varies for each person but you should be able to return to work after one week and your surgeon will advise you on when you can resume sexual intercourse and exercise.

Requests for laser hair removal are up by 37 per cent on this time last year, no doubt inspired by a combination of increased awareness of the effects of the treatment and the warmer weather encouraging us to bare more flesh.

So what do potential customers of this revolutionary treatment need to know before committing to the necessary number of sessions?

Firstly, thanks to the latest laser technology treatment, no matter what your skin or hair colour and type, you can now benefit from permanent hair reduction or removal. Gone are the days when only those with dark hair would see good results from laser technology, and now even vellus hair (or “peach fuzz”) can be removed.

Secondly, it is essential to have the treatment at a registered cosmetic clinic and not just by the cheapest practitioner you can find. This is because the laser used is an advanced piece of technology and one that in the wrong hands could cause skin damage. Clinics employing trained and experienced cosmetic nurses and aesthetic practitioners will also be much more like to be safe, clean environments with proper patient safety procedures in place.

Thirdly, the number of treatments required varies from one individual to the next making initial consultations very important to get an accurate price for the course and to ensure you know exactly what to expect. Initial consultations will often involve carrying out computerised photo imaging skin analysis, a process by which the condition of the skin is assessed, and this helps the nurse involved to recommend the right number of treatments and also get an idea of how effective it will be.

And finally, it is important to remember that permanent hair removal is not 100 per cent guaranteed, and many people will benefit instead from permanent hair reduction.

The rumour mill is fuelled by willing and unwilling celebrities and celebrities in turn often get much needed publicity thanks to the rumours the mill churns out. And one of the favourite subjects to be fed in is whether or not so and so has had cosmetic surgery, Botox or another non-surgical treatment, and with these questions come common myths about the industry.

Face lifts are for the rich and famous – while this used to be the case, thanks to a variety of methods, including the “quick” facelift which makes use of keyhole surgery techniques, more and more ordinary people are opting for this as a way to rejuvenate their appearance.

Botox is only used to plump up fine lines and wrinkles – while this is the primary use of the toxin and the one that everyone knows it for, Botox can also be used to tackle deep frown and smile lines, as well as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and migraines too.

Fat removal surgery is a weight loss tool – Liposuction and other fat removal techniques were not designed to be a quick way for the obese to lose weight. Any reputable and ethical clinic will advise overweight people to change their diet and embark on an exercise regime before they’ll consider performing this type of surgery.

Nose jobs are performed purely for cosmetic reasons – While this is the case for many patients, nose reshaping surgery is also regularly performed on those who have breathing difficulties as a result of a misshapen nose or other defect.

Dermal fillers are just used to plump up lips – Yes, they are used for this purpose but can also be used to make cheeks more prominent and change the shape of the face. It is popular with those who have lost fullness in the face due to the natural ageing process or because of medical treatment for serious illnesses.

There are many other rumours that any ethical and reputable clinic will be able to confirm or deny for those people who are interested in cosmetic surgery procedures.

In a world that encourages phrases such as “teen toxin” and “cosmetic cowboy”, it’s no wonder that such a blog post as this is needed.

Plastic surgeons all over the country are noticing an increase in the number of mobile clinics, in other words people travelling to others’ homes to administer injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers.

The botched jobs should be warning enough, but the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ attitude prevails and those in the industry are therefore calling for tougher regulations on people and places offering non-surgical treatments.

Risks of botched, backstreet Botox include infections, bruising, face pain and even drooping of the brows and corners of the eyes. The same risks are true of permanent fillers that are carried out by inexperienced or unqualified people, the same people who often set up mobile clinics and offer discounted treatments to tempt those who are low on disposable income.

Nowhere were the potentially disfiguring effects of dermal fillers clearer than on BBC Three’s “Botox Britain”, which aired last night. Presenter Kirsten O’Brien talked to a woman whose lip fillers had gone disastrously wrong, leaving her with permanent scarring and hard lumps on and around both lips. She was clearly devastated.

