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It is easy to get tied up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. According to a recent online article entering the holiday season with focus and specific intention for enjoyment makes it more likely that the season will be an enjoyable one. Some of the suggestions in the article include eating in moderation. It can be very easy to overindulge when visiting friends who have homemade cookies, holiday dishes, and fruitcake offered every time you enter a different home. Not to mention holiday parties, and office potluck lunches. Overindulgence can leave you feeling guilty and regretful. Another suggestion is to maintain a healthy regimen. This should include working out, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep. Also included as a suggestion, was nurturing and taking care of existing relationships. This is important in every aspect of life as people do better in life when they have a strong support system. Last, but not least of the suggestions was to take care of your own well-being; body and soul. Dr. Kim encourages patients to consider the holidays as an exceptional time to take advantage of many of the procedures offered in his practice. Patients who are given holiday vacation time often use the time to recover from their procedure. Procedures such as breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, or small areas of liposuction typically only need about 4-5 days for recovery so these work perfectly over a short holiday weekend. The holidays are also excellent for many patients because they are likely to have family and friends available to help with support and recovery. Best of all, patients love the idea of a new look for the New Year.

There has been recent industry news that indicates there may be a shortage of drugs used for anesthesia available in hospitals for the treatment of patients. A recent online industry article told of such surgical supply shortages and warned that anesthesiologist should be proactive in determining if in fact their hospital is at risk and if there are alternative assure patient safety. There are many theories as to why the shortage exists. Many factors contribute to medication shortages, such as product recalls and shortages of raw materials. A surge in demand can cause shortages even when manufacturing and supply are unaffected. Shortages are especially acute for sterile injectable medications because of the many complex steps involved in their manufacture. Current inventory management practices, such as short inventories and just in time production schedules, also play a role. For cosmetic plastic surgery patients the good news is, typically this will not apply to our population. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that as an ASPS plastic surgeon with the experience and expertise to select qualified medical professionals to administer anesthesia medications  he is able to assure his patients that the proper amount of medication will be a administered to ensure the best results and safety. The overriding goal is to use the least amount of sedative necessary to achieve the best results and safety. For example, patients may be able to have procedures including blepharoplasty, temple brow lift, and small areas of liposuction using oral sedation instead of anesthesia. Dr. Kim is able to achieve stellar results and ensure patients comfort and safety. When anesthesia is used patients can rest assured that Dr. Kim will not cut corners or compromise the safety of his patients.

More and more consumers are turning to the internet to get answers for medical questions. Health.com a consumer online source for medical information recently posted a question from a very concerned woman regarding pain that she was feeling in her breast. Her immediate fears were whether or not the pain she was feeling in her breast could in fact be breast cancer. The response online hopefully helped to calm the woman’s fears. According to the post breast pain is usually not a symptom of breast cancer. Some alternative explanations for the pain included a bacterial infection called mastitis, mastalgia, a condition caused by a noncancerous change in the breast (cyst for example), or hormonal fluctuations that could subside once the woman has her period. Dr. Kim cautions patients not to become alarmed with every new discovery concerning their breast. Patients who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift are likely to be paying more attention than ever before to their breast. This only becomes a problem if patients are panicky and fearful that every change in their breast is a symptom of breast cancer. The best form of defense against breast cancer is early detection. Dr Kim is committed to making sure that patients are doing monthly breast self-exams and getting mammograms yearly after 40 years of age. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that having breast surgery does not change this recommendation and the patient should be conscious of their breast health.

