Funny as that may sound, recent research by clothes retailer High and Mighty showed that nearly quarter of all men are carrying excess weight. These men have been branded ‘Christmas Puddings’ in High and Mighty’s very festive guide to Male Body Shapes.

Just as women’s body shapes are often categorised into Pear Shape, Apple Shape or Hourglass, there is now a similar categorisation for men.  Using the new Male Body Shape Guides, men can either be:

• Christmas Puddings
• Yule Logs
• Parsnips
• Candles

A number of celebrity examples of each category have been suggested, with the ‘most desirable’ tapered body shape (the Parsnip) represented by gorgeous Gary Barlow and dreamy David Beckham. Parsnips have problems, too, though; often struggling to find tops that fit their arms and shirts to button across their broad shoulders. Yule Logs (like Dermot O’Leary and Jamie Oliver) have a far easier time with their straight up-and-down shape and are the most common category.

Although the High and Mighty research is mainly from a retail angle, with lots of useful recommendations about the most flattering garments for each body type (great if you’re looking to buy clothing Christmas presents for your partner this year), at Aurora Clinics we are more interested in the concerning figure that nearly a quarter of all UK men fall into the Christmas Pudding category – carrying too much excess weight around their middles.

Not only is carrying too much weight bad for your health (creating an increased risk of many health problems, particularly to the heart) but these are also the male candidates that are most likely to seek cosmetic surgery help and advice.

A number of male cosmetic surgery procedures are typically aligned with carrying extra weight. Gynecomastia Surgery (excess male chest tissue, sometimes also cruelly called Man Boobs) often occurs in men who are over their ideal Body Mass Index (BMI). In these cases, it is recommended that men first try exercise to get down to a better body weight before contemplating surgery. This is because the gynecomastia may well go away naturally as weight decreases – true gynecomastia will still be present regardless of the patient’s weight.

‘Christmas Pudding’ types may also be more likely to request Tummy Tuck surgery or Liposuction. Again, whilst these are very effective forms of surgery, they are not a weight loss ‘quick fix’ and we would advise patients to reach their optimum BMI before having surgery. Cosmetic surgery carries much higher risks of undergoing anaesthetic and slower recovery if the patient is overweight. For all these reasons, whilst Gynecomastia Surgery, Tummy Tuck and Liposuction may be good treatment options for Christmas Pudding men who are unhappy with their body shapes, they should come as a second resort after trying exercise and a healthy diet. These lifestyle changes will not only benefit general well-being but also stand to improve your results and recovery for all Christmas Puds who do decide to undergo cosmetic surgery

For more advice about any of the issues or procedure mentioned in this Blog, please contact Aurora Clinics on 0800 328 5743 or info@aurora-clinics.co.uk . More Tummy Tuck, Liposuction and Gynecomastia Surgery information is available on our website www.aurora-clinics.co.uk .

Imagine a dress that took inches off you; gave you a svelte figure and teeny wasp waist, all without the aid of a corset. A dress that made it look like you’d had amazing expert liposuction or tummy tuck surgery! Well, keep breathing…that dress really exists and it has made a number of public appearances of late on the likes of the lovely Kate Winslet.

Ms Winslet is an interesting model for any kind of ‘cosmetic surgery wonder dress’. She has always vehemently opposed cosmetic surgery, treatments to make you look younger and the need to conform to public expectations of beauty or adjust ones’ body accordingly. Yet not once, but twice, she has been seen at public events in two variations of this miracle dress which shaves inches off the wearer’s body providing “instant Liposuction or Tummy Tuck” effects. Surely this suggests some inkling of an urge to look a little slimmer, even if she is happy to do so by deception alone rather than permanently altering her physique?

So this dress slims by deception, you say?

Well, yes. The dress in question is the Stella McCartney Optical Illusion Dress from her Winter 2011 collection. How does it work? Clever dark panelling on the outer sides of the dress contrast with the paler inner colour. This creates the illusion of a perfect slim but curvy silhouette, as if the wearer has been skilfully shaped by an expert cosmetic surgeon with Liposuction. At the same time, heavy stretch cotton acts like a girdle to clamp in unsightly bulges and produce a natural Tummy Tuck effect without surgery. No wonder celebs worldwide are snapping it up!

