Call: (310) 271-6996

A recent study reported by Fox news.com concluded that one in five Americans actively take at least one psychiatric drug. The study found that there was an increase in the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs across all ages, as well as growth in adult use of drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. There appeared to be an increase of these drugs used in women in the 45 to 65-year-old age range. Psychiatric drugs are among the most prescribed in the US. These drugs are a multibillion dollar business and there is controversy as to whether they are over prescribed. The fact remains that many Americans especially women are taking them on a daily basis. What does this mean to cosmetic plastic surgery? Dr. Kim explains to his patients that it is important for him to have a complete medical history on every patient. Past concerns with depression whether treated or not should be disclosed prior to surgery. Patients who are taking antidepressants, or other psychiatric medications should disclose the medications prior to surgery when consulting with Dr. Kim. Patients considering procedures such as breast augmentation or facelift may be concerned how the changes in their appearance will affect their mental state especially if they have had bouts of depression and been provided treatment. Dr. Kim encourages his patients to share their concerns and if necessary can work with the patients prescribing physician to help transition into the best possible patient experience. Ultimately patient safety is Dr. Kim’s primary concern. Patients who are taking psychiatric medications should not be embarrassed to share their information with Dr. Kim. All information is held in the strictest confidence according to HIPPA requirements. Most patients who are taking psychiatric medications and whose condition is well-controlled, are permitted to proceed with plastic surgery. Of course, each patient is different and every situation is reviewed on an individual basis.

This would not be Beverly Hills if we didn’t blog about the “Housewives at least some of the time they are in the news. According to a recent Huffington Post article Beverly Hills Housewife Lisa Vanderpump made headlines refusing to speak about plastic surgery. According to the article she thinks her cast members should stop talking about money, learn to laugh more and quit it with all that plastic surgery. All of them [have had plastic surgery], Lisa divulged One thing Lisa wants to make perfectly clear is that her breasts are real: Thank you, they’re mine. I actually didn’t pay for them. They’re mine she stated. It is hard to pinpoint the logic behind the value of the self-confessed phrase mine are real. It is funny that the statement doesn’t translate as well when comparing veneers to natural teeth, a natural blonde versus a dyed blonde, or real 20/20 vision versus wearing glasses. Dr. Kim assures his patients who are considering breast augmentation that they should not fear that they will not like their implants following surgery because they don’t look real. The overwhelming majority of breast augmentation patients are thrilled with their results and stated they would do it again in a heartbeat. Plastic surgery should never be viewed as a substitute for what is natural but rather an enhancement and improvement. Who can be faulted for choosing improvement?

Cellulite is among one of the nightmares women deal with as they age. There are a plethora of over-the-counter remedies and procedures that promise to get rid of cellulite. According to a recent online industry article cellulite hype is more prevalent now than ever before. According to the article the American Society of plastic surgeons states almost all women (and some men) have cellulite, stemming from genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and weight gain.’” Cellulite is caused by clumps of fat cells pushing against the skin interspersed with fibrous cords connected to the muscle underneath. The cords pull the skin down in places and the fat bulges up in between, creating dimpling. Some wonder if weight gain or weight loss will affect cellulite. According to the article the answer to that question varies greatly from patient to patient. One thing that is undeniable is that creams, lasers and other topical solutions have not proven effective in eliminating cellulite. Dr. Kim explains to patients who are considering liposuction and have cellulite that liposuction is not a remedy for cellulite. In most cases it does not make the cellulite worse, but it also does not make it better. Women should never choose liposuction just because they believe it will cure cellulite. Patients should also beware of what are known as percentages of improvement. It is very hard to quantify what a 30% improvement in cellulite reduction would actually look like. So, many patients are disappointed if they had hoped for cellulite reduction. Dr. Kim urges patients to choose liposuction only for reducing the size of the thighs and to achieve better contour and shape. The truth is; for now there is nothing available on the market that will definitively and consistently get rid of cellulite.

