Get beach-ready now! The best cosmetic procedures for that summer body...

 

Want to get beach-ready? This is your moment! 

Any cosmetic procedure whether surgical or not requires planning and recovery time, so if you’re thinking about doing some tweaking before this year’s season, now is the time to get prepared.  

We take a look at the top body-contouring procedures to get beach-ready for this summer. 

Fat Grafting 

Also known as a fat transfer, this is fast becoming one of the most in-demand procedures as it can help to sculpt and contour the body using no external materials (such as implants or dermal fillers) - it just uses your own body fat. 

“The main benefit of this technique is that it uses ‘like for like’ – replacing lost fat with fat from another part of the body, rather than using a synthetic substance. 

“The fat contains living stem cells, which can form new connections with blood vessels once transplanted. The results are superior because the living stem cells not only fill and plump, they actually have a genuine rejuvenating effect. The results are more natural looking and they’re longer lasting.” says Medical Director at Ocean Clinic, Dr. Kai Kaye. 

Fat is removed by liposuction (from areas with excess fat cells) and re-inserted in areas that are flat, or require a little more shape. “Fat is most commonly harvested from the stomach, waist, thighs and flanks – most people tend to have it available here! Additionally, fat in these areas tends to persist, even with weight loss. It is hoped that when the fat is transferred to its new site, it will behave the same way.

“The fat is prepared for reintroduction to the body and transferred to a small syringe that allows for meticulous and more accurate injection. A special cannula for injecting fat is attached to the syringe and the tip inserted into the recipient site. 

“Tiny droplets of fat are injected – it is a high precision procedure. If large deposits are introduced they become hardened and calcified. Additionally, highly skilled technique ensures more cells will gain a blood supply and become permanent tissue. No scar should be left on the injection site.” “Popular areas for fat transplantation include cheeks, lips, temples, eyes, nasolabial folds (marionette lines), breasts, buttocks and the back of the hands. 

BBL 

A Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL as it is affectionately known is a form of gluteoplasty, where the buttocks are reshaped and redefined. During a BBL the waist and upper thighs can also be contoured to give a more curved appearance. Think slim waist, curvy hips, and pert rounded buttocks. Our top surgeon at Ocean Clinic, Dr. Kai Kaye has performed around 300 BBLs in his career so far and so has excellent skills, experience and success in this procedure. 

The surgery either involves fat grafting (see above); fat being removed via liposuction from other areas of the body (through multiple tiny incisions) and inserted into the buttocks and surrounding areas to mould and sculpt the ideal, desired shape for the patient. The other option, a more intense and invasive surgical procedure, is gluteal implants which vary in size, as would a breast implant, though these are more robust as they are designed to withstand tougher usage and pressure. 

Liposuction 

Any unwanted lingering fat that you just can’t seem to shift can really determine the summer wardrobe, and your body confidence. Liposuction can remove this unwanted fat and leave the body more in proportion, contoured and looking its best. Sometimes diet and exercise just don’t get you where you want to be and you need a helping hand. 

At Ocean Clinic we offer water-jet assisted liposuction as this helps to reduce bruising and swelling and is a kinder method. Liposuction is a versatile treatment that can be used on most areas of the body where fatty deposits collect. 

The most frequently treated areas are the stomach and flanks, hips, buttocks, outer and inner thighs, arms, back, chin and neck area. In more colloquial terms, people often want to know if we can treat their “love-handles”, “saddle bags”, “bra rolls”, “banana rolls”, or “double chin” – and the answer is yes!

Safety is our first priority when performing liposuction and for that reason we will usually only remove up to 5,000 cc of fat (11 lbs) in one session.You should therefore have a healthy starting bodyweight to be a good candidate.

CoolSculpting 

This procedure can take a few months to show the ultimate results, and often requires more than one treatment, so, to be summer-ready, there’s no time like the present. 

