Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

Q. Hi, I am probably about 7 stone over my ideal weight and have try (and suceeded to one degree or another) in losing weight over the years..mainly to put in back on. I know what I need to do i.e. healthy eating, excercise etc. but am looking for a ‘kick start’ and wondered whether liposuction would be an option. If so, what sort of cost would there be per procedure and how much ‘fat’ would you remove each time. As I say, it’s really a kick start / kick up the butt to get things moving. Thanks for your help.

A. 7 stone is a significant excess weight, and in general liposuction is not a technique for weight loss. Although it can provide strong motivation for an improved lifestyle and better balance between diet and exercise, in the long-term all the studies available have failed to support the view that liposuction is a reliable mechanism to contribute to weight loss.Your best approach in this matter is to discuss with your GP and get a referral to a bariatric surgeon, typically a general surgeon that has sub-specialised in weight loss surgery. They will provide a proper assessment of your situation, and typically start with a rigorous diet and exercise regime, and if suitable and agreeable to you, proceed to one type of weight loss surgery.For the time being bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery is the only one that has been documented to provide lasting benefits for weight control, as well as reduced risks for your health in the long-term.I would strongly advise you to explore this option before considering cosmetic surgery, and to bear in mind that cosmetic surgery in the context of weight excess will carry higher risks.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. We have an 18 year old daughter who is considering the ear correction surgery. I understand you may only be able to give a ‘ball park’ figure. She is a full time student with limited means who would be spending her 18th Birthday money on the surgery!

A. Otoplasty (pinnaplasty) or ear correction surgery can be undertaken relatively comfortable under local anaesthetic. This means that costs for surgery will be generally lower, and usually around £2000- £2500

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. What is the difference between laser liposuction and normal lipo? I am thinking of having lipo on my tummy and thighs. Could you give me some idea of the prices and the difference between these two procedures please?

A. Laser assisted liposuction is one of the several types of energy assisted liposuction techniques.  That means that apart from the mechanical disruption to fatty tissue provided by classical liposuction, laser is used to break down fatty tissue cells, as well as to generate some heating in the area. 

Ultimately, the target is to achieve a better end point for the treatment, and for the laser assisted liposuction to try and achieve also some tightening of the skin in the treatment area.The first approach to laser assisted liposuction has been to use laser to break down the fatty tissue and allow the body to disperse it. 

However, the results have been more limited, and the new generation of laser assisted liposuction incorporates extraction of the fatty tissue, which is essentially normal or suction assisted liposuction.The areas where laser assisted liposuction have proven to be more valuable primarily for liposuction to the arms and under the chin. Smaller volume treatments in other parts of the body have also been carried out with good results.If you are contemplating a larger area treatment, another energy assisted liposuction technique that incorporates an element of tightening is the radiofrequency assisted liposuction (Bodytite). 

This approach may be more suitable for treatment to the tummy and thighs, in particular if you are looking at a moderate or larger volume of reduction.In general terms, liposuction using either laser or radiofrequency assisted techniques is somewhat more expensive than normal liposuction, accounting for the cost of using the machines.If the volume of treatment is small or moderate around the elasticity of the overlying tissue is good, standard liposuction is also a very good choice. 

For the time being, standard liposuction (suction assisted liposuction) remains the gold standard against which new techniques are measured up.Depending on the amount of correction required, whether it’s a day case or overnight stay, and the hospital or facility used, costs will vary, most likely between £4000 and £6,000, for treatments to the abdomen and thighs.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. My nose has always been something that has bothered me since I was a child and I have my profile. I have I large hump in the middle of my nose and makes me so self conscious. I am considering having nose surgery to remove the hump but am concerned I will not be happy with the result. I have waited so long to get the courage and know exactly what I want doing but what happens if I don’t like my new nose? I don’t know what I would do if I am not happy with my result of my rhinoplasty?

A. Having surgery is a very important decision, and cosmetic surgery requires careful consideration and planning.Increasing numbers of surgeons use computer simulation to evaluate with you the target changes for your operation.This does reduce the chance of a surprise at the end of the surgery, related to miscommunication between patient and surgeon.

There is no doubt that surgery cannot replicate the computer imaging, and the results will always be somewhat different, but it is also true that the results sometimes look more elegant than the computer simulations.Ultimately, you have to take your time and discuss ideally with more than one surgeon, establish if your goals are realistic, if you find the risks related to surgery acceptable, and if you are comfortable with your surgeon.It is still possible that at the end of the careful preparation you may find the result of the surgery disappointing. 

Do not rush to judge to because rhinoplasty surgery results take time to mature and at least a year is needed to have a clear image of the outcome.If you are unhappy with the results, I would suggest that you discuss it openly with your surgeon, and see if they have a clear explanation for the reason results have been different from the expected outcome, as well as if they have a clear plan to improve things.

As with the first consultation, you may want to discuss this with other surgeons, but if a small change is all that is needed, there is little point changing your surgeon.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. Do you have to be a specific height or weight/ BMI to have surgery? Reading up online I see you have to have a certain BMI to be suitable for surgery. I am considering liposuction as I have always been slightly overweight but am unable to lose the last few pounds (my love handles and thighs) My BMI is 28 would this be a good indication that I would be suitable for lipo. I do hope so as I have tried everything including diets and exercise

A. The guidelines for cosmetic surgery are not as restrictive as that, but certainly being close to your ideal weight is advantageous both in terms of the risks related to the surgery, and in terms of quality of the end result.

At a BMI of 28, I would not have any major hesitations to perform the surgery, but as a rule I think we all need to incorporate a sensible lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular exercise in our long-term plans.Fatty tissue deposition in the lower part of the body has some genetic components, and on occasion it is difficult to achieve elegant body proportions without appearing to have lost fullness in the face, in particular later in life. 

