Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Breast Augmentation and Body Shape

 

Your breast augmentation procedure should improve the size and shape of your chest, but it should also complement and enhance your entire frame. Working with you on an individual basis, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will assess your entire frame, taking into account your unique curves and dimensions, to ensure your breast augmentation ideally suits your body shape.

Body Shape Considerations

Rhinoplasty

Commonly called a nose job, rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure in which your nose is brought into ideal proportions with the rest of your face. Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can use this procedure to address issues including:

Breast Implants: Determining the Best Manufacturer

When you are discussing the types of breast implants offered by Beverly Hills breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim, it is not uncommon to wonder if one brand is superior. The truth is, while there are some differences between the outer shells of implants fromvarious manufacturers, there is no single brand that is best.

The Facelift Procedure

 

Prior to any plastic surgery procedure, it is not uncommon to want to know what to expect. When it comes to a facelift, many people wonder what the procedure itself is like. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim offers our patients choices when it comes to facelift surgery and, ultimately, these choice will impact what your procedure entails. However, all facelift procedures have some similar steps.

Facelift Steps

Choosing a Tummy Tuck Surgeon

 

Undoubtedly the easiest way to choose a tummy tuck surgeon is through a referral from a family member or friend. However, not everyone knows someone who has had a cosmetic surgery procedure, making it necessary to know what to look for in a tummy tuck surgeon.

The Best Age for Breast Augmentation

Many women who are unhappy with the appearance of their chests wonder at which age breast augmentation is best. The truth is: there is no single best age for breast augmentation, there is only your best age.

The appearance of your breasts can play a large role in your life. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your breasts and are over the age of 18, Los Angeles breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can help you determine if breast augmentation is the best choice for you.

Breast Augmentation and/or Breast Lift

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure in which implants are used to enhance the shape, size, symmetry, and projection of your breasts. Often, with breast augmentation, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can improve the profile of your entire body, helping you look more voluptuous and feel more womanly.

Asian Rhinoplasty Techniques

Dr. Eugene K. Kim, MD and Dr. Rollin K. Daniel have teamed up and published an article for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal for The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Dr. Kim studied and trained at the University of California, Irvine and actively participates in resident education.  Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills with Dr. Eugene Kim will offer up a free consultation if you wish to pursue Asian Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills, CA.

To read the full report, click the link below:

Your Cosmetic Surgery Consultation

Preparing for your plastic surgery consultation can be both an exciting and nervous experience. You are getting ready to make a major change to your body and invest a good chunk of change into your appearance. A consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can help you decide if plastic surgery is the right decision for you.

During your consultation, you can expect:

Evaluating Reviews for Plastic Surgeons

The decision to have plastic surgery is an important decision requiring both careful planning and thorough research to find the right surgeon. When considering which plastic surgeon you want to perform your procedure, it is important to read reviews by previous patients to make an informed decision.

Because not all reviews will be positive, it is important to know what to look for and how to choose a surgeon based on his or her online reviews.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

Many women suffer from breasts they feel are too large. In addition to embarrassment and self-consciousness, many women also experience physical symptoms and health-related issues from large breasts. You may be a good candidate for breast reduction if you encounter problems such as:

The Ideal Candidate for a Facelift

If you desire a more youthful, rested facial appearance, you may be a good candidate for a facelift. In general, facelift candidates are men and women age 40 and older that are in good health and do not smoke.

It is important to recognize that a facelift may not be for everyone. This facial rejuvenation procedure is intended to:

Can a Facelift Get Rid of My Wrinkles?

Facelift surgery is designed to improve the appearance of your face and neck area by removing loose skin and repositioning your underlying facial fat and muscle. Although wrinkles are sometimes reduced as a natural result of the skin tightening involved in facelift surgery, wrinkle reduction is not the goal of the procedure. However, Dr.

