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NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Welcome to Cosmetic Surgery Specialists

Compassionate Care you Can Trust

Our primary mission is to educate potential patients

who are considering aesthetic plastic surgery to

enhance their appearance. We provide this in a

warm, caring and compassionate manner while

keeping individual, physical and emotional, interests

and needs in mind.

At Cosmetic Surgery Specialists, we are guided by

an artistic vision that emphasizes the natural and is

repelled by the artificial. Our goal is to enhance or

restore the intrinsic beauty, which is present in each

individual, rather than create a result that appears

“surgical”.

It is our ongoing commitment to provide an

environment of comfort and safety, and to treat each

patient with respect, dignity and compassion.

Patients who undergo cosmetic procedures may

look forward to gaining self confidence and a sense

of well-being from looking, feeling and functioning at

their best. Thus, we provide you with clear and

accurate information in order that informed decisions

can be made in relation to cosmetic procedures and

treatments. We want you to look and feel great.

Introduction

We understand that patients have questions about

their procedure throughout the process and no

matter how much detail we include in this brochure,

it will not compare to the level of advice you can

receive from a private consultation with a specialist

cosmetic surgeon. This brochure is simply an

introduction; we would always advise that you take

the time to sit down with a specialist cosmetic

surgeon to fully discuss a procedure along with any

associated benefits or risks.

BOTOX

BOTOX is the trade name for an injectable agent that

causes temporary denervation and weakening of the

muscles. BOTOX has been used for years to treat

various problems including eye devation, eyelid

spasm, and facial spasms. Since couple of years ago

it has become a very popular cosmetic procedure.

BOTOX most effectively treats dynamic lines and

wrinkles, i.e., those caused by muscle activity,

specifically the muscles that contract during facial

expressions (i.e., frowning and squinting). The ideal

areas to treat are the deep creases found between

the eyebrows, the crows feet wrinkles, and forehead

lines.

www.cosmeticsurgeryspecialists.co.uk Phone: 020-7580-8001

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Cosmetic Surgery Specialists

Compassion . Experience . Trust

Who is suitable for Botox Treatment?

• People between 18 and 65 who want to look their

best by smoothing deep, persistent lines and

wrinkles in the face and forehead.

• Women and men who want to eliminate frown

lines or brow lines and furrows.

• Women and men who are not yet ready for

face lifts or other cosmetic and plastic

surgeries to improve their appearance.

• Women and men who want a simple and fast

procedure to eliminate wrinkles with little

downtime and recovery.

How is Botox treatment performed?

A very small amount of Botox is injected with a very

fine needle into the area being treated. Because the

needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is

used, the pain associated with the injections is

minimal. No sedation or local anaesthetic is

required.

Following the Treatment

BOTOX injections usually take 3 to 7 days to start

restricting the muscles. After the BOTOX takes effect,

some of your lines will disappear completely and

others should be minimized. Some wrinkles have

been present so long that they will not go away even

when the muscle is paralyzed. These wrinkles may

need to be treated with a combination of BOTOX to

paralyze the muscle and a filler.

After the treatment you will have a slight temporary

redness and / or bruising of the skin at your injection

sites which are minor and of short duration, but

otherwise, there will be no visible signs of your

treatment.

Risks and Complications

In some cases it can cause a temporary weakness of

nearby muscles or drooping of an eyelid. The risk of

any side effects depends on the muscles injected.

Because Botox is completely reversible, any side

effects related to excessive weakness are temporary,

lasting only days or weeks.

How long will the results of your Botox last?

The effect of injections usually last from three to six

months, thus, the treatment should be repeated two

to three times per year.

Injectable Fillers

With ageing the underlying tissues that keep our skin

looking youthful breaks down and leaves crow’s feet

(around the eyes), smile lines, nasolabial folds and

other lines in our face.

Soft-tissue fillers, like injectable Collagen, Isolagen,

Restylane, Fat and Aqua Mid, can help fill in these lines

and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more

youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath

the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken

areas of the face.


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NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURES

They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks.

Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction

with a re-contouring procedure, such as a facelift.

The Procedure

• Topical cream anaesthetic is applied to the

treatment site, however, local anaesthetic or

sedation may also be used.

• The chosen filler is injected using a fine needle

inserted at several points along the edge of the

treatment site.

