A tummy tuck flattens and firms your abdomen, removing excess skin that has stretched and sagged, and tightening and reconnecting loose and separated abdominal muscles. It’s common to add liposuction to a tummy tuck for an even greater slimming effect. Here’s an explanation of how the two procedures work together and why you might consider combining them.
A tummy tuck and liposuction are both body contouring procedures, designed to trim and flatten areas of your body when you are close to your ideal weight. But the two procedures are quite different from each other.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin from the abdomen. It often includes steps to tighten and reconnect the abdominal muscles if they have stretched or separated as a result of pregnancy or significant weight changes. The result is a firmer, flatter belly and a tightening of the waist. A surgeon can also trim excess fat as part of a tummy tuck, but only in the immediate surgical area, which is the center of the abdomen.
Liposuction uses a suction tube, called a cannula, inserted through small incisions, to remove pockets of fat that resist slimming with diet and exercise. It’s possible to use liposuction almost anywhere on the body where unwanted fat accumulates, including the belly, waist, back, thighs, arms, and under the chin. Liposuction does not tighten loose skin or restore firmness to stretched and weakened muscles.
If your problem is with loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles, and you don’t have excess fat on your belly or around your waist, a tummy tuck alone is probably what you need. And if your problem is with stubborn abdominal fat, and your belly skin and muscles are tight and resilient, liposuction alone might be a good solution.
However, if your concerns include loose abdominal skin, a bulging belly from weakened muscles, and excess fat on your belly and around your waist, a combination of the two procedures – called a lipoabdominoplasty – may be your best choice.
Here are some benefits of combining the two procedures.
Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.
Many women want to enhance their breast shape and size for cosmetic purposes. There are some that are unhappy with sagging breasts and want to firm them up. Breast augmentation mastopexy is a combined plastic surgery that allows addressing the size as well as shape of the breasts in a single surgery. This means you get the benefit of a breast lift and breast augmentation with the same downtime.
Your breast surgeon may recommend this procedure if you suffer from ptosis in the breast skin and have small breasts. They will determine whether you are an ideal candidate for the procedure during the initial consultation. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast augmentation mastopexy to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations.
Breast augmentation mastopexy can be performed by your cosmetic surgeon using different techniques. The most appropriate technique shall be determined by your surgeon on the basis of your aesthetic goals and breast anatomy. Incisions are usually smaller where level of breast droopiness is limited.
Incisions can be placed in the following three ways:
Your surgeon will take care to make the incisions in discreet locations so that you can wear any clothing of your choice after the cosmetic surgery (once post-operative recovery is over).
This cosmetic surgery is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. However, few patients may need only local anesthesia along with deep IV sedation. The first stage of the procedure involves inserting the breast implants. The second step is to correct breast sagginess for a perkier and more youthful appearance.
Your surgeon’s primary goal will be to make use of the same incisions for both the steps. This will help make the surgery less invasive, reduce scarring, and recovery period. Your surgeon will make a crescent shaped or lollipop incision to access the breast tissue. They will create a pocket in the submuscular tissue to accommodate the implant.
The plastic surgeon will take special care to ensure the implants look as symmetrical and natural as possible. The surgeon will perform a breast lift surgery once the implants are inserted. This involves trimming away any excess or loose skin and bringing the breast tissues closer. Your breasts will be placed at an elevated position by manipulating the breast tissue.
In some cases, areolas may be resized, reshaped, and relocated as well. This will be done for a more youthful look. Your surgeon will close the incisions carefully with sutures once the surgery is completed. This can be through removable or absorbable sutures. They will wrap the site in bandages and insert drain tubes to collect any excess fluid.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for breast augmentation mastopexy.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

When you look in the mirror, do you see a tired and older-looking face? When you lose weight, does your skin on your body no longer spring back to its former shape? These are typical effects of lax or sagging skin — when your skin begins to lose its youthful resilience. If saggy skin is bothering you, read on to find out what causes it and what you can do to slow or reverse the effects.
