[ Pic: Dr. Sylvia and her friendly staff at Cutis ]
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Sylvia recently, at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics which is located at Pacific Plaza. I’d heard about the Viveve procedure and how it helps treat vaginal laxity, and I had many questions for the doctor. You see… a friend of mine recently became a father, and jokingly told me that he’d wanted to pass a red packet to his wife’s gynae after the delivery of the fairly-large baby, to help stitch his wife up a little tighter down there. I cringed upon hearing that as I hate anything to do with needles. I’ll now be able to share with him this blogpost :D
Cutis is currently offering the Viveve treatment to their clients, and Dr. Sylvia shared that many mothers experience vaginal laxity after vaginal delivery of their babies, but as can be expected, few are likely to openly share about this issue. [I like that this procedure is non-invasive and does not involve needles!]
She also told me that in countries like Japan, sexually active women opt for the Viveve treatment even if they have not given birth to children, so as to get heightened sexual satisfaction! Yup, I found that to be a mind-blowing piece of information. ;)
Let’s just say that my (albeit short) conversation with Dr. Sylvia was a pretty eye-opening one.
This blogpost is specially for you, ladies, so read on…
[ The beautiful waiting area within Cutis ]
[ And a picture with the gorgeous Dr. Sylvia ]
1) Viveve definitely sounds like it would be way less painful than extra stitches after delivery! What is the level of pain and/or discomfort that women undergoing the procedure can expect?
The innovative cooling technique of the Viveve system allows the surface to be sufficiently cooled to experience no discomfort from the heat delivered to the deeper layers of the vagina.
2) How receptive are locals towards this procedure?
This system has just been launched in Singapore, in end-September, so we do not have any data on the reception of local women towards this treatment yet. Studies in the US and Japan have found, however, that vaginal looseness is one of the biggest issues for women after giving birth – even before weight gain and urinary incontinence.
3) How long must mothers wait, after vaginal childbirth, before going for the Viveve treatment? Can women go for a second treatment after a subsequent childbirth?
Mothers should wait for at least 12 months before undergoing the treatment. Yes, treatments can be repeated.
4) Because it’s for a sensitive region, what precautionary measures has Cutis taken to ensure the safety of the Viveve treatment, and to prevent infections from occurring?
As with any medical treatment, cleanliness of environment is paramount to avoid infections. The treatment tip is also a one time use device which eliminates the possibility of an infection from the device.
[ I saw how each treatment tip was packed in sterile, sealed bags ]
5) Why is the Viveve system not FDA cleared for the treatment of vaginal laxity, but approved in Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, etc?
The US FDA Approval is notoriously long and is currently in process. CE clearance and Asian FDA approvals are quicker which is why Viveve has launched in these markets first. However, the US is expected to be the largest market and Viveve Inc. is expecting an update on the US FDA clearance by mid 2016.
6) What is the price for one session? And is one session enough for sustained results for, say, 12 months?
The price per session is $4,200. Currently, Cutis has an introductory price of $3,600. Clinical studies from both the US and Japan have shown that the Viveve treatment has restored vaginal tightness to pre-childbirth levels and maintains this tightness for 12 months.
7) What would you say to women who are ‘sitting on the fence’ and not quite sure if they should go for the Viveve treatment?
This treatment is not only for women who have given birth via vaginal delivery or are sexually active but for all women who undergo an aging process. Vaginal tissue also consists of collagen (same as the face) and a Viveve treatment is like putting collagen in the bank. Everybody accepts that skin tightening for the face is an appropriate response to aging and the same logic holds for other parts of the body. Also, women who participated in clinical studies experienced a significant increase in sexual satisfaction over a 12 month period and sexual health is part of overall health.
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So there you go… no need for extra stitches after delivery of babies! And with a treatment procedure like Viveve, you can take charge of your sexual health at any time, even if you have not undergone vaginal delivery. :)
To find out more about Viveve and the other aesthetic treatments offered by Cutis, head over to their website here: http://www.cutislaserclinics.com/
