DUBAI: Expanded waistlines and shrunken busts top the list of reasons why a large number of men and women are going under the knife in the UAE. Women still account for most (70 per cent) of the cosmetic procedures, but men are fast catching up. Here is a rundown of the five most popular plastic surgeries among them.
For women
Liposuction: Also called body sculpting, it gets rid of unwanted fat (around two-four litres) through a small incision. The common target areas are abs, hips, thighs and arms.
“It is hugely beneficial for those who have resistant fat deposits,” says Dr R. Venketa Ratnam, Head, Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi.
Cost: Dh20,000-Dh30,000
Adominoplasty: Commonly referred as tummy tuck, it accounts for nearly one fourth of all cosmetic surgeries and is mostly used by those who want to regain their pre-pregnancy figure after childbirth. The procedure involves flattening the stomach by removing extra fat and skin and tightening abdominal muscles.
Cost: Dh50,000-Dh60,000
Breast reduction and augmentation: “Just as small-breasted women suffer from low self-esteem, women with large breasts also lack confidence,” says Dr Punam Bijlani, Consultant, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ras Al Khaimah Hospital. The procedures involve taking out a part of the breast tissue (reduction) or augmenting using fat or implants.
Cost: Dh50,000-Dh60,000 for reduction and Dh30,000 for augmentation
Rhinoplasty: Also known as a nose-job, the procedure is used to reshape the nose or correct bumps or other defects by making incisions to access the bones and cartilage that support the nose. According to Dr Matteo Vigo, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, Dubai, many patients come with pictures of celebs and ask him imitate the shape of their noses.
Cost: Dh50,000-Dh60,000
Facial rejuvenation: A combination of brow lift, elimination of eye bags, eyelids lift, elimination of senile spots, and wrinkles are used to make the face look younger.
“There are several facial rejuvenation techniques including 3D fat grafting,” says Dr Bijlani.
Cost: Dh30,000-Dh60,000
For men
Male breasts or gynaecomastia: Be it hormones or simply a situation of being overweight, male boobs could crush a man’s confidence. It accounts for one-third of the patients, some as young as 15 years.
Cost: Dh25,000
Rhinoplasty: Accounts for 15-20 per cent of all cosmetic procedures among men, mostly in the 20-40 year age group.
Blepharoplasty: Commonly known as eye-lid surgery, it is used to correct loosely hanging folds on upper eyelids.
Cost: Dh20,000
Liposuction: Fast gaining popularity among men who want to get rid of love handles and get shapely, says Dr Ratnam.
Cost: Dh20,000-Dh30,000
Tummy tuck: Of late, a large number of men have shown concern with their stomach region and the resulting flabby skin.
Cost: Dh50,000-Dh60,000
