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Dr Jessie Lim obtained her medical degree from University Putra Malaysia with honours. She then went on to pursue her post-graduate certification in Aesthetics in Medical Aesthetic Certification programme and American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM). Prior to joining Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre, she was in Plastics, Hand and Microsurgery Department. Both lively and lovely, she emits a welcoming aura to everyone around her. Her warm-heartedness and genuine personality quickly bridges the gap between patients, which is crucial for her in understanding and managing a patient’s concerns and expectations.

Doctor, tell us how did your interest in Aesthetic beauty start or rather why did you decide to venture into the Aesthetics line?

It started when I was in the Emergency department (during my houseman days), and then I moved on to Plastics, Hand and Microsurgery Department. So basically we dealt with trauma patients, patients who got into accidents ended up losing limbs and leaving deep scars.

Scars, they not only leave a defect on our physical appearance, they also go skin-deep, leaving a wound on the victim’s heart, which may or may not be carried around for the rest of their lives. Another reason I stepped into Aesthetic medicine was because it’s still pretty taboo or frowned upon among Malaysians to undergo plastic surgery, so Aesthetics bridges the gap for people who want to look good yet are not ready to go under the knife.

You’ve been in this industry for…

Less than 3 years.  Although it hasn’t been that long, I feel genuinely happy when they come in to seek for treatment and walk out feeling confident and satisfied about themselves.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

Just like anyone else, I hope to be recognized, I don’t have to be world famous, but I hope to be seen and recognized for being able to make a change in people’s life, keep inspiring others even in the smallest way possible.

How’s a day like in your life? On work days.

Wake up, get ready, have a good breakfast first, because I believe in having a good breakfast, then its work.

So what did you have this morning?

I had Roti Canai. My kind of breakfast are either kopitiam or mamak. I’m very Malaysian.

How do you de-stress? Any hobbies?

I’ve recently picked up a new hobby: hitting the gym.

Does it mean that you’ve never worked out previously?

No, never, and I didn’t like it too. Now I make it a habit to go to the gym daily even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Sometimes I’d also go to the gym late at night. It’s a de-stress activity for me. It’s a new thing, I’m working to tone my body.

In your opinion, what’s a woman’s most powerful asset?

Both beauty and the personality. It’s the beauty that captures people’s eyes and personality that catches the heart. It’s equally important.

What then does beauty mean to you?

Beauty means that you are attractive outwardly as in when people look at you; you make a significant impression on people. You don’t have to have Victoria Beckham or Angelina Jolie’s features, everybody should be confident and beautiful in their own way.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is the thought of my parents leaving me, I cannot imagine that. I know that there’s a solution to all the problems, except deaths.

Someone who inspires you or someone whom you admire?

I am inspired very easily by little things in life. I’m inspired by great leaders and by the smallest thing like a child, like how innocent and naïve they are, at the same time I look up to a lot of successful entrepreneurs. I learn the good from everything and everyone in life.

So if you weren’t a doctor, you’ll be….

I want to be a personal shopper. I love shopping, be it online shopping or even grocery shopping! Everything! So I wish that one day I can be a personal shopper for someone.

3 words that describes yourself.

I’m joyful, loving and meticulous.

Favourite cuisine.

Japanese, it makes me happy. I crave for it every day.

Childhood nickname.

Yes there is one, they use to call me Jessie James, the character in Pokemon. I had a primary school mate, his name is James, so they used to tease us a lot.

Comfort or style.

Comfort, most of the time, comfort.

Tea or coffee.

Tea definitely.

Sweet or savoury.

Both.

Summer or winter.

Winter.

Would  you rather be someone else for a day or have someone else be you for a day?

Be someone else for a day.

Do you have someone specific you have in mind that you want to be for a day?

No, I just want to try to be in many other people’s shoes.

Keen to get a consultation? Dr. Jessie Lim is available at:

• Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre (Kuala Lumpur) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday
• Beverly Wilshire Clinic (Petaling Jaya) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre (Johor Bahru) fortnightly.

Make an appointment with Dr. Jessie or visit the other professionals today. 

Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures undertaken in our medical centre, which is unsurprising as most Asians have monolid eyes and often use make up or eyelid tape to create the illusion of double eyelid.

Actually, there are several types of cosmetic eye surgery including blepharoplasty, epicanthoplasty, canthoplasty…

How are these treatments different from each other?

Blepharoplasty for Asians vs Caucasians

• Blepharoplasty for Asians mostly focuses on the upper eyelid, with the addition of the creases, the eyes look bright and alert.
• Blepharoplasty for Caucasians focuses on lower eyelids, this may involve removal of excess skin, muscle and/or fat. Lower blepharoplasty is typically done to address eye bags and/or for improving the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.

Other Types Of Cosmetic Eye Surgery

• Epicanthoplasty (inner eye corner) – Epicanthoplasty can elongate the eyes horizontally to make them look big and wide. It releases and corrects an epicanthal or Mongolian fold, which is located either on the inner corner of the eyes. This procedure is often recommended in conjunction with double eyelid surgery for optimal results.
• Lateral canthoplasty (outer eye corner) – Helps to correct downward sloped outer eye corners.
• Ptosis correction (drooping eyelid) – Certain cases are so bad that the patient’s vision gets impaired. Patients with drooping eyelids are not encouraged to go for double eyelid surgery straight away as the result will only further highlight the droop down shape of the eye. They are advised to undergo ptosis correction to rectify the droopiness first before considering other cosmetic eye procedure.

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How Is It Done?

• Double eyelid surgery (incision method) – Incision method (often called cutting method) is permanent as it involves cutting of skin and removing underlying tissues. The procedure is irreversible and the recovery is slower.
• Double eyelid surgery (suturing method) – Suturing method (often called stitching method) produces long-lasting results but not permanent. The sutures may break, meaning that the crease might disappear, or the crease height may reduce with age as the skin loses its elasticity. However, the procedure is reversible, and you can get an idea of what you’d look like if you opt for the permanent method. Recovery is faster as well.
• Lower eyelid surgery – The incision can be made on the inside of your lower eyelid (transconjunctival incision) or directly underneath your lash line (subciliary incision).

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Any Preparation For A Cosmetic Eye Surgery? What Are The Possible Side Effects And Risks?

Before surgery, communicate your expectations clearly and effectively with your doctor. Swelling is normal after double eyelid surgery, usually up to 1 month, depending on individual. Cooling pad can help to reduce swelling. Pain is minimal. Analgesic will be prescribed. Over time, the swelling will decrease and the crease will appear more natural. Patients are usually advised to refrain from taking a shower within the first 24 hours; this will allow the wound to seal and to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid contact lenses and putting on makeup on the upper eyelid for 2 weeks after the procedure. Heavy exercise such as weight lifting is not recommended for several weeks after the procedure, as elevating your blood pressure can disturb the healing process. No rubbing and no pressing on eyelids.

Your choice of cosmetic surgeons will affect the result of the procedure. Eg: Excessive cutting may cause dry eye. Therefore, always consult a reputable cosmetic surgeon who has performed plenty of double eyelid surgeries to ensure low risk and value for money.

Any Age Limits? Under What Circumstances A Cosmetic Eye Surgery Is Recommended?

• A cosmetic eye surgery is for you if:
  i. You’re born with defects, involved in an accident, or aging has taken its toll on your face.
  ii. You can’t help but feeling self-conscious and it’s affecting your self-esteem.
  iii. You’ve tried various topical products or non-invasive treatments and yet, results are limited.
• So long as there is an appropriate anatomical condition to correct, individuals aged 16 years old and above can undergo the surgery. As wounds heal more slowly with age, older adults may expect a slower recovery time after the procedure.

What If I Don’t Want A Surgery? What About Double Eyelid Tapes?

