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The holidays and drinking alcohol go together for many adults. We all know that moderation is the key but few of us know just how many of those drinks pack on the pounds. According to recent ABC news article most adults are not really clear about just how many calories they consume when they are drinking alcohol. According to a leading nutritionists with so many different concoctions being created by bartenders who strive to be the most creative with different flavors, its the sugar content and actual larger drinks that could be the culprit. Studies show that most people dont recognize liquid calories in the same manner that they recognize solid calories. For example a martini has about 338 cal which is the equivalent of a full slice of pizza. Margaritas and sweeter juice drinks are usually served in the standard 7.5 ounce glass this could be almost 300 cal per drink. While this may not sound like a lot consider that most people have more than one drink and also have appetizers with their drink. Eggnog a favor for the holidays is among the worst offender. A single serving could deliver as much is 480 cal which the equivalent of a serving of beef stroganoff. Mixed drinks are likely to pack the most calories in that they contain 42% more alcohol than a standard one-shot beverage. Two or three glasses of wine with dinner can add as much is 600 to 700 cal. Most people are not willing to give up alcohol during the holidays but being mindful of the calories could help to make better choices. Dr. Kim encourages patients as we go into the new year to address any areas of fat that are bothersome and that they have not been able to lose but diet and exercise. For these patients liposuction may be in excellent choice for starting the new year. Patients who have liposuction now are likely to be bikini worthy by the summer. Patients who are considering liposuction are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim’s office and schedule a consultation.

Exercise is one of the most common recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and svelte appearance. According to recent ABC news story exercise can get the point where is too much. Overexercising can be harmful to your physical and mental health. Our nation is battling obesity in record numbers and many of us live a life that is relatively sedentary. Yet there are others, who are on the other extreme and exercise excessively. This can have negative effects. According to psychologist Dr. Rick Shuman about 10 to 20% of the people are compulsive about exercise. A Columbia University study discovered that overdoing exercise can bring about more harm than good. Shuman defined overexercising as anything beyond seven a half hours of exercise per week and states that there are diminishing returns after that not to mention other detrimental effects. These effects include higher levels of depression, anxiety, injuries, a breakdown of the immune system, and the benefits are no longer evident even though the person may feel the drive to continue. Compulsions appear to be gender specific. Men Who Tend to Have Whats Known As the Adonis Effect want to become larger while women are in student becoming smaller versions of themselves. A growing area of over exercisers is Baby Boomers who are compelled to hold onto their youth. The CDC has given it the name of Boomer -itis. According to the article on average 2.5 million people age 50 and older require medical treatment in the emergency room due to over exercise related injuries. Exercise should be built around your life rather than your life built around exercise human advised. Dr. Kim shares with patients who are added exercisers that cosmetic plastic surgery can have measurable benefits for them. However, it is important to note that patient should follow Dr. Kims advice concerning when they are advised to resume their current exercise routine. For example, patients who are having breast augmentation or a facelift will be given specific instructions as to not only when they can exercise but which types of exercises are permitted. An abdominoplasty will have a longer recovery time and Dr. Kim is likely to be cautious as to when the patient is permitted to resume their normal exercise routine. Patients were considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.

It seems as though we become a society that refers to almost everything as an addiction. Food addiction is an issue but how do you know the difference between overeating or true food addiction? According to a recent ABC news story there are certain criteria for diagnosing a food addiction. According to the news story Dr. Pamela Peeke a nutrition and fitness expert claims that science now backs up the reality of food addictions. According to Peeke, but addiction is an only about food lovers who simply enjoy food. It is more closely related to those who cannot stop themselves from eating and do not get satisfaction after eating the foods they love. One of the indicators she refers to is eating quickly to get a high or false fix. And then, if you are immediately consumed with emotions like satisfaction, guilt, shame, or blame this could be a trigger for food addiction. Immediately following these feelings food addicts have the compulsion to want more food. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health proves that an appropriate amount of dopamine which is a feel good chemical in the brain is released when good food is consumed. According to the study of food addicts brain scan compared with a cocaine abusers brain scan shows that both brains have a scant amount of dopamine because of long-term overuse. There are solutions to help food addicts. Slowly weaning off foods that are high in sugar or salt as well as fatty foods and replacing them with alternative sources can help. Eating proteins and fiber will also help to supply the brain with amnio acids that will help to curb cravings. Dr. Kim urges patients who are struggling with fluctuating weight issues to be proactive concerning the appearance of weight. Patients who address weight gain early have more options when choosing cosmetic plastic surgery. Body contouring procedures like liposuction or abdominoplasty are not recommended for patients who are obese. However, patients who address small amounts of weight gain early by changing their lifestyle and eating habits combined with choosing cosmetic plastic surgery not only look better but feel better as well. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

