Cosmetic surgery boom

Cosmetic surgery boom

Kaldari ... slams financially-motivated surgeons

A PLASTIC surgeon says he is fully booked until February 2010 – with nose jobs being the procedure most favoured by Qatar residents.
In an interview with Gulf Times, Saed Kaldari, a certified consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, also revealed that although most of his clients were women, an increasing number of men were going under the knife in order to enhance their looks.
Although the majority of men opted for nose-reshaping – like 80% of his clients – there was a growing trend among figure-conscious males for liposuction procedures that create ‘six-pack’ abdomens and pectoral implants that give a more masculine appearance. Chin, cheek and jaw line augmentation were also on a number of surgery wish-lists.
Kaldari, who holds a Swedish Board certificate in plastic and reconstructive surgery with facial reconstructive surgery as a subspecialty, says huge developments in techniques, along with faster recovery times, have heightened interest in the field.
He explained: “Facial skin tightening adapted in the past has become a complete rejuvenation and augmentation, with operation recovery time incredibly reduced.”
In Qatar, the government provides free plastic and reconstructive surgery for Qatari nationals and discounts for residents. However, priority is given to those in need of reconstructive work.
“Reconstructive surgery patients are indisputably and immediately given priority because their defections are a cause of accidents or health issues that could develop into something very dangerous,” Kaldari explained.
A grease lump, for instance, situated in the neck might look unsightly, but it could also develop into a cancerous tumour if neglected.
However, it is in the field of cosmetic surgery that attitudes have dramatically changed.
Where once Qatari women would have recovered from procedures out of sight at home, these days many have no qualms about showing the plasters and casts that will soon reveal a stunning new nose. Although not all female clients are easy to satisfy.
With many women being motivated to change their appearance by glossy magazines showcasing celebrity beauty, many assume that surgery will bestow upon them the same flawless attributes. Kaldari explained that even though he could give an approximation of what the end result would look using computer software, there was sometimes an unreal expectation of what he could do.
“People are not aware that filtering and photo-shopping is applied on the photographs of showbiz personalities – the people they wish to look like.”
Kaldari blamed today’s fast-food generation for unrealistic expectations, causing some clients to demand immediate surgery and short recovery times.
The consultant said some women suffered from Body Dysmorphic Syndrome, a condition that causes them to see flaws that are not there. Kaldari said these particular women had expectations far exceeding what plastic surgery could actually achieve. The surgeon added that he refused to operate on such cases.
Kaldari expressed concern about operating on surgery-obsessed, teenagers, children and those suffering from depression. He said procedures on such clients should only be undertaken in very rare and difficult cases.
As an experienced surgeon, who takes a highly ethical stance within his profession, Kaldari slammed financially-motivated surgeons who take the cash without thinking of the client’s greater wellbeing. He cited the pop singer Michael Jackson as an example of when plastic surgery can go horribly wrong.
Speaking of the singer’s surgeon, Kaldari said: “He should have known better; a nose cannot be operated on more than three or four times, rarely five.”
Kaldari said that with the increase in popularity of cosmetic procedures, some surgeons were carrying out operations despite not specialising in the field.
The consultant explained that it was imperative that a plastic surgeon possessed an “aesthetic eye”. He said: “Furthermore, ordinary surgeons are not able to perform the sometimes very intricate work needed for such surgery.”
Kaldari is currently working on a study of nose operations, looking at techniques to reduce bruising and speed up recovery times for impatient patients.

QATAR’S PRICE WINS WORLD TITLE

Jay Price celebrating after his victory yesterday

ABU DHABI: The Qatar Team’s Jay Price produced one of the greatest drives in the history of the UIM F1 World Championship to clinch the World Championship by winning the 16th Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Price only needed to score four points to be assured of the title, but he led from start to finish, after claiming pole on Thursday afternoon.
He overcame severe pressure from Team Abu Dhabi’s Ahmed al-Hameli and Thani al-Qamzi to claim the title.
Neither rivals Jonas Andersson nor Sami Selio could match the Qatar Team driver off the Abu Dhabi breakwater and Price eventually secured the title in superb style, with al-Hameli claiming second position and team mate al-Qamzi completing the podium.
Qatar’s Yousef al-Khulaifi qualified 17th for the race and was classified 13th at the finish.
“I gave myself a great chance by getting the Pole Position,” said Price.
“It’s easier to hold a lead than it is to hold fourth or fifth place. This is a dream come true. It’s a great feeling for me and I am proud of the whole team who have made this possible.”
“We knew we had a good chance of taking the title, but Jay is Jay and there was no way he was going to slow down today,” said Khalid bin Arhama al-Kuwari, head of formula racing at the Qatar Marine Sports Federation.

