Are your eyelids disrupting your vision or are you looking to get younger, more alert looking eyes? Then, blepharoplasty may be a viable solution to your problems. It is a versatile eye surgery performed to either adjust abnormalities or defects of the eyelids or for aesthetic purposes.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Patients whose upper eyelids are droopy or sagging due to excessive skin or fat, causing impairments in vision
Patients with excessive lower eyelid skin
Patients who are looking to improve the appearance of their eyes to achieve a more youthful look
SUCCESS
The surgery has a 90-95% success rate.
RECOVERY TIME
Approximately 2 weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside and a few months for the scars to fade.
Have an initial consultation with your surgeon to fully understand the procedure and the risks associated with it. In case you are doing this for aesthetic reasons, make sure your surgeon is fully aware of your expectations.
You will be asked to undergo a vision test as well, to fully understand the scope of your problem.
Only take medication that has been approved by your surgeon.
Avoid smoking a few weeks prior to your surgery.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery, and to help you during recovery.
DURING TREATMENT
The surgery can be performed either using local or general anaesthesia. The type of anaesthetic used depends on the complexity of the case.
AFTER TREATMENT
You should regularly apply ice packs or warm compresses on your eyelids for the first few days.
Avoid wearing contact lenses or any eye make-up.
Keep your eyes clean, and regularly apply any ointment or eye drops that have been prescribed.
Avoid strenuous exercise for a week following the surgery.
Smoking should be avoided.
Protect your eyes from direct sunlight and wind.
Only take medications that your surgeon allows.
If need be, make sure to get your stitches removed.
Skin cancer can be of three major types i.e, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. These affect the 3 types of cells found in the skin epidermis: the top layer are the squamous cells, the basement layer has the basal cells and the melanocytes.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Patients who have been diagnosed with skin cancer.
TREATMENT DURATION
The chemotherapy treatment duration will vary depending on the state of your health and medical history, your age, the stage of your cancer and related factors.
The duration for the various surgeries for skin cancer can range from between 1 to 3 or several more hours.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The general risks associated with surgery are bleeding, infection, pain, swelling, recurrence of the cancer.
Radiotherapy side effects include: impairments to the salivary glands and teeth, fatigue, changes in skin.
Complications of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, autoimmune reactions and infusion reactions.
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a initial consultation with your doctor.
Undergo all necessary screening and diagnostic tests.
Follow pre-op guidelines if you are undergoing surgery.
Arrange for some help at home whilst you’re undergoing treatment.
DURING TREATMENT
Whilst undergoing surgery, you will be placed under general or local anaesthesia.
If you are undergoing radiotherapy sessions, it may be comforting to have a loved one or caregiver to wait out for you.
AFTER TREATMENT
Adhere to post-op guidelines put forth by your surgeon.
If you are suffering from any strong side effects of a treatment, ask your physician if they can provide any additional support.
Rest as much as possible, and try to keep your stress levels low. These will help speed up your recovery.
Spend time with family and friends. You can also seek out emotional support through professional counsellors or at a support group.
Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, is a surgical procedure to change the nose’s shape and appearance for either cosmetic reasons or medical reasons, such as to correct breathing problems or trauma.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People looking to change the aesthetics of their nose (e.g. tip shape, bridge size or slope)
People looking to correct disfigurement from trauma (e.g damage following a severely broken nose)
Rhinoplasty is most effective if facial growth is complete
SUCCESS
The success of a rhinoplasty procedure is a highly personal topic. While modern surgeons are able to perform the technical aspects of the procedure with very high success rates, the outcome of the procedure also relies heavily on factors that are out of their control: quality of your nasal tissue, cartilage and bone, healing process and your own perception of results. It is important to ensure you have realistic expectations and goals for your rhinoplasty, as dysmorphia and similar issues can lead to dissatisfaction.
RECOVERY TIME
Short term: 5 – 7 days to resume activity
Mid-term: 7 – 14 days for majority of bruising and swelling to reduce
Long term: 4 – 6 weeks for external healing, subtle changes are noticeable for up to one year
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Numbness
Nosebleeds
Scarring at the base of the nose
Swelling
Nerve damage
Under or over correction (which can require revision rhinoplasty)
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
FUT Hair Transplant
Beard Transplant
Hairline Lowering Surgery
Hair Pigmentation
BEFORE TREATMENT
Ensure you are medically fit and in good health.
Have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind.
Eat a healthy diet.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Confirm if any current medications will interfere with the anesthetic or healing process.
Have a good night’s rest the night before surgery.
Do not eat or drink for 12 hours before surgery.
DURING TREATMENT
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Bring a friend to accompany you after surgery, should you feel dizzy or drowsy due to anesthesia or sedation.
AFTER TREATMENT
Make arrangements to have someone take you home after the procedure.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
Do not touch the wound or packing.
Take aspirin or similar painkillers if experiencing discomfort.
Maintain healthy diet and good hydration.