• Surgery can give you more than a crease or a lid. The procedure can remove excess fat to reduce puffiness around the eyes, and most patients opted lower blepharoplasty to remove eyebags. The use of double eyelid tapes and glues simply means you’ll have to remove them every time after use, causing a lot of tugging on your skin, which can cause sagging over time.
• Non-surgical eye bag treatment – If your eye bags are in a less severe form and you prefer a non-invasive treatment, Exilis or Thermage are good option as both require no cutting, no injection or bleeding of any sort. The machines uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen growth. Subtle improvements can be seen immediately after treatment and optimum results can be seen after few months (collagen needs time to grow).

Last But Not Least…

Moderation is everything. Even though double eyelid surgery is a common practice nowadays, a little change can make a drastic difference to the whole face. Caucasian-like eyelids will make Asians look quite unnatural. So, the whole idea is not about looking more “Western”, it’s about getting a more alert-looking eyes in your own cultural setting.

It is common for men to have more facial hair than women, that being said no woman is without hair! For some of us unfortunate women, facial hair can be problematic. Fine baby hair on the face may seem cute, but if you’re complexion is pale and you’ve got hairy peach fuzz, it can be cause of embarrassment and also cause other skin problems. In this day and age, it’s particularly hard, as smooth, spotless and dewy complexions are prized and becoming the expected norm. If you are considering removing your peach fuzz, here are some reasons from our Aesthetic Doctors.

Prevent Painful Ingrown Hairs

Do you probe into your face and find strange and stubborn bumps? Do find a scarily long (some sometimes), dead hair? Ingrown hairs are hairs that have grown back under your skin because of clogged hair pore. Ingrown hair can be angry-looking– red, painful and sometimes even itchy. They can be infected, in which case they need to be treated with antibiotics. Aesthetic Doctors suggest that unless facial hair is permanently removed, the ingrown hair is often a recurring problem.

Reduce Acne

Every pore is susceptible to sweat, oil and dirt in your skin. There are a number of reasons that could cause clogged pores, such as oily skin, those who exercise regularly (sweat), and/or rarely exfoliate their face. Our Aestheticians suggest doing a few simple laser hair removal treatments will significantly improve acne breakouts.

Get Smoother Makeup

With the removal of short and thin facial hair (vellus hair)it allows a smoother canvas for gliding on foundation. Full makeup is often used by  women who need to cover up imperfections such as acne or acne scars.Without the facial hair, your face is less susceptible to oily skin and thus less acne. So ladies, it’s time to get rid of those vellus hair and get a smooth finish to your makeup!

Minimize Pores

Removing facial hair doesn’t actually shrink pores, but facial hair removal helps with making them appear smaller. Each pore contains an oil gland that produces oil, and also a tiny hair follicle. Once hair follicles are removed, the pore should become less noticeable.

Should You Shave, Tweeze or Wax?

Finally, the million dollar question! Our Aesthetic Doctors doesn’t recommend using shaving or waxing for facial hair removal, whilst it solves the hairy issue, it often causes the hair to grow back thicker. Waxing uses a pulling and tugging method that often causes face to get acne or sensitive skin. What about the tweezer? Tweezing also causes stronger and thicker hair coming back. Shock horror!

So what can you do, if you aren’t able to shave, tweeze or even wax of your hairy situation? Introducing Gentle YAG Laser Hair Removal; ideal and highly effective, the only drawback is that it only works on dark hair. Gentle YAG works for people who have fair or dark skin, and it targets pigments in the hair. Aestheticians suggest that patients should shave the day before or on the day of the procedure, the reason for this is because we want the hair to be as close to the surface of the skin as possible, so that when the laser is active, it will reach deep beneath the skin layer. After the procedure it is important for the patients to put on sunscreen, this is to ensure that the patients won’t get pigmentation from the sun.

At Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre, we offer various means for Hair Removal, talk to us about your needs. Whether you want to remove peach fuzz from your face, of bodily hair in other areas such as forearm, back,bikini, brazillian, arms, or legs, we’ve got you “uncovered”. Reveal a smooth and sexy you.