CoolSculpting refers to the machinery used to freeze stubborn fat zones. The ice cold temperatures destroy the fat cells in the isolated areas; the body then naturally disposes of them over time leaving you with less fat in that designated area. This is a non-invasive procedure with minimal pain and recovery time. The areas usually focussed on with CoolSculpting are the belly, upper arms, thighs, chin and jawline, bra fat and back fat, and flanks. A perfect option for those looking for a non-invasive treatment. Contact our aesthetics department today to find out more on CoolSculpting at Ocean Clinic. 

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can also now be achieved by way of a fat transfer (see section on fat grafting for more details), taking fat from other areas of the body and using it to sculpt and shape the breasts using your very own fat! 

Implants are still the most common option; a wide range of sizes, shapes, insertion locations, and materials are available so this requires thought and planning with your surgeon. Implants are inserted into the breast area (different methods are to be discussed prior), nipples are sometimes relocated if the surgery requires reconstruction. It is advised that implants are checked regularly and changed after around the fifteen year mark, but this varies from patient to patient. 

Tummy Tuck 

The tummy tuck is a more serious and invasive surgery which will take some weeks to recover from. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, involves the tightening of the abdominal wall muscles to create a flatter, firmer underlying muscle structure. This prevents the tummy from bulging when sitting or bending.

Excess abdominal skin and fatty tissue is removed and then the skin is pulled tight and reattached; this improves the appearance of crêpe-like skin, stretch marks and scars.

To complete the remodelling, the surgeon acts as an artist, using liposuction to remove fat deposits from the waist, flanks and upper abdomen. The surgery leaves a discreetly positioned scar  in the pubic area which, over time, becomes very unnoticeable.

For further information on any of the procedures mentioned above, please click on the headings to take you directly to the relevant website page, or contact our expert team at Ocean Clinic today. 

What Men Want - Top Male Cosmetic Procedures for 2022

Whether it is a whole-body ‘daddy do-over’, or simply some male grooming; men’s attention to the cosmetic world is steadily on the rise. It isn’t just a sculpted hair-do and well-oiled beard we are talking about, the increase in male cosmetic treatments continues as more and more men are leaning towards both aesthetic and surgical procedures. 

Popularity grows as technology advances; the following is an outline of the biggest trends in male sculpting, which procedures are most in demand, and what men want for 2022. 

Chin & Jaw Implants

The male jawline is a symbol of masculinity, an attractive jaw and chin structure balances the symmetry of the face and creates a strong, powerful appearance. A weak chin/jaw is just that - weak looking. Chin and jaw implants have soared in popularity as the digital world has made us all more aware of our profile than ever before - they are typically inserted through incisions in the mouth, under the chin, or behind the jaw. Chin implants (as they are generally known) serve to create a more prominent and pronounced structure. Recovery time is approx. 1 week, swelling can last for a few months but the results are noticeable at around 2 weeks. 

Rhinoplasty

Nose reconstruction for either/both cosmetic and functional purposes. The nose is the first thing you see, we lead with our noses, and so it is only fitting that if you are unhappy with what you were dealt, this may be one of the first things to consider altering. Nose jobs vary from person to person but generally bone is removed to change the shape of the nose and nostrils are reshaped to create the ideal look for your face. Recovery can take around a week, during which time usually a splint will be worn to keep everything in place and protect the new nose. There is a fair amount of swelling and around the eyes can look very bruised and puffy. Typically the full effect of the surgery can be seen at around 3 weeks post-op. 

Dermal Fillers

Men are opting for fillers in a variety of places, including the penis (known as the SWAG procedure) where added girth (and occasionally moderate length) can be achieved using thicker dermal fillers. The face is the most popular area for fillers, frown lines, cheek definition, lips, etc. sculpting and contouring the face and ‘filling’ areas that tend to lose fat and shape as we age or where we are naturally lacking. Recovery is minimal, life can resume as normal immediately (not sexually in the case of penis fillers - patient should wait for around 1 week), and results show up right away and progressively improve over the next few days. 

Liposuction

Saying goodbye to the love handles, and the ‘dad-bod’ is standing out as a big request for men in recent years. One of the most in-demand procedures for men is therefore liposuction. Liposuction entails the removal of fat from the body using a suction instrument. At Ocean Clinic we prefer to use water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL) as it minimises bruising and swelling.  Liposuction leaves barely any marking from the tiny incisions made and recovery is dependent on how much you have undergone but at around a week you can return to ‘normal’ life without exercise - this is acceptable at around 4-6 weeks depending on individual recovery. 