An ear surgery (also known as an otoplasty) is cosmetic surgery aimed at changing the shape, size or angle of your ears. In most cases, this surgery involves pinning back protruding ears to deliver a more pleasing look.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People who are self-conscious about the size, shape or angle of their ears
Otoplasty is mostly done on children and adolescents but adults request the treatment as well
SUCCESS
Success rates vary around the world but are well in excess of 90 percent in Asia and Europe.
RECOVERY TIME
Return to work or school in about 1 week
Avoid contact sports and other forms of vigorous activity for around 3 months
Numbness and swelling can last for up to 2 weeks
Pain can linger for several months after the procedure
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Infection of the skin and cartilage
Bleeding and blood clots
Inflammation
Recurrence of the original issue (ears may return to their original position)
Asymmetrical ears
Over-correction
BEFORE TREATMENT
Follow pre-surgery advice from your doctor. You might be asked not to drink or eat before the procedure.
You’ll probably be discharged the same day as your procedure, so arrange a lift home (you won’t be able to drive).
Arrange three or four days off work or school to recuperate.
DURING TREATMENT
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Remove all large jewelry or leave it at home.
AFTER TREATMENT
Attend all of your post-operative appointments and check-ups.
Manage moderate pain with over-the-counter pain-relief.
Avoid rigorous or contact sports for at least three months after the procedure.
Make sure you wear your protective headband for bed after the bandages are removed.
Lung cancer is caused by the formation of tumors in the lungs due to abnormal growth of cancerous cells.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
General risks associated with surgery such as bleeding, infection, pain, blood clots and pneumonia.
Radiotherapy side effects include: swelling, fatigue, changes in skin, nausea/vomiting.
Side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue and mouth sores, cognitive changes.
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a initial consultation with your doctor.
Undergo all necessary screening and diagnostic tests.
Follow pre-op guidelines if you are undergoing surgery.
Arrange for some help at home whilst you’re undergoing treatment.
DURING TREATMENT
Whilst undergoing surgery, you will be placed under general or local anaesthesia.
If you are undergoing radiotherapy sessions, it may be comforting to have a loved one or caregiver to wait out for you.
AFTER TREATMENT
Adhere to post-op guidelines put forth by your surgeon.
If you are suffering from any strong side effects of a treatment, ask your physician if they can provide any additional support.
Rest as much as possible, and try to keep your stress levels low. These will help speed up your recovery.
Spend time with family and friends. You can also seek out emotional support through professional counsellors or at a support group.
A living donor liver transplant involves removing a piece of liver from a compatible living donor and transplanting it into a recipient.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People with liver damage caused by chronic viral hepatitis
People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or primary biliary cirrhosis
People who need to have their liver removed due to a tumour
SUCCESS
Without complications, between 85% and 90% of people who undergo a liver transplant live beyond a year.
The five-year survival rate after a liver transplant is around 75%.
RECOVERY TIME
Time in intensive care: 1 to 3 days
Time in hospital once stable: 7 to 14 days
Full recovery process: usually about 6 months, but it could be longer and regular check-ups will be needed for the rest of the patient’s life
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Adverse reactions to anaesthesia
Bile duct complications
Blood clots
Rejection of the new liver
Confusion and fits
Infection
Serious bleeding
Reactions to anti-rejection medications including diabetes, headaches, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
BEFORE TREATMENT
Your surgeon will let you know when you can eat and drink before your transplant, usually no food or drink for 12 hours before your surgery.
Follow the instructions given to you by your doctors. Take all the medications you’ve been prescribed as normal. Don’t take any other medicines without the permission of your surgeon.
Keep all the appointments with your surgical team.
Pursue a healthy lifestyle. Exercise as much as you can, and eat healthily.
DURING TREATMENT
Once a living donor has been assessed as suitable, you’ll be invited for a series of tests. Make sure you’re always available for these examinations.
The transplant is performed under a general anaesthetic, so prepare yourself mentally with the help of friends and family.
AFTER TREATMENT
Try to eat well and get lots of sleep during the initial recovery phase.
Take your medications on time.
Report any adverse reactions to your surgical team immediately.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Your doctors may provide you with an eating plan.
Exercise moderately when you’re back on your feet.
Liver cancer is a fairly uncommon cancer that affects the liver, which is responsible for but not limited to the following functions, regulating chemical levels, detoxification and digestion.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Patients who have been diagnosed with primary liver cancer.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Along with the general risks associated with surgery, liver failure, bile leakage, rejection of donor liver, liver abscess are some specific risks of liver resection and liver transplant surgery.
Radiotherapy side effects include: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin problems (such as redness, blistering or peeling).
Chemotherapy side effects include: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue.
Microwave or Radiofrequency ablation side effects include: infection, pain, bleed
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a initial consultation with your doctor.
Follow pre-op guidelines if you are undergoing surgery.
Arrange for some help at home whilst you’re undergoing treatment.
DURING TREATMENT
Whilst undergoing surgery, you will be placed under general or local anaesthesia.
If you are undergoing radiotherapy sessions, it may be comforting to have a loved one or caregiver to wait out for you.
