News

Liposuction – What are the benefits?

Cosmetic Surgery Dubai | 15 November 2020

Liposuction, Liposculpture, Suction Lipectomy, Body Reshaping is a Plastic Surgery operation to reshape areas of the face and body by removing excess fat that does not respond to diet and exercise in order to achieve a more aesthetic facial or body shape. Abnormal or excess fat deposition can arise from a familial trait or simply as a result of the changes of aging. Fat deposition in the lower body and legs (Lipodystrophy) commonly has a genetic link and can prove difficult for the patient to reduce with diet and exercise but is suitable for Liposuction, Liposculpture. Fat deposition in the male chest (Gynaecomastia) is relatively common and rarely responds to diet and exercise but is suitable for Liposuction, Liposculpture, or PAL Liposuction, VASER Liposuction.

What is Liposuction, Liposculpture?

Liposuction is a technique for fat removal using minimal incision and a thin cannula. Many methods have been developed to assist or improve the efficiency of fat removal. Traditional Liposuction uses manual movement of the cannula with suction, while Power Assisted Liposuction PAL, uses a rapidly vibrating cannula to remove fat. Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction UAL/ VASER, utilizes ultrasonic waves to disrupt fat cells before suction. LASER Assisted Liposuction achieves the similar effect as UAL but is less selective to the fat cells. BodyJet utilizes high flow water to disrupt fat while removing with suction. It is important to understand that all techniques require fat to be removed by suction. Many claim to be better than “Traditional Liposuction” but no scientific data has been published comparing these techniques. Like many surgical procedures (Liposuction is a surgical procedure) the results are determined by the skill and training of the operator more than the technique used.

What are the benefits of Liposuction, Liposculpture?

Liposuction – Liposculpture is performed to remove excess fat that does not reduce following exercise and diet. Liposculpture or Liposuction aims to improve body shape and self-image enabling you to wear the clothes you want. Liposuction – Liposculpture is carried out to correct abnormal fat deposits; under chin, neck, male chest (Gynaecomastia), and lower body (Lipodystrophy).

Am I the ideal patient for Liposuction, Liposculpture?

If you are on a good diet, are able to exercise and your weight is stable or reducing, but are concerned about stubborn fat around the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, neck or arms then Liposuction can improve your body shape and self-image. Loose skin in the area of concern will reduce the benefit of Liposuction and some form of skin tightening treatment or procedure may be necessary in combination with Liposuction. Smoking must be avoided before and after Liposuction to avoid complications such as infection or poor healing. You should also avoid any blood thinning medication or supplements.

Do I need to lose weight before my Liposuction, Liposculpture?

We recommend that you should be as close to your ideal body weight as possible before you undergo Liposuction, Liposculpture. However, many patients find it very difficult to exercise effectively. It is important even in this circumstance that you eat a good diet and are losing weight before your surgery.

What is Facelift Surgery?

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 11 November 2020

You don’t have to leave your youthful good looks behind as you age. In the hands of a skilled cosmetic surgeon, you can counteract the effects of time and gravity and restore the naturally vibrant appearance you remember from years ago, or even address the early signs of aging before they take hold.

What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery lifts and firms sagging facial tissues to restore a more naturally youthful facial appearance. It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock,” helping a patient look like a younger version of him or herself. By removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues, a facelift surgery can help a patient look not just younger, but simply “better.”

Why Have a Facelift?

As we age, skin begins to lose elasticity, and facial tissues lose volume. Eventually, this results in “jowls” on the lower face, deep wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck. While this is a natural part of growing older, patients who are bothered by these signs of aging may find a facelift to be a good solution. If any of the following describe you, a facelift is an option to consider:

You feel self-conscious about the way your face & neck look due to sagging skin

You wear turtlenecks and scarves not because you want to, but because you want to hide your aging neck

When you see your reflection, you feel that your face makes you look much older than you feel

You feel that an aging appearance is negatively affecting your career or personal relationships

Following a facelift, patients frequently experience an upsurge in self-confidence, as their appearance better portrays their healthy, energetic vibe.