Breast Augmentation: Exercising With Breast Implants

For the first few weeks after breast augmentation surgery, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise. Light exercise can usually be resumed after a certain period of time, but since everyone heals at different rates, you should follow up with Dr. Kim before you start exercising again. Once he tells you that you’re ready, begin with low impact exercises, like walking and cycling. Avoid strenuous movements and heavy weightlifting; these activities should be worked up to slowly.

Breast Augmentation as Part of a Mommy Makeover

Many new mothers are discouraged when their breasts begin to lose volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding. As your breasts slowly deflate back into their pre-pregnancy state, the changes in your skin’s elasticity can make your breasts sag and look “empty.” With breast augmentation, experienced Los Angeles breast surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can restore the appearance of your breasts as part of a mommy makeover.

The Benefits of VASER® Liposuction

VASER® Liposuction is an advanced ultrasonic liposuction method that offers patients many unique benefits. VASER® Lipo takes the basic principles of ultrasonic energy one step further to minimize liposuction risks, reduce your discomfort, and improve your overall procedure.

How to Get Younger-Looking Skin

If you are tired of wrinkles and fine lines that make you look older than you really are, Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim offers a variety of options that can help you achieve younger-looking skin. The right procedure for you will depend on the specific facial area that you are looking to treat, as well as the general condition of your skin.

How BOTOX® Cosmetic Works

BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most effective nonsurgical treatments to eliminate crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. It works by paralyzing the facial muscles which contract, causing wrinkles to form.

Tummy Tuck Benefits

A tummy tuck is one of the most effective methods to get rid of excess skin and fat in the abdominal region, restoring the toned, flat stomach you once enjoyed. When performed by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, you can achieve dramatic results with a tummy tuck that help you look and feel like the best version of yourself.

Some of the biggest benefits of a tummy tuck include:

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Due to the extensive nature of the procedure, recovery after a tummy tuck can be a long process. In order to ensure that healing goes as smoothly as possible, you will need to carefully follow Dr. Kim’s instructions throughout the recovery period.

Tummy Tuck Risks

As with all surgical procedures, a tummy tuck is associated with certain risks. Some of these risks are common to all major surgeries, while others are more specific to a tummy tuck. It is important to understand that these risks are  rare. When performed by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, tummy tucks are very safe and consistently achieve excellent results.

Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

The tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) has become a widely-sought plastic surgery procedure, especially for women who have lost a significant amount of weight after pregnancy or diet and exercise. Loose abdominal muscles, sagging stomach skin, and stretch marks are all factors that can be addressed by a tummy tuck.

A good tummy tuck candidate should be in good overall health and physical shape to qualify for this procedure. During a consultation, Dr. Kim will assess a few different factors, such as:

Liposuction Candidacy

If you’ve worked hard to keep your body in shape, only to be discouraged by stubborn fat deposits that refuse to disappear, liposuction might be your answer. This popular body contouring procedure is designed to remove localized fat deposits that resist diet and exercise efforts.

Scarring and Breast Surgery

The main goal of any cosmetic breast surgery is to improve the overall appearance of a woman’s breasts. With this in mind, it’s understandable why scarring is a significant concern for many women. A visible scar can distract from the positive aesthetic results that a breast surgery has achieved.

Is BOTOX® Safe?

BOTOX® Cosmetic continues to be the most popular wrinkle treatment in America. Every year, millions of patients receive BOTOX® injections to fight off the effects of age, stress, and genetics – all of which can cause unwanted fine lines and wrinkles on your face, making you look older than you really feel.

Signs of Breast Augmentation Complications

Complications after breast augmentation surgery are rare, but you should know how to identify them in case they do occur. Dr. Kim will provide you with detailed post-surgical instructions for your recovery process, and he will also schedule a follow-up appointment with you to ensure you are healing correctly.

When to Remove and Replace Old Breast Implants

Breast implants do not have an expiration date; they are designed to be durable and long-lasting. However, like any medical device, breast implants can deteriorate and wear out given enough time. If your breast implants leak or rupture, they will need to be replaced. For some women, this won’t happen for over 30 years. For others, it can happen within 10 to 25 years. How long breast implants last depends on a number of different factors.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a body contouring technique in which excess fat is removed from a localized area of your body. Making small incisions, plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will insert a small cannula into your skin to gently remove stubborn deposits of fat. This procedure is an effective way to remove fat from many areas of your body, including:

How Safe is Liposuction?