Facelift

Traditional facelifts, as well as fat grafting, are fast becoming one of the top requested procedures by men in recent years. Taking years off an ageing face by removal of fat from an area of the body that has excess (via liposuction) and inserting it under the skin in sagging, or looser areas of the face to create a fuller, less wrinkled, more youthful appearance. Facial fat grafting is often combined with a deep plane facelift to achieve even better, longer lasting results. As a combined procedure the surgery time is around 3-4 hours, recovery is 7-14 days and the results last for up to 15 years or longer (depending on individual’s lifestyle). 

Eyelid Lift

Men suffer from the heavy sagging eyelids, eye bags and wrinkles, just as much, if not more, than women and so blepharoplasty is big news in male surgery circles. Depending on your case, an eyelid lift surgery can either address excess skin on the upper and lower eyelid, eye-bags (bulging fat below the eye), wrinkles on the lower lid or all of the above at once. The procedures can be performed either as an isolated procedure or in combination with other facial procedures like facelift, browlift frontal lift, chin implants or rhinoplasty.

Pre-operative considerations include a thorough evaluation of your anatomy and bone structure including the recommendation of possible complementary procedures like a brow lift to correct brow ptosis (hanging of the brow) and / or a periorbital fat transfer to correct sunken eyes. Recovery and surgery time vary depending on whether this is a combined procedure and whether it is upper/lower areas or both. 

Chest Reduction

Something that men have had to suffer for decades before plastic surgery became so advanced and accessible, and which occurs in one in three males, is gynecomastia - overdeveloped breast tissue. We hate to use the term but ‘man-boobs’ are a really troubling part of life for many. A chest reduction can restructure and sculpt the area to give a more perfected, masculine shape. Liposuction is one method used to achieve this (see info. above),  which will require a few weeks of recovery time until the swelling goes down. Garments to compress the area during the recovery are worn for 1-2 weeks to keep everything in place and swelling to a minimum. Results can be seen immediately but for the fully recovered and contoured result, this should be apparent at around three months. 

Neck Lift

Officially known as platysmaplasty, a neck lift removes any loose, sagging skin and fat to give a more youthful, smooth look. Incisions can be made around the jawline or behind the sideburns and scarring is minimal and well hidden. Most men don’t want to come out looking too ‘done’ and so it is a natural-looking but effective alteration. After around two weeks the patient will feel as though they are looking ‘normal’ enough to resume public life however the swelling can continue to be present for a few months post-op. 

For any further information on any of the procedures listed above, please contact our excellent team of professionals @ocean_clinic. Visit our website to find out more on who we are and what we offer. 

 

 

Should I get a Brazilian Butt Lift?

 If you’re interested in buttock augmentation and wondering if you are the right candidate for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), we approach all the questions surrounding this increasingly popular surgery... 

The more voluptuous look is more in demand now than ever, with butt lifts, fat transfers and implants being high on the surgical agenda. The Brazilian Butt Lift is the most famous and well-known version, here we focus on FAQs surrounding the ‘BBL’ to help relieve any misconceptions about the procedure. 

DO I HAVE TO HAVE IMPLANTS IN MY BUTTOCKS?  

While implants can be used, Brazilian butt lifts are more commonly carried out using only a patient’s own fat. Using liposuction, fat is removed from elsewhere on the body; usually the abdomen, love handles, back, or from the outer and inner thighs. The fat is transplanted into the buttocks in order to give them a fuller shape. Meanwhile, removing fat from around the outside of the buttocks, and from the waist, sculpts the body to give a more accentuated backside. This way achieves great results with no need for implants. 

AM I TOO THIN FOR A BBL? 