The programme will no doubt act as an eye-opener for those who believe that getting Botox is just like getting a manicure or a new haircut. For these people, and everybody else, O’Brien’s final words should be heeded: “Make sure you choose someone reputable who’s well qualified”, she said.

You might have noticed that there seems to be a celebrity baby boom in progress, with a variety of shapes and sizes on view for us to ogle at. From the voluptuous British television presenter Holly Willoughby, to slender Hollywood A-lister Natalie Portman, it’s quite clear that being pregnant changes the body shape in dramatically different ways.

And as the baby boom continues to fill the pages of glossy magazines, figures suggest that more and more non-celebrity women are looking for ways in which they can put their bodies back to how they were before they became pregnant. The Harley Medical Group has reported that bookings for breast augmentation surgery at their UK clinics were up 31 per cent year-on-year, liposuction up 27 per cent and tummy tucks up 15 per cent over the same period – all popular choices with new mums.

For many women, it can be very difficult to come to terms with an often significantly altered body shape as the result of pregnancy, and this can prove too much of a dent in self-esteem for some to bear. Surgical options are allowing these women to look and feel like they did before their baby was born and regain their body confidence.

Cosmetic surgery divides people. There is no doubt that it is a controversial topic, but only because of the lack of understanding around the huge variety of reasons why people choose to undergo procedures to alter their appearance. Below we talk about five bad reasons to have cosmetic surgery:

1.    To please other people
Cosmetic surgery should never be undertaken as a direct result of other people’s views or comments on your appearance. Having surgery under these circumstances presents a degree of unnecessary risk to emotional stability and well-being and may lead to regrets in the long term.

2.    To speed up / pre-empt natural growth / changes in body shape
Girls and boys who have not fully grown or developed should avoid having plastic surgery to change the shape of their bodies. Having breast implants, chest reduction surgery or liposuction may prove completely unnecessary in the long run, and can pose its own health risks and lead to emotional instability.

3.    To lose weight quickly
Liposuction was never designed to offer a quick weight loss solution to overweight people, but is instead meant to be used by those who are of a healthy size and weight for their height and build but who have areas of fat that are impossible to shift using exercise and healthy eating alone.

4.    To iron out very fine lines and wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles can be treated with non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers and Botox, and in a lot of cases this is a better and less drastic option than face lift or brow lift surgery. A reputable cosmetic surgery clinic will be able to advise on the best option for you.

5.    To reduce breast / chest size when you are overweight
Breast reduction and male chest reduction surgery should only be considered in cases where the patient is of a healthy size and weight for their height and build and not those who are overweight. Overweight patients should be advised to reach a healthy target weight before these types of surgery are considered.

Authors

Lucinda Maxwell
Lucinda is passionate about the subject of cosmetic surgery and about promoting the different reasons why consumers choose to undergo procedures. She has made a name for herself in the industry, writing compelling copy for digital publications on various procedures, ensuring consumers have all the information they need to make informed decisions. Her news-writing style reflects this and is up to the minute, informative, and sensitively covered.

Olivia Dingley
Olivia writes breaking industry news stories to inform but also to ensure that ethical cosmetic surgery is promoted and the dangerous practices of back-street clinics are exposed. She has been involved in the cosmetic surgery industry for more than 10 years, ensuring that only registered clinics are marketed to potential patients. Her writing is fact-based, yet punchy, and always presents a balanced and coherent argument.

Peter Ramsay
Peter has a degree in English and Journalism and specialises in writing about medical issues and cosmetic surgery. He searches out the most interesting and relevant news to bring to consumers considering plastic surgery, or those who just want to know who the latest celebrities are to have had surgery.

Our beloved celebrities have an opinion on just about everything, and this week we bring you their thoughts on cosmetic surgery.

“I’ve tried a lot of things, but apart from working out and a good diet, most things don’t help. I even tried Botox.” – Nicole Kidman finally admits to trying Botox, in an interview with a German magazine.