Big lips are truly in the eyes of beholder. Here in Southern California specifically Beverly Hills lips with volume are a sign of youth and vitality. According to a recent ABC story one patient actually bragged about her desire to look like the character Jessica rabbit. In her opinion that look is desirable and she had always had very thin lips her whole life. After plumping her lips with injectable fillers she feels as though she looks beautiful. Some believe that the line between normal and extreme has become blurred mostly due to cosmetic plastic surgery and injectables. One thing is for sure, the size of injectable lips today, versus 10 years ago when collagen was the primary filler is significantly larger. What can happen with some patients is that they become used to the volumized lips each time they have the procedure performed. Once the swelling goes down they could start to believe that the lips are not big enough. Thus starts the cycle of more product and bigger lips. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients that their desired look should always take into consideration if it fits the patient’s lifestyle, and community in which they live and work. Also, patients who are concerned with the size of their lips should also take into consideration any concerns they have with their nose and chin. Often patients are thrilled to realize that because of Dr. Kim’s artistic expertise he takes the entire face into consideration. In some cases he may recommend a rhinoplasty to better shape the nose and a chin augmentation with  a chin implant to create a better profile for the patient. It is important for patients to understand that the symmetry of their face is important and they must consider other attributes of their face that contribute to the overall size, shape, and beauty.

After more than a decade of using Botox for cosmetic purposes we continue to find effective uses for the drug. According to a recent industry article Botox is no longer just a product for treating crows feet and the furrow between the brow. According to the ASAPS, Botox injections have been the most common non-surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons since the year 2000. In 2010, more than 2.4 million individuals in the U.S. received Botox injections. Botox has other lesser-known benefits that are not purely cosmetic. These include the treatment of migraine headaches, as well as excessive sweating also known as hyperhidrosis. According to the article Botox is in the testing phase to see if  it will be an effective treatment for asthma patients. Patients who suffer from migraine headaches may also benefit from a combination brow lift and Botox treatments. Dr. Kim explains to patients that there has been research that has shown the treatment effective for some patients. By tightening the muscle in the brow and using Botox to paralyze the muscles in the brow in some patients the migraines are less frequent and in other patients they disappear altogether. Dr. Kim cautions patients from expecting complete elimination of migraine headaches; although, in many patients this has been the case. Most patients do see an improvement however the amount of improvement can vary. Dr. Kim explains to patients that they should not have the expectation for the procedure to be covered under insurance. Patients must also remember that they will enjoy a cosmetic benefit even though the major reason may be to treat migraine headaches. As an ASPS plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim is well-qualified to not only help patients achieve the maximum medical benefit but also the best cosmetic results.

In the anti-aging industry new fads come and go all of the time. One of the latest to hit the market was recently covered in the Orange County Register. The treatment is known as a bee venom facial. That’s right, bee venom is supposed to have ingredients that actually plump the skin. The bee venom is inside of a facial mask that fits on the face, and once removed claims to leave skin that is wrinkle free and plump. As you might imagine,  most medical experts point to the fact that there is no scientific evidence to back up the claims that the skin is actually being plumped. At best there may be some irritation which would cause the skin to swell temporarily, thus technically… being plumper. It is a stretch (no pun intended)to believe that mask could remove wrinkles. Dr. Kim is not opposed to skincare that hydrates the skin for a more youthful appearance. The bigger issue comes into play when products or services are marketed as wrinkle reducers or wrinkle eliminators. Dr. Kim explains that short of surgically removing facial skin that is loose ( a facelift) there are no creams or topical treatments that will tighten skin. As an artist Dr. Kim reminds patients that the entire face including the brow and eyes are also part of a youthful appearance. Therefore, a brow lift and blepharoplasty may also be a suitable recommendation for patients looking to achieve a more youthful and natural looking appearance. Patients should be careful to have realistic expectations when choosing non-invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation.

A new twist on indoor cycling or spinning is making its way across the East Coast to the West Coast. It’s called Soul Cycling. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times slammed the safety and effectiveness of Soul Cycle. The classes claim to work both the upper body and lower body simultaneously. The upper body is intended to be worked out by using 1 pound weights and doing upper body weight bearing exercises while pedaling fiercely on the indoor cycle. All of this activity is performed to loud pulsating music with high energy and  beautiful instructors. So, what is the criticism? Medical and fitness experts interviewed for the article claimed that not only is the exercise teen ineffective but it also could injure the lower back for participants over time. The classes are wildly popular and only time will tell whether they take off in LA. Dr. Kim advises patients who participate in rigorous exercise routines such as Soul Cycling, that should they decide to have plastic surgery they will need to plan for time away from strenuous exercise. Patients considering procedures including breast augmentation, breast lift, or small areas of liposuction commonly are involved in consistent exercise routines. Some patients worry that if they miss their workout for a few weeks that they will lose the benefits of their hard work. The truth is, most patients resume their workout and are as strong as they were prior to surgery. For the best results it is important that patients follow Dr. Kim’s recommendations following surgery.

