All About Sizing
Breast Augmentation Dubai | 25 January 2019
When it comes to sizing, I ask my patients to think more about proportion and shape versus cup size. Cup size is an extremely subjective measurement for patients seeking breast augmentation. No two individuals are the same, nor are two breasts on the same body even the same! Before a final size can be determined, I must evaluate things like the quality, thickness and laxity of the existing tissue, as well as your skeletal and muscular structure and overall anatomy.
These considerations all contribute to the fact that everyone wears bras very differently. In addition, manufacturers’ sizes differ widely. So when you think about your new size, think more in terms of proportion and shape instead. And, most importantly, do not pick your size based on what your friend might have or what your significant other might envision. During your consultation, I will carefully select your implant size together, based on dimensions—not volume.
Breast Augmentation Dubai
Understanding Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation Dubai | 23 January 2019
Breast augmentation surgery requires a general anaesthetic, with the operation taking 1-2 hours, and is usually performed as a day-stay or overnight-stay procedure. Following the surgery it is important to have restricted light activities, with no lifting or heavy duties for 7-10 days. Most patients may drive again and return to work within 10 days after the surgery. Heavy activities and sport should not be undertaken for 3-4 weeks following the surgery. Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, enlarging your breasts and making them more proportional with the rest of your body. Breast augmentation can also be used to correct differences in the size of your breasts or sagging breasts which can occur after pregnancy and breast-feeding. There are many choices and options in breast augmentation, which require careful planning to individualise which are the best options for you. All of these choices have advantages and disadvantages, which you should understand before you make a decision with your surgeon. Breast implants will make your breasts larger, but the underlying shape of your breasts will not change, and differences in the size and shape of your breasts may even be more obvious after the surgery.
Breast Augmentation Dubai
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 22 January 2019
Tummy tucks can also eliminate stretch marks caused by pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain. Even if a person is at their ideal body weight, with very little abdominal fat, excess skin can still cause an undesirable look. The tummy tuck addresses this concern by removing any excess fat, removing excess skin, and then readjusting the skin for a toned and taut look. People who have poor skin elasticity may be especially good candidates for tummy tucks. Poor skin elasticity is quite common after childbirth, weight loss, or aging. The tummy tuck can not only take away the extra skin, but will also tighten up the skin that remains. This, in turn, dramatically improves elasticity for the future as long as you maintain a healthy weight.
Tummy Tuck Dubai
Fillers in Dubai – What to Expect During Treatment
Fillers in Dubai | 20 January 2019
Dermal filler injections are non-surgical and typically completed during an office visit. Your initial treatment will begin with a consultation, during which you will meet with me to discuss your concerns and goals.
Pre-treatment consultation
During your consultation, I will evaluate your area of concern and review your medical history. While the risks associated with dermal fillers are minimal, you need to fully disclose your medical history prior to treatment, as certain allergies, skin and neurological conditions, or medications can jeopardize your safety or results. For instance, you need to tell me if you have been taking NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) or blood thinners, as these increase the likelihood of bruising.
Your injectable filler treatment
Just before the actual treatment, the area will be cleaned, and you may be given a topical anesthetic to numb the area prior to injection. Many filler products also contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic, which is intended to help minimize discomfort during and after your treatment. I will then inject a precise amount of filler strategically beneath the skin.
Depending on the product and the areas treated, you should be able to notice results immediately after receiving filler injections. Some patients experience mild bruising and swelling, but these are temporary and should subside over the days following treatment. You will be able to go back to your normal activities right after treatment, but I may ask you to take the day off from exercise or other strenuous activity.
If you are having fat injections…
Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure and follows a different treatment protocol. Typically, fat grafting is performed as an outpatient procedure, using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Up to 2 weeks of downtime may be required, depending on the extent of liposuction performed. I will go over what to expect with surgery and recovery during your consultation.
Fillers in Dubai | 20 January 2019
What are Fillers Made With?
