As women age most are under the impression that calcium supplements will improve their bone strength. A recent online article reported that a new study claims that calcium supplements are actually harmful to your health. According to the article taking calcium supplements increases the risk of having a heart attack, Swiss and German researchers reported Wednesday. The discovery adds credence to the growing amount of proof that such supplements could add much more risk than they do actual benefit. The study is considered significant because a large population of people, especially elderly women, actual proof continuously take the supplements in hopes of reducing the loss of bone density. The now seems to indicate that calcium consumed as part of a normal diet can, indeed, increase bone density and could also help lower blood pressure, but that supplements could prove to be too risky for most people to take. Participants in the study were then tracked for 11 years, during which the researchers recorded 354 reported heart attacks, 260 strokes and 267 deaths related to either heart attacks or strokes. Dr. Kim explains to older patients that if they are considering plastic surgery they must disclose all medications being taken including supplements. Some supplements interfere with surgery and cosmetic procedures. Dr. Kim explains to patients that even if they are considering smaller procedures like Botox or upper blepharoplasty there are specific medications including over-the-counter or supplements that could have a negative effect on their procedure or surgical results. This calcium study proves that just because a drug is available over-the-counter or without a prescription it does not mean it doesn’t have harmful side effects.

Most people are surprised to learn that the majority of people believe that their nose is unattractive. Few people when asked would say that their nose was their favorite feature. Rhinoplasty has become more common throughout the years as plastic surgery has become more popular and affordable. Most patients who seek a consultation with Dr. Kim for rhinoplasty are unsure exactly what it is that they do not like about their nose, however, they are certain that they do not like it. Often they tell Dr. Kim that when they look at a photo of themselves their nose is the first thing that they notice. Patients who present themselves to Dr. Kim for rhinoplasty have a multitude of reasons why they do not like their nose. The most common is that the patient feels their nose is too long or has what is called a dorsal hump or a bump on the nose. Some patients also seek rhinoplasty surgery because of difficulty breathing through the nose because of scar tissue from nasal injury or cartilage within the nose that prevents a clear breathing pathway. Some patients specifically seek Dr. Kim services for rhinoplasty because of his artistic skill and talent. Patients seeking ethnic rhinoplasty are typically concerned with maintaining their perception of ethnicity as it relates to the shape, size, and structure of their nose. Dr. Kim informs patients that the rhinoplasty procedure is considered a fairly straightforward procedure in most cases. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and most patients report that it is not painful. Although results can be seen within 3 to 5 months the final results are visible at about one year.

Most of us have seen seaweed advertised as the best thing since sliced bread. According to recent online article the claims have included everything from, seaweed can reduce your waistline to grow your hair. Claims have been made that it can reduce your blood pressure as well as your blood sugar. Some say it can increase the strength of your bones and fortify your brain. And amazingly enough it is believed by some to be able to cause your joints stop aching and get your bowels moving. Dr. Karthik Krishnamurthy, a dermatologist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, cites the widespread use of alginate, a component of seaweed, in wound dressings that have been able to produce some excellent healing results. But for the most part, they and many other doctors, including those at the National Institutes of Health, are reserving judgment. Seaweed is really big right now, Krishnamurthy says. Still, a lot of claims about it are unfounded at this time. I hope something comes of it, but we’re not there yet. Dr. Kim explains to patients that the use of natural herbs and supplements can be beneficial for many patients; however ,the claims made by manufacturers should always be investigated before accepting them as fact. Seaweed as a skin care products that claims to eliminate the need for plastic surgery is a questionable claim. Patients who are considering facial rejuvenation procedures because of loose skin on the face and eyelids will not see comparable results from using skin care products infused with seaweed. The result Dr. Kim is able to deliver for patients from a facelift, brow lift, or blepharoplasty is not comparable to those that can be achieved by even the best topical products. When patients are considering new products and supplements they should always proceed with caution.

In this economy having a job is something most of us would consider to be a privilege. But, according to a recent ABC news story some jobs can actually cause you to gain weight. According to the news story a new survey by job website Careerbuilder.com made a list of several occupations that could contribute to weight gain. Interestingly enough judges and attorneys were at the very top of the list. Doctors also were prominent on the list, as were social workers, teachers, police officers and firefighters. Career builders reports that these jobs are either high-stress or include a lot of sitting.

