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Liposuction Over time, through lifestyle and as we age, fatty tissues build up on our flanks, our lower abdomens and thighs in women and the abdomen, chest and flanks in men. The removal of this fatty material is usually carried out through liposuction. The procedure works through the usage of a tube and a cannula which is attached to a powerful vacuum.
Liposuction used to be only possible with large cannulae but the process has become more sophisticated and thinner and smaller cannulae can now be used for easier, more effective and more controllable removal of the fat deposits. These procedures should not and are not considered a replacement for weight management and it is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. The focus is specific fatty deposits and pockets of fat, which may not be, shifted even with an intensive exercise as well as dieting regime.
Benefits of Liposuction
Surgical liposuction offers two main benefits to those with excess body fat:
1. A reduction in size of specific parts of the body 2. Improved contours to the flesh.
Another benefit reported by some patients is the long term results offered by liposuction. This means the area should not “fill up” again, which is reassuring that the problem is unlikely to reoccur. Of course, some factors such as ageing, alcoholism and medical conditions could override this outcome.
These are the physical benefits but naturally when we look better we generally feel better too. And so, perhaps the real benefit is an emotional one. It is because a patient has been unhappy with their appearance for a prolonged period of time, and feels pessimistic about any improvement through natural efforts, that they seek medical help.
With successful treatment a patient can get back some inner confidence. They might even find a new lease of life and ultimately achieve a level of self esteem they truly deserve.
Combining Liposuction With A “Tummy Tuck”
Liposuction alone is not always the best option. If you have a particularly difficult problem, especially in the abdominal area, abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) is offered. For patients who are clinically obese and are at risk of declining health the method of cutting away fatty tissue combined with the liposuction technology can be highly effective.
A full abdominoplasty procedure involves making incisions horizontally at the top of the pubic area and the circumference of the navel. Scarring is therefore around the navel and above pubis (similar to the caesarean-section surgery needed for childbirth). Due to the nature of this procedure, a full general anaesthetic is required. A stay in hospital is necessary and the duration of this will depend upon your immediate post-operative recovery.
As this surgery affects the very centre of your body, you must be prepared to take good of care of yourself to ensure a full recovery without complications. Normal movement will be restricted for a while as well as lifting, carrying and exercise.
For those requiring less fat/skin removal a “modified” abdominoplasty can be performed. This does not involve the removal of the navel, meaning less intrusion and scarring. This surgery is often recommended for those who have lost a considerable amount of weight and have a residue of surface tissue and skin.
Types of Lipoplasty technique Standard traditional Lipo PAL e.g microair (vibration) VASER (ultrasonic) LASER RASER (radiofrequency) Water jet Smart lipo Cryo lipo Sculpsure
What areas can be treated?
The typical areas of the male body that benefit from liposuction are:
• Flanks • Abdomen • Chest • Buttocks • Inner and outer thigh • Hips • Knees • Upper arms • Back and shoulder blade area • Neck • Double chin/jowl
Everyone is unique and therefore all consultations should be considered as treating your needs in a bespoke way. Almost all fatty areas can be addressed with some degree of success.
Who benefits from Liposuction?
The treatment was devised as a solution to reducing fat from areas of the body that simply refuses to shift through the conventional weight loss attempts. Liposuction was not designed specifically for women although it is this group that has been the “early adopter” of the procedure. More men are turning to this method after having tried and failed to lose the weight through dieting and exercise approach.
For men there is also the potential problem where fat can settle after the cessation of body building or super athletic activities. Muscle can rapidly waste away and the
area instead starts to store fat in a way that is most stubborn for breaking down after prolonged and intensive periods of training.
It might be that you have inherited the excess fat condition from your parents which means you can be sure that how they reacted to, or treated, the problem (with or without success) will mostly likely be the same outcome for you. There is plenty of opportunity at the first consultation to explain your situation and desired results.
We are happy to offer the procedure once we have been assured that:
1. You are a physically healthy individual 2. You are mentally well, and certain that you have considered all possibilities 3. You have tried your best to rid the fat through diet and/or exercise.
What are the results?
You can expect to see impressive results with surgical liposuction. Liposuction procedure is a safe and reliable method for long-term fat reduction and smoother body contours.
After around 1 to 2 week post surgery you will have an assessment with the surgeon. By this time, initial swelling should have subsided enough to judge how successful the procedure has been. Most patients see a noticeable size reduction at this stage.
If you had set out to achieve a more even skin surface you should, after a few weeks, see an improvement and you can discuss the progress with your consultant.
With the treatment of multiple sites, or complex procedures you may need to wait a while before seeing the desired outcome. Most people report an improvement of around 70+% success rate and feel they have gained the result they set out to achieve.
• A smaller area with firmer skin being the No.1 aim.
You can expect to see the optimum results between 6-12 months after the surgery. A full 12 months is likely for larger or more complex areas. Your surgeon will not conduct a final review of the treatment until he/she considers the recovery period complete.
