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One of the first telltale signs of aging can be seen on the eyes. In the bright California sunshine the eyes take a beating every day.

According to a recent article one way to defend against the negative effects of the sun on your eyes is to invest in a good pair of sunglasses. According to the article for most people fashion is the number one concern when choosing a new pair of sunglasses; however, eye doctors are adamant about teaching consumers that the number one concern should be making sure that the sunglasses are effective in protecting the eyes from sun damage -even if it means spending more money.

UVA or UVB protection

Dr. Dana Tannenbaum, a ophthalmologist in North Hollywood, related to CBS2 that a good quality, effective pair of sunglasses should cost at a minimum $100 and increase from there. They should have 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and they should have polarized lenses. It is important for consumers not to pick a designer pair of glasses that cost well over $100, yet have no UVA or UVB protection.

Eyelid Protection

Protecting the eyes from some damage also protects the eyelids and the area beneath the eyes which can become sun damaged and wrinkled. Dr. Kim consults with patients who complain of wrinkled and loose skin on the eyelids as well as loose skin beneath the eyes. Some patients tell Dr. Kim that friends and family members think they’re tired when they look at their eyes. They also tell him that when they look at themselves in the mirror they look much older than they really are.

Blepharoplasty (Eye lid surgery)

For some women it is virtually impossible to wear eye shadow throughout the day without creating creases due to excessive loose skin. Dr. Kim will typically recommend a blepharoplasty or eyelid lift. This will correct both the upper eyelids as well as the area beneath the eyes.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim, contact us (310) 271-6996 at or click here.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.

With the popularity of breast augmentation there are many questions patients have when considering the procedure. Some of the questions many patients ask Dr. Kim concern the breast implants and sizing. For some patients it can be a question filled with anxiety. Dr. Kim makes a point to help alleviate any fears or concerns that patients may have concerning breast implants and sizing. First, patients should understand that both saline and silicone implants are FDA approved as safe medical devices. Breast implants remain one of the most studied medical devices used today. Dr. Kim offers both types of implants and helps patients to understand if he has a preference of one over the other the detailed reasons as to why he is making the recommendation. When considering sizing for breast implants patients must first understand that the final decision lies solely with the patient. This means that it is not a good idea to allow a boyfriend or a significant other to choose the size of the patients implants if the patient is not in total agreement. It is also important for patients to understand the type of look they would like to achieve and take into consideration their lifestyle and personality when making the decision. As a general rule most patients will increase their bust size with breast augmentation by two cup sizes. This means that if the patient wears an A cup most patients will increase to a C cup. This accounts for approximately 80% of the patient population. 10% would choose smaller implants and 10% will choose larger implants. Patients must fully understand that bra sizes are not universal and that bra cup size cannot be guaranteed. Overall, patient should trust that as an artist and skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Kim is committed to helping patients make the right decision.

Plastic surgery is a personal decision, yet it involves many different emotions not only for the patient but for those involved in the patients life as well. Choosing to proceed with plastic surgery can conjure up many different emotions. The emotions can range from self-doubt to anxiety, and most patients will look to friends and family members to help ease the tension. It is important to have the right support when choosing to have plastic surgery. Friends and family can be helpful; however, it is important to remember that they approach the situation with their own set of emotions and preconceived ideas. For some patients, after having procedures like breast augmentation they find that some of their friendships become strained through what they describe as jealousy. It can be difficult for a friendship when one of the friends has had plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation or liposuction which dramatically changed their outer appearance. In many cases the patient is more comfortable, has higher self-esteem and self-confidence. This can cause some patients to be more outgoing and for some friends this could breed jealousy. It is important for patients to understand that friends and family members in some cases need to be given the time to get used to “the new you”. With a little time and understanding most relationships can return to what they were prior to surgery. Also, remember that you can refer friends and family to Dr. Kim and they too can experience the same satisfactory results. Dr. Kim encourages patients who are considering plastic surgery procedures to schedule a consultation to see which procedures are best for them. Dr. Kim enjoys a robust practice with plenty of referrals and appreciates patients who share their experience.

