The Skinny on Cellulite Reduction

As a Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I frequently talk with women who are frustrated by the appearance of cellulite on their bodies. A significant number of them spend money on drugstore remedies, which can’t produce the desired results.

Advances in cosmetic surgery have paved the way for new treatments that effectively reduce dimpled skin and uneven contours. Here are two popular cellulite treatments:

• SmoothShapes®: After 7 years of extensive testing, the perfect combination of laser and light technology was created to smooth away cellulite. Combined with a massage and vacuum pressure system, this nonsurgical treatment helps patients of all ages and body types.
• Body by Thermage®: This treatment is FDA approved to temporarily reduce cellulite. Most patients see results after one session, with continued improvement over 6 months. Using radiofrequency energy, this procedure restores connective tissue and increases collagen flexibility for smoother skin.

If you’re tired of trying store-bought creams, or simply want more information about your options for cellulite treatment, I recommend seeking the advice of an experienced surgeon.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Plastic Surgeon

How to Select a Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a plastic surgeon is not only a personal decision, but it can also determine the success of your surgery. As an experienced Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I’ve seen firsthand the difference it can make to choose a surgeon wisely. Here’s my list of do’s and don’ts in the search for the right plastic surgeon:

• Ask for a reference from any friends or family members that have had plastic surgery procedures if you like their results.
• Start looking online at plastic surgeons in your area. One of the first pages you should come across is the surgeon’s qualifications. See if the doctor is board-certified, and if he or she specializes in general procedures.
• Most plastic surgeons will offer a one-on-one consultation for women and men to come in and discuss their surgical options. This is a great way to get a general feel for a practice, and a doctor’s ability to understand your needs.
• Don’t come to a plastic surgeon’s office unprepared. The Internet is a great resource for gaining a general understanding of various procedures.
• Generate a list of questions to ask doctors about their experience, areas of specialization, and qualifications.
• Don’t choose the first doctor you visit. Set aside time to meet at least three doctors before you pick one.
• Compare your potential surgeons, and choose one that you feel most comfortable with. You should always feel that you can trust your doctor to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Plastic Surgeon

The Do’s and Dont’s of Recovery for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed today. With multiple techniques for this procedure, as well as a variety of options for implant placement, size, shape, and texture, recovery can vary considerably. Discussing your recovery with your Los Angeles plastic surgeon is helpful when considering the procedure. There are, however, general rules of thumb that I tell all of my breast implant patients, including the do’s and don’ts of recovery.

Do’s:

• Follow all of your doctor’s aftercare instructions.
• Allow ample time for your body to recover – don’t overdo it.
• Sleep on your back.
• Move around. Being mobile will help reduce your chances of blood clots.

Don’ts:

• Do not smoke before or after your surgery. Smoking will significantly increase the amount of time it will take to recover (and negatively impact your overall health).
• Don’t resume strenuous activity until your doctor allows you to.
• Do not lift anything above your head or do any stretches that will open or pull your sutures.
• Don’t submerge your sutures in a bathtub until they have completely closed.

These are some general tips that I tell all of my breast augmentation patients. However, it is important to talk to your surgeon and get specific details on your post-operative instructions.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Breast augmentation

Do I Have to Give Up Smoking Before Surgery?

As a Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I have come across many patients who wonder if they really need to quit smoking before having a surgical procedure. To be clear, smoking is one of the worst things you can do voluntarily to negatively impact your health. I would be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn’t heard of the negative effects of smoking these days. Without going through a laundry list of why smoking is bad for you, let’s look at it from a surgical perspective.

Smoking before your surgery can lead to the following problems:

• Increased bruising
• Respiratory problems
• Increased risk of infection
• Poor scarring

I understand that for many of my patients, giving up an addictive habit that is part of an everyday routine can be very difficult. But it is important that you consider the risks when you prepare for your surgical procedure. It is recommended that a patient quits smoking at least a month before their surgery, as smoking lowers the body’s ability to deliver important oxygen to all of the organs. This is very crucial during surgery as well as recovery.