Long term effects:
Men considering liposuction treatment must understand that bodily changes such as ageing, weight gain/loss or medical conditions can affect body mass and skin contours visually and to the touch.
The Procedure
The first step is agreeing with the consultant that surgical liposuction is the right procedure for you.
An appointment will be made (and here is where you must consider planning around your work/leisure schedule), and all pre and post operation details will be fully explained.
For liposuction (not including abdominoplasty), the standard practice is quite a simple and reliable method using vacuum suction:
• The area will be shaved and cleansed. • Local (or sometimes general) anaesthetic is administered. • A small puncture is made to the treated areas. • A long hollow tubing (cannula) is inserted to the layers of the fat. • A saline solution mixed with anaesthetic is pumped through to break down the fat. • The fat is then extracted by vacuum suction provided by either a pump or large
syringe. • Because you may lose body fluids you will be connected to a drip for a short period
of time following surgery. The small incision sites generally do not require stitches. • Anaesthesia is required for liposuction. Usually the surgeon will combine local
anaesthesia to the area long with sedation. Occasionally a general anaesthetic is required.
• Surgery time will depend upon the number areas being treated, the complexity of these areas and the volume of fat being extracted. Typically, though you should expect to be in theatre for 1-2 hours.
• You will feel a bit drowsy for some time after the procedure as the general anaesthetic wears off.
• As with all other forms of liposuction, you will be required to wear a compression garment after a laser liposuction.
• Recovery time will depend upon the complexity of the operation and the volume of flesh affected. It is expected that you will need around one week to recover before returning to your normal lifestyle. Full details for a successful recovery will be given at the time of your first consultation and post-surgery.
• A follow up consultation will be required around 1 week after your surgery to ensure successful healing, and a later appointment to assess the full results of the procedure.
Other techniques include:
• Advanced Laser Lipo or a combination of techniques. This method uses laser-assisted lipoplasty and is simply a combination of laser and liposuction.
• When provided separately Advanced Laser Lipo is performed under local anaesthesia in the minor procedure room on an out-patient basis.
• Initially a small cannula is inserted into the fatty tissue through a puncture site and local anaesthesia/IV fluids are introduced to numb the treatment areas. Then the optical laser fibre is used to emit heat which literally melts the fat using back/forth motions in a fan shape. The action of the laser means that less invasive suction is required to remove the fatty tissue.
• Average procedure time is 2 hours. • Lipo-Selection uses a specific targeting technology, a patented grooved solid metal
probe is first inserted through small skin incisions. Ultrasonic energy is emitted from the sides and end of the probe, as it passes back and forth and this breaks down fatty deposits before a cannular is inserted in the area of emulsified fat cells.
You should see some improvement within a few weeks, once the post-operative swelling has reduced. You can expect to see the optimum results between 6-12 months after the surgery. A full 12 months is likely for larger or more complex areas.
What are the risks?
Every medical procedure carries some degree of risk either during or post surgery. Occasionally a patient has a bad reaction to the equipment, medication or dressings, but the highest risk is that of infection. This can be greatly minimised with the correct post operative care which will be detailed as part of your consultation.
Industry reports indicate some negative results associated with liposuction but in nearly all cases, the problems are solved with appropriate and timely intervention. Reported problems include:
Pain and discomfort; leakage; bruising; swelling; bleeding; skin discolouration; uneven skin surface/tone; changes in sensitivity; irritation; scarring; skin elasticity; deep vein thrombosis; toxic shock syndrome.
Alternatives to Liposuction
Men considering medical treatment for fat reduction should also think about some alternative procedures.
Laser Liposuction
Also known as lipolysis, laser liposuction is an advanced system for reducing small fatty areas of flesh that refuse to shift from dieting and/or exercise. Laser lipolysis can be combined with the conventional methods and is proving to be highly effective for men of all ages.
The procedure is conducted under local anaesthetic with a mild sedation. Small incisions are made the skin to enable the laser light device target the fat cells. These are then absorbed to form an emulsion of fatty tissue. This substance is then gently removed via the ultra fine probes. Because this treatment is virtually non-invasive there is no need for an over night stay and you should experience a very speedy recovery. Getting back to your normal lifestyle as soon as possible is a top priority for most men having aesthetic treatments and with this procedure you should expect to see great results with minimal downtime
SculpSure
An intriguing name but we are seeing some very positive feedback from our clients on this relatively new aesthetic treatment. A good number of men are showing interest in this unique procedure because it is non invasive and requires virtually no downtime. The fat cells are heated to the optimum temperature and, over a period of a few weeks, the fatty tissue is eliminated naturally through the body’s lymphatic system. We partners with SculpSure. This process is ideal for small parts of the body such as the chin and knees and is particularly suited to the male chest area – the problem commonly referred to as “manboobs”.
FAQs
We have set out some typical questions that men have regarding liposuction. If you have a question that is not fully answered here, please give us a call to discuss your situation
Is the treatment a one-off, or will I need to have multiple procedures?
