Dr Miriam Stoppard Explains Liposuction

June 22nd, 2011

Liposuction is on the increase for 2011, with enquiries and procedures from both women and men higher than in 2010.

With slimline celebrities gracing every magazine cover, it’s little wonder that us lesser mortals are not too happy with what we see in the mirror.

However, liposuction is still a surgical procedure and should not be taken lightly.

In a recent feature in the Daily Mirror, Dr Miriam Stoppard explained the procedure, saying: “Be well prepared.

Liposuction is not a gentle procedure. It involves injecting a solution that breaks down fat and then a large hollow needle, usually about 3mm in diameter, is attached to a powerful suction machine and is inserted through several small cuts in the skin. 

The tube is passed into pockets of fat where it’s moved around with considerable force.  Fat is actually quite solid and needs some liquidising in order to be sucked into the draining tube.  There can be considerable discomfort and pain afterwards. The wider the needle, the longer lasting and more intense the pain will ultimately be. 

You’ll have to wear special tight surgical clothing over the area all the time to help the skin ‘stick’ and obliterate ­the space left behind by ­the liposuction. They must be worn for two to three weeks after the operation.”

A reputable cosmetic surgeon should be expected to give honest and realistic appraisal of what can be achieved.  They should explain the procedure in detail and also give you full information on the recovery process.

A spokesman for why Go Abroad said: “Liposuction is a very effective procedure for tackling areas of fat that are stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise and produces amazing results on a wide variety of body areas.  Popular zones include the abdomen, buttocks and thighs; although it can also be used on sensitive areas such as the chin or ankles.

However, as a surgical procedure, it should always be taken very seriously.  Patients should inform themselves thoroughly about every aspect of the procedure before deciding whether to go ahead.”

Liposuction prices are cheaper than you may think. Experienced surgeons and expert care is available in the UK at Why Go Abroad with free consultations.

USA Trends in Plastic Surgery – Will the UK Follow?

June 13th, 2011

New data from ASAPS, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons shows us the top plastic surgery trends in the USA in 2010.

Top procedures for women :

  1. Breast augmentation
  2. Liposuction
  3. Breast reduction
  4. Abdominplasty
  5. Blepharoplasty

Top cosmetic surgeries for men:

  1. Liposuction
  2. Rhinoplasty
  3. Blepharoplasty
  4. Gynaecomastia
  5. Otoplasty

 The study also compared 2010 to 1997 to see where the biggest growth is being experienced in the market.  The statistics show massive growth in body reshaping surgery as follows:

  1. Upper arm lift +642%
  2. Thigh lift +431%
  3. Breast uplift  +511%
  4. Lower body lift +330%
  5. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) +326%

Why Go Abroad commented: “Both women and men are far more aware nowadays of what can be achieved with cosmetic surgery.  With societal pressure to ‘look good’, increasing numbers are turning to surgeons to help them to improve aspects of their body that they don’t like

Although breast augmentation is still our most popular procedure at Why Go Abroad, the mix of enquiries that we are seeing shows a much broader interest in cosmetic surgery for areas of the body. 

We see many patients who had considered going abroad for surgery, but we offer great value packages in the UK.  We would urge patients to investigate their Surgeon and surgery provider thoroughly and be totally confident before booking surgery.” 

Sales of Baby Food Spike as Brits Slim for Summer

May 31st, 2011

With news that Lady Gaga is the latest fan of the baby food diet, online grocery retailer Ocado has reported a lift in sales of baby food jars, with Heinz porridge up 100%.

The baby food diet has previously been credited with the slim profiles of other famous figures.  Jennifer Aniston apparently lost 7 pounds in as many days by eating 14 pots a day together with a dinner of fish and steamed vegetables.  Reece Witherspoon and Cheryl Cole are also understood to have followed the diet for rapid weight loss.

It is understood that the diet was originally invented by Tracy Anderson, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow’s personal trainer.However, the diet has generated a lot of criticism from nutritionists and dietitians, who say it’s unrealistic and does not deliver enough nutrients like calcium for adults.

A spokesperson for Why Go Abroad for Surgery commented “It is possible to lose weight with this diet, as it is essentially a restricted calorie option with small portion sizes.  However, it is not satisfying, so dieters tend to reach for snacks and lapse quite quickly.  Eating baby food is also not sustainable for an adult in normal society and is not filling enough. 

Baby food is unlikely to supply a healthy balanced diet with sufficient protein, vegetable and carbohydrate. 

A healthy balanced diet with sensible portion sizes and a moderate exercise plan are the best options for losing weight. 

Patients who are obese or overweight may also consider the gastric band, which enables patients to control their appetite, thereby eating less and losing weight.  The gastric band stays in for life and is adjustable to manage the weight loss sensibly and effectively over time.”