We’ve all succumbed to temptations and there’s no shame in that but what happens when we’ve indulged ourselves a bit too much. If you are a bit of glutton and find it hard to stop yourself from trying all the tantalising variety of food that is available, you’ll be glad to know that liposuction is not the only way to reduce fats. You can now look forward to a less invasive treatment that doesn’t involves knives or needles. Introducing CoolSculpting (a.k.a cryolipolysis) – an aesthetic treatment that removes areas or pockets of body fat by freezing the fat cells. Similar to Liposuction, doctors use CoolSculpting to remove targeted areas of fat that is difficult to remove by diet and exercise alone.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved non-invasive procedure that reduces fat through cryolipolysis (using freezing temperatures to break down fats). The cold does not damage other cells in the same way it does fat cell, therefore by doing CoolSculpting it will not damage the skin or underlying tissue nearby the treated area. Once the fat cells have been destroyed by freezing, they are gradually broken down and removed from the body by the liver.

Body regions where CoolSculpting is considered safe to remove minor fat deposits:

• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Under the chin or upper neck area
• Flanks
• Under the armpits
• Back
• Buttocks and under the buttocks

Why do people seek CoolSculpting?

The benefit of CoolSculpting is that unlike diet and exercise, fat cells are actually destroyed and removed from the body, which means the same fats cells will not have a chance to return or enlarge with weight gain.

• Low Risk Procedure
• Skin Barrier is not Broken/Compromised
• Less Risk of Complications such as Infection/ Scarring
• No Need to Take Time Off/ No Recovery Time
• Natural Results
• Less Risk of Weight Gain
• Less Risk of Skin Dimpling/Bumps, as fat cells are destroyed evenly across

CoolSculpting is best suited to those who are already doing some exercise on areas that are hard to lose despite working out (for example love handles).

Considerations

Contrary to popular believe, after doing CoolSculpting, you will still need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise to maintain your new figure. A person who continues with unhealthy diet and remains sedentary while undergoing the procedure can expect less fat reduction. It is not a miracle cure and people should be aware that it does not see a complete removal of fat.

An important note to take of: CoolSculpting does not tighten loose skin. If the skin has stretched over fatty build-ups, a person may have excess skin after the removal of fat through fat freezing. You may need to consider doing another laser such as Exilis or Thermage to tighten loose skin.

CoolSculpting is a purely aesthetic procedure and will not address the underlying cause of unwanted fat. A person who has metabolic condition, diabetes or an unhealthy lifestyle may find that they will quickly regain fat lost. Freezing away fat without making lifestyle changes, will not improve your overall health. It is not a form of weight loss and not recommended for treating obesity, you may want to consider doing a gastric bypass instead.

For people who want a rapid result in a single treatment, Liposuction will be a more noticeable option. However, because Liposuction is an invasive treatment it does carry a higher risk of complications.

Not suitable for people who have weakened immune systems, people with certain conditions that weaken or change the body’s ability to handle the cold can also experience serious medical conditions.

Conditions that rule out CoolSculpting include:

• Pregnancy, attempting to be pregnant or breast feeding
• Blood Conditions (where the cold temperature could cause red blood cells to die)
• Nerve Conditions (Eczema, Psoriasis)
• Inflammatory Skin Conditions (Dermatitis, Hives)
• If you are on blood thinning medication over long periods/ Other bleeding conditions that thin blood
• If you have implanted medical devices (Pacemakers, etc.)
• Chronic Pain Conditions
• Severe Anxiety

What’s the procedure like?

During the procedure, the doctor will place the applicator (head/tip) of the CoolSculpting machine on the skin above the area of fatty tissue. The tip may feel slightly cold. Once the applicator has been adjusted, the cold temperature will numb the targeted area. Some people report that they feel a cooling sensation.

