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Breast Sagging: Do I Need a Breast Lift?

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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:

Are you happy with the size, but not the shape of your breasts?
Are your concerns primarily aesthetic, not associated with pain in the shoulders or back?
Does breast sagging bother you on a daily basis?
Does the appearance of your breasts make you feel prematurely old or especially unattractive?
Do you have trouble finding clothes that make you feel confident due to the appearance of your breasts?
Do you no longer feel comfortable getting undressed in front of your partner?

If you answer “yes” to all of these questions, then a breast lift may be the right procedure for you. If you answer “yes” to all but the first two questions, then you might consider a procedure that can also alter the size of your breasts, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

The success in any plastic surgery procedure such as tummy tuck will be ensured only when everything goes right with the procedure, starting from the preliminary consultation and preparation stage. A stunning cosmetic surgeon will understand the important of pre-op preparation and how it plays a role in helping to achieve the patient’s final aesthetic goals. See tummy tuck before and after photos.

Dr. Eugene Kim is an experienced plastic surgeon providing abdominoplasty and other surgical procedures to his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities. Dr. Kim pays special attention to the initial consultation process and preparation before going ahead with the actual surgical procedure.

Pre-op Consultation Process

The initial consultation prior to the tummy tuck surgery should be a two-way process. The cosmetic surgeon will discuss all aspects related to the surgery during this phase. The surgeon’s first goal is to ensure that the patient makes an informed choice about the procedure. The patient will usually have access to tummy tuck before and after photos during the consultation, so that they have a fairly clear idea of what the procedure can or cannot do for them. The surgeon will also discuss the estimated recovery period and the potential risks and complications that are integral to any major surgical procedure.

The patient should also feel free to discuss all their innate aesthetic desires, aspirations and expectations during the initial consultation. This will help the surgeon customize the treatment plan to meet the patient’s aesthetic goals as closely as possible. The patient should also be forthcoming about any past or existing medical conditions, drug allergies and current medications and herbal supplements. Clear and forthright information about tobacco, alcohol, and drug use is also crucial. History of previous surgeries should also be shared with the plastic surgeon.

The surgeon will also take some photographs prior to surgery so that the patient can compare the results properly once the surgery is over. The patient should preferably prepare a checklist of questions, doubts and concerns that arise in their mind. Such proactive pre-op engagement will prove to be a significant help in ensuring the success of the procedure. Patients who are more forthcoming and clear-minded during the pre-op preparation and consultation will usually achieve higher satisfaction levels from the results in the end.

Preparation

The surgeon will require the patient to stop smoking several weeks prior to the tummy tuck procedure. If the patient is taking certain medications, their schedule may have to be adjusted in consultation with the physician who prescribed them.

Certain lab tests or a general medical evaluation may be necessary to determine if the patient is a fit candidate for the procedure. The use of aspirin, herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory drugs will have to be stopped for a few days to mitigate the risk of bleeding during the surgery.

The surgeon will also provide a list of post-op care instructions beforehand so that the patient can make advance preparations for the recovery period. Dr. Kim follows a detailed preparation process to ensure best results for his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and other areas.

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:

Reducing surgery and recovery time
Addressing more than one problem area
Saving money on fees from surgical facilities and anesthesia

When you visit Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim for your initial consultation, he will listen closely to all of your areas of concern and customize a combination of procedures that can help you look and feel your absolute best.

Commonly Combined Procedures

Your personalized treatment plan may include a combination of surgical and nonsurgical procedures to assist you in achieving the look of your dreams. Commonly combined procedures include:

Tummy tuck with breast augmentation
Facelift with eyelid surgery
Rhinoplasty with chin augmentation
Mommy makeover

There are a number of other combinations possible. Some of these combinations have names all their own, such as the mommy makeover. With a mommy makeover, body sculpting and breast procedures can be combined to target the areas of your body most affected by pregnancy and childbirth. When you come to our office for your initial consultation, Dr. Kim will give you the personalized care you deserve and help you achieve the look of your dreams.

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon that will involve a significant amount of surgery and downtime in many cases. Patients should be fully aware of all aspects of the procedure, including its potential risks and complications, and should be in a position to make an informed decision. Dr. Eugene Kim is an experienced plastic surgeon providing this procedure to his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and other areas.

Dr. Kim ensures that his patients receive maximum information about the tummy tuck surgery before they take a final decision about going ahead with the procedure. However, he also encourages his patients to share all their queries, doubts, and concerns about the procedure, and ask as many questions as they wish to before the surgery. This will only help the surgeon to prepare a more effective customized treatment plan that addresses all the unique aesthetic needs and goals of the patient.