It’s hard not to remember Kim Basinger in her famed role in 9 1/2 weeks. She was the embodiment of a beautiful and sexy woman. Now, decades later the tabloids are hitting her with plastic surgery rumors. The latest, reported in the Orange County Register was the speculation that Basinger was hiding under a blanket possibly after plastic surgery procedures or fat injections. In typical Southern California fashion speculators chime in debating whether she had her eyes done, or Botox gone wrong. You can not deny that at almost 60 years old Basinger remains a beautiful woman with beautiful and striking facial features. Dr. Kim shares with his patients that while it is fun to watch celebrities it is not practical to use them as a measure for plastic surgery procedures including facelift, breast augmentation, or rhinoplasty. There are too many unanswered questions when paparazzi snap a photo of a celebrity. First and foremost if they had plastic surgery, when was it? What did they look like before? And which procedure did they have done? Without these very basic questions answered it is virtually impossible to make an assessment based on a photo. Thumbs up to any woman, celebrity or not who decides to take the steps to achieve her most visually pleasing appearance

It is easy to get tied up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. According to a recent online article entering the holiday season with focus and specific intention for enjoyment makes it more likely that the season will be an enjoyable one. Some of the suggestions in the article include eating in moderation. It can be very easy to overindulge when visiting friends who have homemade cookies, holiday dishes, and fruitcake offered every time you enter a different home. Not to mention holiday parties, and office potluck lunches. Overindulgence can leave you feeling guilty and regretful. Another suggestion is to maintain a healthy regimen. This should include working out, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep. Also included as a suggestion, was nurturing and taking care of existing relationships. This is important in every aspect of life as people do better in life when they have a strong support system. Last, but not least of the suggestions was to take care of your own well-being; body and soul. Dr. Kim encourages patients to consider the holidays as an exceptional time to take advantage of many of the procedures offered in his practice. Patients who are given holiday vacation time often use the time to recover from their procedure. Procedures such as breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, or small areas of liposuction typically only need about 4-5 days for recovery so these work perfectly over a short holiday weekend. The holidays are also excellent for many patients because they are likely to have family and friends available to help with support and recovery. Best of all, patients love the idea of a new look for the New Year.

There has been recent industry news that indicates there may be a shortage of drugs used for anesthesia available in hospitals for the treatment of patients. A recent online industry article told of such surgical supply shortages and warned that anesthesiologist should be proactive in determining if in fact their hospital is at risk and if there are alternative assure patient safety. There are many theories as to why the shortage exists. Many factors contribute to medication shortages, such as product recalls and shortages of raw materials. A surge in demand can cause shortages even when manufacturing and supply are unaffected. Shortages are especially acute for sterile injectable medications because of the many complex steps involved in their manufacture. Current inventory management practices, such as short inventories and just in time production schedules, also play a role. For cosmetic plastic surgery patients the good news is, typically this will not apply to our population. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that as an ASPS plastic surgeon with the experience and expertise to select qualified medical professionals to administer anesthesia medications  he is able to assure his patients that the proper amount of medication will be a administered to ensure the best results and safety. The overriding goal is to use the least amount of sedative necessary to achieve the best results and safety. For example, patients may be able to have procedures including blepharoplasty, temple brow lift, and small areas of liposuction using oral sedation instead of anesthesia. Dr. Kim is able to achieve stellar results and ensure patients comfort and safety. When anesthesia is used patients can rest assured that Dr. Kim will not cut corners or compromise the safety of his patients.

More and more consumers are turning to the internet to get answers for medical questions. Health.com a consumer online source for medical information recently posted a question from a very concerned woman regarding pain that she was feeling in her breast. Her immediate fears were whether or not the pain she was feeling in her breast could in fact be breast cancer. The response online hopefully helped to calm the woman’s fears. According to the post breast pain is usually not a symptom of breast cancer. Some alternative explanations for the pain included a bacterial infection called mastitis, mastalgia, a condition caused by a noncancerous change in the breast (cyst for example), or hormonal fluctuations that could subside once the woman has her period. Dr. Kim cautions patients not to become alarmed with every new discovery concerning their breast. Patients who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift are likely to be paying more attention than ever before to their breast. This only becomes a problem if patients are panicky and fearful that every change in their breast is a symptom of breast cancer. The best form of defense against breast cancer is early detection. Dr Kim is committed to making sure that patients are doing monthly breast self-exams and getting mammograms yearly after 40 years of age. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that having breast surgery does not change this recommendation and the patient should be conscious of their breast health.