Fillers in Dubai | 14 January 2019
In general, fillers are categorized by the substance they are made from. A note for your safety: always make sure that you are receiving FDA approved, brand name fillers, which are only available through a licensed physician, such as a board certified cosmetic surgeon.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is already found in your skin. It helps keep skin plump and hydrated. HA fillers are typically soft and gel-like. The results are temporary, lasting 6 to 12 months or longer before the body gradually and naturally absorbs the particles. Most HA fillers are infused with lidocaine to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment. FDA approved HA fillers include:
Juvéderm products: Juvéderm XC, VOLUMA, VOLBELLA, VOLLURE
Restylane products: Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne
Belotero Balance
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) – Calcium hydroxylapatite is also a naturally occurring substance, found primarily in our bones. When used in a filler, the calcium particles are nearly microscopic and suspended in a smooth gel. The consistency of a CaHA filler is typically thicker than that of a hyaluronic acid filler and typically last longer as well, about 12 months for most patients. Calcium hydroxylapatite is also reported to help stimulate natural collagen production, and it is typically used for deeper lines and wrinkles. FDA approved CaHA fillers include Radiesse®.
Poly-L-lactic Acid – Poly-L-lactic acid is a biocompatible (meaning it is safe to use in the body), biodegradable synthetic substance. It has been used for many years in medical devices, such as dissolvable stitches. Poly-L-lactic acid products are technically classified as “collagen stimulators,” as their main mechanism to smooth fine lines is by helping your skin rebuild natural collagen—the filler gel itself dissipates a few days after treatment. Poly-L-lactic acid is typically used to treat deeper facial wrinkles, and results can last more than 2 years. FDA approved Poly-L-lactic acid fillers include Sculptra® Aesthetic.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) – Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used in medicine for much of the last century. In dermal fillers, PMMA takes the form of a “microsphere” or tiny ball, that remains beneath the skin indefinitely to provide continued support. PMMA fillers will also contain collagen, a naturally occurring substance in the skin that provides structure and firmness. FDA approved PMMA fillers include Bellafill® (formerly known as Artefill).
Fillers in Dubai | 14 January 2019
How Can Dermal Fillers Enhance My Appearance?
Fillers in Dubai | 7 January 2019
Did you know that many visible signs of aging can be traced back to volume loss? As facial tissues thin out, lines become etched around the nose and mouth and cheeks look a little hollow. Dermal fillers can replace lost volume to help smooth wrinkles, plump the lips, and restore a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines and soften creases, or enhance facial contours. More than 1 million men and women annually have choose this popular facial rejuvenation treatment, which can be a cost-effective way to look younger without surgery or downtime.
While dermal fillers are casually known as “wrinkle fillers,” they can do much more than just smooth out wrinkles, although they are excellent at this too! Here are a few of the common issues dermal fillers can help address:
Smooth out lines around nose and mouth (a.k.a. marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses)
Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples
Diminish vertical lip lines
Plump & enhance the lips
Smooth out a chin crease
Improve symmetry among facial features
Fillers in Dubai | 7 January 2019
What are Dermal Fillers?
Fillers in Dubai | 1 January 2019
Dermal fillers are used to maintain volume in the face, and thus restore (or prolong) a youthful, rested, healthy appearance. Dermal filler injections take only minutes to perform and the cosmetic results are immediate. I inject the selected facial filler at sites where natural fat has depleted, the most common being the cheek bone area and the folds next to the nose (nasolabial), the lines running from the mouth toward the chin (marionette lines) and thinning lips. The new generation of facial fillers is more practical than the animal-based collagens they are descended from, as the newer products are biocompatible, more versatile in their weights and densities, and last longer. However, most facial fillers are still temporary, and depending on the staying power of the product as well as the reaction of the patient. Touch-ups will eventually be required.
Dermal fillers instantly plump up nasolabial folds, marionette lines, sunken cheeks, thinning lips and soft jaw lines. They can also be used to correct scars and deeper wrinkles.
No prep time is required with fillers, though you may request topical numbing cold ice packs prior to the procedure.
Fillers in Dubai | 1 January 2019
Procedures to help you attain a flat well-toned abdomen
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 28 December 2018
When diet and exercise fail to achieve the waistline you desire, I can offer the expertise of having perfected procedures to help you attain a flat, well-toned abdomen.
