Dr. Brian Machida
1250 S. Sunset Ave. #206, West Covina, CA 91790
626 337-0821
allurecosmeticsolutions.com

This is her advice:

I hope in the future I can convince her to give me some more info about why she
chose Dr. Machida and the particular LA plastic surgery facility she ended up choosing. It’s a great opportunity to get some first hand information about some who has experienced plastic surgery in Los Angeles

Some people are not candidates for having plastic surgery. Even if you are, you need to think about the risks as well the benefits. The following are reasons to NOT to have plastic surgery.

1. You’re depressed or in some type of crisis - Individuals who are in the process of divorce or mourning the death of a loved one or suffering a mid-life crisis are seeking answers that cannot be provided by changing their personal appearance. A patient should first resolve their emotional crisis then think about having plastic surgery. You might try herbs for depression
2. You want to look like Johnny Depp or Angelina Jolie - Yes, Johnny and Angelina are hot, but plastic surgeons cannot perform miracles. Unrealistic or impossible expectations are red flags to plastic surgeons to pass on this type of candidate, as they should.
3. You want to please someone else - Plastic surgery should be something you want to do for yourself, not for anyone else. Let’s face it, most relationships are not permanent; unlike the surgical changes of plastic surgery. If your honey thinks you should go under the knife, maybe you should cut-him/her loose instead. After all, you’ll have to live with the changes if your relationship fails.
4. You have serious health concerns - If you have any one or more of the following health problems, plastic surgery may not be safe:
   • Diabetes
   • Hypertension (High blood pressure)
   • Excessive drinking
   • Excessive smoking
   • Hemophilia or a bleeding disorder
   • Heart Disease
   • Obesity
   • Lung Disease
   • Elevated levels of cholesterol
   • Arthritis
   • Severe Allergies

You can consult physician answering services for more information.

5. You’re addicted to plastic surgery (Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD) - People with this obsessive-compulsive disorder suffer with what mental health professional call a “broken mirror” syndrome where they believe they have severe flaws in their appearances, which no plastic surgeon can fix because the flaws don’t exist except in the mind of the individual. This isn’t just a bad habit like nail biting. Jocelyn Wildenstein, an extreme case of BDD has had approximately 72 procedures performed.
   

   before	after

6. You want to land a partner or spouse - Obviously a bad idea I hope.  Again you should be changing your appearance for you not for what you think someone else might like.
7. You want to be happy - This should be obvious too.  Get to the root of your problems, don’t patch them with plastic surgery
8. You have financial problems - According to American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), the cost for plastic surgery continues to rise and is becoming increasingly difficult to afford. Unless it is health related, plastic surgery is not covered by health insurance. A breast reduction is covered by insurance companies when women complain about back problems, but breast enhancement isn’t.
9. Trying to save a relationship - Even a brilliant plastic surgeon cannot save an ailing relationship.
10. To get revenge on an Ex - Another horribly bad idea.
11. There can be complications to any surgery - Even in the hands of the most experienced plastic surgeon, plastic surgery has risks just like any other surgical procedure. Many procedures are performed under general anesthesia, which can by potentially dangerous or fatal. The following are complications of plastic surgery performed under general anesthesia:
    • Abnormal heart rhythm
    • Blood Clots—Blood Clots can be fatal and are difficult to predict. To lower the risk, patients should not stay in any one position too long. Flexing the feet often helps too.
    • Airway Obstruction—Anesthesia may irritate air passages, which causes the spasms of the vocal cords. This can block the airway.
    • Brain Damage—Brain Damage may occur if blood circulation drops to a dangerous level.
    • Heart Attack
    • Malignant Hyperthermia—A rare but real complication when blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature rise to a dangerous level. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, death may occur.
    • Stroke
    • Nerve Damage
    • Death
12. There can be many serious and ugly complications to plastic surgery - In addition to complications of general anesthesia, there are other serious general risks associated with the procedure itself. The following are general risks for cosmetic surgical procedures:
    • Asymmetry: A range of normal to several asymmetries. Moderate to severe can mostly likely be corrected with a second surgery. Mild asymmetry is considered a normal result.
    • Irregularities, dimples, puckers, and divots: occur due to the individual’s genetic make-up, surgeon’s error or healing irregularities.
    • Seroma: A deposit of clear fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery such as liposuction, tummy tuck or breast augmentation. Typically, a drain is inserted in the affected area along and whenever possible, compression. In some instances, this doesn’t work and further treatments are necessary.
    • Skin Necrosis (Skin Death): typically occurs after an infection or hematoma. The odds for skin death are greater among smokers. The dead skin is surgically removed. This may or may not change the results of the cosmetic procedure.
    • Slow Healing: Due to health related problems, age, type of skin, or neglecting to follow doctor’s advice.
    • Numbness/Tingling: occurs when the sensory or motor nerves are temporarily or permanently damaged, resulting in a loss of sensation.

There are many serious reasons NOT to have plastic surgery. Remember plastic surgery may change your life but it also can end it. Think twice or thrice before having it done.

Breast Augmentation Overview
Breast augmentation or commonly known as breast enlargement is a plastic surgery procedure that is done to increase the size of a woman’s breasts by inserting breast implants. Many women may require reconstructive surgery following an accident or a surgery involving the breasts. Some may need to balance out uneven or different sized breasts. Others may just wasn’t to improve or modify their figure. Any of these reasons are suitable for a woman to undergo a breast augmentation surgery. In general a woman can expect firmer and larger breasts that are visually more satisfying and meet their specific appearance goals.

Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast enlargement procedures normally begin with an incision in the crease of the breast. Sometimes the incision may be in the armpit or the areole or areas around the nipple. The body type of the patient and the specific procedure will determine where the incision is to be made. A berth is created under the breast fatty tissue or under the muscle wall of the chest. The implants are placed in this area. The incision is then closed and taped. After surgery, a surgical bra may be used.

Postoperative Care
Soma pain and swelling may occur after the operation. Redness of the breast of other signs of infection may also occur. These symptoms should immediately be communicated to your surgeon. As with most surgeries some swelling, pain, bruising, and/or tenderness may be present following your operation. These symptoms may last for a mother or perhaps longer but soon after they should begin to lessen with the passage of time and eventually disappear. Consult your doctor if you wish to use a bioFreeze gel to soothe pain. You may also experience some pain and nausea for with medication may be prescribed by your plastic surgeon.

Postoperative care may also involve the use of compression bandages, or a sports bra for added support and positioning while you recover and begin to heal. Your doctor will most likely recommend you return to work within a few days, although you should avoid strenuous activities that could increase your heart rate and blood pressure for a minimum of two weeks. Your doctor may also suggest various breast massage techniques or light exercises.

In a future article I’ll cover breast augmentation surgeons in Los Angeles.

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure intended improve the nose’s appearance and often is done to improve breathing as well. The look and alteration to the nose is essentially up to the patient. Generally this involves making the nose smaller. More specifically rhinoplasty can narrow the bridge of the nose or change its shape; it can change the nostril width and can also change the angle of the lower area near the lip.

Sometimes rhinoplasty is done for health reasons. A deviated septum is a source of breathing problems and other nasal issues like post nasal drip and severe snoring problems. Nose surgeries to correct a deviated septum are often coupled with more cosmetic goals to create the best result for the patient. Often this will be covered by insurance.

Who should be considering rhinoplasty? Rhinoplasty in Los Angeles or anywhere else for that matter is a serious and important consideration. The main reason simply to elect to have a nose job is simply vanity. Any adult dissatisfied with the look or shape of the nose is a candidate for rhinoplasty. Adolescents who are still growing or are emotionally immature should be instructed to reconsider and delay their nose surgery. The best candidates are those in good physical and mental health. Other considerations concern people who use their voice for a living or are concerned with the timbre of their voice. Singers, announcers and public speakers should be aware the rhinoplasty may change the sound of your voice.

Are you looking for the perfect nose? In Los Angeles, there will undoubtedly be those looking for the perfect Beverly Hills nose job. Truthfully, everyone is different and there is not one ideal nose that suits every face. Expectations should be realistic. Don’t strive for the perfect Hollywood or Los Angeles nose surgery like your favorite movie star. Your nose should be perfect for your face.