Depending on which CoolSculpting applicator you have chosen, the treatment could take between 30 minutes to 1 hour. For the duration of the treatment, you may choose to bring something along for entertainment as it’s pretty relaxing. You can bring a book or even do your work whilst the machine does its job.

After

There is no recovery time because there is no damage to skin or tissue, so you can go about your day as regular after the procedure. Some people did report soreness/tugging sensation at the treated area after CoolSculpting, similar to what you might experience after an intense work-out session.

To see the best results from CoolSculpting, it may take 4 – 6 months before the fat cells leave the body. In the meantime, adding regular work-out routine will vastly improve the results you see. You can expect to see an average of 20 percent decrease of fat.

Maintenance

CoolSculpting destroys fat cells, and those particular cells will not return. By destroying the existing fat cells, it does not mean new fat cells will not appear, thus the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A person who does not exercise or eats an unhealthy diet will soon see the fat return.

Possible Side Effects/ Risks

Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive procedure, so it does not require any anaesthesia, incisions, or medications that could cause allergic reactions. Overall this means that the rate of complication for CoolSculpting is quite low. Only 1% reported some side effects, this include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Sensitivity
• Skin redness
• Muscle Cramps
• Localized pain (rare)

A person may continue to experience the side effects for a few weeks after the procedure. Other common side effects that a person may experience are:

• Itchiness (during first few days)
• Diarrhoea (as dead fat cells are being removed from the body)
• A feeling of fullness in the throat after treatment (especially for those who did neck/chin areas)

People who are considering CoolSculpting should know that while stubborn areas of fat are common, they can also be a sign of a health condition. It is essential to talk to your healthcare provider or doctor about it before choosing any fat-removal procedure. There are many forms of fat-removal and its vital to discuss with doctor about your expectations, as well as the benefits and risks involved for each procedure.

Dato Dr. Abdul Jalil Jidon is a renowned Plastic Surgeon here in Malaysia’s cosmetic surgery scene. Starting out 28 years ago, there were only a handful of plastic surgeons which allowed him to be exposed to almost all of the plastic procedures. Albeit his fame and experience, he spoke with so much humility, it is no wonder why patients are comfortable with him as their doctor. Have a read at this interview about this true bred Malaysian surgeon who loves spicy food.

Dato Dr. Jalil, tell us how your interest in the cosmetic beauty industry develop and what made you pursue it?              

I’ve been a plastic surgeon for 3 decades since 1988 and a general doctor for 1981. I’ve always wanted to be a surgeon from young and I became a plastic surgeon when I completed my housemanship. I was doing my rotation and there was where plastic surgery came to my interest. Back then, my interest was in either pediatric or plastic surgery, but I chose plastic. My previous employer also encouraged me as he saw my capability. I started work in 1983 once I completed my rotation.

What’s your strength or specialization? Are there any procedures that you do more than the others?

I’ve done almost all surgeries. But the most common thing about cosmetic surgery is the face, the nose, the ears, the breasts, the abdomen and the limbs. I do all these surgery every day.

How has plastic surgery changed? Since you’ve been in this industry for 30 years. Are there new techniques and procedures?

There is nothing totally new but I would say it’s more of an evolution of techniques. We pick up these new techniques from meetings and discussions among other colleagues. Nowadays, I only attend smaller and specific meetings of specific topic for example breast, face lift, or tummy tuck.  During younger days, I’d attend everything. In Malaysia back then,  there weren’t many surgeons so we tend to do more than our colleagues from other countries. There were only a few of us, say 6 or 7 in total , but now we have about 40 plastic surgeons in our country. I would say I’ve done my fair share of the procedures, from simple ones to very complicated ones, I’ve done all of them I would say. It has became like my second nature since I do it daily.

How do you distress?

I listen to music, play badminton which I still do now, I play three times a week. I like driving fast cars, even to sit in one is good enough. I like sports car too.

To you what is a woman most powerful asset.

