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Skin cancer is not a disease that is talked about as much as other cancers. But, the seriousness of the disease and the ease of preventing it should be talked about often. Excessive direct sun exposure has been known to cause skin cancer. According to a recent KTLA news report the dangers extend to animals as well. According to the news report scientists have discovered the wild fish are contracting skin cancer from ultraviolet radiation. About 15% of coral trout located in Australias Great Barrier Reef were found to have cancerous lesions on the scales. Theyre said to closely resemble the Australian population. Two and three people who live in Australia are estimated to be diagnosed with skin cancer prior to the age of 70. This is the highest rate in the world. Skin cancer is associated with the fact that Australia is directly under the biggest hole in the ozone layer. Scientists were surprised to make the discovery of skin cancer in the fish. Initially they thought the patches were some sort of infection and later found them to be melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Dr. Kim emphasizes to patients that sunscreen should be worn on a daily basis to block dangerous UV rays that are known to cause skin cancer. Moles that have changed color, gotten larger, or are bleeding should also be removed. Many patients have Dr. Kim perform mole removal because of their concern for the appearance of the incision and subsequent scar. Patients who are having procedures like breast augmentation or facelift and have moles in the area where the procedure will be performed, should consider having the moles removed at the same time they are having surgery. Other patients may contact the office to schedule an appointment.

Dieting methods are not new. They change and tend to trend from time to time. Currently, the new dieting methods do not encourage extreme food deprivation. According to  a recent Los Angeles Times article new dieting methods can be confusing encouraging the consumption of more protein, more carbs, lets gluten and everything else in between. Gluten-free diets have become the celebrity craze and celebrities including Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian credit their weight loss to a gluten-free diet. No surprise here, eliminating gluten means eliminating high calorie cookies, breads, and cakes. All of the new cookbooks and diet fads emphasized the necessity to review food labels carefully. Dr. Kim empathizes with his patients who are desperate to lose weight. He helps them understand that dieting is not necessarily the answer and that they should not become fixated on a certain number for the scale. It is better to focus on contour shape and the best most comfortable weight for their body frame. Often patients are concerned with weight loss when the reality is what they do not like about their shape and contour is not related to their weight. For patients who are within their ideal body weight yet they have fat pockets distributed throughout their body, liposuction can be an excellent solution. As an artist as well as an ASPS plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim is able to sculpt the body and create and remove fat from unwanted places helping to create a more proportionate body shape and contour. It is important for patients to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It will help patients to achieve better results than they could through diet and exercise and alone. In order to maintain the results for lifetime it is imperative that patients are good about diet and exercise throughout the rest of their lives.

As the United States continues to be a melting pot cultural appearances continue to change as well. It is not unusual for people to desire a change in their appearance that is considered an ethnic identifying mark. For different populations the ethnic markers vary. For instance, for some Asian patients there is desire to change the shape of the eyes slightly to create a more open appearance. For some Italian, Jewish, or Armenian patients their nose is considered an ethnic identifying marker from their perspective. The ethnic markers are not limited to the eyes and the nose, for some African-American and Hispanic patients their shapely bottoms and curves are considered part of their ethnic markers. This subject is not to be confused with stereotypes; these are mostly based on the patients own perceptions. Choosing to have plastic surgery should always be about the patient and their desires not what others think about the validity of their concerns. Many of these patients tell Dr. Kim that their goal is not to change the ethnic appearance of their face or body, the goal is to enhance their appearance and help them to feel better about themselves. Dr. Kim explains that whether he is performing a blepharoplasty for an Asian patient, rhinoplasty for an Italian patient, or liposuction for a Hispanic patient, he is committed to carefully listening to the desires of the patient and working with them as closely as possible to achieve the results that they desire. It is not his goal to change their minds or to create a more “mainstream appearance “if that is not what they desire. Dr. Kim is able to utilize his substantial artistic talent combined with exceptional surgical skill when creating desired results for ethnic patients who are concerned about achieving the results that they desire.

