Many healthcare companies are in the market offering to organise and assist patients who have decided to “go private� for their procedures – either as a first choice or because surgery is simply not available to them under the national health scheme.
Most prospective patients, certainly in the UK and Republic of Ireland, arrange their private treatment through commercial providers and/or facilitators, rather than attempting to deal direct with the surgeon, and many providers offer a range of procedures, from Cosmetic Surgery, Dental Treatment or Laser Eye Surgery to Obesity Surgery and General Surgery.
It can be quite bewildering for the prospective patient who must not only attempt to learn as much as possible about the procedure they wish to undergo, but also try to select a surgeon and medical team they are willing to put their trust in, and to choose a company which will inform and guide them honestly and put the patient’s best interests above their own desire to “make a sale�.
Michael Dermody and Deborah Darling of Cosmetic Bliss – a private healthcare company which arranges weight loss surgery and post-weight loss cosmetic surgery in the Czech Republic for English-speaking patients are calling for better standards of clear communication and improved support by healthcare facilitators for their patients – especially in the field of weight loss surgery , their own specialist area.
Michael Dermody is quoted as saying
“Our company’s high reputation on the various weight loss forums is founded on our being able to provide thorough and extensive information to our patients pre-operatively, ensuring that they are properly prepared for their surgery; supporting them whilst they make the visit for the surgical procedure and being available to them during the period of weight loss after their surgery.
I think what makes us special is the “hand-holding� service we give whilst the patient is with us for surgery. We make sure we are there – in the hospital – with them throughout their stay, and this is something our patients really value above everything else. Of course we couldn’t do it without the co-operation we get from our partner hospital and surgeon.
We realised a long time ago that taking patients through weight loss surgery was very different from arranging Cosmetic Surgery – it is much more demanding, and requires a much greater commitment by the provider
Firstly, there is the matter of assessing the patient’s suitability for surgery. Quite apart from fairly rigorous pre-operative preparation and testing, some of which should be done well before the surgery itself, there is the issue of making sure the patient is really ready for surgery and prepared to make the mental adjustments, in terms of relationship to food which are necessary if the surgery is to achieve long-term weight loss. Then there is the question of putting in place for the patient an adequate system of support and monitoring during the months and years after the surgery. Unless all these things are done, and done correctly, there’s every chance a patient is wasting their money in having the surgery, as the whole point of the exercise is for the patient to achieve sustained, long term weight loss, not merely a good safe operation with clean scars!
It disheartens and worries me when I see that there are still some companies out there that sell weight loss surgery in a way I would expect to see furniture sold, with “special offer� discounts, and “last minute deals�. It all seems to diminish the serious nature of the surgery and the commitment the patient has to make. More alarming, though, is the lack of quality information provided by some companies – and in some cases positively inaccurate and misleading information is openly advertised on websites. There are still providers of weight loss procedures who advertise a Gastric Bands as being “the same as Gastric Bypass�, and even one promoting Intragastric balloons (a non-surgical temporary endoscopic procedure) as “Lap Bands� .
That’s no different from selling someone a cat, and telling them it’s a dog, on the grounds that “it’s the same thing�!
I know that many companies do a good job, but it is not fair or right to expect the enquiring prospective patient to be able to distinguish between accurate and misleading or inadequate information – especially as they often come to the marketplace having done very little research before contacting providers.
I firmly believe that there is a crying need for Private Healthcare providers and Medical Tourism companies to get together – probably in the form of a trade organisation – to set agreed standards of care, support and accuracy of information, and devise a form of accreditation – not only for the sake of their own reputations but in the interests of true patient care.
Our own facilities in Breclav Hospital are specifically geared to Obesity Surgery, and there are emergency and ICU departments on hand at this modern major hospital to enable us to safely cater for those morbidly obese patients who have other serious health problems. We are working closely with the hospital and Dr Michal Cierny PhD, the Specialist Bariatric Surgeon in charge of the Bariatric and Metabolic Centre there in creating a European Centre of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery.
We are currently actively seeking to co-operate with other providers and facilitators of Private Healthcare – especially in the UK, Eire, and North America – who have a close and trusting relationship with their patients and who share our own commitment to the quality of information and pre- and post-operative care standards for Bariatric patients I have described.
We are willing to develop working relationships with companies who wish to take full advantage of our facilities for safe surgery, and who will value the round the clock support we will be able to provide to their patients when they are with us for surgery. This will enable the provider to focus on putting in place a solid system of pre-and post operative support, and we would welcome enquiries from other Private Healthcare companies working in this field who are interested in developing such a relationship, and promoting standards of excellence in the area of Obesity Surgery and care and support in managing weight loss post-surgery.
We would welcome enquiries from Healthcare Providers and Facilitators, initial contact can be made with us through our website: http://www.cosmeticbliss.co.uk/p/contact

