We are grateful for the difference technology has made in our lives. The Internet provides us with information instantaneously. Dr. Kim shares with patients in the consultation the difference between what they may have read online and the truth. While some information is applicable, there are many instances in which the information the patient has gathered does not apply to their situation. For example,a patient may spend hours viewing before and after breast augmentation photos. In many cases t hey may choose photos they believe that they like. Upon examination Dr. Kim could explain that their particular case may include a sagging component which would require a breast lift. Some patients have tuberous breast which require a different technique to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. The bottom line is: patients are not trained to diagnose their situation and prepare a recommendation without the experts input of a plastic surgeon like Dr. Kim. Self-diagnosing is not exclusive to plastic surgery. According to KTLA Of those who acknowledged they had tried to diagnose themselves online rather than consult a doctor first, 52% said they were panicked by the result. In all, 68% of those that set out to diagnose themselves decided to visit a physician instead of taking Dr. Google’s word for it.

And here’s the kicker: Of those who sought to diagnose themselves online first, and then went to a doctor, 87% learned that their online diagnosis was incorrect.

Reports that highlight the benefits of breast-feeding are prevalent. Although few media outlets will admit it, most women are discouraged with the size and shape of their breasts after breast- feeding. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that it is completely normal to lose volume and shape after pregnancy and breast-feeding. Each patient is different in terms of how their breast will look after giving birth and breast-feeding. Some have extremely low breast that had drooped significantly, others have very little volume and a flattened look. Some of the recommendations that Dr. Kim may give to patients include breast augmentation with breast implants, a breast lift, or breast lift with implants. For a small percentage of patients a breast reduction may be recommended. Patients should not dismiss the option of breast-feeding because of the toll that it takes on their body. Most patients have excellent results with plastic surgery and do not regret their decision to breast-feed. The benefits of breast-feeding are numerous. According to The Los Angeles Times some researchers say there’s evidence of one more — protection against sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, a form of unexpected death that kills more than 2,000 infants each year in the U.S.

Such a link had been suspected, based on some studies, but to get a better idea of the true association, an international team of researchers analyzed an array of studies on breast-feeding and SIDS, crunching the numbers and employing an array of statistical tools.

They calculated that infants who were breast-fed, for any length of time, had 60% lower risk of SIDS than those who were not breast-fed at all. Infants who were fed only breast milk — no formula — for any period of time had a 73% lower risk of sudden death. The findings were published online Monday in Pediatrics.

Women who are considering breast augmentation seldom consider the alignment of their spine. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that breast implants sit on the chest wall. This means that when patients have asymmetry due to curvature of the spine patients need to be made aware that the differences in the location of the mammary folds will remain as noticeable after surgery as before surgery. As an artist Dr. Kim is able to anticipate aesthetically which implant style will look best. In some patients he may choose a high profile, or moderate profile implants to achieve better symmetry. Scoliosis does not eliminate a patient from being a good candidate for breast augmentation. Patients should be prepared and have realistic expectations. Patients are now screened routinely for scoliosis in hopes of early treatment. According to ABC7 a new test called ScoliScore allows doctors to screen with saliva.

There is a genetic test available today that helps us a least predicate or predict how fast the scoliosis will progress, said Dr. Anand.

The ScoliScore test is performed in the physician’s office by collecting a saliva sample, which is sent to a lab for two or three weeks. The test then assigns a numerical value to the patient between one to 200.

If you have a high score, you have a high probability you’re going to progress and develop significant scoliosis. If u have a low score, your probability of developing scoliosis or progressing scoliosis is very low, said Dr. Anand.

Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. Dr. Kim emphasizes the risk of excessive sun exposure especially to his facial rejuvenation patients. The investment in procedures such as facelift, brow lift, and eyelift can be a poor choice if patients are unwilling to avoid sun exposure and wear the proper sunscreen. Dr. Kim is limited in the difference that he can make for a patient who has excessive sun damage on their face. For patients with sun damage the skin tends to be less likely to respond to the strong tension needed to tighten the skin on the face. These patients are able to gain improvement from facial rejuvenation surgery; however, they may not be pulled as tightly to retain the strength of the skin which is already compromised. Fortunately, there are treatments that are effective for melanoma. According to ABC7 melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. But up until now there haven’t been very effective options to treat advanced cases of the disease. Now patients with advanced melanoma have new hope as researchers try to stop it in its tracks using DNA.

There are new, gene-based treatments for people with late-stage melanoma. Now we’re learning more about how those drugs work and how doctors are targeting this deadly form of skin cancer in a whole new way.

Is common knowledge that men are less likely to seek medical attention then women when they have bothersome symptoms. The same holds true for men when seeking antiaging procedures. It is as though men are not as self-conscious about their wrinkles. Recent reports have highlighted the increase in men seeking cosmetic procedures. The truth is, the percentage remains very low. Dr. Kim explains to his male patients that waiting to address aging skin reduces the available options to treat it. Male patients can benefit from Botox which can treat lines and wrinkles in the forehead as well as crows at the corners of the eyes. In some cases a brow lift may be recommended in order to achieve maximum correction. It is necessary for a patient to be an excellent health prior to elective surgical procedures. Men should not ignore medical symptoms that could be. According to ABC7, some of them are:

Internist Dr. Imad El Asmar, from the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, says women outnumber men two to one in his practice. It’s a concern because there are signs men should not ignore.

To me, pain in the abdomen is the most serious thing I could face in practice, said El Asmar.

A dull persistent ache could be a kidney stone or a tumor.

Getting winded after physical exertion that worsens each time could signal an impending heart attack.

And persistent forgetfulness may warrant a doctor’s attention.

This is a warning sign for a stroke that can happen in the near future, said El Asmar.

Erectile dysfunction is a condition itself, but many men may not realize it could be a sign of something worse.

The latest studies find men in their 40s and 50s with E.D. could be two or five years away from a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack.

Try to find out if there is any secondary reason for erectile dysfunction before starting to prescribe medications, said El Asmar.

It is very tempting in today’s market to work very hard all week long with little to no sleep. In theory why not catch up on the weekend? Studies show our bodies do not work that way. This proves what plastic surgeons like Dr. Kim have conveyed to patients for years. It is virtually impossible to fool the human body. Patients who are sleep deprived suffer from not only health issues but also appearance issues. Patients can experience lose and lax skin causing droopy eyelids along with prominent bags beneath the eyes. In these cases Dr. Kim recommends an upper and lower blepharoplasty. This is performed by removing a small sliver of skin in the crease of the eyelid and tightening the skin in the outer creases of the eyes. Once this surgery is performed it creates a much more alert and open looking appearance. Patients must eliminate the lack of sleep from their lifestyle in order to maintain their best results. According to ABC7

If you’re not getting enough sleep during the work week, researchers say you can’t make it up on the weekends.

They say people who are sleep-deprived during the week need more than just a couple nights’ rest to recover.

Scientists at Pennsylvania State University studied healthy people in their 20s in a sleep lab. After a few nights of getting six hours of sleep, followed by a couple of 10-hour nights, the participants still scored low on psycho-motor tests.

However, women appeared to recover better than men.

It can be devastating for a woman to lose her hair. Women will sometimes have to resort to wigs and other means to hide a balding scalp. Dr.Kim assures patients with this issue that they do not need to be embarrassed or self conscious. When patients are considering a facelift or brow lift a woman with thinning hair may be concerned with keeping the incisions well hidden. With Dr. Kim’s artistic ability allows him to creatively search for the best options for each patient. An endoscopic brow lift may be an option which would allow the patient to avoid a long incision. Dr. Kim understands the sensitivity of this issue for women and is committed to ensuring the best patient experience. Hair loss happens in women for different reasons. According to CBS Los Angeles when it comes to women losing hair, medical experts say it’s more about age than genes.