It is about that time a year  when some people start to consider whether or not they should attend their high school or college reunion. Social media has made this more popular mostly because of the curiosity people have in finding out what people look like and what is going on in their lives. Dr. Kim often consults with patients who are panicking about their upcoming class reunion and want to know which procedures they can have done ”quickly” that will help them look their best. Dr. Kim explains that noninvasive procedures including Botox and dermal fillers like Restylane or Juvederm can be helpful; however, their effectiveness is limited, and they are temporary. Patients who are considering procedures like breast augmentation or abdominoplasty need to consider the recovery time that is likely if their intention is to be completely healed prior to their class reunion. It is very common for patients to have these procedures performed together and the recovery time is likely to be about six weeks before the patient is socially acceptable without any” telltale signs” of cosmetic plastic surgery. Dr. Kim’s patients tell him that making the investment in plastic surgery prior to their class reunion was one of the best decisions that they ever made. Patients say that they were able to attend their reunion with greater self-confidence and an increased self-image. Its obvious when attending a class reunion that everyone has gotten older, but there is no doubt that it feels great when patients are able to look better than they did when they were in school. Dr. Kim encourages patients to schedule a consultation well in advance of their class reunion if they are considering plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Kim will help the patient schedule the procedures in accordance with their schedule so that patient expectations are met.

Eating healthy foods that help us to look and feel better is becoming increasingly more difficult. According to a recent online article egg yolks which are rich in cholesterol can harden your arteries almost as much as smoking according to a new study. People at risk of vascular disease should not eat egg yolks, contends study lead author Dr. David Spence, professor of neurology at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Artery plaque levels rise with age but both smoking and egg yolks increased the plaque buildup within the vessels the researchers discovered. People who ate three or more yolks a week, regularly had a marked elevated increase in plaque than those who ate fewer than three yolks a week. It is understandable since one egg yolk by itself contains more than the daily recommended intake of cholesterol. Studies show that a more plant-based diet including less dairy, less red and processed meat, and increased vegetables, beans, nuts, and fruit may improve risk factors. Dr. Kim explains to patients that a healthy diet and exercise program is essential to maintaining a healthy weight. However, patients in this segment of the population can still have small areas in which they are not happy with the contour of their body. These areas most likely include the abdomen, outer thighs, or love handles. For these patients liposuction can be an excellent solution for creating a better body contour and a shapelier figure. As a talented artist, as well as an experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is able to sculpt most any area of the body using liposuction to create results that are often better than a patient could receive through diet and exercise alone. Patients are encouraged to continue a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise in order to maintain their liposuction results for their lifetime.

According to recent online news story patients lie to their doctors for  a multitude of reasons. But, the article points out that not conveying the whole truth to the treating physician can have grave consequences. According to the article patients could lie about everything from medications being taken, to employment status, to sexual behaviors.  Doctors make every effort to make the patient comfortable relaying the health history by reaffirming their commitment to patient /physician confidentiality. Patients who do not freely communicate their health history and lifestyle habits could actually increase their cost of healthcare. Unnecessary test could be ordered and certain diagnosis missed due to lack of information. Patients who are considering plastic surgery should also be forthcoming with Dr. Kim concerning all health issues that may affect their surgery. This means if patients have had previous surgery with another doctor  is imperative that Dr. Kim is made aware of this fact. For patients who are considering body contouring procedures including liposuction, it is important to alert Dr. Kim of previous liposuction surgeries because the underlying tissue may still be very difficult to manage if it is a secondary liposuction on the same area. It is also significant if patients are taking any medications that that information is shared with Dr. Kim. Medications alone will not always disqualify a patient from having surgery; however it is important for Dr. Kim to assess if there are surgery risks related to the medications. Patients are also encouraged to discuss their lifestyle situation, who will be caring for them after surgery, and who will be their support system throughout the plastic surgery experience. Patients who are considering breast augmentation with breast implants should feel confident in explaining their desires to Dr. Kim. Choosing the sizing of implants is a personal decision and patient should have a clear understanding as to which implants will be used.

Breast reduction surgery is often misunderstood. Many people think of it as removing the breast resulting in a disproportionate figure and shape. The reality is the breast reduction surgery greatly improves the lives of many women. For many women extremely large breast has wreaked havoc in their lives and heavy breast tissue has contributed to neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and grooves in the shoulder from thick bra straps. Many women fear that after breast reduction surgery they will deal with less than attractive breast even if they are smaller. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that utilizing his artistic talents as well as surgical skill he is able to create not only a smaller breast but also a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape. For many patients it is important that the right amount of breast tissue is removed in order to maintain shape, yet their needs to be enough reduction in breast tissue to bring relief to the patient. Dr. Kim makes the incision around the nipple and then with a line from the nipple to the crease or breast fold. In some cases this incisional approach which is known as a vertical incision will suffice and allow Dr. Kim to reduce the breast. In other cases especially if the breast tissue is excessive an anchor incision (which is an additional incision in the breast fold) allows Dr. Kim to create a more compact and better looking breast. Sometimes, if only a vertical incision is made there tends to be puckering in the breast fold which could be a source of displeasure for the patient. Patients are overwhelmingly thrilled with the results of breast reduction and many tell Dr. Kim that they now have the self-esteem and confidence to increase their wardrobe and begin to be more active both socially and physically.

The popularity of liposuction has allowed many people to consider areas all over their body where an unwanted thickness or fat pockets create a contour that they find undesirable. Liposuction is a procedure that removes small amounts of fat systematically to achieve better shape and contour. These days, the liposuction procedure has become routine too many patients and sadly the amount of thought and consideration prior to choosing to have the procedure performed in some cases is limited. Although liposuction can be performed on most any area, it is important for patients to realize that some areas are much more delicate than others. For example, the inner thighs can be extremely difficult to contour and in the wrong hands too much fat can be removed and the skin can be left loose and unsightly. Unfortunately once fat is removed through liposuction is very difficult to repair the results by adding fat through fat transfer. Other delicate areas include the knees, ankles, chin, and arms. Dr. Kim uses his artistic ability to sculpt these areas and remove the right amount of fat to achieve the results the patient desires. Artistic ability is important because liposuction is a sculpting procedure that takes away fat and artistic talent gives Dr. Kim the edge in creating what did not exist previously. This is the very essence of artistic talent. Of course, it is important that Dr. Kim also utilize his surgical skill to assure that the results are consistent with the anatomy of the patients body and shape. Patient should treat the decision to have liposuction very seriously. Liposuction is a procedure that permanently removes fat; so patient should carefully consider not only the results, but the talent of the surgeon performing the procedure. Dr. Kim encourages patients to schedule a consultation to see if liposuction is a viable option for them.

The traditional spring wedding is no longer the most popular time for women to tie the knot. Fall and winter have also become very popular wedding times. We are fortunate in Southern California that weather is not the key issue when planning the perfect day. Brides to be who are planning a fall or winter wedding should consider planning for any cosmetic surgery enhancements that would help to make their perfect day more beautiful. With proper planning many of the popular procedures can be performed with excellent results healed and ready for the perfect day. The most popular procedures for brides include surgical procedures like breast augmentation and liposuction. Dr. Kim explains that these procedures combined can help brides- to- be not only look stunning in their wedding dress but also to maintain a more proportionate figure well after the wedding. Patients who were considering breast augmentation and liposuction should schedule the procedure about three months before the final fitting for their wedding dress. Most of the swelling from breast augmentation and liposuction will have subsided within four weeks; however allowing extra time helps reduce the stress of any unexpected swelling or contour change that could occur. Brides who were considering injectables like Botox or fillers including Juvederm  or Restylane should schedule these cosmetic enhancements no less than 14 days before pre- wedding photos or the wedding day. Patients who typically bruise from the injections should allow a longer period of recovery when scheduling their injectable procedures. Planning a wedding can be a very stressful time and Dr. Kim along with his experienced staff work with brides- to- be to schedule procedures and manage their recovery period so that patients can relax and concentrate on what is most important: their wedding day.

A brow lift or forehead lift can be a slight change that can make a powerful difference. As people age and the skin on the face becomes were loose and lax the brow tends to sag and make a persons expression seem angry. Generally this is most noticeable when the eyebrows appear low on the forehead. For some patients there is not only a sagging of the brow but also loose and lax skin on the upper eyelid. Dr. Kim explains to patients that the upper eyelids and the brow are corrected in two separate procedures. A brow lift will tighten and remove excess skin which will cause the brow to be repositioned to a more aesthetically pleasing location. Ideally the brow should be even with the bony portion of the skull that protrudes above the eyes. If there is loose and lax skin on the upper eyelids causing a drooping appearance Dr. Kim they recommend a blepharoplasty or upper eyelid lift to be performed at the same time as the brow lift. These procedures performed together cause only mild to moderate discomfort and most patients are able to return to their normal activities in less than seven days. There may be some bruising and swelling after the initial recovery period; however, most patients continue with their regular social activities. Patients who have thinning hair or a receding hairline may still  be candidates for a brow lift. Dr. Kim uses his artistic talent and surgical skill to create a well hidden incision if at all possible. Patients are encouraged to schedule a consultation to see if a brow lift or blepharoplasty are the procedures that will help them to achieve the look that they desire.