News

Abdominoplasty Dubai | 5 November 2019

In addition to restoring the pre-pregnancy shape of the abdomen, abdominoplasty (‘tummy tuck’) surgery with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence after childbearing, reports a new study in “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®.

Although abdominoplasty is classified as a cosmetic procedure, it also improves two of the most common physical complaints experienced by women after labor and delivery. According to the new research “Abdominoplasty has a proven functional benefit as well as a cosmetic benefit,” comments lead author D. Alastair Taylor, FRACS, of The CAPS Clinic in Deakin, Australia.

The study included 214 women undergoing abdominoplasty with repair of the abdominal muscles at nine Australian plastic surgery centers. Many women seek tummy tuck surgery to restore the shape and appearance of the abdomen after childbearing. The women’s average age was about 42 years, with an average of 2.5 deliveries.

Before and after surgery, the women completed questionnaires rating their disability from back pain and urinary incontinence: two very common problems after childbearing. In the preoperative questionnaires, about 51 percent of women had moderate to severe disability from back pain, while urinary incontinence was a “significant concern” for 42.5 percent.

On follow-up questionnaires at six weeks and six months, scores for both problems showed major improvement. At six months, only nine percent of patients still had moderate disability from back pain. Urinary incontinence remained a significant problem for less than two percent of women.

Scores for back pain continued to improve from six weeks to six months after abdominoplasty, while urinary incontinence improved no further after six weeks. The women underwent several different types of abdominoplasty surgery; the improvements in back pain and incontinence were similar regardless of the technique used.

Nearly 128,000 abdominoplasty procedures were performed in the United States in 2018, according to ASPS statistics. Tummy tuck is sometimes performed as part of “mommy makeovers” to restore the shape and appearance of a woman’s body after childbearing.

The new findings — including before-and-after measurements in a large group of plastic surgery patients — are consistent with previous case reports of improvement in back pain and urinary incontinence after abdominoplasty. These functional improvements may result from restoring strength and stability in the abdominal and pelvic region as the operation incorporates repair of the abdominal muscle separation (rectus diastasis) that can occur after pregnancy.

“By reducing the problems of back pain and incontinence, abdominoplasty with rectus repair leads to a better life for women after childbearing,” Dr. Taylor comments. He believes that health insurance plans should recognize that abdominoplasty has functional benefits, beyond the cosmetic improvement offered.

“The results demonstrate that tummy tucks do have functional benefits, as well as cosmetic ones, particularly in the postpartum population,” comments Editor-in-Chief Rod J. Rohrich, MD, in a featured video on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website. “If you are done having children, and still suffering from back pain or incontinence, you may consider an abdominoplasty as a surgical solution.”

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 4 November 2019

COUPLE’S THERAPY

Never mind spa days with your girlfriends – the hottest trend for staying young and beautiful is all about cosmetic surgery dates with your significant other. Words by Lucy Wildman

It’s date night. So what are you and your partner planning? Dinner and a movie? A sunset stroll along the beach, followed by a few drinks? Or a visit to your favourite aesthetic surgeon for pre-supper Botox and fillers? According to recent research, it’s the latter that’s becoming increasingly popular for couples in the Middle East who want to share more than just their starters. Dubbed “beauty matching” – a plastic surgery trend that sees couples heading to the surgeon’s office to double-up on aesthetic procedures – the UAE has seen a dramatic increase in the number of men and women in a long-term relationship undergoing cosmetic surgery together. While plastic surgery was previously considered more of a female market, in recent years the balance has shifted, with more men than ever choosing to go under the knife. Fast forward to 2019, and the most rapidly-growing marketplace is couples choosing to go for a tandem tweak, nip and tuck. Consultant plastic surgeon at Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London Dubai, Dr. Rory McGoldrick, says a high proportion of women he has operated on are now bringing in their husbands to have cosmetic treatments too. “Since we opened the Aesthetics wing at the hospital about a year ago, I’ve operated on between 30 to 40 couples,” says Dr. McGoldrick. Introducing their partners to cosmetic injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, as well as more significant procedures including liposuction, rhinoplasty and gynecomastia surgery, the 41-year-old doctor says the taboos that once existed around men having non-surgical cosmetic procedures have quickly dissolved, allowing them to admit they’ve had a bit of work, without being subjected to any kind of judgement. “I recently had Botox for the first time on the crow’s feet around my eyes,” says Dr. McGoldrick. “I did it not only to soften the fine lines on my face, but also to experience it, and be able to explain to first-time patients what having Botox really felt like. It seemed a bit weird to be injecting patients on a daily basis, when I’d never actually tried the procedure myself.”