Of course, if you are a celebrity you can probably afford the £2,500 price tag for skilfull clothing tricks like this dress (and can then afford to condone cosmetic surgery for others!) You may be pleased to know that there are cheaper versions of this dress available on the highstreet: ASOS does a particularly good version (available in both burgundy and blue).

If you feel that your wobbly bits are really getting you down and it’ll take more than any wonder dress to boost your confidence, Aurora Clinics would be very happy to talk to you about more permanent solutions that may help. With expert surgeons specialising in procedures like Liposuction and Tummy Tuck surgery, we can talk you through all your cosmetic surgery options, provide lots of information and Before and After photos to show you likely results. Call 0800 328 5743 or info@aurora-clinics.co.uk for more information.

Is this treatment possible and if so, how much will it cost?

Answer :
Thank you for your enquiry.

It is possible to remove fatty tissue from your face and use it to enhance the appearance of your lips.

We would need to see you in person to discuss this treatment and give you an indication of what will be involved.

Alternatively if you would like to send a photo highlighting the areas, we would be delighted to give you an opinion as to the best way forward.. Please attach a picture to: info@aurora-clinics.co.uk

In the meantime please feel free to visit our website at: www.aurora-clinics.co.uk where you will find a myriad of information associated with facial surgery.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

Vaser Versus Traditional Liposuction

Recently there have been many advances in liposuction surgery which offer significant advantages over the traditional liposuction techniques.

Liposuction was first invented in France and in its early stages used wide bore suction cannulas and no infiltration of the tissue prior to liposuction.

The fluid that is infiltrated into the area nowadays prior to liposuction contains local anaesthetic and adrenalin. The local anaesthetic acts to limit any pain in the area following treatment and the adrenalin constricts the blood vessels. The constriction of the blood vessels produces much less bruising after the treatment. The combination of using smaller bore cannulas and using infiltration containing local anaesthetic and adrenalin means that in many cases the liposuction can be performed under local anaesthetic with you awake and produces much less bruising and swelling following the treatment.

Did you know there are many different types of Liposuction Surgery Techniques, each with different Pros and Cons and characteristics?

Tumescent Liposuction:

The technique of using fluid and smaller cannulas for liposuction is called tumescent liposuction.

Tumescent liposuction has made the recovery from liposuction much easier and quicker and more recently further developments have made this procedure even better. These include power assisted liposuction. With this technique the cannula used to suck out the fat can be powered, which produces movements within it which helps to dissolve fatty tissue. This again makes the fat removal more efficient and produces less bruising and swelling following the treatment.

Vaser Liposuction:

More recently, Vaser liposuction has been used. This technique uses a vaser cannula which transmits sound energy to the fatty cells. The sound energy disrupts the lining of the fatty cells making them release their fatty contents. This liquid fat is then removed via suction in a similar way to traditional liposuction.

Vaser liposuction and other ultrasound assisted liposuction techniques improve the amount of fat that can be removed during liposuction whilst reducing trauma and bleeding in the tissue, producing a much faster recovery.

Vaser liposuction and other sound assisted liposuction techniques are now considered the most modern types of liposuction, producing quicker recovery and more effective fat removal.

Traditional vaser liposuction is used in very similar areas and methods to normal liposuction; however there is a variation of vaser liposuction called hi-def vaser liposuction.

Hi-def Vaser Liposuction:

Hi-def vaser liposuction goes one step further and is used to contour the areas that are treated much more effectively. This is particularly noticeable on the tummy where the liposuction is performed closer to the skin and an appearance of a six pack over the underlying abdominal muscles can be produced.

Hi-def liposuction is a very specialist technique and does offer very good results in suitable people.

Liposuction techniques will continue to improve over the years with each improvement producing better results with less down time and quicker recovery for the patients. Liposuction has come a long way since the first technique using very large bore cannulas and no infiltration, through the development of tumescent techniques, to the new sound assisted liposuction system such as vaser liposuction.

