A new mother’s life was recently transformed when she had a ‘pulsating’ lump on her head operated on during scenes filmed for The Bad Skin Clinic on Quest Red.

Lauren Brook had lived with a blueberry-sized lump on her forehead for the last couple of years and had failed to get a correct diagnosis. Since the birth of her son the previous year, the lump had got larger and often ‘pulsated’, leaving Lauren feeling incredibly self-conscious. In fact, she often refused to take photos of herself with her baby due to insecurity.

“It just puts so much strain on my day-to-day life. I just don’t feel confident anymore,” Lauren says. “Over the last year since I’ve had my baby, it’s just been growing bigger and bigger.”

Lauren visited Dermatological Surgeon Dr Emma Craythorne at her clinic in central London. Emma immediately realised that the lump was not a lipoma or cyst, but actually a type of vascular malformation called an arteriovenous malformation.

“This is entirely related to the little veins and arteries that we have in our body. This is something called a vascular malformation,” Emma explained to Lauren.

Dr Craythorne consulted with her colleague Mr Juling Ong and the decision was made to operate.

“I’m just marking the incision in a nice curvature just behind the hairline, so that eventually it’s hidden well in the hair,” Mr Ong explained to the camera, before he made his first incision, cutting into the skin and tissue behind Lauren’s hairline. “Although it’s a very big incision, once it’s healed, you’ll hardly see it.”

During the procedure, Mr Ong and his team cauterised the veins and the tumour of blood vessels was gently dissected free from the inside of Lauren’s scalp.

Just a few weeks after the operation, Lauren revisited Dr Emma’s clinic and was delighted with the results as her forehead is now completely smooth. “Literally just amazing,’ Lauren reported in the TV programme. “I just feel happy, all the time.”

What is a vascular malformation?

Mr Juling Ong treats vascular malformations in children and adults. These are abnormalities of the veins, arteries, capillaries or lymphatics.

Capillary malformations are commonly known as port wine stains and are caused by the smallest blood vessels or capillaries failing to constrict. Lymphatic malformations involve abnormalities of the lymph system and are often known as lymphangiomas. They can present as a small swelling or a much larger swollen or raised area and can result in skin changes, repeated infections or bleeding.

Venous malformations can be visible through the skin and can present as swelling or bruising after there has been increased blood flow to the affected area, for example, after exercise, when crying or becoming upset.

Vascular malformations often grow a bit faster when there are hormonal changes such as during puberty or pregnancy, as they did in Lauren’s case.

Arteriovenous malformations usually pulsate with a lot of blood flowing through the vessels. They can be painful and bleed and there is a high risk of them regrowing if not treated very carefully.

For more advice on vascular malformations and their treatment, call 020 7927 6528 to arrange a consultation with Mr Juling Ong.

At birth, babies are screened for several congenital abnormalities during a routine physical assessment that is carried out within 72 hours of birth and then later at six to eight weeks of age, as some conditions may take a while to develop.

Conditions they are assessed for include congenital hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, cataracts and cleft palates. Tongue tie or ankyloglossia is not routinely checked for, yet can cause significant difficulties for new mothers who are attempting to breastfeed. A recent BBC article demanded that NHS midwives and health visitors receive specialist training to help spot the condition.

Signs of tongue tie

It’s estimated that 10% of babies are affected by tongue tie, a condition where the tongue is tethered to the bottom of the mouth by a strip of tissue known as the lingual frenulum.

Often the first sign of tongue tie is difficulties establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. One study estimated that 60% to 80% of women experience problems breastfeeding, and 42% of all women who attempt breastfeeding quit within six weeks. A speedy diagnosis and treatment of tongue tie could support more women at this time.

Issues with tongue tie and breastfeeding:

• For the mother, breast feeding can often be painful
• Can cause mastitis and blocked ducts
• For the baby it can cause limited tongue movement including inability to poke out their tongue
• Unable to open mouth wide when breastfeeding
• Fussy behaviour when feeding
• Coughing during feeds
• Frequent or extended feeds
• Poor weight gain
• Colic

The women interviewed in the BBC article were both second-time mums and their previous experience of breastfeeding meant they suspected tongue tie. However, they both had to fight hard to get a diagnosis and treatment, which is typically tongue tie surgery.

About half of babies with ankyloglossia will require a surgical procedure to release the tongue. Paediatric plastic surgeon Mr Juling Ong performs both frenotomy, where the tongue is released with surgical scissors, and frenuloplasty, in which plastic surgical techniques are used to release the lingual frenulum prior to reconstruction. Dissolvable sutures are used.

