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Unless you’ve been living under a rock you have seen the marketing ads, billboards, and radio commercials for the last 15 months promising a thin body with the Lap-Band procedure. According to a recent article in the Beverly Hills Courier LA County officials are calling for truth in advertising for 1-800-GET-THIN the marketing arm for physicians offering the Lap-Band procedure. The FDA warned the marketing firm  LLC and eight Southern California surgical centers last week that their advertising for the so-called Lap-Band procedure failed to reveal all the risks involved. The agency said they must pull the misleading ads. FDA’s concern is that these ads glamorize the Lap-Band without communicating any of the risks, said Steven Silverman, an FDA compliance director, when he announced the warning. The marketing firm claims that it is impossible to include everything in a commercial. One of the complaints many Lap-Band patients have following the procedure is that they have excessive amounts of loose skin on their bodies which is not only unattractive but can also be uncomfortable. Dr. Kim explains to patients who have lost significant weight that the excess skin in the abdominal area can be removed through an abdominoplasty procedure. He cautions his patients not to have the surgery performed until they are at a stable body weight for a minimum of three months. Patients can expect a dramatic difference once the loose and redundant skin is removed. In some cases Dr. Kim is able to also perform liposuction to improve the overall contour. Dr. Kim is committed to providing educational and informative information to patients prior to surgery. Marketing and advertisements should never be a substitute for medical information when patients are considering surgical procedures.

When Tom Cruise appeared with his much younger wife for the Mission Impossible premiere everyone was aghast at how young Tom looked. Of course, here in Southern California we knew that he had help to maintain his youthful looks. Speculation ran throughout the media. The Orange County Register reported that the Daily Mail suggests that Tom Cruise has been getting Botox injections and quotes a source as saying the actor also borrows from wife Katie Holmes’ cosmetic drawer. It says: “With no wrinkles visible on his smooth forehead, Cruise seems to have the appearance of a man significantly younger — with only the slight increase in laughter lines around his eyes giving away his age.” It’s interesting when speculation swirls because someone looks too good! Dr. Kim encourages his patients, especially the male patients, to be proactive about maintaining their youthful looks. One lesson we can learn from celebrities like Tom Cruise is that small things done along the way go a long way. For men, at the very least Botox injections and injectable fillers like Restylane can do wonders. Around the age of 40 men should also consider blepharoplasty ( eyelid lift) for a more open and alert look. In some cases a brow lift may also be necessary in order to complete the look. Men should not be afraid that after surgery they will look feminine. As an artist, Dr. Kim is careful to preserve the masculinity of the face for men while enhancing the attributes that signify youthfulness. Let’s face it, not only in Southern California but throughout the world a youthful and beautiful appearance goes a long way!

There has been a warning issued to women in France regarding breast implants and concerns over their probability of rupture. According to newsmax an online health publication, French health officials said the government plans to recommend to the 30,000 French women with PIP implants that they be removed. The eight cancer cases involved mainly breast cancer. The now-bankrupt Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was shut down and its products banned last year after it was revealed to have been using non-authorized silicone gel that caused abnormally high rupture rates of its implants. Facing financial difficulties, the company, once the world’s third-largest producer of silicone implants, replaced the medical-grade silicone in its implants with industrial-strength material. The implants were not sold in the US according to the Associated Press. While this incident does not directly affect most plastic surgery patients in the United States it is important to note that there are procedures performed in the United States outside of plastic surgeons offices that do not meet the guidelines set by our government. We read about these when things go terribly wrong, but one must wonder how many go under the radar. Dr. Kim emphasizes to every patient the value of his American Society of Plastic Surgeons board certification. While it is not necessary to be an ASPS plastic surgeon to perform plastic surgery in the US, it is the recommended standard for excellence and the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Medical Association. Less than 3% of all medical doctors are plastic surgeons. Dr. Kim is proud of the extensive training required by the board that allows him to differentiate himself from other doctors who perform plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Kim performs breast augmentation with both silicone and saline implants and follows all guidelines as required for informing patients of the benefits and risk of the procedure as well as the implants. Patients should also note that breast augmentation although it is a popular procedure can yield varying results based on the skill and expertise of the surgeon. Dr. Kim expertly performs breast augmentation, breast lift, as well as breast reduction. Dr. Kim is careful to acknowledge the artistic side of his profession and embraces not only a great result but also a safe and enjoyable plastic surgery experience for the patient.