Remember when the term cougar (which referred to older women dating younger men) was hot and happening? It seems as though the term is not used as much anymore. Did it go away with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher? Make no mistake about it women over 40 are looking amazing and choosing younger men to complement their lives. Celebrities are no exception. Just look at Jennifer Lopez and Casper or Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade just to name a couple. Dr. Kim consults with many women who are committed to maintaining their most youthful appearance and fighting the aging process every step of the way. This does not necessarily mean that they do not embrace their age and the wisdom that comes with it- it only means that having your most youthful and beautiful appearance matters. For many of these women plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation and liposuction are the perfect complement to maintaining a shapely figure. Breast augmentation expands a womans wardrobe by as much as three times. Older women enjoy the ability to wear fashions that are considered”younger” as well as conservative fashions if they so choose. There are many women who are not comfortable with buying jeans that have special tummy panels or built-in but lifts. These women are proud to choose plastic surgery as an option, and understand that just as the aging process is not stagnant; neither should their choice be to maintain their most youthful appearance. It is not uncommon for women in this stage of life to use injectables including Botox to smooth the wrinkles on the forehead as well as crows feet on the outer corner of the eyes. Dermal fillers including Restylane  and Juvederm help to add volume to the face in areas where patients have lost volume. Dr. Kim invites patients to schedule a consultation to determine which plastic surgery procedures will help them maintain their most youthful appearance.

We have all seen discount deals come across the Internet, our mailbox, or our favorite radio station for liposuction and other body contouring procedures. It is predictable that these special deals would be of interest to most people sense the diet industry continues to boom based on our nations obesity epidemic. Before a consumer can truly determine if a liposuction deal is really a deal there are a few important points patients need to know. First and foremost liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Patients should never make the decision to have liposuction believing that they will lose weight. Liposuction is for body contouring and is designed to remove small amounts of fat. Secondly, patients should never elect for liposuction if they are considered obese or overweight. While it will not hurt them to have the procedure performed it is likely that they will be unhappy because there will not be a noticeable difference. Dr. Kim explains to his patients who are considering liposuction, that liposuction is a take away procedure. This means that it is a sculpting procedure that requires the plastic surgeon to understand artistically how to achieve the best most aesthetically pleasing and proportionate contour. Dr Kim is a true artist who has been sketching and drawing since he was a young boy. He uses this artistic skill combined with his surgical skills to achieve unmatched body contouring results. Liposuction done correctly is truly an art form. While patients can choose a discount liposuction coupon or have the procedure performed at a” liposuction clinic” the reality is- if patients are concerned with results they need to consider the skill, expertise and talent, of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure. Dr. Kim invites patients to schedule a consultation to determine if liposuction is the right procedure for them.

Social media has had a profound effect on the way we communicate and how we live our lives. According to recent CBS news story social media also has an effect on the reasons some people choose plastic surgery. According to the article many women take their appearance to the extreme, including choosing cosmetic surgery and other procedures, to get the perfect Facebook photo post. “It’s nice when you look good and when somebody tells you look good,” Marija Vrbanic said as her reason for searching out the perfect Facebook photo post appearance.  Nicole Rodrigues summed it up this way, “It’s kind of this obsession about wanting to get liked on a picture.” Sonia Bambdas is a Facebook user with a number of  “friends “from abroad and in various cities so they follow her life on Facebook, keep in touch and that’s the way they communicate. So,” it’s natural to want to look good,” said Bambdas. The psychologist in the article stressed that its important to find balance between the way you look and how you feel about yourself. Dr. Kim explains to patients in the initial consultation that their desire for cosmetic surgery whether it is a facelift or breast augmentation should always be based on a personal decision to enhance their appearance not for the approval of others. Cosmetic plastic surgery is rooted in results that can be very subjective. If patients are having surgery with the intent of gaining more “likes” on Facebook and it doesnt happen, does that mean the surgery was not a success? Suppose someone post a negative comment concerning a patient’s appearance? Does that mean the patient made a mistake having plastic surgery? Dr. Kim uses his experience with both surgical skill and artistic talent to help patients understand that achieving your most natural and youthful appearance for your own gratification is the best way to ensure a good patient experience.

Few wardrobe selections define women and their femininity then the swimsuit. It is considered so important that it is included in most legendary beauty pageant contest. A recent New York Daily News article reviewed some of the most famous celebrity swimsuit photos in history. It is interesting to note how body images have changed over the years especially when we consider the bust line and what is considered attractive. Some patients who consult with Dr. Kim when they are considering breast augmentation are concerned about looking unnatural and “fake” in a swimsuit. Often times they recant a story about someone they have seen on the beach or at the pool who had “obviously augmented” breast. For many patients the concern is that the appearance is firm and unnatural. Dr. Kim invites patients to view his before-and-after photo gallery. They will see from his before-and-after results that patients not only look proportionate to their height and weight, but also by using implants with different profiles and characteristics Dr. Kim is able to use his artistic ability to achieve a more natural looking result. Dr. Kim also helps patients choose the most appropriate sizing for their height, weight, and chest measurements. This is important when choosing implant because if the breast implant overpowers the breast pocket it will create an overly augmented appearance which could appear unnatural and extremely full in the upper portion of the breast. When choosing breast implant sizing patients should not only consider what they will look like in a swimsuit, they should also consider how they will look in the wardrobe they wear the majority of the time. Breast augmentation can help women feel more confident and secure especially in a swimsuit. Dr. Kim invites patients who are considering breast augmentation to schedule a consultation to help determine if breast augmentation is the right choice for them.