Types of Facelifts

Facelift surgery is individualized to a patient’s needs, and a cosmetic surgeon will tailor his or her techniques accordingly.

Mini-Facelift

Patients who exhibit a mild degree of jowling and sagging skin are often good candidates for a mini-facelift. This is a less invasive technique that allows a cosmetic surgeon to tighten deep facial tissues through shorter incisions, typically located along the hairline above each ear and/or in the natural creases surrounding the ear. Through these incisions, structural tissues around the cheeks are lifted and tightened to correct jowling, refine the jawline, and rejuvenate a “tired” appearance.

Depending on the case, a mini-facelift may be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia; your cosmetic surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual needs. A mini-facelift can help you address unwelcome signs of aging before they become too pronounced, postponing the need for more extensive surgery for many years.

Standard Facelift

A standard or “traditional” facelift will more fully address moderate to advanced aging around the mid-face and neck. While the surgery is more extensive than those for a mini-facelift, and thus more recovery time is required, the results are more dramatic. Through incisions located just behind the hairline, starting near the temples, and around the front of the ear, hidden in the natural folds, a cosmetic surgeon can reposition the deeper tissues beneath the skin and remove excess skin to smooth creases, eliminate jowling and sagging skin under the chin, and restore a naturally youthful contour to the face and neck.

What is a Breast Lift?

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 13 November 2020

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.

UNDERSTANDING DERMAL FILLERS

Fillers in Dubai | 9 November 2020

Dermal fillers have grown in popularity over the last few years due to their ability as both volume enhancers and wrinkle fillers. They’re usually used on the lips, cheeks and under the eyes, often with amazing, age-defying results.

What are Dermal Fillers?

At around the age of 25, the body stops producing collagen and elastin. These two proteins work together to keep tissue firm and skin elastic. Without them, the body isn’t able to keep tissue strong and skin supple. It’s this that causes the typical signs of aging to start appearing, including lines and wrinkles, sunken cheeks and a loss of elasticity in the skin.

Dermal fillers are injectable gels that are usually made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that attracts and binds water in the skin. A treatment will fill in wrinkles and provide volume to the soft tissues, helping to give your skin a more full and youthful appearance well after your body stops producing collagen.

How do they work?

Generally, injecting dermal fillers into the skin causes plumping of that area which helps smooth wrinkles, enhance definition and volumise the face. However, different types of filler can be used for different results and in different areas.

When it comes to treating facial volume loss (like sagging cheeks), a professional will typically use a thicker dermal filler that can provide effective support for the cheeks. Plumping or removing lines from lips, on the other hand, requires a much thinner dermal filler as the skin around that area is thinner.

While dermal fillers are often used alongside treatments like Botox, they actually work quite differently. Botox prevents movement of the small muscles that contribute to wrinkles. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, create additional plumping beneath the wrinkle, smoothing it out and restoring its youthful appearance. The combination of using Botox alongside Dermal fillers can result in amazing looking results which is why they are frequently used together.

Where are they usually used?

Dermal fillers can be used to achieve a variety of results in different areas of the face. They are usually used in three main areas to achieve the following:

Around the Eyes:

  • Reduce under eye bags and dark circles
  • Soften fine lines and crow’s feet

Mid Face Area:

  • Smooth accordion lines (the fine lines that creep up the sides of the face towards the cheekbones) and folds
  • Add volume to the cheek area affected by gravity and age

Lower Face Area:

  • Smooth a “gummy smile” above the lips
  • Reduce the appearance of vertical lines above the lip
  • Add volume to the nasolabial folds around the mouth
  • Correct the downturned corners of the mouth
  • Stop the jawline from sagging
  • Plump and reduce chin creases

How long do they last?

Depending on the type of hyaluronic acid used, Dermal fillers can last anywhere between 6 to 18 months. This may also vary from person to person depending on how well it’s suited to the purpose and individual. There are many different brands of hyaluronic acid on the market, some of which you might recognise, including Juvederm®, Belotero® and Restylane®. It can be difficult to know which dermal filler is right for you so be sure to ask your practitioner for advice on the right choice for you.

