NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I've read about a facelift where they use gold threads to 'pull' up your features. Does it work?

A. Yes, they're called thread lifts and they're a subtle alternative to a full surgical facelift. The threads have tiny barbs which are inserted beneath the skin, attached to the saggy tissue then pulled tight. Because the effects aren't as dramatic as a full facelift, a thread lift is better suited to women in their late 30s or early 40s who want to refresh their appearance. On the plus side, recovery time is quicker than major surgery and it costs less. Prices start from £1,500 and results last three to five years.

Q. I regret my boob job four years ago which made me a 38DD. Will a reduction leave me with more scars?

A. Removing large implants is always a problem and it's likely you'll need an uplift to maintain a nice breast shape. There is an option of a scar around the nipple and down underneath your breast (a lollipop scar) rather than under your breasts which will be less noticeable, but I'm afraid you will still be able to see where the skin was cut. Implant removal and an uplift will cost around £5,000.

Q. I'm only 42 but my hands look like they belong to a 90 year old. Can surgery help?

A. Unfortunately not, but there is a brilliant technique which involves multiple injections of a filler to plump up the skin on the back of your hands. Depending on the product used (Restylane Vital or Sculptra are both effective) the result will last up to three years. Prices start from £450 per treatment. A Fraxel laser treatment (£650 each) will clear liver spots.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I'm planning on having liposuction on my hips after I give birth this spring. How soon after having my baby can I have the operation?

A. You should wait six to eight months, as your body needs time to return to its normal shape and you need time to shed those extra pounds through exercise and healthy eating. It's important to help your skin regain its elasticity too, so drink lots of water, especially if you're breastfeeding. Liposuction is ideal for removing stubborn areas of fat that remain even after you've lost weight. It costs around £4,000.

Q. Can I get cosmetic surgery on the NHS?

A. It depends on your postcode and what you want done. Operations most likely to be carried out on the NHS include ear-pinning, nose straightening and breast reduction. You may be sent for a psychological evaluation and if it's felt your condition causes depression, you'll have a better chance of getting treatment on the NHS. However, many operations are now being refused due to a lack of funding.

Q. Is there a procedure that can get rid of age spots on hands?

A. There are two options: chemical peeling or laser treatment. Both cause a superficial burn to the skin so that when the skin peels, the spots go with it. A chemical peel can be done as an outpatient but it may need to be repeated. It costs about £450 per session. Laser treatment involves using microscopic laser spots to target the problem. Again, you may need to have a few sessions, but it will rejuvenate your whole hand. It costs around £650 each time.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I know it's possible to have a nose job to make it smaller, but can I get mine made bigger? I hate my button nose.

A. Yes you can. The procedure is called augmentation rhinoplasty. It involves using a piece of cartilage or a silicone implant to increase the size, and costs about £5,000. Another method is Radiesse, a filler with a consistency similar to bone. A few injections can improve the profile dramatically, and it's much cheaper at just £750.

Q. What's the difference between restylane and Botox? And which is better for getting rid of laughter lines?

A. Restylane is a filler that plumps up the skin. It absorbs water and fills lines and wrinkles. It is perfect for 'static' lines, which are there all the time without any facial expression. Botox is a trademark name — the substance is botulinum toxin and is injected into muscles so they relax. Botox is better for 'dynamic lines' that appear after repeated expressions. Sometimes lines can be so deep that a combination of the two treatments is necessary. Costs for each start from about £250.

Q. I do 50 sit-ups a day but I still can't get a flat stomach. Is a tummy tuck the answer?

A. It can definitely be achieved with exercise but you also need a good diet to eliminate subcutaneous fat. Surgery is the easy way out. You can get great results from a process called liposelection, which uses ultrasound and costs from £5,500. You only need a tummy tuck after pregnancy or major weight loss. Expect to pay around £6,000.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. I'm 22 and have crow's feet already. Am I too young for treatment?

A. Crow's feet are wrinkles around the eyes, resulting from overworked muscles. To help prevent them, wear sunglasses in the sun, don't smoke and get plenty of sleep. The best treatment is Botox but you should wait until your late 20s or early 30s for this, as it stops your skin producing sweat and if it's used where the muscle is not fully developed, will make skin shiny. Botox injections cost from £250 and last four to six months.

Q. I've lost 5st but I've been left with folds of saggy skin all over my body. What can I do?

You could try an arm reduction to remove ‘bingo wings'. And body contouring, which involves a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift, will give more definition around the abdomen, waist and legs. A body lift — tummy tuck, outer thigh and bottom lift — gives even more dramatic results. You should be at your ideal weight, fit and healthy, as a body lift is a complex procedure. Recovery can take up to two months and you'll be left with extensive scarring. Costs vary from £5,000 to £15,000.

Q. I'm a 34A and want bigger breasts — how big can I go?

Improvements in breast enhancement surgery mean you can expect natural results with less post-op pain and quicker recovery. But you should take the time to discuss with your surgeon the shape and size you want, and the expected scars. Go for an implant that's about as wide as the diameter of your own breast base for a natural-looking result. And if you're considering over-inflated implants à la Jordan, bear in mind she's just had hers removed! The cost is around £4,200.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery

NIPS/TUCKS/TIPSWITH HARLEY STREET SURGEONANGELICA KAVOUNI

Q. What will fix my droopy eyebrows?

A. Sagging eyebrows and forehead are a sign of ageing – but a browlift will fix them. An endoscopic forehead lift is less invasive than the traditional ‘open browlift'. It uses small incisions hidden behind the hairline and costs from £4,000. It may reduce feeling in your forehead (usually temporary) and cause thinning hair around the incisions. Forehead Botox also raises muscles and results in a more defined, temporary eyebrow arch. This has been criticised for giving a ‘surprised' look, but an experienced practitioner will know how to adapt dosages to suit you. Botox costs from £250.

Q. My back is covered in moles. Is there a less painful removal option to laser surgery?

A. Check with your GP to find if you have a mole that changes shape or colour, becomes itchy or bleeds. Flat moles can be frozen with nitric oxide but if raised, they need to be cut off. Resulting scars may be unsightly. Both treatments are effective – laser has potential for less scarring but is more expensive. Surgical mole removal costs from £200 per mole, while laser costs from £900 for the whole back.

Q. How effective are facial peels? And do they hurt?

A. Using diluted trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove aged and damaged skin, facial peels allow healthier, tighter layers to surface. They take about 20 minutes, depending on the number of coats needed. There's a burning sensation that lasts a few minutes with each coat but no pain after that. Peels are also good for pigmentation spots and fine wrinkles. They cost from £400.

Email your cosmetic surgery questions@fabulousmag.co.uk

SURGERY CARRIES RISKS. Make sure your surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery