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You exercise regularly and count your caloric intake, but you still can’t seem to banish your bulging belly. You’re not alone. Tummy fat, especially the type called visceral fat, becomes increasingly troublesome as we age.

Visceral fat is a type of fat found deep within your abdominal cavity, surrounding internal organs such as your intestines. Doctors have linked higher levels of visceral fat with health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. Even if you work out most days of the week, you might still be fighting an uphill battle with your belly fat. What makes belly fat so difficult to conquer?

You might assume all fat cells are created equal, but in fact, you have two different kinds of fat cells: alpha and beta cells. Different areas of your body have a higher proportion of one type or the other. When it comes to body composition and fat loss, alpha cells are the enemy. It’s harder to lose body fat from areas that have more alpha cells. In contrast, you can burn stored fat more easily in areas of your body with a higher concentration of beta cells.

Alpha cells are associated with areas of stubborn body fat, which are often the waist and belly. As we age, both women and men tend to develop a higher ratio of alpha to beta fat cells in the abdominal region. That’s the reason for the “spare tire,” “love handles,” and “muffin top” that can be so hard to shed.

Aging is one factor associated with the concentration of alpha and beta cells in different areas of the body, but heredity is another influence. If you’ve noticed a tendency toward a specific body composition runs in your family, you can chalk it up to an inherited predisposition to have a higher ratio of alpha to beta cells in certain areas.

Why Exercise Helps You Get Rid of Belly Fat

If you exercise regularly and still find yourself with a roll of belly fat, the first thing to try is to increase the difficulty level of your workouts. Intense exercise leads your body to release more adrenaline, which helps stimulate fat burning. That’s why vigorous exercise, including high-intensity resistance training, is a powerful weapon in your ongoing battle with belly fat.

Exercise also helps you have more energy throughout the day, and both cardio and weight training offer considerable benefits across the board. If you’re trying to shed stubborn belly fat, your fitness regimen should include a balance of aerobic activity and weightlifting exercises. However, keep in mind that overtraining can cause you to reach a weight-loss plateau or even gain weight, so make sure to build rest days into your workout schedule.

You Are What You Eat

Unsurprisingly, diet is another factor influencing stubborn belly fat, especially the amounts and types of protein, fiber, and carbs you consume.

Protein

Lean protein helps you feel fuller longer, which reduces your urge to consume empty calories during the day. It also helps your body build muscle, which burns more calories even when you’re sitting still. Most people are getting the right amount of protein in their diet, but not necessarily from lean sources like fish, chicken, turkey, beans, and legumes. Instead, we’re putting red meat and cheese on our plates.

Fiber

Currently, Americans eat an average of 16 grams of fiber – the parts of plants our bodies can’t digest – daily. That’s about half the recommended amount of fiber. Like protein, fiber gives you a feeling of satiety, and it also leads to less insulin secretion and more short-chain fatty acids. All these factors add up to help you lose weight. Good sources of fiber include raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains.

Carbohydrates

Contrary to what you may have heard, not all carbohydrates are bad. In fact, carbs fuel your body and brain throughout the day. However, refined carbs, such as those found in processed foods like white bread, make it harder for you to lose weight. Instead, eat healthy carbs like fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Role of Stress in Belly Fat

Anything that elevates your levels of cortisol – also known as the “stress hormone” – will make it harder to conquer stubborn belly fat. If you let stress get out of hand, including failing to get the right amount of sleep, you may have chronically elevated cortisol levels that are contributing to your inability to lose belly fat.

A healthy amount of exercise can be an effective form of stress release, helping lower cortisol levels naturally. However, be careful not to overdo it. Exercising too much, especially if you are also limiting your calorie intake, raises your baseline cortisol level and makes it harder to lose body fat. In fact, when your cortisol levels are high, fat tends to redistribute from other areas of the body, like your hips and thighs, to your belly. So, both mental and physical stress can increase stubborn belly fat.

Post-menopausal women also experience higher cortisol levels. That’s one reason so many older women have problems losing weight and experience an expanding waistline.