Aurora Clinics have a number of Liposuction expert Surgeons, including Dr Alexandra Chambers for Vaser Liposuction and Mr Prashant Govilkar or  Mr Mark Scott for Traditional Liposuction. For your Free Consultation, please call us today on 0800 328 5743

Dear Aurora Clinics,

I am 45 years of age and have always had a double chin even though I am of slim build.

This is a feature that I have inherited.

Until now, it has never really bothered me but as I grow older, I am becoming increasingly aware of it.

I was wondering if the iGuide neck lift would be an ideal solution.

I would also like to know if there are risks involved and if the needle marks will disappear in time. Also will this treatment be visibly noticeable to others and how much time would I need to take off work.

Apologies for so many questions but this is something that I am genuinely interested in correcting and therefore, am keen to know more.

Answer :

Thank you very much for your enquiry.

Double chins often run in the family.

Although you may not be carrying excess weight, this could be an area where it is deposited.

The iGuide neck lift may be appropriate for you.

Generally, the procedure is very safe and the needle marks in the neck disappear.

The recovery time from an iGuide neck lift is remarkably short and generally you will be able to return to work within a matter of days!

Another option may be Liposuction or Vaser Liposuction treatment.

In order for us to elaborate further, please email some photos of the area to: info@aurora-clinics.co.uk so as we can discuss the best options for you.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

Newsletter in Brief

10 Years Younger Competition Read more…

Have a Beautiful Recession: Cosmetic Surgery on a Budget Read More…

Mr Prashant Govilkar’s Talk on Weight Loss Surgery 1st March 2011 Read more..

10 Years Younger Competition

Last year we launched a ‘10 Years Younger Competition’ with our local radio station Mix 96. Listeners were asked to send in a photo with a story about themselves. The entrants were then independently judged to win a fantastic prize of up to £1500 of skin treatments and a make-over.

We are delighted to announce the lucky winner is ‘Samantha Morton’. Follow her story in future newsletters.

Have a Beautiful Recession: Cosmetic Surgery on a Budget

During a recession, women actually buy more skincare and makeup products. Lipstick sales in the UK are up by 11%. This could be due to the desire for affordable comfort treats.

There are lots of products on the market that can make a big difference to your appearance without blowing the bank. The secret is knowing which ones are just gimmicks and which really do deliver results. Here at Aurora, we only sell clinically-tested skincare and makeup products, many of which are only available to Aesthetic Practitioners and their clients. Our inside tips for looking amazing without spending a fortune are:

Flavo – C Cream moisturiser – the best moisturiser we’ve come across, providing a powerful hit of Vitamin C to stimulate collagen production for younger, healthier looking skin and a great glow. £22.50

Tensage Serum – a very intensive serum which regenerates ageing skin, heals, smoothes lines and gives an amazing silky finish (great as a base for make-up.) £37.50

Cernor Coverstick – For anybody considering eye surgery or who struggles with dark shadows under their eyes…this may be for you! Easily the best under-eye treatment we’ve found, thanks to the high levels of Vitamin K Oxide and light reflecting agents. Not only conceals under-eye circles, but treats them too! £24.00

bareEscentuals Bisque – This mineral concealer is like nothing else we’ve tried. Containing nothing but Bismuth, Mica and Iron Oxide, this concealer is not a powder or a cream…but gives amazing coverage that feels light yet is capable of hiding scars, acne, dark circles and red veins. Also contains SPF20 sun protection.

BareEscentuals Buxoms – The Lipgloss that makes you look like you’ve had your lips enhanced! With tons of ceramide to naturally boost collagen production, these tingling glosses really make your lips plump up. They come in a gorgeous range of colours and smell of caramel. £18.00

If you are interested in any of these products please visit our on-line shop for more details or call us on 01844 214362 to purchase.

The Weight Loss Support Group at BMI Shelburne, High Wycombe, were visited by Aurora’s Mr Prashant Govilkar earlier this month. 22 patients at varying stages of their weight-loss journey – from those considering diets and gastric bands to beat obesity to others who were post-op or closer to their target weight – shared their experiences and results. Mr Govilkar then gave a talk about their possible options for dealing with the excess skin often left as a bi-product of dramatic weight-loss, including his specialism: weight-loss surgery.

