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We’ve all heard the expression; you have to play the cards you’re dealt,this usually in conjunction with genetics. According to a recent CNN news report this is not entirely true. When it comes to dementia and other memory loss conditions according to the news story and studies it appears that a proactive approach to health can greatly reduce a person’s chance of developing memory loss disorders later in life. This is great because many people fear that their lives will be forever changed for the worse as they age. This is especially true for those who have seen their parents have health conditions that cause their deterioration right before their eyes. According to the article a healthy diet,regular exercise, and mind challenging activities that begin at midlife can make a substantial difference in whether or not a person develops memory loss disorders. Genetics can be very powerful when it comes to our appearance. It is much more difficult to overcome the genetic shape of our nose for example. Dr. Kim explains to patients in this scenario that even though he can perform a rhinoplasty  and improve the shape and overall appearance of the nose, he is still limited by the genetic shape of a person’s nose. This is why it is important for patients to understand that cosmetic plastic surgery is in enhancement rather than a replacement. This also holds true for patients considering breast augmentation. Some patients are under the impression that the surgery will create changes that are beyond the scope of the surgery. For example, the shape of the chest wall cannot be changed with breast augmentation surgery. Patients who have the best overall experience with cosmetic plastic surgery understand the limitations and have realistic expectations.

Most of us would have never have thought that there would be a sport known as competitive eating. But, thanks to reality TV not only is it a past time at the county fair, but also a sport. According to a recent MSNBC article there is little to support as to whether this new phenomenon is bad for our health, mental or physical. According to the article this bizarre sport has a league of its own, known as Major League Eating, an international ranking of its top competitors and it appears to have inspired the reality TV show, Man Versus Food. There are no solid studies that can prove medical danger when people involve themselves in these competitive contest.  Many could include eating enormous amounts of oysters, hot dogs, doughnuts or other food items. Regardless of how we feel about overconsumption of food, for the purpose of winning a contest, one fact remains: gluttony in our society is frowned upon. For many people obesity is synonymous with gluttony. Therefore, laughing at this type of contest is like laughing at one of the biggest problems facing our society today. Dr. Kim celebrates patients who have successfully lost weight and managed to keep the weight off. Maintaining a stable weight is extremely difficult especially after weight loss. After the weight is lost many patients suffer from extreme loose skin on the abdomen. Often this results in an abdominal pouch of skin and fat that makes it very difficult to find clothes that fit well. In this situation Dr. Kim will typically recommend an abdominoplasty which will allow him to remove the excess skin, tighten the muscle, and create a flatter abdomen. He may combine liposuction with the procedure on the love handles and lower back to complete and enhancement of the waist.

Most medical reports in recent years advise new mothers to breast-feed their babies. When mothers are reluctant to do so there is speculation as to their motive. A recent industry article looked at the perception of breast augmentation being ruined after breast-feeding. It addressed rather women were concerned with sagging after making an investment in breast augmentation surgery. According to the article researchers followed 160 mothers with breast implants to gauge their success with the feeding method. They found that 86 percent of those who failed at breast-feeding thought that it would make their breasts look worse. On the other hand, among those who successfully nursed their babies, only 13 percent believed that it would affect the appearance of their breasts. Dr. Kim discusses in detail with patients who are considering breast augmentation their plans for children and breast-feeding. Most patients have breast implants that are placed behind the muscle which would not interfere with the patient’s desire to breast-feed. It is important to note that the breast tissue and how it responds to increase and decrease in size from pregnancy is unpredictable. It is virtually impossible to tell a woman with certainty, if she has never had children, how her breast will look after pregnancy whether she has breast implants or not. The article does not adequately address the fact that a breast lift  can be performed while preserving the implant after pregnancy if the patient so desires. Overwhelmingly most patients who breast feed with breast implants are fine with their breast after having children. Most patients do not proceed with a second surgery. It is unfair to believe that women who have breast implants are any more likely to refuse breast-feeding solely because of their investment in breast augmentation.