Manage stress using a method that works for you. Yoga and meditation are two of the most effective stress-relief tools. Also, be sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

The Bottom Line

Now that you understand why stubborn belly fat is so difficult to lose, you can develop a more strategic way to address it – including exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes. And, if you find even your concentrated efforts aren’t helping whittle down your middle, you can explore our surgical and non-surgical techniques for addressing belly fat, including a tummy tuck, liposuction, or CoolSculpting.

 

Breast Reduction Surgery 

While breast reduction cosmetic surgery is generally considered a safe and predictable procedure, patients should be aware of the potential risks involved in the surgery.

The standard risks may include the possibility of infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, poor breast symmetry, conspicuous scarring, and uneven nipple height. But the potential advantages of the breast reduction surgery typically outweigh the risks associated with the procedure.

The plastic surgeon will inform the patient on the potential risks during the pre-operative consultation. The first objective of a dedicated surgeon will be to enable the patient to make a well-informed decision. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast reduction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations in this area of the state.

Asymmetrical Breasts

Breast reduction surgery may involve the risk of substantially asymmetrical breasts. But if the patient chooses an experienced and highly trained breast surgeon to perform this surgery, then this risk is significantly minimized. In case this asymmetry occurs, it can be addressed via a revision surgery.

Patients should also understand that natural breasts are not completely symmetrical. A slight variation in the shape and size is normal and will not warrant a revision procedure to correct it.

Uneven Nipple Height

A breast reduction surgery involves altering the breast shape and size as well as shifting some skin. This means that there is a possibility that the nipples will not be placed at the same height during the procedure. In certain cases, the areola and nipple are detached from their original location and re-grafted at a higher site on the breast.

In other cases, the surgeon may let the nipple remain attached but alter the breast skin to better fit the new, smaller-sized breasts. The risk of irregular nipple height exists in both these approaches.

Changes in Sensation

The patient may experience a loss of sensation in the breast after a reduction mammaplasty, especially if the areola has been detached and re-grafted at a different location. While areola re-grafting increases the aesthetic appeal of the breasts, detaching it from the tissue of the breast could lead to sensation loss.

To a certain degree, even if the breast reduction does not involve grafting, the patient could experience a change in sensation in the nipples or the entire breasts. While this altered sensation is usually temporary, it can be permanent in some exceptional cases.

Breastfeeding Challenges

A woman may be unable to breastfeed after a reduction mammaplasty. This risk depends on the surgical technique used for the reduction procedure. The risk to the ability to breastfeed increases if the surgeon uses the traditional anchor pattern breast reduction technique. In this technique, many milk ducts are eliminated leading to challenges in breastfeeding in the future.

This risk to breastfeeding is reduced in the case of the vertical incision breast reduction technique. In the vertical incision technique, at least a portion of the nipple remains attached to the milk ducts.

The risks to breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery are minimized if the patient has more fatty tissue in comparison to glandular tissue warranting the use of liposuction for the breast reduction surgery.

Similar to any surgery, the risk of infection exists in breast reduction surgery as well. Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and suburbs in this part of California for breast reduction.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

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

Breast Reduction Plastic Surgery 

Breast reduction cosmetic surgery procedure removes surplus fat, skin, and tissue to reduce the breast size. The surgery offers respite from the physical strain of oversized breasts as well as enables a woman to feel more confident about her appearance and provides a more proportional and desirable bust line.

Breast reduction surgical procedure can enhance the quality of life of the patient by reducing discomfort in the neck, back, and shoulders. After the surgery, a woman can wear a wide range of clothing and undertake physical activities more easily.

plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast reduction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in this part of the country.

Ideal Candidates

A woman who is unhappy with the appearance of oversized, pendulous breasts for cosmetic reasons, or if her larger breasts hinder her performance of daily tasks and cause discomfort and pain, she may be a suitable candidate for a breast reduction plastic surgery.

Many women who choose this surgery are interested in relieving pain and discomfort above other concerns.

Certain women may also consider breast reduction surgery to attain more self-confidence, which is a key outcome of this procedure.