“A lot of women go too far and end up looking a hell of a lot older than they actually are and it sort of has a reverse effect. So talk to me in 10 years.” – Jennifer Aniston isn’t ready for surgery just yet, but won’t rule it out when she’s a bit older.

“If I can get my nose fixed for the wedding that would be ideal. I’m not sure it’s going to be possible but hopefully something can be done in time.”  – Tara Palmer-Tomkinson on essential preparations for the royal wedding.

“When it’s time to pull and tuck, I’m sure I will consider it.” – Britney Spears talking bluntly to American magazine Out, about cosmetic surgery in the future.

“When things start to sag in ten or 15 years, I wouldn’t say no.” – Mel B talks about life after the gym.

“I’m going to have a tummy tuck, my boobs lifted and implants put in because my boobs are now like a couple of golf balls in socks.” – Tina Malone, actress, leaves us all with a delightful image when summarising her plans for plastic surgery.

And it’s not just actresses, pop stars, models and socialites that have cosmetic surgery on their mind -  royals and country leaders do too…

“Princess Anne has asked me if I’d have the surgery. She’s a bit worried about how the wedding photos might turn out!” – Mike Tindall paraphrasing his future mother-in-law, Princess Anne.

“I do not want to look like an old man in front of Libyans.” – Colonel Gaddafi is unusually brief and coherent in his reason for having a face lift in the 1990s.

Follow the Scouts’ motto when you’re considering any type of cosmetic surgery – be prepared. Below are 10 important questions to ask your surgeon before going under the knife (and the answers you should expect), but don’t be afraid to ask a hundred if you need to.

1.  Can I see a range of before and after photographs?
Don’t be satisfied with the ones on the marketing material as these will of course be the best examples. Instead, ensure you see a range of photographs showing the results of operations performed by your cosmetic surgeon.

2.  Please can you explain the procedure in full?
Ensure that your surgeon can fully explain your chosen procedure to you, in terms you understand. If he/she tries to gloss over the details, ensure you dig further – it is important that you are confident in the surgeon’s knowledge and experience of the procedure, and that you know exactly what you are about to undergo.

3.  What are the recovery times for my operation?
Make sure that your surgeon is specific, and gives you the worst-case scenario, as well as the best. While you are sure to fit into the latter, it is always important to be prepared. Ask them to explain how long you will need to take off work, what activities and exercise you will and will not be able to do, how long you will have to wear any post-surgical garments for, and when any prominent scarring and swelling should reduce.

4.  Will you carry out my surgery, from start to finish?
This may sound like a strange question but some surgeons pass over the closing or stitching to another surgeon once the actual procedure has been completed. Ideally you want to ensure that your surgeon performs everything.

5.  Are you board-certified?
The clinic you visit should be registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) if it’s in England. You should expect your Surgeon to be on the Specialist Medical Register, to be highly skilled, qualified, innovative and have many years’ experience in Cosmetic Procedures.

6.  What care will you provide to me after my surgery?
Ask for details about the clinic’s aftercare policy – it is absolutely essential that they have a plan in place to check that you are recovering well and that your stitches are removed correctly and at the right time.

7.  What is your experience with this procedure?
Some surgeons will specialise in fat removal surgery, breast surgery or face surgery, while others will have a lot of experience in a wide range of procedures. While it is not essential to have a specialist in the procedure you are having done, it is essential to ensure that your surgeon has a wealth of experience, and if he/she does, they won’t have a problem sharing this with you.

8.  What are the specific risks involved with this procedure?
Don’t let your surgeon sugar coat the risks. As with all surgery, there will be risks involved and it is important that you know these so that you are able to weigh them up with the benefits of the procedure.

9.  What results can I expect from this procedure?
Every body is different and as a result it’s important to understand from your surgeon what results are realistic for you. Don’t assume that the results you have in mind are realistic. Instead, talk these through with your surgeon and get a completely clear picture of the reality.

10. What kind of anaesthesia is required and who will administer it?
This is particularly important to know if you have had a bad reaction to a certain type of anaesthesia in the past, and to ensure that a properly trained anaesthetist will be looking after you.