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Take good care of yourself with City Life’s guide to healthcare in the capital
HEALTH & WELLBEING
I am interested in breast enhancement but am anxious about having surgery and don’t really want a ‘surgically enhanced’ look. Are there other options available and how long would these last/what is the cost?
Yes there are other options to surgery. One treatment you may have heard of is Macrolane – this is a non-surgical treatment where a safe gel-like substance is injected into the breast. The injected substance is found naturally within the body, and enhances the size and shape of your breasts.
Macrolane is suitable for women who have asymmetric breasts, loss of breast volume as a result of breast feeding or weight loss, or under-developed breasts. The results are instant but unlike silicone implants the results do not last forever, usually around 12-18 months.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and recovery time is quicker than conventional cosmetic surgery. The treated area will however feel tender for a few days and patients may wish to adjust their daily activities in the immediate post-operative period. Patients also have to wear a support bra for two weeks following the operation.
The cost of the treatment depends on the amount of product that you have injected, starting from around £2000. This procedure is available at Vale Healthcare’s Cosmetics Clinic along with other non-surgical and surgical treatments including nose-reshaping, breast enhancement and reduction, face-lifts, liposuction and facial fillers.
Mr Kelvin Gomez
Consultant General & Breast Surgeon
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I have quite a lot of freckles and moles on my body, and one in particular is causing me some trouble. It is on my face and although it has looked the same for years it can make shaving quite difficult. Could you please advise on checking it for any abnormal signs and my options for having it removed?
If you are concerned about a mole, it is usually possible to have it removed. This can be done using a range of methods depending on the mole size, location and your preference.
Moles that may need to be removed as a treatment for a health condition (e.g. skin cancer), or because they’re in a place where it could be damaged (such as on the shaving area on the face) may be removed on the NHS. A Dermatologist will need to make this decision for you.
As melanoma (a form of skin cancer) can develop from pre-existing moles, a thorough skin examination must be performed before any removal is considered. Sun exposure can increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma so this check is particularly important if the mole is on your face.
In terms of checking your own moles - If you notice they look different (e.g. increase in size, change in shape, reddish or ragged edge) then it is best to seek advice from your GP or a dermatologist. Vale Healthcare has weekly Dermatology clinics at its Cardiff Bay Clinic site.
Dr Alun Evans
Consultant Dermatologist
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I often find that when I laugh or cough I leak urine without meaning to. I haven’t been to the doctor about this but think it could be incontinence. Is this a common problem and is there anything I can do to stop it happening?
You’re right. Your symptoms are typical of stress incontinence. This is a common condition (particularly in women over 50) and can also occur when you sneeze or partake in physical activity (such as walking, running or lifting). You may also find an increase in the frequency and urgency of having to go to the toilet. Its onset can be increased following trauma, postsurgery, and post-childbirth.
There are several things you can do to reduce the occurrence of stress incontinence. For example, changing your daily water intake (increasing/ decreasing), reducing your caffeine intake, and losing weight (if your BMI is over 30). It may also be worth seeing a Physiotherapist who can suggest strengthening exercises and additional therapies. If you have suffered a pelvic floor prolapse then you are more likely to suffer from incontinence, and should certainly seek professional advice.
There is no need to try and cope by yourself if you suffer from incontinence. Your GP will be able to provide you with advice and may refer you to a specialist consultant.
Rapid Access Urology, Urogynaecology and Gynaecology clinics are held at the Cardiff Bay Clinic. If you’d like to book an appointment you can self-refer or have your GP refer you.
Mr Sanjay
Chawathe Consultant Urogynaecologist
Vale Healthcare
Cardiff Bay Clinic, Celtic Gateway, Dunleavy Drive, Cardiff CF11 0SN 029 2083 6714
www.vale-healthcare.com
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