Now that calories are listed on practically everything we purchase, one would think that it would be easy to determine which foods we should eat and which ones we should not. However, according to recent ABC news story it could be the little things that we add to our foods that are causing the last 10 to 15 pounds to not go away. According to the news story we may think a little dollop of this, a dont or drizzle of that, are nearly calorie free. Not so much. While theyre not all full of fat and calories there are many that are you nutrient dense and even a small addition can be adding substantial calories to your daily intake. A dollop for most chefs registers as 5 tablespoons, not one, and a splash is about a quarter cup. It is important to keep in mind that when following numbers they are based on one serving size. For example nondairy whipped topping is 25 cal per 2 tablespoons. If you rather have real whipped cream with heavy cream and sugar, the same 2 tablespoons is close to 50 cal on your coffee or dessert. Sour cream has were calories then whipped cream believe it or not. Choosing the lighter version will cut 20 cal. A splash of cream are in your coffee is where it will do you well to measure the pour. Half-and-half measures at about 20 cal a tablespoon. Nondairy creamers come in at about 15 cal. But, if youre guessing its likely your pouring about 40 to 50 cal in each cup. If you add that to more than one cup a day its easy to see how the calories add up. While olive oil has become a favorite because of its heart healthy benefits remember that it has more calories than butter. The International Journal of Obesity discovered that people who choose olive oil eat 23% less bread and eat 16% less calories. Dr. Kim encourages patients who have chosen cosmetic surgery procedures including breast augmentation and liposuction to maintain a healthy diet and a stable weight. Significant weight fluctuation through either weight loss or weight gain can have a negative effect on the longevity of cosmetic surgery results. Patient should be proactive concerning any major fluctuations in their weight in order to maintain their cosmetic surgery results for lifetime. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.

Dry eye has become a condition many know about these days because of the power of advertising and treatments that are available by prescription and advertised on television. According to recent ABC news story dry eye is most commonly a result of the lack of adequate two years. Tears are natures complex mixture of water, fatty oils, and mucus. The purpose of this mixture is to make the surface of rise smoother and clear and to protect the eyes from infection. The traditional treatment for dry eye disease requires prescription medications, daily eye drops, and ointments. A new option could help dry eyes in just minutes. According to the doctor in the news story patients who have been coming for dry eye treatments are now being offered a new solution called LipiFlow. The procedure takes about 12 min. and patients can go to work immediately following the procedure. The way it works is the cups are placed on the eyelids. These heat up and pulsate to melt blockages that are present in the tear glands. It does not hurt however patient reported it feels strange. In FDA trial 79% of patients using this treatment showed improvement. The Dr. says the improvements can last up to 15 months. Although the treatment is FDA approved it is not covered by insurance. The procedure cost around $700 per eye. Dr. Kim informs patients who suffer from dry eye that treating the symptoms could be extremely beneficial in maintaining the overall appearance of youthful eyes. Patients who are concerned about the aging appearance of their eyes are typically worried about loose and lax skin on the eyelid or what is more commonly known as drooping eyelids. Blepharoplasty addresses this concern by removing a small sliver of skin and tightening the skin on the eyelid. This will produce a much more aesthetically pleasing and youthful looking eyes. Patients who are concerned about the appearance of loose and lax skin on their eyelids or beneath the eyes are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim to see if blepharoplasty is the right procedure for them.