Metro News, 27th October 2009

Hardly anyone is 100% happy with their appearances. Many of us try hard to change what they don’t like. There are, however, things that dieting and exercising alone can’t improve.

Stubborn fat in the tummy, tights and hips is a serious problem, especially for women.

An anonymous lady from Halifax had liposuction in 2006. Even though she’s never been big, she wasn’t happy with her tights and hips. She was in great physical shape, had a healthy diet and was exercising regularly but still couldn’t achieve her goals. It was a challenge to find the right clothes that would fit her slim torso and larger bottom.

Then, eventually she decided that liposuction is her last resort. She took a week off from work for the operation and recovery. Then, she had to wear support clothes for six weeks. Three years afterwards, though, she feels like it never happened. “Nobody knows about the surgery, but nobody asked,� she says. “It seemed like a big deal to me, but to others it just looked like I lost some weight.�

Dr. Richard Bendor-Samuel, the plastic surgeon says it’s very important to eat healthily and exercise both before and after the surgery. He admits that patients who maintain healthy lifestyle, get excellent results.

Weight Loss Surgery Channel, 26th July 2009

Obese patients have got a powerful tool in their fight for loss-weight – a surgery. Batriatic surgeons highlight, though, the surgery alone does not guarantee success.

The key to the satisfaction is after-surgery support and change of diet and life-style. Dr. Emma Patterson, Medical Director at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, created a revolutionary post-op program she presented at the 2009 annual meeting in Grapevine.

Dr. Patterson is a very experienced surgeon. She has performed over 1.300 batriatic procedures. She has also trained surgeons around the world, has published journal articles, abstracts and book chapters. Dr. Patterson admits, though, that weight-loss surgery is not the magic tool that cures all obesity-related problems.

“Weight loss and the improvements in health are all about the post-operative support,� says Patterson, “As a surgeon, I do my job in the operating room, but no matter how well I do that, it doesn’t guarantee that the patient is going to lose a lot of weight.�

She also stresses that every patient will have different results. Weight-loss surgery is a very individual procedure.

The key to success is post-operation care about nutrition, fitness and emotional balance. It’s very important that patients have support after the surgery. Each patient should have determined appropriate vitamins and protein intake, also appropriate exercises should be determined so that patients can execute them after the operation.

Also constant follow-ups need to take place, especially in the first year after the surgery. Researches show that patients who are actively involved are more likely to succeed and continue a changed life-style.

“Our band patients come back monthly for the first year for follow up with a surgeon or physician assistant for band adjustments and counseling,� says Patterson. Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients come into the office every 2-3 months during the first year, she says.
Psychological support is extremely important as weight-loss surgery is a difficult matter and patients should not be left alone.

Best Syndication, 22 March 2009

It is not easy to lose weight. There is no facile way, they all require lots of good will, self-abnegation and patience. The result is well worth it, though. Being slimmer means better health, easier moving, higher self-esteem, not to mention great look.

People who lost a lot of weight might find it difficult to deal with it afterwards. Extended skin is the major problem. It is too loose after having lost serous weight. Also fat deposits are visible in some places.

Losing weight, no matter if through exercising, diet or cosmetic surgery, is only the first part of all the changes.