There are variations to the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure:
Standard tummy tuck
Addresses the loose, sagging abdominal skin common after pregnancy and weight loss
Surgically removes excess fat and skin from abdomen
Tightens weakened or separated muscles above and below the belly button, creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer
The scar is horizontal, situated above the pubis
Mini-abdominoplasty
Surgical removal of fat and skin; specifically the area below the belly button
Tightens the weakened muscles below the belly button
The scar is horizontal, situated above the pubis
Lipo-abdominoplasty
This procedure combines the benefits of an abdominoplasty with liposuction
Addresses the fat or fullness of the upper abdomen with liposuction that a standard tummy tuck will not address
Extended abdominoplasty or Fluer-De-Lis
Addresses the excess skin and fat above the belly button often a result of massive weight loss
The scar orientation is both vertical and horizontal
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 28 December 2018
Tummy Tuck – Frequently Asked Questions
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 18 December 2018
Tummy tucks – also known as abdominoplasties – have grown significantly in popularity over the past 15 years, and they are now one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Part of the reason why tummy tucks have grown in popularity over the years is our increased focus on health and fitness, but another big reason is that tummy tucks can provide dramatic results. There have been recent advances in the procedure that offer better pain control and a better recovery. Now may be a good time to take a fresh look at some of the most common questions that patients ask us about abdominoplasties.
“Do I need a full tummy tuck, or can I have a smaller scar – say with a “mini” tummy tuck or just liposuction?”
There is not just one type of tummy tuck – abdominal contouring can include a variety of approaches depending on one’s individual situation. It is often helpful to think of a tummy tuck in terms of where the problem is. Is there too much loose skin, is there too much fat, or have the muscles been stretched or separated by pregnancy? If your skin is relatively tight then you may be a good candidate for a reduced scar approach, such as liposuction (tiny scars), an endoscopic abdominoplasty (1-2 inch scar), or a mini-abdominoplasty (a scar about the length of a C-section). On the other hand, if there is a lot of loose skin that you will need tightened, that will require a longer scar. If there is too much fat, then liposuction can be combined with the removal of skin – a very common situation. If the muscles are separated, then some sort of tummy tuck with muscle repair is needed, however the incision can be short or long depending on the skin.
“Do I have to have a drain after a tummy tuck?”
Historically the answer to that question was “yes”; however, new techniques have eliminated the need for drains in many cases. I can now use special stitches – known as progressive tension sutures – to seal the tissue together so that there is no need for a drain. The progressive tension technique has another advantage as well; it often allows us to remove a bit more skin than we could otherwise. Although I currently can’t prove it, I also suspect that the sutures help make the scar from the tummy tuck better because they reduce the tension on the skin during healing. Patients love it when they don’t have to have drains.
“How much pain will I have after a tummy tuck?”
Historically tummy tucks were one of the more painful operations that plastic surgeons performed, especially when repair of the muscles was required. Over the past several years, the development of some new ways of controlling pain has helped this situation a lot. First came the development of pain pumps – these are devices that push a local anesthetic through a small tube and into the area of surgery. These were very helpful and many surgeons still use them, but it requires a tube coming out of the skin. More recently there has been the development of a long lasting local anesthetic which can give significant pain control for up to 3 days, and it doesn’t require a tube. Good pain control clearly makes the recovery more pleasant. It also means that less narcotic pain medicine is required; therefore, there is less chance of a reaction to the medication. In addition, it may make the surgery even safer by allowing patients to move around more easily and to be more active.
“How long is the recovery after a tummy tuck?”
Well, the answer depends on several factors and to what level of recovery you are thinking about. If you don’t need the muscles repaired, it is likely that your recovery is going to be easier and quicker. Most patients having a full tummy tuck (with muscle repair) find that they are generally able to drive a car within a week, depending on their pain level (remember you don’t want to drive when on pain medicine). Many patients can work remotely from home, and find that they are able to log on to their computers, answer emails, or even have a conference call after only a few days, although they won’t feel like going in to work for maybe 2-3 weeks post surgery. Light exercise (e.g. walking or gently peddling on a stationary bike) can start by this time as well. By 6-8 weeks, most patients would consider themselves fully or nearly fully recovered, although it is worth remembering that the nerves will continue to heal, the scar will continue to fade, and the swelling will continue to go down for several months.
“Will the results last?”
Yes! As long as your weight remains stable over time, abdominoplasties are typically a ‘once and done’ procedure, never needing to be repeated. Of course your skin will age a bit over the decades, but it usually never gets back to the looseness that you may have experienced before surgery.
“After pregnancy, my tummy needs help, but my breasts do, too. Can you work on both at the same time?”
Not only is the answer “yes”, but combining a tummy tuck with a breast lift or breast augmentation – popularly called a “mommy makeover” – is very common. Moms love their little ones, but it is great to get their bodies back, too!
Will a tummy tuck help my stretch marks?”