Things to know before your treatment

Dermal fillers are incredibly safe, and allergic reactions are extremely rare, so long as your treatment is carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional. Before getting dermal filler treatment there are a few simple steps you can carry out to ensure your treatment is as successful as possible.

  • Try and avoid any product containing aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s Wort and any dietary supplements that include ginko, garlic, primrose oil and ginseng for 2 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Avoid ibuprofen, Aleve, fish oil, alcohol and any product that can thin your blood for 2 days prior to your treatment.
  • Remove all makeup and wash your face before the treatment to avoid skin irritation.

Are there any side effects of dermal fillers?

After having dermal filler treatment, you may notice some common side effects in and around the treated area. These can include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain and discomfort

Using a trained and experienced practitioner can help to minimise these side effects. Taking the right kind of supplements may also help but you should check with your practitioner before taking anything. Here are a list of suggested do’s and don’ts to help minimise any negative after effects of your treatment.

  • Using a calming agent like chamomile or taking Bromelain and Turmeric together can help to reduce the skin redness, swelling, tenderness, and/or itchiness that are common after dermal filler treatment. If your symptoms last longer than 3 days be sure to speak to your practitioner.
  • Bruising is also fairly common, although this should go away within a few days. To help speed up the process you can use Arnica to help reduce bruising and swelling.
  • Do not massage the treated areas as this can cause the filler to move, resulting in an uneven look and feel.
  • Avoid applying heat to the treated area until any bruising or swelling has gone away. You should also try and avoid any activities that might cause you to blush or get red faced. Exercising, consuming alcohol, going in the sauna or using a sun bed should all be avoided. No skiing or mountain climbing in very cold temperatures either.
  • Regular washing and showering is fine as long as you’re using gentle cleansers and moisturisers. Makeup and sunscreen should also be fine to use as long as they are applied gently.

Are dermal fillers right for you?

The most important thing to do before going ahead with a dermal filler treatment is to do your research. Firstly, think about what you want to achieve from the treatment. This will help you and your practitioner to narrow down the type of filler you’ll want to use and ensure your treatment resolves your primary concerns.

Secondly, set a strict budget for your treatment. Many treatments are only fully effective with multiple treatments or a combination of dermal fillers and botox. It’s important to be aware of this so that you aren’t left disappointed by a half effective course of treatment. You should also be wary of practitioners offering a cheap service. These treatments, when carried out by an experienced, qualified practitioner, should not be cheap. If someone is offering you a treatment for a lot less than other practitioners it may reflect the quality of the practitioner, product or clinic. With Dermal fillers, you get what you pay for. So if you’re looking for a high quality treatment with minimal side effects, you’ll need to pay for it.

Finally, once you think you’ve found the treatment and practitioner to suit you, make sure you meet them, ask questions and feel comfortable having them treat you. There should be no pressure put on you to get a treatment done right away or use any products that you haven’t specifically requested. Dermal fillers are safe and effective as long as you select a provider who will make every effort to minimise risk, work with you to address your concerns and follow up to ensure that you are well and satisfied, so make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

Where are Dermal Fillers usually used?

Fillers in Dubai | 7 November 2020

Dermal fillers can be used to achieve a variety of results in different areas of the face. They are usually used in three main areas to achieve the following:

Around the Eyes:

Reduce under eye bags and dark circles

Soften fine lines and crow’s feet

Mid Face Area:

Smooth accordion lines (the fine lines that creep up the sides of the face towards the cheekbones) and folds

Add volume to the cheek area affected by gravity and age

Lower Face Area:

Smooth a “gummy smile” above the lips

Reduce the appearance of vertical lines above the lip

Add volume to the nasolabial folds around the mouth

Correct the downturned corners of the mouth

Stop the jawline from sagging

Plump and reduce chin creases

How long do they last?

Depending on the type of hyaluronic acid used, Dermal fillers can last anywhere between 6 to 18 months. This may also vary from person to person depending on how well it’s suited to the purpose and individual. There are many different brands of hyaluronic acid on the market, some of which you might recognise, including Juvederm, Belotero and Restylane. It can be difficult to know which dermal filler is right for you so be sure to ask your practitioner for advice on the right choice for you.