Women considering this procedure should have completely developed breasts. However, in case a teenaged female undergoes significant discomfort because of excessively large sized breasts, she may also be a suitable candidate for this surgery.

Women planning to breastfeed in future should avoid breast reduction surgery as this procedure involves the removal of several milk ducts that lead to the nipples.

Candidates for Anchor Pattern Surgery

Anchor pattern surgery refers to the traditional breast reduction technique suitable for women with oversized breasts. The technique involves removing a significant amount of tissue and skin in comparison to alternative breast reduction methods.

This technique is suitable for women with extremely dense breast tissue, more glandular breast tissue than fat, and women who have not yet reached menopause.

Candidates for Vertical Incision Surgery

Vertical incision breast reduction procedure is appropriate for women with moderate to large sized breasts. Women who have this breast size may feel uncomfortable and experience restrictions in movement.

The breast skin and tissue removal amount will be lesser in the vertical incision technique relative to the traditional anchor pattern technique. But the glandular and fatty tissue will still be eliminated from the breast in this technique.

Candidates for Scarless Breast Reduction

In case the patient’s breasts have more fatty tissue in comparison to glandular tissue, she may be a suitable candidate for the scarless breast reduction technique. This procedure is relatively less invasive. It only involves liposuction to decrease the amount of fatty tissue creating a more proportionate breast size.

In some cases, a woman may be a candidate for breast reduction in conjunction with breast lift. If the woman has significant skin laxity in the breasts, it may be necessary to perform both reduction and lift procedures to create youthful, firm and proportionate breasts.

Reliable cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas across the landscape for breast reduction.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

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

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Options | Beverly Hills Plastic SurgeryHyperpigmentation is usually a harmless condition where certain areas of the skin darken in comparison to the skin surrounding them. This condition occurs when excess melanin (which is the brown pigment that renders the skin its color) causes deposits on the skin.

Certain kinds of pigmentation such as those due to acne can lighten over time even without treatment. However, most cases of discoloration require treatment with strong, active ingredients, and non cosmetic surgery in-office procedures to eliminate these surface spots.

plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and surrounding communities.

Microdermabrasion for Minimal Darkness

In microdermabrasion, the topmost layer of the skin is delicately removed to address darkness, sunspots, and other such minimal and superficial pigmentation. Some microdermabrasion procedures encompass an additional step, in which special anti-pigment ingredients are suffused in the skin to create a brighter effect.

Chemical Peels for Stubborn Spots

Patients may be offered glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and TCA chemical peels to address discoloration. Chemical peels are quite effective at providing quicker results and eradicating deeper pigment. The provider can alter the potency of chemical peels to be suitable for the depth and type of procedure. But a peel is not ideal for every skin type and color. If the patient has skin that scars easily, then they should consider alternative options.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for Discoloration from the Sun

IPL is a sought-after option for the treatment of discoloration due to sun exposure. This treatment encompasses light-based energy that is pulsed on the skin while targeting blood vessels at the same time. The light identifies the discoloration of the skin and lifts it away. The treatment areas may turn dark and experience flaking after a few days.

Fractional Laser for Stubborn Discoloration

Fractional laser is the most effective and intense alternative available for the treatment of stubborn pigmentation. Advanced laser techniques cause controlled and safe micro-injuries to the skin. These injuries stimulate the skin’s own healing mechanism. This helps in diminishing the discoloration leading to fresh, more youthful-looking skin to surface.

Obagi for Less Intensive Treatment

Obagi prescription skin care range is a good option for patients who do not want to undergo more intensive or plastic surgery treatments that may need longer recovery. Obagi offers a wide array of products for skin care that are available on a dermatologist’s prescription.

Other Treatment Suggestions

A combination of over the counter topical skincare products that comprise active ingredients (such as niacinamide or soy) may assist in brightening the skin and are good for everyday usage.

The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is strongly recommended to avoid further skin darkening.

A treatment provider can customize a patient’s treatment plan by the extent and seriousness of the pigmentation and their skin tone. The treatment may involve a single therapy or a combination of various therapies.  

Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast lift surgery.

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.

Questions to Ask Your Breast Lift Surgeon | Beverly Hills Plastic SurgeryAt the time of pre-operative consultation, the patient should ask relevant questions about breast lift cosmetic surgery in order to make an informed decision.

plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and surrounding communities.

 

Will a Breast Lift surgery modify the size of my breasts?

No. A breast lift procedure does not alter the size of the breasts. It only changes the position and contour of the breasts. However, breasts can seem smaller post breast lift surgery.

 

What Steps are Required to Prepare for a Breast Lift Surgery?

The patient and surgeon will create a personalized plan to address the unique needs of the patient. Some typical steps in preparing for a breast lift plastic surgery procedure include:

 

What are the Risks Involved in a Breast Lift Surgery?

There are certain risks inherent in a breast lift procedure, just like any surgery. The patient must evaluate the possible complications and risks against the potential advantages before deciding to go ahead with a breast lift surgery. If the patient is candid during the consultation, it can significantly decrease the chances of potential problems.

However, all of these risks to do not apply individually. They form a general compilation of various possible risks. You must discuss the highest risks associated with your case during consultations with the surgeon.

 

How much Scarring will Occur after Breast Lift Surgery?

All breast lift procedures will cause some scarring. These can be insignificant and discreetly hidden in the areola. Furthermore, some scars can be more significant extending on the breast or in the crease beneath the breast. Attempts to prevent necessary incisions can cause undesired outcomes specific to persistent laxity of the breasts. The surgeon will place incisions that are permanent. However, the scars will fade over time.

 

What to Expect during Post-op Recovery?

The surgeon will dress or bandage your incisions immediately following a breast lift surgery. It is essential to support your breasts by wearing a bra during the recovery period. This also assists in reducing the inflammation. Most patients can resume their regular regimen within one week or ten days.

 

How long with the Results of Breast Lift last?

The results of your breast lift procedure will be visible immediately. However, the outcome will be more visible over the following few months as the inflammation subsides and the breasts recover entirely. These outcomes are long-lasting. Though, your breasts will most likely change continually with age and gravity. To ensure your youthful appearance for a long period, ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle and ideal weight.

 

Will a Breast Lift Interfere with my Future Pregnancy?

Breast lifts usually do not impact breast function. This means that you can conceive with negligible complications. But it is advisable to wait for a breast lift surgery till you do not plan to have more children. The weight gain and alterations to your breasts tissue during pregnancy can adversely impact the advantages from your breast lift surgery.

Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas across the horizon for breast lift surgery.

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.

Preparing For Breast Lift Surgery | Beverly Hills Plastic SurgeryA breast lift cosmetic surgery procedure is aimed at addressing laxity and sagginess in the breasts, which may occur due to aging or other factors. The procedure will also correct the position of nipples, if they are downward pointing. Breast lift surgery can successfully restore the perky, youthful appearance of the breasts.

The surgeon will help the patient to form realistic expectations from this surgery. They will recommend the patient to review multiple before and after photos of previous patients. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and suburbs in this part of The Golden State.

Interaction with Previous Patients

While preparing for a breast lift plastic surgery procedure, the candidate may interact with former breast lift patients who may be willing to share their experiences. Various online platforms such as Facebook, RealSelf, and other websites and forums offer candidates an opportunity to connect with breast lift procedure patients.

Preparatory Steps

If the surgeon suggests certain lifestyle changes or reaching a specific body weight range, the patient should strive to achieve these goals for ideal results from her breast lift. It will also help to reduce the risks of complications.

Before the surgery, the surgeon will ask the patient to:

The patient should enlist someone to give her a ride back home after the surgery and to stay with her for at least the first night post-surgery. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other cities and communities in this region of SoCal for breast lift.

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.

Whether pregnancy or weight fluctuations have taken a toll on the appearance of your stomach, tummy tuck surgery is an effective method to regain your sleek, toned core.  If you are looking to hit the beach this summer with confidence, this procedure can help you sculpt the beach body you deserve. Here are five things to know about the tummy tuck:

Want to learn more about what this procedure can do for your specific needs? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim.