There are many tools such as computer graphic imaging software to assist plastic surgeons and patients in finding just the right shape for your new nose. These tools are a great way to focus on just what you would like to see as a result, but it is not a guarantee of what the outcome of your procedure will be. It is important for LA surgeon and patient to determine just what should be done to create a nose that will compliment and harmonize with your face. The right appearance is what every patient is hoping for from their rhinoplasty procedure. Realistic expectations, thorough planning and a sense of proper aesthetics are important for a satisfactory outcome. Of course a skilled plastic surgeon is important as well. Plastic surgery can greatly improve one’s happiness and self image. In Los Angeles, rhinoplasty is improving many people’s appearances every day, perhaps it may be the right thing for you as well.

Dr. Frederic Corbin is a 20 year veteran in the plastic surgery field. He is known for both a straightforward approach to his field and a keen sense of detail. His surgical results also have the reputation of being beautiful. Los Angeles Dr. Corbin is an instructor in plastic surgery at Western University of Health Sciences. His high regard in the academic field results in many students and surgeons seeking his knowledgeable background on the latest developments in the field. Dr Corbin has experience in many areas of cosmetic surgery such as: Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, Breast Reconstruction, Facelift, and other Reconstructive surgeries. He is a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He also has the honor of being a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Corbin has offices in Beverly Hills and Brea.

Frederic H. Corbin, M.D.
Beverly Hills Office
436 N. Bedford Drive, Suite 202
Beverly Hills, CA
Phone: (310) 284-8384

Dr. T. Y. Steven Ip comes from a large family of doctors. Two of his brothers are doctors and his two sisters are both dentists. Dr. Ip and most of his siblings are dedicated to the care of others. Dr. Ip tries to bring this notion of family to his practice stating that every patient should be treated like family. He strives to understand and deliver the goals of each patient. He received scholarships to both UCLA the University of Texas. He trained at Columbia University in New York for 5 years and also at Duke for 3 years. He is certified by both the American Board of PlasticSurgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Ip has vast experience with some areas being: Breast Augmentation, Burn Reconstruction, Face Lifts, Laser Hair Removal, Rhinoplasty, Spider-Vein Treatment, Tummy Tuck and many others.

T.Y. Steven Ip, M.D.
351 Hospital Rd., Suite 319
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Phone: (949) 548-0300

Dr. David Stoker’s list of accolades in the field of cosmetic surgery is quite impressive. He was listed in the New York Times Style Magazine as one of the three best surgeons in the country for liposuction. Right from the start of his surgery career he was winning awards. In medical school he received a first place prize by the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation for his plastic surgery research. In New York, where this Los Angeles Dr. did his residency, he received the British Journal of Surgery Award for the attaining the best score in his dept. on the National In-Service Training Exam. Dr Stoker was also written about in New York Times Style Magazine as one of the top three plastic surgeons for liposuction in the USA. His research in liposuction techniques has garnered him national recognition and he even appeared on the Dr. Phil Show. In addition to his status as a liposuction expert, Dr Stoker is also experienced in Breast Lift, Breast Reconstruction, Cheek Implants, Eyelid Surgery, Male Breast Reduction Surgery, Tattoo Removal, Thigh Lifts, Wrinkle Reduction and many more. In addition to his highly regarded skill as a surgeon, Dr Stoker can provide his patients with compassion and a genuine personal touch.

Dr. David Stoker
4644 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 552
Marina Del Rey, California 90292
(310) 827-2653

927 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 175
Palos Verdes, California 90274
(310) 541-7722

These are three top cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles providing a great knowledge of the field, a skillful hand, and an eye for the art of the human form.

If you have an interest in a facelift or nose job and you’re living in Houston TX, take a look at Houston weight loss surgery

Maintaining washboard abs is something many of us pursue through vigorous training and exercise. Unfortunately, sometimes these methods are simple not enough to achieve or desired appearance. Many factors can make our goal nearly unachievable such as genetic conditions, a large weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.