Saggy skin is a sign that your body is producing less collagen and elastin, two proteins that are critical to maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. The loss of collagen and elastin is a natural result of the aging process, but other factors can accelerate it. Drooping and sagging can also result from body changes that stretch the skin beyond its capacity to spring back.
Here are the main causes of saggy skin.
You can’t stop the aging process, but you can slow its effects on your skin by adopting some healthy habits:
Various cosmetic treatments are available to correct saggy skin, from non-surgical options that can minimize lines and wrinkles or tighten skin to surgical procedures that remove excess skin to restore a younger look.
Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.
Mommy makeover is a major plastic surgery that may combine multiple procedures. You should only choose it after careful deliberation, and not under the influence of someone else. Before the surgery, you will have a pre-op consultation wherein you will get an opportunity to ask questions to your surgeon.
You should make the best use of your consultation and clear all of your doubts and concerns. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides mommy makeover surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations.
Your cosmetic surgeon will determine your candidacy for a mommy makeover prior to your surgery. If you have been successfully losing weight after your pregnancy but are unable to resolve the fatty deposits and stubborn loose skin, a mommy makeover could be a judicious choice for you.
Mommy makeover is accompanied by multiple surgeries. You may need to undergo both breast surgery and abdominoplasty, and probably liposuction. In most cases, these procedures are performed simultaneously. Your surgeon will create a customized surgical plan according to your unique needs.
Mommy makeover is ideal for you if you only need to lose a few pounds. But if you are looking for a drastic weight loss, then it is best to postpone your mommy makeover plans. A major weight loss can lead to sagging skin and muscles, and mommy makeover should only be performed when your weight has stabilized.
If you have plans to get pregnant, then it is best to wait and postpone the surgery for a later date. Pregnancy and nursing will alter your skin and re-stretch it. On the other hand, if you have an unplanned pregnancy, then your previous mommy makeover wouldn’t affect your or your baby’s health. It will not make your delivery challenging.
Your surgeon may or may not suggest drainage tubes depending on the extent of your procedure. These tubes are placed beneath your skin to collect fluids. The tube must be routinely cleaned and changed. They will be placed for a week or 10 days, and you will need to visit the doctor to have them removed.
Most of the surgeons recommend their patients to wear bandages around their treatment area or a compression garment to provide support. So, your surgeon might ask you to do so. Compression garments will help to prevent the accumulation of fluid beneath the skin of treated areas. In addition to that, it will also enable your skin to get adjusted to the new and re-contoured tissue and muscles.
Although there won’t be any chronic or long-term irregularity, your menstrual cycle can be late for a day or two as a result of anesthesia and the medications post-surgery. Hence, you can expect your periods to be irregular for some time, but it is a common problem that will clear on its own.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for mommy makeover.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

The holidays are coming, with the promise of good food and good times. But we know from experience that holiday temptations can lead to weight gain. Here are some ways to keep yourself slim before the holidays so that you can look good and can enjoy yourself when they arrive.
Focus on healthy eating now. Get in the habit of eating plenty of vegetables — at least five servings — every day, balanced with lean proteins, modest portions of whole grains, and fresh fruit. Steer clear of highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates like white bread, and foods with added sugar. Better yet, keep those fat-building foods out of your kitchen and out of sight. Instead, keep chopped vegetables on hand for healthy snacking.
Serve yourself smaller portions. You might use a smaller plate so it looks like you’re getting more. Eat slowly, paying attention to when your hunger is satisfied. Savor your food and stop before you feel stuffed. If there’s anything left over, save it for another meal. Don’t have seconds just because the food is there.
Start your day with some protein for breakfast. That will keep your hunger at bay through the morning and cut down on the urge to snack before lunch. Eat lightly at the end of the day, when you’re more likely to convert calories to fat. Some people swear by the rule of avoiding carbohydrates after 4 pm. That change in eating habits can reduce your calorie intake by pushing you to eat more vegetables and lean protein.
Healthy hydration helps your body process the energy and nutrients in food and flush waste from your system. It’s also good for your skin. Keep a water bottle with you as a reminder to hydrate throughout the day. Strategic timing can help, too: two glasses of water before a meal can reduce the urge to overeat.
