BUTTOCK AUGMENTATION

(GLUTEOPLASTY)

the facts…………………..

Do’s & Don’ts

Considering cosmetic surgery?  The following simple rules should ensure that you end up looking better, not worse………..

• Avoid any organisation where “counsellors” are employed.  The only person qualified to advise you on your surgical requirements is the surgeon who is to carry out your surgery.  Nurse counsellors should also be avoided.  They have no training, which makes their advice of no use to you.  Counsellor usually means sales, which usually means problems.

• Do nothing until such time as you have consulted a highly experienced Surgeon.  Experience without training is not much use to you.  Always insist on a highly experienced Surgeon.

• Do not accept shared, or worse still, mixed accommodation.  You need your own room and bathroom.  Good surgeons will not be found working where conditions such, as this exists.

• Ask to speak to some of your surgeon’s previous patients.  Particularly those who have undergone the same treatment in which you are interested.  All competent surgeons have patients prepared to give testament to their competence.   If you were told that this would not be ethical, it would probably be better if you found another surgeon.

• Exercise caution when offered photographs depicting patient’s pre and post operatively.  There are several things to consider here.  The first is whether or not they are the property of the person showing them to you.  All too often the same photographs keep turning up with different surgeons claiming to have carried out the operation.

The second thing to bear in mind is the simple face that these photographs will represent the very best a surgeon or organisation can produce.  They are not going to show bad photographs.  If what you are shown does not impress, you should remember that what you are looking at is probably their very best.  You may not do anywhere near as well.

• All responsible surgeons and organisations publish detailed facts with regard to the procedure in which your interests may lie.  Avoid those whose information consists of nothing more or less than trumpet blowing.  Pictures of smiling patients do not tell you what you need to know.  Look for detailed information and explanations about the procedure, which should include the disadvantages and risks as well as the advantages.

• Ensure that your levels of expectation are realistic.  Plastic Surgery is not going to turn you into a film star, nor much sought after employee, not is it going to mend marriages.  In fact, apart from improving some aspect of your appearance there is very little else you can justifiably expect from it.

If improvement of appearance is all you ask from your surgery, you will no doubt be delighted at the increase in self-confidence and rapid return of self-esteem.  However, as stated above, ensure that your expectations are realistic by discussing carefully with your surgeon just what can be achieved.

• Do not have surgery to please someone else.  This is a private solution to a personal problem and surgery carried out for this reason is rarely successful.  If you have surgery, have it because you want it, not for somebody else.

Considering Treatment?

Today it has become almost cultural to take vitamins and food supplements as an aid to maintaining health.  However, if you are considering aesthetic plastic surgery and regularly take food supplements please read the following very carefully.

Likewise, if you are taking any medication on a regular basis, the following information is of importance to you:

The following must not be taken two weeks prior to surgery being carried out and for the two weeks following:

Effamol G     Primrose Oil     Wheatgerm With Vitamin E      Evening Primrose Oil     Salmon Oil Capsules    Cod Liver Oil Capsules
Multi-Vitamins with E

No anti-inflammatory agents (mediations for the treatment of swelling, bruising, pains, etc) including:

 

No Naturopath preparations including:

 

Do not take medications containing salicylates including:

 

Or anything containing Aspirin.  You may take paracetamol.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Moams), prescribed for depression must not be taken, nor any medication used to thin the blood.

Smoking may seriously affect the outcome of any surgery you may be contemplating but particularly in the case of:

 

You should stop smoking ideally from six weeks pre-operatively and for two weeks post-operatively.  If you can stop for this period of time why not stop permanently?

Please contact us if you require explanation or further information on the above.

BUTTOCK AUGMENTATION (Gluteoplasty)

This booklet has been prepared to answer many of the frequently asked questions about Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty).  The information contained within regarding Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) is important to everyone thinking about Breast Reduction treatment and we recommend that all sections be read carefully.

You must not use this information as something on which to base final decisions about Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) without the benefit of an individual examination.  Descriptions of the surgical details are in general terms and will not apply to everyone.  This information may, however, serve as a starting point for your enquiry and space has been provided at the back of this booklet for “note-taking”.

