body contouring Archives - Page 2 of 6 - The Manchester Private Hospital

Mole Removal Options and Information

Moles are a very common part of our life and body appearance. Also known as nevus, which means birthmark, a mole can complement our appearance, but they can also be a hindrance too, causing stress and confidence issues.

In most cases, moles are not cancerous and are benign pigmented lesions, meaning that they do not cause any issues / symptoms and can be left alone.

However, in some cases, despite a mole being benign, it can cause significant distress and make people feel self conscious depending on the location of a single mole or multiple moles.

For this reason, people opt to have them removed.

How Are Moles Removed?

A mole can be removed from any part of the body in a number of ways.

Firstly, a mole will be thoroughly examined by a mole expert and cleaned.

Secondly, the mole can then be removed, usually by excision under local anaesthetic, meaning that you will be awake but won't feel any pain.

Along with making an excision to remove the mole, there are a number of different methods available for mole removal:

1. Shaving - a mole can be professionally shaved away by a mole expert using a scalpel. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and will not leave any deep scarring. Patients will usually have a mark where the mole has been shaved.

2. Laser - some moles, depending on their diameter and location, can be removed using a laser. A light energy laser can break down the mole so that it fades and disappears completely.

3. Excision - the mole is cut away using a scalpel and is stitched afterwards to heal the wound. An excision is different to an incision in that the technique cuts around the mole to remove it completely along with some surrounding tissue.

Why Do People Have Moles Removed?

If a mole is considered for removal but is benign, then removing it is purely for cosmetic reasons.

However, there are still a large number of reasons why people have moles removed, including:

They do not like the way they look.
The location of the mole causes issues, such as on the nose - resulting in stress, anxiety and feeling of embarrassment.
The mole is large and intrusive.
The mole causes anxiety for the future, such as risk of cancers.
The mole gets caught on clothing, such as a bra strap, which results in inflammation or irritation.

Removing a mole can sometimes be a bit worrying, but it is very simple and straight forward procedure. In most cases the patient only requires local anaesthetic and can return home in a few hours after having the minor surgery.

However, if the patient does not opt for surgery and instead is a candidate for laser mole removal, the recovery is even quicker.

More About Laser Mole Removal

Laser mole removal is a procedure that has grown in popularity over its surgical counterpart simply because it is less intrusive and does not require being cut in any way.

However, removal by excision often provides a better guarantee that the mole will not return in the future. This is because the mole and some surrounding tissue is removed to prevent re-growth or re-pigmenting at a later date.

On the other hand, being cut obviously results in scarring where the wound has been and a longer recovery and aftercare plan.

So how does laser mole removal work and is it successful?

Laser mole removal works by using a specialist laser after the area is numbed using local anaesthetic. The laser works on the pigmentation in the mole using light energy. Once the pigment clears, the body naturally heals the area and mole disappears or fades.

Sometimes a scab forms in the area where the laser has been working on the mole and the skin may look a little irritated for a few days.

Most patients do not report pain during or after this procedure and it has a high success rate.

Some patients do report a sensation of tingling during the laser treatment but it is generally nothing more than plucking a hair out or snapping the skin with an elastic band.

Pros and Cons of Laser Mole Removal

As with all procedures and treatments, there are a pros and cons with laser mole removal depending on the specifications of the mole and what you are looking to achieve.

The pros are that it has a high success rate and is a non-intrusive treatment. It does not require any cutting and can be used on all areas of the body, especially sensitive areas such as the face and nose. Lastly; as there are no wounds, there is usually no scarring and more than one mole can be treated during the same procedure.

On the flip side, the cons are that not all moles can be treated with laser mole removal. This is because it cannot penetrate deep within the skin and can usually only be used by flatter moles on the surface. Sometimes moles have deep roots that can only be removed by excision. For more details, please visit: https://manchesterprivatehospital.com/minor-surgery/mole-removal/

How A Breast Lift Can Tackle Ageing Boobs

When a person visits a cosmetic surgeon during a consultation for a breast lift, the surgeon examines the patient and discusses the procedure in great detail, including the risks and benefits, and to ensure that the results are achievable.

A breast uplift, also known as mastopexy, is designed to realistically achieve an aesthetic body goal desired by the patient.

A patient often enquires about a breast lift when they meet any or all of the following criteria:

Sagging boobs, also known as prolapsed breasts, which can be caused by weight loss, menopause and diminishment of the milk glands following pregnancy.
Excess skin / lack of skin elasticity on the breasts.
Drooping breasts with nipples that point towards the floor.

