The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
THE FRIENDLY FACES OF CUTTING-EDGE COSMETIC SURGERY
Cosmetic clinic Profile Aesthetic opened its doors in Aberdeen one year ago and its unique offering of surgical and non-surgical procedures has proven popular. Co-founders Paul Drake and Fiona Leitch purpose built the clinic with a state-of-the-art operating theatre and also invested in technology for clinically proven treatments, like EmSculpt NEO, Harmony XL Pro and Emsella.
Importantly, they’ve also brought together a team of experts in their various fields to manage the patient journey from start to end (including consultation, treatment and post-op recovery) all under one roof.
Take the surgical team, for example. All three surgeons at Profile Aesthetic run specialist skin cancer reconstruction services and multi-disciplinary teams in the NHS, developing an expertise that makes them leaders in cosmetic surgery. You can find more information on their qualifications and experience at profileaesthetic.com, or get in touch on admin@profileaesthetic.com, but here is a quick introduction to the team.
MR PAUL DRAKE MBCHB, BSC, FRCS (PLAST), MFCI
As well as being consultant plastic surgeon and clinical lead for an NHS burns unit, Paul is the medical director and co-founder of Profile Aesthetic, specialising in body contouring. He has a long history in laser-assisted liposuction, a technique he introduced in Aberdeen more than 10 years ago. He combines surgery with laser, radio frequency, stem cell therapies and other technology to enhance patients’ results and recovery.
While remaining at the cutting-edge of technology is important, Paul’s also passionate about helping patients. He explains: “Being a general plastic surgeon, I do a range of operations but the thing that really gives you satisfaction is being able to help someone. We often see patients who have had a problem they’ve wanted to address for years, but they haven’t had the ability to do it or didn’t know there was help available.”
The clinic is unique in Aberdeen – not only is it great for local patients to have this facility on their doorstep, Paul is also enjoying being in the city and surrounding area: “Outside of work, I like getting out and about and wandering the countryside, particularly the Fowlsheugh bird sanctuary (near Stonehaven).”
For someone thinking about surgery, Paul recommends: “There’s a lot of mixed advice out there, so you’re best coming to see the people who would be offering the treatment. Visit our website, our social media channels and contact the clinic – we’d be happy to see you.”
MR KAZ RAHMAN MBCHB, MSC, FRCS (PLAST)
A member of leading national associations (including the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons), Kaz has been a plastic surgeon for two decades. Currently working as a consultant at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, he is the Clinical Lead for Skin Cancer for the north of Scotland and his main area of interest in the NHS is in cancer reconstruction. He is also an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.
He and his family moved back to Aberdeen in 2016, which was somewhat of a “homecoming” as he studied in the city.
Experienced in facial surgery and body contouring, Kaz was delighted to join Profile Aesthetic. He is particularly happy about the energy-based liposuction technique he can offer at the clinic, one that is not widely available across the UK. He says: “It’s good for reducing the amount of trauma when you’re doing liposuction and it’s also good at protecting the fat if you want to then do fat grafting, which has become a popular way of augmenting surgical procedures to give more volume, for example in breast procedures. Liposuction and fat transfer can be used for body contouring in many areas, including face, breast augmentation/reduction as well as in abdominoplasties and neck surgery.”
Getting great results for patients is, after all, his favourite part of his job: “It’s so satisfying after you have an unveiling and you see a reaction from your patient – that’s priceless.”
MR CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD MBCHB, BDS, MFDS, FRCS (OMFS) RCS ED
Chris balances family life with three young kids alongside his work as a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the NHS, managing cancers of the face, neck and mouth, as well as complex head and neck trauma. He is also Clinical Lead for his department.
When it comes to Profile Aesthetic, he’s helping patients with the likes of eye lifts, brow lifts, face lifts and neck lifts.
There’s no hiding the results of his work – but that’s part of the appeal for Chris. He explains: “Your face is the window to the world, people look at your face and make judgements on you instantly.”
He adds: “It’s always good when you can see the difference that your procedure has given someone, and not just in appearance – people can change so much and be more confident in themselves and their body.”
Chris is thrilled to be able offer a holistic package of treatments for patients at Profile. He says: “Surgery might be the best option, but often we can improve results by adding non-surgical treatments like iPixel laser. Sometimes non-surgical treatments alone can give the best outcomes. We have a full range of options that we tailor to get the best results.”