Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

The amount of men having breasts reduction surgery or ‘Moob’ operations had doubled in the last 5 years and more and more men turn to surgery to remove extra fat from their chest. Figures show that almost 800 men had breast surgery last year; experts believe this may be down to the rise in obesity levels and an imbalance in testosterone levels. The medical term for male breasts is ‘gynaecomastia’ and thousands of men across the word are developing this condition.

Embarrassing condition

Having this condition can cause embarrassment for many men as well as adolescent boys which can often be the time in which the condition develops. Although obesity is one of the main causes of this condition there are other factors as well.  Certain medications can also cause gynaecomastia such as heart and liver pills and certain anti-depressants. An imbalance of sex hormones can also be a cause of this issue. There is also a link between some drugs taken during cancer which can lower testosterone and using anabolic steroids can also increase breast tissue growth.

Psychological effect

One 29 year man had the surgery and felt that not only has it changed his physical appearance, it has also changed him psychologically as well. Ayp Adesina developed the problem when he was only 8 years old. He became so desperate and ashamed of his breasts that he had private surgery after being taunted for having ‘man boobs’ when he was a child. Many men have admitted to having been taunted for their chests prior to surgery which affects how they feel about themselves. Most of the men surveyed after having breast reduction surgery said they felt more confident afterwards.

A surprising amount of people in the UK receive some type of cosmetic surgery during the holiday season, according to new figures released this month.

It has been reported that there was a 45% rise in the number of people enquiring about cosmetic surgery, according to the figures.  It was reported that more and more people are turning to cosmetic surgery to rejuvenate their bodies and faces. During the holiday season, cosmetic surgery was at an all time high in the UK.

The cosmetic procedure leading this new trend was for breast augmentation surgeries. Breasts implants accounted for nearly 65% increase of the cosmetic surgeries performed, with a dramatically rise of 55% during the month of November. There was also a staggering increase in the number of non-surgical procedures as the holiday season opened and parties were plentiful, people wanted to put their best face forward. There was also a rise of 65% in the number of people enquiring about Botox injections with a 43% increase in other cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and they had 32% more enquiries about lip enhancement procedures, as compared to the previous month.

Both women and men made enquiries about non-surgical procedures as the Christmas party season got underway in the UK. In modern society the term “metrosexuals” has been used to define a newly identified segment of society, men who like to groom and use cosmetics and look good as much as women. The percentage of men who could be classified as “metrosexuals” accounted for nearly 41% of all Botox enquires in December.

It seems that cosmetic surgery options are growing popular with all segments of society. A spokesman for the Transform Cosmetic group, Shami Thomas recently commented on the reported increases in the trend of cosmetic surgery. Thomas remarked, “Cosmetic surgery sees seasonal trends and our call centre staff have been inundated recently with pre-Christmas enquiries. Thomas goes on to state that, “As we approach Christmas, attention turns to the upcoming party season and naturally women and men begin to look to improving their appearances to look their best.”

Following cosmetic surgery there is normally bruising and swelling in the affected areas. Standard recovery time is usually four to six weeks.

Fat grafting is a way to enlarge breasts by up to one cup size without introducing an artificial substance into the body. Fat is removed from fat deposits in the body such as the hips, abdomen, and thighs and placed someplace else in order to plump that area up. Traditionally this procedure has been used to smooth wrinkles and to plump the lips and cheeks. Recently, however, cosmetic surgeons have begun to use this procedure in breast augmentations. This is a new procedure and there are not a lot of safety statistics that have been done. Physicians are still conducting research on the fat grafting procedure.

A newer technique, fat grafting with stem cells, allows for the fat taken from other parts of the body to be enriched with stem cells before it is used to augment the breasts. The added stem cells allow for the fat to be retained by the body, therefore, increasing the breast size.

Recent studies show that the risks for this procedure are generally very low. Reported side effects include infection, bleeding, and volume loss. Cases of extreme complications causing death are extremely rare.

There are many different advantages to choosing this procedure for breast augmentation. Many doctors believe that this procedure provides longer lasting results than traditional breast implants. Also, since the breast is being augmented with fat from the patient’s own body, there is a lower chance for the body rejecting it like with traditional silicone transplants.

