The Harley Street Journal

Bi-monthly newspaper for the cosmetic and plastic surgery sector

gary ross

Fats Your Lot: Plastic surgeon reveals cutting-edge fat transfer technique revolutionising the cosmetic industry

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Fat transfer with body-jet replaces out dated liposuction procedures and can even offer an implant-free boob job

A top UK plastic surgeon is leading the way for patients seeking cosmetic procedures, such as lipo and mummy makeovers, by offering an alternative that’s both safer and more efficient.

Mr Gary Ross, a Manchester surgeon, noticed the trend shifting from fat removal to fat transfer in the latter part of 2017, and believes 2018 will also be the year we see patients ditch implants for volumising areas with fat.

Specialising in body rejuvenation and mummy makeover procedures, Mr Ross uses the body-jet device to take fat from one area of a patient’s body and reintroduce it to another part of the body or face that requires volume; this can include the buttocks, breasts and even cheeks.

Unlike traditional forms of fat removal that are often unreliable and painful, the body-jet technology uses the gentle power of water to contour the body. Fat can be removed in a more gentle way, allowing for less invasive and safer autologous fat transfer.

For those seeking breast enhancement, body-jet can provide a natural boost to volume, in some cases eliminating the need for silicone implants.

BAAPS and BAPRAS member, Mr Ross was one of the first medical professionals in the UK to offer the water-assisted fat transfer procedure, and believes scores of patients will start seeking more natural ways to enhance their bodies.

“In 2017 we saw a greater focus on the ‘less is more’ approach to cosmetic surgery; I am certain this is set to continue this year. With a greater focus on patient safety and faster healing times, body contouring procedures like fat transfer will be big news in clinics across the UK,” Mr. Ross explains.

“The whole Kim Kardashian phase is declining, with most women seeking natural-looking curves over the fake look. This is where body-jet fat transfer is making waves; the treatment is versatile and the results are seriously impressive.”

“One of the benefits of offering body-jet to my patients is how much we can do without implants in terms of volume improvement. Silicone implants have their place, and fat transfer isn’t suitable for everyone, but this is modern way to boost volume to an area without place foreign objects into the body, which can of course cause some patients complications,” he says.

Undergoing body-jet fat transfer is less invasive than traditional lipo techniques, leading to speedier recovery times and patient satisfaction. Using the body-jet, liposuction and fat transfer can be performed in a safe, effective and easy way.

“During treatment, the fat is gently detached from the tissue structure by means of a flat, fan-shaped water-jet and may be aspirated at the same time. The surrounding connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels remain much less traumatised. We are doing remarkable things with body-jet and I know 2018 is going to be the year patients embrace this safer cosmetic procedure to regain or boost volume,” Mr. Ross concludes.

 

UK Cosmetic Surgeon Reveals Top Surgical Trends

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Mummy makeovers, boob jobs and body rejuvenation surgery have led the way in 2017, says Mr Gary Ross, a plastic surgeon from Manchester.

Providing a yearly review, the surgeon also noted that non-surgical anti ageing treatments had also seen a surge on popularity, although it was fat transfer replacing dermal fillers that was set to be the big news for 2018 and beyond.

Mr Ross – who consults and operates at the BMI Alexandra hospital in Cheshire – indicated multi-procedure treatments such as the mummy makeover was the main cosmetic rise of the year, which includes combining breast and body procedures within one surgery session to minimise downtime.

He says: “Overall non surgical procedures have again increased as patients look for cosmetic treatments with less downtime. This has also led to patients looking for surgical procedures with shorter recovery times.

“Surgically the biggest rise has been in the mummy makeover procedure, with patients requesting body and breast rejuvenation as a one-stage procedure. Breast augmentation remains the most requested surgical treatment although patients are currently looking for more subtle enhancements than a year ago,” he explains.

As well as body rejuvenation procedures, Mr Ross says there’s been great interest in fat transfer procedures – extracting fat from one part of the body and replacing in the face or another part of the body) which is set to gain further popularity in 2018 thanks to its ability to offer an alternative to dermal fillers in facial rejuvenation.

“Fat transfer is an increasingly popular form of facial and body rejuvenation and will be big news for the coming year. Transferring fat from one part of the body to another isn’t new, but it will become a much more well known treatment as it’s versatile and offers natural results – the biggest draw for patients by far.”

Contrastingly, there has been a downward trend in patients requesting buttock augmentation (compared to a year ago) as patients consider more the pros and cons of the butt augmentation procedure. Also on the decline is patients requesting the ‘fake look’, which more naturally beautiful celebrities rather than glamour girls being popular with female patients.

“In 2018 there will be an increasing trend towards individualised and personalised beauty with a shift away from the ‘one product/treatment fits all’. The shifting focus in skincare brands towards individualised care will lead to a more holistic approach towards cosmetic beauty and advanced treatments too.”