Counterfeit goods are not uncommon especially in Southern California. A trip to any local flea market will yield many counterfeit designer purses, shoes, and clothes. According to recent ABC news story it appears as though counterfeit Botox may have been shipped to doctors in Southern California. The US FDA has warned doctors that they may have received unapproved versions of Botox. Federal regulators reported that a Canadian supplier shipped out versions of what they labeled as Botox ever unapproved by the FDA and could possibly be counterfeit. The agency made it clear that they cannot sure that the product is effective or safe. The FDA stated that the supplier Canada Drugs, has shipped fake cancer drugs in the past. The company has operated under a multitude of other names while performing virtually the same business. According to federal officials host of the products that were sold and distributed under the other names were also not approved by the FDA. The agency also went as far as to warn doctors about purchasing drugs from outside sources as an alternative to licensed US pharmacies. This warning makes the fifth warning issued by the FDA this year concerning foreign of suppliers selling unapproved drugs. While it is difficult to determine where a doctor purchases the drugs or supplies used within the practice it is up to the patient to determine whether it is reasonable to assume that the doctor they choose will make the best choices concerning their safety. Since Botox is largely used as a cosmetic drug many patients tend to discount any dangers associated with the drug. Dr. Kim consults with each patient who chooses Botox treatment and provide a complete written information sheet which highlights the complications and risk associated with the drug and the procedure. Stories like this ABC news story reiterate the importance of choosing a trusted Botox provider and using the same provider on a consistent basis. While the urge to jump to another provider may be magnified by an attractive price point, the reality is consistency is what breeds excellent results. Patients were considering Botox or other injectable procedures are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim’s office and schedule a consultation.

Finding the right breakfast foods can be extremely challenging. According to a recent online ABC news story as Americans become more health-conscious oatmeal is taken front and center as one of the breakfast foods choice. But, the reality is oatmeal every morning can become boring rather quickly. The recent ABC news story gave some new ideas to old-fashioned oatmeal. Most of us already know about berries and almonds but the news story challenges us to get more creative with fruit and nut choices. One of the suggestions pomegranate arils and pistachios found quite interesting. It claims to be a nice combo slightly sweet and made nutty when adding almond milk. Try substituting nuts with nut butter. Any kind of nut butter with crisp sweet fruit for instance a pair can be tasty with a splash of any milk alternative including soy or almond milk. Banana and walnuts are also an excellent addition for hot oatmeal. Think banana bread in a bowl. For an added sweet flavor try vanilla extract. One added suggestion as a standby was to take two parts oatmeal, one part low-fat yogurt, and one part juice stirring until creamy. Placing it in the refrigerator overnight, gives you a thick, cool, creamy and tangy oat treat that you can either eat cool from the refrigerator or warm up to fit your taste. One suggestion from a health Magazine included crumbled piece of turkey bacon, low-fat cheddar cheese, and scallions sprinkled on top. The bottom line is that you will get plenty of protein, fiber, healthy fat, and just the right amount of carbohydrates. Dr. Kim encourages patients to eat healthy and maintain a stable weight following cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Body contouring procedures like liposuction or abdominoplasty can lead patients to believe that they do not need to worry about added weight. The truth is that even after having fat removed, fat cells remain they can in fact accommodate weight gain. Patients who are considering body contouring procedures are encouraged to contact Dr. Kim and schedule a consultation.