While many medical professionals consider this procedure to have a lot of potential, but there are still some limitations. The first is that it only allows for an augmentation of up to one cup size unlike current synthetic implants. Synthetic implants are also very predictable in how much they will increase the breast size, whereas fat grafting is still relatively unpredictable in what the final outcome will be. Some medical professionals only believe that fat grafting should be used for breast reconstruction only. Others professionals are concerned that the fat grafted into the breast could calcify and obscure breast cancer detection. Each calcified area would have to be individually checked to rule out the possibility of breast cancer. There are even more concerns that women at risk for breast cancer may have the increased possibility of breast cancer if they use the stem cell method. Many doctors agree that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not right for everyone.

Breast lift or breast augmentation surgery is a person’s own choice. Breast tissue can be damaged by age, weight, gravity, pregnancy and nursing. A breast lift will firm and raise breasts, while breast augmentation will increase the size and shape of the breasts. Plus there is breast reduction surgery to decrease the size of the breasts.

Many times a combination of procedures need to be done. A breast augmentation and a lift together or a lift and breast reduction can be done to deliver the results a woman is looking for. With any of these procedures there is an examination and evaluation done by the doctor. This ensures that the patient as all the information they need to make an informed decision to have the procedure or not. Any woman considering these procedures should be in optimal health both physically and mentally. There should also be realistic goals and expectations of the results the woman will see after the operation as well.

As with any surgery there are risks associated with it. There can also be complications too. Knowing that there can be infections, increased bleeding, side effects to the anesthesia used and scarring to name a few should be considered as well. While at the consultation with any doctor that has been chosen, the possible complications that can occur should be gone over. All risks that are associated to the procedure should be discussed as well. However, the benefits should be looked at and weighed in as well. These questions should be completely covered in the consultation so that a patient fully understands the pre, during and post surgical results and care.

Having this information will make deciding on to have the procedure much easier, as well as deciding which procedure will best for you. Keep in mind that having a breast lift procedure done will mean that the breasts can be firmed and contours added to sagging breasts. However, combining a lift with breast augmentation will mean that the breasts will be fuller, larger, lifted and firm as well. This is true with breast reductions as well. These combined procedures many times will create longer lasting results that are also more appealing aesthetically.

Every year Doctors and scientists try to come up with new ways to make breast augmentation procedures easier for both the patient and the physician. The Keller Funnel, introduced in August of 2009 and invented by Kevin Keller M.D., is a newer procedure that lets the surgeon introduce the implant through a small incision. This procedure also allows for faster healing for the patient.

The Keller Funnel allows the surgeon to install the implant without actually having to touch it. It is a cone that is lined with a special kind of lubricant called hydrophilic polymer coating. When it gets moist it gets slippery and that helps the implant to slide through the incision. The implant is placed in the cone, or funnel, and then squeezed into the breast using very little pressure. It is also suggested that getting implants using the Keller Funnel can help to prevent capsular contracture, a condition in which a hard tissue forms around the implant squeezing it and often distorting the shape. Capsular contracture can often be fixed with surgery, however, the Keller Funnel is meant to help avoid contracture from happening.

It is generally difficult for a physician to get a large implant into a small incision, like the very popular already pre-filled silicone implants. The Keller Funnel can get larger implants through the small incisoin quickly, therefore, it helps to avoid damaging or further irritating the tissue surrounding the incision. The implant can still be place above or below the breast muscle using this technique.

The entire idea behind the Keller Funnel is to make sure that the patient heals faster and has less chance of infection, that the surgeons are better able to see what they are doing and that the surgery takes less time which is good for the patient and the surgeon. Patients are able to avoid large scars and because of the no touch system there is less of a chance that foreign objects will be introduced into the body during the procedure.

Since it’s invention doctors all over the United States have began using the Keller Funnel to aid in breast augmentation. Keller Medical Inc. does state that “Because every woman is different and individual results may vary, you should speak to your surgeon about the merits of the Keller Funnel.” As with all surgeries it is best to do research before making a final decision.

Many women can find a few areas on their body that they believe has too much fat. Many of these women also find that their breasts are too small. A new procedure, called fat grafting or fat transfer, now allows for them to take fat from one part of their body and use it to enhance their breasts.

Anup Dhir is a senior cosmetic surgeon at New Delhi’s Apollo hospital and spoke to The India Times concerning this hot new procedure. He said that surgeons were once afraid to use fat grafting. He explained, “A decade ago surgeons were hesitant to perform this procedure as calcification after fat transplantation could not be differentiated from those caused by cancer.” Calcification is the process where
calcium salts build up in soft tissue making it hard. He goes on to explain that the MRI has allowed these concerns to be cleared up.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which was holding reservations about this procedure, has finally given their approval. Anup Dhir said, “I personally feel the situation with fat grafting will be the biggest thin in plastic surgery in the first half of the 21st century, not just for breasts but for other parts of the body as well.” Being able to have a breast enhancement while also slimming and contouring the body, is a novel procedure that many women will be excited to avail themselves of.