Big lips are truly in the eyes of beholder. Here in Southern California specifically Beverly Hills lips with volume are a sign of youth and vitality. According to a recent ABC story one patient actually bragged about her desire to look like the character Jessica rabbit. In her opinion that look is desirable and she had always had very thin lips her whole life. After plumping her lips with injectable fillers she feels as though she looks beautiful. Some believe that the line between normal and extreme has become blurred mostly due to cosmetic plastic surgery and injectables. One thing is for sure, the size of injectable lips today, versus 10 years ago when collagen was the primary filler is significantly larger. What can happen with some patients is that they become used to the volumized lips each time they have the procedure performed. Once the swelling goes down they could start to believe that the lips are not big enough. Thus starts the cycle of more product and bigger lips. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients that their desired look should always take into consideration if it fits the patient’s lifestyle, and community in which they live and work. Also, patients who are concerned with the size of their lips should also take into consideration any concerns they have with their nose and chin. Often patients are thrilled to realize that because of Dr. Kim’s artistic expertise he takes the entire face into consideration. In some cases he may recommend a rhinoplasty to better shape the nose and a chin augmentation with  a chin implant to create a better profile for the patient. It is important for patients to understand that the symmetry of their face is important and they must consider other attributes of their face that contribute to the overall size, shape, and beauty.

After more than a decade of using Botox for cosmetic purposes we continue to find effective uses for the drug. According to a recent industry article Botox is no longer just a product for treating crows feet and the furrow between the brow. According to the ASAPS, Botox injections have been the most common non-surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons since the year 2000. In 2010, more than 2.4 million individuals in the U.S. received Botox injections. Botox has other lesser-known benefits that are not purely cosmetic. These include the treatment of migraine headaches, as well as excessive sweating also known as hyperhidrosis. According to the article Botox is in the testing phase to see if  it will be an effective treatment for asthma patients. Patients who suffer from migraine headaches may also benefit from a combination brow lift and Botox treatments. Dr. Kim explains to patients that there has been research that has shown the treatment effective for some patients. By tightening the muscle in the brow and using Botox to paralyze the muscles in the brow in some patients the migraines are less frequent and in other patients they disappear altogether. Dr. Kim cautions patients from expecting complete elimination of migraine headaches; although, in many patients this has been the case. Most patients do see an improvement however the amount of improvement can vary. Dr. Kim explains to patients that they should not have the expectation for the procedure to be covered under insurance. Patients must also remember that they will enjoy a cosmetic benefit even though the major reason may be to treat migraine headaches. As an ASPS plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim is well-qualified to not only help patients achieve the maximum medical benefit but also the best cosmetic results.

In the anti-aging industry new fads come and go all of the time. One of the latest to hit the market was recently covered in the Orange County Register. The treatment is known as a bee venom facial. That’s right, bee venom is supposed to have ingredients that actually plump the skin. The bee venom is inside of a facial mask that fits on the face, and once removed claims to leave skin that is wrinkle free and plump. As you might imagine,  most medical experts point to the fact that there is no scientific evidence to back up the claims that the skin is actually being plumped. At best there may be some irritation which would cause the skin to swell temporarily, thus technically… being plumper. It is a stretch (no pun intended)to believe that mask could remove wrinkles. Dr. Kim is not opposed to skincare that hydrates the skin for a more youthful appearance. The bigger issue comes into play when products or services are marketed as wrinkle reducers or wrinkle eliminators. Dr. Kim explains that short of surgically removing facial skin that is loose ( a facelift) there are no creams or topical treatments that will tighten skin. As an artist Dr. Kim reminds patients that the entire face including the brow and eyes are also part of a youthful appearance. Therefore, a brow lift and blepharoplasty may also be a suitable recommendation for patients looking to achieve a more youthful and natural looking appearance. Patients should be careful to have realistic expectations when choosing non-invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation.