Monday 11 June 2012

Virtual consultations available

We appreciate that many of our patients don't live near our clinic and that they are keen to make the journey worth while. Well it is now possible to have virtual consultations with Dr Jain where he will explain if a full consult will be necessary. If you have a webcam you will get more out of your consultation, or you could send photos across.

All of this can be done via Skype or our Riverbanks App for iPhone or iPad available from the App Store.

Sunday 10 June 2012

Independent VASER Review about Riverbanks


This review was posted on an internet forum by a patient explaining their VASER experience at Riverbanks. For the record, it was totally unprompted.

I am coming up to 1 week post op having had Vaser to my chest, upper & lower abs and flanks and wanted to share my experience. After a lot of research on Vaser and which were the best clinics, I decided on going to Dr Ravi Jain at Riverbanks. I arranged for an initial consultation (£50) at his clinic to go through my options and what results I could expect. The clinic itself made a really good first impression on me. It's clean, modern and the staff are very friendly. During the consultation I told Dr Jain the areas that I wanted treated before stripping off so he could examine me. I was encouraged to hear him say that I had good musculature and he would try and go as close to Hi-Def as he could.

I booked up there and then. I thought the price was very reasonable considering other quotes I had seen and given Dr Jain's credentials. The next available appointment was in 2 weeks time, so I didn't have long to wait. During that period, I had to have a blood test (this is arranged by Riverbanks, but the cost isn't covered in the fee) and was sent some pre op instructions on how to prepare myself. These included a prescription for my antibiotics and painkillers. 

I was to take my first medication the night before the operation, which was booked for 10am. I arrived at the clinic at about 9:15 so that I could get prepared and marked up by Dr Jain. I was measured and weighed so that the anaesthetist could make his calculations before being led into Dr Jain's office. I changed into a very fetching pair of paper pants before I had my pictures taken. I was then marked up in the areas that were going to be operated on before being taken into the operating theatre. 

Firstly, I was washed down with alcohol. I was warned that this was going to be be cold (and it was), but it wasn't too uncomfortable. What was uncomfortable, however, was when the alcohol dripped down to my bits and pieces! That did sting a bit, but didn't last too long. I knew I was going to be under local anaesthetic and had read other patient's accounts of how they were awake the whole time. I can remember the needle going into my hand and the feeling of the anaesthetic being administered, but that was it. The next thing I remember is being woken up by the nurse after it was all over. 

I was helped into my compression garment and changed back into my clothes. I would recommend wearing dark, loose fitting clothes as there will be a lot of leaking and padding. I was led to a waiting area where I had something to drink but couldn't tackle the sandwich on offer. I was leaking quite a bit, so had to sit on some padding. I was also feeling really tired, which was an effect of the anaesthetic still in my system.

Once I got home, I was aching a bit but it wasn't anything too painful. I took a couple of painkillers and went straight to bed. I had a pretty good night's sleep but my back was aching when I woke up. This was more due to the layers of towels and padding I had on my bed in case I leaked during the night. 

The following morning, I undid my compression vest to take my first look at my new body. The results looked amazing. My chest was now flat, as was my stomach and the love handles had gone. This was even with post op swelling, so give it a few months and I will look even better. The 'pain' over the last few days has only ever been like an ache and I have been taking my prescribed painkillers. I am wearing the compression garment 24/7, and taking regular walks to help minimise the build up of any further fluids. I have my follow up appointment this Friday and will be interested to hear what Dr Jain thinks of it.

I would recommend Vaser to anyone who is thinking of it. It really does work. I would also recommend using Riverbanks Clinic. They are very professional, friendly, very reasonably priced and Dr Jain is the most highly qualified Vaser surgeon in the country

VASER Lipo Reviews - London, UK


Thank you very much for sending these photos, I still cant believe what a fantastic job you've done and words cannot describe how pleased I am with the results.  The service I've received from yourself and your wonderful team has been amazing and made the whole experience worthwhile and it's exceeded all my expectations.  EJ, Northamptonshire

The results are amazing! I found it very difficult to find a place to do the kind of specific surgery I wanted done - and as such I didn't really have high hopes that I would be able to get the kind of outcome I wanted. But credit to Mr Mouallem, he did a fantastic job! Paul, Hemel Hempstead