Beauty to me is a whole package. There is not just one specific area. It has to be proportional because everyone is different and what fits on you might not on others. It is also important to discuss with patients because it’s a two way thing and I have to bridge the gap between their expectations and real life. What I can do and what I can achieve is up to me to tell them, I can only do certain things, I’m not God, and I can only attempt to improve things. Second thing is to tend to their expectations, some expectations are way too movie-like so it’s really complex and we have to discuss with our patients about it. For example if a person comes in with a beautiful nose, but still want to do something about it, I’ll tell them that I won’t do a procedure that isn’t necessary. Unless the change is significant, then only it’s worthwhile doing. Otherwise the monetary side of things should not be the first priority. We should be helping people.

What’s your greatest fear?

If I’m not well. Health is important.

Three words that describes yourself.

Simple. I’m a very simple person, I don’t dress like a doctor neither do I look like one cause I do not have the conventional doctor look. Even when people tell me that I’m famous and all, I don’t feel it. I’m just an ordinary person, very simple. I can do ‘teh tarik’ with anybody, I don’t choose people to hang out with. You may sell burger but you still can be my friend.

If you weren’t a cosmetic surgeon, you’ll be…

A Pediatric surgeon.

Do you eat ice cream?

I do.

What’s your favourite ice cream flavor?

Ice cream is not my favourite but Chocolate flavor.

Favourite food?

I like all these Malaysian food. The pedas (spicy) one. I cannot live without pedas. Typical Malaysian, I’m true bred Malaysian and proud of it.

If you have one wish, what would it be.

It’s to stay healthy and to help people, and to make them happy. Say when a patient comes to me, I want to make them happy by trying to fulfill their request. So it’s a very simple philosophy of mine.

‘Breast augmentation’ may be a big and unfamiliar word to many; even those considering the procedure may have never heard of it or the name of the medical procedure, mammoplasty.  However, mention ‘breast enlargement’ or its most common lingo, ‘boob job’, and there’ll be instant nods of understanding. Breast augmentations have become increasingly popular, not just to boost one’s appearance and self-esteem but also as a post-mastectomy measure, to correct congenital defects or to restore breast volume after childbirth or weight loss.

Why Malaysia and Thailand?

When medicine and cosmetic surgery started to become borderless, South Korea became the choice destination of especially Australians, British and Americans. However, procedures in South Korea are expensive and the strong local demand meant that there was hardly a need to develop medical tourism. Hence, people started looking beyond, and saw Malaysia and Thailand as the go-to place for cosmetic surgery, particularly breast augmentation.

Why?

• Top notch medical expertise and facilities

Malaysia and Thailand have heavily invested in medical tourism in the past decade. Cosmetic surgery is a fast-growing field, with an available pool of experts in various specializations. There are at least 280 centres in Thailand and 60 hospitals and clinics in Malaysia with the right capabilities and advance medical equipment to facilitate a breast augmentation procedure.

• Federal boost and support

Malaysia and Thailand are members of Asia Medical Travel Council (AMTRAC), the first formal collaboration of Asian medical travel associations to promote medical tourism. Malaysia is represented by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), which was established by the Malaysia Ministry of Health to develop medical tourism strategies. MHTC also serves as an integrated source for breast augmentation intenders to obtain information and treatment, and a coordinator to promote activities for healthcare providers as well. The Minister of Health himself serves as MHTC’s chairperson.

In Thailand, the Thai Medical Tourism Association (TMTA) is responsible for developing and overseeing medical tourism. There are also numerous initiatives introduced, one of which being the Thailand Tourism Awards (TAT). The accolade is presented as recognition to hospitals that have uplifted the image of Thai tourism through medicine.

• Quality assurance

Thai hospitals selected to offer medical tourism must be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an international body that reviews and accredits American hospitals. The accreditation process is stringent as the hospital must fulfil more than 350 criteria before it can be awarded the JCIA Certificate. It is likewise for Malaysia. Malaysian hospitals are also JCI-accredited, on top of having met Australian Council on Healthcare Standards and the local Malaysian Society for Quality in Health criteria. Therefore, those who intend to undergo breast augmentation can rest assured knowing that the hospitals are on par, if not better, than those in the US.

