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According to a recent online article, a new study highlighted the effects of yo-yo dieting. Yo-yo dieting is repeated loss and regain of body weight. The cycle could be a small range of anything from 5 to 15 pounds of weight loss, up to 50 pounds or more of weight loss. Researchers of the study, from Baylor College of Medicine performed an evaluation on the effectiveness of non-dieting when compared to dieting treatments in 219 overweight women who were binge eaters. Researchers discovered that after a yo-yo weight cycle people had the same amount of fat and lean tissue as they did prior to the weight cycling. So, while there were no definitive determinations that yo-yo dieting is harmful to your health, there were still concerns. The main concern is that weight cycling can cause fat to collect in the stomach area rather than the hips or butt. Dr. Kim warns patients who have participated in yo-yo dieting that the effects on the results of their plastic surgery can be extremely negative. For breast augmentation patients, weight fluctuation can cause a sagging component to a breast augmentation result that was previously an acceptable result. Body contouring patients who have lost and gained weight can also see negative effects of sagging skin. Patients are advised to maintain a consistent stable weight for the best overall appearance following plastic surgery.

When it comes to our skin, as well as our health, hydration is an absolute must. As the days get colder, even in Southern California, the changes in our skin and body become evident. According to a recent online article the winter is a likely time for people to overlook the need to drink plenty of water. Although the sun may not be beating down on your face is still very important to stay hydrated. The article gave some ideas to help increase the amount of hydration you are getting on a daily basis. Fruit is an excellent way to increase your intake of fluids. Fruits and vegetables are packed with water, according to Angela Ginn, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the high water content in fruits and veggies helps to make you feel more full thus satisfying youth less calories. In the colder months its good idea to fill a tumbler with warm tea to sip on throughout the day. This not only keeps the body warm but certainties like black tea and green tea have been reported to have many health benefits. When the time comes around it is suggested that decaf should be consumed in the afternoon rather than caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic which simply put means that it is dehydrating. Try fresh air or brisk walk to substitute for caffeinated drinks. Train yourself to drink full glass of water before each meal. Not only is this an excellent habit but it also may help you eat less during your meal. Dr. Kim advises patients as we enter the winter months to consider liposuction if they are still battling small areas of fat especially in abdomen and lower back areas. Liposuction with Dr. Kims artistic talent and surgical skill provides a true waist enhancement for patients who have problems with this area. Dr. Kim advises patients that it becomes much more comfortable in the winter to wear the compression garment that is recommended following liposuction in order to help re-drape the skin for a smooth and aesthetically pleasing result. Patients  who are considering liposuction are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

The holidays are about family friends and looking your best. Most people have had a photo snapped of themselves during holiday celebration that they hope no one ever post on Facebook. Maybe it was just taken from a bad angle or the lighting was not the best but the image is forever cemented into our memories. Planning ahead can allow us to look the best and are holiday photos according to recent article. First the article recommends that you consult with a trusted accredited professional when deciding which treatments will help you to feel most confident in front of the camera. Patients are reminded to allow enough time for recovery before any coveted holiday events. Botox injections are holiday favorite because they help to smooth out facial wrinkles and wrinkles around the eyes and the results are fairly immediate. Post treatment options for redness and bruising include supplements like Arnica and Bromlelin. Dermal fillers are another option to increase lips, smooth wrinkles or add volume to areas like cheeks. While dermal fillers as a whole do not require extensive recovery time there can be bruising that could last a few days. First time patients should always expect the longest recovery when making plans. Patients who have had injections before should also consider that each procedure is different as their body changes that can affect the manner in which injectables are tolerated. Laser skin rejuvenation can also help to make the skin “picture worthy”. It is important to remember that different lasers require different amounts of recovery time. Dr. Kim reminds patients that while making a concerted effort to be picture worthy for the holidays is admirable if the long-term effects that matter. Making an intelligent decision by choosing a plastic surgeon like Dr. Kim and allowing the experience and expertise to help you make the best decisions outweighs the value of one holiday photo. Patients were considering facial rejuvenation procedures are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Weight gain after making an investment in liposuction can become the white elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. According to a recent online article the debate about gaining weight after liposuction and where the pounds pile on continues to rage. According to the article doctors have reported that patients who have not modified their diets to include the proper diet and amount of exercise are unlikely to pile the pounds on after abdominal liposuction; however, they tend to store the fat in another area the body usually the arms, back or breast. These observations were confirmed in a study that was published in Obesity last year, in which researchers may the conclusion that fat can return to areas that were untreated as soon as one year later. A study of 301 liposuction patient seems to challenge that. A researcher Eric Swanson a plastic surgeon discovered that subjects observed throughout the course of the year To their pulsed light bulb body proportions which indicated that there was no redistribution of fat following the operation except for patients who gained massive amount of weight.Our study included a sufficient number of patients and used precise measurements, making the conclusions highly reliable. Patients can be reassured that their improvements will last, and they need not worry about putting weight back on disproportionately,” said Swanson. The results were published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Although there are contrasting views the debate continues. Dr. Kim advises patients that the best way to preserve the results they have achieved through liposuction is to create and maintain a regular diet and exercise program. This includes not align weight fluctuations that can lead to sagging skin. As an artist and skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is careful to sculpt the body and aesthetically pleasing manner. This means that for patients who are not diligent about maintaining their results the disappointment with gaining weight could include losing a very attractive and shapely figure. Patients were considering liposuction are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