From this point of view, liposuction has the ability to provide balanced contouring and improved body shape.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. Hello I am thinking of having breast enlargement as I have always been very paranoid about my small breasts for as long as I can remember. My partner and I are planning on starting a family in the next few years and are wondering of this would mean I won’t be able to breast feed?

A. Breast-feeding after all types of surgery to the breasts may be unpredictable.  This can be related to the fact that feeling in the nipple can decrease with surgery.  With breast implants, many surgeons feel that there is a degree of the thinning of the breast tissue after insertion of implant. 

This is not clearly demonstrated, and may represent just a matter of breast tissue stretching over the implant, but may contribute to reducing the milk production.Finally, not all women who wish to breast feed can successfully do so, and until you have tried it is impossible to predict.My advice is that if you feel that breast-feeding will be very important to you, you should consider having a family first, and breast implants afterwards. 

Following pregnancy, there are often changes to the shape of the breasts, and that may lead to a decision to have surgery to restore a more youthful appearance.It is also understood that if you have breast implants and can breast feed, the presence of silicone implants does not make it unsafe to the baby. 

Bear in mind also that women who breast feed have a higher risk of mastitis ( infection in the breasts), and if you are suspecting and infection whilst breast-feeding it is very important to seek help and start antibiotic treatment urgently.  This is to prevent the infection spreading around the implants, which would require removal of implants and later re-implantation.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. Would I need a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck? After having 2 children i have been left with quite a bit of excess skin. I m still only a size 10 but i feel that my body is a funny shape because of my stomach. I don’t feel i would need a full tummy tuck and think a mini would suit me better. I was enquiring the difference in the procedures?

A. A mini abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck addresses usually small skin excess in the lower part of the tummy.  It can be combined with liposuction to the abdomen in order to improve the result.A full abdominoplasty or the typical tummy tuck removes the skin and underlying fatty tissue below the belly button and above the mons area, but at the same time addresses gaping between the rectus muscles (sixpack muscles).Sometimes, the shape of the tummy is actually related to the space that has been created during pregnancy between the sixpack muscles.  With a mini abdominoplasty, the access is normally limited to the area below the umbilicus (bellybutton).  Unfortunately, tightening in the the lower part of the tummy can sometimes create a problem of fullness in the upper part in particular after eating.  This is because the lower half of the tummy is firmer, and the upper half is looser.At the time of a consultation, your surgeon can determine whether the shape of the tummy is mainly related to the remaining fatty tissue excess, or is due to a combination of weakness of the wall and fatty tissue volume.Exercise can contribute to improving the shape of the tummy, and should always be considered, but if the gap between the muscles is significant the degree of improvement is more limited

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. I am a size 18 and i want to be a size 14 can this be achieved by liposuction I am 5 foot 7 and i really want to be slim again diets don’t work in fact they make me eat more. I am really unhappy don’t want to go out anymore. Please help? ??

A. Liposuction tends to remove small pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise rather than make large differences to total body fat. If you want to reduce a few dress sizes you might want to consider talking to a surgeon that does gastric bands rather than a liposuction surgeon

	Mr. Taimur Shoaib La Belle Forme Clinic  24-26 Wilson Street Glasgow G1 1SS Tel: 0141-552 0828 Web: www.labelleforme.co.uk

Q. I am just trying to get a rough guide price for the liposelection procedure and what is the difference between that and liposuction and if there are any other clinics other than London that do this procedure?

A. VASER Liposelection is the commercial description for the ultrasound assisted liposuction using the VASER system from Sound Surgical. In essence, it is one of the types of energy assisted liposuction techniques, and the main development over previous ultrasound assisted technologies is related to using finer ultrasonic liposuction probes, making it a less traumatic and therefore more selective procedure.

For similar types of treatment, and with the addition of a tightening effect for the overlying skin, you can also consider the radiofrequency assisted liposuction (Bodytite).I’m sure that both treatments are also available outside London, but I’m afraid I do not know the details of surgeons that will offer these treatments.  One option is to contact the distributors for either technology, and obtain details of the surgeons that are using them around the UK.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk

Q. How long does the operation take? Do i have to stay in hospital and if yes is this included in the price also can I choose the size of the implants. I only want to go up to a D cup size and am currently a C so is this possible?

A. Breast augmentation surgery typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, and in most cases patients go home the same day.  It is important to appreciate that you will need someone to accompany you if you leave the hospital the same day, and that person should be able to stay with you overnight.Also, I recommend to patients that have general anaesthetic Daycase surgery to avoid travelling for more than an hour or an hour and a half from the hospital. 

If your surgery takes place far from home, and you do not want to stay in hospital overnight, there is the option of staying in a hotel with a friend or family member, closer to where your surgery took place.In a situation like this, should you have any concerns overnight, it will be easier to return to your hospital and see your surgeon.

Increasing the cup size from C to D is possible and relatively common. Cup size is however a relative measurement, based on the comparison between the circumference under and over the breasts, and they will be different volumes for different builds.The most important information regarding cup size change is related to the volume that you would like to add to achieve a breast shape that you are comfortable with. 

One way to measure it is to use breast implant sizers at your surgeon’s office, or to use a measured volume of rice, placed in a stocking and fitted in a larger bra.  You can increase or decrease the volume until you feel you have achieved a suitable result.  Bear in mind that it is the volume rather than weight that matters.

	Mr. Lucian Ion 129 Harley Street London W1G 6BA, UK Tel. 0207 486 7757 Web: www.lucianion.co.uk