This article is sponsored by Kliniken. 

What is Lipoedema? 

Lipoedema is an abnormal buildup of fat, usually in the legs and affects up to 1 in 10 of all women. It cannot be helped by traditional weight loss techniques. Lipoedema can have a really negative impact on the patient’s life, both physically and mentally. 

Lipoedema is a progressive, chronic condition – which means it cannot be cured and gradually continues to worsen. The most extreme cases see large growths of nodular fat cause severe deformity around the thighs and knees. Kliniken is one of the leading clinics in the country helping people with this condition.

People with lipoedema can often feel frustrated, and can struggle with their body confidence. There is poor awareness of lipoedema amongst doctors and the general public, leaving patients feeling they are not doing enough to deal with the fat. 

Lipoedema Liposuction 

Because lipoedema cannot be cured, the fat itself needs to be managed through liposuction. 

The procedure can typically be performed in less than two hours, using either local anaesthetic and sedation or general anaesthetic.

At Kliniken, the patient will be seen by their surgeon for a consultation. The clinic also has a psychiatrist who is on hand to help with the emotional and mental effects that sufferers of lipoedema can experience. From consultation to post-operative care, the patient will see the same surgeon, receive a direct number for them for any questions or concerns and a full care plan to ensure they are healing from the inside out. 

What are the results? 

Susannah is one of Kliniken’s clients, and talks about her experiences with the procedure and how it has changed her life for the better:

“As a gym instructor I could never understand why I couldn’t lose weight on my thighs, and no matter what I ate, or how much I moved, the weight would not shift. Speaking with the Kliniken team and learning about Lipoedema was such a revelation, and knowing that there was something I could do to make myself feel better made all the difference.

The procedure itself was fantastic and Mallappa was extremely professional and put my mind to rest and was very understanding. The recovery was quick and for the first time in a long time I felt like myself again.”

How long does the surgery and recovery take? 

Kliniken’s clinic is situated in picturesque Bishop Thornton near Ripley. The setting is part of the therapy the clinic offers, and the rest and relaxation helps patients recuperate.

Patients can usually go home the same day, although in some cases an overnight stay may be necessary. 

Following lipoedema liposuction, there is an immediately noticeable reduction in the volume of the limbs. The skin takes around two weeks to heal, and the swelling should settle over a few months. 

It’s suggested that patients take two weeks off work. 

Who performs the procedure? 

Kliniken’s co-owner and consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Mallappa Kolar is the lead surgeon for lipoedema liposuction. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in cosmetic surgery, in addition to an MD and PhD in the use of fat cells. Mallappa has helped patients transform their lives with this surgery. Prices for the procedure start at £5,000. 

To find out more about the procedures offered at Kliniken, visit their website or call 01423 206 388

This article is sponsored by Kliniken

A new private cosmetic surgery centre in the Harrogate district is breaking the mould by offering natural and long-lasting procedures with faster recovery times.

Kliniken has been created for patients first and foremost. The beautiful rural Bishop Thornton setting and luxury interior design create an ambience that’s a far cry from the clinical feel of a hospital.

Each of the surgeons is not just a specialist in plastic surgery, but has spent years developing dedicated techniques for specific anatomical areas, such as the face, body, or hands.

Natural face-lifts and breast surgery

Full-time plastic surgeon at Kliniken, Mallappa Kolar, has nearly 20 years’ experience in cosmetic surgery – specialising in the head and neck area for the last five years. He advocates for more natural procedures to be used, as they often have much better – and longer-lasting – outcomes.

Mr Kolar has an MD and PhD in the use of fat cells.The cells from a client’s own body can be used in facial procedures as a natural alternative to fillers, or for other medical issues such as arthritis. He said:

“There are probably only a handful of places in the country that would do it. It’s can be used for simple things like acne scars and volume rejuvenations as a natural alternative to fillers. As we get older the creasing starts to increase, so we can rejuvenate that using fat.”