A disturbing report  article reported that The International Diabetes Federation predicts  at least one in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030, according to its latest statistics. Although this prediction is based on international statistics it is still quite a disturbing figure. The study encompassed both types of diabetes which includes adult onset diabetes, as well as people born with the disease.It  is projected that the numbers will rise not only because of obesity but also because of an aging population.Most of the projected cases are expected to be Type II diabetes which is linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. For these patients to develop diabetes  it is unnecessary considering the fact that the causes are, in fact for the most part preventable. Dr. Kim encourages his patients who have successfully lost weight to be proactive about their appearance. Celebrating weight loss is only one half of the equation. Just as important is making sure that the patient feels good about how she looks. Often patients have loose skin on their abdomen or sagging breast after weight loss. This may bother them tremendously and they seek the advice of Dr. Kim to have the skin removed. Dr. Kim may recommend a breast lift and possible breast implants to help the patient return to  more full and a voluptuous breasts. Dr. Kim may recommend an abdominoplasty as a solution for loose skin on the abdomen. This procedure also gives Dr. Kim the ability to tighten the muscles and makes for a flatter more aesthetically pleasing abdomen. Maintaining a healthy and stable weight is not only a health concern but it also helps patients to increase their self-esteem and self-confidence.

Most foods that we consume especially those that taste good, have ventured out to prove that they are good for you. It appears as though chewing gum is no exception. For many years sugar free chewing gum has given the impression to many consumers that because it is sugar-free it must promote weight loss. According to a recent news story there is no significant data that supports any findings that sugar-free gum promotes weight loss. According to the article the eight-week study included 201 overweight or obese adults, who were told to chew gum intermittently throughout the day as a deterrent from eating snack foods. By the end of the study there was no significant difference between those who chewed the gum and those who did not. Expecting a piece of gum to help a person lose weight is asking a great deal. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that effective weight loss is only achieved and maintained through commitment. Patients who have made a commitment and lost the weight sometimes seek the assistance of Dr. Kim to remove the excess skin that may be left sagging after weight loss. This is most evident in the breast and the abdomen. For these two areas Dr. Kim recommends a breast lift  possibly with implants)and an abdominoplasty. In some cases these procedures can be performed together. It is important that patients maintain a healthy and stable weight following their cosmetic plastic surgery procedure to ensure the best long-term results.

In southern California criticism of celebrities is just part of our landscape. A recent online industry article made a point of a recent interview with Nancy Pelosi. Sadly according to the article the focus was more on her face then what she had to say. There was speculation as to whether she had Botox, fillers, a facelift or all of the above. The article implied that voters could be swayed by the idea that politicians are not natural looking. Of course, in the same article it was decided that voters wanted politicians to have fresh and youthful looking faces. One commentator stated that Nancy Pelosi looked too good to be her age. Unfortunately, for celebrities and politicians alike, being in the spotlight opens you up to this type of scrutiny. Dr. Kim reminds his patients that most of us are not under this type of microscope. Most of Dr. Kim’s patients desire a subtle more natural looking approach to plastic surgery. This includes not only facial procedures but breast augmentation as well. Contrary to what people see on reality TV or in tabloid newspapers most women do not choose extremely large breast implants and then wear extremely low blouses. Even in Southern California and Beverly Hills most women desire breast augmentation that is proportionate to their height and weight. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to his patients their options and helps them to achieve results that meet or exceed their expectations. Celebrities and politicians are not always the best example of the population as a whole when it comes to their appearance.

A recent study reported by Fox news.com concluded that one in five Americans actively take at least one psychiatric drug. The study found that there was an increase in the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs across all ages, as well as growth in adult use of drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. There appeared to be an increase of these drugs used in women in the 45 to 65-year-old age range. Psychiatric drugs are among the most prescribed in the US. These drugs are a multibillion dollar business and there is controversy as to whether they are over prescribed. The fact remains that many Americans especially women are taking them on a daily basis. What does this mean to cosmetic plastic surgery? Dr. Kim explains to his patients that it is important for him to have a complete medical history on every patient. Past concerns with depression whether treated or not should be disclosed prior to surgery. Patients who are taking antidepressants, or other psychiatric medications should disclose the medications prior to surgery when consulting with Dr. Kim. Patients considering procedures such as breast augmentation or facelift may be concerned how the changes in their appearance will affect their mental state especially if they have had bouts of depression and been provided treatment. Dr. Kim encourages his patients to share their concerns and if necessary can work with the patients prescribing physician to help transition into the best possible patient experience. Ultimately patient safety is Dr. Kim’s primary concern. Patients who are taking psychiatric medications should not be embarrassed to share their information with Dr. Kim. All information is held in the strictest confidence according to HIPPA requirements. Most patients who are taking psychiatric medications and whose condition is well-controlled, are permitted to proceed with plastic surgery. Of course, each patient is different and every situation is reviewed on an individual basis.

