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Once a woman makes the decision to have breast augmentation, there can be a great deal of anxiety concerning the right size breast implants to choose. While it is true that the choice of size is ultimately up to the patient there are guidelines for choosing the right size breast implants. Choosing the size of breast implants is not related to silicone or saline implants. Patient should have a general idea of the type of look or appearance they would like to achieve after breast augmentation. As an artist as well as a highly skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is able to create exceptional results for patients by taking into consideration not only their desires, but also what is most aesthetically pleasing. While very few patients approached the breast augmentation process with the idea that they would like to be as big as possible; there are some women who feel this way. It is important for patients to realize that the bigger the implant, the more the risk for capsular contracture (excessive hardening of scar tissue around the implant) becomes a reality. Breast implants are sized with specific measurements based on the patients measurements. The breast implant manufacturers have measurement guidelines that help to determine which implant would be most likely to help the patient achieve the look that they desire. Of course, because breast augmentation is not an exact science, the skill and expertise of the plastic surgeon is a large part of the equation for achieving exceptional results. Dr. Kim advises patients when choosing their breast implants and will make recommendations based on his experience as well as the patients breast measurements and body type. Patients should consider wardrobe selection following plastic surgery. If patients choose extremely large breast implants that are not proportionate with the rest of their body there is a likelihood that they may no longer be able to wear clothes that they have in their wardrobe or buy clothes  easily.

Losing weight is one of the hardest tasks any of us willingly undertake. As evidenced by the nation’s obesity rate most of us are unsuccessful. A recent local online article gave tips that they claim would lead to permanent weight loss. According to the article you should start your weight loss plan with set goals that are measured daily, weekly, and monthly. According to the article this alerts your brain that it will take willpower and a good memory to be successful. Although it sounds a bit strange, the article claims that if you concentrate as you chew, when you slowdown and chew the food thoroughly, it helps to eat less and thus lose weight. According to the article those who chewed their food each bite 40 times actually ate 12% less than those who chewed only 15 times. This also produces less ghrelin, which is the hunger hormone. Psychologically putting your fork down between bites also helps. Green tea is also very helpful. It has been called diet drug in a mug because it EGCG compounds help to reduce the absorption of fat and increase the amount of fat in the body eliminates. You should try to drink 3 to 5 cups daily. Have a “safe to eat list” to go to in social situations where there may be drinking or fatty foods to tempt you. Keep your goals in mind but dont obsess if you slip. One nutritionist advised to eat three bites  of what youre craving and then throw it away. Dr. Kim advises patients who are concerned with weight loss to also consider their appearance as they lose weight. While body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty or liposuction and are not weight loss procedures they can help to improve a patients self-confidence thus allowing for more success in meeting their weight loss goals.

What if food cravings really were not your fault? According to recent Los Angeles Times article food cravings may be traced back to our genes. According to the article Our attraction to sweets — and salt, carbohydrates and fat — is hard-wired from the Stone Age, says Dr. David Katz, director of Yale Universitys Prevention Research Center. Historically food cravings were triggers for our ancestors to search for foods that would provide energy(sugar and fat) and essential minerals like salt. Although food today is plentiful and the search for food rarely involves physical activity besides driving to the grocery store ,we have still preserved craving tendencies because of the slow process of evolution  Katz, theorizes. So if were hardwired it probably smarter to work with cravings instead of try to fight them. According to the article thinking of these fatty foods as foods that we cant eat rather than ones that we dont eat contributes to failure in avoiding them. The theory is that avoiding words that imply deprivation can help people succeed in eliminating fatty foods that they crave from their diet. Dr. Kim explains to patients that maintaining a healthy diet and stable weight is important; however, the genes we are born with have a lot to do with the contour of our body. When Dr. Kim performs liposuction as a naturally talented artist and experienced plastic surgeon he is able to create extraordinary results for patients. He works with the patients body structure and contour helping to create a more aesthetically pleasing and proportionate appearance. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and patient should understand that the goal is to create better contour not necessarily make the patient look smaller. Liposuction can be performed on almost every area of the body and because of Dr. Kim’s expertise and artistic talent patients are pleased to learn that many areas can be addressed that they had not considered.

Recent reports including statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have found that more men are embracing plastic surgery procedures. The most popular procedure reported was Botox injections. Most men who choose to have Botox injections report that they do so to have a more relaxed look on their face and to eliminate strong lines and wrinkles on their forehead. Since singles makeup over 50% of the American population ,single men may wonder how plastic surgery would affect their dating life. Dr.Dating in todays society is much more visual before ever meeting prospective partners than ever before. Online dating which is extremely popular among all age groups and has allowed single men to be viewed much more quickly than they would be in an in person chance encounter. When men tell Dr. Kim that they have concerns over there appearance and would like to look younger and more refreshed to increase their dating options, Dr. Kim will typically recommend noninvasive fillers(Restylane or Juvederm) to fill in any deep lines that are of concern. He may also discussed a brow lift and blepharoplasty is which often helps  men to see an immediate improvement that could take as much is 7 to 8 years off of his appearance. Dr. Kim also reminds men that a svelte and toned body also helps to look younger and more energetic. Often he will recommend liposuction of the abdomen for men who have thickness in the upper abdomen or love handles on the sides. For men who have excessive breast tissue he may recommend gynecomastia surgery to remove the excess breast tissue and create a flatter more aesthetically pleasing chest. This will allow men to take advantage of many of the newer fashions and create a more youthful and energetic appearance. Undoubtedly, the more self- confidence a single man has the more likely he is to attract women.

Some recommendations are being made for women concerning heart failure symptoms that fall short of addressing the needs of women specifically. According to recent online article women and men share many of the same symptoms when it comes to heart disease but when considering heart failure women have their own unique set of warning signs they should be aware of. Congestive heart failure accounts for 159,000 women dying every year this is four times as many as breast cancer. Women dont have the typical symptoms, said cardiologist Dr. Ali Tabrizchi. The symptoms for women are easy to ignore and include: tiredness, shortness of breath, swelling or unexplained weight gain. Many patients just get used to the symptoms and the shortness of breath they may attribute to lack of exercise or aging. Tabrizchi says “even if you only have one of these symptoms you need to be evaluated for underlying heart disease.” Dr. Kim requires all patients to provide a medical history prior to having any plastic surgery procedure. Older patients are required to obtain medical clearance from their primary care physician prior to having plastic surgery procedures. As an ASPS plastic surgeon patient safety is of the utmost concern. Many women who are considering procedures like abdominoplasty or facelift could find that not all doctors performing plastic surgery procedures will require medical testing clearance prior to surgery. Patients are cautioned that the requirement for pre-surgical testing is in the interest of patient safety. While plastic surgery complications are extremely rare they can happen. The best way to ensure that health risks are minimized is to be as certain as possible that the patient is in excellent health. Dr. Kim provides every patient with written detailed information including the risks and benefits of plastic surgery.

Globally the warning has been issued that lack of exercise can be as fatal as smoking. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article globally people are falling so far behind on exercise that the problem has become a global pandemic, resulting in nearly 1/10 of the deaths worldwide and killing almost as many people as smoking, researchers warned this week in a series of studies published in the Lancet. According to the studies, nearly a third of the adults fall short of the exercise that is recommended for them and the problem is magnified for girls and women who according to the studies are less active in boys and men researchers discovered. The results of inactivity are deathly. Lack of exercise is associated with worldwide killers include heart disease, breast cancer,  and colon cancer. It is estimated that if just one-quarter of inactive adults increase their exercise level more than 1.3 million deaths would be prevented worldwide on an annual basis researchers claimed. According to the researchers, half an hour of brisk walking five times per week is all that is necessary.  Dr. Kim shares with his patients that a lifestyle which includes regular exercise and a healthy diet will allow his patients to enjoy their plastic surgery results for the majority of their lifetime. Patients who have had body contouring procedures including abdominoplasty or liposuction should be cautious concerning their lifestyle choices. These procedures do not eliminate the possibility of gaining weight as some may mistakenly believe. There are fat cells that remain and they can in fact be overpowered, which if the patient is not careful they are susceptible to gaining weight. While this would change the original body contour created by the surgery, provided the patient does not gain an excessive amount of weight, the body contour that was created by Dr. Kim will remain intact. Most patients who have had body contouring procedures with Dr. Kim are extremely pleased with the results long-term.

As men enter the baby boomer generation they are much less likely to seek routine medical care and screening. Prostate screening has been avoided by many men mostly because of fear of an early diagnosis. According to recent news article the conclusion of a recent groundbreaking study found that most men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer are expected to live just as long if they simply watch their cancers rather than have them surgically removed. This was based on the results of a landmark clinical trial that could change the medical approach to a disease that affects one in six men currently. The study focused on cancer still combined to the prostate and should encourage patients who are anxious to avoid distressing side effects of the surgery which include urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction-but the goal is to still protect their lives which cancer experts emphasize. This study could change the way early prostate cancer diagnosis is treated. Currently it is aggressively removed surgically or treated with radiation therapy. The results of the clinical trial-the largest ever and the first since widespread PSA screening-could be welcomed news from in diagnosed with early prostate cancer. More studies will need to be completed and men are encouraged to continue prostate screening as recommended by their primary care physician. Just as men should embrace their overall health as they age they should also embrace opportunities to look as young as they feel. Dr. Kim helps his male patients understand that plastic surgery can be a pleasant experience for men. Popular procedures like abdominal liposuction and gynecomastia surgery can create a svelte and toned body and give a more youthful and energetic appearance. Abdominal liposuction can contour the abdomen and eliminate love handles that could spill over the waistline. Gynecomastia surgery allows Dr. Kim to remove excess male breast tissue and fat on the chest that can be embarrassing and unsightly. These procedures can be combined provided the patient is healthy. Dr. Kim encourages men to schedule a consultation to see if male plastic surgery procedures are a viable solution for them.