Kliniken’s breast and body consultant plastic surgeon, Ammar Allouni, also performs breast augmentation using this process. It gives a more natural look than artificial implants, with the added bonus of slimming down another area of the body, improving contouring.

Strictly judge Shirley Ballas and TV personality Michelle Visage are among celebrities to remove their man-made breast implants

Using the body’s own resources to enhance the patient’s shape has become a much more popular alternative in recent years, particularly for breast surgery.

The risks associated with man-made implants have been much publicised in recent years. Strictly Come Dancing head-judge Shirley Ballas opted to have her implants removed due to the increased risks of cancer, whilst TV personality Michelle Visage recently released a documentary about her ‘explant’ experience.

Kliniken’s natural approach offers a lower risk alternative, with excellent results.

Surgeries such as face, brow or cheek lifts are some of the most common procedures to reverse the signs of ageing. But Mr Kolar warns that ‘mini’ versions, offered at other cosmetic practices, don’t actually offer the best results:

“Here at Kliniken, we don’t offer ‘mini’ face-lifts, because they simply don’t last as well. They just don’t provide the best value-for-money for patients. Because we use such innovative techniques, we’re able to produce genuinely long-lasting results.”

Cutting edge techniques with faster recovery times

One of Mr Kolar’s most popular – and innovative – facial surgeries is the ultrasonic rhinoplasty. A traditional ‘nose job’ uses hammers and surgical chisels to remove excess cartilage and bone, which can cause significant swelling and needs a long recovery time. Mr Kolar uses an ultrasonic technique where high-speed sound waves are used instead. This means a much faster recovery time and far less swelling.

Kliniken’s innovative approach to hand surgery also offers a faster alternative to traditional procedures. Even in private hospitals, patients needing surgery for conditions like carpal tunnel, trigger finger, or ganglion swelling, can end up spending a year going through the process of pre-surgery visits and tests.

But at Kliniken, that process can be done in one day – which Mr Kolar calls “unique”.

The cutting edge process sees patients have their assessment, tests, operation and physiotherapy all on the same day. It eliminates the need for multiple days off work for appointments or an overnight stay.

The procedure is performed by one of four consultant hand surgeons, who have more than 30 years’ experience between them.

After the procedure, expert physiotherapy is carried out on the same day, with follow up appointments also available.

To find out more about the procedures offered at Kliniken, visit their website or call 01423 206 388

Forget nipping to the village shop for a pint of milk, you can now pop for a facelift at a new cosmetic surgery clinic near Bishop Thornton.

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Harrogate countryside, Kliniken, Swedish for “the clinic”, is aimed at moving away from a clinical hospital environment.

Instead it wants patients to feel like they have just checked into a luxury hotel, rather than a cold, sterile hospital environment.

I was intrigued when I heard about this new rural clinic, which boasts its own state-of-the-art operating theatre.

Firstly, due to its quirky location in the middle of nowhere, miles away – literally – from the typical urban setting, such as Leeds, Manchester or London’s  famous plastic surgery hub, Harley Street.

And secondly, when I heard two of the owners had sold their old house to fund the venture, as well as remortgaging their current home. In the current climate, this takes guts.

Hotel lobby

Consultant plastic surgeon Mallappa Kolar, who runs the practice with his wife, Karuna Kolar, and business partner Dr Senthil Kumar, said:

“The reception area has been designed with the thought process that we wanted it to feel professional and welcoming.

“We have tried to keep things discreet, so there is only ever two sets of patients who can be here at any one time. It is meant to feel more like a hotel lobby.

“When you walk in, the ladies greet you as a patient and you get a drinks menu to choose from.”

One of the receptionists who welcomes patients to Kliniken.

I’ve driven past Oakwood Park Business Centre, on Fountains Road, many times, but I had no idea here was a whole  business community there out in the sticks. With amazing views stretching for miles around, it really did feel calm and serene.

Different feel

When I walked in, it definitely had a different feel to the usual clinical environment you often get in a hospital or GP surgery. I was expecting someone to hand me a key and show me to my room.