So if you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, consider what smoking will do to your surgery and recovery – not to mention your overall health and happiness.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Plastic Surgeon

A Global Perspective

Recently the ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) released a “Biennial Global Survey” for plastic surgery procedures (learn more about it here). They compiled a list of the top procedures (both surgical and non-surgical) and the top 25 countries and regions where plastic surgery is most popular, which represented 75% of all cosmetic surgery procedures in 2009.

The United States leads the survey as the country with the most plastic surgery procedures, with China and Brazil rounding out the top 3. The survey may surprise people because of the inclusion of several countries that are not commonly associated with plastic surgery, such as India, Germany and Argentina. Another interesting result of this survey is that breast augmentation is no longer the most popular procedure worldwide; it is now replaced by liposuction.

As a board-certified Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I believe that this survey enables us to see plastic surgery from a different perspective. We are now able to look at this topic from a global standpoint and compare on a geographical level, by comparing trends by country or even region. Although this may not be the first time plastic surgery statistics for other countries have been released, reliable and credible statistics are few and far between, and I think some more detailed analysis of the data will reveal interesting trends in beauty across and inside different cultures.

If you’ve taken a moment to look at the stats, what is interesting or surprising to you? I welcome your thoughts.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Plastic Surgeon

Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour

The Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour wrapped up in Marina Del Rey this November and my practice was privileged to be the grand finale. Picture this: a retro Airstream filled with the latest Thermage and Fraxel technology. For a Los Angeles plastic surgeon like me who specializes in advanced skin rejuvenation treatments, a feature presentation of these devices is an exciting prospect.

The tour was a creative way for Thermage and Fraxel to introduce their newest technology. At the same time, doctors, patients and the general public were encouraged to have some fun. Traveling in the Airstream, the tour visited 20 major cities and allowed people to try out these cosmetic treatments. The new Thermage CPT™ System that was rolled-out on this tour is even better than the original system. Treatment with Thermage CPT is completely painless, whereas the old technology wasn’t quite as comfortable.

Thermage is a non-invasive procedure to tighten and contour the skin. It uses radiofrequencies to heat the deep layers and cool the surface of your skin. Thermage can be used on the face to achieve a non-surgical face lift result, but I’ve also had success treating areas such as the hands, legs and abdominal area. I’ve been performing Thermage treatments at my practice for many years and even receive them myself because the cosmetic benefits are so significant.

Thermage is often a good choice for women interested in Mommy Makeovers – combined procedures that often include a breast lift, a face lift, and a tummy tuck in Los Angeles. The general goal of the total makeover is to help women look younger and slimmer, the way they did before their pregnancies. Skin tightening can play an important role in turning back the clock and providing that “pre-baby” appearance.

I’ve spent a lot of time discussing Thermage but I should also point out that my practice offers Fraxel skin resurfacing as well. Both of these laser therapies are delivering satisfying results for my patients and it is encouraging that the company making these devices is taking the time to spread the word and educate people about professional, laser-based skin care.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon, tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Facial Cosmetic Surgery,Mommy Makeover

Can Breast Reduction Catch Breast Cancer?

There are many reasons why women consider Los Angeles breast enhancement procedures. In the case of breast reduction, these reasons may include back, neck or should pain, self-consciousness, and the inability to participate in physical activity without discomfort. The improvements made with breast reduction surgery can be vast and wide-ranging, giving many women better quality of life.

And there’s something new for women with overly large breasts to consider, something that could be the extra incentive they need to choose breast reduction. A new study presented at Plastic Surgery 2009 indicates that the testing of tissue removed during breast reduction can lead to increased breast cancer detection, especially for women over 40.

Breast reduction is not, by nature, a breast cancer treatment. But, here’s where it can help:

• One of the key factors for breast cancer survival rates is early detection. Testing of breast tissue removed through breast reduction may catch cancerous or precancerous cells that might otherwise have gone undetected. This, in turn, can lead to earlier treatment before the cancer has become more advanced.
• Additionally, breast reduction may make mammograms easier to read and interpret because there is less excess breast tissue.

To learn more about whether you are a candidate for breast reduction and about the potential for breast cancer detection, you should schedule a personal consultation with a qualified Los Angeles plastic surgeon.

Tags: los angeles breast enhancement, los angeles plastic surgeon
Posted in Breast