Liposuction is among the top five most popular plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States every year. Complications with liposuction are extremely rare, and are less likely to occur when you choose an experienced cosmetic surgeon and carefully follow all pre- and postoperative instructions.

When to Replace Old Breast Implants

Breast implants can last for decades, but they are not indestructible. Eventually, they will start to break down inside your body. When a breast implant ruptures or causes capsular contracture, you should have it replaced as soon as possible.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Technically speaking, breast implants have no expiration date. Modern advances in breast implant materials and technology have made them more reliable and long-lasting than ever. However, like any medical device, they cannot be expected to last a lifetime. Given enough time, breast implants will inevitably become worn out and deteriorate.

Breast Augmentation and “Bottoming Out”

Bottoming out is a potential breast augmentation complication that sometimes occurs in thin patients with minimal breast tissue. This condition happens more often when breast implants are placed above the muscle, and do not have enough skin coverage.

Will a Breast Lift Hurt?

A breast lift is a procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts. This surgical procedure is ideal for women who have lost volume because of pregnancy or the natural effects of age and want to restore the size and firmness of their breasts.

Breast lifts are typically performed in a brief outpatient procedure, and most patients do not complain of substantial pain during or following breast lift surgery. As with any surgery, however, there will be at least some minor discomfort as your body heals.

Exercising After a Breast Lift

Recovery periods vary by individual, but most breast lift patients are able to return to work within a week and have their discomfort, swelling and bruising subside within two to three weeks.

Losing Weight After a Breast Lift

Dramatic weight loss following a breast lift (or mastopexy) may affect the appearance of your breasts, and Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim recommends that patients be at or near their ideal weight prior to undergoing a breast lift procedure.

Lumps After Breast Augmentation

Any lump noticed on your breast should be evaluated by a qualified physician, regardless of whether you’ve had a breast augmentation. If you have undergone breast augmentation surgery, a lump felt after the procedure could be many things and evaluation by your plastic surgeon is advisable.

Although instances of breast implants edging, rippling or folding are rare, they do occur on occasion. Saline breast implants are more prone to these issues than silicone gel breast implants.

Should I Wear a Surgical Bra after My Breast Augmentation?

Following your breast augmentation procedure, your breasts may naturally tend to “ride high” due to the tightness in your breast tissue.

As your body heals, your tissue will begin to recover and accept your breast implants. In the weeks and months after your surgery, the breast implants will begin to move down into a more natural position.

How Long Does Swelling Last After A Nose Job?

Plastic Surgery Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Glendale, Newport Beach

The duration of your swelling following a rhinoplasty, or nose job, depends on a number of factors related to the procedure itself as well as your individual condition.

In most cases, a majority of the swelling that occurs following a rhinoplasty procedure will subside within two to three months. The remaining swelling will decrease slowly, and you will see the final results of your nose job within six to 12 months.

Will My Nose Job Affect My Smile?

Some nose job—or rhinoplasty—patients notice in the first week or so following surgery that they are unable to smile normally.

Due to swelling in the nasal area and along the upper lip, your smile will be slightly affected in the initial weeks following your rhinoplasty procedure. As you heal and the swelling subsides, your smile should return to normal.

The associated discomfort you may feel during this time is easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. You may also experience some light bruising and swelling in the areas adjacent to the nose.

Tightness and Discomfort After Breast Augmentation

There are several factors that can contribute to a feeling of tightness following your breast augmentation.

Women who have breast implants placed under or partially under the chest muscle can be prone to some residual tightness and discomfort following breast augmentation surgery due to the breast implants pressing against the pectoralis muscles.

