Dr Alex Chambers Blog Feed

Vaser Lipo Swelling, Bruising, and Numbness

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:22:32 GMT

How Long Does Vaser Lipo Swelling Last?

At the Dr. Alexandra Chambers Medical and Aesthetic Practice, one of our most popular treatments is Vaser Liposuction, a low-impact body sculpting procedure. In our clinic, we typically remove on average three to four litres of sub-dermal fat, and the target areas are varied, including the abdomen, ankles, arms, back, buttocks, chest, chin, flanks, jowls, knees, neck, and thighs.

Vaser lipo surgery is performed with a local anaesthetic, and thanks to its pulsed ultrasound technology, it is very efficient at liquefying and removing fat. This is in contrast to traditional liposuction, which requires general anaesthesia, and in general, is a much less effective fat removal method. The result is that Vaser is safer, less expensive, providing better more controlled results, and, post-operatively, is much lower impact. It is lower impact because the body recover faster from local anaesthesia, and because the skin layer suffers much less trauma. Thanks to these reasons, it is typically possible to resume one's normal life within a day of a Vaser operation.

That said, as with any surgical procedure, there will be post-operative swelling, bruising, and numbness, and for some patients these can be a cause of distress. Although during our consultation process we explain in significant detail what can be expected, patients typically are quite concerned. Moreover, we have noted that this topic interests patients from other clinics, as we have observed from the numerous questions about it on a wide variety of online forums and social networks.

It is for these reasons we've compiled clinical data for a sample of 129 Vaser procedures from our own clinic, and have assembled the statistics on post-operative swelling, bruising, and numbness. The results, presented below, provide a clear picture of what can be expected, and we now make use of these figures to better communicate and reassure our own patients. Hopefully they will also be of use to others.

In interpreting the results we present below, note that in addition to the use of compression garments, we offer all our patients manual lymphatic drainage massage as a standard part of our post-operative care. We believe, this significantly shortens the duration of swelling.

The first graph we present illustrates the statistics for Vaser lipo swelling to subside. The vertical height of the bars gives the percentage of patients having their swelling subside by the number of days shown under the bar on the horizontal axis. It shows that the most common duration is 16 days, and this was the case for 40% of our patients. The graph also indicates that 2% of our patients required up to 44 days (over six weeks) before swelling subsided, whereas 2% of them also required only 4 days to get over being swollen after a Vaser treatment.

The second graph illustrates the cumulative percentage of patients recovering from swelling after Vaser lipo. It shows that half our patients need 14 days to recover from swelling, and that 90% of our patients have recovered from swelling after 24 days. That's to say that 13 of the 129 patients from this sample required more than three and a half weeks before swelling subsided. This shows that a significant number of patients will have long swelling after their operations.

The third graph shows the stats for Vaser lipo bruising to subside. The most common duration was 16 days (30% of patients), whereas one patient required 36 days.

The fourth graph show that 50% of our patients were over bruising caused by Vaser lipo after 11 days, and that 90% of them were over it after 16 days.

The fifth graph show the statistics for numbness to subside after a Vaser operation. It shows that 16 days was the most common (25.5%), but that a significant number still had numbness up to 32 days after their procedure.

The sixth and final graph shows that 50% of our patients were over numbness after 16 days, while 90% after 30 days.

Swelling of Vaser Liposuction versus Traditional Liposuction

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:20:12 GMT

How Much Swelling Can I Expect From Vaser Lipo?

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that effectively removes fat from underneath the skin. Most procedures involve one of two popular methods; traditional liposuction or VASER liposuction.

Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound waves to break up fat after which it is removed by traditional suction methods. Traditional liposuction involves breaking up the fat by sticking a tube or cannula to give it its medical term, under the skin and passing it backwards and forwards. This process involves incisions to be made in the skin and can be quite rough on the areas being treated.

Vaser is a much more gentle way of breaking up fat and therefore less swelling will be apparent once the procedure is complete. However, it is important to remember that Vaser liposuction is a surgical procedure and that some swelling is normal and to be expected. The results of liposuction are well worth the short period of discomfort you may feel during the period before the swelling disappears.

Recovery times after Vaser are much quicker than when compared with traditional liposuction. In fact, Vaser patients are able to partake in light exercise after only a few days, and within a couple of weeks there should be no reason why normal activities including lifting and strenuous exercise cannot be resumed. Any dressings should still be kept on for up to six weeks in order to protect the area from infection.

