Whether through surgical intervention, strict diet, and exercise, or a combination, losing 100 or more pounds is life-changing. Beyond simply losing the weight, many patients often adopt healthier diets and more active lifestyles.

While losing a significant amount of weight certainly promotes patient health, the loss of excess adipose tissue can leave behind loose and heavy skin. Beyond making it difficult for patients to fit clothes properly, it can be an unpleasant reminder of a former lifestyle. Many individuals who’ve lost upwards of 100 pounds turn to plastic surgery as a way of complementing their new, healthier lifestyle.

Post-Surgery Plastic Surgery’s Role in Weight Loss

For weight loss patients, plastic surgery isn’t simply about the cosmetic appeal. For many, the journey to a healthy weight is a long one that will continue even after their bodies are transformed, and the development of excess skin keeps these individuals from truly feeling their best. Furthermore, drooping tissue in the wrong places can interfere with a person’s ability to stay active and maintain their weight. For these individuals, removing loose tissue is another step to achieving their best selves.

What are My Options?

As with any other surgery, removing excess skin post-weight loss requires a tailored approach. Patients don’t always have the same degree of skin laxity in the same places, and each has their own aesthetic goals. Post-weight loss plastic surgery also requires that patients maintain their healthy body weight for a specific time before considering skin removal procedures.

Techniques developed over recent decades have allowed experienced plastic surgeons to address loose skin across the entire body and create natural-looking contours. Multi-procedure treatment plans for body contouring make it possible to remove excess skin from the body rather than just one area. During the consultation, patients identify which combinations of procedures would best help them achieve their goals. Some of the most popular options included within a body contouring treatment plan include:

Tummy Tuck

While most patients associate tummy tucks with post-partum recovery, abdominoplasties are an important step in helping weight-loss patients achieve ideal contour of the midsection. Often combined with a panniculectomy, or the removal of skin that hangs over the waistline, this body contouring procedure helps tighten the abdominal muscles, remove loose skin, and even minimize localized fat deposits.

Arm Lift

Sagging upper arms are another common side effect of significant weight loss. To create lean and smooth arms, the plastic surgeons at BHPS offer brachioplasty. This popular plastic surgery treatment removes extra skin while tightening the muscle tissue below, adding definition to the upper arm that would be difficult to achieve without surgical intervention.

Buttock Augmentation

Even if your new lifestyle includes many squat days at the gym, significant weight-loss can cause the glutes to flatten or appear deflated. Buttock augmentation, either on its own or as part of a lower body lift or fully body contouring plan, removes tissue that has lost its elasticity while adding shape and tone to the buttocks.

Breast Augmentation and Reduction

Weight gain and subsequent weight loss often have a lasting impact on the appearance of the breasts for both men and women. For men, excess tissue can create the appearance of breasts even after weight loss, while women may find their breasts are disproportionate to their new body size. Breast reduction for men and lifts or augmentation for women are common solutions that help every individual improve their figure and self-confidence.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Losing a significant amount of weight provides patients with a new lease on life – why not look as good as you feel? Contact the plastics surgeons at BHPS today and schedule your consultation to learn about available body contouring opportunities.

 

A breast revision cosmetic surgery procedure is usually more complicated than the original breast augmentation procedure.

However, the steps involved in preparing for a breast revision surgery will be quite similar to the previous breast enhancement procedure. The surgeon will elaborate on these steps in detail during the initial consultation.

Patients who prepare adequately for the surgery usually experience lesser pre-operative anxiety and have a better chance of attaining safe and predictable outcomes. Devoted plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations in The Golden State.

Preparation Instructions

The below mentioned guidelines will enable a patient to prepare sufficiently for breast revision plastic surgery:

The patient should follow the surgeon’s guidelines dedicatedly to prepare for the surgery to ensure her own safety.

Do’s and Don’ts

The surgeon’s staff may provide a copy of common surgery guidelines or do’s and don’ts to help the patient prepare for the breast revision procedure. These guidelines may include:

Some patients may experience pre-operative stress and anxiety a day before the procedure. The surgeon may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication for the patient to take the night before the surgery in such cases.

Astute cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in this part of the country for breast implant revision surgery.

