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Most people have use the Internet at least once to look up a medical symptom. According to recent online news story using the Internet for medical diagnosis can backfire. According to medical experts there is danger in self-diagnosis especially fueled by additional information from the Internet. Patients are likely to read through blogs and identify with for stories that are at the very least not applicable to their situation. Medical experts advised that patients take what they read with a grain of salt. Although it does help when patients are educated according to experts most advised that patients take with websites that have reliable sources. Usually the big university clinics have good web sites. Those are the ones you kind of want to stay with, he said. While this season most of the medical inquiries are related to the flu, medical inquiries are ongoing staple on the Internet. Plastic surgery is no exception. Dr. Kim often speaks with patients who have scoured dozens of websites in search of information. Some of the information can be useful and the certifying board for Dr. Kim, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, has a reliable website chocked full of specific information as it relates to procedures, regulations, and a directory of members in good standing. Patient should maintain an open mind regarding Dr. Kim’s recommendations for surgery. It is not advisable to provide a final diagnosis to a patient over the phone or through the Internet. Patients were considering procedures like breast augmentation should insist upon an in person consultation to determine if in fact they are a good candidate for the procedure. Dr. Kim encourages patients were considering breast augmentation to contact him and schedule a consultation.

After having children most women make the decision to try to regain their original shape and weight. According to recent online blog for moms a new nine-month plan seems to be working for new moms. According to the blog nine-month is like a school year so works perfectly. The plan is not about being perfect according to the creators, it is about being better. The creators claim the most important aspect of the plan is to understand that your health is constant. Koff , one of the creators , says you’ve got to be working on this always. Health is dynamic, it’s not static. You don’t get to do it check it off the list and put it aside, said Koff. According to the plan it’s important to watch what you eat and trade-off those things that you love to eat for other things that are good for you but only based on the intake of one day. They claim this is not a diet. Improving the quality of the food is important as well. The moms encourage strength training and working out with weights as it has improve the contour of their body tremendously. Dr. Kim consults with women who have had children and desire what is commonly known as the mommy makeover. The mommy makeover consists of usually breast augmentation, breast lift, abdominoplasty, and possibly liposuction. These procedures are performed in combination with each other and allow patients to have a dramatic result without a largely extended recovery time. Most patients are able to return to a desk type position within 10 to 14 days following surgery. It is important for patients to be at or near their ideal body weight in order to achieve the best and longest lasting results. Most patients are thrilled with the results as well as the ability to achieve better contour and in many had prior to pregnancy. Most patients who have had the mommy makeover have results that continue to improve over a lifetime through diet and exercise. Patients are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim if they are considering the mommy makeover.

It is no secret that plastic surgery can be a substantial investment. The reality is plastic surgery remains one of the best values available in aesthetic healthcare today. Consider some important points: first, patients who choose to invest in plastic surgery are overwhelmingly pleased with their decision as well as their result. Most would agree that you cannot buy happiness, self-esteem, or self-confidence. Many patients attributed their success in business and in their careers to their positive outlook on not only their life but also concerning their appearance. Patients who invest in a facelift, brow lift, and/or blepharoplasty repeatedly acknowledged that they are told they look anywhere from 7 to 10 years younger than their stated age. This reality would be considered by most to be priceless if they were able to attain the same results. Patients who have invested in breast augmentation often tell Dr. Kim that their new figure gave them the self-confidence that in turn improved their marriage,or improved their dating life, or helped them land the acting role they’ve always wanted. Once again, to them plastic surgery is a worthwhile investment. Patients who are considering plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Patients are learning that just because a doctor performs cosmetic surgery it does not mean that he is in plastic surgery. According to a recent online industry article many doctors who specialize in other areas including gynecology,dermatology,family medicine, and even dentistry perform cosmetic surgery procedures on an ongoing basis. There have been campaigns by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons designed to help educate patients so that they understand the difference between a well-trained plastic surgeon and a medical doctor who performs cosmetic plastic surgery. First, it is a mistake to believe that cosmetic plastic surgery can be performed by any medical doctor successfully. There is a great deal of training and experience required in order for a medical doctor to become proficient in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The ASPS is the only certifying plastic surgery specialty recognized by the American Medical Association. A weekend course in cosmetic surgery does not make a doctor from another specialty an expert. Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said in September 2011 that one of the major problems in cosmetic surgery is the lack of proper training and practical skills which causes rookie surgeons to leave patients with some serious problems, including excessive scarring, the removal of too much fat, infections, and even gangrene. the safest places for surgical procedures are accredited hospitals andcertified outpatient facilities. Often,surgeons who were not in plastic surgery are not permitted to perform lasted surgery procedures and accredited facilities or hospitals. So therefore, they perform the procedures within their office which in many cases puts the patient at risk.Training for both general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery needs to be completed in order for plastic surgeons to be . Additionally, when a cosmetic surgeon is it means they he/she has spent 3 to 5 years of residency or fellowship training centered primarily on plastic surgery. Dr. Kim is not only an experienced   in plastic surgeon, he also combines his surgical talent with the natural talent of a true artist.This distinction serves him well but procedures including breast augmentation and liposuction. Credentials and experience a major differentiator when patients are making a decision between cosmetic plastic surgeons. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering plastic surgery to contact his office and schedule a consultation.

