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Best Treatment for Piles

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Haemorrhoids (also known as ‘Piles’) are enlarged and swollen blood vessels in the anus. Patients who experience piles may feel itchy or sore sensations around their anal passage, or discomfort when going to the toilet. Thankfully, treatments have emerged to help patients get rid of piles in safe, quick and non-invasive ways. Here we discuss some of the best piles treatments available for Birmingham-based patients and patients in the Midlands, including self-pay options. 

What are piles?

Piles (haemorrhoids) are swellings that usually occur inside or around the opening to your rectum. They typically present themselves as small, round lumps that you may be able to feel on your anus or protruding out from your anal canal.

While it is normal to have blood vessels in your anus, they can present irritating symptoms when they become swollen. This can lead to discomfort during bowel movements or even sharp pains when a sufferer sits down. In such cases, haemorrhoids removal treatments can be sought to minimise the negative impacts of these swollen blood vessels.

Piles symptoms

Research shows that up to 50% of the population will suffer from symptomatic haemorrhoids at some point in their lives. While the presence of symptoms tends to vary across patients, the most debilitating and uncomfortable symptoms include:

  • Itching, redness and irritation around the anal passage
  • General soreness in the anal region
  • A feeling like you still need to poo after going to the toilet
  • Swollen lumps appearing around your anus
  • Slimy mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom
  • Pain around your anus as you pass a stool or sit down

 

What causes piles?

Piles develop when veins around the anus are put under excessive pressure. This increased pressure causes them to expand into swollen cushions. Patients with low fibre diets and sufferers of diarrhoea and constipation can often put increased pressure on their abdomens through straining when passing stools or spending long periods on the toilet. This pushes the swollen piles against the sphincter muscles, leading to pain, discomfort and sometimes bleeding. Pregnancy, obesity and genetics also play a role in causing piles to form.

How to treat piles

Some patients are able to treat piles with over-the-counter piles creams and ointments to ease itching and swelling.

Treatments like Metamucil (psyllium) and stool softeners like Citrucel (methylcellulose) can also be used to prevent piles-causing constipation. However, patients should not resort to laxatives as they can increase the problem of diarrhoea, which can make piles symptoms worse.

If these treatments don’t minimise symptoms, patients should opt for leading minimally invasive procedures that treat piles in ways that do not cause major side effects.

Best Treatment for Piles

At The Private Clinic, we offer one of the best treatments for piles thanks to our non-invasive, walk-in-walk out procedure. Our advanced Rafaelo® treatment for haemorrhoids in Birmingham has been proven to deliver outstanding clinical results, having been applied to over 2,000 patients across Europe since its launch.

This tried-and-tested radiofrequency ablation procedure reduces blood flow in the swollen blood vessels, causing them to shrink and disappear. As a virtually painless process, patients should experience immediate improvements in their symptoms straight after receiving the treatment. There is no need to undergo a general anaesthetic, and you will be able to return to your normal daily activities immediately, rather than waiting weeks to recover.

This makes the treatment stand out from other more invasive procedures like haemorrhoid surgery banding (rubber band ligation), haemorrhoidectomy or haemorrhoid stapling methods, which are often offered on the NHS, and involve up to 4 weeks of recovery time. As one of the most revolutionary procedures available, it offers patients a safe and effective alternative method to remove piles for good thanks to its long-lasting results, which have been featured in The Daily Mail.

Rafaelo haemorrhoids treatments in Birmingham

Our Rafaelo® piles treatment is available at our Birmingham clinic on 88 Hagley Road in the heart of Edgbaston. Our self-pay Rafaelo® treatment option gives patients the ability to avoid long waiting lists or expensive insurance premiums while allowing patients to access our world-class haemorrhoids treatment service instantly.

With competitive and affordable packages available, we offer patients the highest standards of patient care thanks to our CQC registration, our multi-award-winning medical services and our 5-star Trustpilot rating.