It can be harder to find time for exercise with shorter days, and the pandemic has limited access to some gyms, but there are always ways to fit in more physical activity. Step up your activity as the holidays approach. A mix of aerobic and resistance workouts will burn calories, build muscle, speed up your metabolism, reduce stress, and brighten your mood. Try walking, running, or biking with family or friends to make it more fun. Or listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks to keep your mind engaged.
The regular feedback of weighing yourself can be a great motivator to stay slim. Weigh yourself at least a couple of times a week, preferably daily. A higher reading works as an immediate alert to watch your eating and step up your exercise to stay on track.
Stress is one of the biggest drivers of unhealthy eating and weight gain. When you’re under stress, you’re more likely to revert to bad habits and succumb to snacking temptations. When you feel your anxiety rising, try deep breathing, yoga, meditation, calming music, or a quick walk outside — whatever works for you — to get back to a healthy state of calm.
Lack of sleep is another big factor in weight gain. Sleep deprivation can make your hungrier, fog your thinking, reduce your motivation for exercise, and lead you to make impulsive eating decisions. Make healthy sleep habits a priority in your daily routine. Wind down before bedtime with no TV or electronic devices, and stick to a regular bedtime and waking schedule.
Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.
Mommy makeover helps to restore your pre-pregnancy body through a series of cosmetic procedures performed at one time. These procedures may include both surgical and non-surgical options. Like any other surgery, there are certain risks associated with a mommy makeover as well. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides mommy makeover surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations.
Some risks associated with a mommy makeover are similar to other significant plastic surgery procedures. Such common risks can be reduced by choosing an experienced plastic surgeon, and abiding by their pre- and post-operative guidelines. A well-qualified plastic surgeon with prior experience in a mommy makeover will minimize your risk of complications.
Some of the potential risks in mommy makeover include:
Your surgeon will most likely prefer a personalized and individualized approach to a mommy makeover. The procedure will only be planned after assessing your cosmetic goals. The surgeon will try to make the procedure less invasive and would only try to use common incisions to perform multiple procedures.
The risk of scarring can be minimized by making use of advanced surgical techniques. However, it is not possible to avoid it altogether. If your surgery includes breast lift, abdominoplasty, or any other major procedure, certain visible marks would be left behind. Your surgeon may prescribe anti-scarring creams or ointments, depending on your skin type.
Mommy makeover surgery will make a significant impact on your life. Generally, some patients may undergo a temporary period of mild anxiety or depression after the surgery.
Inflammation, pain, and other physical restrictions could dampen a patient’s self-confidence or mood for some time. However, as soon as the bruising and swelling resolves, you will begin to appreciate the results and start loving your new body and will feel emotionally recharged.
For a major procedure such as mommy makeover, it is best to choose an experienced and well-qualified surgeon. You should also abide by the guidelines advised by your surgeon for a speedy recovery. If you are a smoker, you should quit it for a certain period after your surgery. You should take your antibiotics and other medications exactly as prescribed by your surgeon. Wear your compressions garments, if suggested, for reducing your recovery time.
You should remain active and take gentle walks during the early recovery period. This would mitigate the risk of blood clots. However, you should not take part in aggressive physical exercises for at least a month. This will help ensure that your incisions are adequately healed. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for mommy makeover surgery.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.
Lymphedema is a situation in which one or both of the arms or legs swell. This typically occurs due to damage to the lymph nodes, which makes them stop performing their normal function. As the lymphatic system is very important to maintain your body’s immune system, lymphedema may often lead to other complications.
In a fully functional lymphatic system, the lymph nodes filter waste, bacteria, and debris from the lymphatic fluid before letting it drain into the bloodstream. When a person has lymphedema, this does not take place and as a result, there is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the extremities.
During the initial consultation, the provider will try to determine the underlying cause of lymphedema in order to recommend an appropriate treatment. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides lymphedema post plastic surgery treatments to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations.
