FACE
EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)
Eyelid surgery can restore a youthful appearance of the periorbital area (upper and lower eyelids) by removing any redundant skin and by rearranging the position of the periorbital fat deposits.
No wonder it is one of the commonest aesthetic operations performed worldwide, blepharoplasty will take years off your look, achieving maximal improvement with minimal discomfort.
A short procedure, it can be done either under sedation or a short anesthetic.
Duration: 1-2 hr, Type of anaesthesia: Sedation or (short) General,
Hospital stay: Day case, Recovery: 5-7 days
FACELIFT
Modern facelift techniques are less invasive and combine smaller incisions and shorter recovery times. They can sometimes be combined with eyelid surgery. Facelift will treat the effects of skin laxity (wrinkles, jowls) and restore a youthful appearance to the face.
Duration: 2-3 hr, Type of anesthesia: General, Hospital stay: 1 night,
Recovery: 7-10 days
FOREHEAD LIFT
This can be performed as a stand- alone procedure or in combination with other surgery (see above). There are two types of forehead lift: classical and endoscopic.
In classical forehead lift, incisions are hidden in the hairline and the forehead skin and soft tissues are lifted and held in place using absorbable sutures.
In endoscopic forehead lift, the forehead is lifted using keyhole surgery, through 3 small incisions.
Duration: 2-3 hr, Type of anesthesia: General, Hospital stay: Day case,
Recovery: 5-7 days
NECK LIFT
The neck is one of the most difficult areas to treat when it comes to skin laxity. Any excess skin is removed and sometimes the underlying neck muscle (platysma muscle) can be tightened, to give the neck a more youthful appearance.
Duration: 2-3 hr, Type of anesthesia: General, Hospital stay: 1 night,
Recovery:5-8 days
LIPOASPIRATION OF THE NECK/ SUBMENTAL AREA
Localised fat deposits in the neck area can be a major complaint for both male and female patients. These patients are usually younger and appear full in the neck area, when at the same time they can be slim overall.
In these cases, lipoaspiration of the neck can achieve excellent results in removing any excess volume from the neck area and considerably improving the patients appearance and confidence.
Duration: 1 hr, Type of anesthesia: General, Hospital stay: Day case,
Recovery: 5 days
FAT GRAFTING/ LIPOFILLING
This novel technique consists of harvesting fat stem cells from one area of the body and transferring it to another. Fat stem cells can be used in the face to fill wrinkles, enhance lip volume and provide concentrated skin nutrients to improve skin texture.This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with any of the above operations.
*** Please note that this is a list of the most common operations performed and is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to discuss your needs with your surgeon.
BREAST SURGERY
BREAST AUGMENTATION
One of the most common plastic surgery operations performed worldwide, breast augmentation will enhance your breast size and give you an instant confidence boost.Most commonly, breast augmentation is achieved with the use of breast implants however, in some cases, lipofilling (see below) can also achieve the desirable effect.There are different types of implants that can be dues and also different techniques of insertion, all of which will be discussed with you during consultation.
Duration: 2 hrs, Type of anaesthesia: General, Hospital stay: Day case or overnight, Recovery: 5-7 days
BREAST REDUCTION
Breast hypertrophy (increased breast volume) can be very disabling in certain cases, affecting patients' daily activities as well as confidence. Breast reduction is an operation whereby part of the breast tissue is removed, preserving a natural shape of the breast and nipple.
Duration: 2-3 hr, Type of anaesthesia: General, Hospital stay: 1 night,
Recovery: 5-7 days
BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)
This can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with other surgery (see above). The relative position of the nipple on the breast changes with increasing age and other factors, such as childbirth and breast feeding. Using a number of techniques available, the position of the nipple can be restored, and the shape and size of the nipple can be corrected, if needed.
Duration: 2 hr, Type of anaesthesia: General, Hospital stay: Day case / 1 night, Recovery: 7-10 days
MALE BREAST (GYNECOMASTIA)
Not so uncommon nowadays, male breast enlargement can be due to a number of factors (hormonal, genetic, weight gain, drugs, etc). There can be excess breast skin or excess breast tissue, or a combination of the two. It can be treated by lipoaspiration alone or, in more pronounced casesm by a male breast reduction.
Duration: 1-2 hr, Type of anesthesia: General, Hospital stay: Day case,
Recovery: 5-7 days
FAT GRAFTING / LIPOFILLING
This novel technique consists of harvesting fat stem cells from one area of the body and transferring it to another. Fat stem cells can be used to enhance breast volume. This technique has the advantage of causing no scars/ no incisions and of using autologous (from one's own body) material for a breast augmentation. This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with any of the above operations.
*** Please note that this is a list of the most common operations performed and is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to discuss your needs with your surgeon.
BODY
LIPOASPIRATION
This is one of the most popular operations and involved the removal of excess fat deposits by aspiration through a cannula. It works best for patients who lead a healthy lifestyle but nevertheless present with localized fat deposits, which are very resistant to diet and exercise.
Lipoaspiration is a very satisfying operation with excellent results, when used for the right indications. Your surgeon will advise you as to whether you would be an appropriate candidate.It cannot be underestimated that, a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise is still desirable after lipoaspiration.
Duration: 1-3 hr (depending on areas treated), Type of anaesthesia: General
Hospital stay: Day case, Recovery: 7 days
ABDOMINOPLASTY
Excess abdominal skin and fat can be removed and the abdominal muscles can be tightened, giving you a healthy, youthful shape. Results can be very satisfying, especially in cases of significant weight loss, where excess skin is still present and can only be removed surgically.