According to a recent online article research shows that married couples enjoy better mental and physical health than their unmarried counterparts and are at less risk of developing chronic conditions than their widowed or divorced counterparts. A University of Missouri expert reported that people who have happy marriages are more likely to consider their health as getting better with age. Aging adults with physical health that is declining could benefit greatly from improving their marriages. Researchers analyzed the long-term relationship between self-rated quality of marriage and helps. They discovered that in every stage of marriage, positive or negative relationships have an effect on a person’s health. Researchers encourage medical professionals to think about the aging process as being affected by marital relationships. Having a positive marriage is not a cure for chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes; however, building stronger relationships will improve the spirits of both people and lower their stress. Medical professionals are urged by researchers to consider patient’s personal relationships when recommending treatment plans. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering plastic surgery to enlist the support of their significant other as well as close friends and family. Support is extremely beneficial not only in the research phase when considering plastic surgery but also throughout the plastic surgery experience and recovery. Patients considering procedures including breast augmentation and liposuction will have a better experience overall if their significant other is supportive. Both breast augmentation and liposuction are procedures that are popular and public opinion tends to be either in favor of the procedures or against them. While most patients are overwhelmingly satisfied with their results, with a supportive network the entire experience is much more enjoyable. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Maternity and obesity have become closely linked. According to recent online article this epidemic has been largely neglected until now. Obese and overweight women before and during pregnancy have become a threat to the obesity rate among infants. These women tend to have babies with higher birth weights and more body fat and carry an increased risk of chronic diseases and obesity later in their lives. A recent publication by ILS Europe analyze the contributing factors that lead up to obesity. An article that was recently published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, highlighted the major contributors to obesity which included nutrition both during and after pregnancy. Prenatal factors included maternal diet, gestational weight gain, and metabolic perturbations during pregnancy. Diet after birth and feeding routines combined with activity patterns and family lifestyle were also analyzed to determine the long-term health risk. The overwhelming majority of clinical studies showed that not only the amount of weight gained by the mother, but also other factors including body composition and metabolic endocrine responses should be considered when counseling women regarding nutrition during pregnancy. An increased knowledge of these contributors and the mechanisms included could help to target better nutritional advice for women. This is especially important for women who are obese to improve nutrition health before becoming pregnant. Dr. Kim consults with patients who have given birth to children and are unhappy with the appearance of their body postpartum. For many women they have lost the weight and are near their ideal body weight; yet they have loose and lax skin on their abdomen and a sagging component to their breast. For these women Dr. Kim is likely to recommend the mommy makeover. The mommy makeover allows Dr. Kim to perform both a breast augmentation and an abdominoplasty to improve the patient’s overall figure. Patients were considering a mommy makeover are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

From little babies to adults, a cute nose is considered a plus. It is human nature to check out a newborn baby’s nose and facial features and check to be sure that everything is proportionate. The most common concern is usually that the nose could be too large for the little face. As children grow into adulthood the aesthetic expectation of the nose can become even more of an issue. People, who have a bump on the bridge of their nose, or a large tip on their nose, are largely considered to; at the very least, have an unattractive nose. In some cases they may be considered unattractive overall. To some it may appear that the nose should not have such critical importance when it comes to a person’s physical attractiveness. The truth is the nose establishes symmetry on the face. Dr. Kim explains to patients that while it is impossible to create for one patient someone else’s nose on their face, plastic surgery of the nose or rhinoplasty can make a dramatic difference in a person’s facial attractiveness. Rhinoplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis. Dr. Kim utilizes his artistic skill to create the most aesthetically pleasing nose while maintaining the most natural appearance. Patient should be aware that in some cases rhinoplasty may be combined with septoplasty, tip revision, and surgery of the dorsal hump. These are additional procedures added to the classic rhinoplasty in order to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing result. Patients who are considering rhinoplasty are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

