Botox
What is it?
Botox is a drug that is injected into the skin to block messages from the brain to the muscle. This prevents the muscle from moving, thereby stopping wrinkles from forming.
Who is it for?
Botox is ideal for minimising lines on the forehead and around the eye area. It has varied success in the neck area. It is ideal for people who suffer from excessive sweating. In the first year of treatment, it is recommended that patients return every three months for a follow-up injection.
Recovery time
Patients may not lie down or rub the injected area for at least four hours after receiving a Botox injection.
Side-effects
Not many side effects have been recorded. However, there have been cases of eyelids drooping after the procedure.
Fillers
What is it?
Fillers are used to add volume and “fill out” physical features. Two types of fillers are used. The first is a non-permanent, synthetic filler. The second is the patient’s own fat, which delivers more permanent results.
Who is it for?
Fillers is a popular anti-aging treatment. It can be used almost anywhere: lips, cheeks, around the eyes and even to enlarge breasts.
Recovery time
Recovery time depends on the type of filler used, but is usually a few days.
Side-effects
Side-effects are rare, but irregularity is possible. Lips can become swollen.
Mac’s Face-Lift
What is it?
A less invasive version of the traditional face-lift. A much shorter cut is made, which lowers risk.
Who is it for?
The procedure is ideal for women or men in their mid-40s to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Recovery time
Recovery time is more or less ten days. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, which means it is a lot less expensive.
Side-effects
Complications are minimal.
Eye-Lid Surgery
What is it?
Eye-lid surgery is a popular procedure, which involves removing fat and skin from the eye-lid in order to give the face a “fresher” appearance. The procedure is performed on the upper or lower lids, or both. Excellent results are achieved that can last for up to 15 years.
Who is it for?
This type of surgery is ideal for people with bags under their eyes, or a lot of loose skin around the eye area.
Recovery time
The upper lid is usually done under local anaesthesia with recovery time more or less one week. The lower lid takes a little longer to recover. It can be done under local anaesthesia, but is usually done in a day hospital.
Side-effects
Side-effects include swelling and bruising around the eye area. The lower lid may also droop.
Breast Surgery
What is it?
Breast surgery includes breast reduction, breast augmentation or a combination of the two. Of the two surgeries, breast reduction surgery is more popular.
Who is it for?
Breast augmentation surgery involves enlarging the breast through the use of implants, usually in the form of silicone. Breast reduction surgery involves reducing the size of the breast, thereby often improving the quality of a person’s life.
Recovery time
An overnight stay is rarely required with either surgery, although overnight hospitalisation may be indicated in some cases. For breast augmentation surgery, follow-up is usually after three days, and then one week, three weeks and three months. Breast reduction surgery requires recovery time of at least one to two weeks, and the patient will be fully recovered after six weeks.
Side-effects
The side-effects are the same as with any surgery. There may be scarring and in some, rare cases, the nipple may lose feeling.
Abdominoplasty or “Tummy Tuck”
What is it?
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure involving the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Who is it for?
This procedure is ideal for someone who has lost a lot of weight and wants to get rid of excess skin over the abdominal area. It is not suitable for someone who is overweight and wants to lose weight.
Recovery time
The patient must spend at least two days in hospital and recovery time is three to four weeks.
Side-effects
The risks include blood clots, but these can be prevented if proper precautions are taken. The procedure may leave scarring.
Nasal Surgery
What is it?
The procedure is used to increase or reduce the size of the nose, to change its shape, or to change the bridge or tip of the nose. It is complicated surgery, but can have big impact on a person’s self-confidence and quality of life.
Who is it for?
This is usually a cosmetic procedure and patients should be realistic about the final result.
Recovery time
Recovery time is between one week and ten days. Due to the swelling of the nose after surgery, a patient will only be able to see the final result after six months.
Side-effects
In extreme cases, the nose may collapse, but this should not happen with safe, conservative surgery.
Liposuction
What is it?
Fat is removed through a hollow metal tube through incisions in the person’s fat stores.
Who is it for?
The best candidate for this type of procedure is someone with localised fat stores. It will improve your overall shape, but won’t make you instantly slimmer.
Recovery time
Patients have to wear a corset for up to six weeks after the procedure. Bruising and swelling may occur, which will disappear after about six weeks.
Side-effects
In extreme cases, the effect of the procedure may be irregular.
Otoplasty or Ear-Reshaping
What is it?
Large or protruding ears are positioned to be closer to the head.
Who is it for?
The procedure should be performed before the age of six years. The ideal time is usually between the ages of four and six. The longer a person waits, the more painful the surgery will be.
Recovery time
Recovery time is quick and bandages are removed within a week.
Side-effects
Side-effects are minimal. The ear may return slightly to its original position, but this is something that is easily rectified.
Blephoroplasty
Upper eyelids
During the operation the surgeon removes the excess skin which is dragging your eyelids down. This is done through a fine incision in your natural crease, which leaves an almost invisible scar.
Lower eyelids
Bags under the eyes are often caused by pockets of fat and are usually accompanied by an excess of skin. The operation involves removing the fat bags and excess skin through an incision made just under the eyelashes.
Anaesthetic
For most patients a local anaesthetic will be sufficient, however it is possible to sedate a more nervous patient and then if necessary put them completely to sleep.
Recovery
The day following surgery you can expect your eyes to be swollen and watery, in addition your vision may be blurred and reduced. Bruising should subside after a week or so (for upper eyelids), but it can take slightly longer when both upper and lower eyelids have been operated on.