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Without making a conscious decision to avoid food that we know is bad for us it is really hard not to develop bad eating habits. a recent article in Psychology Today focused on small business owners who seem to have a real struggle erasing the bad eating habits from their daily lives. According to the article many small business owners eat on the job and rarely quantify just how much they have eaten in any given day. Needless to say, this can add pounds to the hips quicker than we can recognize. The article gave some good tips on how to avoid falling into this unsavory habit. One tip was to eat a good healthy breakfast. This will help curb cravings for something sweet in the morning meetings. Another good tip is to keep your own stash for afternoon munching. This will help to avoid the vending machines and also control your portions as well as content. For those who have overindulged and start to notice slight increases in weight, this is the best time to address the problem. When diet and exercise have not yielded good results Dr. Kim recommends that patients consider liposuction. While liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, it can help to rid the body of specific areas of fat and improve contour. As a true artist, Dr. Kim is able to sculpt the body and create a much more aesthetically pleasing shape for the patient. For many patients this goes a long way and helping them to maintain their best appearance.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’re aware that Demi Moore was recently hospitalized due to what her publicist say was exhaustion. Subsequently according to her publicist she is receiving medical help for her overall health. Most news articles referenced her marriage to Ashton Kutcher ending and causing much of her emotional pain. The overriding inference is that Demi Moore does not like the concept of growing older. More specifically she does not like the look that comes with growing older or the inevitable mortality that comes with it. If most of us are honest we don’t like it either. The difference is that Ms. Moore has to face it in the public eye. Nowhere is this obsession with youth more evident than where we are in Beverly Hills. There is a very distinct difference between youthfulness and being young. Being young is something that is out of our control, it is based on chronological age and no one can change that. On the other hand, youthfulness is totally within our control. We can act, think, feel, and yes look young. Plastic surgery embraces the idea of looking younger and better than you would without it. Dr. David Kim empathizes with his patients and their desire to maintain our most youthful and attractive appearance at every stage of their lives. Offering patients options that include both noninvasive procedures including Botox and fillers as well as surgical procedures like facelift, and laser surgery allows patients the tools to achieve the looks that they desire. Most patients understand that plastic surgery is an enhancement for what is on the outside. A healthy mind and body are also an essential part of maintaining your best most youthful appearance.

The pursuit of happiness is an American right and so many of us seem to be pursuing it vigorously. As we age it seems as though the energy we once had is no longer present and happiness at different times in our lives seems to elude us. According to a recent article in Psychology Today most adults don’t give themselves a bedtime. One suggestion: Give yourself a bedtime. Even if you don’t actually go to bed on time, at the very least, you should know that you’re staying up past your bedtime. Just the realization that it’s an hour past your bedtime might help you nudge yourself into bed. Most adults should get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, so do the math. if you are not happy and do not have enough energy in may equal up to lack of sleep. It is difficult to find an adult who was working and actually gets the 7 to 8 hours of recommend sleep every night. Dr. Kim explains to patients were scheduled for cosmetic plastic surgery that preparation for the procedure will give them not only a better cosmetic plastic surgery experience but also better healing. The two weeks prior to cosmetic surgery are very important. Patients are advised to stop any medications that may interfere with surgery. Patients are given a detailed preoperative appointment that includes written instructions. These instructions reiterate the importance of a good night sleep. Patients who are having procedures including facelift, rhinoplasty or other facial procedures should be prepared with elevated pillows for sleeping. Some patients sleep this way a couple of days prior to the procedure so that they will be used to the position once they have surgery. Patient should never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.

The benefits of exercise can never be underestimated when it comes to health and wellness. A recent Los Angeles Times article highlighted the benefits of exercise even for those who are cancer survivors. According to the article breast cancer patients who exercised showed improvements in body mass index, weight and blood sugar control, and had better lower limb strength. They also had less fatigue and depression and had an improved quality of life. For those with other types of cancer, improvements were seen in BMI and body weight, oxygen consumption and hand-grip strength (fitness measures), as well as depression and quality of life. It is promising not only to see survivors from cancer but also to know that the quality of life can be something people newly diagnosed can look forward to. Dr. Kim advises his breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction patients to be diligent concerning their breast health. Patients who are diagnosed early with breast cancer greatly increase their chances of survival. It is advised the women follow the American Cancer Societys recommendation which includes monthly breast self exam as well as yearly mammograms after 40 years of age. Patients who have a strong family history should consult their primary care physician to determine the best form of early detection for their specific situation. Dr. Kim is committed to helping his patients not only enjoy the results of cosmetic surgery but also their quality of life.