Approximately 44 percent of those surveyed by the website pointed to the food at the office, including birthday cake, for contributing to their weight gain. Patients should be proactive about even the smallest amount of unwelcome weight gain.

Dr. Kim consults with patients who most commonly have concerns about small amounts of weight gain and additional fat on their abdomen, outer thighs, lower back, and love handles. Dr. Kim will typically recommend liposuction as an effective way to remove isolated fat pockets and improve body contour. While liposuction is not a weight loss procedure it improves body contour and allow patients to have a svelte and aesthetically pleasing figure. Most patients are able to enjoy results better than they could through diet and exercise alone. If patients have excessive loose and lax skin on the abdomen Dr. Kim may recommend an abdominoplasty in conjunction with liposuction for the best waist enhancement results.

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In a youth conscious society like ours it seemed as though the scales were tipped in favor of men. Most of the expectations for a youthful look seem to be applied only to women. According to a recent local news article this is changing. According to the article Miami entrepreneur Darnell Henderson says long gone are the days when taking care of yourself is the equivalent to being feminine. His multicultural all-men grooming line, Himistry, has enjoyed online sales at quadruple the rate nationally since 2009. It’s all about getting the girl. And the job, many men would add. Many men feel that if they start looking older, people began to throw your way. They used to believe they would be taken more seriously. They feel the pinch in the job market as well. There is an ever-increasing assortment of products and procedures with choices to help men address their aging appearance. The goal is to allow them to enhance their looks but still maintain their masculinity. Dr. Kim remind his male patients that when deciding on cosmetic surgery procedures it is important that they follow the same guidelines that women should follow in terms of recommendations from qualified a ASPS plastic surgeons. An unqualified medical professional may recommend against a facelift for a man with excessive loose and lax skin on his lower face and neck convincing him that a laser or injection will give him the same appearance as a surgical facelift. Some will build fear in men based on bad male celebrity results. Botox and fillers can improve the effects of aging on the face; however, when it is time for a facelift Dr. Kim with his artistic expertise and surgical skill is able to deliver unmatched natural looking results.

It is fairly common especially in Southern California to meet women who have had their breast implants for admittedly over 20 years. Many will tell you that they know they do not look as good as they did when they first got them done but that it’s “good enough”. The idea of exchanging breast implants for most women seems like a luxury and many women put it off without ever investigating just how easy it is to exchange their breast implants. Dr. Kim explains to patients in their initial consultation that exchanging breast implants is a much better tolerated procedure than they had performed on the initial breast augmentation. Dr. Kim carefully examines the patient to determine if the existing breast implant has been compromised by either a rupture or leak. If they are saline implants the leak in most cases is fairly obvious. If they are silicone implants it may be a little more difficult to detect. Dr. Kim will examine the patient to determine if there is excessive breast tissue surrounding the implant which could cause the breast to feel firm and in some cases unnatural and uncomfortable. If the excessive breast tissue or capsular contracture is present it will be necessary to remove the excess scar tissue with a capsulectomy before inserting the new implants. Most of the older implants are saline implants and patients are usually given the option to upgrade to silicone implants. The breast implant manufacturers offer incentives that can range from promotional pricing to actual gift cards for patients who exchange their saline implants to silicone implants. The bottom line is: breast implants were never intended to last a lifetime. Patients who have had their breast implants more than five years and have never had them checked should seriously consider a consultation with Dr. Kim to have the implants checked.

Migraine headaches can be debilitating for people who are unfortunate enough to suffer from them. According to recent local news story, Thirty-six-million Americans suffer from migraines. Most are women. The majority do not seek treatment mostly because of the wrong diagnosis or lack of knowledge. A multitude of metabolic changes occur when a person experiences a migraine headache. Dr. Andrew Charles, director of the UCLA Headache Research and Treatment Program, explains that’s the reason patients experience many different symptoms. People can have nausea. Typically there’s sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch, so there’s sensory sensitivity of all kind, said Charles. Migraine headaches are costly to employers and migraine sufferers alike. Although the article mentioned some lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines patient should also be open to cosmetic surgery that has for some patients been successful in treating migraines. Dr. Kim offers the procedures that plastic surgeons have reported as successful for some patients for treating migraine headaches. The procedures include Botox injections combined with a brow lift. The brow lift restrict the muscles in the forehead from tensing and tightening. The Botox injection does the same thing however it is temporary. While there are no guarantees that this treatment will work for everyone the results have been impressive for patients who have decided to have the procedure performed. Botox has FDA approval for the treatment of migraine headaches however patient should be aware that not all insurance companies will cover the treatment. Patients who have the Botox and brow lift treatment at the very least will enjoy a the more youthful look of a smooth forehead.