AFTER TREATMENT
Adhere to post-op guidelines put forth by your surgeon.
If you are suffering from any strong side effects of a treatment, ask your physician if they can provide any additional support.
Rest as much as possible, and try to keep your stress levels low. These will help speed up your recovery.
Spend time with family and friends. You can also seek out emotional support through professional counsellors or at a support group.
LASIK (acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery intended to correct various kinds of vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It involves the creation of a thin flap on the cornea which is then folded back so that a suitable amount of corneal tissue can be removed using a laser.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals in good health with healthy eyes.
Patients who have had a stable prescription for 12 months.
Patients with up to -11.00 diopters of nearsightedness, up to +5.00 of farsightedness and up to 5.00 of astigmatism.
Persons looking to dispense with the inconvenience and continual cost involved in glasses and contact lens use.
Athletes or other kinds of active professionals who require the freedom offered by refractive surgery.
SUCCESS
A recent case-study of almost 100 peer-reviewed studies on LASIK found that 90.8% of some 28,000 patients reported 20/20 vision or better after the treatment. 99.5% of patients reported 20/40 vision or better without corrective lenses.
RECOVERY TIME
Patients can be released as little as 10 to 15 minutes after surgery although they will need to be transported home by a friend or taxi.
It is possible to return to work in a little as 24 hours or within a few days depending on healing.
Total recovery and full vision stabilization can take between 3 and 6 months.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Irregular astigmatism
Dry eyes
Under or over correction
Eye infections
Vision loss or double vision
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Photorefractive Keratectomy
LASEK
BEFORE TREATMENT
Refrain from the use of contact lens for as much as two weeks before the surgery.
DURING TREATMENT
Many patients experience stress at just the thought of eye-surgery. However, LASIK is now a routine procedure, and surgeons are experienced at both carrying it out and reassuring patients during the process.
The reshaping laser does not cause pain, but you may feel a pressure on the eye during the process.
AFTER TREATMENT
You may experience mild discomfort in the form of itching or burning in the area of the eye directly after the procedure.
You will not be legally allowed to drive yourself until the doctor checks your eyesight the following day and confirms that it meets the minimum requirements to drive.
While you can return to work the following day, a period of rest or lowered activity that last several days is advisable for aiding a fast recovery
Heart bypass is a vascular surgery that is done for fixing blockages in the coronary arteries.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals with coronary artery disease.
In an emergency, in case of a heart attack.
Individuals that have previously had other unsuccessful treatments against blocked arteries.
SUCCESS
Over 95%.
RECOVERY TIME
6-12 weeks.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Bleeding.
Arrhythmias.
Infections.
Possibility of cognitive deficiencies.
Kidney problems.
Stroke.
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a thorough meeting with your doctor and understand the surgery you will be undergoing.
Adhere to any lifestyle changes that are required before the surgery.
Make arrangements for your care and other chores at home/work after the surgery.
DURING TREATMENT
You will be placed under general anaesthesia.
AFTER TREATMENT
Follow your prescribed medications.
Modify your lifestyle to ensure good long term outcomes.
Make sure to speak to your doctor in case you have unexpected side effects.
Be open about your thoughts or feelings, and always speak to and spend time with your loved ones.
A hair transplant is an outpatient surgical procedure that involves transplanting new hair follicles into balding or thinning areas. This minimally-invasive procedure can permanently restore the hair of men and women who are experiencing partial baldness.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals with partial baldness due to male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia)
A receding hairline
Traction alopecia
Head trauma.
SUCCESS
90-95%
RECOVERY TIME
Light routine activities can be resumed 2 days after surgery.
Back to the office: 3 days.
Back to the gym: 1 month.
Back to swimming and steam baths: 1 month.
Back to wearing hats or hard hats: 4 weeks.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Pain
Bleeding
Infection
Swelling or redness of the scalp and/or forehead
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
FUT Hair Transplant
Beard Transplant
Hairline Lowering Surgery
Hair Pigmentation
BEFORE TREATMENT
Do not smoke 24 hours before the treatment.
Don’t drink alcohol 3 days before the treatment.
Don’t use aspirin or vitamins B and E one week before the treatment.
Do not use any gel or sprays before the treatment.
Bring a button-down shirt and wear it on the day of surgery as you won’t be able to pull anything over your head.
Inform your doctor if you have allergies to medications, had abnormal blood test results recently, have a chronic illness, or take medications regularly.
DURING TREATMENT
You will receive local anesthesia during your treatment, so you will be awake and able to read, watch television, or take a nap.
AFTER TREATMENT
Do not smoke for the first 3 days after surgery.
If you’re staying at a hotel, bring your favourite snacks to eat in your room, as surgery may last till late with no option to buy food before going back to your accommodation.
Sleep lying on your back during the first week after surgery. Many patients use a v-shaped pillow for better sleep, as it keeps your head high.
Avoid alcohol and sexual intercourse for the first 7 days after surgery. Also avoid dusty environments.
Cut your hair with scissors only for the first 6 months. Hair clippers may damage your hair. You can dye your hair after 6 months.
