The FINANCIAL — Guga Kuzanov, Director of GINN- Georgian-American Plastic-Reconstruction, Aesthetic surgery and cosmetology Clinic, and Gia Gvaramia, the Head and Leading Surgeon of Gia Gvaramia’s Centre of Aesthetic Medicine, named liposuction (removing excess fat from various areas of the body) to be the most demanded operation in Georgia in 2007.
The FINANCIAL interviewed the heads of the country’s two most prominent clinics regarding aesthetic medicine development trends in Georgia.
“As for the more modern trends of aesthetic medicine, liposuction was much demanded at GINN,” Guga Kuzanov, GINN Director
Q. Considering the 2007 statistics, could you name the top demanded aesthetic surgery operations at GINN?
A. In this respect it would be more logical to look at the statistics of the last few years, particularly the period since 2005. During the 3 years’ period a significant change has been made in the perception of the local population and the stereotype that aesthetic surgery is not safe or simply not a welcome procedure has completely broken. The reason of that advanced looking development in the country could to a great extent owe to the active involvement of mass-media in covering the latest achievements in the field.
Up till now rhinoplasty has remained the most demanded operation. It’s a well-known fact that there’s a kind of Caucasian nose syndrome that is reflected in the appearance of Georgians as well. While it could cause no dramatic problems for men’s faces, women tend to be more sensitive in this regard, which is the case when they start thinking of surgical assistance. Although each and every case is individual and it might seem paradoxical but sometimes that very bumpy nose could perfectly fit the characteristics of the person and in such a case surgery just ruins everything.
As for the more modern trends of aesthetic medicine, liposuction was much demanded at GINN. It’s a wrong approach that people tend to link liposuction with weight loss while the only thing they can expect from the surgery is correction in very exact parts of the body. I personally would advise such patients to try different massages, work outs, aerobics and only after refer to surgery.
Last but not least, breast surgery of all types: augmentation, reduction, breast lifting or just reconstruction- are always issue of top concern for women in every country worldwide and Georgia is not an exception either. However breast augmentation still remains the most demanded operation.
People are well aware today that the concern that breast surgery might be linked to cancer is a mere myth, as a number of researches have proved that people having undergone the surgery and those with no silicone implants still face equal risks of getting cancer.
Q. How luxury or affordable are GINN services? The most expensive/the cheapest aesthetic surgeries?
A. Each case is individual whether it’s breast surgery or liposuction it all depends on the complicity of the works that have to be done. Roughly speaking, breast operations could cost from USD 1 200 to USD 2 500 and as for liposuction GEL 250-350 per part of the body.
The technologies we use during the operations are the latest highly expensive achievements in the field. We’ve acquired three items of modern German machines that have been launched at the leading European clinics.
Q. As for transsexual operations, what are the statistics for 2007? What’s the overall number of transsexual operations you’ve performed so far?
A. GINN has performed 10 transsexual operations so far. It’s an accepted calculation that 1 transsexual is born per 100 000 persons and considering the fact that around 40 million people live in Georgia there could be some 400 genuine transsexuals in the country. Although these people are still keeping their conditions private and are not braving a confession to any wider public. However those who do brave surgery say they’ve gained a second life.
In Georgia there’s an interesting situation as the sex of these patients is concerned as 99% of them are women wanting to become men. However after getting a new body these people as a rule leave the country and continue life abroad as in Georgia the population cannot still fully accept them as ordinary members of society.
As for the cost of the operation, the prices abroad could go as high as USD 100 000 while at GINN we perform it almost as charity as the patients are asked to pay only the direct value of the surgery which is USD 4 000-5 000.
Q. In case you don’t agree with the decision of the patient do you try to convince him/her to change their minds?
A. A person can be beautiful but have some particular problem the existence of which makes the patient unhappy and depressive whereas less attractive people could feel much happier if they don’t feel concerned about their appearance. The more you’re obsessed with the idea of surgery the more people draw attention to your problem areas. So, it’s a matter of spiritual condition and in case the person says that it’s the only thing to make him/her feel happy again, then the surgery should be done.
Q. What’s your perception of a healthy lifestyle?
A. To be healthy you must feel healthy, that means setting no unreasonable limitations of food or excessive physical and mental activity. Just mind that a moderate diet can be good but hunger destroys the whole organism, running on 2-3 meals a day is perfect if you’re a person in good shape and physical condition. Cholesterol in itself is not a fatal part of any food but an excessive amount of cholesterol is of course harmful.
Eat anything you like, just any food that fits your taste but mind the norm. Work out and jog but only as far as your body limits dictate. Take a healthy look at life and you’ll see that life is beautiful!