Regardless of the reasons for considering a breast lift, a specialist cosmetic surgeon is able to assess your individual circumstances, listen to your concerns and provide advice on whether the procedure is actually right for you.

Different Types Of Breast Lift

There are a number of different types of breast lift available depending on your circumstances.

Once you are able to identify the root cause of sagging breasts, you can then understand which procedure will work best for you and your desired goals.

It is worth noting that a breast uplift procedure is designed to 'fix' the boob skin 'envelope' and not the actual composition of the breast such as tissue / substance.

Full Breast Uplift

A full breast uplift is often performed using 3 incisions.
Excess skin can be removed.
Designed to elevate the boobs to a more natural and youthful position.
The diameter of the outer nipple can be reduced.
Some visible scarring and some scars hidden by the natural folds of the breast.

Modified Breast Uplift

A modified breast uplift has fewer incisions and less scarring.
Procedure is more limited than a 'full' lift as it does not allow for as many changes to the skin envelope of the boob.
Often performed in conjunction with another procedure such as augmentation.

It is not uncommon for a breast uplift to be performed at the same time as another procedure.

However, if the surgery is being performed because of the use of implants, then different techniques are required.

Breast sagging is a common side effect to having a boob job (implants), because of the extra weight and stress of the implant on the tissues and muscles within the chest.

Overstretching the skin to accommodate the implant can also impact on the elasticity of the skin and natural breast tissue.

Boob Ptosis

When your boobs sag, droop or hang lower than they once did, this is known as ptosis.

The most common cause of saggy breasts is gravity, especially in older patients.

Women who have already gone through menopause often experience an increase in ptosis because of the aged skin, which naturally becomes overstretched and loses elasticity.

However, younger and middle aged women can also experience ptosis for a number of reasons, including;

Disproportionate body shape / type
Very large breasts
Hormone changes
Depleted fat tissue / milk glands

In the medical world, boob ptosis severity is actually measured on a grading scale from 1 to 4.

Mild
Moderate
Advanced
Severe

This scale mostly applies to natural breasts than have never had other surgery such as implants.

How The Breast Is Changed During Lift Surgery

The boob is made up of a number of different elements, which are either directly or indirectly altered over time naturally as we age.

These elements are then corrected during an uplift procedure.

The elements include:

Pectoral Muscle
Thoracic Wall
Nipple
Areola
Fat Tissue
Milk Duct
Skin Envelope

The ligaments from the chest suspend the boobs.

Skin also plays a crucial role, which is why when it loses elasticity or is overstretched can cause sagging.

To correct the sagging, a surgeon will make a number of incisions to the breasts.

Skin will be removed from the nipple area (areola) and from underneath your boob.

This will allow for reshaping of the breasts in to a tighter shape and nipples can be repositioned to suit the new shape.

If you are combining your procedure with breast implants, your surgeon will insert the implant (usually silicone) behind the chest muscle or underneath your breast tissue.

After the repositioning of the breasts, incisions will then be stitched and you will be ready for recovery.

Following your aftercare and recovery plan, you will be able to remove any support clothing and see your results instantly. To know more about breast uplift, please visit: https://manchesterprivatehospital.com/cosmetic-surgery/breast-uplift/

Cosmetic ‘Mummy Makeover’

Cosmetic 'Mummy Makeover'

A cosmetic mummy makeover is a name given to surgery, which combines a number of different procedures that aims to restore a woman's appearance to that of pre-pregnancy.

The phrase is a term used in online communities and one that has gone viral on social media.

Due to the drastic changes the body can go through during pregnancy, there are a number of symptoms and reasons why women are choosing mummy makeovers.

The procedure is designed around each individual and includes a plan of action to ensure you can get back to being active and enjoying family time in as short a period as possible.

As each mummy makeover is tailored towards your body shape and individual needs, it can include a combination of any of the following cosmetic procedures:

Breast Uplift
Tummy Tuck
Liposuction
Breast Augmentation
Buttock Lift
Thigh Surgery

Mummy makeovers are performed to fix saggy boobs, enlarged nipples, stretch marks, stubborn fat gain and a stomach pouch of excess skin and fat.

The main areas affected by pregnancy and child birth are the boobs, legs and stomach.

Surgery is designed to address issues women face within these 3 areas. However, as the popularity of mummy makeovers grows, more and more people are also combining surgery for the face, eyes and visible scars as a result of having a caesarean.

Why Women Are Getting Mummy Makeovers

Mummy makeovers are rising in popularity each year, with more and more women wanting to restore their body to what it looked like before having children.

The surgery is specifically able to target regions of the body that are unable, or difficult, to be corrected with exercise and diet, such as saggy tissue, loose skin and stubborn fat.