Most men find that one procedure is enough to give them the results they desire. It is worth noting that it is important to set realistic expectations from the start. Liposuction is not a miracle worker and it might take some time before the optimum results are visible – perhaps one year on from the procedure.
How much discomfort am I likely to experience?
Surgical liposuction impacts the deeper layers of flesh. The incisions and pressure to separate the fatty tissue would be painful without anaesthetic. You will receive adequate pain relief from the intravenous anaesthetic system. For larger areas or more complex cases a general anaesthetic is required. This means some more recovery time, but once the procedure is over, the discomfort – rather than severe pain, can be treated with non-prescription pain relief medicine.
How long does it take to see the full results I expect?
Each man’s body is different and recovers in its own unique way. Seeing the results that you were hoping for will depend upon the complexity of the operation. You should see an improvement in size reduction very quickly, within weeks. If you are looking for a finer body reshaping solution it might be that you will need to wait a full year. Therefore it is ideal to consider this and plan your surgery accordingly.
What about scarring?
Even with non- or low-invasive treatments, there is a degree or risk associated with scarring. Sutures (stitches) are usually the cause for noticeable scarring. Depending upon the amount of flesh treated and the number or size of incisions, stitching is generally minimal or not required at all. Your current state of health, healing behaviour and lifestyle may all play a part in the eventual outcome. You will be given the best advice to avoid any unnecessary scarring during your consultation and also post operation.
I’ve heard about SculpSure – is it better than the traditional liposuction method?
SculpSure is a relatively new technique, and it is a very different process to liposuction – requiring the body to eliminate the fats naturally via the lymphatic drainage system. This can take longer than the surgical approach which removes the fat in one go while under anaesthetic and sedation. With fat freezing, results are less predictable and therefore if less fat than expected has drained away, another attempt may be required.
In comparison, the benefits of fat freezing are mainly due to the procedure being a non-invasive treatment and therefore an almost “zero downtime” treatment. Risks associated to intravenous anaesthetics are also minimised.
Non- or low invasive treatments are wonderful but something you need to be mindful of when considering the various practices near to you is that the practitioners may not be medically qualified. Considering this you need to question their professional standards even more rigorously.
Will the fat return to the same area? It is unlikely that the targeted area would store fat again in the medium-long term. It is possible in the much longer term due to the natural ageing process or because of excessive weight gain, and/or a medical condition and its drug therapies.
We have no recorded incidents of a redistribution of fat to areas that the patient would not normally store fat. Saying that, we cannot rule it out in future. You will discuss these risks as part of your consultation but in the meantime it is worth you conducting further research and that of your family health history.
Does surgical liposuction bring better long lasting results compared to body contouring?
The new technology for body contouring uses a combination of ultrasound and radio frequency, because of this, it offers the benefit of removing fat along with cellulite and even wrinkles or sagging skin. For men, cellulite is less common but for those with sagging skin as a result of drastic dieting, this option could be a good solution. Only a full discussion with a qualified aesthetics clinician can tell you if body contouring would be better for you than surgical liposuction.
So, what’s the worst that can happen?
Poor healing and/or infection are the most common causes of problematic surgical procedures. This can be minimised by smart post operative care from the provider and the patient. Health history and information on allergies and sensitivities are captured at the consultation but there is still an outside change that someone will react to the equipment, the physical method of fat removal, medications or dressings. Industry reports the following outcomes in a very small percentage of patients: Pain and discomfort; leakage; bruising; swelling; bleeding; skin discolouration; uneven skin surface/tone; changes in sensitivity; irritation; scarring; skin elasticity; deep vein thrombosis; toxic shock syndrome. When can get back to work and my exercise routine? The first 48 hours will require quality rest but not bed rest. It is recommended you book one week off work but if your job is sedate or you work at home the week after the procedure will mean no exercise, carrying or lifting. Exactly how much time off work will depend upon your job and how well your body usually heals. At your first post-operation consultation, you can discuss returning to exercise and increasing activity etc. I am a 40 year old man and have been suffering from “manboobs” since my early twenties, would liposuction suit me? Liposuction can be offered for this condition but it might be that one of the other procedures such as body contouring, or fat freezing would be a better option. Call a Juvea consultant to discuss your situation and you can talk though the various procedures offered at our clinics. It might be that you will need to be examined before a final decision on the best treatment can be made.
Is liposuction just for the torso? Liposuction is appropriate for areas that hold a significant amount of fat. It is not usually conducted on the face, but if a male patient has a problem with severe jowls or a “double chin” then liposuction can be offered. It is always recommended that you discuss this with an expert clinician as it might be that a different method of fat removal could provide a better solution.
Preparation for Liposuction The liposuction procedure does require some preparation and you will need to take time off work to recover in most instances. Most people have their liposuction performed as a day case or with a single overnight stay. Most people should take around a week’s rest from work and only begin light exercise after about 2 weeks. This may differ from person to person and is something you can discuss on an individual basis before confirming and booking your surgery.
Every patient undergoes a full consultation so they understand and are comfortable with their surgery plans, preparation and aftercare. Any questions will be answered and we work to ensure all your worries are dealt with.