After the holidays it is common knowledge that the gym is likely to be packed with people who have promised to work out. The running joke is that they should be all gone by February. According to recent ABC news story you can lose weight, get healthy, and skip the expensive the gym altogether. According to Consumer Reports you can get in shape and keep your wallet fat. All you need are a few inexpensive props and a good fitness routine to get started, said Gayle Williams with Consumer Reports. A stability ball is one of the suggestions for building core strength and improving balance. It can also be used to tone your glutes as well as your legs. A stability ball cost about $30. Jumping rope about 15 min. a day is an instant cardio workout. Using the jump rope with nonslip foam handles works best. This will cost about six dollars. Hula hooping is a great cardio exercise and also great for your core. A hula hoop will cost not more than six dollars. Elastic bands or tubes are also great for inexpensive exercise at home. They were great for resistance training and help to strengthen and tone muscles. Their estimated cost is a little over eight dollars. The news story also suggest and exercise mat with extra cushioning which helps to make push-ups and other floor exercises more comfortable. Mats should go for about $20. Free weights are also useful and could cost between $10 and $60. Ultimately it is suggested that you work up to having two pair a lighter pair to work your arms and shoulders, and have your one for your back and chest. The suggested exercise routine should consist of 30 min. of aerobic exercise five times a week and strength training 2 to 3 days a week. Patients who are considering breast augmentation should share their exercise habits with Dr. Kim prior to surgery. Dr. Kim will make specific recommendations for patients concerning their post surgical exercise activities. It is important to use common sense when resuming exercise activities following breast augmentation. Patients who have had breast augmentation combined with breast lift need not only to be concerned with the possibility of dislodging the implant but also with protecting the incisions during early healing period. Dr. Kim will advise patients when it is safe to return to their normal exercise routine. Patients who are considering breast augmentation are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.

Menopause brings about many physical changes. According to recent ABC news story the well-known affects and a womans mood, sleep, and heart health are well documented. According to new research there are specific changes that go on in the brain during the first year of menopause. The University of Rochester Medical Center had researchers take a closer look at what some of referred to as menopause brain fog. Most people are familiar with hot flashes, and trouble sleeping but people tend to talk less about memory loss. Researchers sought out the reasons as to why this happens. The theory is that areas of the brain that are used to process the learning of new information are packed with estrogen receptors. So, when estrogen levels are reduced the function of these critical areas sufferers. The good news, according to the researchers, is that once women get through the first year following menopause, their memory and concentration along with fine motor skills are likely to return in time. This is expected whether they use hormones to treat the symptoms of menopause or not. For women who do not want to wait the year out, hormone replacement therapy appeared to be beneficial. Dr. Kim consults with women who are noticing body contour changes as a result of menopause. The hormonal shift can cause some women to have bulges of fat that appear on the upper abdomen, upper back, and outer thighs. For many women, their weight has not changed; just the contour of their body. In these cases Dr. Kim may recommend liposuction as a way to sculpt the body. Liposuction removes small areas of fat in targeted areas creating a much more aesthetically pleasing shape and contour. As an artist as well as a surgeon Dr. Kim is uniquely qualified to produce exceptional results that exceed those that are capable through diet and exercise alone. Patients who considering body contouring procedures including abdominoplasty are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.

There are no shortages of celebrity fads especially here in Beverly Hills. One of the latest especially in new year is the infusion of vitamins through IV . According to a recent ABC news story the main purpose of the vitamin infusion is to boost energy and build up the immune system. Many celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon and towering the attributes of the vitamin boost. According to a chiropractor Dr. Craig John, only 15 to 20% of oral vitamins are actually absorbed. He claims that going straight IV or intravenously you will get 100% absorption. He claims that the infusions boost energy, strengthen the immune system, protect against diseases and increase the speed of muscle repair. Vitamin cocktails are personalized for each patient and cost an estimated $150 each. The majority consist of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other smaller amounts of minerals. Some medical doctors dispute the claims and called the vitamin cocktails unnecessary. It is widely believed that patients who have a healthy diet on a regular basis are likely to be getting most of the vitamins that they need. The overall consensus of medical doctors is that intravenous vitamins for healthy person are for the most part a waste of money. Like any intravenous treatment there are risk including bruising, infection, and vein inflammation at the injection site. There is also a possibility that the wrong dose of any specific nutrient could be infused. Still, those who applaud the effects of IV vitamins stand by their belief that they look better and feel better after the vitamin treatments. Dr. Kim explains to patients were considering cosmetic surgery procedures including rhinoplasty, or facelift that there are certain medications that must be avoided prior to surgery. These medications include specific vitamins and patients are given a detailed list of which vitamins to avoid. Some vitamins can increase bruising and swelling for the patient during and following surgery. Patients are advised to refrain from any unapproved medications a minimum of three weeks prior to surgery. Patients who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery are encouraged to contact Dr. Kims office and schedule a consultation.