• You may feel some minor stinging or burning as

the injections are administered.

This procedure is best for treatment of chin area, lips,

nasolabial folds, lines around the eyes, between the

forehead and nose bridge.

After the Procedure

Immediately following treatment, you may notice

some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing in the

injected area.

Occasionally some bruising or swelling will occur, but

it is usually minor. Any redness that appears in the

injected site usually disappears within 24 hours.

However, in some individuals, particularly fair-

skinned patients, this redness may persist for a week

or more. Tiny scabs may also form over the needle-

stick areas; these generally heal quickly. No

bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink,

and wear makeup with sun-block protection shortly

thereafter. There may be some temporary swelling

and redness in the treated area which should

gradually improve within a few days.


Risks and complications for this procedure are

usually rare and minor, they include infection,

abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring and

lumpiness, which may persist over the treated area.

Allergic reaction is the primary risk of collagen. To

help determine if you are allergic to the substance,

an allergy skin test will be performed about a month

before the procedure. After the test is performed, the

test site should be watched carefully for three or four

weeks. Any sign of redness, itching, swelling or other

occurrences at the test site should be reported to

your surgeon.

How long will the result last?

Injected material is eventually metabolized by the

body hence the results are temporary. In general, the

injected material is likely to disappear faster in areas

that are more affected by muscle movement. In some

patients the results may last only a few weeks;

however in others, the results may be maintained

indefinitely.


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Researchers believe that age, genetic background,

skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected body

site may all play a role in the injected material's

"staying power." The majority of patients find that at

least half of the injected fullness disappears within 3-

6 months. Therefore, repeated injections may be

necessary in order to maintain the result.

Threadlift Facelift

The Threadlift Facelift is a non-surgical alternative to

a facelift that has patients in and out the door with

improved appearances.

The procedure draws no blood and offers subtle and

natural results. Using a needle, fine threads with tiny

anchors on each end, which are used in plastic

surgery, are inserted under the tissues of the face

with a thin hollow needle. The anchors on one end

grab and lift the sagging skin, and the anchors on the

other end secure the skin to the rest of the facial

tissues without needing incisions, stitches or leaving

any scars.

Who is suitable for Threadlift Facelift?

Most people with early sagging in the face or neck

areas are good candidates for this procedure

Younger patients (35-50) are the most appropriate.

Older patients can also benefit from the threadlift

facelift but must recognize that their results, while

significant, will be less dramatic than younger

patients. Patients whose faces are very heavy or very

thin are not ideal candidates.

The threadlift facelift will not be suitable for all

patients or deliver dramatic results. Hence our

qualified plastic surgeons will first consult with any

interested threadlift facelift candidates before

deciding if the patient will benefit from the minor

procedure safely.

How is Threadlift Facelift performed?

• The procedure is performed under Sedation

and local anaesthetic.

There are two components to Threadlift facelift:

• The first part is performed by inserting

threads under the skin and looping the suture

around deep supportive tissues of the brow

line, cheek, corner of the mouth, jowl and

neck. These threads, that run under the skin

towards the hairline, are then tightened to lift

and support the droopy tissue.

• The second part of procedure provides

additional lift and shaping and uses tiny

"anchored" non-dissolving Prolene threads,

which are normal surgical sutures modified


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with tiny "anchors" on each end. The anchored

threads are inserted with a small hollow needle

into the deep fat of the droopy facial elements,

allowing the surgeon to lift, sculpt and shape the

brow, cheeks and jowls.

• With the lift effect secured, the hollow needle is

removed leaving no scar, the end of the thread is

cut off very close to where a loop is tied securely

and the knot cut, allowing it to retract deep under

the skin where it cannot be felt or seen.

• Each procedure takes approximately thirty

minutes to two hours depending on the number

of sites treated.

• All patients are out-patients

Following the procedure

Depending on the patient and the extent of the

procedure, you may experience mild to moderate

swelling and bruising. In general, your skin will feel

quite swollen and tight for 2-3 days after the

procedure. Pain or discomfort is minimal. Patients

can return to most daily activities the day after their

procedure however

However, during the first 2-3 weeks, you should not

make exaggerated facial expressions, massage the

face, rub the face in anyway or sleep on the face.