BAAPS Warn Importance of Choosing Professionals for Cosmetic Surgery

May 17th, 2011

The president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Mr Fatah, has warned the BBC that the lines between cosmetic surgery and cosmetic salon treatments are being blurred.

Cosmetic surgery treatments should be conducted by trained professionals. 

“There is a difference between plastic surgery – facelifts, breast enhancement, tummy tucks, liposuction, etc – and cosmetic salon treatments such as lasers, peels and injectable fillers” he remarked. 

While cosmetic treatments such as BOTOX and fillers are temporary treatments carried out to manage the external signs of ageing, cosmetic surgery is considerably more complex.

Firstly, the reasons behind someone looking to have cosmetic surgery are likely to be quite involved.  Does the patient have realistic expectations for the outcome?  Has the patient suffered bullying?  Do they understand what surgery entails and what General Anaesthetic involves?  Are they prepared for the recovery/healing stage?  Are they prepared to  stop smoking/lose weight or similar prior to surgery?

A good Cosmetic Surgeon will spend time understanding the patient’s full motivations for surgery, as well as appraising their medical history and physiology. 

Mr Fatah added that when cosmetic surgery is done for the right reasons, “the reward is a significant enhancement of the wellbeing and the quality of life for the patient”.

A spokesman for Why Go Abroad said: “Often, a very simple cosmetic surgery procedure, such as liposuction or nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), can make a big difference to your look.

“This can often make you feel far happier with your body – and give you a real boost in confidence – but we would always urge clients to take full advantage of a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon prior to making any decisions.

“You should ask aall your questions and ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what can be achieved and what surgery involves.  Your surgeon should be honest about the realistic outcomes.”

At Why Go Abroad, all surgeons are certified by The General Medical Council and the cosmetic surgery process includes:

  • An initial consultation with a cosmetic surgeon to discuss what procedure you’re considering and set realistic expectations
  • A GMC-registered surgeon for the procedure
  • A follow up appointment to check your post-op health
  • Up to six months’ aftercare to ensure your continuing wellbeing.

Contact Why Go Abroad for affordable cosmetic surgery prices or more information.

Weight Loss Surgery Cuts Diabetes

May 10th, 2011

A study of over 7,045 weight loss surgery patients has now been completed in the UK and shows that type 2 diabetes halved and other obesity-related conditions such as blood pressure also improved. 

Patients lost over half their excess weight in the first year and everyday activities were improved too.

Researchers calculated that approximately 1 million Brits would benefit from weight loss surgery such as the gastric band, yet the NHS is reaching less than 1% of those, with just over 7,000 procedures in 2009.  

For the other 99%, the choice is stark.  Where diet and exercise have failed and the NHS is unable to assist, then private surgery remains the last resort.

However, the good news is that it is not as expensive as many people think.

Competitive surgery providers such as Why Go Abroad offer gastric band in the UK from just £5,450.

A spokesperson for the Company said: “Cost is a major consideration, but it is important not to compromise on something as important as surgery, especially when the results can be so life-changing.  Our gastric band patients have lost many stones of excess weight, improving their health dramatically as well as their body-shape.

We use top UK hospitals and GMC registered bariatric surgeons and also include 6 months of aftercare.

Taking into account the costs of flights, hotels and the higher risks involved, our prices compare very favourably to those on the continent.”

Cosmetic Surgery Demand Rises – Why Not To Consider Medical Tourism?

May 4th, 2011

Despite the recession, demand for cosmetic surgery has remained high. 

According to BAAPS, the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the number of surgical procedures in 2010 showed growth of 5% in 2010 to a total of 38,274

However, in a recession, many people are looking to cut costs and cosmetic surgery is no exception.  Many patients would even consider surgery abroad to save money, known as “medical tourism”.

Statistics are not available for the amount of patients who seek surgery abroad, but it is understood that the vast majority of these procedures that people are seeking overseas are the popular major cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks.

While there are many qualified and talented cosmetic surgeons abroad, some countries have lowered regulations.  Thorough research of the physician and the practice are essential when considering traveling abroad for plastic surgery.  While patients may seemingly save money initially, many other factors should be taken into consideration: any potential complications are worsened by not having your doctor near.  In addition, aftercare is often limited to the patient’s time in the country – what happens if there is a problem when you return home?

Why Go Abroad for Surgery offers a cost-effective option for having surgery in the UK.

Why Go Abroad offers UK-based surgery with GMC registered surgeons in accredited UK hospitals.  Costs are cheaper than major UK companies, as aftercare is limited to 6 months.  However, this is still significantly more than would normally be included with surgery abroad, so may be a sensible compromise if price is your key consideration. 

For example, breast augmentation with Why Go Abroad costs £3,295 with 6 months aftercare including all hospital and surgical costs.  An equivalent procedure with a major company in the UK would normally cost £3,995 of more.