Please contact us today to discuss your surgical options and arrange a consultation.
Patient Care Pathway
My aim is always to ensure patient’s safety and patient’s satisfaction. Virtually
any operation carries with it a risk of complication, because it is a cosmetic
procedure does not mean there is less risk. During the consultation with your
surgeon, the potential risks will be discussed in detail and you will have your
opportunity to ask any questions you have about the procedure. Here is the
brief overview of the whole process of your journey :
1. Medical History
It is extremely important that you give a full and honest account of your
medical history. This should include illnesses, operations, drugs,
allergies and any significant family history of disease. Your surgeon
needs to be able to make a well-informed decision on your suitability to
the procedure based on the information you give him/her. If you
withhold any relevant information you might be placing your own wellbeing
at risk and this could affect any complaint thereafter.
2. Pre-Operative Screening
Your health and safety is our Number One priority. We therefore
operate a “patient selection criteria”. In order to complete this we must
make an accurate assessment of your condition of health along with
your requirements.
Following your pre-consultation and review of your past medical
history, the physician or pre-operative nurse will choose any tests
considered appropriate. Please note, for minor procedures there might
not be a need for tests. Most of the tests will include routine blood
tests but the medical team may request further tests such as an ECG,
x-rays or ultrasound scans. These further tests will involve additional
fees. All routine tests and screening programmes are included in your
inclusive fee package and your patient coordinator can advise you of
any such fees. This is essential to help reduce risks during the
operation itself and also to ensure a full recovery. You might like to
look at this part of the procedure as a bonus – you are getting some
extra health care screening which can be very reassuring!
Occasionally the gathering of this information can cause a delay in
booking the date for your operation. It might even mean a
postponement or cancellation of surgery if for medical reasons the
surgeon believes it is not appropriate. In this event, we will try to give
as much notice as possible but you must be mindful that if the booking
has been made, the results of these tests may cause a change in your
plans.
All patients must have pre-operative photographs taken. Surgery will
not be permitted without these photographs taken. Please rest
assured that the photographs will remain part of your confidential
medical record. A separate consent form will be available, if you are
willing to share your story or results of your procedure on social media
or web site.
3. The Role of Your GP
Your General Practitioner (GP) is responsible for your on-going
healthcare and the records thereof. I believe it is important that you
keep him/her informed of your decision to proceed with any cosmetic
surgery. You are within your rights to keep the matter private.
In certain circumstances, such as unusual findings in your tests, or the
need for further information, it may be vital for us to contact your GP
and/or any other relevant specialist that you may have seen previously.
This is entirely for your own medical safety. Should this be necessary,
your surgeon will complete the request for information from your GP.
Your meeting with Mr. Mashhadi
We want you to feel empowered to ask your surgeon anything at all.
Whatever concerns or general queries you have, they should be talked
through at this consultation. Specific actions and items for discussion are:
a) Your medical history in detail (including immediate family members).
Requests for preoperative tests will be raised at this time.
b) An understanding of your expectations and a discussion on realistic
achievements.
c) An examination of the area you are considering treatment for – noting any
irregularities.
d) Photographs of the area. Your nurse may take the photographs during
your pre-operative screening.
e) An explanation of the potential complications and dangers of any form of
surgery and anaesthesia.
f) Care advice both pre, during and post operation.
g) Surgeon may ask for psychological/psychiatrist assessment before
proceeding to the surgery.
Following the discussion and examination, the surgeon may decide it is not in
your best medical interest to proceed with surgery. If for any reason the
surgeon’s discussion with you falls short of your expectations, you may
consult another surgeon for a further opinion.
What Questions you may ask your Surgeon
Below is a list of questions that you must feel have been explained fully before
going ahead with surgery.
a) Is my choice of surgery right for me?
b) Exactly what is the procedure, end to end?
c) Will I have a designated go-to person for any problems/questions at any
stage of the procedure?
d) What are possible risks and conditions associated with this type of
surgery?
e) Will there be any pain or discomfort during or after the operation?
f) What is the aftercare like? Will I get access to support weeks/months after
surgery?
g) How do I ensure good recovery?
h) What is considered a normal recovery time?
i) Will there be any scarring and where will it be?
j) Will other people be able to tell I have had surgery?
k) Does my GP need to know – and if so before or after?
Additional Information
Age Limit
The minimum age for any consultation and surgical procedure is 18.
Body Mass Index
The minimum BMI for any surgical procedure is 16 and maximum is 30.
Period of Reflection
Cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure and not without risk or potential
regret. The Royal College of Surgeons recommends that following
consultation with your surgeon for a cosmetic intervention, you allow a period
of at least 14 days before making such a decision.