Lymphedema is of two types: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema is a congenital issue due to genetic mutation. Secondary lymphedema develops as a result of damage to the lymphatic system due to treatment of breast, skin, cervical, or prostate cancers. Radiotherapy for cancer, infections such as cellulitis, inflammation, venous disease, obesity, and trauma or injury may also cause secondary lymphedema.
Patients who undergo breast reduction or augmentation surgery may also develop lymphedema if there is damage of the lymph nodes during the surgery. This condition may show up soon after surgery or after a few weeks, months, or even years of the procedure.
The swelling in the shoulders, hands, arms, fingers, chest, and torso region are one of the important symptoms of lymphedema. Patients also complain of clothes and jewelry beginning to feel tighter in the chest/arms. There is also a feeling of heaviness and reduced flexibility in movements.
The doctor will perform a thorough examination and review the patient’s medical history to arrive at a confirmed diagnosis of lymphedema. Some diagnostic tests may be performed by the surgeon, including a measurement of the affected limb volume, and imaging tests such as a lymphoscintigram.
Most doctors prefer to put lymphedema patients on a therapy called Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). This treatment involves a combination of methods that include the use of:
Antibiotics may also be prescribed to deal with any infection that may be present. The therapy must be supervised by a certified lymphedema therapist who has trained for at least 135 hours in this therapy.
The success of post-surgical advanced manual lymphatic drainage massage lies in its gentleness. Most experts believe that heat and deep massage are counterproductive in a post-surgical setting; thus, it is important that you NOT substitute deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, or other massage technique for this advanced treatment. Your specific treatment plan—including when to begin advanced MLD and how frequently you should receive treatments—will depend on the surgical procedure you had and your unique state of health.
Post-surgical MLD is an advanced technique requiring specialized training, and should only be performed by a licensed massage therapist. If you have had—or if you are planning to have—a mastectomy or a cosmetic procedure such as a facelift or liposuction.
Read more about post surgery massage for MLD.
When CDT and other modes of non-surgical treatment fail to yield results, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment to deal with lymphedema-related swelling of the extremities. Newer surgical procedures such as lymph node transplants and lymphatic to venous anastomosis are also available to treat lymphedema.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for lymphedema treatments.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.
Breasts with protruding nipples or disproportionate areolae have poor aesthetics. Women with such problems may choose to undergo nipple and areola reduction surgery to improve the way their breasts appear. This procedure involves reducing the size of the nipple and removing tissue from the areolae to give a sense of balance.
plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides nipple and areola reduction surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding communities.
Nipple shape and size is more of an aesthetic issue than a medical one. In nipple reduction surgery, the height or projection of the nipple is generally corrected although it is also possible to alter its width or diameter. When you consult a cosmetic surgeon, they will understand your requirements and take the necessary measurements.
Before the surgery, they draw preoperative marks on the nipple. This includes a circular mark at the nipple base and another mark about 6-8 mm away to indicate the desired nipple height. If you also want nipple width reduction, the doctor makes markings on the nipple top and bottom to indicate from where the tissue has to be removed.
Nipple reduction plastic surgery is performed using a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. The surgeon makes incisions along the marked areas and removes extra skin. Using sutures, they attach the nipple to the breast base to reduce its projection or height. To reduce nipple width, the surgeon sutures back the skin along the edges of the nipple.
Post surgery, they place a bandage over the areola and nipple. Recovery generally takes about 2 weeks time following the surgery. Nipple and areola reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed their infant after the surgery.
Areola reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure in which the surgeon removes a circular potion of the tissue at the brown-colored outer edge of the areola. They draw the skin around this region inwards like a purse string, and place sutures within the areola, reducing its diameter. The area is covered with a special dressing and the surgeon may advise wearing a special bra to support your breasts while they heal.
Most patients who undergo nipple and areola reduction get back to work about one or two days after the procedure. Recovery will take longer if the procedure is a part of a larger surgery such as breast enhancement. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous work or sexual activity for about 10 days following the procedure.
Some of the possible side effects of nipple and areola reduction surgery include pain, infection, temporary, or permanent loss of sensation or heightened sensitivity of the nipples and areola.
