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A Brief Guide to Weight Loss Surgery

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

bruno liposuction 003 A Brief Guide to Weight Loss Surgery

Overweight, obese, chronically obese, and morbidly obese are some of the terms used to categorize the different levels of weight-related health issues. What makes a person overweight or obese depends on several factors, including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat. Diet and physical activity level also play a part in a person’s body weight and overall health. All of these factors must be taken into account when choosing the right bariatric/weight loss surgery for your specific body type and weight loss issue.

Terms such as overweight and obese are used to describe people who have a greater than average weight for their height. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines being overweight as having a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and being obese as having a BMI of 30 or more. These terms are also used to define a weight range based on height that puts people at risk for certain weight-related diseases. A person’s height and weight are used to calculate their body mass index, which, for most people, accurately determines whether or not their weight falls into a range that’s considered healthy, underweight, overweight, or obese for their height.

BMI is just a start to determining a person’s weight category. Other factors must be accounted for as well in order to decide whether a person is actually overweight and/or if they have any conditions or diseases contributing to their weight issues before solutions such as weight loss surgery are considered. For example, you may have heard that muscle weighs more than fat. This isn’t entirely true, and reminds us of the riddle, “which weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of steel?” A pound is a pound. However, muscle is denser than fat, and so a pound of it will take up less space than a pound of fat. It’s not uncommon for athletes to have a BMI that puts them in an overweight category even though they have a low percentage of body fat. Athletes are not usually candidates for bariatric surgery.

So it’s not just BMI that makes a person overweight or obese. A person’s weight becomes a health issue when they aren’t able to enjoy regular activities and/or they develop additional health problems as a result. An active person with a healthy diet who has experienced unexplained weight gain should be tested for hypothyroidism and other conditions associated with weight gain before moving forward with a weight loss surgery.

There are several different bariatric surgery options available for people with different weight issues, ranging in severity from chronic obesity to difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone.

Liposuction: Liposuction is a surgery that’s usually reserved for people who are overweight but not obese, or as a body contouring procedure for otherwise active and healthy people who need some help taking inches off certain parts of the body. Liposuction can help people lose weight initially, but patients must be prepared to practice healthy eating and exercise habits afterward in order to keep the weight off and, ideally, to help them continue to lose weight post-surgery.

As a body contouring procedure, liposuction is very effective at removing inches from the midsection. Many people who choose liposuction surgery will follow up with one or more cosmetic surgery procedures like a tummy tuck or breast lift to help restore their bodies to their pre-weight gain state. Health insurance does not normally cover liposuction surgery unless it’s been recommended to prevent or combat health issues related to weight; however, many liposuction clinics offer financing and payment plans to their patients.

Gastric Banding: Gastric banding is a weight loss surgery that uses an adjustable band to divide the stomach into two sections, making the upper portion significantly smaller so patients fill up faster when eating. It is different from gastric bypass surgery because it does not reroute the flow of food in the body, but it is similarly recommended for people with a BMI of 40 or higher.

Gastric banding is a highly successful weight loss surgery with few side effects. The band is also adjustable and removable, so the procedure can be impermanent for people with successful weight loss stories. Since gastric banding is only recommended for obese people as a medically necessary procedure, it is covered under most health insurance plans.

Sleeve Gastrectomy: The sleeve gastrectomy is a permanent surgery that’s usually only recommended to morbidly obese patients with a BMI of 60 or more. It removes most of the stomach so that what remains is only about 15% of the stomach’s original size. The portion of the stomach that’s removed produces hunger stimulating hormones, so patients both fill up faster and don’t get as hungry to begin with, helping them to control their eating and lose significant amounts of weight. As with other weight loss surgeries that are considered medically necessary for a person’s overall health, the sleeve gastrectomy is covered under most health insurance plans.

Gastric Bypass: Gastric bypass surgery is the most common type of weight loss surgery, but it is usually reserved for chronically obese people with a BMI or 40 or higher. While it can be very successful for permanent weight loss when patients are able to follow a diet and exercise program afterward to help keep off the weight, it’s also the weight loss surgery with the longest recovery time and greatest number of side effects.

Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes food so that it bypasses certain parts of the digestive system where nutrients are absorbed. Patients fill up faster and don’t assimilate all the food they take in, causing them to absorb significantly fewer calories. Since gastric bypass surgery is only recommended as a medically necessary procedure for obese patients, it is normally covered by most health insurance plans.

Post Bariatric Reconstruction: Many patients who undergo major bariatric surgeries later opt for additional cosmetic procedures to help restore their bodies. Significant weight loss can result in loose, sagging skin and breasts, so many patients will choose one or more elective procedures to tighten the skin, such as a face and neck lift, breast lift, butt lift, and tummy tuck. Certain procedures are covered by insurance under certain circumstances, but financing and payment plans are usually available at most clinics as well.

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Celebrity Cosmetic Foot Surgery: Jennifer Aniston’s story

Posted on February 2, 2012 by admin

Check out those bunions on Jennifer Aniston at the French premiere of “The Bounty Hunter” last year. I’ve got to admit that I like Jennifer; she is beautiful and sexy no matter what. Even though the internet is all a buzz with her dating choices and her social life, I think it’s so refreshing to see her in a beautiful dress after years of little black dresses and nude/beige/tan frocks. But one look at her strappy sandals has me gasping ohh no!!! She got ugly bunions and hammertoes.

On this picture which was taken on a night out: the big pumps on the side of her big toes are painful bunions. And the “claw like” deformity on top of her other toes are nothing but hammertoes. Both these problems can be caused by poor fitting shoes. The good news is that they can be fixed by a simple surgical procedure. If procedure is done and performed properly by a cosmetic foot surgeon, there will be minimum down time and a very small and almost invisible scar.

Jennifer Aniston Night out pretty feet full1 212x300 Celebrity Cosmetic Foot Surgery: Jennifer Anistons story

A case for Jennifer Aniston's need for cosmetic foot surgery

Posted in Beverly Hills Physicians News, cosmetic surgery, Foot Surgery, Helpful Tips | Leave a comment

A New Year Can Mean a New You

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin

Many people resolve to become healthier in the New Year, but improving one’s health is a broad goal that can encompass many aspects. Health has four main components that should all be addressed in order to improve it, and these four components work together to support one another and create a healthier you overall. Health means that a person:

Is physically fit and at a weight proportional to their height
Is mentally healthy and happy
Has a strong immune system and is disease-free
Eats a balanced diet based in whole foods

Those who want to improve their health in the New Year should address each of these components individually and in conjunction with one another. Improving health doesn’t just mean losing weight or getting more exercise.

Physical Fitness: This term often means something different for each person, depending on the person’s weight, height, genetics, build, and personal fitness goals. If you don’t exercise at all, your goal should be to get moving in any way you can, even if it means taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator.

As a general rule, a physically active person works up a sweat doing a form of exercise they enjoy for at least 30 minutes a day about 5 days a week, and is able to increase their exercise duration and difficultly level slowly but surely over time.

Mental Health: A mentally healthy person is clear-minded, happy, emotionally well-adjusted, and free from depression. Mental and physical health are directly related, so chronically ill people are commonly also depressed or unhappy. A healthy diet and physical fitness can drastically improve both physical and mental health.

Immune System: This is the aspect most commonly associated with health. While a person with a healthy immune system who is disease free and rarely gets sick may seem healthy, if the same person is overweight, never exercises, eats an unhealthy diet, or is depressed and unhappy, they are not truly healthy. However, people who are active, happy, and eat well tend to have healthier immune systems too.

Diet: A balanced diet includes all things in moderation. People who get all the vitamins and minerals the body requires each day through food sources are eating the right balance of whole foods—natural foods that are not processed or refined. A balanced diet supports a healthy immune system and body weight, which allows people to enjoy physical fitness, increased energy, and a better quality of life.

Addressing Your Health Goals Holistically

By focusing all your energy on one area of health and ignoring the other three, you may be setting yourself up for failure when it comes to reaching your health goals. For example, if you are chronically ill or depressed and unhappy, it may be impossible for you to become physically fit, even though exercise can greatly improve both conditions.

