Butts Will Be Big in 2016

Longing for a pert posterior? Dreaming of a bigger booty? The “Brazilian butt lift” looks set to be much in demand this year, if figures recently released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are anything to go by.

Gluteoplasty – the official name for the procedure – has skyrocketed in popularity in the US, with the number of people having the treatment increasing 36% last year. Nearly 5,000 people in the States had the buttock-enhancing procedure in 2014.

Buttock augmentation is less frequently requested here at Ocean Clinic Marbella, although interest in the procedure is growing and our Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye is experienced in undertaking the surgery – in fact, it’s one of six cosmetic treatments he’s been demonstrating to plastic surgery residents at Aga Khan University Hospital in Kenya this month. 

Rise of the butt lift

The trend for voluptuous bottoms has been driven by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Heidi Montag, who are said to have undergone buttock augmentation themselves.

The surgery is designed to fill out flat or deflated buttocks by using implants or transplanted fat, or both. It also involves liposuction to shape and sculpt the buttocks and hips.

Implants or fat?

Whether you will require gluteal implants or not will depend on how much fat you have on your body. Fat can be taken from the abdomen, love handles, outer thighs, back and inner thighs, if available. The amount of fat required to reshape the buttocks depends on the patient’s anatomical shape and differs from person to person.

If you do not have enough fat available to achieve the desired results, then implants can be used instead, with smaller amounts of fat used to add shape and smooth over the implant.

Contouring the buttocks

Even if you are only having implants, fat will be removed via liposuction from around the buttocks to create the right silhouette.

Removing fat from the lower back and upper thighs will help achieve more prominence and definition when the fat reinjected into the buttocks. 

How safe is the procedure?

Since it involves transplanting your own tissues, fat grafting has low complication rates. Implants are also safe providing the right type are used. They must be semi-solid and made from high resistant silicone that does not rupture. They are specially designed for the purpose and are not the same as breast implants.

Additionally, they must be correctly placed, under the great gluteal muscle, meaning they are not detectable under the skin.

How much scarring will there be?

There will be very small scars across the body in the locations where fat has been removed, as well as marks where the fat is reinjected.

In the case of implants, there will be one single scar, 5-6 cms long, placed in the middle fold of the buttocks, so it is as concealed as possible.

How long will the results last?

There will be a certain amount of fat reabsorption – around 40% in the first few weeks, but what remains takes a blood supply and becomes permanent.

If you lose weight, the fat will shrink in line with the rest of your body, however the fat cells remain. If you then gain weight, the fat will grow again.

You may actually become more inclined to store weight in your buttocks following the procedure, since the transplanted fat taken from the tummy and flanks tends to be that which is resistant to diet and exercise.

How long is recovery?

Patients need to avoid sitting for around two weeks after the procedure – standing or lying down only! After that, you can sit on a specially shaped pillow with a hole cut out that removes pressure from your buttocks.

At this point you may return to work, providing you have a desk job. You can resume more physical activity after four weeks.

Post-procedure exercise

Following treatment you should aim to keep your bodyweight stable. Regular exercise is great, but long bouts of fat burning activity should be avoided to maintain the transplanted fat in the buttocks.

Squats and lunges are idea exercises for people who have had buttock augmentation as it can build the gluteal muscle and give an even better result.

Buttock augmentation can lift, recontour, and volumise your behind, giving you a more youthful and shapely body profile. Book an appointment at Ocean Clinic Marbella to find out more.

 

Dr. Kaye Showcases Surgical Skills in Kenya

Dr. Kaye, Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon, practices a number of pioneering cosmetic surgery techniques and as such he is often asked to share his knowledge with his peers around the world.

This month he was invited to Nairobi in Kenya by The Kenya Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (KSPRAS). Dr. Kaye was asked to lecture as a visiting professor on facelift and complex rhinoplasty for the plastic surgery residents at Aga Khan Hospital and Kenyatta Hospital.

He was not only lecturing on the latest surgical techniques, but also demonstrating them. Dr. Kaye operated live on six patients, performing rhinoplasty, facelift, facial fat transfer, gluteal correction and breast lift surgery.

It is the second time Dr. Kaye has been invited to lecture in Kenya by KSPRAS – he visited last August to present his signature PAVE-Lift (peeling-assisted volume enhancing) facelift concept, which combines surgery with facial peeling and fat grafting for an enhanced aesthetic outcome. 

In addition to teaching, Dr. Kaye is also passionate about pro bono work and he will remain in Kenya where he is leading a charitable mission later this month.