Some women may also experience numbness, asymmetry, scarring on the areola, pigment loss, and problems when breastfeeding. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for nipple and areola reduction surgery.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.
An active lifestyle and healthy eating can get you toned legs and arms and a flat abdomen, but achieving the rounded backside you want might require more than squats and lunges can do on their own. A shapely derrière requires some extra fat in just the right places. A Brazilian butt lift is a minimally invasive, highly effective, and long-lasting procedure to augment your buttocks in exactly this way. The procedure can also correct the sagging or flattening effects of the aging process. It’s rapidly becoming one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for women.
A Brazilian butt lift removes fat from a part of your body where you don’t want it — excess fat in your belly, thighs, hips, or lower back — and transfers it to the areas of your buttocks where you’d like more volume and alluring curves. The procedure uses a combination of liposuction to harvest excess fat from one part of your body and fat transfer to process the extracted fat cells and strategically insert them to add volume to your buttocks.
So with a Brazilian butt lift, you get the benefits of two procedures in one. You slim a part of your body where stubborn pockets of fat are resisting your diet and exercise efforts. And you move that excess fat to sculpt a rounder, curvier derrière. The procedure uses your fat to reshape your body, without introducing any artificial materials — no implants and no chemical fillers.
Slimming one part of your figure and enhancing your butt’s profile multiplies the effects on your figure are multiplied. You’ll look curvier — slender where you want to be and rounder in your rear. Clothes will fit better. You’ll look younger, and your proportions will be in better balance.
The fat transferred to your buttocks settles into your enhanced curves and establishes itself there with a new blood supply for long-lasting results. Your body reabsorbs some of the transferred fat in the weeks after the procedure, but most of it stays in place as a permanent part of your new figure. And because it’s your body fat — just like the fat in your buttocks that was there before — it looks and feels completely natural.
You’ll get a rounder, firmer backside, with young-looking curves, but without the scars or downtime of more invasive surgery. The liposuction and fat transfer procedures require a cannula — a thin surgical tube — to extract the harvested fat using suction and transfer it to your buttocks. Only tiny incisions are necessary for insertion of the cannula. These heal quickly and the scars they leave are barely visible.
Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at 310-746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.
A chin that is set far behind the upper jaw is called a “retruded” or “recessive” chin. This type of a facial structure tends to cause the jaw line to appear weak and can make you appear less attractive. Chin implants cosmetic surgery is a safe and proven way to correct this condition.
plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides chin and jaw line enhancement surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding communities.
Several types of plastic surgery and a few non-surgical procedures are possible to correct a weak chin and jawline. They include:
Plastic surgeons prefer to use chin implant surgery in most patients with a weak chin and jawline. They make an incision inside the mouth and insert the chin implant through it, and then position the implant on the lower mandible. The cut is closed with sutures and because it is within the mouth, no external scars are visible.
When patients present with severely retruded chins, the surgeon will choose a procedure called sliding genioplasty. This involves more extensive surgery than a chin implant and recovery will take longer too.
The most skilled cosmetic surgeons will run multiple image scans for your chin and jawline to determine the exact aesthetic problems. Based on your specific cosmetic goals and the practical limitations of your chin and jaw anatomy, they will craft a customized chin implant made of biocompatible silicone to give you a strong chin and jawline.
Besides chin implant plastic surgery, surgeons make use of other procedures to enhance a weak jawline and chin. Jaw lengthening surgery is one such possibility. A neck lift is sometimes used. Some surgeons choose a chin liposuction to deal with the extra fat below the chin.
All these procedures may be performed either alone or in combination with chin implant surgery to give patients the chin and jaw appearance they desire. Some people try to correct a weak jaw line and chin with mouth exercises. This generally does not yield the desired results because the bones and tissues of the chin region do not yield themselves to correction by exercise.
Persons with a weak chin and jawline find that chin implant surgery makes a drastic difference to their overall facial appearance. The stronger jawline adds vertical balance to the face, and improves your smile.
When there is better harmony between the upper and lower jaws, it adds to the symmetry of your face and makes you appear more attractive. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for chin and jaw line contouring procedures.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim. Click here to contact us today.
Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.