The trauma experienced with Vaser is so much less than with traditional methods of liposuction that it is fast becoming one of the more popular cosmetic surgery procedures. People no longer have time stay home in bed to recover... Vaser is a low-impact procedure, after which lets patients get on with their lives.

With Vaser there is no need for strong painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs as the procedure is so much gentler on the body and therefore only slight discomfort should be experienced. Whilst there will be some localised swelling this should disappear after a few days as your body naturally heals the treated areas.

The best way to get an idea about recovery times and swelling is to speak to your consultant or surgeon. They will be able to help you put aside any fears, show you before and after photos, and explain the procedure in great detail so that you know exactly what to expect.

What is a Vampire Facelift?

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:45:35 GMT

The so-called Vampire Facelift has been in the news recently, and this article explains more about what this approach is, and the benefits it provides.

Platelet enriched fat combined with synthetic dermal fillers for tissue loss replacement is an approach gaining in popularity amongst cosmetic doctors, and the Vampire Facelift is just one of a number of procedures based on these techniques.

Platelets are blood cells rich in biologically active Growth Factors (GF) that stimulate and control cell growth, division, and repair. The best known are Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF). The former acts as a signalling mediator for chemotaxis – purposeful migration of cells specialising in repair to the site of an injury. TGF stimulates synthesis of inter-cellular matrix proteins, which provide a support scaffolding for cells. Other GFs produced by platelets include Basic Fibroblast GF, Insulin-Like GF, Platelet derived Epidermal GF, and Vascular Endothelial GF. All of these are involved in promoting tissue repair and growth by controlling cell proliferation.

The innovation of these procedures is that the platelets used are obtained from the patient’s own blood. The needed cells are extracted from other blood factors by centrifuging. The platelet end-product is a solid, which is cut into small pieces and mixed with a patient’s own fat or, alternatively, with a synthetic dermal filler. The mixture can then be injected into various parts of the body. Thanks to GFs, when the mixture is injected into the face it triggers a natural healing process that thickens the skin, provides more volume, smooths skin surface wrinkles and folds, and can diminish acne scarring.

Thread Lifting FAQ

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:13:23 GMT

What is a Thread Lift?

A thread lift is a type of face lift that is often referred to as the “lunch hour lift”. This is down to its simplicity and the time it takes to carry out the procedure. A tiny notch will be made behind the ear or behind the hairline and then fine threads are then advanced along pre-marked contours. These threads have fine filaments that become fixed to the tissue and are then gently smoothed down. Your body then starts to produce new bundles of collagen which surround each filament and this in turn creates a subtle yet effective lift. The results differ for each person, but look very natural giving a rejuvenated and refreshed look. There is no scarring and recovery times are a lot less than those associated with traditional surgery.

What areas can be treated with a Thread Lift?

The thread lift can be used to enhance and improve the appearance of a sagging neck, sagging cheeks and jowls and droopy eyebrows. You can personalise your surgery to suit your exact needs and your doctor will also make recommendations for improvements. The procedure can be tailored to suit your exact needs to ensure you are totally happy with the results.

What are the advantages of a Thread Lift?

The great thing about a thread lift is that it offers quick recovery together with excellent results. This procedure requires a minimum amount of invasive surgery and leaves no scarring. Local anaesthetic is all that is required and there is no hospital stay required. Another good factor about the thread lift is that it is much more affordable than a regular face lift and the results are long lasting. If you are looking for a quick and effective solution to a range of aging problems then a thread lift is the perfect solution.

Who is a Thread Lift Suited For?

A thread lift is more suited to men and women between the ages of 40 and 60. The procedure is most effective on skin that has minimal sagging and offers the best results for cheeks, jowls, brows and the neck area. If you are looking for results that are more effective and long lasting than Botox and other fillers, then a thread lift is the ideal choice. If you are put off by traditional surgery or don’t want general anaesthetic then a thread lift is great as it is minimally invasive and can be carried out under local anaesthetic.

What are the risks?

No surgical procedure is without risk, but the level of risk is often down to the expertise and experience of the surgeon carrying out your procedure. Thread lifts can cause minor side effects such as infection, bruising, swelling, tenderness, numbness and slight asymmetry. All side effects should be explained in detail to you before the procedure is booked. As long as your doctor is competent, any side effects should disappear within a few days. Another great factor of thread lifts is that they can be reversed if you are not happy or if problems occur.