Some discomfort is normal following any breast augmentation procedure, and the tightness and discomfort will fade as your body heals. Gentle massage and quality bra support can also help alleviate these symptoms as you recover.

Infection After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Infection is a potential complication of any type of surgery. If it does occur, infection will usually make itself known within the first few days after breast augmentation surgery – however, it is possible for it to occur much later if steps are not taken to keep your incision sites clean.

Symptoms of infection include:

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Women seek out breast augmentation for a number of reasons. Some are naturally small-chested and have always wanted a more proportionate, shapely figure. Others have lost breast volume due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or the effects of aging.

Whatever your reasons are for considering breast augmentation, it is important that you meet a few basic qualifications in order to be a candidate, including:

How Often Will I Need BOTOX® Injections?

BOTOX® Cosmetic continues to be one of the most popular non-surgical wrinkle treatments available, capable of improving your look in a single 30-minute session. However, the effects of BOTOX® do not last forever. In order to maintain your results, you will need to receive further injections in the future.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon

If you are considering plastic surgery, choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you can make. A good plastic surgeon will not only make your safety their top priority, but they will also have the experience and skill necessary to produce beautiful, long-lasting aesthetic results that you can take confidence in. 

Here are some factors to consider when you are evaluating plastic surgeons in your area:

Numbness after Breast Augmentation

Numbness after breast augmentation is a typical part of the recovery process. You may experience numbness around the nipples, near the incision site or in other areas of your breast. You should regain feeling in the weeks and months following surgery.

Scars from Breast Augmentation

Before your breast augmentation, you will choose an incision option. The location of the scars left by the surgery will depend on which incision option you choose. These options are:

Above the Muscle Breast Augmentation for Bodybuilders

While female bodybuilders increase muscle tone and lean tissue, they lose fat. Reduced amounts of fatty tissue in your breasts will make your breasts appear smaller, and a breast augmentation may be the solution to restoring your breast size.

When do Implants Settle after Breast Augmentation?

Breast implants will settle into their final position about four months after breast augmentation. In some cases, it may take up to six months. If your breast implants have not settled within this time, you may need a revision surgery.

At first, your breasts may feel firm and as though they are too high. In the months following surgery, the implants will gradually settle and soften. It is possible that one breast implant will settle at a different rate than the other, which is fairly typical.

Effects of Smoking after Breast Augmentation

The evidence demonstrating the damaging effects of smoking on your life is pretty clear. It is widely known that heavy smokers have a vastly increased risk of health complications such as lung disease, cancer, and heart disease. Smoking can also speed up the aging process, causing you to develop wrinkles two to three times faster than non-smokers do.

But smoking also impairs your ability to heal. As a result, it is important that you refrain from smoking following your breast augmentation procedure.

Redoing Breast Augmentation after Pregnancy

Even if you have had breast augmentation in the past, pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly change the appearance of your breasts. Your breasts may have become stretched and saggy, causing an overall loss of volume.

To return the size and shape of your breasts to a pre-pregnancy appearance, you should first consider what you want from the surgery:

Wearing a Bra after Breast Augmentation

To make sure you heal properly, you will need to wear a sports bra for the weeks following breast augmentation.

Expect to not wear an underwire bra for several weeks after surgery. Breast augmentation will cause some numbness in your breasts, so you may not be able to notice if an underwire is causing irritation. Also, if your breast surgery incision was at the crease on the bottom of your breast (inframammary incision), avoiding an underwire helps protect this incision site as it heals.

Uneven Swelling after Breast Augmentation

Uneven swelling after breast augmentation is most often a normal part of recovery. The swelling should resolve during the weeks following surgery. Don’t be discouraged by swelling and bruising immediately after surgery; in most cases, it can take a few months to see the final results of your breast augmentation.

Muscle Spasms and Breast Augmentation

After breast augmentation surgery, muscle spasms are common. As the pectoral muscle adjusts to the presence of the implant, the spasms will cause you to feel tightness in your chest. After a week or two, the spasms should go away. Sometimes the spasms will not cease for three or four weeks if you received a relatively large implant size. Your cosmetic surgeon can discuss stretching routines and massage techniques to alleviate the discomfort of muscle spasms. If you are experiencing severe discomfort, you should consult your surgeon.