Joined by his clinical team, they will travel to Lamu, a poor rural archipelago located in the northeastern coast of Kenya. Here there are many children and adults in need of life-changing reconstructive surgery.

During the nine-day mission, which runs from March 18-27, Dr. Kaye will operate on patients with disfigurements such as congenital malformations, tumours, burns, scars and other deformities.

Says Dr. Kaye: “Many of these conditions are quite easily treatable but because there is such poverty in Lamu, people just have to live with them. As a result, they often remain disabled and unable to provide for their families.

“We are hoping to treat as many people as possible and give them the chance of a normal life so they are able to help themselves and their families.”

All members of the surgical team are donating their time for free and paying for their own flights and accommodation, but Ocean Clinic is asking for companies and individuals to get involved by helping to buy vital medical supplies.

“Any donation, no matter how small, will help us to treat more people and change more lives,” says Dr. Kaye. “Anyone who donates will be able to see the result of that donation as we will be posting photos of the transformations we are able to carry out. We think seeing those smiles is priceless!”

You can support this life-changing mission via our Generosity page or make a direct donation by transfer to the following bank account: 

IBAN: ES 08-0128-0799-3801-0000-7181

SWIFT: BKBKESMM

REF: Ocean Clinic Lamu 

Banish ‘Bingo Wings’ with an Arm Lift

Sagging underarms affect many of us as we age and skin loses its elasticity. The condition is a particular problem for those who have lost significant amounts of weight or have experienced weight fluctuation over the years. 

Stretched skin loses adherence to the underlying tissue, and is also affected by gravity, resulting in loose flaps that hang down from the armpit to the elbow. This is especially noticeable when the arm is outstretched.

Sufferers often feel it makes their arms very unsightly and are reluctant to expose their upper arms, always keeping them covered with long-sleeved tops. But so-called ‘bingo wings’ needn’t be endured, since this is an issue which can be easily corrected with an arm lift procedure.

Arm lift surgery is a popular treatment at Ocean Clinic Marbella that offers great results. Read on to discover how is performed…

What is an arm lift?

An arm lift or brachioplasty is an operation to remove excess fat and skin from the upper arm in order to improve its shape and contour.

It is an effective solution for men and women with flabby underarms that will not respond to diet and exercise.

How is an arm lift performed?

There are several surgical techniques that can be used to perform the procedure, including a standard upper arm lift and a mini-arm lift. Your doctor will help you choose the right solution for you based on your cosmetic goals and the amount of excess fat and skin on your arms.

All methods involve making two incisions; a vertical one on the inside part of the arm and another, horizontal one, in the armpit. The length of the incisions will depend on the extent of fat and skin being removed.

In a standard upper arm lift, the incision extends from the elbow into the armpit. Although the incision is long, it is positioned towards the back of the arm so that it is concealed as much as possible.

The excess tissue and skin is cut away and, in some cases, liposuction is used to remove additional fat and re-contour the shape of the upper arm. Next, the wound is sealed with fine stitches. 

In total the operation takes around two hours and it can be performed either on an outpatient basis (where you go home the same day) or, if you prefer, you may stay overnight at the clinic in one of our luxurious guest rooms.

How much scarring will there be?

Patients will be left with a fine scar running along the length of the inside upper arm, which should only be visible when the arms are raised. It will start off deep pink in colour but will gradually fade.

Scar care, including regular massage, is an important component of the treatment and may be employed for over one year to ensure the final results are as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Our patients tell us they are highly satisfied with the procedure and that it offers them far greater freedom when choosing clothes, especially for those who struggled to find tops to fit properly because of the size and shape of their upper arms.

Removing wrinkled, sagging skin makes patients appear considerably younger as well as fitter and slimmer.

How long is the recovery?

Recovery from a brachioplasty is relatively short - just two or three days of downtime is required, with patients usually only experiencing minor discomfort and limited swelling and bruising. 

If you have a desk job you will be able to return to work within a few days, but if your job is physical you may have to factor in up to four weeks off, since shoulder movement is restricted during this time. Your surgeon can advise you on exactly how much time off you are likely to require.

All bruising and swelling should be gone after six weeks and at this point you can resume activities such as heavy lifting, arm exercises etc.

How much does an arm lift cost?

An arm lift costs in the region of €2,500 to €3,500 depending on the extent of skin and tissue that needs removing. Contact Ocean Clinic Marbella to arrange a free consultation with a surgeon and receive an exact quote for your procedure.

Arm lift surgery can have a stunning impact on your overall appearance. Click here to see more before and after photos of our patients.