Up close and personal with Contours

Dr. Claudine S. Roura is obviously what she preaches. She sports a svelte and to-die-for figure for a woman of a certain age. Well, she looks "contoured."

In her calling card, Roura is labelled as a Dermatologic Cosmetic Surgery, Certified Vaser Hi-Def LipoSurgeon, Phlebology.

What's important to us of course is that she's certified. Her education, training and expertise are put to good use in Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute.

Roura owns Contours and is mighty proud of it. She defies the usual celebrity-endorser strategy and believes in the power of word-of-mouth endorsement and internet's massive reach.

Her clientele includes foreigners and well-to-do people who want to look "perfectly contoured." In this one-on-one interview, Roura reveals her plans and visions for the budding aesthetic center.

20 Questions for Dr. Roura

1.What to you is beautiful

Beautiful is not just physical beauty, it should also reflect your innerself, your intelect.

2. When does beauty start? Is it having a good skin?

For physical beauty, it stars with good skin, then the body figure, then the legs.

3. In this age, does the concept of "natural beauty"still exist?

Yes, it still does, some are still into the era of I had a diet, I exercised, some are still into denying some procedures done on themselves.

4. Is it a "sin" to be ugly in these times of laser and advances in beauty treatment?

Perhaps its not a "sin" but it would be your "fault." hahaha

5. How is Contours different from other aesthetic clinics?

We are not a major artista endorser. No fancy gimmicks. We deal more with real clients who want real results. we never promise anything that we cannot deliver.

6. What's the expertise of Contours? What's on your menu?

We specialize in an advanced form of Liposuction which is VASER-lipo and VASER High Definifition Liposculpture. We are the first and only cosmetic surgery center certified to perform VASER Hi-Definition Liposculpture in the Philippines. We also have the regular menu of services for face and body enhancement.

7. What's your take on aging?

Everyone ages, it a natural consequence of time. Its how you grow old and take care of your self that matters.

8. Should women be afraid to grow old?

It's inevitable, so no need to fear, there are things that can be done to delay signs of aging.

9. Do you advise women in their 30's to go under the knife if they already notice "imperfections" in their body?

I dont suggest anything to them unless, they come to me for advice. They should consider some procedures on things that bother them most and not based on what I see.

10. On male vanity, are there more men seeking treatments now?

Yes, very true

11. What are the most common treatments men look for?

their six packs.

12. Do you tell your patients if their expectations in a particular treatment they would undergo is realistic or not?

Yes, i never promise the moon, the stars above. I tell them what they want is realistic or not. I never promise anything I cannot deliver.

13. When should plastic surgery stop for those who are addicted to it?

It should stop with the doctor when he thinks the patient just had too much already and more procedures will deform patients.

14. What's the most requested cosmetic treatment?

In my prcatice, its liposuction

15. Do you have clients who requested for a particular nose of celebrity they like?

no

16. Whose celebrity has the most requested "body part?"

NA

17. Do you plan to establish a name in the market like Belo or do you want to be low-profile but be the frontrunner in the beauty business?

I want to be known as a true doctor giving true results, not just gimmicks and endorsements. Low profile is better.

18. Tell us about your staff and medical personnel

Staff well trained. Medical personnel is actually just me the surgeon and 3 other anesthesiologists. All diplomates in their respective field and underwent the proper training.

19. Any plans for expansion?

Yes, probably next year, may have some branches for skin care and slimming in malls.. surgery will still be at Contours Magallanes

20. What is the future of beauty business in the Philippines?

Big business that is why a lot are into it. as of now, we are targeting medical and beauty tourism to help our economy.

A Journey into One's Body - Vaser Body Sculpture

The idea of body sculpting is now gaining popularity with the inception of Contours, an advanced face-and-body sculpting institute. though it is one of the youngest players in the beauty market, turning a year old in November, Contours is not just your typical cosmetic-surgery clinic. Contours prides itself in being the pioneer in Vaser liposelection in the country, and is the first and only surgery clinic certified to perform Vaser High-Definition Liposculpture. The clinic specializes in Advanced Body Sculpture (through Vaserlipo and Vaser Hi-Def), Breakthrough Vein Therapy, and Precision Skin Care and overall aesthetics.

"Vaser treatments are as revolutionary as they are effective, making patients experience quick recovery, with fantastic and smoother results," stresses the slim and affable cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist Dr. Claudine Roura, who is at the helm of the company's operation. Contours is conveniently located at the Paseo de Magallanes commercial center. It carries top-of-the-line equipment and facilities for that ultimate experience in beauty treatments.