Exercising after a Tummy Tuck

Exercise will be an important component to your tummy tuck aftercare plan; however, it is important to follow Dr. Kim’s instructions carefully during this time. If you overdo it on exercise too soon, it can cause complications with your procedure.

Breast Lift before Pregnancy

A breast lift can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your breasts, helping them look perkier and more youthful. However, you should think carefully about the timing of your procedure since certain factors, such as future pregnancies, might negate the benefits of your breast lift.

Breastfeeding after a Breast Lift

There are many lifestyle factors which must be considered before you decide to undergo a breast lift. One of these factors is whether you plan on having children in the future. It is important to discuss any future pregnancy plans with Dr. Kim at your initial consultation so that you can make a fully informed decision as to whether this is the right time in your life to have a breast lift performed.

How Long Does Radiesse Last?

There are a number of dermal fillers available today which promise to rejuvenate your facial skin, providing you with a more youthful complexion. There are benefits and drawbacks to each filler, and it is important to discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Kim so that he can recommend the appropriate one for your needs.

Exercising after a Breast Lift

As with all major surgical procedures, a breast lift can take its toll on your body. As a result, you will need to get plenty of rest in the early phases of recovery to ensure that you heal properly.

Losing Weight after a Breast Lift

A breast lift can have a dramatic impact on your appearance. It is an ideal procedure to combat sagging issues caused by aging or pregnancy, and your procedure should be very effective at restoring the youthful, perky breasts you once enjoyed.

While most women experiencing sagging issues are candidates for a breast lift, there are certain factors which must be evaluated before moving forward with the procedure. One of these factors is future weight loss.

Does Latisse® Work Better than Other Eyelash Products?

Latisse is a prescription treatment used to grow longer, thicker eyelashes. It is currently the only FDA-approved treatment for eyelash growth.

Breast Lift with Implants

Some women can benefit from a breast lift alone, while others may achieve their desired results with a breast augmentation.

However, in some cases a combination of a breast lift and a breast augmentation may be necessary to help a patient meet her aesthetic goals. A consultation with experienced Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim can help determine whether a single procedure or blend of both breast lift and breast augmentation will be best for your body type and cosmetic goals.

How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

Breast lifts can provide long-lasting results, but the effects of a breast lift are not permanent. How long you are able to maintain the results of your breast lift depends on a number of factors.

Health, lifestyle, age, pregnancy and weight changes can all affect the duration of your breast lift. Likewise, your skin thickness and elasticity can also impact how your breast lift wears over time.

Perk Up Sagging Breasts

Age, genetics, weight fluctuations and breastfeeding can all contribute to making once-youthful breasts sag.

For those seeking to rejuvenate their breasts, there are effective options including a breast lift, breast augmentation or combination of the two procedures. During your consultation with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim, we will discuss your aesthetic goals and determine the right option for providing you with the perky, youthful contour you desire.

Get Rid of Deep Wrinkles with Radiesse

Collagen is what gives youthful skin its healthy, radiant appearance.

As you age, the collagen in your skin begins to break down, resulting in deep lines and wrinkles. This is a natural part of the aging process and it cannot be avoided. Limiting sun exposure, using a high quality skin cream, and not smoking can delay the appearance of some wrinkles. But no matter what you do, sooner or later, everyone’s skin succumbs to the aging process.

Does a Plastic Surgeon Break my Nose during Rhinoplasty?

A common question asked at a rhinoplasty consultation is, “Will you have to break my nose during the procedure?” As with many general questions related to plastic surgery procedures, the answer is unfortunately not entirely cut and dry. In reality, it depends on the unique characteristics of your nose and what you hope to accomplish from your rhinoplasty.

Breast Lift without Implants

Many women choose to accentuate a breast lift with breast augmentation. Together, these procedures can produce a fuller, firmer, and more youthful profile.

But not all women need both procedures to achieve the look desire. For many patients, a breast lift alone can produce the desired results.

Will Smoking Affect my Plastic Surgery Results?

Smoking is among the worst things you can do to your body, and everyone knows about the hazards smoking poses to your lungs, heart and mouth.

What many people don’t consider, however, are the effects smoking can have on your recovery from surgical procedures, including plastic surgery. If you are considering any cosmetic surgery procedure, it is important to quit smoking ahead of time.

Smoking will have a negative impact on the results of your plastic surgery for a number of reasons including:

Does Breast Augmentation Hurt?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, and as such there can be some discomfort during the recovery period. This pain is temporary, and can be minimized with medication and proper post-operative care.

What Type of Implant is Best for Breast Augmentation?

Experienced Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim understands that breast augmentation is not a “one-size-fits-all” procedure.

During your initial breast augmentation consultation, we will discuss your aesthetic goals and assess your body type to find the options best suited for you. Choosing the right type of breast implants is key in providing you the look you desire.

Rhinoplasty Results: What to Expect

Whether you are considering a rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, to address breathing problems, or to fix a broken nose, this popular surgical procedure can provide you with dramatic and permanent results. However, patients should still understand the limitations of the procedure and set realistic expectations for themselves.

Will My Nose Skin Thicken After Rhinoplasty?

After rhinoplasty surgery, a thin layer of scar tissue may form underneath your nose’s skin where it has been elevated. However, this layer of tissue is typically very minimal and shouldn’t have an effect on the appearance of your nose at all. Over time, the tissue will thin even further. The vast majority of patients do not experience any issues with noticeably thicker nose skin after surgery; in fact, skin will often appear to shrink around the new structure of your nose.

How Much Pain Can I Expect After a Breast Lift?

The amount of pain you experience after breast lift surgery will vary depending on a few different factors, including:

Exercising After a Breast Lift

After breast lift surgery, your body will need time to rest and heal before you can resume your normal activities – especially something as physically strenuous as exercise. At the same time, you do not want to be entirely sedentary; light walks within a few days of surgery can significantly help your healing process. Walking prevents your blood from clotting and expands your lungs, which can be vulnerable to partial collapse after surgery.

How Do I Know if My Nose is Broken?

Nasal fractures are more common than many people realize, yet it is not always easy to tell whether or not a nose is broken. When your nose becomes swollen, even x-rays can be deceptive or unhelpful in identifying the extent of the injury.

Signs that your nose may be broken include:

Can Rhinoplasty Refine a Thick Nose?

While rhinoplasty is very effective at re-shaping a nose with structural problems, it cannot reduce the thickness of your nose’s skin. If you have thick skin on your nose that already obscures its structure, it may also obscure any refinement that a rhinoplasty is able to accomplish.

Recognizing an Infection After Breast Augmentation

After your breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Kim will provide you with a course of antibiotics and a list of post-operative care instructions to avoid infection and other complications. However, even when you diligently follow all of your care instructions following surgery, it is still possible for infection to occur at your surgical site.

Some of the most obvious symptoms of infection include:

Breasts Too High After Breast Augmentation?

Immediately following a breast augmentation procedure, some patients may notice that their breasts appear much larger and higher than their intended results. This is the result of post-operative swelling, which usually takes 2-3 months to completely subside – however, it can last longer in some patients. When swelling is at its peak, patients can expect their breasts to be around ¼ of a cup size larger than their final results.

Breast Augmentation: Bottoming Out and the Double-Bubble Effect

The placement of your breast implants will affect both the final appearance of your breasts and the potential for complications such as bottoming out and the double-bubble effect.

Although the risks for bottoming out and the double-bubble effect are rare, they require revision surgery to correct. Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will discuss bottoming out and double-bubble as well as other potential complications of breast augmentation with you during your consultation.

How Can I Reduce Scars from Breast Augmentation?