A holistic health plan addresses all four areas of health, but also prioritizes goals among the four areas so that you address major problems before less concerning ones. Using the above example again, a depressed or unhappy person may need to begin taking anti-depression medication or attend counseling before they can address other areas of health such as diet and exercise.

By addressing depression first, an unhappy person is more likely to find the motivation to set and reach other health-related goals. The good news is that by then addressing other areas of health, this person is likely to curb depression, making drugs or counseling a temporary fix and diet and exercise the long-term one.

Making Realistic Health and Fitness Resolutions

If you’ve been unable to meet health and fitness goals in the past, it may be because your goals are too far-reaching, which can cause you to lose motivation fast. It helps if your goals are on a smaller scale or broken down into milestones along the way to a larger goal.

For example, if your resolution is to get back in shape, don’t make your goal to run a marathon by the end of the year. This is a feat that takes most daily runners years to accomplish. Start by jogging as far as you can at a comfortable pace on the first of the year. Base your running goals for the next few months on where you started, not where you want to be in a year. Try going 1/10 of a mile further or running for one minute longer each day, and you’ll see noticeable progress in just weeks.

If your goal in 2012 is to improve your health, break your goal down into smaller ones that address the four areas of health. Chances are you need more work in some areas and less in others. Celebrate the successes you already have and use them as motivation to reach goals in the areas of health that are more challenging for you. And be sure to set goals you can actually attain, but plan to continue to improve those areas indefinitely after you reach your initial goals. Doing so will bring you health and happiness in 2012 and beyond.

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I’ll be Hot For Christmas: Santa Claus’ Cosmetic Surgery Transformation

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

He’s the symbol of Christmas joy, the last vestige of an uncorrupted America. Saint Nick ain’t getting any younger, but boy is he getting fatter, which dramatically reduces the probability of jolliness in the future. The CDC told me so.

And so, like any responsible adult seeking positive change in his life, Santa should consider plastic surgery. Because a man who works tirelessly to ensure the happiness of nice children has very little time to go to the gym or consider the calories in a candy cane dipped in eggnog wrapped in bacon dipped in chocolate sprinkled with delicious, delicious cocktail weenies.

Cheeks Not So Rosy

As cold as it is in the North Pole, there’s no reason Santa should have to deal with rosy cheeks all year round. It’s not as attractive as most think. Unfortunately, rosacea is a form of acne, and as anyone who has been to prom, taken a photo, gone out with a girl, or really done anything can tell you, acne ain’t something you can cure on the spot. Unless you have a mask or, as luck would have it, excessive facial hair, you probably just have to deal with those zits.

But in severe cases, like that of Mr. Claus, lasers and surgery can be used to remove rosacea. Along with a chemical peel, some rejuvenating magic, and a lifetime of facial cleansers, Santa will look younger than his high school yearbook picture.

Add a good ole fashioned Hollywood rhinoplasty on top of that and Santa will have a face and a nose worth envying. Eat your heart out, Rudolph (not literally—ick).

Abs You Could Grate a Can of Cranberry Sauce On

“Nothing beats a strong core,” someone said at some point, and listening is a good idea. So Santa needs a good, nay—great core. Abs, pecs, the works. If you haven’t seen Santa in a while, let me tell you, he would have to do a lifetime of sit-ups and eat whole countries of celery stalks to lose the weight, much less build some definition.

At first, a lap band might seem like a good idea, but consider all the cookies Santa eats on a regular Christmas night. A lap band will reduce that amount by a fraction, but if the every other house in the entire world set out a sleeve of cookies and milk, that’s still a lot of cookies and milk. A fraction of a lot is still a lot.

The simple solution: liposuction. Suck the fat and tissue and delicious, delicious cocktail weenies right out of him. That will leave you with a thin Santa, and whatever gets sucked out of him provides insulation for homes in developing countries, stuffing for teddy bears, and the cake part of fruitcake. Everyone wins.

That leaves him a little top heavy, and no one wants to see Santa in a brassiere. Or maybe we do. But a chesty Santa means a Santa with an aching back. A breast reduction will keep him proportional, free of back pains, and outside of our sick fantasies.

Tightening the Skin

So he fixed the face and lost the weight, but something just isn’t right. All that loose skin bunching around him is distracting and unsettling and a bit hypnotic.