Things to know before your treatment

Dermal fillers are incredibly safe, and allergic reactions are extremely rare, so long as your treatment is carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional. Before getting dermal filler treatment there are a few simple steps you can carry out to ensure your treatment is as successful as possible.

Try and avoid any product containing aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s Wort and any dietary supplements that include ginko, garlic, primrose oil and ginseng for 2 weeks prior to your treatment.

Avoid ibuprofen, Aleve, fish oil, alcohol and any product that can thin your blood for 2 days prior to your treatment.

Remove all makeup and wash your face before the treatment to avoid skin irritation.

Are there any side effects of dermal fillers?

After having dermal filler treatment, you may notice some common side effects in and around the treated area. These can include:

Redness

Swelling

Bruising

Pain and discomfort

Using a trained and experienced practitioner can help to minimise these side effects. Taking the right kind of supplements may also help but you should check with your practitioner before taking anything.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment for Hair Loss

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 5 November 2020

Are you looking for a hair loss solution? A therapy that promotes healing in injured joints may help restore your lost hair. Millions of men and women have male- or female-pattern baldness. It can begin early in life, but is much more common after the age of 50, when more than 50 percent of men will experience some kind of hair loss. However, an emerging treatment — platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — appears to help regrow lost hair. And, there are virtually no side effects from PRP, except for a mild feeling of pressure at the injection site.

Physicians began using PRP therapy about a decade ago to speed up the healing process in damaged joints after injury or surgery. During the treatment, a technician draws your blood and spins it in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets and plasma. Doctors then inject the plasma, which helps repair blood vessels, promote cell growth and wound healing, and stimulate collagen production.

Doctors began using PRP in dermatology after researchers found that high concentrations of platelets in plasma cells help promote hair growth by prolonging the growing phase of the hair cycle. Doctors inject plasma into the scalp where hair loss has occurred. They typically administer injections monthly for three months, then spread them out over about three or four months for up to two years. The injection schedule will depend on your genetics, pattern and amount of hair loss, age and hormones.

Wrinkle Fillers: What You Need To Know

Fillers in Dubai | 3 November 2020

Injectable wrinkle fillers can give you a more youthful look for a fraction of what a traditional facelift costs. Most will fill hollows, lines, and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes with results that can last from 4 months to more than a year. Injectable wrinkle fillers, unlike Botox injections that relax the muscle under a wrinkle, fill the line, crease, or area with one of several different substances. As a result, trouble spots nearly disappear. Wrinkle fillers can also be used as “volumizers,” plumping and lifting cheeks, chins, jawlines, and temples; filling out thin lips, and plumping sagging hands. The treatment is fast and easy. But all wrinkle fillers have a downside, including the risk of allergic reaction and the formation of tiny bumps under the skin. In some cases, those bumps may be permanent. And sometimes, a bluish skin discoloration known as the Tyndall effect happens. The colour change can last for several months, but there are treatments available. Typically, the wrinkle fillers that last longer are the ones more likely to cause side effects. Not every wrinkle-filler is right for every type of wrinkle. The least risks and best results come from using the right one correctly. That’s why you should only have fillers injected by a plastic surgeon with ongoing, special training like myself.

Tummy Tuck – ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Tummy Tuck Dubai | 1 November 2020

Once reserved for Hollywood’s elite and America’s wealthy, the tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure to which people of all walks of life are turning to for tightening the abdomen and the removal of excessive skin and fat. A tummy tuck works best for people who are close to their ideal weight, but cannot shed the loose skin that has developed in their abdominal area because of pregnancy, weight loss and age. The typical patient is a female whose abdominal wall has been stretched due to pregnancy. It’s also a procedure designed for men and women who have lost a large amount of weight as a result of exercise and a more healthy diet. Variations of the full tummy tuck, such as a mini-tummy tuck (which depends upon how much skin laxity is present and where it is located), are also a possibility. The result of tummy tuck surgery is a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate to a person’s body type and weight.