The initiative for Americans to eat foods that are healthier has been in the media for quite some time now. Restaurants, grocers, and food manufacturers have scrambled to be the first offer healthy foods that consumers will like, eat, and can afford. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article Walmart will begin to offer healthy foods beginning in the spring. Its pretty hard to believe that Walmart and healthy food will be synonymous but according to the article thats the goal.  Walmart introduced its Great For You icon this week at a Web cast and press conference. Its part of the mega-chains healthier foods initiative started last year to offer more healthful and less expensive foods to customers. According to Walmart, they meet rigorous nutrition criteria informed by the latest nutrition science and authoritative guidance from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Institute of Medicine. The standards were developed with help from food and nutrition experts and leading health organizations, a news release explains. It is probably a stretch to believe that Walmart will replace Whole Foods as a healthy food destination for consumers ,but  eating foods that are healthier will help consumers to lose weight and maintain a healthy stable weight. Dr. Kim emphasizes to his patients that eating healthy and maintaining a regular exercise schedule is important however it does not guarantee that patients will not have problems with stubborn fat pockets that tend to become an issue as we age. These fat pockets tend to appear on the thighs, upper and lower abdomen, and upper back. Dr. Kim will typically recommend liposuction to help the patient achieve better contour. As a true artist, Dr. Kim is able to sculpt the body and create a svelte and toned figure for patients. Patient should be close to their ideal body weight for the best results. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients that the results are heavily dependent upon the surgeon performing the procedure. It is tempting for patients to search for discount liposuction procedures. The truth is although liposuction is a popular procedure, it is often performed sub standardly by untrained medical professionals. Dr. Kim is proud of his results, and his ever-growing population of patients and referrals are a testimony to his performance and consistency.

Being in the spotlight, especially as a young celebrity, involves incredible pressure. Unfortunately, as a woman, most of the pressure is based on weight as it relates to attractiveness. According to a recent Orange County Register article Adele (the popular Grammy award-winning British singer) recently went on the defense to respond to nasty comments made by Karl Lagerfeld. He was quoted as calling her a little too fat. Adele responded”I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that. Most women worldwide have responded very positively to Adele’s comments. Even as a young 23-year-old it appears as though she takes her celebrity status very seriously and is conscious of her influence on other young women. Most women are larger than the models on TV and magazines and it appears as though her audience will continue to embrace her, possibly even more than before. Dr. Kim explains to patients that body shape and contour is not only about weight. Every patient is not going to be a size 4. The important thing is that patients look and feel good about their shape and contour. Liposuction is an excellent procedure for helping patients achieve the shape and curves that they desire. Often Dr. Kim will perform liposuction on the abdomen, outer thighs, and lower back, achieving stellar results that patients could not have achieved through diet and exercise alone. As a true artist, Dr. Kim celebrates women of every size and helps them realize that beauty does not come with one consistent size.

The obesity epidemic has prompted the pharmaceutical companies to search for obesity drugs that would help consumers lose weight. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article one of the most promising obesity drugs to come along in a long time appears to destroy bone. Research published this week shows the hormone, called fibroblast growth factor 21, causes bone loss while it burns fat. This is a huge setback and disappointment. For many researchers this drug was able to burn fat better than previous drugs in development. Two studies, one published last week in the journal Cell, and another published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used mice to examine the effects of FGF21. Over a two-week period, mice that were fed the compound lost 78% of their spongy bone. Mice bred to lack the hormone completely had large gains in bone mass. The goal will be to find in obesity drug without harmful side effects. So far, this has eluded researchers. When an obesity drug is found people who benefit from it are likely to have the same drawbacks and their appearance as people who lose weight from other sources. It is likely that many patients will seek post massive weight loss plastic surgery. Dr. Kim explains to patients who have lost large amounts of weight that plastic surgery is an excellent option for removing skin and achieving a better appearance. Most patients can benefit from procedures including abdominoplasty and breast lift. Patients should understand that Dr. Kim is a plastic surgeon who is skilled in not only achieving the best possible aesthetic results but also in providing the safest options available.

