Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif, Karina Kapoor ... we secretly envy their looks and admire these gorgeous and glamorous women who are all super stars.

Whether we admit it or not, the truth is that each one of us likes to have a beautiful face, smooth skin, chiselled arms and a slim figure. This natural instinct in women to look good has given a chance to the beauty industry to thrive. Anti-ageing creams, skin care products, salons and spas are the order of the day. The quest of making oneself more attractive and desirable is a growing phenomenon. No matter how superficial it may seem but the reality is that a large number of beauty conscious women are opting for cosmetic surgery these days. The fact that total cosmetic surgery procedures done world wide every year outnumbers the total sum of all other surgeries put together is enough recognition. Of course these procedures are for those who can afford to indulge in such kind of luxury. And it is not surprising that all such women go for cosmetic surgery purely for vanity reasons - either to enhance their looks or to boost their self esteem. Read on and find out more about this interesting and exciting way of contouring human body and features...

Cosmetic history:

Plastic surgery is understood to mean surgery to reconstruct or improve appearance after injury or illness whereas cosmetic surgery is concerned with improving the aesthetic appearance of a person. If one traces the history of cosmetic surgery one comes to know that one institution that has played a very important part in the advancement and betterment of plastic surgery is Johns Hopkins. The modern history of plastic surgery really started to take shape in the 1960s and 1970s. In the '80s the concept of beauty moved from the large and round to the slender and angular. In the 2000s, cosmetic surgery has enjoyed an explosion in popularity, and medical advances have made possible reconstructive feats that were once only a dream of what might one day be. 

Today, the most popular procedures are Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, Breast Augmentation, and Tummy Tuck. Liposuction is the removal of fat deposits using a tube that is inserted beneath the skin. Rhinoplasty is the reshaping of the nose to make it bigger or smaller. Breast Augmentation is the enlarging of women's breast using saline or silicone implants. Tummy Tuck is the abdomen being flattened through surgery, where extra fat is removed and the muscles in the abdomen are tightened.

A new innovation - Hi Def

LipoSculpture

In addition to the conventional liposuction procedure, a new and more effective liposuction technique is also being used called 'Hi Def LipoSculpture'. The term 'liposculpture' first appeared in 1991 and was described as a technique that "shapes the body by removing fat cells in areas where there is excess fat and/or by adding fat cells to areas where additional padding is desired." Add this technique to sophisticated ultra sound technology and the newest form of body sculpting - VASER(r) Hi Def Liposculpture - is discovered. VASER(r) Hi Def Liposculpture uses deep, superficial and transitioning liposculpture techniques in specific anatomical areas to create a more natural muscular appearance of the human form. This technique is extremely advanced and can only be performed by highly trained plastic surgeons. To know more about Hi Def Liposculpture, You! talks to Dr. Omar. H. Sheikh who is a trained cosmetic surgeon and has pioneered the concept of cosmetic and surgical dermatology in Pakistan.

About Dr. Omar. H. Sheikh

Dr. Omar graduated from King Edward Medical College in 1995. He got post graduate training from Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA and worked with world renowned cosmetic surgeons. After his fellowship in cosmetic surgery he got trained in tumescent liposuction by Jeffery Klein, the inventor of body sculpting technique. He runs his own clinic in Lahore under the name of 'Aesthetics'. Here are a few excerpts from his interview...

You! What exactly is Hi-Definition Liposculpture?

Dr. Omar: Being Hi-Def certified, I am a member of an elite 'club' of surgeons. We don't just do liposuction. We sculpt the human body into a work of art. With hi-definition liposculpturing with Vaser Ultrasonic lipo I can define a masculine chest, chiselled abs and give a woman an S-curve with the correct proportions of waist-to-hip ratio. This is the most advanced form of liposuction. The procedure creates a sculpted, athletic appearance in males and females by precisely removing both superficial and deep fat around muscle groups in order to enhance the visibility of the underlying musculature.

You! What is the difference between liposuction and liposculpture?