A woman may need a breast revision cosmetic surgery if she wants to have her breast implants replaced or removed because of damage or a change in her personal preferences.

Similar to any other surgical procedure, breast revision surgery also carries some risks of complications.

It is essential for patients to understand that breast revision is usually a more complicated procedure than the original breast implant surgery. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Potential Surgical Complications

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient about the possible risks and complications of a breast revision surgery. The patient should diligently follow the surgeon’s pre and post-operative guidelines to minimize these risks. The main complications associated with this surgery are:

 

 

Breast Implant Removal Risks

Although breast implant removal is typically a more straightforward plastic surgery, it may have to be performed in combination with a breast lift for desirable outcomes. Some rare but significant complications that a patient may face following an implant removal surgery are as follows:

The breasts will possibly not look the same as they did prior to the breast implant procedure. There may be some breast deformity and sagginess, especially in case of more substantial implants. If a breast lift is performed along with the breast removal procedure, it can address the undesirable cosmetic outcomes in such cases.

In certain cases, the patient may find that her natural breasts seem smaller following the implant removal than what she recalls.

This may happen due to weight loss or hormonal fluctuations that occurred when the patient underwent the breast augmentation surgery previously. Patients should develop reasonable expectations from the breast removal procedure to attain desirable outcomes.

Breast Implant Replacement Risks

The risks involved in a breast implant replacement surgery are the same as those that are present during the original breast augmentation process. Some rare complications in a breast implant replacement surgery include:

If a woman chooses more significant sized implants for her breast revision surgery, she may undergo more discomfort as her body takes time to acclimatize itself to the new, larger implants. The procedure for the placement of the larger implants will also involve a more intricate and invasive surgical procedure.

The surgeon will have to develop new breast pockets to hold the bigger implants. They may also have to change the placement position of the implants. This can lead to a slight increase in the risk of complications.

A patient should understand that any breast revision surgical procedure involves some level of risk. Therefore, she should seek a replacement procedure only when she experiences a complication or wants to change her breast size.

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

Patients who are displeased with the appearance of their breasts after a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery procedure or experience complications should consult a cosmetic surgeon for a breast implant revision surgery.

A focused, cordial, and well-qualified breast revision surgeon can create a customized surgical plan to suit the patient’s specific needs.

During the pre-operative consultation process, the surgeon will try to assess the patient’s objectives and evaluate the state of the existing implants to establish the most appropriate technique for the breast implant revision procedure.

The patient should take this chance to understand in-depth about the surgeon and choose an approach that is most suitable for her.

The consultation process is an essential opportunity for the patient to learn more about the surgical procedure. Patients should enlist their questions and concerns beforehand to derive the most value from their consultation with the plastic surgeon.

Prudent plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations in The Golden State.

Implant Replacement or Removal

The main decision taken during the consultation is about the patient’s wishes regarding implant removal or replacement. Women with capsular contracture which causes the implants to lose their shape, position, or become tight, damaged or rippled will necessarily require implant replacement or removal.

In case the patient chooses only implant removal and not a replacement, she may have to undergo a breast lift as a component of the breast revision plastic surgery. The surgeon will assess the breast skin laxity and consider the patient’s aesthetic desires to determine whether a breast lift should be included in the breast implant revision surgery.

Implant Choice, Incision Preferences, and Anesthesia

The surgeon will commonly use the incision lines from the prior surgery to remove the older implants and place new ones. This will negate the possibility of additional scarring in other areas.

However, if the patient chooses implants that are different in shape, size, or type from the original ones, the surgeon may need to make alterations to the implant pockets by placing new incisions.

In case of a replacement procedure, the surgeon will have a detailed discussion with the patient during to consultation process and help them arrive at the correct decision regarding the new implants.

Surgeons usually advise patients to choose a breast implant replacement surgery instead of an implant removal because this makes the surgery less complicated and reduces the chances of infection and bleeding.

Patients are usually placed under general anesthesia or IV sedation for an implant revision procedure. They can often return home on the day of the procedure itself. The decision regarding anesthesia will depend on the patient’s overall health condition, the extent of the procedure and clearance from the anesthesiologist.