Qatar’s car buffs are unfazed by meltdown

THOUGH the economic crisis has people worried the world over, Qatar residents, especially Qataris, feel it won’t hit them heavily and are not curbing their spending on luxuries, for instance on premium cars.
A Gulf Times survey of visitors at the recent Privatdrive Supercar Show, Qatar’s first event of its kind, revealed not only that most of the respondents already owned luxury cars but also looked forward to buying new ones.
“I own a Mercedes CL 2007, but I am interested in getting a Bugatti,” declared 21 year-old Mohamed al-Habibi, a Qatari, while eyeing the $1mn plus beauty on show at The Pearl-Qatar’s boardwalk.
Ali al-Salihi, 28, the proud owner of a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Range Rover Sport 2009, was keen on getting his hands on an Aston Martin.
“As a Qatari banker I have some apprehensions about the global financial downturn, but I think Qatar should do fine and we are relatively safe here,” he observed.
The auto lover agreed that cost is a factor when considering a new car. “I am hoping to negotiate a lower price,” he said.
Hamed, 31, who has a new Range Rover and has owned other luxury cars, stated he was on the lookout for ‘more’.
“Cost is an important factor, but I am more interested in the brand, power and quality of a car,” he explained before agreeing that everyone is worried about the financial turmoil.
“I just hope that Qatar and the Gulf are not too badly affected,” Hamed said.
Aboud Hanna, a newcomer to the country, was not buying a premium car now. “But, I have done in the past,” quipped the 41 year-old.
Monitoring the situation at the moment, Hanna, who has lived in Dubai previously, would wait to see how the economic situation affects car prices.
“I don’t want to get burnt by buying one now and to find that prices drop by 10% a month later,” he said.
Adnan al-Qayer, 22, also placed quality ahead of cost when it comes to buying a luxury car.
Owner of a Lexus, he is not interested in getting one right now, but in the near future perhaps.
Working in the financial sector, the Qatari young man observed he has concerns about the unfolding meltdown.
“I think it would affect the Gulf also, but hopefully not too much,” Al-Qayer remarked.
Mohamed al-Shahwani, 18, was all set to buy a Porsche car to complement the Porsche Cayenne GTS 2009 SUV he already has.
“I am aware of the global economic downturn, but that is not going to affect my plan to go for the luxury car now,” the Qatari stated.
Mohamed al-Khayarin, another 18 year-old Qatari, who also owns a Porsche Cayenne 2009, was hoping to acquire another luxury car in the near future. “Yes, I know,” he replied when asked about the financial crisis.
“No, I am not at all concerned about this economic slowdown,” asserted Qatari national Attallah al-Hashmi, 28, owner of a Ferrari, who would be getting another luxury car soon. Cost was not a factor for him.
“I would like to buy my luxury car in a month,” was how Abdullah al-Mullah, a 27 year-old Qatari responded. Cost was not a concern for him either, but the brand name was.
“The global economic uncertainty definitely has an effect on my investments, whether they are in Qatar or abroad,” he said.
Qatari national Hassan al-Shami, 46, who does not own a premium car, would buy one in the future, for his children.
“Luxury would be the main factor deciding my purchase,” he said while adding that he had some concerns about the financial crisis.
Privatdrive The Exclusive Club’s founder and owner Alexis Lallement-Steiner had told Gulf Times ahead of the Supercar Show that over the last two years, Qatar has been figuring in the global top five in the sales of high end luxury car brands.
Alfardan Group Automotive Division’s chief operating officer Roy F Burt had said recently that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha has seen a very positive sales development in Qatar in recent years and this underpins the decision to open an additional Rolls-Royce showroom at The Pearl-Qatar in the first quarter of 2009.(with inputs from Peter Townson and Sarmad Qazi).