Mr Amit Patel, our resident Rafaelo® piles treatment surgeon, looks after patients at our Birmingham clinic. He treated the very first cohort of Rafaelo® patients in the West Midlands. As a key advocate of the treatment, he has been impressed by its consistent success rates with the patients he has treated and is confident that it now reflects the new gold-standard for piles removal.

“Piles surgery has traditionally been a painful and highly morbid operation. However, Rafaelo® has turned this on its head. The immediate advantage is the ability to avoid a general anaesthetic which allows the patient to effectively walk in and walk out of the clinic following treatment. My patients have had very little in the way of discomfort and initial follow-up results are very pleasing both from a clinical response to treatment and from patient feedback”.  – Mr Amit Patel, Consultant Laparoscopic General and Colorectal Surgeon, BSc, MD, MBBS, FRCS (Plast.) GMC Number: 4737010

Benefits of the Rafaelo haemorrhoid treatment

The Rafaelo® haemorrhoid treatment method has several key advantages when compared to other more invasive options. These include:

  • Minimal chance of piles recurrence.
  • Performed under local anaesthetic.
  • Quick treatment time – the procedure only takes 15 Minutes.
  • Minimal postoperative pain and aftercare.
  • Instant reduction of piles symptoms.
  • Zero downtime – patients can return to daily activities immediately.
  • No need for overnight stay.
  • The self-pay treatment option gives you maximum flexibility to avoid patient waiting lists affordably. Treatments take place in our Birmingham clinic so there is no need to go to a big hospital for treatment.

Why Should I Choose The Private Clinic for Piles Removal?

The Private Clinic has over 35 years of experience offering patients the most advanced medical treatments. Our handpicked team of doctors, surgeons and nurses are the very best in the industry. This ensures that patient safety and satisfaction is embedded across every stage of your treatment journey with us, from start to finish.

We offer a 24-hour patient helpline direct to your nursing team and surgeon, giving you instant access to expert help whenever you need it.

To Book a Haemorrhoids Treatment consultation at any of our clinics please call 0333 920 2471 or visit our website for more information about haemorrhoid removal. Self-pay Rafaelo® treatments are also available at our London Harley Street location.

Awesome for Autumn (Post-Holiday Skin)

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With the weather making a sharp cloudy transition to autumn, it may be time to update your beauty regime. Those cocktails by the pool may have left your skin drier than you’d like. Travel, with its potentially interrupted sleep patterns and varying temperatures (think air conditioning) may have left the skin in need of some repair. And the beautiful warm sun can cause real damage (we hope you were liberal with that SPF).

As we start to layer up with the weather getting steadily colder, our faces become more noticeable. Facial skin quality becomes more important. With all this in mind let’s take a look at what can be done to get you renewed for autumn and keep you looking your best.

Treatments:

  • Microdermabrasion: It’s not overly expensive, minimally invasive and can be done on your lunch break.  A layer of dead skin cells are removed revealing softer, more radiant, younger looking skin. The treatment also helps improve the appearance of superficial scars and evens out skin tone. You will see the difference quickly as ‘new’ skin comes through.
  • Injectables: Fine lines and expression lines can make you appear tired and diminish your overall appearance. Not usually needed in your twenties, but once you start to see fine lines or loss of volume it’s worth coming in for a consultation to see what a specialist recommends. Prevention is better than cure, but starting treatments too young can minimise their effects later on. It’s all about balance and taking into account what’s really going to work for you.

Upgrade your skincare with:

  • Obagi Professional C Serum

This vitamin C serum helps the skin repair from the inside, encouraging the skins own methods of repair, self-protection and damage reduction. It penetrates different layers of skin to prevent and repair cell damage. It also includes moisturising agents to keep the skin soft and diminishes dark circles! We could go on…

Valencia Oranges Obagi Products The Private Clinic
Obagi Professional C Serum
  • Circadia

The Circadia range is suitable for all skin types, works with your natural skin cycle and is particularly good at combating environmental damage. Circadia’s products utilise paraben-free preservative systems, a multitude of cutting edge ingredient technologies and speciality items for comprehensive treatment of mature skin, pigmentation disorders, acne and rosacea. The range comes highly recommended by all our skincare specialists. They also have specially designed peels for that extra beauty boost.

