Plastic Surgery, A to Z

The Harley Medical Group, the largest plastic surgery group in the UK, has released an "A to Z" list of popular procedures and tips for making the most of cosmetic procedures, as reported by the UK's Daily Record.

I'm posting it here in its entirety, but I'll have to warn you in advance that you must forgive the errors. Apparently the people that invented the English language are having a bit of trouble with its sequence.

COSMETIC surgery is booming, despite the credit crunch, with procedures constantly being updated as well as new treatments added to the list.

It can be hard to keep up with advances in medicine so The Harley Medical Group have devised an A to Z of procedures to take pain out of plastic surgery.

A IS FOR AESTHERA PPX

Aesthera PPx is a highly effective and safe procedure treating a wide range of skin conditions from acne to sun spots and from facial thread veins and freckles to hair removal. This vacuum and light based treatment is compatible with all skin types and it takes a few minutes to perform. The treatment is virtually pain free and can be performed quicker than any other available treatment. Effects last for several months.

B IS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery conducted at The Harley Medical Group, making up 32% of all procedures undertaken in 2007 across the group's 19 clinics. During the procedure an incision is made in the crease of the underside of the breast and the implant is inserted into a pocket created by the surgeon. The result is fuller and more evenly shaped breasts. The treatment takes about an hour to perform and a general anaesthetic is administered.

D IS FOR DETOX

In order to achieve the best results from a cosmetic procedure, it is advisable to prepare the body thoroughly before surgery. Exercise is recommended and nutrients with healing properties are included in the post surgery diet to aid recovery.

E IS FOR EYE BAG REMOVAL

Eye Bag Removal, or blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure which reshapes the upper and lower eyelids. The upper and lower lids may be operated on together or separately. To correct lower eye bags, a fine incision is made just below the eyelash line and the excess fat and skin is removed. Upper eyelids are corrected by the removal of a strip of skin in the natural crease of the eyelid.

F IS FOR FACE LIFT

At The Harley Medical Group, 91per cent of all face lift surgery is performed on women. The patient will be given a general anesthetic. The surgeon will make asurgical cut around the hairline, past the front of the ears. Cuts may also be made under the chin if the patient wants to lift a sagging jawline. The skin is then carefully separated from the underlying facial muscles. Excess fat is removed and the muscles tightened. The skin is lifted, pulled back and excess removed. The skin is then stitched back to the line where the cut was initially made. All scars are hidden behind the patient's ears or in the hairline. Effects last between seven and 10 years.

G IS FOR GYNAECCOMASTIA

Acommon procedure in men it involves the removal of excess fat in the chest via a small incision around the lower half of the nipple area. Liposuction is then carried out to flatten the chest. Gynaeccomastia can have any one or more of the following causes such as body-building drugs, liver or kidney diseases, cancer and obesity.

H IS HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR COSMETIC SURGERY PROVIDER

When considering cosmetic surgery, you should have a list of questions when going in for an initial consultation. Don't ever be shy of asking personal questions, such as what qualifications surgeons have? How long since their training or how many procedures they've performed?

I IS FOR IMPLANTS

Implants are used for breast augmentation, chin lift and face lift cosmetic procedures. To increase the size of breasts, implants are surgically inserted behind the natural breast tissue. Silicone implants are more widely used as they give a more natural shape and feel than saline implants.

J IS FOR JAW LINE

Chin implants help achieve a stronger angular profile. A chin lift procedure involves an implant being positioned beneath the skin through an incision made from the mouth or below the chin. Administered under general anesthetic by a cosmetic surgeon, they help give better proportioned and more balanced features.

L IS FOR LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is the removal of excess fatty tissue used to reshape the abdomen, thighs, arms, chin, buttocks and breasts. It is the second most popular procedure after Breast Augumentation and Reduction at The HarleyMedical Group making up 12 per cent of all cosmetic surgery procedures. In initial consultation, patients undertaking a Liposuction procedure will have their BMI (body mass index) assessed by a nurse. There are physiological limits as to the quantity of fat that can be removed at any one time. Overweight people do not benefit from this procedure and are not appropriate candidates.

M IS FOR MEDICAL MICRODERMABRASION

Microdermabrasion is a gentle non-surgical treatment which helps balance skin problems like acne, sun damaged skin, superficial age spots or wrinkles. This treatment refreshes the top layer of the skin by exfoliating it and improving facial tone and texture. A great party preparation as there is no recovery time.