This would not be Beverly Hills if we didn’t blog about the “Housewives at least some of the time they are in the news. According to a recent Huffington Post article Beverly Hills Housewife Lisa Vanderpump made headlines refusing to speak about plastic surgery. According to the article she thinks her cast members should stop talking about money, learn to laugh more and quit it with all that plastic surgery. All of them [have had plastic surgery], Lisa divulged One thing Lisa wants to make perfectly clear is that her breasts are real: Thank you, they’re mine. I actually didn’t pay for them. They’re mine she stated. It is hard to pinpoint the logic behind the value of the self-confessed phrase mine are real. It is funny that the statement doesn’t translate as well when comparing veneers to natural teeth, a natural blonde versus a dyed blonde, or real 20/20 vision versus wearing glasses. Dr. Kim assures his patients who are considering breast augmentation that they should not fear that they will not like their implants following surgery because they don’t look real. The overwhelming majority of breast augmentation patients are thrilled with their results and stated they would do it again in a heartbeat. Plastic surgery should never be viewed as a substitute for what is natural but rather an enhancement and improvement. Who can be faulted for choosing improvement?

Cellulite is among one of the nightmares women deal with as they age. There are a plethora of over-the-counter remedies and procedures that promise to get rid of cellulite. According to a recent online industry article cellulite hype is more prevalent now than ever before. According to the article the American Society of plastic surgeons states almost all women (and some men) have cellulite, stemming from genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and weight gain.’” Cellulite is caused by clumps of fat cells pushing against the skin interspersed with fibrous cords connected to the muscle underneath. The cords pull the skin down in places and the fat bulges up in between, creating dimpling. Some wonder if weight gain or weight loss will affect cellulite. According to the article the answer to that question varies greatly from patient to patient. One thing that is undeniable is that creams, lasers and other topical solutions have not proven effective in eliminating cellulite. Dr. Kim explains to patients who are considering liposuction and have cellulite that liposuction is not a remedy for cellulite. In most cases it does not make the cellulite worse, but it also does not make it better. Women should never choose liposuction just because they believe it will cure cellulite. Patients should also beware of what are known as percentages of improvement. It is very hard to quantify what a 30% improvement in cellulite reduction would actually look like. So, many patients are disappointed if they had hoped for cellulite reduction. Dr. Kim urges patients to choose liposuction only for reducing the size of the thighs and to achieve better contour and shape. The truth is; for now there is nothing available on the market that will definitively and consistently get rid of cellulite.

It’s hard not to remember Kim Basinger in her famed role in 9 1/2 weeks. She was the embodiment of a beautiful and sexy woman. Now, decades later the tabloids are hitting her with plastic surgery rumors. The latest, reported in the Orange County Register was the speculation that Basinger was hiding under a blanket possibly after plastic surgery procedures or fat injections. In typical Southern California fashion speculators chime in debating whether she had her eyes done, or Botox gone wrong. You can not deny that at almost 60 years old Basinger remains a beautiful woman with beautiful and striking facial features. Dr. Kim shares with his patients that while it is fun to watch celebrities it is not practical to use them as a measure for plastic surgery procedures including facelift, breast augmentation, or rhinoplasty. There are too many unanswered questions when paparazzi snap a photo of a celebrity. First and foremost if they had plastic surgery, when was it? What did they look like before? And which procedure did they have done? Without these very basic questions answered it is virtually impossible to make an assessment based on a photo. Thumbs up to any woman, celebrity or not who decides to take the steps to achieve her most visually pleasing appearance