How long does a thread lift take?

A typical thread lift takes as little as one hour to perform, but the length will depend on the number of filaments your doctor uses and the areas being treated.

What happens after the procedure?

Once the procedure is complete you will be provided with aftercare instructions to follow. These will help to relieve any discomfort and help to speed up the process of healing. For the first 24-48 hours you can use ice compresses to deal with any swelling and help to alleviate discomfort. Most patients experience some mild swelling and bruises, but these are usually quick to settle. Recovery times are usually less than one week although strenuous exercise should be avoided for between 2 and 3 weeks.

How long do the results last?

A thread lift’s lasting power depends on the age of the patient at the time of procedure and how much sagging the thread lift has corrected. It should be noted that sagging will return over time, but many doctors report that the results last for anything between 3 and 4 years. To extend the results it is possible to have additional filaments inserted and your doctor can advise you when this is required.

Are Men Turning More to Cosmetic Surgery?

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:36:02 GMT

The Devonport Times in Australia thinks so, but according to statistics published on www.surgery.org, there doesn't seem to be a compelling trend showing this to be true... at least for men in the US.

Some sites on the Internet suggest that the segment of the male population that considers cosmetic surgery are are men recently divorced, and wanting a bit more confidence before diving back into the dating scene. However, in the Dr Chambers Medical and Aesthetic Practice in London, UK, men express an interest in looking and feeling better. They are requesting a wide variety of procedures, from mini-facelifts to Vaser Lipo, to a broad range of skin rejuvenation procedures.

Dr Chambers remarks that she hasn't observed a marked uptick in percentage of men coming to the clinic.

Removing Love Handles - Surgery or Spot Toning?

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:11:09 GMT

Love Handle Removal

Love handles are an endearing term given to fatty areas on either side of the abdomen. These areas can be very difficult to shift and are hard to target with exercise. Trimming these areas needs a lot of dedication and changes in diet especially if you have a lot of fat to remove from these problem areas.

There are some spot toning exercises that may help, but you also need to increase your metabolic rate in order to burn fat efficiently. The only way you can do this is with cardio or aerobic exercise and this needs to be done on a regular basis. By continuing with a regime you may start to notice significant results both in the region of your love handles and across your body. As long as you take in less energy (calories) than you burn you will be on the right track to a toned and sleeker physique.

Love handles are unattractive, but are also bad for our health. Carrying significant amounts of fat around the middle can increase the risk of heart disease and other diseases such as diabetes. An apple body shape can also indicate a cortisol imbalance. Cortisol is a stress hormone and if this raises to high levels it can mean that fat is more likely to collect around the middle. The catch 22 is that love handles can cause stress and so the cycle continues.

Q&A: Gynecomastia - Questions & Answers or FAQ's

Wed, 26 May 2010 22:30:35 GMT

Gynecomastia FAQ

Q. What is Gynecomastia?

A. Gynecomastia is characterised by breast tissue becoming overgrown in the male body. This condition can develop at any age and can be very distressing. The good news is that there are relatively little health risks related with this condition. However, embarrassment and stress can often result from this condition.

Q. What is the cause of Gynecomastia?

A. Gynecomastia is generally caused by an imbalance of hormones. This can be because of a deficiency in testosterone levels or an excess amount of estrogen in the body. Hormone imbalances can be caused naturally or as the result of taking certain drugs or a number of health conditions. Some anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications have been known to cause imbalances of hormones so it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor if you feel your drugs are causing gynecomastia.

Q&A: Mole & Blemish Removal - Questions & Answers or FAQ's

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Mole and Blemish Removal

Q. What is it?

A. Moles and blemishes are removed after a local anaesthetic has been applied to the area. The physician will remove the moles using one of a number of different methods. Most moles are removed with a scalpel whilst others are shaved off, frozen off with cold liquid nitrogen gas or removed using a precision laser. You will feel no pain or very little pain depending on the location of the mole or blemish and the removal methods used. Mole removal is quick and will not interfere with any plans you have for the day. Mole removal can be carried out for both cosmetic and medical reasons and your surgeon will discuss the details of each procedure.