Here in Southern California plastic surgery is part of the everyday landscape. Unfortunately, when many people think of a facelift they think of celebrities with extremely tight unnatural looking faces. The term facelift has become a twisted word that has been repackaged to make consumers feel better about facial rejuvenation. Marketing companies have called it everything from a “Lite lift” to a “Lifestyle lift” to encourage consumers to make the decision to do” something” about loose and lax skin on the face. Dr. Kim is careful to explain in detail to his patients not only the options for facial rejuvenation including a facelift, but also the differences between a specially marketed modified facelift, and a true classic facelift. Typically patients who are between the ages of 35 and 45 are just beginning to see the signs of aging. With a wide range of injectable fillers now available on the market including Restylane, Juvederm and others patients can delay some of the signs of aging. But, injectable fillers are temporary and will only last about 6 to 12 months. For some patients, even as early as 35 years of age, a modified or mini facelift is an excellent option for a slight tightening of the skin, provided there isn’t loose and lax skin on the neck. A modified facelift is for a younger patient who does not have extreme loose skin on the jaw line or neck. Contrary to heavy marketing that leads consumers to believe that everybody can benefit from this procedure, the truth is it is not appropriate for patients who are older and have more advanced signs of aging. Dr. Kim encourages patients to begin addressing the signs of aging early when the skin has the most laxity. Patient should understand that it is a process and that as they continue age the appropriate plastic surgery procedures will allow them to look younger than their stated age.

Just when we thought it was okay to consider spray tans as alternatives to indoor and outdoor tanning a new report says there could be harmful chemicals contained within the products. According to recent local news story the active chemical in spray tans could be instrumental in causing genetic changes and DNA damage, experts say. The chemical is the active ingredient that turns the skin brown. Potential risks were written and displayed in 10 lab studies, which were obtained by ABC News. Please note that these tests were not conducted on human subjects. The studies showed that although the FDA claims the chemical is not advised to be inhaled or ingested, these rules are not enforced in salons. The chemical, called DHA, is only approved for external use. Dr. Lynn Goldman, the dean of George Washington University’s School of Public Health says DHA is showing up in the respiratory system, and spray tanners should be advised and alert about the potential of lung cancer. She says the whole practice further investigation. Patients considering plastic surgery are advised not to tan their skin prior to surgery. This includes not only facial procedures like facelift but also breast augmentation and liposuction. It is not in the best interest of the patient or the patient experience for patients to have surgery when the skin is damaged or possibly sunburned. Patients should avoid tanning after surgery as well. This is especially important for skin that is bruised or new scars. The risk of darkening the scar permanently is greatly increased with exposure to the sun. The skin can also darken unevenly after sun exposure on bruised skin following surgery. Dr. Kim advises patients to avoid tanning always, but definitely 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. For the first year patients should be sure to put sunscreen on all new scars.

Choosing plastic surgery is a personal decision; however, it usually involves others which include family and friends. Patients who are considering plastic surgery should think carefully about their social circle and the influence they will have in the decision. This should be considered prior to the initial consultation. Patient should consider who they want to bring with them to their consultation. They should consider the attitude of the person who will be involved most closely with their decision. Patients who are considering plastic surgery are more likely to have a positive experience if the person or people closest to them are supportive of their decision. Obviously, a person who desires to sabotage the plastic surgery experience would not be a good choice to bring to your initial consultation. Contrary to what some may believe it is not the plastic surgeons position to “convince” your significant other that plastic surgery is the right decision for you. Patients considering plastic surgery should also think about what and who they will tell about their plastic surgery decision before and after the decision is made. This includes superiors at work as well as coworkers. First and foremost patients must realize that they are free to release as little or as much information as they see fit. Dr. Kim is respectful of patient privacy as an ASPS plastic surgeon and respects the patient physician relationship. Patients who are considering the breast augmentation procedure may feel more comfortable involving friends or family in the consultation process including deciding the size of breast implants. Patients are cautioned that breast implant sizing is personal should be heavily dependent on Dr. Kim’s recommendation as well as the lifestyle and personality of the patient. Friends and family can be an amazing asset to the plastic surgery experience, but this is best assured when it is managed by the patient.