Because Brazilian butt lifts are primarily carried out with fat, you might think lean women would be unable to have this surgery. However, in these cases, silicone implants can be used to supplement the lack of available fat. Even in thinner individuals, donor fat can be used to smooth over the implant and add shape. Furthermore, simply sculpting with liposuction around the buttocks can make your bottom appear bigger and give a more desirable figure. 

WILL A BUTT LIFT JUST MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG? 

Butt lift surgery is about so much more than simply gaining a bigger bottom. BBL aims to resculpt your entire silhouette, this includes your waist, hips and thighs, to achieve that classic hourglass figure. The changes should be visible from both the front and back. In addition to gaining volume in your buttocks, they will be reshaped to achieve the look you desire - whether that’s a curvier, peachier bum or one that appears to have a higher profile from the side. Issues with asymmetry can also be addressed.

On the plastic surgery review site realself.com, most people rate their buttock augmentation surgeries very highly. In fact, 88% of people give their butt augmentation surgeries a “worth it” rating.

IS THE BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT A HIGH RISK SURGERY? 

You have probably seen negative stories in the press about Brazilian butt lift surgery. It can indeed be risky when carried out by inexperienced surgeons. This is because the fat must be very carefully transplanted to ensure no veins are affected (fat in the veins could potentially lead to a fat embolism - fat entering the heart and lungs, which could result in death). If a surgeon is not properly trained there is a risk they could inject the fat too deeply, consequently it is essential to choose a surgeon with a high level of skill in fat grafting. If carried out properly, the risk of complications is low. Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kai Kaye has performed many buttock augmentations, is a specialist in fat transfer, and lectures on the topic to peers around the world. 

WILL I BE IN PAIN AND UNABLE TO SIT DOWN AFTER A BBL? 

A BBL carried out with fat alone is in fact categorised as a minimally invasive procedure, since it can be performed with very tiny incisions. At Ocean Clinic Marbella, we use water jet-assisted liposuction which is extremely gentle and reduces swelling and bruising. Pain and recovery time is minimal and you will be able to sit using the special pillow we provide (although long periods of sitting are to be avoided). You are likely to feel fatigued for a few days but after that you will be able to return to work (unless you have a very physical job). Buttock augmentation with implants is more invasive and has a longer recovery time, requiring at least two weeks off work.

IF MY WEIGHT CHANGES WILL THE BBL RESULTS BE RUINED? 

Some people are deterred from getting a Brazilian butt lift because they feel the results will be temporary and will be easily lost should you gain or lose weight. Actually, once additional fat cells have been transplanted to your bottom, that’s where they will stay! These fat cells can increase or decrease in size according to your diet and exercise but they won’t disappear. One of the great things about a butt lift, with fat transfer, is that the fat in your backside behaves normally. It means that your buttocks will grow or decrease consistent with changes in your overall body weight, keeping you in proportion. 

IF I HAVE LIPOSUCTION WILL I HAVE SAGGY SKIN AFTER? 

Patients often worry that removing fat from one part of their body to transfer to their buttocks will leave them with sagging skin. However, the amount of fat taken from any one location is not usually enough to leave loose skin. Fat will often be taken from multiple sites across the body via tiny incisions, so the fat loss is very even. The skin in these areas will snap back into place during the recovery process, over the following few weeks. If you have lost a fair amount of elasticity in a certain area, such as your tummy following pregnancy, your surgeon will advise not to have liposuction there. Alternatively, you might want to consider combining your BBL with another procedure like a tummy tuck. 

DOES THE BBL LOOK FAKE? 

Surgeons work with their patients to achieve the result they desire; some women want a natural look, while others favour a more extreme contrast. A very authentic appearance can be achieved by solely using a patient’s own fat, since it behaves with a natural jiggle. Furthermore, it will not only look real, it will feel real. However, to obtain the best looking results, it remains important to select a skilful surgeon in order to avoid unwanted side effects such as lumps and bumps or an asymmetrical result. 

DO REGULAR PEOPLE REALLY HAVE BUTT LIFTS? 

While BBL is a favourite with A-listers and celebrities, the procedure’s popularity goes way beyond the rich and famous. Last year in the USA alone, over 26,000 people underwent a buttock augmentation procedure. These figures show that buttock augmentation is now more mainstream than ever before. 