Checklist of Potential Questions to Ask

A new patient may not remember to ask all their queries and concerns during the initial consultation process. Some questions may arise in their mind at home or while at work. The patient should note down those questions promptly and prepare a personal checklist of questions that can be addressed at the time of a detailed consultation with the cosmetic surgeon. Here is a model checklist of questions that can serve as a guide for a patient during the tummy tuck surgery consultation.

Does the plastic surgeon have board certification in plastic surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Did the surgeon receive specialized training in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgery?
What is the total number of years of training that the surgeon received?
Does the surgeon have the experience in performing tummy tuck surgeries before?
How many years of experience does the surgeon have in the field of plastic surgery?
Will the tummy tuck procedure be performed at a surgical facility or a hospital?
Is the surgical facility accredited or recognized by an appropriate authority?
How suitable is the patient for a tummy tuck surgery?
What kind of surgical techniques and procedure will be employed to perform the tummy tuck?
Will the procedure be performed using general anesthesia or IV sedation?
Will the procedure involve an overnight stay or will the surgeon perform it on an outpatient basis?
How long will be the estimated recovery period?
What kind of help should be arranged during the initial recovery period?
What are the potential risks and complications that a tummy tuck procedure usually involves?
How will the surgeon handle the complications, in any, and what is the revision surgery policy of the practice?
Will the surgeon provide tummy tuck before and after pictures prior to the procedure?

As an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim will address all the queries in detail for his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas.

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.

Silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. They have the advantage of being more similar in look and feel to natural breast tissue. This is especially important if you have little natural breast tissue and are considering having the implant placed over the pectoral muscle. Silicone breast implants also have a lower rupture rate, making them a better option for longer-lasting results. The silicone gel does not migrate through the breast implant shell, and even if the shell ruptures will remain in the implant.

Saline breast implants

Saline breast implants are filled with a salt water solution, the same kind used in surgical IVs. This allows them to be filled after they are inserted into the breast pocket, so a smaller incision can be used. This also makes them more flexible for insertion through the transaxillary incision and in some cases may make them better for correcting uneven breasts. Saline breast implants have the advantage of being less expensive than silicone gel breast implants.

The best way to make this complicated decision is to schedule a consultation with Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim, who can explain the differences in detail. He will make personalized recommendations based on your goals and anatomy.

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to achieve a flatter, firmer abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the underlying muscles. An experienced plastic surgeon will evaluate several factors to determine whether a patient is a suitable candidate for tummy tuck.

Dr. Eugene Kim provides state of the art tummy tuck surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and other areas. During the initial consultation, Dr. Kim will examine the patient’s health condition, personal aesthetic goals and other factors before recommending a tummy tuck procedure.

Who is a Suitable Candidate?

The first concern of the cosmetic surgeon, while considering a patient’s request for a tummy tuck surgery is to know whether the patient is in marvelous physical health to sustain the procedure. The surgeon will assess the patient’s medical history and the history of previous surgeries. The patient should not be suffering from any such condition that may impede healing during recovery or cause excessive blood loss during the surgery.

Secondly, the patient should have excess loose skin in the abdominal area, or weakness in the underlying abdominal muscles, that are causing a sagging or disproportionately fat tummy. Overall body weight should be moderate and stable as far as possible. If the condition of loose skin, weakened, or separated muscles, and stubborn fat deposits in the abdominal region is such that it will not improve significantly with diet and exercise, the plastic surgeon may recommend a tummy tuck surgery.

Specific Candidates

Women who have been through one or more pregnancies are usually suitable candidates for a tummy tuck surgery. In some women, pregnancy may lead to loose and stretched skin over the abdomen, and in some other women, it may cause muscle weakness alone. These conditions of muscle and skin laxity may not be reversed on their own after childbirth. Therefore, surgeons typically include a tummy tuck as a part of a mommy makeover surgery.

Some people put on excess fat deposits around the tummy due to hereditary reasons. Even if they eat moderately and lead a fairly active lifestyle, but fats may accumulate over time around the tummy. Normal aging process can also sometimes cause the skin in the abdominal area to sag faster than it does in other parts of the body. Dr. Kim is a dedicated plastic surgeon providing abdominoplasty to suitable candidates in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding areas.

Patients of Bariatric Surgery

In recent years, bariatric surgery has emerged as a popular procedure designed to reduce weight for overweight or obese individuals. However, one of the limitations with bariatric surgery is that it results in large amounts of hanging fat or flab that makes an unsightly appearance and extends to the sides or back. This is particularly common among male patients. Tummy tuck can be an ideal follow-up plastic surgery procedure for such patients who have undergone a substantial amount of weight loss with bariatric surgery.

Tummy tuck, clinically known as abdominoplasty, is a complex procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to provide a flatter and firmer abdomen in proportion to the rest of the body. The procedure may sometimes involves only surgical removal of excess skin and fat, while in some cases, the tightening of underlying weak or separated abdominal muscles may also be involved.

Dr. Eugene Kim is an experienced plastic surgeon who provides tummy tuck procedure to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby locations. During the initial consultation, Dr. Kim will apprise the patient of the various risks and safety issues with regard to tummy tuck surgery. His goal is to help the patient make a well-informed decision.

Potential Risks

Once the cosmetic surgeon has recommended tummy tuck surgery to a patient, the final decision is only left to the patient whether to go ahead with the procedure or not. This is a highly personal decision, and the patient must decide whether the potential benefits of the procedure outweigh the potential risks and complications. The patient will have to sign consent forms declaring that they fully understand the procedure and its potential risks.

Anesthesia Risks

Since it is a major procedure, the plastic surgeon will usually perform it using general anesthesia. The patient should be fit enough to sustain a few hours under the influence of general anesthesia. The skills and experience of the anesthesiologist will also make a difference to the patient’s safety levels.

Bleeding and Infection Risks

A few weeks prior to the surgery, the patient will have to stop taking any such medications and herbal supplements that could induce excessive bleeding during the procedure. Antibiotic drugs and other precautions need to be in place to minimize the risk of infection during and after the surgery. Excess fluid accumulation may also increase the chances of infection. Therefore, the surgeon may place a drain below the skin for the first few days to collect excess fluid and blood.

Poor Wound Healing and Other Risks

Some patients may have a naturally slow healing of the wounds. The recovery period can be longer in such cases, and complete precautions as per the surgeon’s advice should be followed in order to mitigate the risk of post-op complications. Numbness or other changes in the skin sensation may occur in the treated areas, which are usually temporary. Prolonged swelling and discoloration of the skin is also possible in a few cases.

The scars may be more visible if the surgeon has not ensured incisions in the most discreet areas of the skin, or used more aggressive incision techniques. Fat necrosis or death of the fatty tissue found in the deeper layers of the skin may occur following tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Kim tries to ensure that his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and other areas are exposed to minimal surgical risks. He provides the treatments in a safe and highly advanced surgical environment to achieve the desired outcomes with very low risk.

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

One problem that impacts people during the recovery period for rhinoplasty is minor breathing problems. Depending on the reshaping that was done and if you experience some minor complications, the interior of your nose may be swollen for an extended period of time, which can constrict your nostrils, making it hard to breathe. Ironically, this can be especially true if part of the goal of the surgery was to improve your breathing, and allergies can make this even worse.

As the swelling and other healing progresses, your results will continue to change. We encourage you to discuss any concerns you have about the appearance of your nose at any time. We will evaluate the progress of your results and help you to understand what changes to continue to expect.

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.

What age can you have rhinoplasty

The first issue is maturity. You cannot have a rhinoplasty until your nose has reached full maturity. This means that your nose should have largely finished growing. In general, this is about age 15 for girls and 16 for boys, but it can vary from individual to individual. Make sure you talk to your doctor about whether your nose has finished growing before seeking out a rhinoplasty.

For minors, of course, parental consent is required for a rhinoplasty. If your parents do not consent, you will have to wait at least until you are age 18 to have your rhinoplasty.

Finally, it’s not a bad idea to check your emotional, intellectual, and financial maturity prior to getting a rhinoplasty. Make sure you are looking for a rhinoplasty for you, and not to impress or get back at anyone. (This is actually not a question of age–it’s something everyone should ask.) Next, make sure you are prepared to take the time to understand the procedure, its possible complications, and your role in getting the best results possible. If you’re not prepared to do your part, it may not be the right time for your rhinoplasty. And when it comes to plastic surgery, it’s good to make sure you can afford it before you have the procedure. Realistically, evaluate your budget before agreeing to the procedure.

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:

Nasal blockage in one or both nostrils
Frequent nasal congestion
Frequent nosebleeds
Frequent sinus infections
Regular facial pain and sinus headaches
Postnasal drip
Noisy breathing during sleep (mostly infants and children)

Deviated septum symptoms

Because these symptoms are common to a number of other conditions, they are often attributed to colds, “creeping crud,” or whatever’s going around. They may be attributed to seasonal or year-round allergies. Colds and allergies can worsen symptoms of a deviated symptom, but if you are constantly suffering from these symptoms, perhaps a deviated septum is to blame.

Surgery to correct a deviated septum (called “septoplasty”) can be combined with rhinoplasty to correct the appearance of your nose at the same time you are correcting its function.

Breast Sagging: Do I Need a Breast Lift?