On this very last week of the year, Beverly Hills is abuzz with not only the rich and famous that the world can view on television, but also patients from Southern California and around the world who plan to consult with Dr. Kim as part of their New Year’s resolution for a new , and more youthful looking appearance for 2012. Traditionally this week is a busy week as patients set aside convenient days on the calendar to schedule cosmetic surgery procedures. Many patients are looking for either mid-January which will encompass a federal holiday for Martin Luther King’s birthday or mid February  which will encompass a federal holiday for Presidents’ Day. Both January and February will allow the extra day for recovery and works well for procedures including breast augmentation, liposuction, blepharoplasty, and in some cases rhinoplasty. In some cases rhinoplasty patients may have swelling past the 3 to 5 days that would be allowed under a federal holiday. Depending upon the patients work duties, returning to work could be delayed. Dr. Kim cautions patients to carefully review their work schedule and to be aware of the limitations that may be required immediately following surgery. Most patients recover from plastic surgery relatively quickly and without complication. The new year is an excellent time to consider plastic surgery procedures; especially in Beverly Hills with Dr. David Kim. Dr. Kim welcomes out-of-town patients  and pays special attention to both preoperative and postoperative instructions to help patients enjoy the same exceptional plastic surgery experience local patients enjoy.

Many have heard it said that 40 is the new 30. Unfortunately, thanks to celebrity news and Photoshop some people actually believe this. It is easy for women to feel the pressure in a competitive work environment and relationship dating pool to look younger. Looking younger is part of it but feeling younger is just as important. The new baby boomers understand the value of exercise and as a whole are living healthy lifestyles and exercising regularly. But, even with the best exercise programs and totally organic food the aging process is still in full effect and showing signs on our faces and bodies. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that the best way to assure that our bodies will cooperate with the appearance that we desire is to approach plastic surgery procedures as a process rather than one specific procedure designed to rejuvenate the face and body. Dr. Kim recommends patients consider Botox and injectable fillers at the very minimum as a method for smoothing lines and wrinkles on the forehead as well as adding volume to lines and wrinkles on the face. He also recommends that patients consider body contouring and the appearance of their breast for the best overall figure. Patients could consider both breast augmentation and liposuction, which in many cases can be performed together. It is rarely too late to begin addressing these areas which can make a tremendous difference in the youthful appearance of the patient. Provided the patient is healthy Dr. Kim encourages his patients to embrace plastic surgery as part of the solution to the appearance of the aging process.

As we approach 2012 with the hopes of an improving economy a consumer may question which plastic surgery procedures make the most sense both economically and for long-term aesthetic value. The answer can vary greatly based on the patient and the patient’s desires. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that in competitive work environments which still exist, facial procedures can make a dramatic difference on a person’s first impression during a job interview. Dr. Kim recommends patients look at their face and concentrate on each individual area that causes them to look less youthful. For most patients the eyes, both of the upper eyelids as well as bags and circles beneath the eyes almost always show signs of aging. In this case, Dr. Kim would recommend it blepharoplasty which can treat the upper eyelids by removing a small sliver of skin which, once sutured is virtually undetectable. Most patients also choose to treat the lower eye area removing the” bags” under the eyes allowing the patient to look much more rested and youthful.  The recovery time is relatively short(less than 10 days) and the pain is considered mild. For some patients who also have a low brow, Dr. Kim may recommend a brow lift in conjunction with the blepharoplasty. These procedures are affordable and an excellent value for patients who need to compete in the workforce as the economy improves and better job opportunities become available. Southern California, especially Beverly Hills and Los Angeles are famous for high standards and value placed upon a youthful and energetic look.

The recent exposure of the French breast implant company PIP has put breast implants back in the news. A recent article in the Atlantic highlighted once again the warnings and risk associated with breast implants. According to the article experts warn, that breast implants are likely to need long-term care. Breast implants do not last a lifetime, they will need replacing at some point in the future, the British Implant Information Society says on its website. It says modern devices are likely to last between 20 to 25 years, about 10 years longer on average than the older types developed in the early 1960s and 1970s. While this information is quoted from a British source it is similar to that stated by the FDA. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients considering breast augmentation the pros and cons of the procedure. It is important for patients to understand the difference between silicone and saline implants, taking into consideration both the material as well as which implants will be most aesthetically pleasing based on their body type. Dr. Kim is exceptional in developing mutual trust with his patients, so that they are able to comfortably understand his recommendations. Patients are given both written as well as verbal information concerning breast implants and are invited to view the abundance of information available on the FDA’s own website. While patients are never told that breast implants are a lifetime product, the article fails to mention that breast implants to have a lifetime warranty. This means that once patients pay for the breast implants, the manufacturer will always replace the implant if the implant is ruptured. The article also failed to mention that the overwhelming majority of patients are happy with their breast augmentation (and breast lift  if applicable) results and would recommend the procedure to their friends. Dr. Kim believes that his patients enjoy exceptional results because of his commitment to communication with his patients and commitment to exceeding their expectations.