One of the first to notice the spike in couple’s requests for beauty matching in the UAE is Dr. Matteo Vigo. Performing couple’s surgery between two to three times a week, procedures he carries out range from dermal fillers and Botox to face lifts and, most popular of all, matching liposuction and tummy tucks. Whilst not neccessarily requesting procedures take place at the same time, more often than not, it’s a case of one spouse wanting to keep up with the other who has undergone a recent treatment. “It is more common to see the wife coming in for treatment first,” says Dr. Vigo. “Once the husband sees his partner’s results, he comes in for surgery himself.” With the most common triggers for tandem surgery being major life events, like their forthcoming wedding or a big anniversary party, right the way through to ‘gifting themselves’ a physical enhancement following significant weight loss, while couple’s treatments are more prevalent in those aged between 40 to 50, younger couples are also requesting joint surgeries, with experts suggesting social media could be a driving force behind the trend. “People have never looked at themselves so much as they do now,” says Dr. Dany Kayle, founder of Dr. Kayle Aesthetic Clinic Dubai. “The effect of social media and the importance people now place upon their physical appearance directly impacts upon their self-confidence. It’s caused people to start scrutinizing their appearance, noticing things that they may not have really seen before, and wanting to change things that they don’t like about themselves. Both men and women of all ages are deciding that they want to look better. And significantly, couples are choosing to make those changes together.”

While beauty matching may raise eyebrows in some circles – with critics suggesting there could be more sinister reasons behind a couple’s desire to go under the knife, such as wanting to look like one another – Dr. Kayle says surgery requests to make a couple appear physically alike are extremely rare. “If a couple came to me insisting they wanted to look each other, I’d have to turn them away,” he explains. “Wanting to look so very alike, as if you were siblings, for example, is a major red flag in this particular arena. That would suggest there are issues of far greater importance than aesthetics that need to be addressed in their relationship. The aim of cosmetic surgery is to make people look better in their own skin, thus making an improvement to the way they look – not changing the way they look.” When beauty matching isn’t about coercion or copycatting, but a mutual decision to share an experience and its subsequent benefits, surgeons say that getting procedures with your partner is totally normal – practical even. The premise being that if both partners are interested in undergoing a procedure, going through the process together offers the chance to help one another prepare for surgery in the lead up to it, keep each other company during recovery, and support each other when others may not understand exactly how they feel. The ability to offer emotional support is a major advantage,says Dr. Julius Few, a board-certified plastic surgeon and clinical professor of plastic surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, who says having your partner there to give you advice is a big plus when getting procedures done together. “Now more than ever we have so many ways to treat a given issue,” he explains. “Sometimes having another person in the room who really knows you is vital to making to making the best decision possible for you.” Dr. Kayle agrees. “Here in the UAE, couple’s surgery is a more romantic endeavour, where the couple want to share the experience of undergoing procedures to look better or younger. The mutual encouragement required to endure the efforts involved, to go under the knife and tolerate a bit of discomfort in order to achieve the positive changes they are after are made far easier when they can discuss everything with the person closest to them. And then it’s about sharing the joy – the joy of looking better.” Spending anywhere between around Dhs3,000 for injectable enhancements and up to Dhs75,000 for a full facelift, with shared experience a key factor in taking the plastic surgery plunge together, while it’s usually the woman who starts the cosmetic surgery conversation, Dr. Kayle says it’s both partners that are equally involved in the in-depth decision-making process surrounding the details of the procedures they will undertake – including who carries out the surgery. “This is a couple who share many things, and one of those things is the surgeon who they have brought into their circle of trust,” he explains. “Whether it’s Botox, fillers, thread-lifting, eyelid surgery, face-lifting, rhinoplasty or liposuction, they need to be performed by the same plastic surgeon who they both trust, and who understands the reasoning behind this very significant joint decision.”

