Fat Freezing, 3D lipo, Strawberry lipo......VASER lipo

I often see patients that have tried numerous other promising techniques to reduce some stubborn areas of fat before they end up in my consulting rooms. These range from fat freezing, infra-red, ultrasound, external laser therapy etc. Don't get me wrong - these can have a purpose in treating certain small pockets. However, in the majority of cases the areas are substantial and often require some form of contouring too. Remember that shrinking the respective areas is not always enough and that sometime one needs to create some shape too. In this instance the external devices and techniques are not really useful. The only method that really is suitable is some form of aspiration or suction. Most of the external devices rely on the immune system to remove the injured or damaged tissue and this subsequently can take 6-12 months before one sees any changes. This often results in demotivation and patients will often fall into their same routine lifestyle with no change in diet and exercise routine. Occasionally patients will deny having had any intervention such as external treatments. They may also have forgotten as it was long ago or they didn't really see it as a treatment as it was not successful. I will notice this in the texture of the tissue when I commence my VASER treatment as the fat layer is very fibrous and scarred. This can make the VASER treatment more technical and also the results a little less predictable. Essentially, if you are considering external treatments for larger areas, then understand that these will cause significant scar-tissue under the skin (not visible) and make any subsequent treatments a little less successful. The risk of irregularities and dimples is also more likely. Best research all the treatments and go for consultations for all the treatments so you are well informed....

2 hour surgery time slots are a No,No - alarm bells should ring

I've had a few patients see me recently for a consultations for various treatments that have had consultations at other clinics.
A common question I get asked is how many 2 hours slots will be required, or if we work in other time limited surgery slots.
I am amazed that doctors actually try and work and perform treatments limited to time slots.
A procedure should be performed to its completion regardless of how long it takes.  If the doctor is limited by time then there is a good chance that the procedure is either rushed or incomplete.  This will results in poor results or complications.
Remember that you are not paying for the time, but for the complete procedure and result.  The doctor should not be limited by a 2 hour time slot.

I thus advise that any clinic that performs surgery in limited time slots should be avoided.

Have a look at my YouTube channel DrWolf.com for some really informative videos.

VASER, traditional liposuction and MLD

In my practise I see many patients that do their homework and attend 1-3 consultations to gather information on treatments.  It gives the patient the opportunity to get to know the doctor and determine whether they like/get on with them.
Remember that having any cosmetic procedure means you are going to have a patient-Dr relationship for 6-12 months, if not more.  You need to "like" your doctor....!!
Seeing more than one doctor also allows you to gather more information about procedures and appreciate different approaches of doctors.
Its much more likely that you will all your questions answered by seeing more than one doctor.
I often get asked why some doctors are still practicing traditional liposuction and have not converted to VASER.  The answer to this is multifactorial - some patients still warrant having traditional liposuction for massive bulk reduction.  When removing large volumes (5 litres upwards) it is advisable to stay overnight to monitor your fluid balances.
Some doctors prefer to stick with what they know works; others are not keen to progress on to newer treatments.  The machines are very expensive and not every doctor can afford to purchase these machines.

Over the years the progress that has been made in terms of aftercare has been phenomenal.  I still battle to understand though why old-school surgeons have not adopted the train of thought that MLD post-op is firstly very effective to reduce swelling, secondly, expedite recovery, thirdly, reduce bruising, fourthly, reduce the incidence of irregularities and lastly, also afford a continuity of care.
I work hand in hand with many MLD practitioners and many of them are now well experienced in treating post-op VASER patients.  Reassuringly, many comment on how much faster VASER patients recover compared to traditional liposuction patients.

see below a video

Come see our website www.DrWolf.com 

Lipoedema, lipedema

Once again I have seen numerous patients in the last few weeks that have mild to moderate cases of lipoedema and have been seen by several GP's and plastic surgeons who fail to recognise the condition.
This is very frustrating for patients as they are continuously asked to lose weight.  LIPOEDEMA does not respond to dietary weight loss or exercise.