All surgeries will leave some scarring. With breast augmentation, the location of your incision will be a determining factor in the final visibility of your scars.

Your breast augmentation procedure options include the size and type of breast implants, placement of your breast implants, and the location of the breast implant incision. In most cases, the scars are concealed and faint; however, the scars will not vanish completely.

Incision options include:

Breast Sagging: Do I Need a Breast Lift?

Breast sagging is normal, and most women experience some degree of sagging (or "ptosis") as they age. A breast lift is an effective procedure for correcting breast sagging, but the question of whether a breast lift is right for you is one that Dr. Eugene Kim can help you answer. Here are some questions that can help you make the decision whether to talk to Dr. Eugene Kim about a breast lift:

How Soon Can I Exercise After my Breast Augmentation?

Recovering from breast augmentation is an important final step in your surgery. How you help your body heal can impact the final appearance of your procedure, and also reduce potential risks and complications.

Is it Common to Combine Plastic Surgery Procedures?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 30 percent of people seek plastic surgery combined procedures to improve several aspects of their appearance. Combining procedures can have several benefits including:

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

If you are considering breast augmentation, you may wonder which type of breast implant is best for you, saline breast implants or silicone breast implants. Both breast implant types are safe and can give you good results from your breast augmentation, but they are not identical.

Breast Augmentation Scars and Swimsuit Season

In Los Angeles, swimsuit season is one of the main motivators for women to request breast augmentation. If you are one of these women, you may be concerned that the presence of scars may diminish the benefit you get from your breast augmentation.

Can Pregnant Women Use Latisse?

Latisse is classed by the FDA as pregnancy class "C." Class "C" means that animal studies have shown there might be some negative impact of the medication on pregnancy. In the case of Latisse, animal studies showed that at the approximate equivalent of 41 times the human dose, mothers saw a decreased gestation period and fetal weight, while there was an increase in dead fetuses, fetal resorption, fetal mortality, and pup mortality.

Breathing and Appearance Problems after Rhinoplasty

One of the hardest things about rhinoplasty is that it has a very long recovery period. Though you are generally able to return to work within about a week, and return to all your favorite activities in less than 12 weeks, your healing is not yet complete. It often takes six months and may take up to a year for the healing to be complete and your final results to be visible. Before then, you may experience a number of minor problems

What Is the Ideal Age for a Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure whose results are essentially permanent. If you have a successful rhinoplasty, you will not need another one to address the same cosmetic problems. Your nose may continue to change shape as a normal part of the aging process, but it will not revert to its old shape. In general, then, having a rhinoplasty performed at a young age makes sense, since it will give you the most time to enjoy the results. But there are a few things to consider to determine what is the ideal age for your rhinoplasty.

Common Deviated Septum Symptoms

A deviated septum is when the wall that divides your nostrils is crooked rather than straight, causing the nostrils to narrow at various points. If you are wondering whether you have a deviated septum, you may be wondering what are some of the more common symptoms. These symptoms include:

Can I Use Latisse If I Wear Contacts?

Latisse has been proven safe and effective for improving the length and thickness of your eyelashes. However, in order to ensure it is safe and effective for you, it's important to follow the usage information.

Dealing With Loss of Sensation After Breast Augmentation

All surgeries can impact the level of sensation you’re able to feel in the affected area. Depending on the region and type of surgery performed, the body can become more or less sensitive through the healing process. Some loss of sensation following breast augmentation is normal, although the degree of sensitivity varies by individual.

It is important to note that sensation is typically temporary and feeling will return as healing progresses.

Factors That May Affect Sensation

When Will Swelling Subside After Breast Augmentation?

After any surgical procedure, the body will swell in the area where the surgery was performed. Swelling is the body’s response to trauma and is a natural way for the body to protect itself while healing. You will experience swelling after your breast augmentation procedure; however, the swelling should quickly subside.

Will Latisse® Damage Your Eyes?

Latisse enhances the growth, thickness, and darkness of the eyelashes. It is FDA approved, and clinical trials demonstrated its safety when used as directed.

Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes. The applicator created for Latisse is designed to apply the medication only to the base of the eyelashes.

Reframe the Windows to Your Soul With Latisse®

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, eyelashes are the frames. But what do you do when those frames appear lank and emaciated?

If you have abnormal or limited eyelash growth, you may have eyelash hypotrichosis. And Latisse may be your solution for growing longer, thicker eyelashes.

How Soon After Rhinoplasty Can I Fly or Exercise?

Restrictions after rhinoplasty vary based on the extent of your procedure and factors related to your overall health. Flying and exercise are restricted after rhinoplasty because of the possibility of post-operative bleeding. The restrictions in activity are in place to limit the risk of bleeding and to ensure your comfort.

How Long Does Latisse® Last?

Latisse is FDA approved to increase the thickness, darkness, and length of your eyelashes. Treatment with Latisse involves nightly application of the medication to the base of the upper eyelashes. Application of Latisse is similar to applying liquid mascara.

You will begin to see results within four to six weeks. Results continue to increase over the course of treatment, and full results will be apparent within 16 weeks.

Don’t Fear Mammograms, Even if You Have Breast Implants

When it comes to mammograms, women with breast implants should approach them in the same manner as women without breast implants: as an annual event beginning at age 40 (or earlier if there is a family history of cancer).

Cosmetic Surgery Tourism

Many people think it is a good idea to take a cosmetic surgery vacation. After all, you want to take time off from work, and should have someone help you during the first days of recovery, right? What better place to do that than at an all-inclusive resort or hotel? And if you have to be resting anyway, why not rest at the beach?

The above logic is sound, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Should I Wait Until After Having Children for Breast Augmentation?

For women considering both breast augmentation and motherhood, the decision of whether to have breast implant surgery before or after childbirth can be a difficult one.

How Do I Find the Right Size for Breast Augmentation?

If you are considering breast augmentation, one of the most important decisions you will have to make, after choosing your plastic surgeon, is deciding on the size of breast implants you desire. This is one of the most personal decisions and can be one of the hardest to make. Here's some advice to make it easier.

Can Rhinoplasty Correct Asymmetric Nostrils?

The shape of your nostrils has a great impact on how easily you can breathe, and asymmetry of the nostrils may need to be corrected in order to improve your respiration. In many cases, however, people may choose to correct asymmetric nostrils to improve their appearance.

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that refines the shape and size of the nose and nostrils to improve the patient’s ability to breathe, as well as to provide an attractive, proportionate appearance of the nose.

I Have Breathing Problems--Do I Need a Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is commonly performed to improve the appearance of your nose, to correct the size and shape of your nose to help it harmonize with your face and give you self-confidence in your appearance. However, rhinoplasty can also be combined with surgery to correct the function of your nose.

There are a number of nasal structures that can contribute to breathing problems. The most commonly implicated structures in breathing problems are:

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon

There are many things to keep in mind when you choose a plastic surgeon. Knowing what to look for in a plastic surgeon will help you make the best decision possible.

Ask People You Know for Referrals

The first step in choosing a plastic surgeon is to ask around for referrals. Perhaps your family, friends, or coworkers had a good experience with a plastic surgeon and recommend him or her.

The Truth About Breastfeeding With Breast Implants

Although the Internet is rife with misinformation regarding breastfeeding and breast implants, the simple truth is that most women with breast implants who choose to breastfeed are able to do so without complication.

Regardless of breast augmentation surgery, not all women are able to breastfeed. Also regardless of breast augmentation surgery, women who are able to breastfeed are recommended to do so by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Options for Getting Even With Uneven Breasts

Breasts are like fingerprints in that no two are exactly alike, even on the same person. While some women have breasts that are mostly symmetrical, uneven breasts are the norm.

Buy One, Get One Free Latisse Kit

Grow your eyelashes

Buy one Latisse kit, get a second one free.  Offer expires April 30th, 2011.  Please contact our office to find out more about this offer and to schedule an appointment!

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Blog

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