The material contained within this Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) booklet was designed to allow careful consideration at home of both the procedural and surgical details of the operation in which you are interested.  It is free of photographs, makes no recommendations for surgery and in no way should it be considered promotional material for the hospital.

If you consult a surgeon you do so in the knowledge that he endorses the basic concept of this Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) booklet.  Wherever his ideas or methods differ from those described within, he will draw this to your attention and describe his own preferences and the reason for them.

Differing methods should not be considered as deviating from normal, or accepted procedures.  There are hundreds of variations for each surgical procedure carried out and your surgeon has a duty of care to ensure that he selects that, which is appropriate for you.

Why have Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?

Examine your reasons – make sure that your expectations are realistic – have a positive attitude remember plastic surgery will not resolve your major life problems but should boost your confidence and self esteem.

Do not have surgery to please someone else, these are private solutions to personal problems and surgery for this reason is rarely successful.

When a reputable surgeon and anaesthetist carry out an aesthetic surgery operation, it is rare for severe complications to occur, but nothing can be guaranteed absolutely.

However, in very difficult cases it is conceivable that several procedures may be required before the ultimate end result will be achieved.  If this is the case, you will be advised of this fact before you are allowed to elect for surgery, and the price you are quoted will include the cost of all surgery necessary.

Rarely is aesthetic plastic surgery covered by insurance policies.  Surgery required to correct poor attempts at cosmetic surgery may be covered by medical insurance if it can be shown that the correction of previous surgery is essential to the health or well being of the insured.

When surgery is carried out to correct the result of poor surgery carried out elsewhere, it is done so on the basis that more than one surgical procedure may be required and that such procedure(s) do not carry the guarantee applicable to surgery originating from this hospital.  This type of surgery is usually difficult and unpredictable and may require several procedures.  If you hold medical insurance, it may well be that the cost, either in full, or part, will be met by your insurers.  The Hospital will assist with the necessary forms.  An ever-increasing amount of surgery carried out at this Hospital is for corrective purposes.

Everyone is different and the same operation will have different results.  Some take longer to heal than others, some skins produce raised scars and other, hardly any at all.  This is due to differing natural healing responses, which cannot be evaluated prior to surgery.  You must remember this.  Minor revision surgery may be required because in major or complex procedures it is more likely that all the factors of shaping and healing, will fail to give a perfect result first time.  Some revision surgery becomes necessary, because a patient fails to transmit his or her true requirements to the surgeon.  If you have a passive personality (absolutely nothing wrong with that) and during your consultation say, you contribute little, you are most likely to end up with the surgical result which reflects your surgeons aesthetic tastes as opposed to your own.  As previously mentioned, if your requirements are specific in any way, they must be made known to your surgeon during consultation.  During your consultation, your surgeon will listen carefully to what you say, noting down your requirements in your personal records.  These notes will be of great value to him, both when planning your treatment and carrying it out.  If you are accepted for treatment, please do not make a definite appointment for your surgery to be carried out unless you are sure you can keep it.  The Centre will require a fee equivalent to 10% of the total fee payable before booking a surgical appointment and this fee is non-refundable in most circumstances.  Please discuss this point with administration.

Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty)

Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) has become more and more popular over the years and should you be considering this procedure then you will need to know a few things about it.

What happens during the initial consultation?

You will meet your surgeon and will tell him exactly what you want, why you feel you want Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) and for how long you have wanted to undergo Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty).

You will be asked to give information about any previous operations (cosmetic and non cosmetic), your health condition, your current medications, your allergies to medications and if you are a smoker or not.

Your surgeon will examine you and will take some measurements.