The Circadia Range

We have many other treatments and products that can work wonders so why not come in and discuss your concerns? Don’t forget to wait for that tan to fade completely before having any laser treatments. We recommend about six weeks or until your tan has gone.

We also recommend confidence and a smile. When you feel better you look better, when you look better you feel better. Now that’s a cycle we can get on board with! Everything we do at The Private Clinic is aimed at making you look and feel the best you can.

Because it’s your body.

Call 0333-920-2471 to get booked in. Or click here to arrange a consultation.

Introducing Elipse: The Weight Loss ‘Game-Changer’

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The Private Clinic unfortunately no longer offers the Elipse Gastric Balloon for Weight Loss. If you are looking for a weight loss treatment please see our fat reduction treatment page here

 

Elipse is a gastric balloon, created by Allurion,  that requires no surgery of any kind and that you pass naturally after a specific amount of time. It’s a pretty exciting tool – if we do say so ourselves.

elipse_allurion_gastric_balloon_weight_loss_the_private_clinic

What is the Elipse Gastric Balloon?

The revolutionary Elipse gastric balloon intends to promote gradual Weight Loss in overweight and obese people who have found it difficult to control their weight but would rather avoid invasive surgery.

Elipse process infographic

The procedureless gastric balloon offers a simple, safe and effective alternative to traditional weight loss aids. Elipse™ is made of thin, flexible polymer film and is delivered in a swallowable capsule, eliminating the need for surgery, endoscopy or anesthesia.

Elipse_gastric_balloon_the_private_clinic
From left to right: the inflated Elipse balloo, Elipse in its capsule form, Elipse in both its forms with a coin for size.

The balloon remains in the stomach for four months (16 weeks), after which it automatically deflates and is excreted naturally. Elipse™ is provided by a UK leading Consultant Bariatric Surgeon and is part of a comprehensive weight loss program – bringing the total length of the treatment to six months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E8j_zYLRH4

Living with Elipse

Keep in mind that Elipse isn’t a ‘magic pill’. The balloon is a weight loss tool combined a nutrition and monitoring program to help you lose weight, so your compliance to these and some willpower will be required for the treatment to be effective. The gastric balloon will help you feel full and cut your food intake, but for long-term results, it’s essential to establish a healthy and sustainable regime.

Who is suitable?

The Elipse Weight Loss programme targets those with a BMI between 27 and 35. On average, this aid has helped individuals lose between 10-20kg but as mentioned before, a willingness to comply with the programme is required. Some medical conditions may make you ineligible for the treatment but your doctor will tell you if this is the case.

Elipse is most suitable for obese and overweight people who want to take action and propel their Weight Loss journey in a manner that previous attempts failed to. We will be with you all the way, offering guidance and support throughout your treatment to help you stabilise your weight and equip you with a maintenance that will help you keep the weight off.

elipse_allurion_release_valve_

The Private Clinic

We have one of the UK’s leading Consultant Bariatric Surgeons heading this Weight Loss programme and carrying out consultations, as well as overseeing the insertion of the Elipse.

We offer the Elipse Gastric Ballon at our Birmingham and London, Harley Street clinics.

Brilliant ways to tackle wrinkles and sagging skin without surgery

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Facial Rejuvenation John Ross Low Res Day 1

Going through life we frown, smile and laugh. It’s natural for our bodies to manifest a physical reaction to our emotions and surroundings. However, by doing so, we encourage the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles.

Additionally, with age, our collagen and elastin production lessens while we naturally start losing fat around our face. Combined, these can lead to a looser facial tone, wrinkles, hollow upper cheeks, and heaviness above the jaw line and around the chin, giving our skin a tired and aged look so let’s look at the different non-surgical treatments that aim to give your skin a new lease on life.