Pregnancy and excessive weight can stretch the skin of the abdomen many times its normal state. That’s where a tummy tuck can really help in tightening and flattening that area of your body. The most common form of tummy tuck involves a horizontal incision near the pubic hairline, so swimwear or undergarments can hide the resulting scar. If there is excess skin above the navel, an incision around the navel may be required. Sometimes, the surgery involves liposuction to remove pockets of excess fat from specific areas of the body.

CONSULTATION

To find out if you’re really a good candidate to have a tummy tuck procedure, schedule an appointment with me in the first instance. There are various types of abdominoplasty, including mini-tummy tucks and full tucks with liposuction. Only a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon can tell you what’s right for you.

CHILDREN

Child bearing can cause unwanted tummy laxity. If you’re done having children, then it’s okay to pursue a tummy tuck, but if there’s any doubt, then you should wait.

MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS

With TV programs such as Biggest Loser, there are many men and women who have pursued their own weight loss program to shed 100 or more pounds. Plastic surgeons will advise putting off a tummy tuck until the patient has maintained their ideal new weight over an extended period of time. Continued weight loss or weight gain can quickly undo the results of a tummy tuck.

EXERCISE

Before considering a tummy tuck, it’s critical to develop a healthy lifestyle involving regular exercise and good dietary habits. If you haven’t done so already, you should start. It’s always a good idea to consult with your family physician before starting a regular exercise regimen.

Facelift (rhytidectomy) – What to expect

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 17 October 2020

You don’t have to leave your youthful good looks behind as you age. In the hands of a skilled cosmetic surgeon, you can counteract the effects of time and gravity and restore the naturally vibrant appearance you remember from years ago, or even address the early signs of aging before they take hold.

What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery lifts and firms sagging facial tissues to restore a more naturally youthful facial appearance. It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock,” helping a patient look like a younger version of him or herself. By removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues, a facelift surgery can help a patient look not just younger, but simply “better.”

Why Have a Facelift?

As we age, skin begins to lose elasticity, and facial tissues lose volume. Eventually, this results in “jowls” on the lower face, deep wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck. While this is a natural part of growing older, patients who are bothered by these signs of aging may find a facelift to be a good solution. If any of the following describe you, a facelift is an option to consider:

You feel self-conscious about the way your face & neck look due to sagging skin

You wear turtlenecks and scarves not because you want to, but because you want to hide your aging neck

When you see your reflection, you feel that your face makes you look much older than you feel

You feel that an aging appearance is negatively affecting your career or personal relationships

Following a facelift, patients frequently experience an upsurge in self-confidence, as their appearance better portrays their healthy, energetic vibe.

Types of Facelifts

Facelift surgery is individualized to a patient’s needs, and a cosmetic surgeon will tailor his or her techniques accordingly.

Mini-Facelift

Patients who exhibit a mild degree of jowling and sagging skin are often good candidates for a mini-facelift. This is a less invasive technique that allows a cosmetic surgeon to tighten deep facial tissues through shorter incisions, typically located along the hairline above each ear and/or in the natural creases surrounding the ear. Through these incisions, structural tissues around the cheeks are lifted and tightened to correct jowling, refine the jawline, and rejuvenate a “tired” appearance.

Depending on the case, a mini-facelift may be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia; your cosmetic surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual needs. A mini-facelift can help you address unwelcome signs of aging before they become too pronounced, postponing the need for more extensive surgery for many years.

Standard Facelift

A standard or “traditional” facelift will more fully address moderate to advanced aging around the mid-face and neck. While the surgery is more extensive than those for a mini-facelift, and thus more recovery time is required, the results are more dramatic. Through incisions located just behind the hairline, starting near the temples, and around the front of the ear, hidden in the natural folds, a cosmetic surgeon can reposition the deeper tissues beneath the skin and remove excess skin to smooth creases, eliminate jowling and sagging skin under the chin, and restore a naturally youthful contour to the face and neck.

Enlarged Male Breasts (Gynecomastia)

Plastic Surgery Dubai | 13 October 2020

Gynaecomastia is the benign (non-cancerous) growth of male breast tissue and can be due to a number of causes. It may be due to hormone imbalance or as a consequence of medication you are taking. It can also be due to alcohol excess or recreational drug abuse. Your doctor will discuss the cause of your gynaecomastia with you. Along with causing swelling of the breast and nipple, gynaecomastia can be uncomfortable and the nipple can become sensitive.