Mumbai under terror siege

SCORES KILLED IN MULTIPLE ATTACKS

A policeman escorting out a survivor from the shooting site at Chattrapati Shivaji railway terminus in Mumbai last night

MUMBAI: At least 80 people were killed in attacks apparently aimed at tourists in India’s financial capital Mumbai last night, and television channels said Westerners were being held hostage at two five-star hotels.
At least 250 people were wounded in the series of attacks, police said. Local television channels said the army had begun moving into one of the hotels, the Oberoi, containing hostages.
Apart from the hotels, attackers also targeted the Cafe Leopold, perhaps the most famous restaurant and hang-out for tourists in the city, as well as hospitals and railway stations.
“I guess they were after foreigners, because they were asking for British or American passports,” said Rakesh Patel, a British witness who lives in Hong Kong and was staying at the Taj Mahal hotel on business. “They had bombs.”
“They came from the restaurant and took us up the stairs,” he told the NDTV news channel, smoke stains all over his face. “Young boys, maybe 20 years old, 25 years old. They had two guns.”
India has suffered a wave of bomb attacks in recent years. Most have been blamed on Islamist militants, although police have also arrested suspected Hindu extremists thought to be behind some of the attacks.
Police said targets included the luxury Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, with television stations showing the lobby of both hotels on fire and people being evacuated from the Oberoi with their hands on their heads.
Hemant Karkare, the chief of the police anti-terrorist squad in Mumbai, was killed during the attacks, police said.
In Washington, the White House condemned the attacks. France, current president of the European Union, also condemned the attacks and hostage-takings.
A European official was among the wounded.
“My hotel is surrounded by police and there are gunmen inside,” European lawmaker Ignasi Guardans told Spanish radio from the Taj. “We are in contact with some deputies inside the hotel, with one in a room and another hidden in the kitchen. There’s another official hurt and in hospital.”
Fresh explosions were heard in the early hours today.
“An encounter is going on at the two hotels, the situation is grave,” Vilasrao Deshmukh, the chief minister told CNN-IBN TV. “Our men are on the job.”
Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil said there were around four or five attackers in each of the two hotels.
“They have attacked hotels, they have attacked the hospitals, they have attacked the railway station,” he said, adding that two attackers had been killed and two arrested.
A driver said at least 50 Koreans were stuck inside the Taj with their drivers waiting outside.
“We were just getting ready to pick them up, when we heard the first blast, police did not let us get past and they (the Koreans) are not answering the phones,” Deepak Aswar, the driver said. Europeans were also caught up in the attacks.
“I was in the restaurant inside Oberoi and I saw this series of gunshots and death which I don’t want to see again,” a Spaniard who declined to give his name said.
“I crawled out into the kitchen and waited there, until I sensed it was all quiet and seemed over.”
Maharashtra state police chief A N Roy said attackers had fired automatic weapons indiscriminately, and used grenades, adding that they were still holed up in some buildings.
“These are terrorist strikes in at least seven places,” he said.
“Unknown terrorists have gone with automatic weapons and opened fire indiscriminately. At a few places they even used grenades.”
“The lobby of the Taj hotel is on fire,” a police spokesman said. “We are trying to find out how many people are inside the hotel.” – Reuters

Emir is briefed on Investcorp’s business plans

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, has received in Doha members of the Board of Directors of Investcorp, the renowned alternative investment firm that acts as a bridge between the Gulf and the West.

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani meeting Investcorp’s Board of Directors in Doha

The Investcorp delegation, headed by executive chairman and CEO, Nemir A Kirdar, briefed the Emir on Investcorp’s business and future plans and the steps it was taking to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis based on its 26 years of successful experience.
In particular, they explained how Investcorp’s dynamism had positioned it to contribute to the significant investment opportunities that the Gulf market offers today through its Gulf Growth Capital line of business.
The Emir praised the performance of Investcorp and complimented the firm on the high respect and recognition it has earned as a world-class institution.
The Investcorp Board of Directors also held its quarterly meeting in Doha to review the progress of Investcorp’s five business lines and to discuss future plans.
Kirdar, welcomed three new members to Investcorp’s Board: HE Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani (Qatar), Majed Seif Ahmad al Ghurair (Dubai), and HE Mohamed bin Mahfouz al-Ardi (Oman).
“We are delighted to welcome three such distinguished and highly respected figures as our new directors. Each of them has a wealth of experience and will further strengthen our Board through his insight, new perspective and wise counsel,” he said.
Kirdar observed that such expertise was especially valuable in the current turbulent financial environment as Investcorp continues to stand tall.
He maintained that Investcorp is a strong company with a unique and ever growing client franchise in this region. It has top-class investment platforms and a solid balance sheet.
“With the guidance of our distinguished Board, Investcorp’s management team is fully committed to retaining our unique position of strength and building on this to grow this firm,” he added.
Investcorp has offices in New York, London and Bahrain, and is publicly traded on the Bahrain Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Investcorp has five lines of business: private equity, hedge funds, real estate, technology investment and Gulf Growth Capital.
Founded in 1982, Investcorp has grown to become one of the most distinguished investment managers in product offerings and geography. As of June 30 this year, Investcorp had more than $17bn in invested assets under management.