Ever since I had vaser sweat therapy my sweating had reduced to half the amount. It has remained constant & haven't had any side effects other than  the dark marks left from the incursions . I would recommend the treatment because it has changed my life, I'm more relaxed. KD, SW London

Its been just over a week since I had my procedure and results are already showing, shaping up beautifully, almost no bruising, very very pleasing, as usual your brilliant work, thank you so much. MT, SE London

I too have had vaser lipo at Dr Ravi Jain's Riverbanks Clinic in Harpenden. I am a 38 year old female professional and at present one week post vaser on my arms, thighs and knees....Dr Jain and his team are truly wonderful. They have made me feel welcome, at ease and so thankful to have made the right decision to have had vaser lipo at Riverbanks Clinic. They have gone above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and looked after. I am so excited to see my new arms and legs. Anon, S. London

I would recommend Vaser to anyone who is thinking of it. It really does work. I would also recommend using Riverbanks Clinic. They are very professional, friendly, very reasonably priced and Dr Jain is the most highly qualified Vaser surgeon in the country. JA, SE London





Saturday 9 June 2012

VASER Lipo review at Riverbanks - my experience by Mandy


For as long as I can remember my body has been pear shaped and very out of proportion with my small waist.  After doing some research on liposuction i came across vaser liposuction and it really sounded ideal.  I went on a hunt looking for a good doctor and after meeting with 3 doctors, from the moment I walked in to the Riverbanks Clinic I knew I would be well looked after.  Dr Jain was very realistic and put my mind at ease with the procedure.  I went ahead and had vaser done on both my thighs and flanks.  There was literally no pain at all during the procedure and if I had to describe it, the word I would use is it was weird! It felt as though someone was building something under my skin but it really was not painful in any way.  The results were immediate and I was absolutely over the moon.  I remember walking in to Dr Jains office and saying I literally want the sides of my body taken off to give myself a nice smooth shape, not so pear like - this is exactly what Dr Jain did for me and the results surpassed my expectations by a million. 

Before VASER
After VASER

All my clothes are looking incredible on, I no longer have the dreaded 'muffin top' and I feel absolutely wonderful.  I could never have achieved these results without the help of Dr Jain - no gymming or dieting would have given me what I have now.  I feel even more motivated now to keep my shape and have been gyming very hard.  I am now around 2 months post vaser and the results just keep getting better.  The scarring is minimal and my cellulite has reduced.  I no longer have 'love handles' and I no longer have big thighs.  I would like to thank Dr Jain and his team for really making a dream of mine come true.  The only thing I think I think I did wrong, was not doing more areas!  

Mandy, N. London

What to expect after liposuction - secrets to help you heal quicker!

It is important to understand that liposuction is a significant step in a lifestyle change to improve the shape of your body. After all, liposuction is a surgical operation and all the risks need to be considered carefully.

Rather than being a quick fix day case, the procedure can be a rather protracted process, and one that must not be interrupted even after the actual surgery itself has come and gone. The recovery is in fact the most important stage a patient having undergone the liposuction process must take very serious by caring carefully for their body. The ability to look after oneself after the surgery determines the overall success of the procedure.

After liposuction surgery, patients usually experience fluid drainage from their incisions. In many bigger cases, a small drainage tube can be inserted beneath the skin to stop the fluid buildup. Swelling may also occur, as well as bruising, in the regions of the body specifically addressed by the surgical process. In order to control the swellings, a fitting elastic garment can be worn over the treated areas for some weeks while antibiotics must be taken as prescribed to prevent or control infections while also enhancing recovery. Post operative aftercare treatments all help to reduce swelling, bruising, infection and improve contour and hasten recovery.

To avoid infections that could result to prolonged recovery, post surgery instructions must be taken seriously. People who don’t adhere to this, despite the warnings always end up with unnecessary complications. Please don’t be one of such people as it could be life threatening.

Pains, swelling and numbness experienced after the surgery are discomforts that can be controlled with prescribed medications as well; however, the soreness and stiffness may continue for a period, and the patient should remember that. Regular movement will improve the stiffness - i.e. don't lie around doing nothing as that will also increase the risk of developing blood clots in your veins (deep vein thrombosis).