Wrinkles and lines

Wrinkle injections

Cosmetic Botox for Men

The most popular and effective treatment for tackling the fine lines and wrinkles is wrinkle relaxing injections. The most renowned of these is Allergan’s Botox.

For those of you who fear the dreaded ‘frozen’ look, it’s important to realise that the key to a successful wrinkle injection treatment is an experienced practitioner, skilled in the art of moderation.

The injection works by relaxing muscles in the treated areas, leaving them unable to contract and reducing excessive facial movements.

Existing deep wrinkles are smoothed out and new ones are prevented from forming, with the effects lasting between 3-6 months. There is also a cumulative effect that means you might need fewer injections over time. The key here is not to wait until the toxin has completely disappeared. Your practitioner will be able to advise you on the most suitable top-up time for you.

On the flip-side, overdoing it is a sure-fire way to end up with ‘frozen’ unnatural results, which is why you need to have complete faith in your practitioner.

The reason this treatment has seen such success is because there is no downtime, and you walk away with revitalised and natural looking results.

Dermal fillers

Dermal_fillers_-_Juvederm_-_before_and_after_
Photo: Juvederm – Results look smooth and natural.

Dermal fillers are injected directly into wrinkles so as to plump the indented lines and add some volume.

To restore fullness to lips, sunken cheeks, and give more definition to the face, we inject temporary fillers containing hyaluronic acid (a natural substance found in the body).

Unfortunately there has been some controversy regarding fillers and there are some concerns that have to be kept in mind.

Firstly, there are over 160 kinds of fillers certified for sale in the UK and available for purchase and use by “non-healthcare professionals” as they are not classified as medicines.

Secondly, many patients are never made aware of the complications that can arise with the use of semi-permanent/permanent fillers, like the fact that although they last ‘forever’, they can only be surgically removed.

Moreover, because permanent fillers (often containing acrylic acid) work by stimulating an inflammatory reaction within the skin that makes scar tissue build up and lock it into place, the results and possible complications are unpredictable.

At The Private Clinic we only use the highest quality of temporary fillers and we are committed to our patients from start to finish, including after-care.

When fillers are administered correctly by regulated healthcare professionals, the treatment is quick, with results lasting between 6-12 months and no downtime whatsoever.

Facial definition and sagging skin

8 Point Lift

Areas for 8-point lift
Areas for 8-point lift

We mentioned dermal fillers earlier and the 8 Point Lift makes use of them to create a non-surgical facelift.

Also known as the Liquid Facelift, this specialised treatment targets key areas of the face to restore lost volume by combating the soft tissue loss that occurs with ageing.

The same rules as for dermal fillers apply but this technique offers a more complete solution compared to individual filler treatments with results lasting up to 18 months.

With the 8 point Lift there’s no risk of complications usually associated with a surgical facelift, it’s more affordable and there’s zero downtime.

Thread lift

Before and after Non-Surgical Threadlift
Before and after non-surgical threadlift at The Private Clinic.

The Thread Lift is highly specialised and requires a significant level of expertise to implement effectively.

Performed under local anaesthetic, the treatment sees anchoring sutures placed under the skin with the use of a fine needle that lifts sagging tissue.

The sutures have bi-directional cones that cling to the face’s tissue and do not need to be removed as they are principally made out of polylactic acid and are completely bio-degradable.

The acid has also been known to encourage collagen production, helping to add to the natural fullness of the face.

The procedure lasts between 30-60 minutes and the downtime is minimal but some slight bruising, swelling and mild tension may be experienced in the week after treatment.

The performing doctor will provide individually tailored advice taking into account a patient’s lifestyle to ensure recovery is as quick and easy as possible.

The Thread Lift is recommend for people over 30 who want to tackle moderate to prominent signs of ageing and want a more dramatic effect than individual wrinkle injection s or dermal fillers can provide.

That being said, the lift can be combined with other treatments such as dermal fillers, to add volume to hollow cheeks and the like.