Your Breast Lift Consultation | Beverly Hills Plastic SurgeryAs a first step while considering breast lift cosmetic surgery procedure, the patient would have a detailed pre-op consultation with the surgeon.

The surgeon will examine the patient thoroughly to establish her candidacy for a breast lift surgery. They will also assess the patient’s medical history to ensure that the risk of complications is not high.

The patient should proactively engage with the surgeon, carry a list of questions to ask, and ideally also carry a list of medications that she currently takes so that the surgeon can make the appropriate recommendations. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Determining Candidacy

During the pre-operative consultation, the patient will get an opportunity to discuss her aesthetic goals with the surgeon. The surgeon will assess the patient as a candidate for a breast lift plastic surgery and explain the incision techniques that may be most suitable for her.

It is essential that the patient is frank and forthright during this discussion about her health and cosmetic concerns and goals.

Physical Evaluation

The surgeon will assess, measure, and take pictures of the patient’s breasts for medical records.

The surgeon will evaluate:

If the patient feels that their breasts are too small or large, then the surgeon might suggest breast reduction or breast augmentation procedure in addition to breast lift.

Medical History

The patient should attend this consultation with the openness to discuss her complete medical history. This may include the following information:

The patient should inform the surgeon if she plans to lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant in near future. Furthermore, pregnancy can have an unpredictable impact on the results of a breast lift procedure.

Planning the Surgery

This consultation will provide the patient with an opportunity to understand which surgical techniques will be most suitable for her. The surgeon will also address any questions or concerns regarding the procedure. The patient should be open about her expectations and objectives for best outcomes.

The patient’s goals and her health and physical evaluation will help the surgeon create a customized breast surgery plan.

Key Aspects to Discuss

The suggestions and information that the surgeon shares with the patient may include:

The surgeon will also discuss breast implant or fat transfer alternatives if the patient decides to receive breast augmentation along with a mastopexy. Dignified cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other cities and towns across the horizon for a breast lift.

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.

Mastopexy, which is popularly called breast lift, is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at making the breasts appear tighter and more youthful by gently lifting the breast tissue.

During the breast lift procedure, the surgeon will remove excess skin from the breasts and may also tighten the underlying muscles and reposition the nipples to a raised level.

At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will carefully determine the patient’s candidacy for breast lift. Splendid, remarkable, and plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and surrounding locations.

Who should choose breast lift surgery?

The surgeon will closely examine a number of physical and other parameters to determine the patient’s candidacy for breast lift plastic surgery. If the patient suffers only from minor skin laxity in the breast area, the surgeon may suggest a non-surgical procedure for maintenance. Some other patients may have significantly drooping breasts to warrant a breast lift surgery.

In some cases, the breasts may have deflated or lost volume. This condition can be corrected with a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation surgery.

If a woman is unhappy with her sagging breast appearance and the nipples are pointing downwards, it may not be possible to reverse the condition with diet or exercise. In such cases, breast lift surgery may be the ideal treatment option. Breasts may droop heavily due to the following reasons:

Characteristics of a Good Candidate

Suitable candidates for breast lift will typically have the following attributes:

Breast Skin has Some Elasticity

If the candidate for breast lift has some amount of natural skin elasticity remaining in the breasts, it will help her achieve more effective results. The surgeon’s goal is to produce most beneficial outcomes, which is possible in such cases.

General Good Health

The surgeon will evaluate the candidate’s general health condition and review her medical records. Breast lift surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia, and the patient should be fit enough to undergo the procedure without any risk factors. The patient should not be suffering from any such health condition that could increase the risk of bleeding or delay healing.

Other Attributes

A suitable candidate for breast lift should ideally be a non-smoker or willing to quit smoking for a minimum time period specified by the surgeon. Candidates who have a positive mindset, clear aesthetic priorities, and realistic expectations will usually achieve the best satisfaction levels from a breast lift surgery.

Shining and caring cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and other communities and cities in this area of California for breast lift surgery and various other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures.

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.