Depression is another aftermath that has been shown to occur in several patients of a liposuction surgery. Patients who experience this can help themselves by engaging in minor social activities and seeking support from their friends and families to ease the depression. Focusing on the merits of the surgery also has been known to work for some, although generally the depression disappears on its own after a few days. Normally, depression can kick in at about day 4-5 and as long as your are social and mobile it should only last a few days. But don't be suprised by the sudden tearfulness should it occur!

The healing process begins immediately after the surgery. Serious activities should be avoided for 2-4 weeks to allow the wounds to heal and also for the stiffness to settle. Liposuction does not affect the muscles and so recovery is relatively quick.

The right diets and keeping up with appointments should also be pursued for the duration of recovery as they are very essential. Liposuction patients will have had the surgery because they have struggled to lose fat! So don't go and carry on eating the same foods you were before surgery and doing the same exercises? They obviously weren't helping. After your liposuction, we advise patients to seek the support of a nutritionist or personal fitness coach who can advise on diet and exercise programmes to maintain and further enhance your new body.

If patients follow these simple instructions, you should be able to enjoy your new body quickly and permanently.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

10 reasons to choose Riverbanks for your VASER Lipo surgery

  1. Dr Ravi Jain is the only UK doctor to hold all 4 levels of training in VASER Lipo
  2. The Riverbanks VASER team is the first UK team to visit Colombia for specific training in VASER Aftercare
  3. Consultant Anaesthetists will provide you a pain-free procedure using concious sedation
  4. Thanks to our VASER 4D Sculpting skills, all of our regular VASER Lipo patients get even better results as we can't help ourselves giving you the best we can!
  5. We perform ultrasound scans to help plan your surgery, results and aftercare at no additional cost (in Harpenden only)
  6. Your package prices will include 2 sets of compression garments and padded vests when necessary.
  7. You can choose to have vaser liposuction treatments at our flagship clinic in Harpenden or in our central London offices too.
  8. After your initial consultation with Dr Jain there are no further consultation fees.
  9. The Riverbanks team takes pride in providing you with correct medical advice, ethical practice and high standards of care.
  10. Our revision rate is one of the lowest in the world.
To book in for an exploratory consultation with VASER expert Dr Ravi Jain in London or Harpenden please call 0158 276 2877 or complete our enquiry form.

Monday 4 June 2012

Is VASER liposuction better than BODYTITE at skin tightening?

Newer technologies arriving on to the market are all trying to better the absolutely amazing results of VASER liposelection. However, to date, I have not seen any which come near. BodyTite, uses radiofrequency energy which cooks the fatty tissue. It is NOT selective to fat and can burn other body tissues such as skin and muscle. Even the most experienced plastic surgeons who perform many liposuction procedures have reported burns with the Bodytite.

Bodytite is being heavily marketed as being the best treatment for tissue shrinkage after liposuction. However, it must be said that if there is excess skin before surgery, then liposuction may well not be the most appropriate surgery and that an abdominoplasty ('tummy tuck') may be more suitable.

For many patients, a tummy tuck is too big a surgery for them and they prefer a less surgical approach with smaller scars and just an improvement in their bulge. If I consult with a patient who has some relaxed skin due to previous pregnancies or weight loss I usually advise them that a tummy tuck is more suitable for them. However, some really want to try a less drastic option first and if they can accept that after the VASER there will be fat reduction and some skin retraction but not as good as with a tummy tuck, then I will agree to perform the surgery.

Because the VASER system protects the tissue architecture, the scaffolding of the skin  remains largely intact. As a result it shrinks back more evenly and even to this day I am amazed by the amount of tissue retraction I can get with VASER, especially using the 4D Sculpt techniques.
Before VASER
After VASER














In the above examples, the lady was recommended to have abdominoplasty with VASER 4D Sculpt to create a beach perfect body. She chose to try regular VASER Lipo first as she wanted to see what sort of results she could get without the need for a long scar. You can see that at her 4 week review she has great skin retraction. The creases are from the compression vests and garments she has to wear for 8 weeks.

If you would like to book a consultation with VASER Lipo expert Dr Ravi Jain, please call +44 1582 762877.