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.

The Big Reveal - A Patient’s Diary: Part Three

In my last blog I documented my experience of checking in at Ocean Clinic Marbella to undergo four separate procedures (rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, abdominal lipo and fat grafting to my face and lips). Now find out how my recovery went and what I thought when the bandages came off!

The Recovery

I had been surprised at how little pain I’d experienced post-op in the clinic. I’d felt amazingly good, all things considered, but when I got home I started to feel much groggier. It took me a while to realise that was because I no longer had the IV in my hand delivering magic fluid!

For the first couple of days I didn’t want to do much more than watch TV or flick through a magazine as I was pretty low on energy. The most challenging aspect was trying to be a mum to my highly energetic three-year-old son, but my husband was great and did everything he could to help. 

On my worst day, when all the bruising had come out

Thankfully I didn’t have any problems sleeping and by the weekend (I had my surgery on a Wednesday) I was feeling a lot better. I could breathe through my nose again, my eyes had stopped weeping and my energy levels had returned to normal. I even stopped taking my painkillers on the Sunday because I no longer needed them. And by Monday I was back working again (I work from home so I was able to take less time off than most people).

Although I felt better, I didn’t look great. Since leaving the brilliant ice mask behind at the clinic, my bruising had fully developed. I didn’t really want to leave the house, but I did venture out to walk the dogs in the privacy of the mountains.

A few days later I also braved the outside world to go to the hairdressers and get my hair washed. I couldn’t have a bath or shower because of the nose cast and stomach bandages so I was feeling rather grimy.  Dry shampoo, face wipes and wet wipes are a must for anyone undergoing this type of surgery! Oh, and lots and lots of lip balm if you’re having your lips done. Mine felt dry and numb for a good couple of weeks.

One week after my surgery I was able to return to the clinic for my stomach bandages to be removed and have a lymphatic drainage massage with Ocean Clinic’s lovely massage therapist Ana Rodriguez.

The purpose of the lymphatic massage is to help reduce swelling by moving waste fluids from the damaged areas. Ana gave me some special ‘trousers’ to wear that inflated and deflated to place gentle pressure on my legs. Meanwhile, she lightly massaged by stomach and face, periodically pressing on the lymph nodes in my collarbone to encourage the fluids to flush through my lymphatic system.

Afterwards I went to see Dr. Kaye who removed the stitches from under my eyes. He was pleased with how everything was healing and agreed I could come in a day early to have my nose cast removed (I really wanted it off before the weekend).

When I got home I was able to take a lovely long bath and then examine my tummy. I’d had fat removed from my lower abdomen and at the waist. It was still swollen but I could already see it looked flatter and smoother. Only two tiny incisions had been made; one in my belly button and one lower down below the line of my underwear, so there was no visible scarring. I was still a bit bruised and tender and my tummy felt kind of hard in places, but Ana had told me this would soften again gradually.

It was so exciting to see everything taking shape and getting better with each passing day, and I couldn’t wait until Friday to get a first look at my new nose!

The Reveal

After nine days with no make-up, it felt great to put on some mascara again. I was still pretty bruised under my eyes so I did the best I could to cover it, and packed some dark glasses to hide them later.

Unfortunately my husband was away for the ‘big reveal’, so I drove myself to the clinic and took my friend with me for moral support.

Removing the cast took only a few minutes. It was slightly uncomfortable as the nose was still very tender. Dr. Kaye said I had to be extra careful not to knock it for the next week and that it wouldn’t be fully set until six weeks.

Soon I was able to take a look in the mirror. Although I was still bruised and swollen I could see my nose was smaller and more refined. The dorsal hump was gone, replaced with a perfectly straight profile and the tip had been reshaped too.

Although it was a relief to finally get the cast off, it almost felt like I was still wearing it and the tip of my nose was curiously numb – something Dr. Kaye said could take up to six months to return to normal.

I went to put on my sunglasses as I was leaving the clinic to cover the purple circles beneath my eyes, but Dr. Kaye said I should avoid wearing them until my nose was fully set. He also reminded me to wear high factor sunscreen to protect my skin, which would be hypersensitive for a little while.

I was, however, allowed to wear make-up to cover my bruises, so I nipped into the loo and slathered some on! Then my friend and I went to have a glass of wine to celebrate my new look.

With make-up and without!

One Week Later

Over the next week my bruising continued to subside and I kept applying my creams and taking my supplements to help the process. My nose was more swollen than it was immediately after I’d had the cast removed, because the pressure of the cast keeps it from swelling. My lips were also enlarged, because around 40% of transplanted fat is reabsorbed over the first three week.

However, with the help of some good make-up I was able to get back to normal life and didn’t feel too self-conscious. I returned to Ocean Clinic for another lymphatic drainage session, and this time Ana used a HF radiofrequency machine on my stomach to help soften up the firmer bits.

I was a bit concerned about the swelling under my eyes, but Ana reassured me that it usually takes four weeks for that to subside. I actually noticed a significant reduction in swelling after the facial massage, and I was booked in for another a week later, so I felt reassured about the after-care process.

Side profile before and after (one week after cast removal)

Two Weeks Later

It’s now two weeks since I had my cast removed (23 days since surgery) and nearly all my bruising has gone. I still look pretty dark under the eyes and they tend to be more swollen in the morning. My nose continues to take shape and my tummy and waist look great (I just need some bikini weather now!).

My lips have settled down and I’ve been getting lots of compliments on them, and the fat I’ve had in my cheeks and marionette lines make me look younger and not so gaunt in the face.

Friends say the changes to my nose are subtle, but to me it’s a big difference. My husband says my whole face is ‘softened’. I know it will be a little while longer until I can see the end result of the surgery – healing takes time and cannot be rushed – and it’s great knowing it’s going to get a little bit more refined each day. I feel a little like a butterfly taking shape in a cocoon!

Overall, I’m so pleased I had the surgery. I’ve found it a really interesting experience and have been so well cared for throughout by the team at Ocean Clinic. Now I’m really looking forward to a big night out in a couple of months when I can let my new look take flight!

Well on the road to recovery!

If you’re considering having cosmetic surgery, contact Ocean Clinic to book a free consultation to discuss your new look.

Customers Vote Ocean Clinic Marbella Tops For Customer Service

Ocean Clinic has received an award for excellent customer service following glowing feedback from customers...

The accolade, awarded by healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com, is based on pateint ratings and comments made over a 12 month period.

Clients were asked to rate Ocean Clinic Marbella based on how well the clinic treated them, how quickly they were contacted and seen, and how happy they were with the treatment.

Head Surgeon at Ocean Clinic Dr. Kai Kaye said: “We pride ourselves on the service we offer to our customers, from their initial contact with the clinic right through to their treatment and aftercare.

“Not only do we have one of the very best clinical teams on the Costa del Sol, we also have state-of-the-art medical facilities and luxury patient bedrooms, to ensure clients are as well cared for as possible.

“This award is proof that our investment in our clinic and people is paying off.”

WhatClinic.com CEO Caelen King congratulated Ocean Clinic Marbella and said: “This is the 7th year we have run these awards. Every year, the standard goes up and up - and I’m delighted to recognise those clinics that are putting the needs of the patient first, every single day.

“It’s the customer who selects our awards winners, by their clinic ratings and the feedback they leave about service and experience. We believe that empowering the patient with accurate information is the future of a successful healthcare market.”

To find out more about the exclusive facilities at Ocean Clinic Marbella click here.

On the Operating Table - A Patient’s Diary: Part Two

In my last blog I described the run-up to my four-procedure surgery (rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, lipo and fat grafting) at Ocean Clinic Marbella. Now find out what happened when I woke up post-op…

Immediately Post-Op

The first thing I’m aware of is being woken by a nurse and finding myself in a bed in the recovery room. I can’t actually remember who it was (it’s all too hazy), but she helped me into a dressing gown and then into a wheelchair. She pushed me back to my room and helped me into bed before hooking me up to a drip.

The anesthetist had warned me that I might feel a bit nauseous and cold when I work up, but I didn’t. I just felt tired and like I had sinus pressure on my face – my nose was in a splint and my nostrils were packed.