So Santa looks a bit like a Shar-Pei now. Shar-Peis that look like Shar-Peis are adorable but men who look like Shar-Peis are frightening. Naked, fleshy Santa is sort of terrifying. He lost a lot of weight but for the sake of the general populace, Santa probably shouldn’t look like he’s wearing flesh-colored socks.

Fortunately, a few snips here and there, a little pulling, and Santa should have no problem fitting through the chimneys, attracting unfaithful housewives, or lighting Mrs. Claus’ fire. I guess that’s a sexual euphemism? As a bonus, Santa’s skin can be donated to the makers of memory foam.

Something’s Missing

Mainly, the hair. Santa isn’t exactly aerodynamic, but his hair is certainly thinning. A few hair grafts here and there and Santa should never have to worry about slapping on a toupee or concealing his head with that signature hat.

And so, Santa Claus, St. Nick, the man of the people, leader of the elves (right?), is now the thin, attractive, over-sexualized role model that we can all love and cherish and think about behind closed doors while everyone else is asleep.

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Services Available at Beverly Hills Physicans

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

We are one of the largest networks of beauty and health care providers in California. Though specializing primarily in plastic and cosmetic surgery, our network hosts physicians, dentists, and aestheticians for all categories of beauty and wellness.

Our services include:

Female Corrective and Vaginal Surgery

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Financing Medical Procedures: A New You Is Within Reach

Posted on November 25, 2011 by admin

Cosmetic surgery procedures have a number of benefits, including higher self-esteem that comes from being happy with the way you look. While there are many reasons people choose to have plastic surgery procedures that range from correcting painful foot problems to restoring breasts to their pre-pregnancy shape, they all have one thing in common: changing the way people see themselves and how are seen by others for the better.

Health-related surgical procedures can also change the way you look and feel. Gastric banding procedures reduce the size of the stomach so that less food is ingested and assimilated by the body. Gastric banding surgeries can help overweight patients change their health, bodies, and self image for the better.

Why wait any longer to get the look you’ve been dreaming of? Treat yourself to the procedure you’ve been putting off because you never quite have the cash to pay for it. You don’t have to put it off anymore with Beverly Hills Physicians and medical financing programs. A number of payment plan options are accepted, and the surgery you desire may also be partially or fully covered under your insurance plan.

Care Credit

Care Credit is a credit card designed specifically for financing medical and health-related expenses. You use your Care Credit card to pay for any medical procedures you don’t want to pay for in cash, and then pay the expenses off monthly like a credit card, by either making a minimum payment or paying more than the minimum to pay your balance off faster.

Patients choose to use Care Credit alone or in combination with private insurance plans. If you have medical insurance coverage, you can still use your Care Credit card to pay your deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses. Many plastic surgery procedures are considered elective and are not covered by private insurance companies.

Why use Care Credit instead of a major credit card to pay for medical expenses when you don’t have cash? Care Credit has lower interest rates that never fluctuate and has no pre-payment penalties. They also offer their cardholders payment flexibility with extended payment plans with lower monthly payment options. You can start by applying for Care Credit for free.

Chase Health Advance

Chase Health Advance is a medical financing alternative to a medical loan. Chase Health Advance accounts are designed to help pay for certain medical procedures that are not always covered by private insurance companies. Some of these procedures are elective, while others are often necessary for the health and wellness of patients, including dental, orthodontics, vision, cosmetic, hearing, hair restoration, chiropractic, weight loss, and even veterinary care.

Chase Health Advance requires a separate application for each procedure you’d like to have covered. Once your application is accepted you can move forward with the medical procedure you’ve been pre-approved for and the medical office will bill your Chase Health Advance account. You make monthly payments to Chase for a portion of the balance plus interest.

Why is a Chase Health Advance account a better option than a medical loan? Simply because it gives you more options. Each payment plan has an interest-free promotional period during which your balance earns no interest, giving you the chance to pay off your debt before interest begins accumulating. They also offer extended payment plans, revolving lines of credit, and require no down payment. Learn more about Chase Health Advance and apply for an account.

In-House Financing

Beverly Hills Physicians is dedicated to helping you achieve the look of your dreams. That’s why we offer in-house financing to our patients that qualify. Our financing experts approach each application individually and create a financing package tailored to your individual needs based on the cost of your procedure and your monthly income.

To apply for in-house financing through Beverly Hills Physicians, simply submit our short online application for review with one of our financing experts. To qualify, you must be employed and have a co-applicant that is also employed. All of the procedures we perform are covered under our payment plans, including plastic and cosmetic surgery, podiatry, weight loss, bariatric and banding, hair restoration, and Lasik and ophthalmology.

Using Insurance

Many of the procedures performed by Beverly Hills Physicians are necessary for your health and well-being or are considered preventative. Some of these procedures include bariatric and banding weight loss procedures, podiatry services, Lasik surgery, and dental procedures.

You may be happily surprised to learn that private insurance companies often cover part or all of the cost of the above procedures. Certain necessary or non-elective cosmetic procedures are also covered by private insurance. Be sure to discuss any procedure you’re thinking of having through Beverly Hills Physicians with your medical insurance provider before you apply for a medical line of credit or financial solution. Our patients often find that the procedures they truly desire are more within reach than they ever thought.

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Myths and Truths about Liposuction

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction is the second most common type of cosmetic surgery performed in the United States (after breast augmentation), with over 300,000 procedures routinely performed each year, pointing to its safety, success, and popularity.

The word “liposuction” can bring many images to mind, but how much do you really know about this increasingly common procedure? If you’re considering a liposuction treatment for weight loss and/or body contouring purposes, first familiarize yourself with the benefits and side effects of liposuction and other weight loss procedures that may be available to you.

Myth: Liposuction is purely cosmetic—there are no medical benefits to liposuction.

Fact: When liposuction is used for body contouring it is often for cosmetic purposes. But liposuction is a weight loss procedure, and losing weight has medical benefits. Lowering your body fat content can in turn lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, risk of heart disease, insulin and other medication requirements. Lowering your body fat can have other positive benefits as well, including a better self-image and more motivation. In addition, larger people have a harder time exercising and losing weight, so removing some of the excess weight can make movement and access to exercise a lot easier.

Keep in mind that physical health is not the only component to total health—psychological wellness is also very important, and makes the former easier to manage.

Myth: Liposuction will reduce fat in one area of the body but causes it to build up elsewhere instead.

Fact: This used to be true to an extent, but thanks to new advancements in liposuction surgery, there are now types of less invasive procedures with fewer side effects. In traditional liposuction fat cells are broken up and removed from the body entirely. Since the body will not make new fat cells to replace the ones that were removed, if a patient who has undergone this type of liposuction gains a significant amount of weight later in life, s/he will gain the weight on a different part of the body.

Laser liposuction treatments do not destroy or remove fat cells from the body, so the patient could gain weight back in the same place that was previously targeted by liposuction. In either case, the patient must make an effort to keep off weight removed from a liposuction treatment, since the effects of the treatment are not permanent.

Myth: Liposuction can take the place of diet and exercise in your weight loss program.

Fact: All weight loss programs must include diet and exercise in order to be effective. Liposuction is only recommended as a body contouring procedure in patients that have been unable to lose weight on a certain problem area of the body with diet and exercise alone. By using liposuction to remove the unwanted fat from an otherwise trim person, the patient is usually able to keep the weight off through diet and exercise alone after the procedure.

When liposuction is used as a weight loss procedure, it is not safe to remove large amounts of fat cells at a time, so the procedure must be repeated multiple times to remove significant amounts of fat. In these cases, the desired outcome is removing enough excess weight from the person’s body so that they can successfully follow a diet and exercise program in order to continue losing weight.

Types of Liposuction/Liposuction Techniques

Liposuction has been practiced routinely since the early 1980s, but new advancements in liposuction have made it safer and more effective than ever before, debunking the myth that liposuction is unsafe or can have dangerous side effects.

Tumescent: “Tumescent” means swollen and firm. In a tumescent liposuction procedure, a local anesthetic of lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the targeted fat cells, causing the area to become swollen and firm before the fat cells are removed. The procedure is considered safer than traditional liposuction because the effects of the local anesthetic are so long-lasting that no other anesthesia is necessary. The procedure also minimizes the blood loss and bruising often associated with traditional liposuction surgery.

Power-Assisted Liposuction: Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a liposuction technique in which an electric motor or compressed air is used to give more power to the procedure through either a spinning movement or rapid in and out movement of the cannula (the hollow tube used to break up and suction out the fat cells in a liposuction procedure). The procedure is reportedly easier for surgeons to perform and less traumatic for patients to endure than traditional liposuction.

Laser Liposuction: Laser liposuction treatments are now increasingly available. A low-level laser pierces a small hole in each fat cell, allowing the fat to leak out of the cells. The fat is then absorbed by the body and released through its normal elimination systems. Laser liposuction is a non-surgical, outpatient procedure that is minimally invasive, allowing patients to walk away from the surgery without missing any work or taking time off from daily routines.

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Moving on From Breast Cancer: Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Posted on October 21, 2011 by admin

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’d like to discuss something that’s on the minds of many women who have undergone breast surgeries or mastectomies as a result of breast cancer: breast reconstruction. For all of the brave women who are or who have battled breast cancer, restoring this intricate and symbolic part of the body offers new beginnings and new confidence.

Many women choose the path of reconstruction after undergoing breast surgery or mastectomies to remove breast cancer. Surgery by a skilled plastic surgeon can rebuild removed breast tissue, and most women who have had a mastectomy are suitable candidates for this type of physical reconstruction.

If you’re exploring options for post-surgical reconstruction, you may have some questions before moving forward. Concerns such as the expected outcome, the surgery’s effect on the success of future cancer screenings, your surgical options, and the post-surgical recovery period are very common.

How does reconstruction affect future cancer screenings?

Studies show that reconstruction does not affect future screenings or increase the chance of cancer recurrence. Radiation and chemotherapy are also not affected by reconstructive efforts. Implants used in breast reconstruction are not known to hide the signs of breast cancer recurrence, so this should not be a factor when considering reconstruction.

If your reconstruction involves an implant, it is a good idea to have your future mammograms performed at a facility that is trained in the best way to get an accurate picture around an implant.

Types of reconstruction

Breast reconstruction restores the breast to a normal or near-normal physical appearance post-mastectomy. But the expected outcome does depend on the severity of the original surgery. Although breast reconstruction can improve physical appearance, it does have its limitations. A reconstructed breast will not restore full sensation, nor will it feel the same as original breast tissue. Incisions will leave some visible scarring. If you choose to transfer fat from another area of your body (usually the back, buttocks, or abdomen), then there may also be some minimal scarring in that area as well.

When choosing reconstructive breast surgery, there are two basic options to choose from: implants or autologous reconstruction. Factors to consider when choosing which type of reconstruction include how quickly you want the procedure completed, and how natural you want your reconstructed breasts to look and feel. Implants are less natural to the touch, but an autologous reconstruction is a lengthier process involving the additional trial of removing tissue from a donor site.

Autologous reconstruction

An autologous reconstruction is performed by taking tissue from another area of the body and transferring it to the breasts.

Most often a reconstruction involves two surgical procedures: one to reconstruct the tissue, and another to reconstruct the areola and nipple. Rarely are these two procedure done together, as there may be some shifting of the reconstructed tissue after original placement.

Implant reconstruction

Using breast implants for reconstruction involves the implantation of a device filled with silicone or saltwater. The reconstruction process can start at the time of your mastectomy or after the procedure. Reconstruction using implants can be done by placing the device into the breast at the time of mastectomy and then filling it over a period of time after your surgery is complete. You can also opt to delay the procedure and insert the implants after the initial mastectomy is completed.

It is important to note that if you have had or will have additional radiation therapy; reconstruction using implants is not recommended as it increases the risk of capsular contracture (a tightening of collagen fibers surrounding the implant). Just be sure to discuss all of these details with your physician before moving forward.

Expected outcome

Keep in mind that while reconstruction isn’t a magic wand, it can go a long way towards making you look and feel much like your old self. If you decide to follow reconstructive surgery, the procedure can help restore your self-confidence and self-image. Many women have found reconstruction after breast cancer to be a very beneficial aesthetic improvement. The choice of reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy is ultimately up to you. Breast reconstruction can go a long way towards restoring your appearance and helping you reclaim a full, healthy, and happy life after cancer.

Posted in Beverly Hills Physicians News, Breast Cancer, Breast Reconstruction, Fat Transfer | Leave a comment

Get Glowing: Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Skin to Look its Best!

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

A large part of maintaining healthy skin comes from exercising the right tools to combat the early signs of aging. Skin rejuvenation starts with proper care at home through prevention and healthy life choices. These benefits can be enhanced with both new and tried-and-true treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, BOTOX® injections, and laser treatments.

Home Care

Great skin starts at home, and there are a few staple lifestyle choices known to help preserve healthy skin and maintain balanced care. A healthy skin care routine can go a long way towards maintaining beautiful skin from day to day.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is known as the most important and effective part of a healthy skin care routine. The majority of the skin’s signs of aging are caused by photo damage. Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is a vitally important part of maintaining a younger appearance and preventing skin cancer. Both natural light and tanning salons expose your skin to dangerous UV light, which advances the age of your skin. Although sunscreen does not reverse the effects of sun damage, it does prevent this damage—so start now and stay consistent.

Hydration and a Healthy Diet

Hydration may not seem closely linked to the health of your skin, but both using a daily moisturizer and drinking water can help make a difference in your skin’s elasticity and health.

Our food and lifestyle choices also show on our skin. Refraining from smoking and excess alcohol can add years to the life of your skin. Foods with healthy oils can help your skin flourish and maintain that healthy glow. Fish, avocados, flax seeds, and walnuts are a great addition to a healthy diet. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can also help your body maintain balance, and this balance shows both inside and out.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

Lack of sleep keeps your skin from looking vibrant and healthy. Stress, sleeplessness, and pushing yourself too far can all contribute to a haggard looking face. Maintaining balance in your activities and your sleep can go a long way towards helping you turn a fresh face to the world.

Professional Solutions

Fine lines and wrinkles often begin showing their telltale signs during your late twenties and early thirties. Scars, sun spots, broken blood vessels, and hyperpigmentation can add years to your face. Fortunately, advancements in dermatology have yielded today’s treatments, which can go a long way towards rejuvenating your skin and bringing back a youthful appearance.

Professional skin treatments such as fillers can smooth out wrinkles, and laser skin resurfacing can improve the appearance of fine lines and scars. Another popular remedy for aging skin is laser resurfacing. Microdermabrasion treatments are also a gold standard for creating new skin that can flourish and fill in wrinkles and crevices.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels have long been a popular way to treat fine lines, discoloration, acne, and other aging issues. Chemical peels smooth out these inconsistencies in the skin by peeling off the outer layer so that fresh new skin cells can replace the old layer. This cell regeneration results in a smooth, fresh appearance.

Fillers, Botox^® and Dysport ™

Many individuals seek to remove the signs of crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and laugh lines around the mouth in order to maintain a youthful image. BOTOX® and Dysport™ are precise injections that help smooth out these trouble areas to maintain a youthful appearance. Restylane® and Juvederm® are popular fillers in today’s professional beauty toolbox. These treatments fill in lines or sunken scars in the skin and reduce their appearance.

Laser Treatments

There are many different types of lasers to treat scars and wrinkles. The IPL (intense pulsed light) facial is one of the most common treatments and uses a broad spectrum light pulse to eliminate blood vessels and hyperpigmentation. Fraxel lasers are a great option for crow’s feet, and YAG lasers can be used for blemishes such as acne scars.

Microdermabrasion

For those looking for a less invasive type of professional service, microdermabrasion is a gentle dermatological treatment that helps to reduce the appearance of mild scars, lines, and sun spots. Repeated treatments can help you gain the most out of what this professional treatment has to offer.

Healthy skin starts with good home care and habits. Professional services can go a step further in treating blemishes and signs of aging, and can help maintain a healthy appearance. Although you may not be able to prevent the aging process, there are many steps that can be taken to slow down and even reverse the effects of aging.

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Preparing for Surgery

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

Once you’ve elected to have a cosmetic surgical procedure, the next important step is to prepare yourself for the experience. Many small changes prior to your date of surgery can help speed up the healing process, make your procedure go more smoothly, and ensure a positive outcome and healing period. Keep in mind that both physical and psychological preparation is necessary to create a worry-free recovery.

Get Educated

Putting your body in the hands of a surgeon requires a certain level of trust. Make sure you ask your doctor about any questions and concerns (no matter how small) you have and get all the pertinent details about the procedure. Learn as much as possible ahead of time about pre and postoperative care, precautions, and possible complications of your procedure. But keep a rational mind if reading up online. Horror stories and over-exaggerations can make the internet a less-than-desirable place to learn—so stick with your doctor’s information, but be sure to address any red flags or uneasiness you feel.

Weigh the risks versus the benefits of your surgery and know the potential outcomes. Be realistic about what you can expect and reconcile that in your mind beforehand. Don’t go into surgery dwelling on risks and potential complications or an inflated expectation of the outcome. As they say, positive thoughts attract positive outcomes.

Talk to your doctor Beverly Hills Physicians about preoperative and postoperative care and documentation so that you can review these materials well before your date of surgery.

Arrange for Help

Make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from your procedure. If you will be bedridden, ensure that you have someone with you to bring you food and water, and help you to the bathroom. If you have pets or children, walk your helper through the steps necessary to care for them.

Line up a few friends or family members to be available during your first few days after surgery in case one becomes unexpectedly unavailable. Clear your schedule of responsibilities so that you are not inclined to return to normal daily activity before it is advised. Remember—this is a time of resting and recuperating, not a time to catch up on work or other stress-inducing activities.

Prepare Your Body

Preparing your body is an important part of ensuring the best surgical outcome.

If you are a smoker, consider quitting before your surgery to help your body focus on healing. Sometimes, your doctor requires it. Make sure you bring this up with your doctor if you are a smoker.
Avoid drinking alcohol a few days prior to your procedure.
Avoid extreme exercise directly before your surgery so that your body has the energy to heal and your physiological state is balanced.
Make sure you shower the night before your procedure. Avoid wearing any makeup, moisturizers, oils, creams, or deodorant directly before your procedure.
Wear loose-fitting clothes the day of the surgery and remove all jewelry and earrings.
Take care of your personal needs before surgery and get your haircut, manicure, pedicure or facial beforehand. Depending on the surgery, you may not have a chance to handle these things for a lengthy time after surgery.
Be realistic about how much energy and enthusiasm you will have following surgery. You may not be in the mood for company, so prepare your social network for a potential absence.
Buy dressings, ointments or gauze, and any special equipment you will need ahead of time.
Follow proper nutrition by taking multi-vitamins and eating well-balanced meals in the weeks or months prior to surgery to support your body’s healing powers.

It is also very important that you remember not to eat or drink anything for at least twelve hours before your procedure.

Prepare Your Home

Go shopping ahead of time and make sure you purchase plenty of food, snacks, and crackers. Make sure any post-operative prescriptions are filled ahead of time and talk to your doctor about when you can resume daily activities.

Put your home in order ahead of time by cleaning, doing laundry, paying bills, and running any trailing errands. Remember that you most likely won’t feel up to doing these things after your surgery, and may not be advised to move around much for some time. It will be nice to have a clean, organized, and stress-free space when you are healing.

Re-arrange your furniture to make it easier to move around. Make sure the floor is clear and the path to the bathroom is not blocked by items that could trip you after surgery. Simple changes like hanging soap on a rope in your shower or laying out towels ahead of time can help your post-surgical experience be an easy one.

Set out enough comfortable clothes, snacks, and entertainment for a few days after surgery. Loose-fitting loungewear can go a long way in making your post-surgical experience a comfortable one.

Eating a well-balanced diet, quitting smoking, and arranging for help can all speed up the healing process. Preparing your home is also very important in getting ready for a stress-free surgical procedure. It is most important that you focus on yourself and your healing after surgery, so be sure not to schedule tasks and priorities that could compromise your healing process. You can take this time to relax, catch up with novels and films, and nurture your body and mind.

Posted in Beverly Hills Physicians News, Helpful Tips, Surgical Procedures | Leave a comment

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