There is a special room dedicated for each treatment: operating, recovery, slimming, facial, derma treatment and a conference room for visitors and guests. Dr. Roura also created an online shop called www.thedermshop.com, which carries dermatological products specially designed to improve skin quality and formulated to suit individual needs. She is also undergoing Department of Tourism accreditation for the Medical Tourism program. It's a Beauty Holiday unlike no other with packages for Vaser lipo, breast augmentation, faced-lift, tummy tuck and Vaser Hi-Def.

The institute uses both surgical and nonsurgical methods. Treatments that are also in great demand include Advanced Rhinoplasty (goretex) and Vaser lipograft to buttocks. The clinic always works towards improving the quality of its procedures because its goal is achieving "zero morbidity" of operations being done in the institute. This is why Contours has the best-trained personnel.

"Setting up the institute is easy, especially if you have the capital; the hardest part is making it run," enthuses Roura, who is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and completed her residency training in dermatology at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. She finally opened this clinic after a short stint at Las Pinas Hospital. Before venturing into this business, it was foremost in her mind that they should be "unique" far from the ordinary services being provided by other competitors. she's now capitalizing on the niche market-with very defined clientele comprising mostly of foreigners from all over the world and overseas Filipino workers (balikbayan). What works for her best maximizing the institute's web site (and search engine optimization-visit http://www.contours.com.ph/), where she gets inquiries and possible clients for the clinic."Eighty percent to 90 percent of our client sre web-based," she says. It may come as a surprise but treatments and procedures here are affordable, effective and safe.

The Lady doctor is an expert in her chosen field. Roura is a board-certified dermatologist and is a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society and the Philippine Academy of Cutaneous Surgery. she continously extends her education in all aspects of dermatological and cosmetic surgery-both here and abroad.

Locally her training included a cosmetic-surgery preceptorship under distinguished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Raul Guanzon, fellow of the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery. She also underwent further training in dermatologic surgery under preceptorship training program of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery with Dr. Sorin Eremia in Riverside, California, in July 2003.

Having a keen interest in phlebology, Roura was awarded the 2005 Walter de Groot Phlebology Fellowship. She finished her fellowship under renowned dermatologic surgeon and phlebologist Dr. Robert Weiss at the Maryland Laser, Skin, and Vein Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, in October 2005.

She regularly attends workshops and trainings given by different well-known cosmetic and plastic surgeons around the world, such as Dr. Guillermo Blugerman of Argentina; Dr. Pierre Fournier of France, dubbled as the "Father of Liposuction Surgery." She is an active member of different dermatological and cosmetic surgical societies, including International Society for dermatologic Surgery and the American College of Phlebology.

A more sculpted, well-toned body

What is this Vaser High-Definition Liposculpture (Vaser Hi-Def) all about?

As explained by Roura, It is an advanced contouring technique, and is performed with ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty technology (Liposelection, Vaser). Many healthy, fit people complain that they go to the gym, but they have trouble achieving the muscle definition they desire. A web site on Vaser further explains that Vaser Hi-Def selectively remove small deposits of fat surrounding muscle groups in order to enhance the visibility of the natural contours. Vaser Hi-Def was developed to create an athletic look in both men and women. It is not only for extremely fit peolpe, but also for those normal bodies that desire to look their best-ever.

While the goal of a regular liposuction procedure is just to trim away fat to make a petient slimmer, Vaser Hi-def demands a surgeon to go one step further by going into places prevoiusly off limits to liposuction, and sculpting the body in such a way never before achieved by conventional liposuction.

Since high-definition liposculpture is designed to be a sculpting procedure rather than a debulking technique, the appropriate candidate is the person who has good muscle tone without excessive amounts of fat or lax skin. Vaser Hi-def is most effective for those who are already physically fit, and seek to add an even greater, more chiseled and sculpted look to their efforts. The procedure can change the perception about liposuction and should be viewed as an "enchancement to their current form, and not a replacement for a fitness routine," stresses Roura, who is the first dermsurgeon trained and certified to perform this procedure in the country. She was personally trained by Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, the Father of Vaser Hi-Definition Liposculpture in Borgota, Colombia, in March 2008 under the course conducted by the Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, Lone Tree, Colorado, USA.

Nevertheless, the success of the procedure depends on the well-trained hands and artful eye of the surgeon. It is the surgeon's appreciation for the relationship between superficial anatomy and physical appearance that enables this procedure to achieve the desired results. The success of Vaser Hi-Def is just as reliant on its technology as it on the practitioner using it.

Difference between Power assisted lipo and VASER lipo - my personal experience

Doing high volume liposuction and multiple area lipo, is a very physically demanding job, especially when patients are men. Male body physique is more fibrous, tissues are tougher than the soft female counterparts. Being a female surgeon, this poses a challenge for me. So the use of the power-assisted liposuction (PAL) came to my mind to help me make the lipo easier especially when I only need to do a debulking procedure and not necessarily a sculpting procedure.