ExxonMobil Qatar opens its new office

HE the Deputy Premier, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah formally inaugurated Exx

HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah cuts a ribbon to open ExxonMobil Qatar’s new office building – Al Wosail Tower at West Bay yesterday

onMobil Qatar’s new office building – Al Wosail Tower at West Bay last night.
Al-Attiyah said, “I am pleased to be inaugurating the new office of ExxonMobil Qatar. This new building reflects ExxonMobil’s growing commitment to Qatar and the local community. ExxonMobil has been Qatar Petroleum’s strategic partner for many years and we look forward to strengthening this partnership in future.”
Speaking on the occasion ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Alex Dodds said, “The inauguration of 16-storey Al Wosail Tower represents a significant milestone for ExxonMobil in Qatar.
This new building underscores our long-standing partnership with Qatar which dates back to 1935. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with QP and our numerous successful joint ventures.”
Among others who attended the ceremony were Minister of State for Energy and Industry, Mohamed al-Sada, Minister of State Sheikh Mohamed bin Eid al-Thani and Ibrahim B.Ibrahim, secretary general of the General Secretariat for Development Planning.
ExxonMobil is a “foundation investor” in all currently producing liquefied natural gas trains in the country. QP and ExxonMobil are working together to diversify the use of North Field gas in new areas in addition to LNG. These include supplying pipeline gas to domestic customers and developing a petrochemical complex among other projects.

Qatar varsity launches wireless research centre

QATAR university launched a Wireless Research Centre at Qatar Science & Technology Park yesterday to carry out applied research, provide consulting services, and promote education and training in wireless communications.
The Qatar University Wireless Centre (QUWC), to be run by the varsity’s College of Engineering with QSTP providing funding support and location for collaborative  research,  is expected to open in the first half of 2009.
New wireless applications for targeted local industries, applications and multimedia services for mobile devices, broadband wireless technologies such as 3G evolution, 4G, WiMax and satellite, and radio-frequency radiation studies are the focus areas of QUWC’s research.

Prof al-Misnad and Maini after signing the agreement as Abu Dayya looks on

QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad and QSTP executive chairman Tidu Maini signed an agreement, setting up QUWC, at a ceremony at QSTP attended by a number of senior officials including General Secretariat for Development Planning secretary general Dr Ibrahim Ibrahim.
The launch of QUWC, coupled with that of MEEZA (Qatar Foundation’s managed IT Services and Solutions provider), which also took place yesterday, is described as a demonstration of QSTP and QF’s ability to develop Qatar’s ICT infrastructure both technically and physically; fusing the gap between the two in a way that’s not yet fully been recognised in the country.
Prof al-Misnad stated that the QUWC initiative demonstrates the focus of QU on applied research and technology development activities that would result in new innovations and services.
“This project, the result of more than two years’ work, also creates a platform that would leverage human assets and expertise available in Qatar and make the country a leader in the field,” she added.
Maini observed that QUWC is a completely indigenous project and a team effort between QU and QSTP. While QSTP’s core strategy is to create research partnerships between local and international organisations, it also aims to spur purely home-grown innovation, he maintained.
QUWC executive director Adnan Abu Dayya, also QU’s Electrical Engineering Department chairman, said that the initiative is at the heart of Qatar’s efforts to create a Knowledge-Based Economy.
He said that wireless industry services in the Gulf are the fastest growing in the world. The QUWC would contribute to making Qatar a regional hub for wireless and telecom research and development.
“The key strategic objectives of QUWC include creating local human capital, innovation in leadership, and customer service and partners’ support,” Abu Dayya said.
Based on establishing a strong industry-government-university partnership, QUWC would act as a virtual research and development arm for its customers and stakeholders.
The QUWC would look into all aspects related to the delivery of information wirelessly and for creating innovative services and applications.
This requires looking into technical, business, and social issues, making the research activities multi-disciplinary in nature and scope.
“Research into wireless applications is to have a broader customer base since such applications do exist, and many more are rapidly emerging, in a number of key industries in Qatar including oil and gas, healthcare, transportation, environment, security, utilities, media, and sports among others,” Abu Dayya said.
As needed, the QUWC would also tap into resources available outside Qatar through institutional partnership agreements with world leading companies, institutions and research centres.
Later Abu Dayya told Gulf Times that QUWC is already in discussions with local telecom providers Qtel and Vodafone and would also seek partners from outside Qatar in its bid to make the facility a world-class one.