• First of a series

Dr. Victoria Belo or more popularly known as Vicki Belo is the “Cosmetic Surgeon of the Stars.” Her association with her famous patients has made her name a beauty byword. It has also elevated her to celebrity status with her name occasionally getting linked to these stars’ controversies.
What is little known to the masses that follow showbiz happenings is her being a pioneer in Philippine cosmetic surgery.

Her tireless research has brought many new procedures to the country such as Tumescent Liposuction, Microdermabrasion, Aptos Thread Facelifts and Stem Cell Auto Grafting (SCAG). Travelling at least once a month, she finds new machineries and learns new medical techniques that she offers to her patients.

She can be called the Medical Tourism Ambassador of the Philippines because her overseas exposure brings patients to our shores. She estimates that 60% of her patients are balikbayans. Of this figure, 50% come from the United States alone.

Her show Belo Beauty 101 featured in The Filipino Channel (TFC) makes her famous overseas. This new ace up her sleeve brings her that much closer to foreign-based Pinoys. Viewers get the lowdown on beauty and cosmetic surgery from the expert. A plus factor is an inside look on the beauty secrets of the Belo celebrity-endorser who co-hosts the show with her.
This blurb from the network further displays her wont to promote the country:
“Belo Beauty 101 highlights unique locations or events in the country that tourists can flock to. ‘This serves to erase the stigma most foreigners have about how unsafe and backward the Philippines is,’ Dr. Belo explains. ‘We’ll take them to the beautiful places in Manila and Luzon, so that will entice them more to visit the country again.’ “
Because of this exposure, Vicki says she is more popular abroad than she is at home. When she is in other countries, our kababayans would recognize her. And with that distinctive mark of Pinoys overseas, they ask for “picture-picture” with the famous Dra. Belo.

Through these activities, Vicki wants to make the Philippines known as the Beauty Capital of Asia. She laments that when visitors come to the Philippines they see some things that are not pleasing to the eyes. She admits these are things she doesn’t have the power to change. But with her expertise, she can at least make Filipinos beautiful, one person at a time.

From the Belo Medical Group website, http://www.belomed.com, here are the latest treatments that will help the Filipina become more beautiful:
1. Aqua Lipo: Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL). This liposuction uses water jet to flush out the fat and leaves the nerves and blood vessels intact. This method is less stressful for the patient than the conventional liposuction.
2. Carboxytheraphy. This is a non-surgical technique that improves the appearance of cellulite.
3. Fraxel. It is a laser treatment that resurfaces the skin to get rid of sun spots and age spots. It also diminishes uneven pigmentation, wrinkles and stretch marks.
4. Jet Peel. This is a superficial peel using pressurized oxygen to exfoliate the skin.
5. Multi-Clear. This pain free laser treatment uses wavelengths to treat skin problems like stretch marks, keloids and psoriasis.
6. Smartlipo. This liposuction uses laser to dissolve body fat with heat. The procedure is less bloody and the patient has faster post-op recovery.
7. Thermage. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that tightens and gently lifts facial skin to remove wrinkles and define facial contours. (Personal note: this is included in my wish list as I’m terrified of any bodily invasions especially of the cutting, bloody kind. I got a tip from Vicki for budget-watchers like me. An option to this is the Multi-Polar treatment. It has more sessions but easier on the wallet.)
8. V-Beam. This is a laser system that removes warts, birthmarks, spider veins and other skin imperfections.

Belo Medical Clinics can be found at the following locations:
1. Alabang
Westgate Center
Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Phone: (+632) 771-2350 to 53
2. Greenhills
#51 Connecticut St.
Northeast Greenhills, San Juan
Phone: (+632) 7247442 / (+632) 7246626
3. Makati / Medical Plaza
Suite 1402 Medical Plaza
Amorsolo cor. Dela Rosa Sts.
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Phone: (+632) 8177178 / (+632) 8179283
4. Makati / Rustan’s
5th Floor Rustan’s Makati
Ayala Ave., Makati City
Phone: (+632) 8158970 / (+632) 8158972
5. Ortigas / Podium
Ground Floor, The Podium
ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Phone: (+632) 6373676 to 77
6. Quezon City / Tomas Morato
305 Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Scout Madriñan St.
South Triangel, Quezon City
Phone: (+632) 3733355 / (+632) 3733188
7. Quezon City / Trinoma
Level 3 Trinoma Shopping Mall
North Avenue, Quezon City
Phone: (+632) 9432230 / (+632) 9432231

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