Patients find it such a relief when they are told of the condition and informed on what they have and why they themselves cannot change their shape.  They find it a relief that they have not failed in attempting to change their body-shape, but that they have this condition which prevents this.

I can only hope that the awareness and acceptance of Lipoedema improves in the medical circles.

Some help forums -
www.Lipoedemaladies.com      Facebook - Lipoedema ladies webpage
www.Lipoedema.co.uk

 I cannot strongly recommend you do as much research as possible and also get in contact with a MLD therapist in your area   www.MLDuk.org.uk





Below is a video of one of the options to improve the appearance of Lipoedema

Come see our website www.DrWolf.com 

Recovery - VASER male chest reduction

Once you are the road to recovery you will notice that the chest will feel a little firm, the tissue will feel spongy.  This is completely normal.

Occasionally patients will experience various types of sensation:
1. Itchiness
2. Hypersensitivity of the nipple
3. Numbness of the skin
4. Tingling sensation

These are all normal parts of the healing process and indicate that healing is still taking place.  Remember that you may experience these on both sides or only on one side, or at different time intervals.  This is normal.

With progress you will notice some small nodules (almost like a "string of pearls") on the margin of your pectoral muscle especially when you stretch your arm upwards like reaching for the stars.  This is completely normal again.
I recommend that you stretch regularly (2-3 times a day) and massage these areas very firmly and they will soften up.  MLD helps tremendously for this.
The other action I recommend is to hang off the door frame suspending your weight partially and with the other hand massage the "string of pearls".  Within a few days this will soften up.

Remember that none of these times frames are exact and every person will heal at a different pace.

Have a look at my YoutTube channel DrWolf.com for some informative videos on the procedure and recovery.....

Male chest reduction - gynecomastia

Many guys find this is a real issue.  Often they are very apprehensive about looking into treatments, and find it embarrassing asking what can be done about it.
The good thing is that there is a solution, and one which is very effective and fairly straight forward in terms of procedure and recovery.
The majority of males will have a certain amount of muscle, fat and glandular component forming the chest prominence.  When you tighten your pec muscles - everything you can pinch in between your fingers that is mobile is generally something that can potentially be removed.
In many cases we have asymmetrical bulk which means that one side is slightly larger than the other - this is normal anatomical variation.  The human body is not a symmetrical structure.

There are various options to reduce the chest bulk:
1. Traditional liposuction
2. Surgical excision
3. VASER Liposuction

1+2 have been around for many years and are still appropriate for the right candidates- usually when there is large amount of excess gland and excess skin.
For the moderate gynecomastia patient VASER is a perfect alternative.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia (awake) and takes approximately 1.5 hrs.  You can go home straight away. I recommend wearing a compression vest for 2 weeks to minimise swelling and bruising.  Majority of patients will only require painkillers for 24hrs.

Come see our website www.DrWolf.com 

Hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating

Excessive sweating of the underarms or palms of the hands can be a terribly embarrassing condition.  Many patients will find that their social life suffers due to this.
Unfortunately many also done realise that this condition can be treated very successfully with Botox.
There are certainly also other treatment modalities available, although these can be more invasive.

Mechanism of action
Botox has an affinity for the receptors of the sweat gland.  Once it attaches to these receptors the nerve impulse that stimulates sweating is blocked. The hand and armpit this remain dry.

Majority of patients will choose to have the underarm treatment at the beginning of spring.
The palm treatment so common throughout the year as it is not so season dependent.
The effect of the treatment lasts about 6-9 months, but can vary in patients. 

Treatment
I generally use topical anesthetic cream, but one can also use nerve blocks for the palm.  This stays on for about 45min.  This depends on the threshold of the patient.
For the underarm (axilla) I dont use anaesthesia as it is well tolerated without.
The treatment takes about 15min.  The effect will be noticed at about day 4 and will reach its maximum intensity at about 2 weeks.

Iodine test
This test can be performed to confirm the exact area of sweating.  I don't routinely undertake this.

This treatment changes peoples lives as they can resume normal social activities without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed.
Some have said that "its the best thing they have ever had done......."