Call: (310) 271-6996

Cycling has become more than just a trend mostly due to high gas prices. Shared cycling is not only a good idea but it sparked a study that proved cycling is great for our health. It is not uncommon for women who enjoy cycling on a athletic level to be disatisfied with what they feel are disproportionately shaped legs and thighs. Often these women have muscular legs and do not care for the way their legs appear larger than the top portion of their body. When they consider liposuction of the thighs Dr. Kim consults with the patient in an effort to explain the difficulty in successfully treating the area. The thigh area, especially in athletic women requires special attention when performing liposuction. Dr. Kim, who has a true artistic talent understands that this area must be sculpted delicately for the best result. This is not a one size fits all procedure and when special attention is not given to liposuction of the thighs and legs the results can be very disappointing. Patients having liposuction of the thighs and legs can usually return to cycling in about four weeks. According to The Los Angeles Times public bicycle sharing is gaining popularity in cities around the world as people are trading cars for low-cost rental bikes used for short hops around town. While it’s hoped this will have a positive effect on the environment, a study finds that it may benefit people’s health as well.

It is interesting that men may not consider their weight when dealing with sexual dysfunction. New reports show that just as with women being overweight can be a contributing factor. Most men tend to carry their weight in the abdomen. Dr. Kim explains to his male patients that they should address concerns with weight before they have a true weight problem. Many men are afraid to have body contouring surgery because they believe that it is for lazy and overweight people. This is not true. Liposuction surgery is excellent for men who want a more defined abdomen without love handles. Dr. Kim is able to use his artistic ability to sculpt and shape the abdomen and waist line. Needless to say a confident man who is fit and feels good about how he looks exudes sex appeal. According to The Los Angeles Times obese men who want to improve their sexual health might have another solution besides their erectile dysfunction drugs. A study finds that overweight men who lost just 5% of their weight over eight weeks saw improvements in erectile dysfunction, sexual desire and urinary tract symptoms.

Patients considering plastic surgery are asked a series of medical questions as it relates to their health history. One of the questions concerns a history of blood clots. According to a new study we should also be concerned with family members, specifically siblings who have experienced blood clots. Surgery itself can increase the risk but other factors such as birth-control pills, and obesity can also be contributing factors. Procedures such as abdominoplasty and facelift can be of concern because patients may be inactive for long periods of time which can increase the risk of blood clots. Dr. Kim provides each patient with detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions. Patients are instructed to walk around to keep blood circulation moving. It is rare that blood clots will occur after surgery; however, patients must cooperate and follow instructions to reduce the possibility. According to The Los Angeles Times having a sibling with a history of developing blood clots in the leg and pelvis may boost the likelihood of developing the condition.
A study released today in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Assn. looked at how family relationships may factor into the risk of having venous thromboembolism, the development of blood clots in the veins. Swedish researchers looked at 45,362 cases of people ages 10 to 69 who were hospitalized for the condition.

People ages 10 to 19 who had a brother or sister with the clotting disorder were at almost five times greater risk for the disorder than those who didn’t have a sibling with the condition. For those ages 60 to 69 the risk was twice as great if they had a sibling with a history of the disorder.

The words low calorie look great on a menu. But will people really choose to order those selections? The promise of eating less calories to be skinny does not hold true for everyone. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that proper diet and regular exercise are only part of the equation. Some patients have stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Dr. Kim treats these areas which usually include the lower abdomen, love handles, lower back, and outer thighs with liposuction. This allows him to remove small amounts of fat while sculpting and contouring the body. As an artist Dr. Kim is able to achieve results that are superior compared to diet and exercise alone. After the procedure patients are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle including proper diet and exercise. Having more low-calorie choices at restaurants can help. According to ABC7 one of the biggest surprises for diners is finding out their favorite foods, even salads, can run over 1,000 calories. While some patrons don’t even glance at the new calorie postings on the menu, many chains aren’t taking chances at losing customers due to calorically pricey plates.

A recent study linked the inactivity from watching TV to cutting years from a person’s life. Of course, this also leads to obesity and other health concerns. Dr. Kim stresses the importance of an active lifestyle especially for patients who have invested in body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty or liposuction. It can become very easy to lose focus on a good diet and exercise program when patients look great after surgery. Dr. Kim warns patients that they can regain weight even after liposuction. Their contour can change dramatically especially if they gain a large amount of weight. Patients do not have to become obsessive about their exercise and diet; however, a moderate and consistent program works best for most patients. It is best to avoid inactivity for long periods of time daily. According to My Fox LA watching too much television can be just as bad for people’s health as smoking or obesity, according to an Australian study published Tuesday.

Experts from the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, found that on average, every hour of television a person watches reduced the viewer’s life expectancy by almost 22 minutes.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, concluded that after the age of 25, six hours of daily viewing could cut a person’s lifespan by almost five years.

It may prove to be true that vanity is the source of sanity. Here in Beverly Hills, California there is no shortage of examples of vanity. Dr. Kim shares with patients the goals of cosmetic plastic surgery. Rarely is it only about feeding a person’s quest to be the best looking person in any given situation. Usually, patients want to feel better about the way they look and boost their self confidence. Patients who choose to have facial rejuvenation procedures including facelift for blepharoplasty sometimes struggle with the idea of making an investment in their looks. However, after making the decision many patients say that it was the best decision they ever made because it benefited so much more than their looks. Patients look the most attractive when they feel confident about their looks. So in many ways vanity can be a good thing. According to The Los Angeles Times The desire to look good can be a powerful motivator for achieving health and fitness.