About the Consent Form
You need to have a clear understanding of all the potential risks and benefits
of the planned surgical procedure before signing the consent form. These
risks and benefits are also discussed with you during the initial consultation
and also mentioned in the letter sent to you with the copy of the consent. You
should also know the alternative treatment options discussed during the initial
consultations. Please remember that it is a shared decision making and
shared responsibility of patient and surgeon to have any elective cosmetic
procedure and it’s consequences. Please don’t proceed to surgery if you have
any doubts about the planned procedure and it’s risks potential risks. Your
surgeon may refuse to perform the surgery if he thinks that you are not sure
about the surgery or not in a healthy state of mind. You may not be allowed to
change your mind about the agreed plan e.g implant size on the surgery day.
Any last minute cancellations as a result of your own circumstances would
result into non-refundable procedure fee.
Second Consultation or Second Opinion
We encourage our patients to arrange a second consultation or even to seek
a second opinion from another surgeon before making a final decision about
their cosmetic surgery.
Fees
Please note that the consultation with you surgeon is £150, which will only be
reimbursed if you would decide to book your surgical procedure, hence
making the consultation free of cost. Your surgeon at consultation will
determine the exact nature of your surgery and we will then be in a position to
provide the fee for your proposed surgery. As a guideline the range of fees at
present are from £3000 to £ 8000
General Risks and Complications:
The risks and conditions that might occur during or following your surgery are
set out below. Please note this list is not exhaustive and that these are
problems that have been reliably reported :
Pain and Discomfort :It is typical for a most patients to feel some degree of
pain or discomfort. Everyone is different and their idea of what calls for pain
relief will be personal. Usually standard pain relief medication is sufficient for
the period of time immediately after surgery
Bruising and Swelling: In the majority of surgical procedures, bruising and
swelling is normal immediately after surgery and for some weeks later. The
swelling might initially obscure the evidence of surgical “success”. Therefore
they should not be too quick to judge the results until most of the swelling has
subsided.
Bleeding (haematoma): Occasionally, after surgery, bleeding may occur
from the tissue within a wound cavity. If this happens, the treated area might
be swollen and painful. In some cases, a drainage procedure may be
required which might mean a return to hospital.
Infection: It is important to recognize that a surgical incision or the
introduction into the body of any foreign material contributes to a risk of the
introduction of bacteria from the patient’s own skin. Indications of infection
might be tiredness, weakness, fever and muscle aches and pains. Antibiotics
given during most operations reduce this risk to a minimum. Rarely a patient
may require readmission to hospital. If you experience any symptoms of
infection, contact your clinic nurse or the advised emergency contact number.
A) Wound Healing
Healing of wounds varies from patient to patient and even from one
part of the body to another and is a gradual process. Smoking (this
includes all nicotine based products such as e-cigarettes, gums or
patches;), for the period leading up to your surgery and afterwards can
seriously hinder the healing process.
B) Necrotic Wounds (dead tissue)
Usually black or brown in appearance, this problem may occur (albeit
rarely) as a result of healing complications. The wound will not heal
until the necrotic tissue is removed and this may mean a prolonged
period of wound management and additional visits to the clinic.
Fat Necrosis :Applicable to abdominal surgery and those where excess fatty
tissue is removed, a clear liquid (tinged yellow or brown) may dray from the
wound the day after surgery. This happens because blood supply to fat cells
is poor and surgical intervention exacerbates this – causing fat particles to
rise to the surface. Although this is rare, the final result can mean hardened
or calcified skin tissue.
Neuropathic (nerve) Pain:Rarely neuropathic (nerve) pain can occur for an
undetermined period of time. You will have advice on further treatment from
your surgeon.
Changes in Sensitivity: It is entirely normal for patients to experience some
changes in sensitivity to the area that has been treated and even beyond that
area. It might be numbness, increases sensitivity or something very different
altogether. This usually passes in time, but some patients report permanent
numbness.
Seroma : In a very small number of patients, fluid builds up around the wound
site (this is known as a seroma). Additional surgery might be required to
remove this fluid. Subsequent seromas can occur.
Location and variable nature of scar: All prospective patients must be
aware that the rate at which their scars may heal and fade are entirely
variable and individual. Uncommonly, a scar does not heal in the normal way,
this is known as hypertrophic scarring. Scars may be red (or highly coloured),
thick, painful and may take several years to improve, if at all. Although this is
an unusual problem, it cannot be avoided or diagnosed in advance. There is
a treatment to improve hypertrophic scarring but this would not be
recommended until well beyond the full recovery period of your surgery.
Residual Bulges: These bulges can occur after operations where excess fatty tissue and/or skin is removed. If this happens, further treatment can be performed by the surgeon and this will be included in the readmissions policy.
Allergic reaction/retained sutures: Rarely, local allergies to tape, suture
material or other preparations used in surgery can occur. Please ensure you
inform your surgeon of any known allergies. Occasionally dissolvable sutures
do not dissolve as intended and may require removal in the future. On rare
occasions the wound healing process can mask the presence of sutures at
the time of your nurse appointments and you may need to return for further
suture removal in the future.
Asymmetry: It is important to understand that it is normal for patients to have
some asymmetry in their body. In fact it is rare that anyone has perfect
symmetry. A different degree of asymmetry can sometimes following surgery
depending upon the procedure the natural healing process.
