We all have areas of our body that we’re less than happy with, even if we’re committed to a healthy and fit lifestyle. Body contouring or body sculpting aims to reshape the body and remove stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

We’re all born with a finite number of fat cells that expand and contract depending on how carefully we watch what we eat or how hard we work out. However, genetics and the ageing process can also determine if we have a particular body concern, such as a double chin, muffin top, stomach pouch, bingo wings, or saddlebags.

Now, there are many options for tackling these problem areas, so if you’re considering body contouring, here are some of the questions you should ask.

Which body contouring procedure is right for me?

The best body contouring procedure depends on your current body shape and type and what you hope to achieve. During your consultation with body sculpting expert Mr Michael Mouzakis, you will have a physical assessment and a clear discussion of your concerns and goals so he can advise you on the appropriate body contouring procedure.

If you have small pockets of fat and good skin elasticity, then MicroLipo may be the answer. Larger volumes of fat may respond better to Vaser, which also induces a degree of skin tightening. For slim and toned patients wanting to reveal a more defined physique, Vaser Hi-Def can sculpt around the underlying musculature.

However, if you have very poor skin elasticity or stretched abdominal muscles, a surgical procedure such as a tummy tuck will be the best option, as excess skin can be removed and the abdominal muscles tightened.

Am I a good candidate for body contouring?

The ideal candidate has positive, realistic goals and is fit and well. It is essential to realise that body contouring is not a weight loss procedure, and they should ideally also be within 15 and 20% of their goal weight to get the best results.

Smoking can delay healing and contributes to poor skin elasticity, so the ideal body contouring patient is a non-smoker.

Am I ready to commit to looking after my results?

Although the fat cells removed during your body contouring procedure cannot grow back, it is possible to undermine your results by putting on weight. This means putting more weight on elsewhere or further expanding the remaining fat cells in the treatment area.

Committing to a healthy diet and exercise routine before your body contouring procedure means you are in the best possible shape for surgery. Still, it also means you are more likely to maintain your results post-procedure. Vaser Hi-Def requires strict adherence to weight maintenance.

When will I see the results of my body contouring procedure?

You can expect to see an immediate difference in your body shape, but some swelling can last up to six months before it fully subsides, and you can appreciate your final result.

Are there risks involved?

Vaser lipo and MicroLipo are typically safe and well-tolerated procedures, but there are also potential risks that you should be aware of before deciding to proceed.

These include bruising, pain, infection, skin discolouration, bleeding and asymmetry. Scars are typically minimal and are usually positioned where they will not be visible when healed.

More questions on body contouring? Call 02033 256 533 or email info@drmooz.com to book a consultation with Mr Michael Mouzakis.

Distressed that your lower body is out of proportion to your upper body? Frustrated that however carefully you eat or how much you exercise, it never seems to make a difference to the size of your thighs or calves? Experiencing heavy, aching or even painful legs that are sensitive to the touch or easily bruise?

You are likely to be suffering from lipoedema, or lipedema in the US, which is a very common condition afflicting mainly women, although most sufferers are misdiagnosed or told to just lose weight. Sadly, this disorder of the adipose or fatty tissue, is resistant to diet or exercise.

This leaves many women embarrassed by the aesthetic appearance of their legs and experiencing pain and a lack of mobility that affects quality of life and prevents them enjoying many normal activities.

What stage lipoedema do I have?

Lipoedema almost exclusively affects women and typically presents during periods of hormonal fluctuation such as puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. It is a progressive condition so it will typically worsen over time.

The European Lymphology Society (ELS) has categorised 5 types of lipoedema, based the distribution of abnormal fat and, as a progressive condition, patients often find it typically worsens over time.

• Type I: an abnormal increase in fatty tissue on the buttocks and hips, often described as saddle bags.
• Type II: the lipoedema extends as far down as the knees and there is usually a formation of folds of fat around the inner side of the knee.
• Type III: patients find abnormal fat deposits extend all the way from the hips to the ankles.
• Type IV: both the arms and legs are affected.
• Type V: patients suffers from Lipo-lymphedema which is when the excess fat tissue puts too much pressure on the lymphatic system and this means an excess of congested fluid in the afflicted limbs.

However, research indicates that early intervention can halt the progression of this condition.

Which lipoedema liposuction treatment is most effective?

Non-surgical therapies are not able to reduce the bulk of the affected limbs but can manage the associated symptoms. They are also not likely to slow down the progression of lipoedema. They include compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) that gently stimulates lymphatic flow and thereby relieving any swelling or discomfort.

The only treatment that is able to reduce volume in the lower body or arms is liposuction. Dr Mooz uses Vaser and MicroLipo over traditional liposuction to treat lipoedema with highly effective results and less damage to the surrounding tissue.

First, a tumescent solution, composed of saline, local anaesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the target area which helps to dislodge the fat cells. During a MicroLipo procedure, Dr Mooz will use a specially designed microcannula to emulsify the fatty tissue before it is suctioned out. This means that although smaller amounts of fat can be addressed in one session, Dr Mooz will be able to remove the fat in a slower, more precise approach that results in a smoother finish and a quicker recover.

Vaser stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance and uses ultrasound waves to break up and liquefy the fat cells, so they are even easier to remove. Larger amounts of fatty tissue can be removed than through MicroLipo. Both procedures can be repeated safely.

For more advice on which type of liposuction is best for treating lipoedema, call 02033 256 533 to arrange a consultation with Dr Mooz.

Bothered about a double chin or unhappy with lack of thigh gap? Most of us have at least one area of the body that we’re less that satisfied with, however careful we are about what we eat or how much we work out.