It is recommended that you quit/ reduce smoking before this operation, as it can affect healing of the wounds and prolong recovery time. Patients need to wear an abdominal compression garment for the weeks following surgery, but can usually go back to their everyday activities during that time.
Duration: 3-4 hr, Type of anaesthesia: General, Hospital stay: 1 night
Recovery: 7-10 days
ARM LIFT (BRACHIOPLASTY)
Excess skin and fat in the underarm area can be impossible to treat with diet and exercise alone. Indeed, this is one of the first areas of the body to lose its firmness with age. An incision made in the fold of the axilla (armpit) is usually enough to allow resection of excess skin and fat. In more pronounced cases, this incision may need to be extended along the inner aspect of the upper arm. Patients need to wear a supportive garment for the weeks following surgery, but can resume their usual activities after a few days.
Duration: 1-2 hr, Type of anaesthesia: General
Hospital stay: Day case, Recovery: 3-5 days
THIGH LIFT
Thigh skin and soft tissue relaxing is most prominent in the inner thigh area and sometimes around the knees. A thigh lift can address this problem, via incisions that are well- hidden in the thigh crease. This can be combined with lipoaspiration of those areas, in selected cases. Patients need to wear a supportive garment (lycra shorts) for the weeks following surgery, but can resume their usual activities after a week.
Duration: 2 hr, Type of anaesthesia: General
Hospital stay: Day case, Recovery: 7 days
*** Please note that this is a list of the most common operations performed and is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to discuss your needs with your surgeon.
FEMALE INTIMATE SURGERY
Increasingly more importance is nowadays given in the appearance of the external genitalia, in both sexes.
The procedures most commonly sought by women are labiaplasty (labia minor and majora), mons pubis reduction and clitoral enhancement.
These are simple surgeries, with a short recovery time and minimal discomfort.
LABIAPLASTY (LABIA MINORA)
Disproportionate enlargement of the labia minora (small vulval lips) can be genetic, or a result of childbirth, age and other factors. This is often not just an aesthetic issue but can cause a lot of physical discomfort and result in a lot of distress for the patient. As such, this procedure is often covered by health insurance.
Typically, patients present with labia minora that are disproportionately enlarged and protrude between the labia major. They usually complain of pain, altered sensation, inability to engage in sexual activity and social embarrassment affecting their everyday life. Reduction and reshaping of the area can permanently relieve these symptoms.
LABIAPLASTY (LABIA MAJORA)
With increasing age, loss of volume in the area can result in an "empty" appearance and apparent excessive skin.
Replacing any lost volume with injections of hyaluronic acid or fat can significantly improve appearances. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and does not require hospital stay.
MONS PUBIS REDUCTION
Excessive fat tissue can be stored in this area with increasing age, and this can be amenable to lipoaspiration/ liposculpture. This procedure is performed as a day case (does not require hospital stay).
*** This is not an exhaustive list of procedures performed in this area. Every patient is very individual. Please do not hesitate to ask your surgeon for details.
HAND SURGERY
Hand surgery is one of the many subspecialties of plastic surgery and quite a fascinating one. As a British-trained plastic surgeon, Dr Laina has gained broad experience in the management of conditions affecting the hand, both elective and trauma.
Common conditions affecting the hand which can be treated by a plastic surgeon are:
1) Nerve compression syndromes: upper limb nerves can be compressed at the level of the spine, of the elbow or of the wrist, causing a number of symptoms such as numbness, heaviness, dropping of objects, loss of sensation and pain. Depending on the nerve(s) affected and the level where the compression occurs, surgery can stop deterioration and improve symptoms. Common nerve compression syndromes are the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis elbow, etc.
2) Soft tissue problems: Dupuytren's disease, ganglia, cysts
3) Tendon problems
4) Joint problems : arthritis of the thumb and other small joints of the hand
5) Hand trauma : tendon lacerations, nerve lacerations, bone fractures, burns, foreign bodies
PAEDIATRIC HAND SURGERY
Dr Laina has worked as the Congenital Hand Surgery fellow in Birmingham Childrens Hospital, one of the busiest pediatric hospitals in the UK, for two years. This is a tertiary referral center for pediatric hand conditions.
Paediatric hand surgery cases can be isolated or present as part of a constellation of other characteristics (syndromes). Each patient is very individual both in terms of presentation and needs and this makes those cases very challenging and rewarding.
PAEDIATRIC PLASTIC SURGERY
Children require a different approach to adult patients, and should under no circumstances be considered as "small adults". This approach requires special interpersonal skills and experience, as well as clinical alertness, as symptoms are not always expressed as clearly as in adults and may need to be deducted through observation.
Having worked in Birmingham Childrens Hospital for two years, I have a lot of experience in working with children and I particularly enjoy it. I consider this to be a very challenging but at the same time also very rewarding part of my work.
Paediatric patients may present to a plastic surgeon for a number of conditions:
1) Skin lesions : moles (naevi), strawberry naevi (haemangiomas), vascular malformations, etc
2) Congenital malformations affecting any part of the body
3) Congenital hand problems : polydactyly (more fingers/ toes), syndactyly (joined fingers/ toes), thumb abnormalities, accessory digits (small skin tags, usually remnants of an underdeveloped digit)
Many of these cases can resolve on their own, however early diagnosis will benefit both the patient and their parents.