Dr. Omar: Any surgeon can do liposuction, but liposculpture needs extensive experience and training. I have been trained by the Advanced Bodysculpting Institute and Dynam X Artistic Bodysculpting. I am certified by both the authorities, and am the only Plastic Surgeon with these certifications in Pakistan.

You! What type of women do you treat?

Dr. Omar: Aesthetic surgery is an elective surgery. I only treat women who are already committed to a regular work-out regime, are eating correct and want to shape themselves up by removing stubborn fat which is resistant to diet and exercise. I give them the body they always wanted. Hi Def(tm) is most effective for those who are already physically fit and seek to add an even greater, more chiselled and sculpted look to their efforts.

You! What are the benefits of liposculpture?

Dr. Omar: A higher self-esteem, more confidence and encouragement to stay healthy by eating right and working out to maintain the results from the operation. I do also combine this procedure with mini-tucks and tummy-tucks for mothers who have excess skin and need both lipo plus skin removal. I perform ultrasonic lipo, Vaser lipo, which is the latest and most advanced form of liposuction, as ultrasound energy only targets fat and does not damage other structures such as vessels or nerves, and gives more skin tightening.

You! What are the side effects?

Dr. Omar: The same side effects of any surgery such as infection, swelling etc... I must add that according to the latest research by the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery it has been proved that Vaser Lipo causes up to 30 per cent less bleeding and up to 60 per cent more skin tightening as compared to traditional liposuction.

You! Is this a costly procedure?

Dr. Omar: Bodysculpting requires finesse and is more time consuming, and so is more expensive than traditional methods.

You! Who are your clients?

Dr. Omar: Most of my patients are type 'A' personalities, who are very successful and have a positive outlook on life, they take their health very seriously. I also treat many celebrities including models, media personalities and politicians. I never disclose who I treat; it's against my code of ethics. I even have a backdoor for celebrities who don't want to be seen at the waiting area.

You! What do you suggest to women who want to opt for liposculpture?

Dr. Omar: I would say do your research first before coming to us. There are areas in the body which are resistant to diet and exercise, such as love handles, back bra rolls, outer thighs etc. and even after all the work outs those bulges are still not going - then go for it!

You! What is your targeted age group of women?

Dr. Omar: The aesthetic plastic surgery side of my practice has approximately 90 per cent women and 10 per cent men, between ages of 12 - 70 years. The reconstructive side of my practice has an equal men to women ratio.

You! What advice do you want to give women who want to remain fit and in shape naturally?

Dr. Omar: Work out at least five days a week, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, be more active all day long and meditate through prayers and yoga.

You! What is your personal health regimen?

Dr. Omar: I hit the weights at least three times a week, on other days I make sure to go for  cycling, run with my dogs or walk in the park near my house.

You: What should women eat in order to have a healthy, flawless skin?

Dr. Omar: Women should take antioxidant rich foods and vitamin supplements. They should go for monthly Hydrafacials and use prescribed creams for fine wrinkles, pigmentation etc. Regular use of sun-block is a must to prevent skin damage! Mind you, over the counter skin products do not work.

You! What is your idea of beauty?

Dr Omar: Everyone has their own concept of beauty. Beauty is something which goes right down from physical attractiveness to mental stimulation. Beauty concepts also change with time, women were preferred much more voluptuous and heavier half a century ago. Now it's all about being skinny. I think it is unhealthy to be underweight, I advise my patients to follow a healthy lifestyle, and beauty will radiate from within, the rest of the work can be done by me!

You! Do you think there is growing awareness among Asian women as far as their appearances are concerned?

 Dr. Omar: This is a global phenomenon. Attractive people are paid better, and get more opportunities in life. A person who is in control of his/her life by managing bodyweight and maintaining a healthy appearance is more likely to be hired, as compared to overweight, unhealthy candidates. I believe it's about positivity and negativity, you may call it being superficial, but this is the truth of the world we live in.