.
How long have you been in practice?

In practice since 2003.

.
What is the most popular procedure you perform, and why do you think this is?

Peri-orbital rejuvenation procedures including upper and lower
blepharoplasties, brow lifts, eyelid ptosis surgery, peri-orbital fat grafting
combined with Botox and fillers.

Most common reconstructive procedures: Extensive microsurgical reconstructions of the breasts, head and
neck tumors and orthopedic bone cancers. Cleft lip and palate surgery.

Has the profile of your patient changed over time?

Yes, in aesthetics from liposuction and breast work to facial aesthetics.

Have you seen a change in the general industry over the last few years?

Yes, patients moved away from surgery in the early 2000′s to the non-invasive cosmetic procedures like laser, thermage,
Botox, fillers and peels. Recently there has been a return towards surgery where results are obvious, instantaneous and can be guaranteed.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of the job is seeing a good end result and a happy patient, whether its a cosmetic patient or a child with a cleft lip.

Hobbies when you are not working?

I am a keen surfer, kite-surfer and paraglider. I also rock climb and play squash. After sunset I keep myself busy sculpting.

What has your experience to date been with First Health Finance?

On the cosmetic front FHF has allowed patients to have corrective surgery where it would otherwise have been impossible for them to have surgery. Second, and more importantly, through FHF’s fund raising campaigns, literally thousands of children with cleft lip
and palates have had surgeries to correct their deformities in conjunction with Operation Smile.

Dr Conrad Pienaar contact details as below:

Suite 207, The Park, Park Road, Pinelands, 7405

Tel: 021 510 8534/2546

fax: 086 626 4376

www.conradpienaar.co.za

.
How long have you been in practice?

I am been in private practice as a Reproductive Medicine Specialist for 9 years.
What is the most popular procedure you perform?
IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedures or “test-tube” baby procedures are the most common procedures that I perform.

Has the profile of your patient changed over time?

Women are having children at a later stage so it is more common for me to see women between 35 and 45 for fertility treatment. This is a
chance in our clinic but is also the case on a global level

Have you seen a change in the general industry over the last few years?

There is an increasing demand for fertility treatment now. We have an increase of about 15% per year in the number of treatments that we perform

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It is wonderful to see a happy couple with a child at the end of the treatment,  and this keeps me motivated and working hard.

Hobbies when you are not working?

I spend most of my free time with my wife and 2 small daughters. I do enjoy playing squash with a group of friends a couple of times a week to stay fit.

What has your experience to date been with First Health Finance?

We have so much positive feedback from patients about FHF. I recommend this company to all my patients if they need assistance to cover
their medical costs. It gives patients the opportunity to do fertility treatment and realise their dream of having a child at the present time, rather
than having to wait to save the money.

Dr Paul Le Roux

Cape Fertility Clinic

Address: 1 Wilderness Rd, Cape Town 7800

Many people are afraid of the dentist which keeps them away from the chair for far too long in many cases. As a result, the dental health of many South Africans leaves much to be desired. Dentistry is not cheap and the longer you stay away, the more expensive it gets. Should a problem not be treated, it can be exacerbated.

First Health Finance is provides financial assistance for those dental procedures which need immediate attention, however there isn’t immediate cash.  Sure, credit cards can be used as a means of payment but many families would prefer to keep that safety net for unforeseen circumstances, as well as daily expenses.

Veneers, Implants and braces are common procedures that are taking place, and medical aid does not always cover the full cost of the procedure. Often there is a portion of the procedure that you as the patient will need to pay for yourself. The difference between the two can always be
financed also.

FHF makes it easy and affordable for you to get your dental work done. Whether you are having extensive procedures done or simple touch ups such as whitening or fillings, we will be able to assess your application in 24
hours and once approved, pay directly to the Doctors bank account so that you
need not worry about the smaller things.

Almost 1500 dental practices around South Africa are offering their patients dental finances, and this method of payment is here to stay. Should you wish to settle your account early, there are no early settlement charges or penalties applied. This is part of the service offered. Contact a consultant today or more information. 0800212537, or apply online at www.fhf.co.za

Certain medical aids will cover this procedure, if it has been explained in writing,
backed up by the relevant doctor, as to why the procedure is necessary.
However, many medical aids still view the procedure as elective, and will then
repudiate the cover. Even though there are medical reasons why a patient should
be covered, we recommend talking to your specialist and medical aid prior to
booking your procedure date.