Unfortunately there are no exercises which would bring loose skin back to its “normal� state. Cosmetic surgery brings hope, though. It can give you the body you’re desperate to have.

There is a selection of possibilities to remove loose skin and fat deposits, tighten muscles and give the good-looking body contours. It is the final step in the weight-loss procedure.

A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a procedure that tightens the skin and supporting tummy muscles; it also removes fat deposits.

Buttock fit refines the shape of the buttock area in order to eliminate fat.

Tight lift is usually performed on the inner tights. This is where stubborn fat tends to sit.

Liposuction is a procedure where a small stainless tube is used to collect fat that sits under the skin.

Breast lift is needed when lots of weight has been lost and then the breasts look unattractive. The procedure can bring them to the correct position. Also men can undergo this operation if they’ve got extended and saggy skin in the breast area.

Body contouring can be a combination of the above procedures. Cosmetic surgeon will analyse the body to see what’s needed.

EarthTimes, 08 October 2008

The latest studies show that injecting fat in breasts after the augmentation surgery can be safe and shows great effects. The study is controversial and will be discussed in further details by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The MD of the ASPS, Gregory Scott, says that the appearance of the breasts after fat injection would be much improved and make the patients really happy with the results. “The initial implant reconstruction sometimes leaves them with contour deformities or wrinkling, but fat injections can correct these problems and give their breasts a smoother, softer, more natural appearance,” he said.

21 patients took part in the research. They underwent 42 transfers for contour deformities and wrinkling. They had fat injected about 9 months after the breast surgery. The fat was taken from their tights or abdomen. The study after the injection showed that breast shape improved, implant wrinkling was corrected and the reconstruction was safe for the patient.

Despite those benefits, this procedure is controversial. “Should We Inject Fat IntoThe Breast� is a title of 2008 discussion for the plastic surgeons where medical and legal risks as well as other aspects will be considered.

“At this point, there are no good scientific studies about cosmetic use of fat in the breast – this is an evolving issue without any scientific data,” said William P. Adams, Jr., member of the ASPS Emerging Trends Committee. “We need to have good, sound, scientific studies to determine the usefulness and safety of this methodology before we offer it to our patients.”

Two main reasons for the controversy are that fat in the breasts can obscure mammograms and be mistaken for fibrous cancer growths and surgeons do not know how much fat is needed to enlarge the breasts, how much of it will the body absorb and how much time it will take.

About 350.000 breasts enlargement surgeries took place in 2007. Surgeons agree that the fat injection issue has to be studied to see how useful and safe they are for the patients in order to start the procedure.

Best Syndication 18 September, 2008

Liposuction as a quick way of loosing fat, is a very common cosmetic surgery these days. Thanks to the procedure the flat tummy and slim lights are possible to achieve.

The surgery is safer than other weight-loss operations but patients need to be aware of the potential risks.

The benefits of the liposuction are numerous. The surgery can be seen as a body sculpture as the doctor shapes the chosen parts. One of the differences between liposuction and other weight-loss surgeries is that here the last effect depends more on patients.

Patients are very active in the whole procedure as they tell the surgeon not only which parts of their body they want to be changed but also how these parts they want to look. Another great thing is that the results of this operation are quick. After only a few hours a new flat and smooth body can be seen.

Liposuction is a very good solution for all those who have tried diets and exercising with no results. Such patients will be amazed to see they can fit into their clothes or even wear the ones they could never wear before.

Unfortunately this surgery also carries risks. Whereas some of them might be quite serious, the others are not too much of a problem.

After the surgery the patients are given antibiotics to prevent the infection. One of the major problems is that some patients still get them even being given antibiotics. The infections can be quite serious and may require hospitalization.

Another potential issue is heart problems. These problems might appear if, in order to keep patients hydrated, too many liquids are injected. If it’s the case, the heart cannot cope with that causing problems.
Patients preparing for liposuction need to prepare themselves for the pain. In some patients it can last longer than in the others.