For more advice on tongue tie surgery, please call us on 020 7927 6528 to book an appointment with Mr Ong.

Whether you’ve always been dissatisfied with a facial feature, bothered by lack of symmetry, or started to notice ageing changes, there are several approaches to augmenting, reconstructing or rejuvenating the face.

Facial fillers

Dermal fillers are one of the most popular procedures worldwide for addressing ageing changes in the face, particularly for filling lines or addressing loss of facial volume. The gold standard hyaluronic acid dermal filler brands are available in different consistencies, so can be used to fill the very fine lines around the mouth and enhance the lips, as well as adding more volume to the chin, cheeks or temples or fill a skin defect.

Dermal filler products can also stimulate collagen and elastin production so there is a gradual improvement in skin quality as well as immediate volumisation.

Longevity of results depends on the product used, where it is placed and the individual patient’s response, but you can expect hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to last between six and 12 months.

Facial fat grafting

Restoring or adding fullness to the face with your own fat has several advantages over facial fillers. If significant volume is needed at the temples, cheeks, jawline or chin, facial fat grafting is usually a better choice. Fat that is successfully grafted to the new area will last much longer than dermal fillers in terms of maintaining fullness.

During the facial fat transfer procedure, Mr Juling Ong will remove small amounts of fat, typically from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The fat is then purified, before it is injected into the area of the face that requires filling. Small droplets of the fat are injected to produce a smoother appearance and ensure that the fat is successfully grafted.

Another advantage of facial fat grafting over implants or fillers is that there is no chance of an allergic reaction or rejection.

Facial implants

Facial implants are a permanent solution to loss of volume. Results are immediate and can be subtle or dramatic depending on the shape, size and projection used.

The advantage of facial implants over dermal fillers is that results are long-lasting, whereas temporary dermal fillers may need top-up treatments once or even twice a year. There is a small risk of infection immediately after the procedure, but this can be managed with antibiotics. Once in situ, the implant is usually well-tolerated by the body and result will be long-lasting.

Unlike fillers and fat transfer, facial implants enhance the bony structure of the face rather than replacing or augmentation the soft tissues. If the concern is asymmetry, an ill-defined facial feature or deformity due to trauma or congenital conditions, then facial implants may be a more appropriate solution.

During your consultation, Mr Juling Ong will be able to advise you on which treatment option is the most appropriate for you and explain all potential risks as well as the benefits.

Please call us on 020 7927 6528 or email us at info@julingong.com to arrange an appointment.

Liposuction remains one of the most popular procedures in the UK, as a highly effective solution to unwanted fat deposits and it can be performed on the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, upper arms and even in the face, along the neck and under the chin.

The internet can be a valuable resource on anything cosmetic surgery-related but there are many misconceptions about this frequently performed body contouring procedure.

Misconception: liposuction can help you lose weight

Liposuction should not be seen as a weight loss procedure. It achieves the best results for those men and women who are near to their ideal body weight but wish to achieve a more defined shape or target isolated fat deposits.

Misconception: you can’t put weight back on after liposuction

The fat cells that are suctioned out during your liposuction procedure are permanently removed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put weight on in the future. The remaining fat cells can still grow to compensate, so it is important to commit to a healthy lifestyle to maintain your results.

Misconception: liposuction can eradicate cellulite

Cellulite is a complex issue caused by subcutaneous fat pushing against the fibrous connective bands in the skin, which results in cellulite’s dimples and bumps. Liposuction removes soft fatty tissue and doesn’t loosen these bands so often the appearance of cellulite is not changed.

Misconception: liposuction delivered immediate results

You’ll experience post-surgical swelling for the first few weeks and months after your liposuction so your final outcome will not be evident for approximately six months. Mr Ong will advise you to wear a compression garments for at least 6 weeks after liposuction to help with the healing process.

Misconception: you’ll be left with loose skin

The skin is composed of a network of collagen and elastin which provides elasticity and support. If you have good skin elasticity prior to your liposuction procedure, your skin is more likely to contract to your new shape after surgery. However, if you have a significant degree of sagging skin after weight fluctuations, you may not be suitable for liposuction.

Misconception: liposuction is less invasive than other cosmetic surgery procedures

Liposuction is typically less invasive than a tummy tuck, for example, as it doesn’t entail a lengthy incision, but it is not an ‘easy’ option. As with other surgical procedures, it is typically performed under a general anaesthetia although some smaller areas can be performed safely and comfortably under local anaesthesia. There are potentially serious complications with all procedures, but these are rare with liposuction.

If you have more questions regarding liposuction, call 020 7927 6528 to arrange a consultation with Mr Juling Ong.