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: This is a rare but
serious complication of surgery and anaesthesia, where a blood clot forms in
the veins, usually the legs, and then moves to the lungs interfering with their
normal function. You may be asked to wear special stockings during your
admission and will be actively encouraged to mobilise early following surgery.
You can further reduce the risks after discharge by avoiding dehydration and
remaining mobile. If you experience sudden chest pain or breathlessness, you
should seek medical help without delay. Please note you should not fly for at
least two weeks following major surgery and you should not take a long haul
flight for six weeks.
Revision: As with any type of surgery, there is always a possibility that your
surgeon is of the opinion that you could benefit from some form of revision
operation after your original surgery. Please refer to the Readmission Policy
(within this booklet) for the relevant terms and conditions.
Subjectivity: Patients must recognize that this procedure is performed for
cosmetic reasons and because of this, the results can only be assessed
subjectively. Therefore, it is important to understand that while you will be
advised as to the probable results this should in no way be interpreted as a
guarantee. This list of risks and conditions associated with any procedure is
not exhaustive. It is important that patients recognize that it is not always
possible for the surgeon to predetermine the individual and psychological
reaction of patients to post-operative complications.
Further Investigations
Occasionally a surgeon might feel the need to order a scan for the patient to
check post-operative progress if he/she has any concerns about the recovery.
This will be an added cost for the patient.
Emergency Support
I’ll provides a 24 hour emergency telephone support service for any
complications that may arise outside normal office hours.
Risks of General anesthesia:
Side effects are the unwanted effects of drugs or treatments but are
generally predictable and or even expected. For example, nausea is a side
effect of a general anaesthetic but there are ways to prevention this side
effect.
Complications are unwanted and unexpected events due to a treatment.
However, they are recognised as events that can happen. An example is a
severe allergic reaction to a drug or damage to your teeth when inserting a
breathing tube. Anaesthetists are trained to prevent complications and to treat
them if they happen.
Index of side effects and complications
This index lists possible side effects and complications according to how likely
they are to happen.
Very
common
Common Uncommon Rare Very rare
1 in 10 1 in 100 1 in 1000 1 in 10,000 1 in 100,000
Very Common and common
1. Nausea and vomiting – RA GA
Some operations and anaesthetics and pain-relieving drugs are more
likely to cause sickness than others. Anti-sickness drugs are routinely
given with most anaesthetics and extra doses can be given to treat
nausea or vomiting.
2. Sore throat - GA
For most general anaesthetics, the anaesthetist will place a tube in
your airway to help you breathe. This may cause your throat to feel
sore after the procedure. It is treated with pain relief medications.
3. Dizziness and feeling faint – RA GA
Anaesthetics can cause low blood pressure. Your anaesthetist will
treat low blood pressure with drugs and fluid into your drip, both during
your operation and in the recovery room. You will only go from the
recovery room back to the ward when your blood pressure is stable.
4. Shivering – RA GA
You may shiver if you get cold during your operation. Care is taken to
keep you warm and to warm you afterwards if you are cold. A hot-air
blanket may be used. Shivering can also happen even when you are
not cold, as a side effect of anaesthetic drugs.
5. Headache – RA GA
There are many causes of headache after anaesthetic. These include
the operation, dehydration and feeling anxious. Most headaches get
better within a few hours and can be treated with pain-relief medicines.
Severe headaches can happen after a spinal or epidural anaesthetic.
If this happens to you, your nurses should ask the anaesthetist to come
and see you. You may need other treatment to cure your headache.
6. Chest infection – RA GA
A chest infection is more likely to happen after major surgery on the
chest or abdomen, after emergency surgery and after surgery in people
who smoke. It is treated with antibiotics and physiotherapy. In some
circumstances, having an RA, rather than a GA, can reduce the risk of
a chest infection. Occasionally severe chest infections develop which
may need treatment in the intensive care unit. These infections can be
life-threatening.
7. Itch – RA GA
This is a side effect of opiate pain-relief medicines. It can also be
caused by an allergy to anything you have been in contact with, include
drugs, sterilising fluids, stitch material, latex and dressings. It can be
treated with drugs.
8. Aches, pains and backache – RA GA
During your operation you may lie in the same position on a firm
operating table for a long time. You will be positioned with care, but
some people still feel uncomfortable afterwards.
Muscle pains can also happen if you receive a drug called
suxamethonium. Your anaethetist will tell you if you need this drug.
Some drugs are used for general anaesthesia or for sedation given
with regional anaesthesia cause pain when injected.
9. Pain when drugs are injected – RA GA
Some drugs used for general anaesthesia or for sedation given with
regional anaesthesia cause pain when injected.
10. Bruising and soreness – RA GA
This can happen around injection and drip sites. It may be caused by a
vein leaking blood around the cannula (device used to insert the drip
into the skin) or by an infection developing. It normally settles without
treatment other than removing the cannula.
11. Confusion or memory loss – GA
This is common among older people who have had a GA. IT may be
due to an illness developing such as chest or urine infection. There are
other causes which the team looking after you will take care to treat. It
usually recovers but this can take some days, weeks or months.