The whole procedure of Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) will be explained to you in detail, including:

• the type of anaesthesia involved
• the different surgical options (fat transfer or implants)

If you decide that you would prefer using Buttock Implants:

• the incision (length 5cms) location (on the midline) and the possible outcome
• the type of buttock implants used (cohesive gel or silicone
• the shape of the buttock implants used (round or oval
• the surface of the buttock implants used (textured or smooth)
• the different sizes
• the different projections
• the type of pockets – intramuscular – sub muscular – subfascial
• the surgical options combined to the buttock implants (liposuction/liposculpture or fat transfer/subgluteal uplift
• the drains
• the type of sutures used
• the type of dressing

As you will usually be staying 3 days in hospital, your drains will be removed before being discharged and your big dressing changed for a smaller one.  Then it is recommended that you use some sports underwear (bicycle type) and keep this on for 3 weeks, day and night.

What happens when you decide that you wish to go ahead with the surgery?

You make contact with the Centre and we do all the rest for you.

You will be required to undergo a blood test (usually done in a private laboratory) mostly to check your red and white cells and your coagulation.

Before the operation, we recommend that you do not take Aspirin or any similar tablets.  It is also recommended to stop the contraceptive pill before the surgery.

You will have to stop eating, drinking and smoking 6 hours before the operation.

You will see your surgeon before going into theatre and will have time to ask him any questions you forgot to ask before.  He will ask you to sign a Consent Form for Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) this is where all the possible risks will be mentioned.  He will then do some markings on your skin and take some before photographs (they will remain on your file and are totally confidential).

Then you will meet your anaesthetist and you will be taken to the theatre.

Your Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty) operation will take approximately 2 hours.  You will then spend approximately half an hour in recovery, before being taken back to your room.

In your bed, you will be actually seated, with pillows under the back of your thighs. The Nurse will help you, at the beginning, to stand up and go to the bathroom.

You will be discharged on the third day before 12.00 noon.

How do we decide the size of my buttock implant?

The surgeon will take into consideration your current size, your wishes, your measurements and the quality of your skin.  You can try different implant sizes in the consultation room, but this will only give you a rough idea.

There is obviously a limit to what can be done, if you want your buttocks to look natural and not sag in a short period of time.

What happens after the surgery?

Back at home you are supposed to take it easy: no sport, no heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks.  You will probably be in pain for a couple of weeks and will need to take pain killers.

You are not permitted to shower this area for 2-3 weeks, but you need to keep it very clean.  Fully sitting is only permitted after 3 weeks.

You are supposed to come back to the clinic after 2 weeks for the first wound check (but you can contact the office anytime in between).  After this first post operative consultation, you will see your surgeon, one month, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery.  Then, it will only be once a year.

Your stitches will be trimmed after 2 weeks.

The initial swelling will disappear within 3 weeks, which is the time you need, before seeing how big you are going to be.

What are the risks of this operation?

Apart from the usual side effects (pain – 2 weeks) swelling, numbness; there are some potential risks which are still very rare:

• Bleeding – this is quite rare but if it happens you will have to go back to surgery to have it stopped.  This is why it is so important to stop smoking before the surgery.
• Bruising.
• Infection – this is why you have the antibiotics.
• Asymmetry.
• Displacement of the implant(s) – can happen if you do not take it easy for long enough after the surgery.
• Seroma or collection of lymphatic fluid that needs to be aspirated.
• Wound opening – generally happens when the seroma tends to get out.  This is extremely rare, since a double incision on the midline instead of a single one is used, and also, since smooth surfaced implants are used instead of textured ones.
• Capsule contracture – rare condition, when the buttocks get hard (due to the building of inside scar tissue).
• Life expectancy of implants – approximately 15 years.

All of the above risks and complications are rare, but remember that surgery is not an exact science and there is no magic in surgery.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask your surgeon, who will always be pleased to see you again during a second consultation.

We hope that you will be pleased by your new appearance.  Our aim is to make your stay at the hospital as pleasant and trouble-free as possible.

We hope this information has answered most of your questions regarding Buttock Augmentation (Gluteoplasty).  If it hasn’t please jot down any concerns you may have which can be dealt with either by telephoning us on 0800 0281 329 so you can elect to take your enquiry further, during your consultation.  If you do attend for a consultation for Breast Reduction please feel free to bring along a relative or friend whose judgement you trust, if you feel their presence would support you.