The procedure typically takes a few hours, and sometimes a patient can go home the
same day. The operation is performed under general anesthetic, either in the
doctors own theatre, or in a general hospital. The healing process takes a
while, and some scarring will exist. The incision is near the areola, and runs
down the infra mammary crease. The scars are quite obvious, but do fade over
time.

In terms of pain management, your specialist will provide meds to help with the
pain over the first few days, and after 3 or 4 days the pain should be reduced
significantly. After 2 or 3 weeks, most of the FHF patients have returned to
work feeling great. Follow up consults will follow with your plastic surgeon,
in order to ensure healthy healing.

It is believed by many that spider veins develop as a result of extreme temperature changes, hormonal changes, sun exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption, genetics and standing for long periods. However, medical professionals still don’t know for sure what causes the veins to appear and, as a result, the veins are difficult to prevent.

If you have spider veins, though, you’ll be pleased to know that there are advanced vein treatments available that make it possible for you to removed unwanted veins. Laserderm in particular offers the two most popular treatments used by professional dermatologists around the world today:

• Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy for veins consists of injecting a sclerosing solution into a vein. The content of the solution works to eliminate the vein, causing it to eventually fade away. The treatment is ideal for veins that aren’t too big, such as spider veins and small varicose veins.

• Laser Surgery

Laser treatment involves the use of special lasers to carefully blast veins, causing them to gradually disappear. The procedure generally lasts 15 to 20 minutes and often needs to be repeated a few times to remove the targeted veins completely.

Like many professional aesthetic treatments, these procedures can be quite pricey. However, now with many companies specialising in medical loans, more people can afford to pay for sclerotherapy and laser surgery to remove spider veins.

This is deemed to be a elective procedure by most medical aids, so medical aids will
not pay, hence the payment plans from First Health Finance. In addition, the
alternative is to wear glasses or contact lenses. Others have done this for
years, so can you! The eye specialists in South Africa will be the first to
tell you, do your homework, find out what’s available, and what the costs, what
the risks? Various doctors use different technology and techniques; make sure
you comfortable with the doctor, as these are your eyes he/she is operating on.

Basically, the procedure involves lifting a flap from your eye, and at that point your
cornea is reshaped, and then the flap is replaced. This in turn helps the
healing, and serves as a natural healing device. Keep in mind there are various
techniques, some doctors prefer a flap created by a blade, some a laser. After
collating the information, and making sure you are comfortable with the
surgeon, confirm the procedure date, and away you go!

As for the complications, these risks exist in any type procedure. A very small
minority of people react really badly, but most complications can get dealt
with easily. Again, the experience of your doctor will determine the extent of
fixing the complication. Statistics show that complications decrease as
experience increases. A person who has diabetes has a higher probability of a
complication, but again, this risk can be managed.

What should you expect in terms of improvement? What we do know is that results are
far better for those with a lesser myopia. Various studies have resulted in
various stats, none of which we would like to delve into here. Best you chat to
your local doc, Good Luck!

I felt I needed to tell this
story, in order to let others know how this plastic surgery procedure changed
my life. Like it or not, breasts affect your life.  At 28 years old, I had my 2 kids, and was
average weight. I enjoyed eating, but because my life was active, I never
really focused too much on my weight. But as age came about, I slowly let go of
my old weight and became familiar with my new weight. With my new weight, came
my new full breasts, and those I enjoyed, so did my husband. I decided for
health and other reasons, I should lose my new weight, and go back to old, and
started an exercise and eating regime. Soon I was shedding, and feeling good.
But my breasts were not what they were, and my husband was making little
sniggers about it. In truth I missed my old breasts, and my old confidence in
wearing certain items of clothing. I think my sex life was also being affected,
but this could just be in my head.

I then started researching
breast augmentation, and had the chat with my hubby.  I wanted my life back, I wanted the old me
back. He was very understanding, so I made the decision to have a consult with
a local plastic surgeon.