Forming Realistic Expectations

A dedicated surgeon will cautiously assess the innate aesthetic desires and goals of the patient regarding her breasts. They may present her with before and after pictures of previous breast revision surgeries to help her form realistic expectations about the surgery results.

Judicious cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in this part of the country for breast implant revision surgery.

A woman may need a breast implant revision procedure at some stage following a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery.

Breast revision surgery may be necessary due to cosmetic, medical or emotional reasons. The candidate should be in good overall health and not pregnant or breastfeeding when considering a breast implant revision surgery.

At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will determine the patient’s candidacy for breast implant revision. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Factors to Determine Candidacy

The cosmetic surgeon will evaluate various factors to establish the woman’s candidacy for a breast implant revision procedure. These factors are as follows:

Ineffective Breast Implants

Breast augmentation is sought-after and effective plastic surgery. However, it may not always generate desirable aesthetic outcomes. Various reasons could lead to unwanted surgical results such as incorrect shape, size, or type of implants.

At times, a woman may feel that she was more satisfied with her natural body shape before the implant procedure or that the more significant breast size is leading to challenges in performing routine activities.

In other cases, women may feel that the implants are excessively small or larger than what they expected, or they may feel unhappy with the new breast shape and profile. Such women are ideal candidates for a breast implant revision plastic surgery.

If a patient wants to switch to silicone implants which were earlier unapproved by the FDA, they may seek a breast revision procedure. These women are also good candidates for a revision implant procedure.

Surgical Complications

Certain women may experience complications with the breast implant following the breast enhancement procedure. Such problems can present themselves at any stage after the surgery.

The risks of complication are reduced when a highly-qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon performs the procedure. However, complications may still arise in rare cases.

Furthermore, capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue around the implants starts squeezing or tightening the implant. In such cases, the patient will need to implant or scar tissue removal or the placement of a new implant. Some patients may experience implant leakage or rupture due to normal wear and tear or faulty implants.

The thinning of skin across the breast because of hormonal changes or other reasons may lead to implant rippling. At times, the breast implant may shift from its original position leading to a lopsided appearance. It may not be possible to correct such conditions externally, and the patient may have to undergo a breast revision procedure.

Other Considerations for Breast Implant Revision

There are other considerations as well that may establish a woman’s candidacy for an implant revision procedure. A woman diagnosed with breast cancer after a breast augmentation surgery may require implant removal.

This may be a necessity for her cancer treatment plan. A woman may seek a revision procedure due to changes in lifestyle preferences as well. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast implant revision surgery.

Often, women seeking breast surgery such as an augmentation or reduction ask us about the best age for these potentially life-changing procedures. However, the answer is different for every patient and depends on several factors.

Why Do Women Get Breast Surgery?

There are many reasons a woman might desire to undergo breast surgery. For example, a younger woman who feels self-conscious about the size, shape, or symmetry of her breasts may opt for the procedure.

Breast surgery can help adult women of almost any age feel sexier and more confident about the look of their breasts. In fact, younger women who opt to get breast surgery may experience an easier recovery process, since their skin is more elastic and tends to bounce back more quickly.

Is There a Minimum Age for Breast Surgery?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend breast surgery for women under the age of 18. That’s because, for best results, a woman’s breasts should be fully developed before undergoing a surgical procedure.

Because no two bodies are completely alike, two women of the same age may reach physical maturity at different rates. Even after going through puberty, many women find that their breasts continue to grow and change up through their early 20s, while other women’s breasts are fully developed in their teens.

Deciding on an ideal shape and size is more challenging if the breasts are not fully finished developing. If you are a younger woman thinking about getting a breast augmentation, keep in mind that waiting for the breasts to settle into their fully developed size and shape will help you and your cosmetic surgeon decide what type of breast implant is right for you, as well as where to place it.

The FDA has approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older, and for breast reconstruction after surgery or injury in women of any age.

Breast Augmentation for Women in Their 20s

Women who decide to have breast augmentation surgery in their 20s must take several factors into account before undergoing breast surgery. These concerns are:

Although breast implants will not negatively impact your ability to get pregnant or breastfeed, the effects of pregnancy, such as weight gain and stretched skin, can cause sagging and stretch marks, which may negate the results of a breast augmentation. As a result, some women who had breast implants before one or more pregnancies may find they need to undergo an additional augmentation to restore the size and shape of their breasts.