 The perception many of us have of the person who indulges in unhealthy fast food is an uneducated, person of a low socioeconomic status. A recent online news article showed this perception to be inaccurate. According to the article it’s not just the cash strapped family who is frequenting the fast food drive through. As a matter of fact, according to the study a household earning $60,000 a year eats the most fast food, and one bringing in $80,000 is actually more likely to eat fast food than one with $30,000. Suddenly, last year’s findings by the CDC actually makes sense when they found that nearly half of the obese adults in this country are not poor but rather middle-class. The article states that unhealthy fast food has less to do with price than anything else. The facts show that mostly it is convenient and whether people admitted or not, they like the way fast food taste. So, fast food reform on behalf of the poor doesn’t fair well against the facts. As the middle-class who engages in these unhealthy diets realize that the weight is unhealthy as well as unattractive but hope is they will kick into gear and actually lose the weight. When this happens, Dr. Kim helps patients who have lost large amounts of weight to achieve a better contour. Typically, an abdominoplasty is needed to remove the excess skin in the abdominal area. For many patients who have lost weight the excess skin can prove to be unsightly and depressing. Dr. Kim removes the excess skin as well as tightens the abdominal muscle to achieve the best contour available for the patient. When patients invest in plastic surgery procedures after weight loss not only are they more likely to keep the weight off, but overwhelmingly as a group they are more confident and have higher self-esteem than they did prior to surgery.

Stress does not have to be a part of everyday life. According to a recent Huffington Post article there are some very good ways to reduce stress in your life. According to the article one way is meditation. The recommendation is that you do this daily in a safe quiet place. One other recommended stress reliever is to listen to music. Many say that music stirs the soul and can change a mood to positive very quickly. Another to suggestions are exercising and journaling. These procedures performed together can be very effective. Reducing alcohol intake is another suggestion for reducing stress. Some studies suggest that too much alcohol actually increases stress rather than relieving it. Getting a massage can produce positive stress relieving effects. The proper amount of sleep is essential for life free from stress. Interestingly enough the article did not recommend cosmetic surgery procedures as an option for relieving stress. Dr. Kim finds that his patients tell him that after choosing to have cosmetic surgery they tend to relieve situations that were once stressful in their life. For example, many women become stressed when their clothes no longer fit especially as they age. Often these patients tell Dr. Kim that they are concerned because they have not changed their diet or exercise habits yet they have unsightly bulges in places that were not there before. Dr. Kim will typically recommend liposuction and if there is loose and lax skin and abdominoplasty may be necessary to remove the skin. Dr. Kim uses his artistic skill to create a natural and more aesthetically pleasing contour. Dr. Kim’s patients are thrilled with the results and tell him that they no longer stress over wardrobe selections.

CNN recently aired an Oprah.com interview with a successful CEO woman who claims to have had 12 cosmetic procedures while becoming a successful investment banker on Wall Street. The Orange County Register highlighted the news story focusing on the specific procedures which ranged from rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty, brow lift among other procedures. While this story makes great water cooler talk the reality is this woman’s story is not that unusual. The fact that she had two rhinoplasty surgeries is not that unusual when nationally rhinoplasty has the highest reoperation rate of all cosmetic surgeries. The facial rejuvenation procedures that she had performed are typically performed within one operation. She enjoyed a successful career with her most youthful appearance going for her. So, it’s difficult to see why this story is considered news. Dr. Kim treats many patients who over the years have had multiple procedures. They are not freaks, or outcast, only patients who as they age desire to maintain their best appearance. Most patients do not regret their decision to invest in cosmetic plastic surgery. It is doubtful that this particular woman deep down inside would trade the much improved appearance for her natural aging appearance. Dr. Kim performs his procedures with patient safety, health, and results as the main goals.