Cosmetic physicians of both countries are also members of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). With these strict regulations, medical tourists can feel confident of their safety and well-being as they undergo their procedures in either of these countries.

• Inexpensive

How much a breast augmentation procedure costs depends on the type, size and brand of the implants, type of anaesthesia used and location of the incision made. On average, a breast enlargement surgery costs RM11,500 ($2,685/AUD3,362) in Thailand and RM18,000 ($4,200/AUD5,260) in Malaysia.

While both countries are comparable in terms of expertise, technology and even cost, Malaysia holds slight advantages over its neighbour. Malaysia is further accomplished in medical tourism, sweeping the following grand awards in the past 4 years:

• Overall Destination of the Year at the International Medical Travel Journal’s (IMTJ) Medical Travel Awards for three consecutive years from 2014-2017
• Medical Travel Organisation of the Year won by MHTC at the 2017 Asia Pacific Healthcare & Medical Tourism Awards
• International Cosmetic Surgery Clinic of the Year by Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre in 2015-2016

This is evident that Malaysia’s medical field is superior and to even be home to the world’s best medical tourism cosmetic surgery facility.

Malaysia is more culturally diverse and English is widely spoken among its people. Although not a factor that could affect the outcome of the procedure, communication is undeniably important when you are undergoing a medical process in a foreign country. English is already the main language used in the medical line (and other science and technology industries), hence there would be no barriers in understanding your concerns and consultation. Should you speak in other languages, its diversity would be beneficial as you can adapt, integrate and recover comfortably.

Thailand and Malaysia are great destinations to undergo a breast augmentation surgery. Both have excellent expertise and convincing track records at a fraction of what the procedure would cost in Australia or the US.

What is Liposuction?
Liposuction, also known as body contouring, lipoplasty, liposculpture suction, lipectomy or simply just lipo to some, it is a surgical procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body. At Beverly, we offer two types of liposuction: Tumescent liposuction and Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL). It is done through a thin tube that is hollow known as a cannula. The cannula is inserted under the skin and a powerful high-pressure vacuum breaks up the fat and suctions it out.

Types of Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction: The most common type of liposuction. The surgeon will start by injecting a sterile saline solution – a mixture of salt water, which aids fat removal, an anaesthetic (lidocaine) to relieve the pain and a drug (epinephrine) that helps the blood vessel to constrict – into the area that’s being treated.

The surgeon then makes small incisions into your skin in pre-marked areas and inserts a cannula (thin tube) into your skin. The cannula is connected to a vacuum that suctions fats and fluids from your body. Meanwhile, your body fluid will be replenished through an intravenous line.

Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL): In Beverly, we call this procedure Cool Lipo, this particular method uses a laser light to break down the fats for removal. It is a less invasive and bloody procedure than traditional liposuction method. During the procedure the surgeon inserts the laser fiber through a small incision in the skin and liquifies fat deposits by laser energy and heat, the melted fat is then removed via cannula (thin tube).

Areas that liposuction could be done:

• Chin and neck
• Abdomen
• Upper Arms
• Chest and Back
• Hips and thighs
• Calves and ankles
• Buttocks
• Can also be used for breast reduction or gynecomastia (man boobs)

What Type of Patient is Suitable?
Liposuction is suitable for patients that:

• Have a stable body weight and exercise but still have stubborn areas of body fat that they like to remove.
• Liposuction works best for people who have good skin tone and elasticity, where the skin moulds itself into new contours. People who have poor skin elasticity may find that their skin is loose in areas that have been treated.
• If you gain a bit of excessive fat, liposuction may be an option. However, liposuction is not an overall weight-loss method, it does not treat obesity. If you are looking to lose a lot of weight it would be better to do gastric bypass surgery first.