Talking of rooms, it’s actually quite a big place, a bit like a tardis. It features two consultation rooms designed around patient comfort which boast flat screen TVs, reclining seats and shiny black desks to match the shiny black Apple Macs.

It is essentially as far removed from a typical cluttered GP’s room as it gets.

One of the consultation rooms at Kliniken.

There is also a therapy room, with colourful art on the walls, where you can pop in for some botox, fillers or laser treatments.

Mr Kolar said:

“This is designed to feel more like an experience. It is meant to feel comfortable, not cramped. If there is someone with you, they can sit down and have a drink.”

Split into two parts, the other area of the building is known as “the surgery hub”, which features two private recovery rooms.

Mr Kolar said:

“Patients will be greeted on the day of surgery by their own nurse, they will have their own patient care coordinator, their own surgeon and their own anesthetist. Those people are available throughout the entire patient journey.

“They will also get the receptionist’s number and the surgeon’s number.”

Hi-tech operating theatre

But perhaps most impressive is the high-tech operating theatre, which boasts fancy intelligent lighting and the best surgical equipment you can buy, according to Mr Kolar.

You would never expect to find a full working operating theatre just down the road from Fountains Abbey.

The operating theatre at Kliniken.

Mr Kolar, who is believed to be the only full-time plastic surgeon based in Harrogate, said:

“I didn’t want it to be in the city centre. You should see it in the winter when there is snow, it is literally picture postcard Yorkshire.

“We want it to be the equivalent to Harley Street, but here.”

” I have two brothers who both live in London and for them it’s inconceivable to see something like this.

“We have a son and I want him to appreciate the countryside and the clean air and the rehab and things like that. I feel if I want that for my family, I want that for my patients.”

The clinic has been six years in the planning and the trio have thrown everything they have into it.

Investment

Mr and Mrs Kolar sold their student house and have remortgaged their current property to fund the business venture. Mr Kolar also decided not to go for an NHS consultant job so he could concentrate fully on the clinic.

Dr Kumar, who met Mr Kolar three years ago when he was a registrar completing his training, has also invested heavily.

He flew back to England just a day after his wife gave birth in India as he had an important meeting with the Care Quality Commission.

Mr Kolar said:

It’s unusual to do what I’ve done, finish training and leave and set up a private practice. There are not many people who do that. A lot of people weren’t happy that I was doing that and a lot of people doubted us.

“You get so emotionally invested into this, you don’t have any spare time.  It sounds cheesy, but because you’re putting so much into this everything else is paled into insignificance.

“At the end of the day patients are trusting us with their body and it is a privilege.”

However, the determined trio are confident their goal of “redefining the healthcare experience” in natural surroundings will make the clinic a success.

Read more:

• Covid causes Harrogate residents to seek the perfect smile
• Wisteria hysteria: Are faux floral displays here to stay?

Innovation

Innovative treatments at the clinic include a “one-stop shop” for procedures such as hand surgery. This can be done in a day, rather than the patient having to keep coming back for consultations and the surgery itself.

Fat grafting is also available, which involves using a very thin needle to harvest cells from an area of your body. These cells are then injected into the area being enhanced.

Mr Kolar, who has done both an MD and PhD in fat stem cells in Sweden, said:

“There is probably only a handful of places in the country that would do it. So it’s using it for simple things like acne scars, volume rejuvenations, so a natural alternative to fillers. For example it can be used on the décolletage area for women. As we get older the creasing starts to increase, so we can rejuvenate that using fat. It can be used for all these different things.”

Together with their team of surgeons, they are now ready to go “full steam ahead” after being hit by a string of delays due to the pandemic.

Dr Kumar said:

I look at it as an opportunity to basically redefine the healthcare experience. I think we have pretty much nailed it on the head in this particular place.”

The view from Kliniken, which is based at Oakwood Park Business Centre, near Bishop Thornton.