It was then and there I made
the decision to do it, to enter the world of plastic surgery, however strange
it seemed. I confirmed a procedure date, and started the waiting game. I was
quite nervous prior to the procedure, but then felt ok the few days before. The
breast augmentation itself was not complicated, in fact it’s one of the more
simple procedures. Today, I am happier than ever, and my hubby thinks I should
have done this looooonng ago!

Our sex life is back to what it was, if not better, and although they not 100% real, what is 100% real these
days anyway? I hope my story helps other women make the correct decision for
them.

**This story is written by a First Health Finance client, and is not in
anyway reflective of FHF opinions.

In many cases, doctors cannot find a specific reason for a couple not to fall pregnant, and treatment is needed anyway.

A famous IVF Centre in the US reports that more than 45% of patients are older than 41 years old, which means that 55% are in their thirties or younger. In many cases, young girls suffer from POA (premature ovarian ageing), or other problems, most of which are treatable.

Most IVF clinics also employ an internal psychologist in order to assist with the emotional challenges of going through fertility treatment. Often there is pressure on marriages, as both husband and wife feel the pressure. Emotional and financial pressure. IVF costs are not cheap, and are generally not covered by medical aids, as it is not seen as essential medical treatment. In South Africa, there are only a few fertility treatments that offer world class treatment. But those that do, are run by top doctors, most of whom have travelled and been exposed to world best practice. Waiting rooms are full, and the industry only of late, has been recognized, given the size of the problem among couples today.

Who would be a suitable candidate for a hair transplant procedure?

These days all men and woman alike who suffer from balding either from a hereditary or medical reason can be a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure. Whereas historically it was men of any age between 20 – 60 who opted for the procedure. Therefore each case is assessed individually by a specialist surgeon thereafter with a potential outcome, taking into consideration your expectations and desires.

When choosing any hair transplant procedure, the best way to reveal your desired results is by consulting with your prospective surgeon to correctly asses your situation and ask other people that have had the same procedure. Also ask as many questions as possible during your consultation to make the experience most comfortable for you. As we mentioned before, the internet is a powerful tool to understandinghair transplantation procedures.

Stem Cell Hair Transplants – The way of the future

In other studies, research has shown that no matter what the cause of the hair loss was originally – stem cell hair transplants can restore a head of hair back for the patient. Up to 80% of all patients that underwent stem cell treatment had with a positive result in this aspect with a more noticeable result. For all with thinning hair…this might be the new future for hair transplants alike!

Like many people who are considering going for plastic surgery, you might be afraid of ending up with terrible results. With the amount of unflattering facelifts out there, you are perfectly right to feel this way. That is why we have outlined some excellent tips below on how to ensure that you get the best plastic surgery results.

• Use a surgeon who is board certified

The easiest way to find out if you can trust your surgeon to give you the results you’re after is to find out if he or she is board certified. A plastic surgeon who is board certified has attained the necessary training, qualifications and experience to do his or her job.

• Find out if your surgeon is a member of the Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in South Africa (APRSSA)

Ask if your surgeon is part of the APRSSA. Members of associations are often required to continue to further educate themselves. Therefore, if your surgeon belongs to APRSSA, he or she will be keeping up to date with the latest advances in plastic surgery. This is important, as you will be able to feel comfortable with the knowledge that you are receiving the best and most current treatment.

• Do not hide anything from your surgeon

When discussing your lifestyle and medical history with your surgeon, it is imperative that you don’t leave anything out. This will save you from running into any health problems during and after the surgery. Mention any supplements, multivitamins and prescribed pills (for example, antidepressants) that you currently take and have taken in the past. It’s equally vital that you be honest about your current lifestyle, even if you are ashamed of unhealthy habits.

• Don’t smoke

It’s essential that you avoid smoking before and after your surgery. This is because nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, hindering blood flow. Because blood carries oxygen, poor circulation also leads to less oxygen being supplied to the skin. Without an adequate supply of oxygen, your skin will struggle to heal itself after surgery. This can lead to a host of complications affecting the success of the operation.

If you would like to get further assistance in ensuring that you get the best plastic surgery results, First Health Finance has long established relationships with many of the top surgeons in South Africa. Contact us today, and not only will we assist you with the financing of your surgery, we will help you to find the most qualified plastic surgeon in your area.