HOW CAN GYNAECOMASTIA BE TREATED?

Some cases of gynaecomastia will get better without any form of treatment. If one of your medications is thought to be causing the gynaecomastia, it may improve with changing or stopping a particular tablet. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

Whilst gynaecomastia itself can be uncomfortable and unsightly, it is not dangerous and no harm will come from having it. When cancer has been ruled out, many men are happy to have no treatment.

Another form of treatment is to have medication. These medications are often good at reducing discomfort and sensitivity but may not reduce the size of the breast.

The third form of treatment involves surgery to your breast.

 

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GYNAECOMASTIA

There are three main surgical procedures which can be undertaken:

Liposuction

Liposuction is used to remove the fatty tissue under a general anaesthetic. Small incisions (cuts) are made on the chest wall. A small metal tube (cannula) is used to suck out the fatty tissue. The incisions are then sutured to give a flatter, firmer and better-contoured chest. Any stitches will be of the dissolving type and so do not need to be removed.

Excision of Gynaecomastia

In excisional surgery, I will make a cut around the nipple to remove the breast tissue. This may be combined with liposuction of the breast tissue at the same time.

Male Breast Reduction

If the breast is very large more tissue and skin may have to be removed. This will give more scars. The degree of scarring will depend on how much skin needs to be removed. I will advise you about this.

After Surgery

After surgery for gynaecomastia your breasts will look discoloured and feel firm and swollen. You may need to have a drain (a fine plastic tube) inserted into the breast during the operation. This will be removed seven days after your operation. You should be able to go home the same day. You may be advised to wear a corset for up to six weeks after the operation to help with the swelling. I will advise you where these can be bought. You will not be able to drive home after your operation and it may be two to three weeks before you can drive.

The dressings can be removed after 7-10 days and you should be able to return to work after two weeks. For the first three weeks after the operation, don’t lift anything heavy or do heavy manual work. Most men resume normal activities within two to three weeks.

Risks and Complications

All surgery carries with it some risk. Common side effects of a general anaesthetic include nausea and vomiting. As mentioned earlier, the chest can be swollen and bruised following the operation.

Specific Complications

Haematoma

This is bleeding into the tissues following surgery. It can occasionally lead to patients returning to theatre to stop the bleeding or remove the blood.

Wound infection

This can occur after any kind of surgery and may need treatment with antibiotics or a return to theatre. If your wound becomes red and inflamed you should contact your doctor.

Deep vein thrombosis

This can happen after any operation or general anaesthetic. The risks are reduced by wearing preventative stockings (TEDS) for two weeks.

Poor wound healing

With a male breast reduction problems may occur with the wound. The blood supply to the area around the vertical scar is at its poorest. This may delay healing and very occasionally the wound may break down and leave a small raw area. This gradually heals with time but may take several weeks.

Nipple complications

The operation by its nature partially disrupts some of the blood supply to the back of the nipple. There is a small risk therefore of the nipple dying resulting in its loss. There is a risk of loss or alteration in sensation to the nipple.

Asymmetry

There may be some lasting differences in the size and shape of your breasts following surgery. Most men are asymmetrical prior to the operation.

Scarring

Initially the scars will be bright red lines – in most cases the scars will heal satisfactorily and soften becoming much paler in time, usually within twelve months. Some patients have a tendency to form red and lumpy scars or keloid scars which are broad raised scars. Such scarring will be permanent.

FOLLOW UP

You will be given an appointment to return to the clinic in 7-10 days where the dressings and drain(s) will be removed and the wounds inspected. You will also be reviewed approximately six weeks after your surgery once the bruising and swelling has completely settled.

LONG TERM OUTLOOK

If lipofilling is performed and only fat is removed, weight gain can make the gynaecomastia return. If the breast tissue itself is removed, as in the excision surgery or male breast reduction there is a chance the breast tissue can regrow. You will have medical photography before and after surgery of your chest. There will be nothing which will identify you to anyone else on these and they are used as a record of your treatment.