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK

OF COUPLE’S SURGERY

Considering cosmetic surgery? First do your research, then get in touch with one of the region’s leading plastic surgeons for a full consultation on the right procedure.

DR. MATTEO VIGO

Trained in Italy, Ireland and Brazil, and graduating from Milan in 2004, Dr. Vigo has been practicing in Dubai since 2012. Specialising in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries, with specific expertise in breast surgery and fat grafting, Dr.Vigo is a member of AICPE, the Italian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and ISAPS, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He is currently the specialist plastic surgeon at Amwaj Polyclinic, Healthbay Polyclinic and Bioscience Clinic in Dubai. Amwaj Polyclinic, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina, Dubai. +971 4 422 1331

DR. DANY KAYLE

Dubbed Dubai’s Godfather of non-surgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Kayle has forged a reputation for providing an improved – though natural – look for all of his patients thanks to his three-step non-invasive facial procedure that showcases his mastery of thread lifts. Graduating from the American University of Beirut, and establishing his eponymous private practice in the UAE in 2000, Dr. Kayle is a recognised member of ISAPS – the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kayle Aesthetic Clinic, Al Wasl Rd, Umm Sequim, Dubai, +971 4 330 6611

DR. JAFFER KHAN

Medical director and head consultant at Aesthetics International, Dr. Jaffer Khan is one of the most esteemed plastic surgeons in the UAE. Specialising in liposuction and body contouring, as well as aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and abdomen, Dr. Khan was an original pioneer of facial resurfacing in the Middle East, having introduced the first Erbium YAG laser to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1997 and Dubai in 1998. Nova Clinic Dubai, Al Wasl Rd, Jumeira, Dubai. + 971 4 384 5666

DR. RORY MCGOLDRICK

With over 17 years’ experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. McGoldrick’s experience is extensive and ranges from multi-region reconstructive surgery after cancer, trauma and burns to all aspects of aesthetic surgery and non-surgical treatments. Practicing in Dubai since 2016, in recent years, his personal interest has focused on aesthetic breast surgery, body contouring, non-surgical rejuvenation and the wider medical aesthetic arts. Kings College Hospital London Dubai, The Residence at Marina Gate 1, Dubai Marina, Dubai. + 971 4 581 3222

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Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 1 November 2019

Many of us struggle daily from excessive sweating or embarrassing body odour despite showering daily. The embarrassment from those important moments when surrounded by friends, colleagues or on a first date. Sweating can affect relationships, how you perform at work, what clothes you choose to wear or the activities you do.

Hyperhydrosis treatment is one of the only non-surgical treatments available to alleviate underarm sweating. A lot of people suffer from excessive sweating, especially located under the arms, on the hand palm or under their feet. The solution is just few injections away. With botulinum toxin you can stop the production of sweat from these areas and reduce the hyperhidrosis effect for at least 5 months. The treatment is quick, but sometimes needs local anesthesia to relieve the pain, especially in the palms and under the feet.

Don’t I need to sweat?

We have over 2 million sweat glands throughout our bodies and only 2% are located in the underarms. This means you will continue to perspire, allowing your body to cool down, even while exercising or in a hot environment.

What results can I expect?

Most patients can expect a dramatic and permanent reduction in underarm sweat. In a recent clinical trial, the average underarm reduction in sweat was 82%. Patients typically experience a noticeable difference immediately after treatment although results can vary.