Meenakshi Agarwal is a Mumbai- based cosmetic surgeon who has performed a few fat-grafting surgeries, and he sings praises to the natural look of the new breasts. To the India Times he explained, “If a woman wants natural looking breast, she should go for fat grafting. It is a better way of getting a soft, visible push-up effect and more streamlined breasts.” No matter how good the surgeon is, getting silicon or saline implants to look and feel as natural as a fat grafting augmentation is impossible.

Dr. Dhir would caution women who are seeking this procedure to be sure that the surgeon is well trained. He said, “The technique must include all precautions to ensure that the maximum survival of fat tissue occurs. This can be achieved by reducing the possibility of trauma to the harvested site, demonstrating correct refinement of the tissue.” He also explains that a patented suction system is being designed to make the transfer more efficient.

This procedure is less invasive than a traditional breast augmentation and the results are claimed to be better. The fact that the implanted material is from the patients own body helps to prevent the development of complications and side effects. This procedure could indeed be the future of breast enhancement.

Many women would like to have larger breasts, and have had very few choices of procedures to achieve this. If a woman wanted to increase her cup size then she had to get implants, whether silicon or saline. Now a new procedure has arisen that does not entail adding an implant. This system actually helps a woman to grow larger breasts. It is called the Brava System.

The Brava System, invented by Miami surgeon Dr. Roger Kjouri, is a non-surgical breast enhancement system that has been scientifically proven to work. It is constructed of two semi-rigid plastic domes that have silicone gel rims. These domes are placed over the breasts and a vacuum pressure is maintained by a small vacuum pump. The pump is battery operated and is controlled by a micro computer. It is worn under a sports bra and must be worn for a few hours a day for a few weeks.

The system works based on a principal known as tension-induced growth. The vacuum pulls on the breast tissue causing it to stretch. The stretched cells swell and promote replication so that new breast tissue grows. This procedure can be used to increase breast size substantially but it also has other uses. The procedure can also be coupled with periodic fat injections for women who have had mastectomies, and thus they can grow new breasts. Fat is taken from other parts of the body and then injected into the breasts.

Maria Eugenia Morris had a double mastectomy and used the Brava System to regrow her breasts. She told KOB Albuquerque, “Up to now I am very happy. My breasts feel normal like my breast before. They’re not hard. They’re beautiful I think.” She had not wanted to go through another big surgery and didn’t really want implants. This system was able to give her new breast without having to do these things. She warned that the system was not comfortable. She said, “It is uncomfortable….but it is not painful. And the end result I think is worthwhile.”

Dr. Robert DerHagopian, director of the Baptist Health Breast Center, believes that this system is wonderful for patients who do not want an implant and a big operation. However he warns that the patient must be motivated to follow through with the procedure. He says, “Not every woman is willing to go through the multiple stages that may be required with fat injection.”

Before there were silicone implants women who wanted breast augmentation were forced to have saline implants put in. Now that silicone implants are available, and approved to be used, many women are rushing to get them. Women who already have saline implants must not be discouraged, because the switch from saline to silicone is easy and quick.

Dr. Allan Parangao, the author of ‘A Woman’s Guide to Cosmetic Breast Surgery and Body Contouring’, reports that replacing saline implants with silicone implants is a simple procedure. In fact, the surgery can take less than 45 minutes to complete because a pocket already exists in the breast where the old implant had been. A local anesthetic is sufficient and Dr. Parangao reported that many women returned to work the very next day after having their breast implants switched.

Some women with saline implants wonder if it is really necessary to have their implants changed. In a press release, Dr. Cohen, a board-certified plastic surgeon of the Scottsdale Center for Plastic Surgery, said, “Some of my corrective surgery patients choose silicone partly because they weren’t happy with their experience with saline, but what’s interesting is that we’re starting to see many more patients wanting to ‘trade up’ to silicone for its own sake, without necessarily requiring significant correction at the same time.” He says that the silicone implants have a more natural texture and that they can help to compensate for many of the aesthetic challenges that come along with revision breast surgery.