“The most demanded operation at our centre is liposuction,” Gia Gvaramia, the Head and Leading Surgeon of Gia Gvaramia’s Centre of Aesthetic Medicine
Q. How successful has 2007 been for Dr Gia Gvaramia’s Centre of Aesthetic Medicine, the winner of Golden Brand awards?
A. 2007 has been a year of continuous success for Dr Gia Gvaramia’s Centre of Aesthetic Medicine. This year the number of our clients and the operations performed was doubled. The centre has also made significant steps in terms of office expansion and the acquisition of new technologies.
Q. What are the best-demanded aesthetic surgeries offered by the centre?
A. We offer a full-range of aesthetic operations as well as face lifting and body contouring with ultrasound and laser assisted lypoplasty, non-surgery methods of wrinkle reduction.
The most demanded operation at our centre is liposuction, the reason of which could be the fact that Dr Gvaramia’s Centre of Aesthetic Medicine is the only place in Georgia where the operation is made by means of modern laser and ultrasound technologies. Rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelid lifting) and breast augmentation – are also on the list of top required.
As for breast surgery our offers are quite diversified and include: augmentation; reduction; mastopexy (breast lifting) and reconstruction. In terms of breast augmentation we use silicone implants by the world’s number one manufacturers: INAMED (USA), MENTOR (USA), SILIMED (Germany).
Breast lifting operations are also performed by means of advanced technologies enabling minimized cuts and a long-term feedback.
Breast reconstruction after oncological operations can be made both by means of silicone implants and an individual’s own tissue.
The average price for breast augmentation and reduction is up to GEL 5 000. Though it is for life and no silicone replacement is ever needed. It’s absolutely healthy and safe even during pregnancy.
Q. How luxury or affordable are your services? Could you please name the most expensive/the cheapest aesthetic surgeries?
A. As for pricy policy, aesthetic surgery is not a cheap service but our prices are lower compared to those in Europe or the U.S.A.
The cheapest operations include removal of unwanted moles, skin tags and nodules by laser or radio-surgery techniques for as low as GEL 35-50 whereas the most expensive is face lifting – GEL 5 500. As for the rest, Rhinoplasty could cost GEL 2 500-3 000, ear operations – GEL 1 000, Blepharoplasty – GEL 2 000, and Liposuction ranging from GEL 500 to GEL 3 500.
Q. How expensive are the advanced technologies you offer in terms of aesthetic surgery?
A. High prices on operations are to a great extent conditioned by the expensive advanced technologies used in both surgical and non-surgical operations.
For instance, depilation is performed by means of the U.S manufactured alexandrite laser Candela, the value of which is USD 75 000, Swiss KTP laser that costs USD 45 000 is used in facial skin rejuvenation, German EUR 55 000 value Asclepion technologies are operated for face skin laser ablation and latest Microspot Superfractional Technology wrinkle removals, German EUR 40 000 value Soering equipment for lypoplasty.
Q. Could you say aesthetic surgery really raises people’s self-evaluation and makes them feel life is beautiful when they’re beautiful?
A. Indeed, the direct mission of aesthetic surgery is to help people retain good self-evaluation and get more self-confident, hence increasing work-efficiency and the perception of the beauty of life. That’s why aesthetic surgery is often called surgery of the soul.
Q. Do you cooperate with local banks in terms of on credit operations?
A. We’re in close partnership with Georgian banks and in particular with TBC Bank.
Q. What’s been the most important news about your centre in 2007?
A. Besides the increased number of clients and the operations performed, there’s been an obvious growth of staff and today 35 people are employed at the centre.
In February we moved into a new office which is licensed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Care. The centre has its own surgery and pre and post surgery rooms.
A new branch office equipped with high-class solariums by Megasun (Germany), anti-cellulite and cosmetology rooms, will be opened by the end of the year. A couple of weeks ago we acquired a surgical laser from Germany and additional radio wave technologies for the surgery room, which is incredible news for Georgia and the Caucasian region as a whole.
Q. Do you have any special New Year discount offers?
A. New Year sales promotions are launched only in terms of therapy offers but don’t include surgery as these operations are already fully reserved till February 4, 2008 (all 4 days a week).
Q. Do you offer tattoo services?
A. What we offer is micro insertions of natural pigments for cosmetic enhancements such as permanent eyebrows, eye liner and lip liner/colour.
Permanent make-up lasts for about 2-3 years and the person can once again refer to the service after the pigment fades away and disappears.
Q. What is the top news about the centre, expected in 2008?
A. In 2008 we plan to acquire face rejuvenation non-surgery technologies. Investments next year will be no less than in 2007.
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