There is also a risk that the surgery removes the fat unequally if the skin is not elastic enough to snap back into place after the fat being removed. This would cause the need of another surgery to mend the effect.

As all surgeries, also liposuction has both benefits and risks. Potential patients should do a detailed research on which one is the best for them. The best way is to make an appointment with a surgeon who will present the options.

Aug 29 2008 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

‘I feel as if I’m stuck inside a horrible shell’

A YOUNG dad has told how he has become a recluse after being refused an operation to remove four stone of excess skin from his body.

Alistair Preston, 28, was morbidly obese and told he would be dead within a year if he did not shed weight from his 37-stone frame.

The father of one, from Pengam Green, Cardiff, lost 20 stone after he underwent a £10,000 gastric sleeve operation in 2006, paid for by his mother, who re-mortgaged her house. COSMETIC BLISS NOTE: A SLEEVE OPERATION WITH US WILL COST ONLY £4,990.00

He now needs another operation to remove the curtains of excess skin left behind. But Health Commission Wales, which pays for specialised health services, says he is still too overweight and must lose another three-and-a-half stone.

They say his body mass index, a way of determining if someone is a healthy weight for their height, is still too high. Alistair is 5ft 11in tall and now weighs under 17 stone.

Alistair, who has a three-year-old daughter, says he has sunk into a deep depression and admits he spends most of his time in his flat.

He said: “They promised to help me and now they’ve changed their minds. I feel like a slim person stuck in a horrible shell. I want a normal life. The skin is not just on my belly, it’s all down my legs and arms.

“The BMI index is out of date. They are setting me a target I can’t reach. It’s impossible for me to reach that weight because I would be ill.�

Alistair turned to food for comfort at 17 after nursing his father Alan until his death.

He added: “I had the operation so I could be around for my daughter. When my dad died, I didn’t know what to do.�

Health Commission Wales conducted an internal review panel but it decided to uphold the original decision to refuse surgery despite support from Alistair’s GP.

A spokesman for Health Commission Wales (HCW) said: “While we cannot comment on any individual case it should be noted that HCW always considers exceptional cases and will consider abdominoplasty/apronectomy for individuals suffering from severe functional problems that have a negative impact on their day-to-day life.�

Alistair’s mum, Anna Preston, of Bridgend, said: “He feels worse than he did before. If I could sell my house to pay for his operation I would but nobody is buying at the moment.�

His partner Samantha Collins, 24, said: “The longer this carries on, the more concerned I am about his mental well-being. It’s so frustrating to see how low he is. They are looking at numbers but they need to look at him as a person.�

Alistair said: “I was looking forward to leading a normal life and having the ability to go out and work but my life has come to a standstill.

“I’m getting more and more depressed and spend most of my time in my flat. It’s just me, myself and I.�

13 Feb 2008 – www.lookinggood-feelinggreat.co.uk
The perception of undergoing liposuction as an instant measure to lose weight is a “common misconception”, according to independent consumer advice portal Looking Good BuyAssociation.

Liposuction is intended for people who have unevenly distributed fat deposits on parts of the body including the stomach, thighs, buttocks and arms that diet and exercise alone cannot remove.

Felicity Quigley, editor of Looking Good BuyAssociation, said: “The thing about liposuction is that, number one, it doesn’t actually reduce cellulite… the best candidates for liposuction are people who have actually tried diet and exercise, have tried to shift pockets of fat that they can’t get rid of, and it’s about getting rid of it that way; it’s not about losing weight.”

The latest figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) show that 32,453 surgical procedures were carried out by BAAPS members in 2007 – up 12.2 per cent from 2006.

Ms Quigley revealed that a new alternative non-invasive liposuction procedure is set to launch in the UK using lasers.

However, while technological advances in cosmetic surgery are facilitating a rise in non-invasive procedures, she warned that people considering surgery must do their research first and understand the potential risks involved.

The Scotsman 04/02/08

RECORD numbers of people across the UK are going under the knife, according to new figures which show a large increase in plastic-surgery procedures.