We’ve all been told if you want to succeed in changing a habit, tell others and they will hold you accountable. Now,it seems as though, at least with dieting the opposite is true. If you want to succeed in losing weight do not tell anyone. According to the Los Angeles Times as human beings we have a difficult time with change, Jon Walz MD  said. So when someone we love alters his or her lifestyle, we have a problem dealing with it — even if that transformation is positive. (They) will try to change them back to what the culture tolerates, he said. The article goes on to explain the pressure of outsiders watching your every move that is related to food or other things that could affect dieting adds to failure. Successful dieting is difficult by most every account and keeping it a secret could be as difficult as keeping the weight off once it is lost. For patients who are able to lose the weight and maintain the weight loss it can be discouraging for patients to see that their breasts have lost volume as well as shape. In these cases Dr. Kim may recommend a breast augmentation combined with breast lift. For healthy patients these can be done in combination with each other and most patients choose silicone breast implants for this surgery. The degree of the breast lift will be determined by the amount of sagging to the breast. As an artist and surgeon is Dr. Kim’s goal to achieve the best result with the least amount of incisions necessary. Patients are commonly thrilled with the results and the incisions from the breast lift are typically undetectable within six months to a year under normal lighting.

Who would not love a New Year’s Day with temperatures over 70°? Throughout Southern California, people were actively out and about exercising and enjoying the beautiful weather. According to the Orange County Register Huntington Beach pier and the surrounding beaches and boardwalk were abuzz with activity on Monday. Bicyclists, volleyball players, joggers, skateboarders and people running their dogs vied for space as temperatures reached the 70s. Some exercisers were obviously first-timers. For others, Monday’s outing was a regular part of their routine. Dr. Kim hopes that his patients who are out and about have remembered to wear sunscreen. Some patients are surprised to learn that they are advised to wear sunscreen in the winter as faithfully as they do in the summertime. It is a myth that winter sun is not as harmful as summer sun. All of the dangers that are associated with overexposure to the sun are applicable to both winter and summer sun. The dangers include premature wrinkling, brown spots and sun damage, as well as accelerated loss of elasticity of the skin. As a result, patients become candidates for a facelift, brow lift, and blepharoplasty prematurely. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful rays must become a lifestyle choice and be carried out through the rest of their lives.

Pregnancy takes a toll on a woman’s body and emotional state of mind. It can be both an exhilarating time as well as a stressful time for many women. A recent online article took exception to the media outlets that published a story concerning a woman with an eating disorder. According to the online article the media outlets were alleging that pregnancy was a cure for anorexia, the eating disorder the woman was suffering from. According to the post the woman in the article credits her ability to place her baby’s health above her own as a cure for her anorexia. The online article is very stern in pointing out that pregnancy is not a cure for anorexia. This attitude assumes that the woman will place the baby’s health above their own. It also assumes that once the baby is born that all of the issues that led to the eating disorder will miraculously disappear. Based on the recidivism rate for patients who suffer from eating disorders, it is evident that without treatment the likelihood of the triggers that caused the eating disorder being powerful enough to cause a relapse is very good. Dr. Kim empathizes with his many patients who have had children and realize that their bodies have changed dramatically. Although most patients are not suffering from eating disorders, it is one of the medical conditions patients are advised to disclose to Dr. Kim. Provided the patient is healthy, most women choose to have breast augmentation( some with a breast lift) and abdominoplasty to regain their pre-pregnancy figure. These procedures address the sagging and loss of volume in the breast as well as the loose and lax skin on the abdomen. For better contour, Dr. Kim may add liposuction to enhance the waistline. Overwhelmingly, patients are thrilled with the results. Pregnancy does take a toll on a woman’s body but there is hope and satisfaction available through the expertise and skill Dr. Kim offers.