Liposuction is one of the UK’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for both men and women as it is a highly effective method of eliminating unwanted fat and enhancing the physique. MicroLipo is an advanced liposuction technique performed by London body sculpting expert Mr Michael Mouzakis.

Benefits of MicroLipo:

#1 Less damage, less downtime

 Micro-cannula liposuction or MicroLipo gets its name from the size of the cannulas that are used to emulsify and remove the fat. In traditional liposuction, the cannulas are usually larger than 6 millimetres whereas in MicroLipo the cannula ranges from the smallest of which is just 0.9mm wide and the largest of which is 3mm. As a result, there is less damage to the surrounding tissue, so less bruising and swelling. 

#2 Minimal or no blood loss

 Tumescent liposuction involves injecting a solution of saline mixed with local anaesthetic and adrenaline which shrinks the blood vessels. There is minimal risk of excessive bleeding after MicroLipo.

#3 Performed under local anaesthetic

MicroLipo is performed under local anaesthetic so the risks and recovery associated with a general anaesthetic are eliminated.

#4 Can be repeated

Up to 3.5 litres of fat can be removed in one session and multiple areas can be treated at the same time. However, it is very safe to have a repeat session if further body sculpting is required.

#5 Smooth contours

MicroLipo’s tiny cannula means Mr Michael Mouzakis has full control over the procedure and there is minimal chance of too much fat being removed which can result in a rippling effect. The slow, controlled MicroLipo technique produces a smoother result.

#6 Suitable for small body areas

MicroLipo is particularly effective for targeting smaller body areas such as under the chin, along the neck, the back of the arms and the knees.

#7 Fantastic treatment for Lipoedema

One of the key benefits of MicroLipo is that it is particularly effective at treating Lipoedma as the size of the cannula means it cause less damage to the lymphatic drainage system.

To discover more of the benefits of MicroLipo, call 02033 256 533 or email info@drmooz.com to arrange a consultation with Mr Michael Mouzakis.

Today is World Hair Transplant Repair Day, led by International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the world’s leading authority on hair loss and hair restoration. They have launched this annual awareness day to raise consumer awareness about the risks to patients that undergo hair restoration procedures carried out illegally by unlicensed technicians which has become a growing concern.

IHSRS members such as Dr Mooz have seen a worrying increase in recent years in patients seeking hair transplant repair. This can be very challenging, as he often must correct poor results, severe infections, poor donor area planning and over-harvesting and visible scarring.

Do I need hair transplant repair?

Severe infections and visible scarring are often seen as the worst-case scenarios with a botched hair transplant. But, often, Dr Mooz sees patients that have been left with a less than pleasing aesthetic result that is the mark of an unskilled or inexperienced practitioner.

Typical aesthetic problems can include an unnatural hairline or not enough density. Planning is key to a successful hair transplant and Dr Mooz will carefully assess the donor area, the area of hair loss and your existing hair pattern to ensure that a truly natural result is procedure. He will take into consideration the texture, size, direction, and angle of each hair graft when they are transplanted.

What makes a hairline look unnatural?

Your hairline is the frame of your face and highly visible so it’s essential that your hair restoration surgeon gets it right. An unnatural hairline is very straight and has none of the typical irregularities that a normal hairline has. If it’s placed too high, it can make the forehead look too large. Dr Mooz will take new follicles to reshape the hairline and any poorly placed follicles can be carefully removed.

What is lack of density?

Lack of density is when not enough hair follicles have been implanted during the initial procedure. This can be compounded if there has been poor follicle handling or implantation that crushes the hair follicles or places them too close together to ensure sufficient blood supply. A secondary procedure can be performed to implant more hair follicles, but a skilled practitioner is a must to ensure none of the existing or previously implanted hair follicles are damaged.

HAIR TRANSPLANT REPAIR CASE STUDY:

Dr Mooz recently performed hair transplant repair on a young woman who’d gone to Turkey for her initial procedure. She was deeply unhappy with her frontal hairline which looked very fake and Barbie doll-like. Watch the video to see how Dr Mooz corrected her hairline to produce a much more natural appearance.

Liposuction is considered a relatively safe procedure, particularly Vaser lipo which uses ultrasound energy to emulsify the fat cells and is performed under a local anaesthetic. However, every cosmetic surgery procedure carries some risk of potential complications, and it is essential that you are well informed about the risks as well as the benefits before you make the decision to proceed.

What are common liposuction risks?

Side effects of liposuction are usually minor, but there are some more serious potential complications that you must be aware of.

Common side effects:

• Bruising at the incision sites
• Swelling of the area which can last for many months
• Fluid accumulation
• Fluid coming from the incisions
• Swollen ankles (if legs or ankles are treated)
• Temporary numbness that should disappear in six to eight weeks
• Scarring, although the incisions are small and usually placed where they will be well hidden

Rare risks from liposuction:

• Skin infection at the incision sites
• Allergic reactions
• Bleeding under the skin
• Persistent or even permanent numbness of the treatment area
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Asymmetry or irregular contours
• Embolism
• Damage to internal organs

As liposuction removes underlying fat cells but the skin is not being tightened that loose, lax skin can be an issue after surgery. However, Dr Mooz will carefully assess your skin laxity during your consultation and will advise you on what you can expect.

How can I reduce the risks of liposuction?

First and foremost, it is important you choose an experienced and expert plastic surgeon that has the relevant training. Dr Mooz will also advise you to quit smoking and nicotine products prior to surgery as this can affect your circulation and slow down healing. You will also be advised to wear a compression garment during the recovery period to control swelling.

For more advice on lipo risks or about the recovery period after liposuction, call 0207 411 9858 to arrange a consultation with Dr Mooz.