In recent years we have seen the economy change the way most every business functions. Financing, both the good and the bad, has been the source of many changes. Financing has been offered for plastic surgery for a couple of decades and there have been both good and bad experiences as companies have come and gone. The choice to finance plastic surgery is a serious one and should be considered carefully. Dr. Kim offers outside financing options with reputable companies that are specifically dedicated to medical financing. The decision to finance plastic surgery should be independent of the plastic surgery decision. Dr. Kim explains to each patient his recommendation concerning the plastic surgery procedure they desire. Patients who are considering procedures like breast augmentation should consider first the breast augmentation procedure and their desire to choose Dr. Kim to perform the procedure. Once they have decided Dr. Kim is their choice to perform the procedure then if the funds are not readily available they should consider financing options. Patients should be aware of the details of their financing option and should be clear on additional financing charges and interest rates that apply to the loan. Dr. Kim’s staff is well trained to help patients navigate the financing process and is more than willing to help with questions patients may have. Some finance companies offer credit that can be used on different visits for injectables, or second stage procedures like abdominoplasty or additional liposuction. If this is something that is important to you Dr. Kim encourages patients to share that information with his staff while they are pursuing financing options for the patient. Whether to finance your plastic surgery or not is a personal decision each patient must make for themselves. It is significant to note, that many patients have chosen financing for plastic surgery over the past years and they overwhelmingly have been pleased with their decision.

Revisions in plastic surgery can cause patients a great deal of anxiety and angst. Plastic surgery is not a perfect science and even when doctors operate to the best of their ability and patients are on their best behavior revisions could be needed sometime closely following surgery. Generally patients are advised to return to the original operating plastic surgeon when at all possible. When that is not possible or it is not the patients choice Dr. Kim invites the patient for an initial consultation. Patients should be aware that when consulting for a secondary surgery patients should if at all possible bring their medical records and any other supporting information that will help Dr. Kim during the consultation. They should also be aware that secondary surgeries carry a slightly higher risk with regard to possible complications. It is important for patients to have the right mindset and not to be concerned with blame or regret when the goal is to improve upon the results if possible. Breast revision surgeries tend to be the most popular since breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure. Patient concerns could range from dissatisfaction with breast implant size, to severe rippling or asymmetries. Dr. Kim explains to patients that when at all possible his goal is to minimize the extent of surgery required. With breast revision surgery there could be a need to perform a capsulectomy( removing excess scar tissue) as well as exchanging breast implants. Each of these procedures could add time to the surgery which could also increase surgery fees. Dr. Kim’s patients are able to benefit from his natural artistic ability combined with surgical expertise when performing revision surgery. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations prior to their breast revision surgery and understand that the goal is to improve upon the existing result is much as possible. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering breast revision surgery to schedule a consultation to discover which solutions are best for them.

The summer heat even in the sunny dry heat of Southern California can be brutal to the body and the skin. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article it is very important that people hydrate their body to avoid serious health concerns. According to the article some drinks prove to be better for our health than others and some people need more fluids in the system to stay healthy according to says Dr. Marc I. Leavey, an internist at Mercy Medical Center and Lutherville Personal Physicians. For dehydration that comes as a result of exercise combined with heat cool water is the best option. If the dehydration as a result of total fluid loss for example from diarrhea or vomiting then an electrolyte solution or drinks like Gatorade or Pedialyte can be useful when used as the package guidelines direct. However; most adults do well with water only. Salt tablets are not recommended as they can lead to hypernatremia or too much salt in the body. Energy drinks are not recommended. They contain excessive amounts of caffeine which in turn stimulate the kidney to produce excessive urine when exercising which causes even more dehydration. They can also cause the same reaction as a laxative when exercising which of course would have undesirable effects. When heat and exercise are combined the pulse rate often rise and the caffeine in energy drinks pushes it even higher which can be extremely dangerous at high-levels. Just as the body needs to be hydrated; such is the same for the skin. Dr. Kim advises patients to utilize medical grade skin care products to maintain a healthy balance in the appearance and texture of the skin. Skin that you is exposed to extreme heat without lack of moisture is subject to premature aging. Dr. Kim uses expertise for facial rejuvenation procedures including facelift, brow lift, and blepharoplasty.