People are hard-wired to strive to look better because it brings benefits throughout life, be it in mate selection, employment opportunities, salary or life in general, I was told by Gordon Patzer, a professor of business administration at Roosevelt University in Chicago and the author of six books on the physical attractiveness phenomenon.

Patzer explained that there is actually a beauty premium paid to good-looking people. On average, in the U.S., they make 5% more than average-looking people, who in turn make 10% more than those deemed unattractive. So anyone who transforms from hippo to hottie can expect to earn nearly 16% more a year. No wonder beauty is such big business.

Workplace stress has been known to cause a multitude of problems. Recently a study from that it also can cause health related concerns. Patients who are considering plastic surgery should be mindful of not only their work schedule but also the attitude of the people with whom they work. Patients considering procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or facelift are often concerned about the attitude of their coworkers when they return to work. Dr. Kim assures his patients that in most cases the attitude of coworkers is much less negative than what many people fear. Patients should allow enough healing time(especially for facial procedures) if they are concerned about the reaction of others. Workplace stress should always be kept to a minimum, especially if it is making use sick. According to KTLA Being stressed at work can take a physical toll. A study finds that being in high-strain occupations may be linked with making more trips to see the doctor compared with those in less-stressed jobs. The study, published recently in the journal BMC Public Health, included a nationally representative sample of 29,110 Canadian workers who were part of the Canadian National Population Health Survey from 2000 to 2008. Researchers looked at those in high-, medium- and low-stress jobs and the number of times they visited a general practitioner or a specialist.

As new moms face the choice of birth control more are choosing to surgically have their tubes tied instead of the IUD. It is common for women to consult with Dr. Kim once they have decided that they are finished having children and want a more youthful better contoured figure. Most women are concerned with a loss of volume and sagging in the breast and therefore choose breast augmentation. In some cases it may need to be combined with a breast lift ;as breast implants alone will not lift the breast tissue. For some patients, it makes more sense both financially and for recovery time to also address the abdominal area. Many women postpartum have loose and lax skin on the abdomen including stretch marks. Dr. Kim recommends an abdominoplasty and in most cases it can be performed with the breast surgery. Recovery is approximately 2 to 3 weeks and in healthy patients the procedures can be performed in an outpatient setting. After having children it is exciting for women to be able to return to their prepregnancy contour and shape. According to KTLA very few women choose to get an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted soon after giving birth, even though it’s one of the most effective methods of long-term contraception, according to a new study.

Instead, the research showed, many opt for tubal sterilization — usually a permanent closure of the fallopian tubes — including young women who may go on to regret the surgery.
I think it’s important to realize that the two methods work equally well, but (IUDs) have the added benefit of being entirely reversible, said Dr. Eleanor Schwarz, who studies contraception at the University of Pittsburgh but was not involved in the new study.
Generally in all settings in my mind, it makes sense to prefer an IUD over a surgical procedure, she told Reuters Health.

As women age and go through various stages of their lives it can become rather difficult to embrace the changes physically that her body may be going through. Dr. Kim helps women understand that hormonal shifts in their body can cause stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. Women often see these appear on their outer thighs,lower back, and abdomen. Dr. Kim as an artist and surgeon is uniquely qualified to actually sculpt the body carefully removing fat from areas that detract from the overall attractiveness and proportionate shape. Dr. Kim uses liposuction as an effective method of targeting the specific fat cells that do not belong. Patients must commit to being good about diet and exercise in order to preserve the results long-term. Just because women age it does not mean they have to accept a shape that is no longer pleasing to them. According to The Los Angeles Times from hair-color treatments to Botox to surgical mommy makeovers, it seems there is no limit to the ways women can try to hold on to their fading youth. But are these healthy self-improvements or simply vain attempts to look younger?

It depends on whether women can accept that aging is a natural part of life, says Vivian Diller, a New York City psychologist and coauthor of the 2010 book Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change. In a recent interview, the 58-year-old former model and ballet dancer discussed ways that women can achieve a healthy self-image as they get older.

It is hard to find an adult who doesn’t reach for a cup of coffee early in the morning. Many of us claim to need it to get going. A new study says that this may be a figment of our imagination. If this is the case, then some people may want to consider reducing their caffeine intake.Dr. Kim consults with patients who are considering breast augmentation and some patients tell him that they have a lumpy and bumpy consistency to their breast tissue which becomes worse with increased caffeine consumption. Sometimes they ask if this will affect their breast implants. Dr. Kim explains that the implants are separate from the patient’s own breast tissue. The majority of the time the implants are placed below the muscle and the breast tissue is not disturbed . So if patients have better breast health by avoiding caffeine,then they should follow the same routine after surgery.Dr. Kim also instructs the patient to follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society which include monthly breast self exams for all women, and annual mammograms for women over 40 years of age. Patients who have a concern with caffeine should consider this study that claims to prove, that we don’t really get a buzz when we drink it. According to ABC7  researchers at University of East London gave study participants coffee they thought contained caffeine, but it was actually decaffeinated coffee.

Even so, researchers noticed an improvement in performance and mood.