For more breast enlargement information visit Why Go Abroad.

Latest USA Plastic Surgery Trends

April 26th, 2011

Statistics have been released by the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

The ASAPS figures show that cosmetic surgery in the USA is very healthy, despite the recession.

The top 3 procedures for women in 2010 were as follows:

  1. Breast enlargement
  2. Liposuction
  3. Breast reduction

While for men, the top 3 is slightly different:

  1. Liposuction
  2. Rhinoplasty
  3. Blepharoplasty

The latest ASAPS figures compare 2010 figures to those in 1997 and offer a fascinating insight in the changing trends. 

  1. Upper arm lift +642%
  2. Thigh lift +431%
  3. Breast uplift  +511%

This growth in body reshaping surgery demonstrates that the USA patients now appreciate the wider choices available in cosmetic surgery.  Although the breast enlargement remains the number one procedure in the USA, the significant growth is being seen in body surgery.  

Expert cosmetic surgery provider Why Go Abroad explained: “Like the USA, our most popular procedure remains the breast augmentation and we expect that to continue for some time to come.   

However, we do have interest in arm and thigh lifts, predominantly from our gastric band patients, who lose weight and then need cosmetic surgery to deal with the excess loose skin.” 

For more information or to book a free consultation, visit Why Go Abroad.

Aftercare key for outstanding boob jobs

March 28th, 2011

Breast enlargement remains the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK and abroad, and there are many factors to consider before making your choice.

As well as the breast enlargement price, there’s also the breast implant type (we recommend cohesive gel implants), size and shape (classic round or ‘teardrop’ style) that you need to consider.

But one of the most important factors is also one that’s often overlooked – the aftercare that’s on offer from the provider.

Expert cosmetic surgery provider Why Go Abroad explained: “A boob job, like all forms of surgery, should only be performed by an expert, with patient safety as the top priority. That’s why all our surgeons are GMC-certified.

Six months of aftercare following a boob job

“On top of that, all breast augmentation patients receive six months of aftercare as standard, to ensure they are not just happy with the results of the procedure, but also healthy and recovering correctly.

“All prospective patients should ask their consultant about the aftercare they will receive to ensure they will be getting the best.”

Another way of ensuring that your provider offers a first-class service is to ask to see previous patients’ results (check out some of Why Go Abroad’s boob job before and after pictures here). If your consultant is reluctant to show you previous outcomes, then take our advice and avoid them altogether!

For more breast enlargement information visit Why Go Abroad.

Are job prospects improved by cosmetic surgery?

March 10th, 2011

Cosmetic surgery experts at Why Go Abroad are seeing more and more patients coming to them for treatments to help them boost their job prospects.

Hair transplants and face lifts are two of the most popular procedures for those seeking a younger, fresher look for interviews.

A spokesman for Why Go Abroad said: “At the height of the recession, we are not – as some might assume – seeing a decline in interest in cosmetic surgery at all. In fact, we are seeing a wider range of people looking into it.

“One of these growth areas is among men and women who are in the job market and competing with much younger professionals. Quite often job hunters come to us to help them recapture a youthful appearance.”

Hair transplants

In particular, many people find that male pattern baldness can be an ageing condition and therefore hair transplants are proving especially popular.

Today’s transplants use the patient’s own hair to recreate a natural hairline, banishing the image of unrealistic wigs and poor quality weaves for good.

The surgeon will carefully weigh up the shape of the patient’s face and their age, as well as any likely future hair loss, before deciding on the total number of grafts required for the procedure.

Hair transplant prices in the UK start at £3,000, while face lift prices start at £4,595. As more and more people are finding out, that’s a small price to pay for your dream job!

For more information, visit Why Go Abroad.

What can I eat after a gastric band?

March 5th, 2011

Inevitably, what you eat will change after having obesity surgery – the result is what’s known as the ‘gastric band diet’.

Dietitians recommend that, for a fortnight after gastric band surgery, only liquids should be consumed. Advice should be given to you as to what liquids are most suitable.

For the next two weeks, soft food – such as mashed potato, mince, well-cooked vegetables and yoghurt – are advisable. After that, you can return to ‘normal eating’.

And therein lies the problem. It’s very easy to slip back into bad habits – after all, what is ‘normal eating’?

Golden rules for gastric bands

Well here are a few golden rules for a balanced diet – for gastric band surgery patients and others – to improve your health and lifestyle:

  • Only eat three small meals a day, with two fruit snacks in between
  • Take small bites, eat slowly and chew thoroughly
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat the best quality food you can
  • Stop eating when you get full!

In fact, gastric bands (and gastric balloons) do not just control the amount you eat, but also promote better eating habits too. The result is fast, effective and controllable weight-loss in the short term, which stays off in the long term.

Gastric band prices and further information are available online at Why Go Abroad.