Photographs 

Many patients express disappointment at the fact that these notes do not contain photographs taken prior to and following surgery.  The use of photographs projecting “only favourable results” is misleading and such photographs bear no relationship to the surgical result, which can be obtained apart from the patient so depicted.

Photographs of patients show only what was possible in that particular case.  There is no guarantee that you will fare as well, or won’t do better.  If you are interested in seeing photographic examples of your surgeons work, ask for them during your consultation when he can positively ensure that no confusion is allowed to exist.

These notes are generated from computer information, which is constantly updated.  For this reason they are not included within, but are additional to, the main hospital brochure.

About our In-House Therapist

Suzie has studied and qualified in many therapies, among them: Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique, Anatomy, Physiology and Physical Therapies.

Suzie has worked extensively on studying the effects of thoughts, life experiences and stress on individuals.  Now an Eclectic Therapist, she works with a wide range of clients at varying levels; from deep seated emotional issues to Image Consultancy.  Suzie’s extensive range of skills have been nurtured through her varied background and experience.  Having worked as a model for several years, she then moved into Theatre and TV, later training as a make-up artist.  It is hardly surprising; therefore, that Suzie is passionate about looking your best, feeling your best and being your best.  She is engaging, warm, grounded and potent individual with a wicked sense of humour.

More recently, Suzie has been working as a trainer and facilitator for key corporate organisations.

Don’t miss the opportunity to work with this unique therapist and coach who is keenly aware of the thoughts and feelings of those who wish to make a change.

A quote from Suzie:-

“Many years ago I had a cosmetic procedure.  Whilst I was very pleased with the result, I realise now that I would have benefited in having a caring professional to help support me in addressing other psychological issues that were present, I did eventually seek out a therapist and coach who worked with me, enabling me to take control of my life and make the most of myself and my opportunities.  Seeing the results from people who take time to work with a therapist and coach encouraged me in the belief that what I am doing is worthwhile and valid”.

Our Methodology

Has four main influences in which our therapist and coach is fully qualified and able to support you:

Life Coaching

• Identifying goals and working towards them
• Overcoming any obstacles on the way
• Often used in conjunction with other therapies
• Promoting personal responsibility
• Understanding the techniques
• Putting into operation new ways of being

Hypnosis

• One of the most powerful tools to aid relaxation and de-stress
• Allowing positive suggestions deep into your sub-conscious
• Giving lasting results

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

• Understanding self and others
• Using a range of techniques towards significant improvement
• Helping you communicate more effectively
• Building relationships and rapport with others
• A very powerful technique when used with hypnosis

Psychotheraphy

• Using the essence of this therapy for coaching purposes
• Supporting more deep-rooted issues which sometimes occur

What you will gain from coaching

• Clarity
• Focus to fulfil your true potential
• A new found confidence and sense of self
• You will be empowered to go out and be the best you can be!

Making the most of your for the rest of your life

If you are considering a surgical procedure, it is quite normal to wish for an enhanced look.  Our therapist can also help you focus on the bigger picture, by discussing the psychological and emotional aspects, dealing with what is important to you: focusing on the thoughts, beliefs and feelings that run parallel to your decision.  In this way, you will gain the maximum advantage before, during and after cosmetic surgery, enabling you to make the right decision for the right reasons and with a realistic outcome.  In short, we will be concentrating not only on the “you” outside but also the “you” inside.
We have an extensive range of techniques that can guide, mentor and coach you through to:

• Personal well-being
• Making the most of yourself
• Professional success
• Understanding your strengths
• Achieving your goals
• Being the best you can
• Freeing you from guilt and limitations
• Increasing your self-confidence
• Losing weight (and keeping it off!)
• Eliminating fears and phobias
• Relieving stress

From a one-off session, discussing whether this is correct for you, to your decision to go ahead with surgery, our in-house therapist can help you from step one, supporting you through any fears and anxieties and any emotional issues.

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"Can't thank you enough really for giving me the courage to go through with operation and for supporting me after." Jas