Goodbye sweat, Goodbye smells, Goodbye stains!

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 30 October 2019

After pregnancy or weight loss, excess skin and fat can distort the appearance of the abdomen. In particular, many women find that after their second child or after bearing twins, their muscles and skin do not return to their original appearance secondary to repeated stretch of the abdomen. The abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck” procedure, creates a flatter, firmer abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, and tightening the abdominal muscles. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you are at a stable weight and are physically healthy, you have realistic expectations, and you do not smoke.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 28 October 2019

For most of my patients, planning breast augmentation surgery is fairly straightforward. However, if you are older (over 40), have had multiple pregnancies, or have lost a significant amount of weight, you may need to plan for a breast lift as well.

If a patient has minimal breast sag and minimal excess (but good quality) skin, then implants alone can provide the lift needed without additional surgical lifting. This is particularly true when the implants are being placed below the muscle. If the patient has minimal sagging, then placing the implant under the breast will ensure perky, natural and firm results.

If the patient has poor skin quality, stretch marks, too much sagging skin, low-resting nipples, or there appears to be a disengagement between the skin, gland, and chest wall, then a lift is mandatory to achieve the best cosmetic outcome. While most women who fall into these categories are older, some young women do as well. If you have had multiple pregnancies, chances are high that the repeated expansion and contraction of the breast tissue has resulted in loose skin, stretch marks, and the loss of breast volume (especially in the upper portion of the breast). Women under 40 who have lost a significant amount of weight also frequently struggle with flat, drooping breasts. If you have battled obesity in the past, you will almost certainly need a breast lift along with implants.

Some surgeons avoid combining breast lift and augmentation surgery owing to the added complexity this represents, but in the long run, mastopexy augmentation tends to be less stressful and more cost-effective. Combining breast lift and breast augmentation into one single procedure is easier for the patient and more likely to result in a successful outcome.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 26 October 2019

Eyes are the most sensitive area of the face, which makes many people reluctant to choose a plastic surgery procedure for eyelid rejuvenation. However, such patients can still achieve eyelid enhancement with non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Customization

Aging effects appearing on the delicate skin around and below the eyes can be gently and precisely treated with a customized combination of non-surgical eyelid rejuvenation treatments. Eye bags and dark circles under the eyes can be address most effectively with these procedures. Patients can choose between plastic surgery and non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedures in order to meet their personal cosmetic goals.

Injectable Fillers

As part of a personalized eye rejuvenation procedure, the doctor will precisely inject dermal filler gel such as Belotero Balance or Restylane to fill the tear trough area, and mitigate the appearance of dark circles and under eye bags. The mid-face contours may be enhanced at the same time to create more harmonized outcomes.

PRP Therapy

The second part of a treatment can involve advanced platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy to rejuvenate the eye area. The doctor will draw a small amount of blood from the patient’s body. This blood will be purified and PRP growth factors will be separated. The doctor will then carefully inject the PRP growth factors into targeted areas to achieve natural looking eyelid rejuvenation. The PRP growth factors will work to stimulate the production of fresh collagen and blood vessels in the treated areas. The natural process of skin repair and rejuvenation from the inside will be triggered. The complete dermal filler and PRP injection procedure can be performed in-clinic using only a topical numbing cream at the injection sites.

Recovery

Non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedure with fillers and PRP therapy may cause mild bruising and swelling in the treated areas. This will fade quickly, and most patients can return to their normal work routine the same day.

The improvement in under eye bags and dark circles can be readily noticed, while the results will continue to improve over the next few months as the body completes the healing process set off with the PRP therapy. Patients can expect to enjoy the results for as long as two years in some cases.