The figures, released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps), show the stigma of “having some work done” is falling away.

Some 32,453 people chose to have cosmetic surgery last year, an increase of 12 per cent on 2006, when 28,921 procedures were carried out.

Facelifts are becoming ever more popular according to data, with 4,238 women opting for the procedure last year, a rise of 37 per cent on 2006.

Breast implants remained the most popular procedure, with 6,497 woman undergoing the operation, while 5,148 women had eye surgery, and 3,990 women had liposuction, an increase of 15 per cent.

While 91 per cent of all cosmetic surgery was carried out on women, the figures show more men than ever are open to “self-improvement”.

Last year, 98 men had tummy tucks, a rise of 61 per cent, while the number of males who had liposuction rose by 18 per cent.

Leading plastic surgeons believe factors encouraging the trend include the higher profile of surgery – driven by a rise in TV shows featuring live cosmetic work – and the availability of “softer” options such as botox, which act as an introduction to the idea of face “rejuvenation”.

Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and president of Baaps, said: “This year’s audit clearly reflects the UK’s continued acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in the area of anti-ageing.

“Wide media coverage has helped educate the public about the latest advances and choices available, but it is crucial that people do their research carefully when choosing a provider.”

Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and Baaps secretary, said that the dramatic rise in surgery may be related to the increase in non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as face “fillers” and peels.

He added: “The effects of these less invasive treatments can sometimes be limited once jowling or loose skin has developed, so this could explain why more patients now feel ready for the surgical option.”

Concerns have recently been raised about the growth of the industry – predicted to be worth £1 billion by the end of 2008.

Last month, consumer body Which? revealed many clinics used hard-sell techniques to encourage people to opt for expensive or risky operations.

Undercover researchers found unqualified sales assistants made false claims that procedures would last for life, or offered two-for-one deals.

Psychologists also claimed the statistics highlighted a worrying social trend.

Dr Cynthia McVey, head of psychology at Caledonian University, said: “We judge people on youth and beauty, rather than character and behaviour.

“We are all going to get older, but a sense of attractiveness should be more than skin deep.”

She added that the increasing willingness of celebrities to admit to “having work done”, as well as the reduction in cost, had helped legitimise surgery.

Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, said: “Some people have a psychological need to have their nose or their tummy or their breasts done to make themselves feel better. They are quite genuinely in psychological distress.

“But I think what we are seeing is a definite rise in the number of people that see surgery as a way of helping them get on – to get a better job or be more successful with the opposite sex.

5 October 2007 Easier.com

Almost one million (918,000) image conscious British adults are planning to borrow a whopping £1.4 billion to pay for plastic surgery, according to the research from Abbey Loans.

With all those celebrities showing off their beach bodies over the summer, most Britons appear most concerned about perfecting their curves and honing their six packs. Indeed breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic procedure sought by Brits, accounting for 27 per cent of all surgery, followed by tummy tucks with 25 per cent. Rhinoplasties, or nose jobs, were cited as the third favourite area with 17 per cent.

The major reason people want to alter their appearance is to gain more confidence in themselves according to 51 per cent, a further 32 percent claim it is for medical purposes. Two percent go plastic fantastic after being egged on by a friend, and one percent does so to stop people teasing them about a particular part of their body.

Females account for two thirds of Britons wanting plastic surgery. Three-in-five procedures are planned by those between the ages of 18-34.

The UK is still the most desirable location to undergo plastic surgery with 83 per cent opting to stay close to their home comforts. Six per cent opt for Eastern Europe where surgery is cheaper and two per cent of ‘Nip,Tuck’ Brits head to the USA – presumably taking advantage of the cheap dollar.

Paul Morrish, Head of Abbey Loans, commented: “Whether striving for visible perfection or as part of a medical treatment, plastic surgery is getting more and more popular amongst Britons. We are seeing an increase in requests to borrow for plastic surgery and with Abbey offering a competitive loan rates, starting at 7.9% APR on internet loans, we’d be more than happy to speak to anyone who is seriously considering cosmetic procedures.