New Option in Looking Better

Dr. Charles Lee of SMC and Alex Tan,
Regional Business Director, South east Asia of Q-Med International Ltd. introducing Macrolane.

"We live in a world where we are constantly judged by our experience which is the most public part of the self. And as more and more people are living longer than ever before, the ability to change and improve one's own physical appearance can be quite liberating" says Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at Sabah Medical Centre, Dr Charles Lee. Dr Lee said that many Malaysian women and men are interested in changing their physical appearance through cosmetic surgery. "There are some patients that do not want to go through surgery because they are worried about the complications that come with the procedure such as side effects, recovery time or down time as we call it, and putting foreign matters into their body. But with the availability of products such as Macrolane VRF (Volume Restoration Factor), more and more people are requesting for cosmetic procedures and the non¬surgical aspect of this is getting bigger and bigger," Lee said.

Lee said those in the plastic and cosmetic surgery field are very excited about anything that brings a new option to the patient. Non-surgical options were very limited previously but with Macrolane VRF, it opens up a whole new perspective for the patient. Macrolane VRF is a non-surgical body shaping innovat ive product that can naturally regenerate body contours safely and predictably. It is the one and only injectable body 'filler' treatment in the market today that is based on the production of non-animal hyaluronic acid (NASHA) and is currently indicated for volume restoration and shaping of body surfaces such as the breasts buttocks and calves. Macrolane VRF, Lee said, can also even out discrepancies in the skin surface for example indentations caused by liposuction.

According to Lee, the only alternatives before to cosmetic procedures was surgery or fat injections which were limiting in their results and there was no way to predict the end point whereas with Macrolane VRF, it is predictable and sustainable as well as long lasting. Lee disclosed that most of the permanent fillers or products today have got ingredients that a body can react to, on what is known to plastic surgeons as foreign body reaction.

"But since Hyaluronic Acid is part of the skin structure, there is no fear of having any foreign matters in your body and because it is absorbed into our system, it reduces naturally," he said. "In the instance of a female patient wanting to have her breast enlarged, with Macrolane VRF, we can take a female patient to where she wants to be with a natural and pleasing result. Then when she decides that she wants it to be permanent, she can opt to have cosmetic surgery," he said adding that this procedure is good option for those who are not ready to have surgery but want to have augmentation done to certain parts of their body.

They can enjoy augmentation and have it topped up for three to four years to such a time when they say "I am ready for it." Lee said.

"Before we had no option but to offer them surgery. Now they can have breast enhancement without the problems that come with breast implants. Implants have a life history of its own whereas Macrolane VRF, which is part of the skin structure is biodegradable. You just have to top up to sustain it," he said. Buttocks, he added, is an area that has been neglected and to get them augmented with implants leaves a long scar after the implants are surgically inserted.

But with Macrolane VRF, J-Lo wannabes need just to visit a plastic surgeon, get the injection to, according Lee, 'plump it up a bit' and walk out of the place a 'new person' and added that with Macrolane VRF, any woman can have a beautiful and feminine contoured body that is both pleasing, natural looking and long lasting.

"This is a minimally invasive way of obtaining a natural looking breast or buttock enhancement that is sustainable and predictable. Further treatment can be conducted three or six months later to achieve a longer result," he stressed.

This non-invasive procedure which can be performed as an office based treatment during a convenient 'walk-in, walk-out' session under local anaesthesia, would also be a hit with men as many usually opt to have plastic surgery done on their calves and buttock.

Lee said most men get liposuction on their stomach to have fats from their body removed permanently as they want to have the 'six pack abs'.

"Over the last three to four years men have been coming for fillers, for wrinkle removal around the neck especially. They don't want the surgery part of it but they want to look good so this is in that niche of non surgical body reshaping areas which are off face," he said.

"Macrolane VRF has revolutionized the way we can offer patients a way to enhance body shape through safe, sustainable and non-surgical treatment. It is now also possible to shape breast, buttocks, calves and correct asymmetry in breast cancer patients following lumpectomies that can impact their self-esteem and self-confidence considerably," he said.

The Borneo Post, July 13, 2008