RF Treatment

Small wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and mild loss of skin elasticity in the area can be corrected with radio frequency (RF) energy treatments. RF procedure may be performed separately or combined with other eyelid rejuvenation techniques. RF energy will gently and naturally restore volume to the depleted tissues and help create smoother and firmer skin around the eyelid area.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 20 October 2019

Have you heard of the Mommy Makeover? This combination of surgical procedures is getting more popular every day. Each patient’s Mommy Makeover package is different and customized to restore her post-pregnancy body to its previous state. Many packages include the tummy tuck. As a baby grows in a woman’s uterus, the uterus also grows to compensate. This has the unfortunate side effect of stretching the abdominal muscles apart and weakening the abdominal wall. Muscle tissue sags and bulges, the skin of the stomach stretches, and excess fatty tissue forms in the region. This makes the abdomen look out of shape by creating a “pooch” of flab, along with stretch marks in the skin. To restore the abdominal wall, trim away excess skin, remove stretch marks, and suction out excess fatty tissue, we offer the tummy tuck as an option for your Mommy Makeover package.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 18 October 2019

According to the figures published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately half a million breast implant plastic surgery procedures were performed between 1999 and 2018. Breast implant procedures has remained one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed. A vital factor in the success of breast implant surgery is the pre-operative consultation, which will influence the final results. The surgeon will provide comprehensive guidelines to the patient during the consultation to enable her to prepare adequately for the breast implant surgery.

Clarity about Aesthetic Goals

A woman considering breast implant surgery should be completely clear on her reasons for undergoing this procedure. The surgeon will try to understand during the pre-op consultation about the aspects of her breasts that displease her and try to understand her aesthetic goals and desires. Breast implant surgery is a significant procedure, which should be undertaken only when the patient personally wants it and is ready for it. Influence or pressure from others should not be a reason for her to decide on breast implant surgery. Having clear goals and reasonable expectations will enable the patient to achieve higher satisfaction levels from the surgery.

Online Forums and Websites

After a woman has identified a surgeon for a consultation, she should review basic information on the surgeon’s professional credentials and practice through their website. The patient could also reach out to other women on social media platforms or dedicated online forums to understand first-hand about the experiences of others with breast implant plastic surgery.

Community support and insights of past patients can help a candidate to develop more clarity about choosing a breast implant procedure. Primary online research before the appointment with the surgeon can help make the consultation more useful and productive.

Candidacy Requirements

The surgeon will assess the candidate’s general health condition before the breast implant surgery. They may also order some tests and mammograms in specific cases. The patient should focus on a well-balanced diet and a regular exercise regimen to maintain a stable weight and ideal fitness levels before the procedure.

In case the patient smokes, she will need to stop smoking for a specific duration before the surgery. The schedule of current medications and supplements may need adjustment as directed by the surgeon. It is also essential to review many before and after breast implant pictures before the surgery to establish realistic expectations.

A Day Prior to the Surgery

The patient should get adequate rest on the day prior to the surgery as well as get sufficient sleep. She should not consume alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours before the procedure. The surgeon will also ask the patient to not eat or drink for at least 8 hours before the procedure.

The patient should enlist a responsible person to drive her back after the surgery. Furthermore, she may need aftercare for a few days, especially if she has small children.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 15 October 2019

Neck lift plastic surgery is designed to reduce excess skin from the neck, tighten the underlying muscles and eliminate unsightly neck bands. The procedure should be preceded by a detailed preparation process in order to achieve safe and desirable outcomes. When a patient is thoroughly prepared for the surgery, they will go through minimal pre-surgery anxiety and will have a better chance of achieving safe and predictable results.

Neck Lift Preparation Guidelines

The following basic guidelines will help a patient to prepare well for the neck lift plastic surgery:

Arrange to send the past medical records directly to the surgeon’s office

Note down all the medications, including prescription drugs, blood thinning medications, NSAIDs, herbal supplements and vitamins, that the patient may be currently taking

Get any medical tests done as instructed by the surgeon.