IS A BBL TOO EXPENSIVE?

Due to the celebrity association, people often think Brazilian butt lifts must be bank-breakingly expensive, however, the surgery actually costs around the same as a breast augmentation. The exact cost will depend on the scope and complexity of your procedure as well as the skill and experience of your chosen surgeon. It goes without saying that you should get the best you can afford and don’t be tempted to go for cut price surgery abroad where clinical standards may be lower. Do your research, read the reviews and be sure to consult the best available to you. 

For more information on Buttock Augmentation at Ocean Clinic, contact our team today. 

 

LIP FLIP OR LIP LIFT? The latest choice in Lip Augmentation...

FOR FILLER-FREE, FULLER LIPS WOULD YOU RATHER LIFT OR FLIP?

With Valentine’s day knocking on the door, what better time to perfect your pout? If the question on your lips is whether you should go for the latest lift or flip techniques, then you’ve come to the right place. If you prefer the idea of avoiding fillers, the lip lift or lip flip procedures could be your ideal solution. 

But which one to choose? Let’s weigh up the options…

WHAT IS A LIP LIFT?

A lip lift involves a simple, in-office procedure which serves to elevate, or ‘lift’, the upper lip. Candidates for a lift often have a longer distance between the nose and lip than most; a lip lift reduces this space. The surgery can also increase the level of ‘red show’ (how much lip is visible) for those with a naturally thin upper lip. 

LIP LIFT PROCEDURE - WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? 

The lip lift procedure is a simple surgical one which, if carried out alone will only require a local anaesthetic. Markings are places on the upper lip according to the plan made between you and your surgeon. Once the anaesthetic is administered and the area is numbed, the line of skin just below the nose is removed; the incision is then sealed using lots of hair-thin sutures to keep the scarring to a minimum. These sutures are removed within a week or so. The lip is naturally pulled up and outwards as the length of the skin is shortened. 

WHAT IS A LIP LIFT RECOVERY LIKE? 

There will be some swelling and soreness which varies from person to person in severity. The swelling can worsen for the first few days and can be quite painful and uncomfortable. This is not uncommon and will pass fairly quickly, it is nothing to be concerned about unless the pain becomes unmanageable with regular pain relief. 

The stitches and incision are kept clean using an antibacterial ointment and stitches are removed around 1 week post-op. Physical exertion, and therefore exercise is not advised for around two weeks, depending on the patient. Healing takes anywhere between 2-4 weeks and real results are noticed up to three months later, with scarring reducing over time. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIP FILLERS AND A LIP LIFT?

A lip lift does not use injectable fillers - where hyaluronic acid injections are added to the lip to achieve a bigger volume. A lip lift uses the existing lip size and shape but, with a small surgical procedure, enhances the ‘vermillon border’ - the lip line, bringing it closer to the nose. 

HOW DOES A LIP LIFT LOOK?

The space between the nose and the lip line is surgically reduced and the lip appears to be fuller, more pronounced, and lifted; more ‘red show’ is apparent. See the before and after shots for a closer look. 

This lip lift, performed by Dr. Kai Kaye at Ocean Clinic Marbella, shows the patient one-month post surgery. She received local anaesthetic, and the surgery took just under one hour.

Recovery time was one week and pain was considered 2/10.

You can see the difference in her lip size as well as the shorter distance between the lip and nose. The upper lip is more pronounced and has more 'red show' than before. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIP LIFT? 

The benefits of a lip lift are a rejuvenated appearance, a fuller, better-proportioned upper lip shape and space between the nose and upper lip. Lip lines and wrinkles are reduced as the skin has been tightened to create the new lip line. 

IS A LIP LIFT FOR ME?

If you feel that the space between your nose and upper lip is too long, if fillers did not work for you perhaps leaving the lip too heavy and long rather than plump, or you feel that your upper lip is too thin or out of proportion with the lower lip, then this could be for you.  All such examples represent a good candidate for lip lift surgery. 

IS A LIP LIFT SAFE?