Often women try and 'bounce back' in to shape after giving birth, but often become frustrated and depressed when they are unable to.

However, in many cases, no amount of exercise and healthy eating can restore the lost appearance, particularly loose skin that has lost its elasticity.

The stomach is a known area of stubbornness when it comes to unwanted changes.

Some women are left with stretched, excess skin from the expansion of carrying a baby. In addition, boobs lose volume and droop, especially after breast feeding.

The entire process of having children can take its toll on the body and mind.

If you no longer feel happy about your appearance, whether it be saggy breasts, a stomach pouch or something else, you may be an ideal candidate for a cosmetic mummy makeover to help improve your overall look.

It is worth noting though, that recovery from pregnancy and childbirth itself can take a long time. So rushing in to surgery is not advised.

Usually a woman's body takes up to 12 months to 'settle down' to its natural permanent shape.

Mummy Makeover Procedures

The core procedures performed during a cosmetic mummy makeover are:

- Boob job - including augmentation (implants) and uplift
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction

Sometimes when considering surgery, women feel that because of the effort and anxiety of undergoing surgery, it is best for them to combine 2-3 procedures at the same time. This makes cosmetic mummy makeovers ideal for these patients.

A boob job involves a procedure whereby silicone (or saline) implants are placed in to each breast to achieve a more youthful look and increase the size at the same time. Lifting the breasts with an uplift procedure at the same time as enlarging them is a very effective way of restoring the shape and volume of the boobs.

These two procedures work well together and often go hand in hand during a mummy makeover, as do tummy tucks and liposuction. Depending on your circumstances and needs, you can opt for a mini or full tummy tuck in order to achieve the results you want. Surgery on the stomach can tighten muscles, remove excess skin / fat and provide a firmer / flatter mid section.

If you would like to know more about a cosmetic mummy makeover, the first step is to arrange a consultation.

During a consultation you will be able to speak directly with the surgeon who will perform the procedures and tailor a makeover that suits your body shape and goals.

Why Would Anyone Have A Breast Reduction?

A common question related to the cosmetic surgery field is; why would anyone have a breast reduction?

This question is very common and often follows the same pattern of who asks it; people with smaller breasts and no symptoms.

Unless you have oversized breasts, then you probably find it hard to understand why someone would look to have breast reduction surgery.

But the reality is there are a number of factors as to why people choose this type of surgery and it often involves both physical and mental reasons.

The Breast Burden

Women who have very large, or oversized breasts often feel that they are more of a burden, rather than something to embrace.

Boobs that are very large can cause physical symptoms including:

Back / neck pain
Irritation of the skin and rashes
Posture issues
Painful bra straps
Shoulder pain

However, issues are not limited to physical, and can affect the psychological state of a patient too, including:

Feeling self conscious
Embarrassment
Anxiety
Depression

Women with smaller boobs often pass comments and feelings of envy towards those with large breasts. But people who have large breasts often see them as a burden.

Furthermore, oversized breasts can limit activity levels, such as lifting weights, exercising in the gym and sports.

So what can seem like an easy, everyday task, can be a real struggle to some people.

In addition, large breasts may make you feel self conscious about your appearance and make you feel out of proportion. Some women feel that their breasts attract unwanted attention and people focus on the breasts rather than their face.

It can also often be difficult to find clothes that fit and shopping 'off the shelf' is usually a no go.

This is because clothes may fit on the lower part of your body, but your bust means that the clothes do not fit well up top.

Once the issues / struggles women with large breasts face are brought to the forefront, it's easy to understand why opting for breast reduction surgery is an easier decision to some people.

So what happens during a reduction?

Breast reduction surgery will remove some of the skin and tissue that is causing the oversize issues. The remaining tissue can then be reshaped in to a smaller, more proportionate size on the chest.

Women with large areola's can also benefit from reduction as the outer part of the nipple can be cut away and reduced in circumference.

In order to remove the skin and tissue from the boobs, a cosmetic surgeon will make an incision in to the breast so that the tissue is exposed ready for trimming. Sometimes the nipple has to be removed and repositioned so that it sits in the correct place on the new size breast in the new position. Not moving the nipple would result in it pointing the wrong way or looking out of line.

For women with extremely large busts, it's not uncommon for a cosmetic surgeon to recommend liposuction in conjunction with a reduction procedure so that large amounts of fat tissue can be taken away.

Furthermore, if excess skin is not an issue and the problem lies purely with excess fat, sometimes liposuction as a single procedure can be enough to reduce the size of the breasts.