There have been major strides made in increasing the awareness of heart disease in women. Over the past 15 years the amount of women who are aware that heart disease is the number one killer has nearly doubled. However, this awareness continues to be lacking among young women and minorities according to a recent study published in the Journal of Circulation. Heart disease is considered a spectrum of many different disorders all based on the heart. In the United States is responsible for over a quarter of all deaths. In the recent study researchers compared the awareness of women about heart disease in 1997 to the awareness of women of heart disease and 2012. The difference was shocking. In 1997 only 30% of women were aware of the heart disease was the leading killer as compared to 56% in 2012. 15 years ago women were much more likely to believe that cancer was the leading killer as opposed to heart disease. In 2012 the percentage of women who indicated cancer as the number one killer was reduced to 24% proving that awareness among the general population is better. The lowest awareness rate among all age groups was found in women 25 to 34 years of age. Most young women shared that their doctors were not likely to inform them about heart disease or any associated risks. While most young women are likely to be in good health, Dr. Kim informs patients of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being in good overall health. Patients who are considering popular procedures like breast augmentation or liposuction are good candidates for the procedures when they are in good overall health. Maintaining favorable results long-term is best achieved when patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Tanning bed users are concerned about the risk of aging their skin. This is according to an online article out of the United Kingdom. The charity Cancer Research UK study showed that more than two thirds of the people admitted to being concerned. The results also showed that over 2/5 of UK’s tanning bed users were users of anti-aging products as compared with only 1/5 of nonusers. Surprisingly nearly a fifth of people who used tanning beds were already using anti-aging products by their 25th birthday while compared with nonusers the figure is only 5%. Study authors said that many people continue to use tanning beds because they believe they look better with a tan. Others said they found it relaxing. The authors of the study shared that the tanning beds actually make the skin look worse. Tanning beds are responsible for premature aging, wrinkles, and increased pigmentation on the skin. Of course skin cancer which can be deadly is the most prominent reason given to avoid tanning beds. Here in Southern California tanning beds have lost much of their allure, at least for young people. People under the age of 18 are prohibited from using tanning beds in California. Dr. Kim shares with his patients that sunscreen should be worn on daily basis. Tanning beds are not advised at any age. Patients who have had surgery are also advised not to tan any bruised areas or incisions. This includes popular surgeries like breast augmentation, liposuction, or facelift. Tanning these areas can cause hyperpigmentation making the skin darker in certain spots. This damage is irreversible. Patients who are considering plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Lately there’s not been much debate concerning the safety of breast augmentation and breast lift combination. However, although this method is preferred by many women a  recent medical report verified the safety of combining both procedures. In general according to the report the overall reoperation rate was 23.2%, this included 13.3% for tissue related complications and 9.9% for implant related complications according to plastic surgeons interviewed for the article. The tissue related reoperation rate was close to the 10.2% identified in a group of patients who had only a breast lift. The combination procedure is preferred by most women because of financial reasons, logistical recovery plan reasons, and is known to have less risk according to the researchers. However, they added that the combination procedure is technically more challenging and has some critics suggesting that it increases the risks and greatly affects the certainty of the final result. According to the report the most common complications included capsular contracture, less than desirable scarring, and recurring ptosis. These were also the reasons for reoperation most commonly seen. There were not any deaths, pulmonary embolisms, deep venouus thrombosis, or major tissue losses reported. The researchers noted the discrepancies between reoperation rates reported by implant manufacturers. The two major implant manufacturers reported reoperation rates between 19% and 24%. This figure was substantially higher than the actual cases in the report. The conclusion of the report was that with appropriate patient selection, and a thoroughly researched and experienced operative approach breast augmentation combined with breast lift is safe. Dr. Kim routinely performs these procedures together. Typically the majority of candidates have had children, gained and lost a significant amount of weight, or genetically have a low lying breast tissue. Patients who choose both silicone as well as saline implants can be candidates for a breast augmentation /breast lift. Patient should be prepared for the possibility of a breast lift when considering breast augmentation. Dr. Kim will advise patients if a breast lift is needed based on achieving the most desirable long-term result. Patients who are considering breast augmentation/breast lift are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.