Dr. Lorrie Klein of the Dermatology and Laser Centers says hair loss among women is a common problem and one many might not even be aware of.

“The reason we think of hair loss as a male issue is because men can go bald, completely. Most women don’t go completely bald, they thin,” according to Klein.

But now, one state-of-the-art device may be able to rid women of mild to moderate hair loss.

It’s called iGrow and is made right here in the Southland. For nearly $700 and about 20 minutes (two to three times a week) iGrow claims to grow back mild to moderate hair loss.

Today’s woman with gray hair is not an old crippled woman anymore. Dr Kim sees older patients with gray hair who are making every effort to be as youthful looking as possible. Some women for the first time are considering breast augmentation and abdominoplasty. They work out and they are in great shape, yet they want a shapelier and proportioned look. They may have breast implants (either silicone or saline)and many find that the new shape allows them to increase their wardrobe selection substantially. Most women are modest in their choice of breast implant size. Just because a woman has gray hair it does not mean that she will have to look old and cannot have a great looking body. Researchers may have found a cure for gray hair. According to ABC 7 in a possible breakthrough in the battle against gray hair, scientists may have found a way to reverse the process. Researchers at New York University turned hair on mice from gray back to its natural sheen without hair coloring.

They discovered a protein that re-activates the color producing stem cells in hair follicles.

Researchers said the structure of human hair is similar to mice, so they have high hopes for the future.

Americans spent more than $2 billion in 2010 on home coloring products.

Few people weigh the same amount as they did in high school. So, it is not logical to believe that anything else should be exactly the same. Dr. Kim explains that even when patients have been good about diet and exercise aging changes the hormonal balance and everything shifts. Plastic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast lift can help to remove loose skin and create a much more toned, tight, and shapely appearance. Patients can become discouraged when they realize that the only way to maintain a youthful appearance is to make improvements both nonsurgical and surgical as part of routine body maintenance. According to a recent study, the average American gains about of pound a year. According to The Los Angeles Times a new study found that Americans on average gain three to four pounds every four years. After a few more years, the extra 10 pounds can impact a person’s health. Through careful research, scientists have determined which foods lead to weight gain and which lead to weight loss. The so-called middle-aged spread shows up before most even know it. Adults after the age of 30 usually gain about a pound a year. It sneaks up on you, said dietitian Maria Fisk of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. The report in the New England Journal of Medicine followed 120,000 men and women for 20 years. Researchers looked at people’s diets and determined which foods led to weight gain.

It seems logical that if energy drinks are bad because of overly stimulating ingredients then drinks with extreme calming effects should be good. Right? Well, doctors say no to downer drinks. Once again, natural ingredients can be harmful to your health. Dr. Kim explains to his patients prior to surgery that their complete medical history should include all drugs being taken including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and excessive consumption of vitamin and energy drinks. This applies to all patients including young people who are likely to be having shorter procedures such as breast augmentation or small amounts of liposuction. Drugs and supplements can interfere with medications used for anesthesia as well as medications used during recovery. The best patient experience is made possible with open communication between the patient, Dr. Kim and his staff. It may come as a surprise that what you eat can affect your surgery but there are definitely foods and drinks doctors warn against. According to ABC7 many relaxation drinks contain stuff found at vitamin stores like valerian root, rose hips, kava, and melatonin. Yet studies are mixed about the long term use of some of these ingredients.The FDA sent a letter to Bianchi last year, warning that melatonin is an unapproved food additive. So now Drank is sold as a dietary supplement rather than a beverage.Still, there are fans, including acupuncturist Tom Ingegno who even recommends anti-energy drinks to his clients.It’s really impressive to see something that can take the edge off, help you sleep, help you relax and still wake up the next morning and not feel groggy. It’s not like taking a medication, said Ingegno.Some of the drinks also have warnings about driving after drinking them. Experts are concerned about people drinking too many of these downer drinks in a short time frame, then getting behind the wheel and being impaired.

While experts race to study the effects of these new drinks they warn that anyone who uses them should take precautions.