Ask the Doctor

Sunday 14th March - Fat fillers

I’ve been considering a face lift but I’m not sure it’s right for me; what non-surgical treatments are available? Marion, Edinburgh

Mr Ken Stewart is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in both non-surgical facial rejuvenation and in surgical procedures involving smaller cuts and smaller scars.

For the forehead and area around the eyes the use of muscle relaxing Botox injections has real merit. The alternative would be a brow lift and upper and lower eyelid tucks.

For the cheeks we have the option of injecting temporary filler or using the most natural filler known - your own fat. We can borrow a little fat from your tummy and inject it into selected areas. This restores volume and rejuvenates.
 
An alterative might be the so-called “mini” face list (sometimes called a MACS lift). This allows us to counteract gravity by lifting the facial features in a vertical direction. It is still surgery but the scars are shorter.

Come and see a plastic surgeon with real expertise and training. We have a patient open day on March 27th, visit www.spirehealthcare.com/edinburgh for more information or contact 0131 316 2507 or cserice-ed@spirehealthcare.com to register. You can also discover more about cosmetic surgery by visiting www.beyou.co.uk.

Sunday 7th March - Prostate cancer

What are the symptoms and risk factors of prostate cancer? Graham, Edinburgh

Alan McNeill is a Consultant Urological Surgeon who practices at Spire Murrayfield Hospital. For more information, visit www.prostatescotland.org.uk

Although prostate cancer affects 1 in 12 men during their lifetime, 1 in 2 men will develop benign enlargement of their prostate. Consequently most men who experience urinary symptoms associated with prostate enlargement will not have cancer. The symptoms to look out for include frequent visits to the loo, or getting up at night to pass urine and having to rush to get there; and a period of pause before starting to pass urine, having a slow flow of urine and dribbling at the end. If you have a family history of prostate cancer then your own risk of having prostate cancer is increased and you should see your GP to discuss whether or not you should be tested. If your doctor is concerned then they will arrange for you to see a urologist. You should not be concerned as there are good treatments available for all prostate diseases and prostate cancer is curable if detected early.