I had the opportunity to use it thru a friend. We used her Power assisted lipo and the VASER liposuction on one patient who wanted to do a full torso lipo. I also encouraged her to try out the VASER so we can compare. To make the procedure short, I did the patient’s chest and she started out on the patient’s abdomen. Power-assisted liposuction is a motorized handle with a special cannula that moves forward and backward automatically and vibrates as well. There was less resistance in burying thru the thick fat, less effort on the surgeon, however, there was so much vibration, not only on the handle of the machine but the vibration is also reflected in the fatty compartment of the patient. It is very traumatic and I’m sure it does not differentiate whether you are sucking out fat or connective tissues. The aspirate was quite bloody and a big part of the aspirate was fluid and not fat. It may lessen the effort of the surgeon but it does not shorten the operative time. It’s not a very efficient machine. And due to the vibration emitted, one cannot do superficial liposuction, cannot go near the rib area, and of course cannot do the face. After the lipo her hands were shaking due to the vibrations emitted by the machine. It’s like holding on a jackhammer.

My doctor friend tried out the VASER liposuction, I showed her the different probes and the ventex cannulas that go with it. She tried the VASER and she realized that she did not have to give too much effort in doing the liposuction because the fat was already emulsified and very soft. Operating time was shorter and she was able to take out more fat, the aspirate was less bloody and the percentage of fat is around 80% of the total aspirate, there was less water aspirated. She only did gentle strokes, no vibrations on the hands, and there was no surgeon fatigue. She actually appreciated how nice and very efficient the VASER machine is, how it can take out more fat and sculpt the body to perfection. She was very happy and was also thinking of buying a VASER system of her own.

This was a first hand trial and I was able to appreciate more my VASER Machine. Buying a Power-assisted lipo machine is out of the question.

The Vaser Body Sculpture

I always look forward to my monthly facials and visits to dermclinics; this time since May was all about mothers, as a mother of 3, I thought of treating myself to something new. As per advised by good friends, I visited Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute conveniently located in Paseo de Magallanes commercial center.

I was impressed on how they conceptualized the institute because it definitely does not look like a typical cosmetic surgery clinic. Had I not read fully the name of the institute I wouldn't even have the slightest idea that I stepped in to a surgical clinic.

The lobby or receiving area was calm and serene. Once registered they will then lead you to the adjacent waiting room enhanced once more with its modern classical design.

Definitely not the usual dark, cold and eerie clinics we usually go to. Don't get intimidated by its name, although they are a "body sculpting institute" whose forte lies in the areas of slimming and body contouring (either surgical or non-surgical) they also offer the dermatological services we meticulous ladies love.

As I was waiting for my facial and (the something "new" for me that I decided to try) diamond peel I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Claudine S. Roura, the brains behind Contours who out of concern asked me if everything was okay and made sure I was taken cared of.

I was pleasantly surprised, she not only has the brains, but this young and attractive Board-certified dermatologist is a graduate of University of Santo. Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, my alma matter and with her long list of medical achievements which includes being awarded the 2005 Walter de Groot Phlebology Fellowship, I knew instantly I was in good hands.

Because of her great passion in the art of body sculpturing she had undergone extensive training and is proud to say that she is the first and only cosmetic surgeon certified to do VASER High Definition Liposculpture in the Philippines. She was personally trained by Dr. John Millard of Colorado,, USA and Dr. Hoyos, the "Father of VASER Hi-Definition Liposculpturing".

I am not much of a fan of "liposuction" because first, I wince on the idea of being cut up open and second because of the horrifying stories that I've heard regarding this procedure that is why I couldn't help myself but ask what makes the VASER Hi-Def treatment different from the "traditional liposuction".

Have you ever wondered what happens after religiously going to the gym and miraculously surviving all the diet do's and don'ts and achieving your desired weight and still you haven't actually achieved your desired "drop dead gorgeous body".

To be more specific, as far back as I can remember, after having 3 kids, I have been doing all sorts of crunches just to have my old abdominals backs; the one which I can be proud to show off especially in the beach. I've been doing crunches practically all my life and still not satisfied, then this is where VASER Hi-Definition Liposculpturing comes in.

Dr. Roura said VASER is best suited for men and women who are generally healthy and fit. These are the people who desire a more sculpted appearance without having to go through pumping iron until you reach a "hulk" like appearance, yet in the end still not having the desired body contour.

A new take on Cosmetic surgery

A new take on cosmetic surgery - Businessworld special feature - July 17-18, 2009

Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute (Contours), which offers a complete line of dermatological and cosmetic surgery services, is not your typical beauty clinic. A brainchild of Dr. Claudine Roura, a cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist who concentrates on surgical and nonsurgical body slimming and contouring, advanced body sculpture, vein therapy and precision skin care, Contours is a leading VASER center in the Philippines and the only institute certified to perform the procedure in the country.

