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Breast augmentation is a personal decision that many women consider across the country every day. The reasons for choosing breast augmentation vary greatly from patient to patient. For most women, it is a choice to improve their body contour, increase the size shape and contour of their bust line, and allow for better more appealing wardrobe choices. For those who have wondered why women choose breast augmentation they should consider the difficulty many women have in finding clothes that they like that also look good on their body. This can be very frustrating especially if you are at or near your ideal body weight and your hips are disproportionate to your bust line. It is also frustrating if you are a small woman who wears a smaller size yet the top of most outfits are gaping when you wear them. It disappointing when a woman has her eyes set on a special outfit, business suit, or low-cut blouse ventures to the dressing room and realizes that there is no way the wardrobe selection will work. Dr. Kim has conversations during consultation with many patients who express their frustration with wardroom choices. Breast augmentation using either saline or silicone breast implants increases a womans wardrobe choices by as much as three times. Patients who are candidates for breast lift combined with breast augmentation report the same satisfying increase to their wardrobe selections. It is also important to realize that the types of clothing worn after breast augmentation can change dramatically when a woman feels good about her figure, shape, and contour. Dr. Kim encourages women to schedule a consultation appointment to discover if breast augmentation is a positive option.

Its been a long time coming, but the first prescription diet drug in many years has finally been given FDA approval. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article The FDA has given its approval for the marketing of the weight-loss drug lorcaserin, the first prescription weight loss medication to achieve the FDAs approval since the department approved orlistat in 1999. After it receives clearance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the drug will be brought to market in the United States using the commercial name Belviq. The medication achieved marketing approval as a drug for the treatment of chronic weight management in adult patients with a BMI or body mass index of more than 30, or for patients who have a BMI of 27 or more with a weight-related condition that could include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Dr. Kim explains to patients who struggle with weight loss that fluctuating weight following procedures including liposuction and breast augmentation can negatively affect the patients results. This includes both significant weight gain as well as subsequent weight loss. Patients who have had breast augmentation may find that with significant weight loss their breast size could be reduced and as a result could show rippling of the breast implants, especially in patients who are extremely thin and have saline implants. Significant weight gain for patients who have had breast augmentation could cause the bust size to increase and subsequently there could be a new sagging component to the breast. Patients who have had liposuction could find with significant weight gain their results are no longer as pleasing as they were initially. As a general rule the rare numbers of patients who gain weight after liposuction tend to gain proportionately and are still satisfied with their results. Dr. Kim advises patients to maintain a stable and healthy weight for the best long-term results of all cosmetic plastic surgeries.

We have not heard from Heidi Montag in quite some time. She became a media sensation when she publicized her multiple plastic surgeries performed in the same procedure. At the time she was thrilled with all of her surgeries and recommended them highly. Fast forward to now, she is back in the news and a recent online article reported that in an interview she blames her liposuction for what she considers newly developed cellulite. Now, as a self-proclaimed plastic surgery expert she recommends people do not have liposuction and instead choose diet and exercise to shed excess pounds. Experienced plastic surgeons have long advised patient that liposuction does not cause cellulite. Cellulite is primarily a genetic condition and can be found prominently in the population that has not had liposuction. Most medical professionals agree that liposuction is a nonfactor for patients who have existing cellulite. In other words it does not cause cellulite however it does not treat it either. Liposuction performed incorrectly can cause dimpling of the skin but this is not cellulite. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, so reducing weight (as Heidi suggested) will not take care of specific areas were patients are concerned about small areas of fat. Dr. Kim is a true artist with artistic ability that can be displayed on canvas as well as on the body. This talent proves valuable when combined with his surgical skills and expertise Liposuction results are heavily dependent upon the plastic surgeon performing the procedure and patients must realize that it is a sculpting procedure. The correct amount of fat must be removed systematically to achieve the best long-term results. Dr. Kim encourages patients to schedule a personal consultation with him to determine if liposuction is an effective solution for their specific situation. Recommendations from celebrities and their personal experience should not override the value of a personal consultation.