The morning after surgery

My husband arrived shortly afterwards and became a bit emotional when he saw me all bandaged up, but I reassured him I was okay. He took a picture to share with my close friends who were also concerned about me.

Nurse Marina brought me a nice cup of sweet tea and a cup of creamy soup – both served with a straw! My lips, which I’d had fat injected into, felt very blown up and a bit numb so I had some difficulty trying to grasp the straw and only managed about half the soup before I felt too exhausted to continue.

“Sorry darling, but I need to sleep now,” I told my husband, who promised to come back again later.

Marina attached a special cooling eye mask to my face, which has iced water continuously pumped through it and helps to minimise bruising and swelling. I wore it while I slept, propped up on pillows to prevent blood rushing to my head.

Later, I felt well enough to get up and have a little potter around my room (wheeling my drip with me). Of course, I wanted to have a look in the mirror! I didn’t look as bad as I expected. I could see tiny little stiches under my bottom eyelids but the bruising and swelling was minimal. 

My room

 I was starting to feel hungry so I tucked into the chocolate bar that I’d bought with me. I had to pause every few mouthfuls to take a breath through my mouth because my nose was blocked, but I managed to finish it and felt much better once the sugar hit my bloodstream.

Then Marina came by with a menu for dinner and I chose a starter of ratatouille and egg, and main of pork fillet and fries. My friend had told me the post-op food at Ocean Clinic was great and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to really enjoy it, but when it came I ate a surprising amount (it was delicious).

Soon, I felt so good that I was sitting up watching a film and when my husband came I stood and chatted animatedly until we got a call from our babysitter saying our son had woken and was crying for Mummy.  He’s only three and a half but I’d told him Mummy was going to hospital for an operation to prepare him for seeing me beaten and bruised. What made it slightly easier was that our puppy had been to the vets a few days earlier to be neutered so he understood the concept of going to hospital. He did want to know if I’d also “had an operation on my willy”!

I spoke to him to let him know I was okay, but my husband left early to go and be with him. My next visitors were Dr. Kaye and Dr. Kästner. They were very pleased with how my surgery had gone and Dr Kaye told me he had given me a “nice, cute nose”. He also informed me that he had removed 250 mls of fat from my tummy and found a good home for 50 mls of it in my face.

Marina popped in to see how I was doing and attend to my IV.  I was just letting her get on with it and I didn’t realise she was taking some blood. When I saw it in the tube I screamed and we both jumped back with shock! I started to feel faint so she told me to lie down on the sofa and raise my legs and I had soon gotten over it.

Marina encouraged me to put my ice mask back on. I’d removed it because I couldn’t see through it, but I knew what a difference it could make to the healing process so I laid down on the sofa and she reaffixed it. She put on my audio book for me, topped up the meds in my drip and fetched me a tablet to help me sleep.

I found sleeping on the sofa more comfortable as I could prop my pillows up in the corner and I soon drifted off. I woke sometime later (about 4.30 am) and could feel something dripping down my hand. It took me a while to realise it was blood from my IV and I was all tangled up with the tube from the ice mask and the tube from the drip so I reached for the telephone that had been left by my side to call for help.  

Marina rushed to help me, got me a fresh duvet and mopped up where I’d made a mess. Thankfully, I didn’t panic at the sight of the blood this time, which may have something to do with the relaxing tablet I’d taken.

I got back to sleep again and in the morning I had a delicious breakfast of toast and jam with tea – I knew all the sugar wouldn’t be good for my newly slim-line figure, but it was just what I needed at the time.

I spent another couple of hours lying with my ice mask on, listening to my audio book – it did stop me going crazy with boredom! Dr. Kaye came by to check me over and discharged me, and by 10.30 am I was dressed, packed and ready to go home.

I thanked everybody for taking such good care of me and was escorted out – there is a back way so you don’t need to go through and scare people waiting in reception! I did still have to face a few people on the street as I waited for my husband to pull up in the car and I wished I’d bought some dark glasses, but soon I was on my way home, where my recovery would begin in earnest…

Find out how I got on recovering at home in Part Three – and what I thought when the bandages came off! In the meantime, if you’re considering having treatment yourself, contact Ocean Clinic to book a free consultation.