N IS FOR NOSE JOB OR RHINOPLASTY

Rhinoplasty is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed amongst men. Patients undergo a nose job for one or more of the following reasons: to reduce the size of the nose, to change the shape of the tip or bridge or to narrow the span of the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and the upper lip or help relieve breathing problems. At the initial consultation, the surgeon evaluates the structure of their nose and face, and discusses the options available to them. Factors that can influence the procedure include the structure of the nasal bones and cartilage, facial shape, thickness of the skin, the patient's age and expectations.

O IS FOR OTOPLASTY

Otoplasty or ear reshaping is one of the most established cosmetic procedures on the market. It involves removing skin and reshaping cartilage from behind ears. The ears are stitched into the new position with the incision marks concealed in the natural crease behind the ear. This is administered under general anaesthetic.

P IS FOR PREPARATION

Patients will undergo an intensive consultation with the counsellor before being referred to a doctor. They research and plan for cosmetic surgery two to three years before procedure.

Q IS FOR QUALIFIED NURSE COUNSELLOR

All non-surgical procedures are administered by specially qualified nurses (Botox is an exception that is administered by adoctor at all times).

R IS FOR RESHAPE AND TIGHTENING OF THE FEMALE GENITALIA

Age and childbirth can cause the labia and surrounding area to change in shape, size and tone, causing unhappiness and discomfort for women. Women who have along or unequal Labia minora length can have this adjusted through surgery. Some patients wish for a more youthful looking vagina - achieved by reshaping the inner or outer Labia. Vaginal tightening is a procedure performed to enhance sexual pleasure for the patient. Treatment is performed under general anaesthetic and recovery takes one and two weeks.

S IS FOR SCLEROTHERAPY

Sclerotherapy, also known as thread vein removal, is a treatment administered mostly to the face and legs. To remove thread veins a very fine needle injects a solution into the vein which causes it to perish and, over a course of treatments, vanish completely. A session takes around an hour to complete and a course of between one and three is recommended (dependent on the number of veins to be treated).

U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING

It is essential that every patient has a full understanding about the treatment before they undergo any surgical cosmetic procedures.

V IS FOR VISIA

Visia is a free procedure which takes photographs of the face and then microscopically examines key areas of the skin. The photographs highlight pore size, spots, lines and pigmentation. The Skin Analysis Computer gives a score for each key factor relating to the skin's condition and appearance taking into consideration the age of the patient and lifestyle. This is a non-invasive procedure and takes 10 minutes to perform. It enables the nurse to see which non-surgical treatments would be most effective.

W IS FOR WATER

It is essential to keep the body rehydrated before, throughout and after surgery. As part of a pre and post surgery diet and exercise plan patients should have a glass of room temperature water flavoured with half alemon at the start of the day to cleanse the liver and flush kidneys of toxins followed by two litres of water sipped throughout the day.

X IS FOR X-RAYS

An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation and was first generated in 1891 by Fernando Sanford a professor of physics at Stanford University. An X-ray is required before cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty and chin lifts to give the surgeon a map of bone structure.

Y IS FOR YOUTHFUL

Maintaining youthful looking skin is one of the main reasons why patients undergo cosmetic treatments. The age for treatment is becoming less and less, reducing from the average age of 45. According to Botox specialist Dr Julian Northcoat, at The Harley Medical Group, many women seek Botox treatments for preventative measures. As a Botox treatment doesn't permit deep frowns from being formed, lines across the forehead and between eyes are prevented.

Z is for Zits

Non-surgical solutions, Aesthera PPx and Medical Mirco dermabrasion, can help to treat acne to leave skin look radiant and clear.

C IS FOR CONSULTATION

Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, patients should make sure they receive a consultation. The nurse counsellor will explain each stage of the procedure from the consultation with the surgeon through to the post-operative, follow-up and recovery period. The nurse will answer any questions and concerns that a patient may have and ensure their decision has been properly considered.

K IS FOR KERATIN

Keratin is the dominant protein in the skin, hair and nails and this contributes to the rigidity of the skin. The level of keratin in the skin decreases with age which is the cause of wrinkles. There are a number of procedures available that can help.

T IS FOR TUMMY TUCK

A popular procedure for patients who have lost a lot of weight, or after pregnancy, and find abdominal muscles are weak and the area is loose. Muscles can be tightened and excess skin removed, leaving a firm flatter abdomen. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed through an incision across the abdomen, usually from hip to hip (along the bikini line).

For more information visit www.harleymedical.co.uk