Smaller breast reduction procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic, whereas larger surgeries will require general anaesthetic so that the patient is asleep during the operation.

How achievable are breast reduction results?

Breast reduction as a cosmetic procedure has a very high success rate and very high satisfaction rate.

Women who have undergone breast reduction surgery are often very pleased with the results.

The overall desired results that patients look for are that the breasts are more firm, smaller and therefore lighter and better proportionate to the rest of their body.

Due to the reduction in size, resulting in lighter breasts, reduction surgery also eases pain and discomfort caused from 'carrying around' large boobs.

Overall, when a patient undergoes a reduction, the procedure is permanent and no further surgery is required.

However, life events and changes in the body can result in the breasts becoming larger again. Therefore, if you are considering a reduction, it is advisable to wait until you no longer wish to have children as pregnancy is a large contributing factor.

Additionally, women should take caution with weight gain and try to live a balanced lifestyle through diet and exercise to minimise drastic changes in their body size and shape. For more details about breast reduction surgery, please visit: https://manchesterprivatehospital.com/cosmetic-surgery/breast-reduction-surgery/

Why Mummy Makeovers Are So Popular

New mums often go through similar feelings after having their baby.

After the storm that being a new mum brings calms, some of the attention turns back on themselves and their appearance.

It may not be straight away, it may be 6 months, maybe 12 months later, but at some point a lot of women who have recently given birth will feel similar emotions towards themselves.

Whilst bringing a little bundle of joy in to the world is without a doubt an amazing experience and feeling, it can leave some mums feeling down and disheartened by what pregnancy and childbirth has done to their body.

Childbearing can have such a dramatic affect on every aspect of a woman's body - face, stomach, legs and other areas. Factors such as weight gain / loss and carrying a baby can leave the body feeling tired, worn out and beyond repair.

However, more and more people are no longer accepting their post pregnancy look as permanent and are choosing a mummy makeover instead.

So what's a Mummy Makeover?

A mummy makeover is a phrase given to describe multiple cosmetic surgery procedures performed on women after childbearing and motherhood.

The surgeries are designed to enhance a woman's body and restore appearance to that of pre-pregnancy.

Mummy makeover's can be tailored to a patients' individual needs based on their preferences and body type / shape.

Your surgeon can provide support and guidance so that you can make an informed decision about what combination procedures are right for you.

The most common cosmetic procedures included in a mummy makeover include; breast surgery, tummy tuck and liposuction.

One of the reasons why these procedures are the most popular is because they are the area's most affected by childbirth.

Some women find it difficult to shift stubborn fat through exercising and healthy eating and in some circumstances no amount of exercise will get rid of excess skin / fat that has stretched or sagged.

Breast surgery during a mummy makeover can include a combination of breast implants - known as augmentation - breast lift and breast reduction. Common goals that new mums want to achieve from boob job surgery include; increasing cup size, making boobs symmetrical, lifting them to a more perky and youthful position and adding volume to restore a bust.

One of the reasons why 'Mummy Makeover' surgery is so popular is because fantastic results can be achieved.

Most women who undergo surgery achieve the look they are hoping for and are completely satisfied once their body has healed post surgery and post aftercare.

What to expect before, during and after a mummy makeover

Before considering cosmetic surgery, many women research online to find out more information about what options are available and what to expect.

The low self esteem and lack of confidence is usually enough to make new mums consider surgery, especially if they have a lack of results through diet and exercise post-partum.

One of the main factors is their stomach, also known as a mummy tummy, whereby there is excess fat and skin that creates a 'pouch' resulting in loose / sagging skin with stretch marks.

The other major factor is new mum boobs, which can change significantly in size and shape, especially if breastfeeding a new baby. The boobs tend to droop and hang much lower than they did before motherhood.

When considering a mummy makeover, there is a three stage process:

1. Consultation - a chance to ask questions and gain an insight in to surgery and what can be achieved. It is important that you find out all you need to know along with undergoing a full medical examination to ensure you are an ideal candidate for surgery.

2. Surgery - where surgery is performed on the requested body parts, such as breasts, stomach etc. Depending on the surgery being performed, you will be required to stay overnight in hospital, sometimes for 2-3 nights for immediate recovery and observation.

3. Aftercare - this is the recovery stage whereby dressings are removed and follow-up appointments take place. Progress and healing are checked thoroughly to ensure full recovery and results.

Following full recovery, patient satisfaction is usually very good and new mums can see the results within months, once healing is complete. Patients report a boost in confidence and feel like themselves again, with the addition of being able to shop for clothes and underwear with a smile on their faces.