Things to Take Note

• Liposuction does not improve or remove cellulite, dimpling, stretch marks or other skin surface irregularities. Liposuction is purely aesthetic and suits those who wish to change or enhance the contour of their body.
• Liposuction permanently removes fat cells and may alter the shape of the body. If the patient does not lead a healthy lifestyle after the operation, there is a chance that the remaining fat cells will grow bigger.
• The procedure is meant for body contouring, not for extreme weight loss. The amount of fat cells that can be removed is limited.
• You must be in good health conditions (don’t complicate the surgery process) – no problems with restricted blood flow, coronary artery disease, diabetes or weak immune system.
• You must get checked by a plastic surgeon before the procedure can be done

Before Surgery

It is important to have a discussion with your surgeon before the surgery to discuss your expectations. The surgeon will review your medical history and ask about any conditions that you may have and any medications, supplements or herbs you may be taking. Certain medications like aspirin need to be stopped as they can increase bleeding, the doctor will tell you when to stop taking them.

You might need to undergo some health tests to ensure that you are fit for surgery.

Arrange to have someone with you to drive you home and to stay overnight as you will be warded for at least a night.

On the day of the surgery the patient will be checked-in and examined by the nurses. The surgeons will then do necessary markings before the procedure. Once that has been completed, the anaesthetist will inspect the patient and put them under local or general anaesthesia.

During Surgery

How the liposuction procedure is done is based on what you have discussed with your surgeon prior. Your surgeon will select the appropriate technique that matches the end goal, considerations will be made on which area that needs to be treated and whether you have had a liposuction procedure done in the past.

You will be given a sedative for the duration of the procedure, either through local or general anaesthesia depending on the area of your body, smaller area like chin can be done through local anaesthesia, larger areas will require general anaesthesia which induces a temporary unconsciousness. Another reason that the surgeons prefer to use general anaesthesia is because Liposuction can be a long procedure, this will ensure the patient’s comfort.

After Surgery & Recovery

After the surgery, you will be sent to your ward room, where you will slowly wake up from the general anaesthesia. You will be monitored by the nurses and they will check your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. You will be required to stay overnight for further observation, to make sure there is no complications.

It will be a few days before you are fit to return to work and another few weeks before you can resume normal activities (including exercise). After several months you can expect to see the treated area to have a leaner appearance.

Maintenance
Apart from the usual exercise and diet, you can check out these following procedures to help maintain your leaner appearance.

• Exilis; great for skin tightening and improves collagen
• Thermage; treats wrinkles and loose skin on the body, as well as face and around the eyes
• Coolsculpting; a non-surgical, fat-freezing technique that gets rid of stubborn fats

Possible Side Effects/Risks
As with all major surgeries, liposuction carries risks. It’s important to be aware of possible complications and discuss your concerns and expectations with the plastic surgeon before deciding whether liposuction is right for you. Patients who are aware of the pros and cons before the surgery yields most satisfying results. Some of the possibilities include:  

• Bruising and inflammation: It’s normal to get bruising and some inflammation and may last a few weeks.
• Contour irregularities: Your skin may appear bumpy, wavy or look withered due to uneven fat removal, poor skin elasticity or unusual healing. This could be caused by damage from the cannula (thin tube) that is being used during the liposuction procedure.
• Fluid accumulation: Temporary pockets of fluid (seromas) can form under the skin. The fluids need to be drained and can be done by needle.
• Numbness: You may experience temporary or permanent numbness in the affected area.
• Infection: Skin infections are rare but possible and can be life threatening. Antibiotics are usually given after the operation to prevent this.
• Allergic Reaction: Patient may be allergic to certain medications or materials being used during the surgery. To prevent this, patients should inform staff beforehand if they are allergic to anything.

That being said, it is important to choose a qualified, meticulous and experienced surgeon to handle the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort. Dr. Abdul Jalil Jidon is one of Malaysia’s leading plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons. A board-certified surgeon at the National Specialist Register, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Dr. Jalil is also a member of Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (MAPACS).