A member of BAAPS and BAPRAS, Gary says the focus on patient empowerment – and ensuring they understand more about the procedures they are choosing to undergo – means this has been a positive year for the aesthetics industry.

He says: “The increased awareness of the need for patient safety has dominated 2017 and has been a positive year for the industry. We are seeing more of a focus on patient empowerment and ensuring patients are fully informed to proceed or not which is imperative for the industry and most importantly for patients.”

The updated General Medical Council recommendations in relation to consent have highlighted the need for clinicians to ensure patients are fully informed. The adaption of the certification scheme in cosmetic surgery in 2017 through the Royal College of Surgeons has developed the speciality of cosmetic surgery.

“This will allow patients to choose a cosmetic surgeon that is able to fully inform patients regarding the available options so that they are fully empowered to proceed or not,” says Mr Ross.

“Health Education England continues to develop a way forward in the regulation of non surgical treatments and we look forward to further regulatory developments in non surgical treatments in 2018.”

 

Of his hopes for the cosmetic industry as we enter 2018 Gary says: “I hope that the focus on patient empowerment continues into next year with clinicians focusing increasingly on patient’s interests and placing safety above anything else.”

 

Industry Insider: Gary Ross

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The Harley Street Journal meets Manchester-based plastic surgeon Mr Gary Ross to discover how the cosmetic surgery industry has evolved this year.

THSJ: As the leader of a successful private clinic, would you say this year has been a positive one for the industry?

GARY: The increased awareness of the need for patient safety has dominated 2017 and has been a positive year for the industry. We are seeing more of a focus on patient empowerment and ensuring patients are fully informed to proceed or not which is imperative for the industry and most importantly for patients.

THSJ: What trends have you seen come to the forefront, and which procedures are on the downturn?

GARY: Overall non surgical procedures have again increased as patients look for cosmetic treatments with less downtime. This has also led to patients looking for surgical procedures with shorter recovery times. Surgically the largest rise / trend has been in the mummy makeover procedure with patients requesting body and breast rejuvenation as a one stage procedure. There has been a downward trend in patients requesting buttock augmentation as compared to a year ago as patients consider more the pros and cons of the procedure. Breast augmentation remains the most requested surgical treatment although patients are currently looking for more subtle enhancements than a year ago.

THSJ: Have you seen any changes within the industry this year that you feel have been a step forward?

GARY: The updated General Medical Council recommendations in relation to consent have highlighted the need for clinicians to ensure patients are fully informed. The adaption of the certification scheme in cosmetic surgery in 2017 through the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has developed the speciality of cosmetic surgery. This will allow patients to choose a cosmetic surgeon that is able to fully inform patients regarding the available options so that they are fully empowered to proceed or not.

THSJ: Are we any further forward with regards to regulation within the cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatment landscapes?

GARY: The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent body that examines and reports on ethical issues in medicine has highlighted in 2017 the need for better regulation of the cosmetic industry and the affect of a negative body image on society in general. Health Education England continues to develop a way forward in the regulation of non surgical treatments and we look forward to further regulatory developments in non surgical treatments in 2018. The certification scheme in cosmetic surgery through the RCS in 2017 has been a major development for patients looking for surgical treatments and we hope that patients will take time to find those clinicians that have opted to be part of this regulatory framework.

THSJ: What has been your professional highlight of 2017?

GARY: Becoming the first cosmetic surgeon to be have completed the Royal College of Surgeons Cosmetic Surgery Certification Scheme was a great honour for me.

THSJ: Do you have any hopes with regards to how the cosmetic landscape may change next year?

GARY: I hope that the focus on patient empowerment continues in 2018 with clinicians focusing increasingly on patient’s interests.

THSJ: What cosmetic beauty trends do you think we’ll see in 2018, and are there any procedures you expect to become more popular?

GARY: In 2018 there will be an increasing trend towards individualised and personalised beauty with a shift away from the “one product/treatment fits all”. The shifting focus in skincare, make-up and fragrance brands towards individualised care will lead to a more holistic approach towards cosmetic beauty.

Profile: Mr Gary Ross

Mr Gary Ross is a plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in the North West of England and offers an individualised range of plastic and cosmetic surgery treatments to enhance appearance. He consults and operates at the BMI Alexandra hospital in Cheshire, Manchester. A member of BAAPS and BAPRAS, he is a fully accredited plastic surgeon on the General Medical Council’s specialist register for plastic surgery. Mr Ross is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer University of Manchester and is dedicated to teaching, training and mentorship.

He has published extensively both nationally and internationally comprising over 100 peer reviewed articles and several book chapters (including face lifts, brow lifts, blepharoplasty plus more).

Mr Ross is actively involved in teaching both undergraduate Medical Students and postgraduate Plastic Surgical Trainees through his role as honorary senior clinical lecturer. He has also helped to develop the MSc in Skin Ageing through the University of Manchester and regularly teaches and trains in aesthetic medicine and surgery.