Thermage

Before and After a Thermage Treatment
Before and after a Thermage treatment at The Private Clinic.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey have championed the use of Thermage to combat skin laxity and wrinkles but a few conditions have to be fulfilled in order to enjoy the best results this treatment has to offer.

The procedure itself consists of a hand-held piece being passed over problem areas and emitting radiofrequency technology to heat collagen so that it contracts and causes skin to tighten over time while the production of new and remodelled collagen will further the effects.

It’s the only non-invasive procedure that helps tighten and contour skin in a single treatment without any surgery, injections or downtime.

First generations of the treatment could be rather painful and The Private Clinic is one of the few UK clinics to offer the new ThermageCool Comfort Plus Technology (CPT) system.

Thermage CPT is especially designed for the face, neck and decolletage and incorporates a cooling system and a vibrating hand-piece that aims to try and keep discomfort to a tolerable minimum.

It is particularly important to get this treatment done by reputable and trustworthy professionals as very few physicians have the expertise required and incorrect use can lead to burns or scarring.

The trick with this treatment is that you have to have enough collagen in the first place to be able to stimulate it.

It works on mildly to moderately sagging skin and so is not usually recommended for patients over 65.

On the other hand, it works on all skin types and colours while also being a year-round treatment as it doesn’t require you to avoid the sun.

The procedure takes 45 minutes or over, depending on the size of the treated area, and makes the skin tighten so that the full effects will be visible after 3-6 months.

To find out more about our facial rejuvenation treatments, please call us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form

We have skin rejuvenation and injectable clinics across the UK including, London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire,  Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

How does breast reduction treatment work?

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Growing up, girls often worry about the breast size they’re going to have once their body matures. It’s often the case that they’ll hope to end up with a larger size and it’s understandable considering the female body ideals promoted in the media.

Busty women will, however, know that larger breasts can come with many downsides. They can get in the way, making simple things like hugging awkward. They make it difficult to get involved in sports, especially when you have to grasp your chest just to go down the stairs.

Let’s not forget that finding a perfectly fitting and supportive bra, or any kind of clothes shopping for that matter, seems as intense a quest as finding the Holy Grail.

More importantly, a large bust can cause intense back pain and physical discomfort, making normal daily activities particularly taxing. Sometimes the discomfort can become emotional, especially when you get unwanted attention and harassment because of the size of your breasts.

For some it’s simply a matter of feeling uncomfortable in your own skin and suffering from low confidence, self-esteem and even embarrassment because of their disproportionate bosom.

Be it for cosmetic or health reasons, if your bust has become a nuisance you might be considering getting a breast reduction, in which case you probably want to know how it works before you commit to anything.

Surgical Breast Reduction / Mammoplasty

A mammoplasty is an cosmetic surgery procedure during which a surgeon reduces the size of a patient’s breasts by removing any excess fat, skin and glandular tissue. Once these have been removed, the surgeon will then work to make your breasts more uplifted and proportionate to your body by moving your nipples upwards and in some cases reducing the size of the areola.

Breast reduction surgery can lasts around three hours. When you arrive at the hospital, you will meet with the surgeon again before your procedure to go over what is going to happen, your desired results and they will draw surgical markings on you to assist them during the procedure.

There are different techniques your surgeon may use which will determine which scarring you will have following surgery.

  • Anchor type or inverted T reduction – is the most common type of breast reduction, resulting in an anchor-shaped scar starting around the areola, going down vertically and then horizontally across your natural breast crease.
  • Vertical pattern breast reduction – results in a circular scar around the areola, and a vertical scar directed downwards. This technique has the advantage of leaving no scarring under the breast and a lower chance of wound complications. However, this technique may leave a small fold of skin, initially, at the lower end of the vertical scar.
  • Circumareolar reduction – only results in a circular scar around the areola. This technique is only suitable when removing a small amount of tissue.

At the end of the procedure the incisions are stitched up, your breasts wrapped in a special supportive bandage and you will be required to wear a surgical bra for the next 6 weeks following your procedure.