12. Bladder problems – RA GA
Difficulty passing urine, or leaking urine, can happen after most kinds
of moderate or major surgery. If this happens, the team looking after
you will consider whether you need a urinary catheter (soft tube)
placed in the bladder which drains the urine into a bag. If the difficulty
is expected to get better very soon, it is best to avoid a catheter due to
increase risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). Your nurses will make sure
that you are clean and dry as soon as possible. Most bladder
problems get better so that your normal urinary habit returns before
you leave hospital.
Uncommon risks
1. Breathing difficulty – GA
Some people wake up after a general anesthetic with slow or slightly
difficult breathing. If this happens to you, you will be cared for in the
recovery room with your own recovery nurse until your breathing is
better.
2. Damage to teeth, lips and tongue – GA
Damage to teeth happens in 1 in 4,500 anaesthetics. Your
anaesthetist will place a breathing tube into your throat at the beginning
of the anaesthetic, and this is when the damage can happen. It is
more likely if you have fragile teeth, a small mouth or a stiff neck.
Minor bruising or small splits in the lips or tongue are common, but heal
quickly.
3. Awareness – GA
Awareness is becoming conscious during some part of a general
anaesthetic. It happens because you are not receiving enough
anaesthetic to keep you unconscious. The anaesthetist uses monitors
during the anaesthetic which show how much anesthetic is being given
and how your body is responding to it. These should allow your
anaethetist to judge how much anaesthetic you need.
If you think you may have been conscious during your operation, you
should tell any member of the team looking after you. Your
anaesthetist will want to know so they can help you at this time and
with any future anesthetic you may have.
4. Damage to the eyes – GA
It is possible that surgical drapes or other equipment can rub the
cornea (clear surface of the eye) and cause a graze. This is
uncomfortable for a few days but with some eye-drop treatment it
normally heals fully. Anaesthetists take care to prevent this. Small
pieces of sticky tape are often used to keep the eyelids together or
ointment is used to protect the surface of the eye. Serious and
permanent loss of vision can happen but it is very rare.
5. Nerve damage – RA GA
Nerve damage (paralysis or numbness) has a number of causes during
local, regional or general anaesthetics. It varies with the type of
anaesthetic you are having. Temporary nerve damage can be common
with some types of anaesthetic, but full recovery often follows.
Permanent nerve damage to nerves outside the spinal column is
uncommon.
6. Existing medical conditions getting worse – RA
Your anaesthetist will make sure that any medical condition you have is
well treated before your surgery. If you have previously had a heart
attack or a stroke the risk that you will have another one is slightly
increased during and after your operation. Other conditions such as
diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma will be closely monitored
and treated as necessary.
Rare or very rare complications
1. Serious allergy to drugs – RA GA
Allergic reactions can happen with almost any drug. Your anaesthetist
uses continuous monitoring which helps to ensure any reaction is
noticed and treated before it become serious. Very rarely, people die
of an allergic reaction during an anaesthetic. It is important to tell your
anaesthetist about any allergies you know you have.
2. Damage to nerves in the spine – RA GA
Permanent damage to the nerves in your spine is very rare after either
general anaesthetic, spinal or epidural anaesthetic.
3. Equipment failure – RA GA
Many types of equipment are used during an anaesthetic. Monitors are
used which give immediate warning of problems and anaesthetists
have immediate access to back-up equipment. The chance of a
serious event due to equipment failure is rare or very rare.
4. Death – RA GA
Deaths caused by anaesthesia are very rare. There are probably
about five deaths for every million anaesthetics given in the UK.
Although there are risks associated with anaesthesia, these are uncommon
and Juvea’s surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses work as a team to minimize
the chance of any unexpected harmful events.
Further information regarding anaesthetists is available from the Royal
College of Anaesthetists. www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients-and-relatives/risks
Arrangements for the Surgery
At this stage, you are probably quite confident that surgery is right for you.
We understand that a straight forward booking process is important, even if
you still have some concerns or questions that you wish to discuss with a
medical professional. Below is a recommended schedule that should ensure
you have a smooth pre and post surgery experience:
1. We can help you arrange a suitable date for your surgery. Think
carefully about the timing for your operation. It might be that you have a
big event in the year that you want to feel and look your best for, but
with any surgery, you must always remember that any risks are likely to
cause a setback. In other words - don’t book the surgery just one
month before your wedding! Consider the following first:
a) Time required off work. For major surgery, we usually recommend
2-4 week off work, depending upon the surgerical procedure and
the nature of employment. Please note that some occupations will
require a longer period of recovery, for example those which are
physically demanding (eg. Manual working, armed forces) and if
you are unable to cease work for the required period of recovery
you should defer surgery. This also applies to patients who have
similar hobbies (eg. horse riding, gym activities). If you do
experience a complication the period to refrain from such activities
will be extended until you have recovered. Please note lack of
compliance could lead to the readmission policy being voided.
b) Childcare: If you have young children you may need help from
family or friends. For example, lifting children following surgery
might be painful at first and should be avoided.