The procedure is a relatively simple one, done in-house with a local anaesthetic (unless being carried out within a combination of procedures which require deeper anaesthetic). The surgery takes only an hour (approx.) and recovery time is minimal. Scarring is also minimal and should be barely visible over time (within a year the results should be complete). 

DOES A LIP LIFT LAST FOREVER? 

Yes! A lip lift is for life. The procedure will produce a permanent result, however, one must be aware that the ageing process will continue as normal in the surrounding areas. 

Now let us consider the same questions for the Lip Flip to help decide which option may work for you…

WHAT IS A LIP FLIP?

The lip flip is a relatively new option in lip augmentation and, similarly to using fillers, involves injectables being placed into the lip to create a fuller appearance.

LIP LIFT PROCEDURE - WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? 

The lip flip is a quick, non-surgical procedure simply consisting of injections being placed into the muscles above the upper lip. No anaesthetic is required for the procedure and it takes minutes to achieve.  The injectables placed into the orbicularis oris muscles causes them to relax, the lip then naturally ‘flips’ slightly outwards to create a fuller effect using only the existing lip itself. The effects are noticeable very quickly - it takes only 5-7 days to see the full effects of the lip flip procedure and they last for around 3-4 months (metabolism depending). 

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE FOR A LIP LIFT?

Great news! There isn’t any recovery time. The only possible thing that may take a little getting used to is sipping through a straw or other reasons to tightly pucker the lips, but this won’t take long to rectify itself. You may experience very mild swelling or bruising which will also pass rapidly. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIP FILLERS AND A LIP LIFT?

Lip fillers add volume to the lip whereas the lip lift simply uses the existing volume by pushing it forward to create a fuller effect. The natural size of your lip does not change with a lip lift, it is just shifted to make it look more plump and pronounced.  Both procedures last for around the same amount of time. 

HOW DOES A LIP FLIP LOOK?

As mentioned above the lip lift uses an injection to relax the muscles in the upper lip, which then causes the lip itself to flip forwards. This creates a subtle, fuller looking lip and a more pronounced profile as it protrudes forward slightly more than before. Obviously all people will get a different result depending on their existing lip.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIP FLIP? 

With the lip flip there’s no recovery time, no anaesthetic, no drastic alteration, minimal swelling or side effects, the result is rapid, and it is affordable.  If you aren’t happy with the outcome - within 3-4 months you can choose to do it differently, or not at all! 

IS A LIP FLIP FOR ME?

If you have a ‘gummy’ smile, are unhappy with ageing lip lines (barcode lines), want a subtle (yet obvious to you) change, want a fuller lip but would rather not have surgery, or prefer not to have fillers alter the size of your lips, then yes this could be the option for you. 

IS A LIP FLIP SAFE?

Yes, a lip flip is safe, it is just the same as any similar injection. There is a very slight risk that the smile could become asymmetric - however, this is minimal. Ensure that you choose a board-certified, experienced practitioner to carry out the procedure. 

You may experience very minimal bruising just at the site where the injection was placed, this should heal within 1-2 days. 

DOES A LIP FLIP LAST FOREVER?

No, the lip flip will only last as long as the injectable stays in your system. The body will naturally ‘outgrow’, or reject, it over time. Most people see results for up to 3-4 months, but it varies from person to person depending on their individual metabolic rate. 

COMPARING THE LIP LIFT WITH THE LIP FLIP (that’s quite a mouthful!)

• The lip flip is a far less invasive method of creating a fuller lip than the lip lift.

• A lip lift is for life and is not for everyone, it causes the lip to change shape and height and therefore alters the face and proportions permanently. This is something that must be deeply considered when toying with the idea of any surgical procedure. Finding the right surgeon who can work with your given anatomy to provide you with the perfect look for you is essential. The lip flip is instant and lasts only 3-4 months. 

• A lip lift means not having to return to the doctors for ‘refills’, but, at the same time permanence cannot be altered without further surgery. The lip flip will require a top up every 3-4 months. 

This should help clear up a lot of questions you may have had about lip flip or lifts, if you would like any more information or require a consultation please contact Ocean Clinic today.