Any of the above can disrupt the placement of the

threads. Also patients should only have a diet of soft

food, soups and pasta.


The risks and complications of the threadlift facelift

are uncommon and usually correctable.

The risks and complications include haematoma,

seroma, infection, dimpling, suture failure, visible

sutures, palpable sutures, skin bunching and nerve

injury.

The threads themselves are very safe. The actual

threadlift sutures are the same threads that are

frequently used in the brain, heart and abdominal

surgery, and are then modified by creating tiny

anchors. The Prolene threadlift sutures are inert and

non-reactive and are designed to stay inside the

body for life with little risk of reacting. In the rare

event of a tissue reaction the threads can be

removed.

Because the threadlift facelift is generally performed

under local anaesthetic, there are none of the risks

associated with general anaesthetic.


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How long will the results of your Threadlift

Facelift last?

Depending on the patient’s age, the level of aging

that has occurred, the amount of sun exposure, and

other aging variables, thread lift treatments can last

anywhere from 3-10 years, at which point a second

procedure may be performed if desired.

Considering Non-Surgical Procedure - What

Next?

Initial consultation

The first step is to simply take advantage of a

completely free initial consultation with one of our

nurse counsellors. She will become your primary

contact at the Cosmetic Surgery Specialists and your

liaison between you and your surgeon. Your nurse

counsellor is responsible for ensuring that you

receive the very best care and attention.

The initial consultation is designed to be warm and

informative, and you are very welcome to bring a

friend, partner, or relative along with you. Your nurse

counsellor will be able to answer many of the

questions you may have, and will offer you objective

advice and guidance.

The initial consultation is simply designed to give you

more information (specific to you), and allow you to

think more about what it is you would like to achieve

through your surgery. It is also very valuable because

it helps you to think of questions you may wish to ask

your surgeon – should you decide to progress to the

next stage. At no point are you under any obligation

to progress any further.

Specialist Consultation

Should you decide that you would like to progress

further we would arrange for you to meet with a

specialist cosmetic surgeon. All surgeons associated

with Cosmetic Surgery Specialists are on the GMC

Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. Should you

wish to check your surgeon’s registration, the

telephone number for the GMC is 020 7915 3630.

At your consultation with the surgeon, you will have

the opportunity to discuss your procedure in order

that he/she can ascertain your expectations as to

what can realistically be achieved. It also gives you

the opportunity to ask any final questions and get to

know the surgeon and the experience that they have

with patients undergoing similar procedures.

In addition the surgeon will:

- Discuss your and your family’s medical history and

any pre-operative tests that will need to be

conducted.

- Make a detailed and thorough physical examination

of your area of concern.


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- Explain the surgical options available and which

would be most suited to you.

- Talk you through in details all aspects of the

procedure such as where and how each incision will

be made, an overview of the procedure and what’s

involved, likely complications and possible

conditions, recovery and healing times and stages,

dressing and after care, pain and where it is likely to

be felt and specific care details.

- Assess your feelings and expectations, providing a

realistic account of the likely results and what can be

achieved.

- Confirm how long the procedure will take from

surgery to recovery and establish if any post-

operative treatments are necessary.

Following this consultation it is possible that the

surgeon may decide that surgery is not in your best

interest and might recommend not processing any

further.

The surgeon you see at your consultation will be the

surgeon who will carry out your procedure. Please

note that you are under absolutely no obligation to

take this consultation any further

Informed Consent

Patients have a fundamental legal and ethical right to

determine what happens to their own bodies. Valid

consent to treatment is therefore absolutely central

Prior to any cosmetic treatment or surgical operation

being performed. Seeking consent is also a matter of

common courtesy between health professionals and

patients.

Age Limit

The minimum age for any consultation or a

procedure is 18 years.

Time for Reflection

All aesthetic cosmetic procedures are elective

operations. Following your consultation we

recommend that you take a period of fourteen days

to consider all the benefits and risks of the

procedures, and seek more information if necessary,

before you decide.

Your Procedure

Should you decide that a procedure is right for you,

your nurse counsellor will arrange a date with you for

your procedure. Your nurse counsellor will support

and guide you throughout the entire process, and will

be your point of contact through out your journey with

us.

We at Cosmetic Surgery Specialists are

delighted to be able to offer you compassionate

care you can trust.


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