2. Your fees will need to be paid promptly by the required date. Please
make sure your funds are properly organized. Last minute delays can
cause unnecessary frustration, and possibly a cancellation of your
operation.
3. Ensure your GP has been informed of your planned
4. Arrange to attend for your pre-operative screening with any and us
other tests deemed necessary by the surgeon or anaesthetist.
5. Arrange your transport to the hospital and back home again. On no
account can you drive or travel home alone. Failure to arrange
transport home, by a nominated responsible person, may result in the
operation being postponed.
6. Prepare an overnight bag to take with you. Read your pre-operative
instruction sheet before the day. This will help prepare you for the
operation and suggest what to bring with you and what to leave at
home.
7. Please inform your clinic nurse or patient coordinator if you feel ill, have
a cold/flu or any other signs of an infection prior to surgery.
8. It is not possible to proceed with treatment if you become pregnant.
Please ensure you take necessary precautions. And if you are in any
doubt use a pregnancy testing kit.
9. Call your patient coordinator if you need any help or reassurance.
Postoperative Recovery
1. We want you to have the best possible recovery and that means
getting you to feeling really well and happy soon after the surgery. We
have a great aftercare package and all the right procedures in place
but we will also require your participation to aid a full and speedy
recovery. Please note, however, that we are unable to offer a District
Nurse service and all appointments will be arranged at your local clinic.
Occasionally we may require a patient to return to the hospital, such a
decision is only made in your best medical interest. So that you are
informed on what will happen when you first leave the operating
theatre, read the following steps and make sure you understand the
post-op events:
2. You will feel sleepy and groggy but the depleting anaesthetic should
ensure that you will not feel very much pain.
3. Depending upon the surgery, you are likely to have some dressing to
prevent infection from airborne bacteria.
4. Before being discharged from hospital you will be given an information
guide on what you should or should not do over the coming weeks.
5. You might be given medication to take.
6. An emergency help number will be part of your leaving package so that
you can be assured of help at any time if you are worried or feel ill.
This is recommended over and above calling your GP or going to your
local hospital.
7. Although rest and avoiding heavy work is important, it is vital that you
do not spend too much time in bed or lying down, this behavior can
bring on other medical problems.
8. For those having stitches, it is usually around 10-14 days after surgery
that your stitches are removed.
9. At this time you should make a “first review” appointment with one of
the clinic’s nurses or surgeon.
10. After this, you will have periodic assessments over the following
months. You are expected to make these appointments to suit you.
The number of appointments will depend upon your recovery rate, your
surgeon will advise on this.
11. Please note that occasionally a patient needs to return to hospital, but
this is only done if absolutely necessary.
How soon can I drive?
You must not drive until your stiches are not removed Due to the effects of the
anaesthetic you would technically be driving under the influence of drugs and
therefore your insurance would be null and void, you may even be subject to a
driving penalty. As this is very serious, then should you choose to ignore this
information and drive yourself to the hospital, intending to drive yourself home
post surgery, we must cancel your operation. A cancellation in such
circumstances will mean that no refund of fees is due.
In order to ensure the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off, we advise
waiting for 2-3 days before driving. You must also bear in mind any strong
medications for pain relief can impair your judgment. Other than these
factors, you should wait until you feel completely confident to handle a vehicle
and react accordingly in case of accident or emergency.
Tests, investigations, consultations
Any general tests and investigations like ultrasound scan indicated by your
surgeon, following your surgery will cost you. Any care commenced during
this period will be continued on this basis as deemed necessary by the clinical
team will be provided free of charge, however, if you need to go back to
theatre, you’ll need to bear the cost of hospital charges.. Also any personal
expenses such as travel or loss of earnings are the patient’s own
responsibility and we will take no legal responsibilities to compensate these.
Please note that the assessment of the outcome of a cosmetic surgery
procedure involves a great deal of subjectivity and if your surgeon decides
that the results of your surgery are within the normal limits then further
surgery at no cost will not be possible. We cannot commit to providing
continuing surgery where the results of the surgery originally provided has
been affected by changes in life style, pregnancy, illness or the natural ageing
process.
If you decide to undergo further consultations or surgery with another
surgeon, you will also be responsible for any additional fees this will incur
This policy may be affected if a patient fails to attend review
appointments or follow advice and guidance as indicated by the your
surgeon
Review Appointments
Post operative review appointments with the clinic nurse or your surgeon will
be provided in line with the post operative care regime for your procedure, or
as your recovery dictates. No further appointments are required unless clinical
indicated. There will be a fee for surgical consultations and surgical procedure
outside of our readmission period ie. three years after surgery.
THE PRIVATE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION NETWORK (PHIN)
PHIN has a legal mandate to gather and publish performance information
regarding all hospitals and consultants providing private treatment.
From the 1st April 2016, it is mandatory for all private healthcare providers to
submit patient treatment data to PHIN.
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