When people think of the economy and are looking for measures of its increase or decrease plastic surgery is often an indicator. According to a recent Orange County Register report the ASPS is reporting a modest increase in plastic surgery procedures performed over the past year. According to the story the ASPS says 13.8 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures — both surgical and minimally-invasive such as Botox or filler injections – were performed in the United States in 2011. Also, 5.5 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year, up 5%, as well. Cosmetic surgery went up 2%, with nearly 1.6 million procedures in 2011, the ASPS said. Dr. Kim is fortunate to have established a practice based on skills that are unique. Dr. Kim is one of the few ASPS plastic surgeons who is a true artist. Dr. Kims artistic skill includes sketching and drawing. This talent uniquely positions him to combine his medical training with artistic talent and achieve superior results. The economy has affected plastic surgery across the board and is seen most evidently with breast augmentation, liposuction, and facelift. These are the more popular procedures and have many non- plastic surgeon providers offering the procedures. Dr. Kim has remained steadfast in offering the best plastic surgery options available, competitively priced, without compromising safety. This philosophy has allowed him to continue to thrive regardless of the condition of the economy.

It would not be Southern California, specifically Beverly Hills if we did not address plastic surgery at the Grammys. Of course, we know that plenty of celebrities have chosen different cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. According to the Orange County Register plastic surgery was well represented Sunday night at the Grammys. Speculation swirled as to whether or not Nikki Manaj had a rhinoplasty, and there was applause for Jane Seymour and what most agree was a very natural looking 61-year-old. Cyndi Lauper was criticized for what the readers felt was too much plastic surgery and a very unnatural look. Paul McCartney appeared to also have had obvious plastic surgery which should not come as a huge surprise after a well-publicized divorce and new marriage. While watching celebrities at the Grammys and guessing which procedures they have had done is tongue-in-cheek fun, the reality is they are in the spotlight and do not represent the majority of the population. Dr. Kim helps his patients to realize that the goal is to help each patient achieve their best appearance. This is personal and will change as patient’s age. For example, patients in their early 20s who consult with Dr. Kim for breast augmentation may have very different desires then patients who are in their 50s consulting with Dr. Kim for breast augmentation. Dr. Kim is careful to take not only the patients health and lifestyle into account but also their expectations prior to making a recommendation. Most patients are thrilled to have the opportunity to enjoy their best appearance regardless of their age.

The chemicals in cosmetics have been under fire for quite some time. According to recent ABC news report both lipsticks and perfumes are raising concerns about the chemicals contained within them. According to the article the concern began with testing done by the FDA that showed traceable levels of lead in top name lipsticks. The FDA did point out that the lead levels were not dangerous but nevertheless the lipsticks did test positive for elevated levels of lead. Consumer advocacy groups are outraged by the nonchalant attitude of the FDA and feel as though no level of lead is acceptable. Perfumes also are known to carry chemicals that alone are considered dangerous.” There are no FDA standards in regulating the amount of chemicals in products, saidStacy Malkan, co-founder of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. ”Companies don’t even need to know the chemicals that they are putting in their products. When these companies are asked about these chemicals, they argue, ‘it’s legal, so it’s OK,’” said Malkan. “That’s why we’re calling for the FDA to set a standard and give guidance to these companies for the best manufacturing practices.” It is not surprising that some people would find the regulation of chemicals in cosmetics  used primarily by women a necessary plight. Dr. Kim cautions patients against blindly believing that anything that bears an FDA approval is safe and effective. The FDA approval lets consumers and patients know that the device or product has passed the FDA standards at the time of testing. It is not an absolute. In cosmetic plastic surgery many devices have been presented to the market as alternatives to liposuction. Some are FDA approved and therefore patients could believe that they will work affectively for them. The truth is for procedures like liposuction that are extremely dependent upon the expertise and knowledge of the plastic surgeon, results can vary regardless of which method of liposuction is used. Dr. Kim encourages patients to consult with him and consider the best liposuction options for the patient based on long-term studies, his own success with his patients, and proven safety methods. FDA approval has its place, but nothing should replace the one-on-one conversation with an experienced ASPS plastic surgeon.