Dr. Parangao said , “silicone gel implants feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants do. Especially for women with relatively little natural breast tissue, silicon gel implants can give much more natural looking breast enhancement.” Saline implants sometimes take on a rippled effect which is not seen with silicon. Also silicon gel has been refined with a property that causes the gel to ‘stick’ to itself in the same way that breast tissues stick to each other. This creates a feel that is nearly indistinguishable from natural breast tissue.

In an article by American Health and Beauty, 41 year-old Patty said although “saline implants improved my figure 100%…they were hard. They looked great but did not feel natural.” After her breast implants were changed she said that her silicone breast felt better and she was actually able to push them together in a Wonder bra, which had been impossible with the saline.

UK cosmetic surgery companies such as The Harley Medical Group and Make Yourself Beautiful offer breast augmentations.

The cosmetic surgery field has continuously grown to encompass more and more different procedures. Not only are there more procedures, but there are also better techniques and tools. Technological advances from many fields have helped cosmetic surgery to become safe and efficient. More advances are made every day to improve plastic surgery. One of these improvements is a procedure called, cell enriched breast enhancement.

Cell enriched breast enhancement, dubbed ‘Stem Cell Boob Job’, involves taking fat cells from other parts of the body and putting them in the breasts to increase bust size. It is a chemical free treatment, and there are claims that it is permanent. This could be the next generation of breast implants, however a cosmetic expert advises against rushing into the procedure. Dr. Ravi Jain, medical director at Riverbanks Clinic, says, “Almost all the best cosmetic treatments currently available are actually 3rd or 4th generation versions of earlier treatments which have been refined and improved over time and as more data became available. Stem cell-based beauty treatments are certainly going to be big in the future but the treatment is still in its infancy, and in my opinion, has at least another 12-18 months of modification ahead of it.’

The new stem cell procedures are being offered in some clinics in the UK. Cell enriched breast enhancements and cell enriched Botox can be found being offered by certain surgeons but not Dr. Jain. He will most likely be offering some selected trails in 2010, however these trials will be done in order to gain better data about the long term success of the treatment. He said, “If the trial prove successful, this approach could be used to treat a range of conditions more effectively including sun damage, scars, skin tone, and lines and wrinkles. This is definitely going to be the future of cosmetic treatments, but still has some way to go.”

His statements show that he is very excited about the procedure, but being a doctor since 1995 he has gained some wisdom, when it comes to new treatments. He does not want to see a flood of people rush into something that is not yet perfected and then be disappointed with the results. Most procedures require some fine tuning before they become efficient. His advice is, merely, that people wait a little while before
having this new procedure performed on them.

January is a popular month for inquiries into plastic surgery. With the coming of the new year people begin to think about their goals for another year in their lives. The emphasis that society places on good looks, influences these goals and thus many people decide to look better in the new year. Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, said in a press release, “Most New Year’s resolutions boil down to one simple desire: to look and feel more like the person you want to be.” More often now, than previous years, people hope to accomplish this through plastic surgery.

Make Yourself Amazing (MYA) cosmetic surgery is a leading clinic in the UK. They reported that between January 1st and Jan 14, 2010 there was a 15% increase in enquiries when compared with the same time period in 2009. John Ryan, MYA Chairman, says, “January is a busy time for the cosmetic surgery industry. After the Christmas and New Year period people often start setting new goals or New Year’s resolutions.
These goals often include improving one’s appearance or completing a goal they never achieved last year. We get a lot of people coming in saying that they have been interested for a while but have never got round to arranging a consultation.”

The figures for enquiries showed that breast augmentation was the most sought after procedure. The number of enquiries for this procedure actually increased 21% over last year. Breast augmentation is followed by liposuction, breast uplift, nose reshaping, and tummy tuck, in that order. These numbers show that plastic surgery is continuing to grow in popularity and no end to this growth is in sight.

The GoodSurgeonGuide performed a study at the end of 2009 which revealed that women in particular are putting more emphasis on looking good in 2010. This study showed that 51 percent of the women surveyed expressed that they were considering having cosmetic surgery. Christina Clogg, co-founder of the guide said, “We were surprised that it [looking good] was more important to some than a more successful career or finding someone special.” Looking good has become a very important factor in society and women feel it more strongly than men. Women are expected to look young and pretty, so under going plastic surgery is an understandable extension of this ideal.

According to these surveys, 2010 will prove to be a very popular year for cosmetic surgery. People have become much more comfortable with having procedures done, and society has become much less judgmental of people who have had them.