It would be virtually impossible to find any medical professional that did not recommend sunscreen on a daily basis no matter where you live on the planet. In sunny Southern California is virtually a no-brainer. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article In May, the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., committed to health and the environment, released its annual Sunscreen Safety Guide. Overall it is in favor of using sunscreens, but it also highlights concerns, which, as a result have raised some serious debate. Its frustrating, says Dr. Darrell Rigel, a professor of dermatology at New York University, who worries that the EWG could be weighing in on environmental concerns too heavily in its studies and results. People dont wear sunscreen because its environmentally friendly. They wear it to protect themselves from cancer. …” The most dangerous thing is that people will become apathetic and not wear sunscreen at all. In general EWG concluded that sunscreen can be a line of defense but argued that the proof is not definitive that it is the most effective line of defense against the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. Of course, medical experts disagree. Dr. Kim encourages patients to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. As an experienced and seasoned ASPS plastic surgeon Dr. Kim has seen firsthand the effects of excessive sun exposure. It is proven to cause premature sun damage and wrinkling. There are options available to help reduce the signs of sun damage including laser surgery, and medical grade skin care products but the reality is the best defense is a good offense. Patient should also note that performing procedures like facelift or brow lift become much more difficult when the patient has existing sun damage.

Tom Cruise famously quoted in an interview for Playboy magazine concerning plastic surgery I havent, and I never would. This statement was published the May issue of Playboy magazine and as we know a lot has changed since then. Tom Cruise is now on the way to becoming a bachelor again at 50. Will this change his mind about the possibility of plastic surgery? Its anybodys guess and since he is not likely to admit, it the public can only speculate. It is important to note that Tom Cruise looks great for a 50-year-old man and if he has done so without any plastic surgery that is his choice. However, the average male approaching 50 years old is not likely to have skin that looks like Tom Cruise or abs that look like his either. Dr. Kim consults with male patients who are concerned with the effects of aging and often look to celebrities like Cruise and wonder why they dont have the same results. Dr. Kim explains that genetics play a large part in how a person ages. Also, it is likely that as a celebrity Cruise has had the advantage of the best foods, skin care, and lifestyle amenities money can buy. For most men all it takes is a decision to invest in products and services that will help them to maintain their most youthful appearance. Dr. Kim explains the some of the most popular procedures for men include Botox injectables which will help with wrinkles on the forehead. Also, gynecomastia( surgery that removes excessive male breast tissue) is also very popular. Many men over 50, also take advantage of abdominal liposuction which will help them to create and maintain a svelte and attractive waistline. Dr. Kim encourages men to schedule a consultation and determine if plastic surgery can help them to achieve the appearance they desire.

An artist can be defined in many different ways. Artistic skill and talent can manifest itself on canvas, a sketchpad, with clay or a number of other ways. Dr. Kim has possessed artistic talent since he was a young boy and has an innate talent for sketching lifelike depictions of the human face and body. So, it is not a surprise that combining talent with the skills of a plastic surgeon that the results he is able to yield are nothing short of phenomenal. It is not an overstatement when it is said by many of Dr. Kims patients that he is a true artist. This talent can best be appreciated with surgeries such as complex rhinoplasty or breast augmentation for women with severe asymmetries. An artistic eye combined with skilled surgical hands allow Dr. Kim to help patients who require complex rhinoplasty because they may have severe asymmetries, or require additional molding and sculpting to achieve stellar results that may seem unlikely in the hands of an average plastic surgeon. For patients who are considering breast augmentation and have severe breast asymmetries, which could include a deep indentation in the chest wall, or significant differences in breast tissue from one side compared to the other, Dr. Kim’s artistic skill and talent prove valuable in helping him to achieve the best symmetric results possible. While artistic skill from a plastic surgeon cannot be quantified in dollars and cents patients should never take for granted the value of and aesthetic artistic I when considering plastic surgery. The recommendation, the results, and the overall consistency of a plastic surgeons work heavily rely on the plastic surgeons artistic skill and talent. Dr. Kim encourages patients to schedule a consultation to see how his artistic skills and surgical talent can help them to achieve the look that they desire.

One of the first telltale signs of aging can be seen on the eyes. In the bright California sunshine the eyes take a beating every day.

According to a recent article one way to defend against the negative effects of the sun on your eyes is to invest in a good pair of sunglasses. According to the article for most people fashion is the number one concern when choosing a new pair of sunglasses; however, eye doctors are adamant about teaching consumers that the number one concern should be making sure that the sunglasses are effective in protecting the eyes from sun damage -even if it means spending more money.

UVA or UVB protection

Dr. Dana Tannenbaum, a ophthalmologist in North Hollywood, related to CBS2 that a good quality, effective pair of sunglasses should cost at a minimum $100 and increase from there. They should have 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and they should have polarized lenses. It is important for consumers not to pick a designer pair of glasses that cost well over $100, yet have no UVA or UVB protection.

Eyelid Protection

Protecting the eyes from some damage also protects the eyelids and the area beneath the eyes which can become sun damaged and wrinkled. Dr. Kim consults with patients who complain of wrinkled and loose skin on the eyelids as well as loose skin beneath the eyes. Some patients tell Dr. Kim that friends and family members think they’re tired when they look at their eyes. They also tell him that when they look at themselves in the mirror they look much older than they really are.

Blepharoplasty (Eye lid surgery)

For some women it is virtually impossible to wear eye shadow throughout the day without creating creases due to excessive loose skin. Dr. Kim will typically recommend a blepharoplasty or eyelid lift. This will correct both the upper eyelids as well as the area beneath the eyes.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim, contact us (310) 271-6996 at or click here.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

With the popularity of breast augmentation there are many questions patients have when considering the procedure. Some of the questions many patients ask Dr. Kim concern the breast implants and sizing. For some patients it can be a question filled with anxiety. Dr. Kim makes a point to help alleviate any fears or concerns that patients may have concerning breast implants and sizing. First, patients should understand that both saline and silicone implants are FDA approved as safe medical devices. Breast implants remain one of the most studied medical devices used today. Dr. Kim offers both types of implants and helps patients to understand if he has a preference of one over the other the detailed reasons as to why he is making the recommendation. When considering sizing for breast implants patients must first understand that the final decision lies solely with the patient. This means that it is not a good idea to allow a boyfriend or a significant other to choose the size of the patients implants if the patient is not in total agreement. It is also important for patients to understand the type of look they would like to achieve and take into consideration their lifestyle and personality when making the decision. As a general rule most patients will increase their bust size with breast augmentation by two cup sizes. This means that if the patient wears an A cup most patients will increase to a C cup. This accounts for approximately 80% of the patient population. 10% would choose smaller implants and 10% will choose larger implants. Patients must fully understand that bra sizes are not universal and that bra cup size cannot be guaranteed. Overall, patient should trust that as an artist and skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is committed to helping patients make the right decision.

Plastic surgery is a personal decision, yet it involves many different emotions not only for the patient but for those involved in the patients life as well. Choosing to proceed with plastic surgery can conjure up many different emotions. The emotions can range from self-doubt to anxiety, and most patients will look to friends and family members to help ease the tension. It is important to have the right support when choosing to have plastic surgery. Friends and family can be helpful; however, it is important to remember that they approach the situation with their own set of emotions and preconceived ideas. For some patients, after having procedures like breast augmentation they find that some of their friendships become strained through what they describe as jealousy. It can be difficult for a friendship when one of the friends has had plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation or liposuction which dramatically changed their outer appearance. In many cases the patient is more comfortable, has higher self-esteem and self-confidence. This can cause some patients to be more outgoing and for some friends this could breed jealousy. It is important for patients to understand that friends and family members in some cases need to be given the time to get used to “the new you”. With a little time and understanding most relationships can return to what they were prior to surgery. Also, remember that you can refer friends and family to Dr. Kim and they too can experience the same satisfactory results. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering plastic surgery procedures to schedule a consultation to see which procedures are best for them. Dr. Kim enjoys a robust practice with plenty of referrals and appreciates patients who share their experience.

Remember when the term cougar (which referred to older women dating younger men) was hot and happening? It seems as though the term is not used as much anymore. Did it go away with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher? Make no mistake about it women over 40 are looking amazing and choosing younger men to complement their lives. Celebrities are no exception. Just look at Jennifer Lopez and Casper or Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade just to name a couple. Dr. Kim consults with many women who are committed to maintaining their most youthful appearance and fighting the aging process every step of the way. This does not necessarily mean that they do not embrace their age and the wisdom that comes with it- it only means that having your most youthful and beautiful appearance matters. For many of these women plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation and liposuction are the perfect complement to maintaining a shapely figure. Breast augmentation expands a womans wardrobe by as much as three times. Older women enjoy the ability to wear fashions that are considered”younger” as well as conservative fashions if they so choose. There are many women who are not comfortable with buying jeans that have special tummy panels or built-in but lifts. These women are proud to choose plastic surgery as an option, and understand that just as the aging process is not stagnant; neither should their choice be to maintain their most youthful appearance. It is not uncommon for women in this stage of life to use injectables including Botox to smooth the wrinkles on the forehead as well as crows feet on the outer corner of the eyes. Dermal fillers including Restylane  and Juvederm help to add volume to the face in areas where patients have lost volume. Dr. Kim invites patients to schedule a consultation to determine which plastic surgery procedures will help them maintain their most youthful appearance.