If any prescription drugs need to be adjusted before the surgery, have the surgeon speak to the prescribing physician

Stop smoking for at least the period specified by the surgeon before and after the neck lift surgery

If any pressing tasks at home or office are pending, have them completed prior to the surgery in order to have a stress-free post-op recovery

Arrange for a family member, friend or a caregiver to assist during the initial recovery phase, as needed.

Have someone responsible to drive the patient back home after the surgery

The patient should have the commitment to follow the surgeon’s instructions for preparation for the sake of their own safety.

Neck Lift – Other Instructions

The surgeon’s office may provide a set of common instructions to the patient as a part of the preparation for neck lift surgery. These may include:

Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen and other blood thinners and NSAIDs for at least a week before surgery

Avoid taking vitamin E, vitamin C, homeopathic and herbal remedies as well as dietary supplements for two to four weeks before surgery

On the day of the surgery, do not wear makeup, nail paint, jewelry, body piercings or contact lenses to the surgery center

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes on the day of the surgery. The top should button in the front as the procedure involves upper part of the body.

Do not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours before the surgery

If neck lift is to be performed using general anesthesia, avoid eating or drinking for eight hours before the surgery

If the patient is a diabetic, they should have their parameters checked on the morning of the surgery

Many patients experience mild pre-op stress and anxiety a day before the surgery. The surgeon may prescribe a calming medication to be taken the night before the surgery.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 12 October 2019

The new contours of the body will be more or less permanent after liposuction plastic surgery. But if the patient gains a moderate amount of body weight (below ten pounds), their new figure will not change significantly. They would simply look like a slightly larger version of their new body shape.

As long as the patient does not gain excessive amounts of weight, they can enjoy their new body contours. Time will take some toll on the body shape due to the natural process of aging. However, the results of liposuction will still continue to be visible.

How Changes in Body Weight Affect the Figure

Good liposuction candidates will be committed to maintaining stable body weight even after the surgery and will follow a balanced diet and regular exercise program. Post-liposuction weight gain will impact the appearance of the new body contours. Patients should ideally weigh less after liposuction by at least the amount of fat removed.

For instance, if a person with an original body weight of 140 pounds undergoes liposuction to remove six pounds of fat, they should weigh nearly 134 pounds after the surgery.

But if the patient puts on six pounds to weigh 140 pounds after the procedure, the cosmetic outcomes will still be appealing. However, they will diminish marginally.

If the patient gains an extra 16 pounds to weigh 150 pounds after liposuction, the overall results will be significantly impacted. For people who lack the discipline to maintain stable body weight after liposuction, it may not be a suitable procedure.

Liposuction is not a guarantee that someone will remain that same weight indefinitely. If they don’t eat properly and/or exercise on a normal basis then in short order or a few years later that same person could be back in the same spot. They will not be happy with their appearance and wondering if they should do this procedure again.

Fat Accumulation after Post-Liposuction Weight Gain

If the patient puts on significant amounts of weight (ten pounds and above) following liposuction plastic surgery, then the body will potentially produce new fat, and this fat must go to various parts of the body. The new fat will usually be stored in areas of the body depending on the number of fat cells in each site.

As a result, the liposuction treated areas will collect relatively lesser fat. But the sites that have not been treated with liposuction will accumulate significant fatty deposits. If the patient gains weight after liposuction of the hips, outer thighs, and abdomen, the new fat will accumulate in areas such as the neck, upper arms, breasts, legs, face, and back.

Maintaining Body Weight Post-Liposuction

The surgeon will offer the patient instructions on following a balanced diet and exercise regimen after their liposuction surgery. In the initial one to two weeks after the procedure, the patient should only take mild walks around the neighborhood or on a treadmill. They can gradually increase their activity level in the following two to three weeks. But the patient should be careful not to put pressure on the incisions.

In around one month, the incisions will heal properly. The patient can perform more vigorous exercises after the incisions heal. They should take a diet that is rich in veggies, fruit, and fiber, and avoid processed foods and saturated fats.