To avoid future surgeries, breast surgeons advise women to wait until after they are done having children before they undergo a breast augmentation – especially if they are planning to breastfeed. Though there is minimal risk that the implants will hinder women’s ability to breastfeed, they may cause the breasts to sag even further. However, if you do not plan to have children, or if you understand and accept that you might want to get another breast surgery, there is no medical reason you can’t have a breast augmentation in your 20s.

Breast Reduction for Women in Their 20s

Most women who opt for breast reduction surgery are seeking physical benefits more than cosmetic ones. Large, heavy breasts can cause neck and back pain, and in some cases, may even limit the activities a woman can participate in.

Again, in most cases, it is better to wait until a woman’s breasts have fully developed before getting a reduction surgery. However, for women whose large or sagging breasts are putting them in significant discomfort, we can perform the surgery earlier, provided the patient is mature enough to fully understand the procedure. As with breast augmentation, we do not recommend breast reduction for women who plan to breastfeed.

Contact Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery With All Your Breast Procedure Questions

If you’re a younger woman who is weighing the options of breast surgery, fill out our convenient online contact form or call our Beverly Hills office at 310-746-5439 to speak to our friendly staff. We would be happy to schedule a private consultation with our qualified cosmetic surgeons.

 

 

 

Is a mommy makeover right for you? The mommy makeover is an entirely customizable procedure that can help you achieve whatever you desire post-pregnancy and nursing. Read our infographic below to find out how each of the plastic surgery procedures you can choose from was rated by patients on RealSelf.com.

If you’re interested in a mommy makeover, contact us today.

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.

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.

A detailed consultation process will help create a concrete foundation for breast lift cosmetic surgery. During the consultation, the patient will have an opportunity to learn about the vital aspects of breast lift procedure as well as the surgeon’s practice. The patient should feel free to ask questions and clear her doubts and concerns during the consultation with the surgeon.

The surgeon will seek the patient’s inputs about her health condition and personal aesthetic goals, and will utilize that feedback to create a customized breast lift surgery plan. The consultation should preferably be scheduled well ahead of the surgery so that the patient gets adequate time to prepare and follow all the pre-op care instructions.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, led by and profound plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim, provides breast lift to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities across the horizon.

Determining Candidacy

The surgeon will determine the patient’s candidacy for breast lift at the time of initial consultation. They will review the patient’s medical records and ask examine her general health and breast anatomy. Specialized mammograms or some other tests may be ordered in a few cases. If the patient has any underlying medical condition, it should be addressed first before going ahead with the surgery.

Assessing Cosmetic Goals

One of the first things a surgeon would like to understand is why a patient wants to undergo breast lift surgery and what exactly about her breast shape or size might be troubling her. Some patients may want a dramatic enhancement in breast appearance, but others may only be looking for subtle improvements.

Based on the patient’s specific cosmetic needs and goals, the surgeon will recommend an appropriate surgical technique for breast lift. They will also suggest whether an additional procedure such as breast implants may be necessary. A surgical plan tailored to meet the unique requirements of the patient will be prepared.

Patient Education

A dedicated and focused surgeon will utilize the consultation to educate the patient on various aspects of breast lift and explain its benefits and limitations. They will also address the patient’s doubts and concerns related to the surgery as well as their own practice, and discuss the costs and financing issues. These details will enable the patient to make a well-considered decision.

The surgeon may also present breast lift before and after photos during the initial consultation to help the patient form reasonable expectations. Reviews and testimonials of past patients may also be shown at this time.

Preparation Guidelines

The responsible and kind surgeon will require the patient to stay off smoking and adjust her schedule of certain prescription and non-prescription medications. They may suggest the patient to arrange for transportation on the surgery day as well as aftercare for a few days.

Questions and Answers

The patient should freely ask questions during the breast lift consultation in order to make a judicious decision. She should preferably note down the questions in advance and bring the list with her for the consultation. Cordial and sensational cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities 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.