That depends on where the stretch marks are located, but the answer is usually “yes”. A full tummy tuck removes most of the skin in the lower abdomen, and any stretch marks in this zone will be removed along with the loose skin. Stretch marks outside of that zone are not really going to be helped.
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 18 December 2018
Dermal FillerS for Facial Rejuvenation
Fillers in Dubai | 15 December 2018
Although no one likes the thought of aging, we can be thankful that we are living in this modern age when there are more facial cosmetic procedures than ever before to aid in the battle against time. Injectable fillers are not only effective, they are a completely safe method of rejuvenating the face.
Even in the past 10 years, there have been advancements in the science of fillers, and I can offer several different approved brands. The most popular are Juvéderm, Restylane, Radiesse, Teosyal and Neauvia. The area of the face that requires filling determines the type of filler that the doctor will choose. Some fillers have a thicker consistency than others and are more suited to areas where more substance is needed to achieve the desired lift. It is possible to fill nasolabial folds (lines between the nose and mouth), cheekbones, noses, chins, tear troughs, jowls, and lips.
CONTOURING AND REFINING FEATURES
When injected by an experienced professional, fillers also have the ability to contour and refine features. Lips can be augmented to reduce the lines that appear with aging, and humpy noses can be starightened so that they balance nicely with other facial features. A flat chin can be injected with filler to provide a symmetrical profile. Cheek bones can be injected to provide a natural-looking lift to the face. Although amazing results can be achieved with injectable fillers, it is the artist in control of the needle who determines the final outcome. It takes artistry, not just a licence, to sculpt the face in perfect harmony and proportions.
Not only can fillers be injected in a short period of time, but there is also little discomfort for the patient. Local anaesthetic can be administered prior to the injections, and some brands even have the anaesthetic combined with the filler. Slight swelling or redness at the injection site may be experienced, but this is minimal, eliminating the need to take a few days off of work to heal. Another major benefit of injectable fillers is that they are affordable. Great results can be accomplished without breaking your pocket book.
THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING DERMAL FILLERS
Whether you are considering getting dermal fillers to smooth out wrinkles or enhance facial contours, a quick look at some criteria and facts will help you know you have come to the right place for your treatment.
Dermal fillers should be injected only by an experienced and qualified medical doctor. This procedure requires qualifications, experience, and an artistic edge, because 90% of the success of cosmetic procedures depends on who is doing them. For example, a bad haircut would indicate the level of experience of the stylist, not the scissors that were used. This is why it is extremely important to inquire about the credentials of your practitioner and ask to see before and after pictures. Getting a consultation first is advisable, as you would get a chance to see my facility and raise your questions or concerns with me.
YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Bringing a picture of your younger self to your appointment is helpful. However, bringing a picture of your favorite celebrity is not conducive. While you may see one aspect or feature of your face, it is important to know that a face has to be analysed in whole and not in part. The aim of the injectable procedure is to look naturally enhanced. It is also important to understand that each face has its own asymmetry. A good doctor can help bring more symmetry while keeping the overall aesthetics of the face visually pleasing. So make the most of your consultation by being open to recommendations. Your doctor sees in three dimensions, and you would benefit from exploring all your options.
THE ACTUAL PRODUCT
There are many types of dermal fillers on the market. But the most common of them are hyaluronic acid (HA) products. They have proven to produce natural and lasting results while maintaining fluidity to move with facial expressions. This line of dermal fillers also incorporates antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to deliver further treatment benefits while filling and contouring the face.
HOW LONG THE RESULTS WILL LAST
Hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers also naturally occurs in the body and therefore gets metabolized eventually. Depending on the dermal filler chosen and whether or not this is the first time you are having a filler injected, you can expect results to last anywhere from 6 to 12 months. If for some reason you are not satisfied with the results, which is very rare, HA fillers are also dissolvable at your request by injecting an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER THE INJECTION
It is always best to schedule your injectable appointments a couple of days to a week prior to any major event. With dermal filler injections, you will also need to take bruising and swelling into account. You can reduce this likelihood by stopping any supplements that can act like blood thinners such as fish oil and also some pain killers such as Aspirin, Aleve, Advil, etc., 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
After your dermal fillers treatment, follow the post-care instructions given, which include applying cold compresses, avoiding extremely cold or hot drinks, sun exposure, extreme temperatures, excess facial mimicry, and vigorous exercises. Being gentle is key.
Fillers in Dubai | 15 December 2018