The recommendation of an aspirin a day to keep heart healthy has been debated for years. A recent online news story looked at the aspirin regimen as a recommendation for women. According to the article a recent study revealed that of more than 200,000 women who were advised to take and aspirin daily, fewer than 50 percent really took the pill. No one seems to know exactly why that is the case according to a cardiologist who was interviewed for the story. The general rule of thumb is that women who are 65 and older who have heart disease or a history of heart disease could benefit from taking a daily aspirin. It is also believed to be an effective way to reduce the risk of stroke by as much as 40%. The drug is also known to help prevent fatal blood clots, and still proves to be effective as a secondary motive prevention for people who of are ready suffered a stroke or heart attack. A Dutch study found that 50 women would need to take aspirin daily for 10 years in order for one woman to actually benefit. Another study originating from Italy concluded that low-dose aspirin as the main mode of prevention results in a 55% elevated increase in brain or stomach bleeding. It is important for patients to discuss any aspirin regimen with their primary care physician prior to beginning the treatment. Dr. Kim advises patients who are older and considering plastic surgery procedures like facelift, brow lift, and blepharoplasty that if they are on an aspirin regimen they must be off of aspirin completely prior to surgery. Aspirin causes increased bleeding and can increase plastic surgery complications substantially. Dr. Kim is committed to helping patients have the best plastic surgery experience as well as the best results.

Many women dread menopause mostly because of negative myths and fears. According to a recent ABC news article, night sweats, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings are just a few of the negative symptoms that are associated with the change of life or menopause for women. But according to the article, menopause doesnt have to feel like a death sentence. According to Staness Jonekos, who was interviewed for the article, she claims menopause was one of the best things that ever happened to her. She credits a few lifestyle changes in says she now looks and feels better than she ever did before. The doctor who was interviewed for the story says that one of the most commonly held myths about menopause is that it is the beginning of a boring sedentary lifestyle. The doctor wants women to treat menopause as a transition not as a destination. Another commonly held myth is that with menopause comes the end of a satisfying sex life. It is true that hormones shift and that general health factors and social factors could have a negative effect on a womans libido. But, experts recommend regularly exercising which not only helps women to stay  active but also to embrace their toned and attractive appearance. According to the news story engaging in sex stimulates blood flow and actually keeps women healthy. Depression is another side effect women may experience. According to the news story these are not clinical symptoms so they are temporary -if it does happen. Dr. Kim encourages women who are premenopausal and postmenopausal to use this time in life to consider cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. For many women this is a great time to choose breast augmentation or breast lift to create a more youthful shape and figure. For other women liposuction of the abdomen or abdominoplasty can make a substantial difference in their self-esteem self-confidence and appearance.

Plastic surgery has become competitive around the globe. For many it is become another commodity compared by some with the purchasing of any other service. According to recent online article British plastic surgeons are offering unprecedented incentives to lure new patients to their office. According to the article the famous marketing tactic buy one, get one free or BOGOF is being offered by some surgeons to entice women to schedule breast augmentation or rhinoplasty. The offers most closely associated with supermarket type deals are considered over-the-top, and acts of desperation. Some are even offering the opportunity to order online using a shopping cart and get an even cheaper deal with limited no refund types of offers. The trend has become so alarming that specialist from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have aggressively pursued measures with the General  Medical Council to implement mandates and penalties for surgeons who utilize such practices. It was reported in The Times that Nigel Mercer, the incoming president of the European Association of Societies of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said: This is unethical and is happening on a huge scale, the Daily Mail reported. Dr. Kim warns patients that when choosing a plastic surgeon, while price is part of the equation it should never be the main issue. As an ASPS plastic surgeon Dr. Kim adheres to the specialized guidelines created for the elite members(less than 3% of all surgeons) that are created to ensure patient trust, safety, and superior results. As a talented artist as well as skilled surgeon, Dr. Kim is able to deliver results that are unique to his specific talents and skill. All plastic surgeons are not created equal so it is impossible for patients to compare plastic surgeons and get exactly the same results from each one.