Mr Govilkar offers a range of surgical procedures at Aurora, including Arm Lifts, Thigh Lifts, Liposuction and Belt Lipectomy (like an Abdominoplasty but to tighten skin right the way around the waist, not just at the front) for patients who have lost large amounts of weight. This is not, as Mr Govilkar emphasised at his Talk, a Quick Fix (due to the recovery time and possible need for multiple procedures on different areas), nor is it meant to be a method of losing weight in itself, but of tightening excess skin and reshaping the body afterwards.

Weight-loss surgery is an area which can be hugely beneficial to the self-confidence of those who have lost an especially large amount of weight. Excess skin treatment for aesthetic purposes is not usually provided on the NHS, so for many patients private Surgeons like Mr Govilkar offer a possible solution. As demonstrated at the Talk, Mr Govilkar is very approachable, supportive and quite happy for patients to come and see him to discuss their options after weight-loss, without feeling that they will be pushed into surgery.

For a FREE consultation with Mr Govilkar at the Aurora Paddocks Clinic, call us on 01844 214 362 or use our online contact form.

Answer :

Thank you very much for your email.

It does sound that you may benefit from some form of liposuction, but it is important that your bodyweight is normal prior to any type of liposuction procedure.

It might be worthwhile seeing a personal trainer to look at your excercise regime.

Once your weight is of a normal level, you could consider liposuction at that time.

The terms ‘plastic surgery’ and ‘cosmetic surgery’ are often used interchangeably or cause confusion: many people in the UK think that ‘plastic surgery’ is just the American term, when in fact it is a completely different field.

When looking into procedures to change the way you look, it is important to get the basic terminology correct so that any research you do or requests you make return the best results.

Plastic Surgery was developed during the Second World War, when everyday surgeons had to learn the art of patching up serious injuries and repairing facial damage with as little scarring as possible. The term originates from the Greek word ‘Plastikos’, meaning “to mould or reshape”, which is deceptive as it now makes people think of artificiality and Barbie Dolls! Modern Plastic Surgery is a highly-skilled, specialist discipline tailored towards reconstruction i.e. fixing and rebuilding parts of the body or face which have become damaged (perhaps through accident or ill-health) or were born genetically “abnormal” in the eyes of the patient. Patients may be referred for Plastic Surgery for medical reasons, so there may be a Doctor’s influence behind the decision to undergo surgery.

Common Plastic Surgery procedures include Rhinoplasty (Nose Reconstruction) after breakage; Breast Reconstruction after Breast Cancer or Cleft Lip Repair.

Cosmetic Surgery, on the other hand, is usually for aesthetic reasons to an otherwise “normal” body although this is often not merely for vanity but to improve a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem (see our previous blog: Are Most Cosmetic Surgery Patients Vain?) . Cosmetic Surgery is elective (entirely the patient’s own decision) and not for medical reasons.

Popular Cosmetic Surgery procedures include Breast Augmentation (enlargement); Abdominoplasty (Tummy-Tuck); Liposuction; Mastopexy (Breast Uplift) and Facelift.

Some procedures obviously could fall into either category, depending entirely on the reason for having treatment. Whilst Rhinoplasty due to breakage is Plastic Surgery, for example, if a patient opted for this procedure purely because they felt their nose was a bit large, it would be Cosmetic Surgery. That said, somebody with a clearly out-of-proportionally huge nose could be argued to be having Plastic Surgery in this region: it becomes an interesting debate on “what is normal”.

Understanding which type of procedure you require is important as it could affect your approach to getting treatment.

If you think you need Plastic Surgery, for example, you may want to research these specific types of procedure in books and websites targeted at Reconstruction for abnormalities / medical issues. If you have not already got a GP referral, you may also want to make an appointment to do so as reconstructive surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge on the NHS.  See this NHS web-page for more information on securing NHS funding for Plastic Surgery: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/890.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=154

For Cosmetic Surgery, there a number of procedure options and Surgeons to choose from. It is hugely important to do your research carefully, pick a reputable BAAPS-registered surgeon who you feel comfortable with after consultation and be totally certain of the results you would like, what your surgery will involve and the potential complications. There are numerous articles related to this in the Aurora Clinics Blog archives.

Thanks to the following sources for informing and guiding this article:

http://www.carefair.com/Skincare/Treatments/Plastic_and_Cosmetic_Surgery_2490.html

http://www.essortment.com/articles/facial_vs_plastic_surgery_boyd_4554.htm

http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-health-articles/plastic-surgery-the-difference-between-reconstructive-surgery-and-cosmetic-surgery-338728.html

Stoppard, Miriam. What’s the Difference between plastic and Cosmetic Surgery? Daily Mirror. 25/01/11.

Do you think nip/tuck is only for women?

Think again because there are many options available for men and becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Here are some statistics to start with:

• The top cosmetic surgery procedures for men in 2007 include liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, male breast reduction, and facelift.
• The top non-surgical procedures for men in 2007 include botox, micro-dermabrasion and skin peel.
• The total number of cosmetic surgery procedures including non-surgical processes performed on men in the US was almost 1 million in 2007.
• In the UK, Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) was the top cosmetic surgery procedure for men. According to BAAPS, 716 men underwent this procedure, which is an increase of 36% since 2006.
• The biggest increase recorded so far has been in male abdominoplasty or tummy tucks at 61% in 2007
• Another cosmetic surgery procedure for men that witnessed an increase is liposuction and the increase was by 18%. As of date, it is considered as the 2nd most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men
• The third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure for men is breast reduction, which has increased by 27%. BAAPS members conducted 224 procedures on men for breast reduction in 2007 vis-à-vis 177 procedures in 2006

So what are the top 3 cosmetic surgery procedures for men in the UK?

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): This is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in men, mainly amongst the 20+ age-group. The surgery can be performed internally (inside the nose) or externally. It takes 2-3 hours.

Liposuction: This is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure among men who are in their early or mid 30’s. In 2007, almost 582 liposuction procedures were carried out on men in the UK. The total time for the surgery mostly depends on the size of the area where liposuction has to be conducted and the amount of fat taken out.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia):  This is an increasingly common procedure in the UK so men should not feel in any way shy or ashamed to come forward for it. Between 2007-2008, there was a 44% increase in the UK in Male Breast Reduction operations, and a lot of men choose to combine this procedure with Liposuction. Sometimes linked to obesity, but more often simply a genetic flaw in average-sized men, this relatively simple procedure is a confidence-boosting option for image-conscious men.

The demand for cosmetic surgery has grown in the UK (as in the US and the rest of the world) over the last few years. This trend has been fuelled by the stars and the celebrities of the world. The cosmetic surgery market in the UK has grown at a rapid pace over the past 5 years and includes both non-surgical and surgical procedures. At the end of 2007, it was worth £493m and showed an annual growth rate of 69% since 2003.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the actual number of  UK consumers for cosmetic surgery is quite small compared to the US Market. In fact, the number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery is less than 0.05% of the total British population. One of the reasons cosmetic surgical procedures have not been widely accepted in the UK may be because they are not easily affordable for every consumer. But in the last few years, due to rising disposable incomes amongst young men and women, procedures like liposuction and breast augmentation have seen rapid growth. One of the major drivers of this market is the technological advancement of less-invasive techniques, especially in the field of facial surgery. This has encouraged many older people who are opting for eyelid surgery and face lifts.

Another important factor that has led to the growth of the cosmetic surgery market in the UK is the expansion and availability of various non-surgical procedures thanks to state-of-the-art technology. One of the recent examples is the dermal filler treatments whose effectiveness and non-surgical nature is encouraging more women to try different types of facial treatments. Apart from this, there have also been advancements in laser technology, another form of non-surgical procedures.

Here are some facts and statistics given out by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) for 2007:

• In 2007, BAAPS members carried out almost 32,453 surgical procedures, which is a jump of 12.2% since 2006 which saw 28,921 surgical procedures
• Women topped the cosmetic surgery procedures list with 91% while men lagged behind with only 17.5% opting for cosmetic surgery procedures.
• 29,572 procedures were carried out on women in 2007 vis-à-vis 26,469 in 2006
• Most popular cosmetic surgery procedure was facelift and showed a rise of 36% in 2007 as against 2006. In total 4,468 procedures were for facelift