 When it comes to working towards a better body, it is understandable that the hard work necessary to get there is easy to put off. According to recent article it starts with making the commitment. According to the article a few simple steps will help motivate you to maintain the steps necessary to complete your fitness goals. First and foremost according to the article building slowly is very important. This is especially important for people who were active at one time but have not been for quite some time.. Formerly fit people are surprised and frustrated when they find themselves winded after a walk around the park, says Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, director of the Weight Management Center. If you have not worked out in years its best to start with a manageable goal then when youre ready to progress bump it up by increasing number of days and length of time. Muscles adapt to resistance exercises in as little as two weeks. It helps to keep in activity log writing down all of your exercising habits and what you are struggling with. Be prepared to be hungry after work out. Scheduling workouts within our before a meal can help to allow for healthy eating by eating a healthy meal when it is meal time. Be aware of the prime time for dropping out and quitting. Get support to keep your momentum going. Taking breaks is fine as long as you pick up as soon as you can. In the long run it is the habit that matters not the individual days. If you splurge the best thing to do is get up and exercise afterwards although binging is not recommended, it can happen and if it does get back to your workout. If your workout is not exciting dont do it. Research shows if you enjoy your exercise you’re more likely to stick to it. Dr. Kim encourages patients to remember that with their commitment to diet and exercise but is still possible to have areas of fat that they are not able to get rid of. In this case liposuction is an excellent alternative and a strongly recommended. As a talented artist as well as an experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is able to help patients improve their overall body shape by systematically removing stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. For most patients the results Dr. Kim is able to achieve are better than they couldve achieved on their own. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering body contouring procedures to contact the office and schedule a consultation.

Treating wrinkles around the eyes has been a concern for both men and women for ages. According to a recent online article the treatments that are available for use at home are marginal at best. The results of professional treatments are markedly better and therefore most people find them well worth the investment. Some of the most popular treatments include Botox injections. Botox injections consist of a protein called botulinum toxin and is injected through a needle directly into the muscles of the face. When Botox is injected eventually the muscles relax and are unable to contract. This is how it is able to soften the wrinkles around the eyes. Botox injection on the outer corner of the eye is a relatively straightforward procedure with mild temporary pain or discomfort. Patient can resume normal activity right away. For most patients the results last approximately 4 months. It is important to choose an experienced injector as Botox is a chemical and patients can have negative reactions especially if injected improperly. Chemical peels are also an option for treating wrinkles around the eyes. It is important to understand the difference between different types of lasers and peels especially as they relate to their safety when used around the eye area. In general, the deeper the peel penetrates to be effective, the longer the recovery. It is important to be clear on what can be expected with respect to overall recovery time as well as results. A blepharoplasty is also an excellent solution for patients who have wrinkles on the eyelids that cause drooping. A blepharoplasty also addresses bags and loose and lax skin underneath the eye area. Dr. Kim encourages patients to consider blepharoplasty as soon as they begin to see the signs of aging around their eyes. Patients were considering eyelid rejuvenation are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.

 When you are choosing a meal plan or diet that works, it can be like finding a needle in a haystack. According to a recent online article scheduling meals and counting calories can be counterproductive. In some cases listening to your body may be just the right method for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. According to the article a new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, being conscious of what you eat and how hungry you feel during the day can be just as effective as following a strict diet plan. In the study bids were divided into two separate treatment groups. The first group stuck to a nutrition program that informs participants about healthy food options, how to read and understand food labels, and the guidelines and parameters for dining out. The second treatment group did not learn about specific nutrition objectives and were trained solely on a mindful approach to the foods they select any. Participants in each group lost an average of 3 1/2 to 6 pounds and both in reduction in blood sugar levels that were significant over three months. Lisa Young, PhD, RD and author of The Portion Teller, says a better understanding of your body can have a huge impact. “When you are more aware of your eating habits, you pay better attention to what, when, and why you are eating,” she says. According to the article the “why” behind the reason people eat or in many cases overeat tends to be emotional. The emotions range from being bored, sad, happy, or social eating but according to the study recognizing this allows participants to change their choices. Dr. Kim encourages patients to maintain a healthy and stable weight following plastic surgery. This includes not only body contouring procedures like liposuction or abdominoplasty; but, also breast augmentation procedures. Fluctuation in weight can have a negative impact on the appearance of plastic surgery. Weight fluctuation can cause loose and lax skin and sagging almost any part of the body. So, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is critical for great lifelong plastic surgery results. Patients were considering plastic surgery procedures are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

A brow lift is a procedure with overwhelmingly high patient satisfaction rates. According to a recent online article studies revealed that most patients would recommend the procedure to others. The survey goes as far as to state that patients would have the procedure done all over again. Research that was conducted in Germany and subsequently published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery Journal, reviewed patients who had undergone cosmetic surgery brow lift procedures at University Hospital Rechts der Isar of the Munich Technical University. The procedures were carried out between 1994 and 2007 and were followed up to three years after the procedure. Researchers reviewed cases of primarily women and slightly less than 63% of those surveyed stated they would definitely or more likely to have the brow lift performed again. Close to the same number but also recommended to a family member or friend. According to the article medical experts state that patient to choose a for head lift over more noninvasive wrinkle procedures like Botox make this decision primarily for a longer and more dramatic effect. They do point out that injectables have virtually no recovery time whereas a brow lift will entail a couple of weeks of recovery time. Dr. Kim cautions patients that choosing between Botox and a brow lift is not in the patients best interest. They are two different procedures with two different expected outcomes. Injectables like Botox or Dysport are temporary and will weaken the muscle thus softening forehead lines and wrinkles. A brow lift or forehead lift removes excess skin therefore it actually tightens the skin lifting the brow for more dramatic and long-lasting result. It is important for patients to understand that a brow lift will not correct droopy eyelids. The brow lift is often combined with upper eyelid blepharoplasty which will improve drooping eyelids and create a more youthful appearance. Patients who are considering a brow lift or blepharoplasty are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

 When it comes to any cosmetic surgery procedure there will always be those who want to know why a person would consider such procedures. According to recent online article procedures like Botox and Dysport have become more accepted however people still remain skeptical as to why patients specifically women would choose these procedures. According to the article some people emphatically believe that women are trying desperately to hold on to use and are desperately grabbing any new idea that make that promise. However, according to the article most women who have chosen Botox injections have carefully examined the reason for choosing the procedure. Women who choose Botox have overwhelmingly said that it is not about reversing the signs of aging, or returning to their youthful look. It is more about trying to maintain their best appearance at their current age. Most agree that the changes become in your 40s 50s and 60s are likely to cause the most anxiety. Women who start using Botox in their 40s are less likely to want to necessarily look younger. Most women just want to look like they did for decades. Not like they did when they were 20. The article explains that wrinkles on the face can convey a level of experience or wisdom but they can also cause face to look unfamiliar and markedly different than it did without wrinkles. Horizontal lines on the forehead of a woman can look like a scowl and totally change the impression people have upon first glance. For obvious reasons, this can be disheartening. Women are quick to point out in the article that Botox injections are not a remedy for those who dont like their face. Women overwhelmingly have responded to numerous studies with a common theme as to the reason that they choose Botox injections. Overwhelmingly women have said that it is primarily to produce a more recognizable face when they look in the mirror. Dr. Kim helps patients understand that Botox injections are an excellent way to temporarily paralyze the muscle and minimize the lines and wrinkles on both the forehead and around the eyes. It is important for patients to prepare for their Botox injections by not taking aspirin prior to the injection. This can increase the likelihood of bruising and swelling and bleeding at the time of injection. It is important for patients to recognize that while it is critical for patients to treat each injection as a separate procedure and realize that the results and recovery time can vary, for the most part patients are able to return to work or their regular activities the same day following Botox treatments. Patients are not advised to exercise the same day following Botox or filler injections. Patients are considering Botox or other cosmetic procedure injections are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

 You are what you eat is more than a cliché as studies have proven time and time again. Your skin can also be a direct reflection of what you are eating. According to recent article there are foods that you can add to your diet that will help to improve the health, texture, and appearance of your skin. The digestive system natural flora gets out of balance usually due to stress or infection or if you are taking antibiotics. This could lead to digestive concerns and skin problems including acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Dullness and wrinkles can also be expected if the balance in your gut is not favorable. This can be balanced by simply taking a probiotic supplement. These are found easily in most health-food stores. Prebiotics are another excellent way to be sure that the good bacteria are part of your digestive system. Good sources for these would be whole grains, bananas, onions and garlic. Super seeds are also high on the list for improving the quality of our skin. Healthy fats also known as omega-3s our favorite for dry skin. They are not just anti-inflammatory they also moisturize the skin to keep it soft and supple and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Consuming omega-3 rich foods is also credited with protecting against sun damage and even skin cancer. Salmon, sardines, and mackerel are packed with omega-3. For those who do not eat fish, flaxseed and chia seeds are also a great alternative. Just one ground tablespoon of these seeds has six times the recommended amount of omega-3. Try them on salads blended in smoothies or crunchy oatmeal topping. Some other advice offered by the article include skipping the sugar, picking the color purple when choosing veggies and fruit, adding curry, and limiting dairy as some of the helpful skin health improvement tips. Dr. Kim explains to patients that maintaining a healthy diet in order to improve the quality and health of their skin is important even for those patients who are choosing facial rejuvenation procedures like a facelift, brow lift, or blepharoplasty. Patients who have healthy and smooth skin are much more likely to get impressive results than those who have sun damaged and less healthy skin. While it is never too late to start taking care of your skin and improvement will be realized the most dramatic improvements what happened when the skin has the most elasticity and is able to bounce back and create a soft and supple result. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery procedures including facial rejuvenation procedures like facelift, brow lift, or blepharoplasty to schedule a consultation.