A breast reduction may require an overnight stay and this will be discussed with your surgeon prior to your surgery date.

It is common to have swelling and bruising after a breast reduction procedure but these usually subsides after 1-2 weeks. You may also feel a little numb or tingly in certain areas which are down to nerve irritation which again should stop after 1-2 weeks. We recommended taking 1-2 weeks off work as full recovery can last 2-6 weeks. All exercise is best to be avoided for at least 6 weeks following surgery.

The great advantage of this procedure is that you get to tailor your breasts to look exactly how you want them to and since a mastopexy (uplift) is often undertaken in combination with the mammoplasty your breast can be significantly lifted.

The Private Clinic

Our clinic has over 35 years of experience in providing patients with pioneering treatments performed by world-class doctors.

Our biggest priority is YOU and that includes your health and safety, meaning our doctors won’t go through with a procedure if they judge that it won’t benefit you.

We’ve worked hard to select an elite medical team that will guide you through the treatment process from start to finish and support you throughout.

Breast Reduction Surgeons at The Private Clinic

Our specialised breast surgeons are available to meet at our clinics in: London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton.

To find out more about breast reduction or to book a consultation at a clinic near you, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.

FUE Hair Transplant Pricing

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We understand that the price of any cosmetic or aesthetic treatment plays a substantial role in the consideration process for anyone wanting a hair transplant.

While you should always pay attention to the pricing structures offered to you for a hair transplant, you need to always keep that factor secondary to the quality of care and the results offered by a clinic or surgeon. This extends to their reputation, credentials and experience of both.

We are asked daily about pricing information regarding our various procedures and while we’re more than happy to give you an average price a patient pays, more accurate quotes can only be offered by the surgeon during a consultation after assessing your case and needs.

How much does a FUE Hair Transplant cost?

FUE Hair Transplant procedures at The Private Clinic cost on average; £2.50 per transplanted hair. For patients with a reasonable amount of hair loss, the procedure could cost on average £6,000-8,000. For more extensive procedures, the costs can increase considerably. If you would like an Unshaven (U-FUE) hair transplant, the cost increases further. Many procedures end up costing between £6,000-9,000. More extensive hair restoration procedures may be split into two procedures with a significant gap in between them.

The overall cost of a hair transplant procedure will be calculated by the time taken, amount of hairs transplanted and the difficulty of the procedure. Prices will also often reflect the quality of the procedure and the experience your surgeon may have and often what may appear to be a great deal may not end up being one if you are left with bad results and significant scarring. Here at The Private Clinic we unfortunately often see a lot of patients who require hair transplants to repair poor hair transplant results.

Expert Hair Transplant Surgeons at The Private Clinic

Once one of our hair transplant doctors, Dhave deemed you suitable for an FUE Hair Transplant you will then be informed as to how many grafts or hairs you’ll require to have transplanted. This will be based on the results that you are after and it is then that an accurate price for your procedure will be given.

Hair Transplant Before and after photo results

FUE Hair Transplant before photo Dr Raghu ReddyFUE Hair Transplant after photo Dr Raghu Reddy

See more FUE Hair Transplant before and after photos here.

FUE Hair Transplant at The Private Clinic

We endeavour to ensure that you will receive the most natural results. Our approach consists on delivering the most density as possible in the balding area, whilst also preserving the donor area. Our procedures are normally carried out during one full-day session and the treatment is performed under a local anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic eliminates the risks and downtime meaning that you can leave the clinic immediately after your treatment.

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

  • 24 hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your Hair Transplant surgeon and nursing team as required.
  • Highly experienced Hair Transplant Surgeons who have many years of experience.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way.
  • Outstanding hospital facilities.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound head of hair.
  • We are able to offer finance solutions with manageable payments to suit a variety of budgets.
  • Watch videos of past patients click here
  • Extensive Hair Transplant FAQs click here
  • We have Hair Transplant clinics in London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Northampton.

For more information regarding the FUE Hair Transplants we offer or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our hair transplant online contact form.