VASER is a body sculpting technique that uses advanced ultrasonic tools and methods, and uses new standards in safety, effectiveness, comfort, and precision. Risk and complications that usually come with conventional lisposuction treatments are eliminated in VASER-based treatments. Because of its advanced technology, operating time is significantly reduced, recovery periods are cut shorter, and results are more accurate and better defined.

Aside from VASER Lipo and VASER High Definition Liposculpture, Contours also offers Medislim treatments, a combination of slimming modalities that specifically target unwanted fat. Just like the Vaser-based treatments, Medislim also uses ultrasonic technology that focuses on fat cells in specific areas of the body, with thermal energy melting the fat. Such procedure is recommended for those who are not yet ready for a major body enhancement.

Contours also offers Silkpeel Dermal Infusion (SDI), a non-invasive exfoliation process combined with dermal infusion that delivers skin-specific solutions. SDI works in tandem with Contours’ Theraderm skin care system, a blend of effective therapy and dermatology. Contours also specializes in Phlebology, which maintains safety standards for varicose veins were previously regarded as untreatable except through surgery, today it can be treated on a systematic outpatient basis.

Aside from the unique procedure it offers, Contours also has a full OR-RR complex, a conference room for in-house training seminars, a treatment room where dermatological procedures are administered, and another exclusively for facial treatments. It also has separate rooms for Intense Pulsed Light treatment and procedures such as hair removal, slimming and photo rejuvenation.

As a young institute, Contours is setting its sight on bigger growth plans, which includes expanded operations and more comprehensive services. Led by Dr. Roura, who has had extensive training in dermatologic and cosmetic surgery here and abroad, including personal training with Dr. John Millard of Colorado and Dr. Alfredo Hoyos of Colombia (considered the father of VASER hi definition liposculpturing), Contours aims to prove that proper health and beauty are everyone’s business and within everyone’s reach.

Advanced liposuction technique arrives in RP

Business Mirror - fri-sat - March 27-28, 2009

FIGURE-CONSCIOUS people worry no more.

The advanced liposuction technique that enhances the visibility of well-toned muscles has reached the Philippine shores.

VASER High-defintion liposculpture targerts men and women who would otherwise never have considered themselves in need of liposuction.

Ideal candidates

BECAUSE Vaser High-Def was conceived to be a scuplting rather than a debulking technique, a person who has good muscle tone but does not have excessive amount of fat or lax skin is the perfect candidate for the procedure.

What will do even more wonders to your body is the selectivity the Vaser instrument represents.The procedure can target only those exercise-resistant areas be selectively liquifying the fat in those areas.

Such selectively also allows the surgeon to targets specific fat layers to create the desired sculpted appearance without damaging connective tissue.

An adjunct to fitness program

THAR Vaser High-Def is intended for generally fit men and women who seek greater visibility of their muscular detail makes the procedure a sensible adjunct to a fitness program rather than a reponse to failure.

This is good news to people who have trouble achieving the muscular definition they want in spite of a workout routine they commit to like a second religion.

The highly-advanced liposuction technique Vaser High-Def zeroes in and removes small fat deposites around specific muscle groups to enhance the visibility of the natural contours.

It is not uncommon for patients to delight at the sight of that six-pack,washboard abs they got after undergoing the procedure.

Rather than looking down at Vaser High-Def as failure to achieve fitness, these people look at its as enhancement of their current form.

A contour exclusive

REGARDED as the last word in body contouring, Vaser High-Def is the brainchild of Colombian plastic surgeon Alfredo Hoyos,M.D., widely touted as the "Father of Vaser high-definition liposcuplturing."

It was under Dr. Hoyos's expert tutelage that Dr. Claudine Roura, FPDS, got her training in Vaser High-Def, making her the first and only Filipino cosmetic surgeon trained and certified to perform the procedure.

With Dr. Roura at the helm, Contours Advanced Face and Body Scuplting Institute makes available to Filipinos Vaser High-Definition Liposcuplture that is proven as revolutionary as it is effective.

Just one of the numerous dermatological and cosmetic surgery services the clinic offers, the procedure eliinates the risks and complications normally associated with traditional liposuction.

Not to mention reduced operating time as well as remarkably shorter recovery period.

Contours Advanced Face and Body Scuplting Institute is at the 2nd floor of South Park Plaza, Paseo de Magallanes in Makati City.

Fpr appointments and inquiries, call (02) 489-8526 or 0918-9264468; e-mail drclaudine@rouradermsurgery.com; or log on to www.rouradermsurgery.com