As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, you should strive to have realistic expectations. Just like with liposuction, a tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for a weight loss and fitness program. It’s important that your weight be relatively stable before undergoing a tummy tuck surgery. Significant fluctuations in your weight can negatively affect the results of the surgery and diminish what should be a permanent outcome. If you are on a weight loss regimen and you are still losing weight, a tummy tuck should not be performed until you have reached your goal weight and stabilized. Furthermore, a tummy tuck will not eliminate stretch marks but it may reduce them somewhat if they are in the immediate location of the surgery area (on the skin that will be removed).

If you feel you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck plastic surgery, you will have to find a Los Angeles plastic surgeon. Your plastic surgery doctor will have to evaluate you. They may examine your abdomen while you are standing or lying flat. They will access the loose skin and determine the amount of excess fat in the abdominal area. They will also evaluate the state of your abdominal muscles. You will have to be completely open and forthright with the plastic surgery doctor. You will be asked many questions about your medical history, allergies etc, and your lifestyle. You also must be honest about your expected outcome of the tummy tuck and why you want the procedure.

Plastic surgery costs can be quite substantial. A tummy tuck surgery may be covered by your insurance company depending on your circumstances and your policy. Generally the procedure is not covered by major medical health insurance, however if a hernia procedure is required and done simultaneously, that portion of the surgery may be covered.

As with any plasticsurgery, a tummy tuck carries risks. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the risks with you in detail and you will have to sign consent forms stating you understand the risks. Some of the serious risks are blood clots, anesthesia complication risks, wound separation, leg swelling, pulmonary or cardiac issues, or infection. Aesthetic risks are undesired scars, asymmetrical appearance, skin discoloring, looseness of skin, or skin loss.

In general, the incisions for a tummy tuck are located just above the pubic area. The length of the incision is dependent upon the quantity of loose skin to be excised. The shape of the incision depends on your body type. Your cosmetic plastic surgeon will attempt to keep the incision with swimsuit coverage areas. Sometime a second incision is required if there is loose skin above the navel area. Excess skin around the navel will be removed. Skin containing stretch marks in the lower abdomen may also be removed. Stretch marks may be reduced somewhat but as mentioned earlier you should not expect a substantial improvement in stretch mark appearance. The muscles themselves may also be tightened using sutures. Liposuction may also be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck.

Following your tummy tuck, fluid may collect under the skin. You may have to return to your plastic surgery center several times to have this fluid removed. You certainly should follow all advice and suggestions given by your plastic surgery doctor to minimize the risk factors. The procedure may be done as an outpatient type, so you will have to have someone accompany you to your Los Angeles area plastic surgery center to drive you home and care for you for a day or two following your surgery.

The day following your procedure, you will likely be asked to take short walks to promote blood circulation. You most likely will have trouble standing up completely straight. You should avoid sitting for extended periods during the first few days after the surgery. Extended bending, lifting, and straining should all be avoided for several days at least. These activities may cause swelling or bleeding. You may be asked to sleep on your back and prop up your knees with a blanket or pillow. You will have to return to your cosmetic surgeon within the first week for draining of any accumulated fluids and dressing changes. Within two weeks all your stitches will likely be removed. Swelling will be apparent. Bruising will also likely be noticeable. Both of these conditions are normal. They should dissipate within a few weeks. Numbness may also occur and unfortunately could last for many months.

Of course recovery time can vary greatly from patient to patient, but you should be able to do most light activities in one to three weeks. Usually most normal activities can be resumed with a few weeks after your tummy tuck. You may still experience pain or swelling during your recovery period, that is expected. Notify your surgeon of any severe pain.

Results also vary between patients. The contour of your body should be improved and your abdomen should appear flatter and firmer, this should provide added confidence that fitness regiments did not. Incision marks will fade day by day but will still be visible. Some people will have more prominent lines from the surgical incisions. You results from your plastic surgery tummy tuck should be permanent barring any drastic weight fluctuations. A boost in your self image should be permanent as well.

First however you will need a pool of eplastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area to choose from. You may start by getting recommendations from friends and family. Another good source of recommendations can come from personal family doctors, local hospitals or directories. Verify that each surgeon in your list of potentials is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the most basic qualification check. A board certified surgeon must complete the certain educational requirements, must also have passed written and oral exams, and have practiced plastic surgery for at least two years.

Next you may want to find out where the surgeon went to school. A simple way is to visit their office and simply ask them. If they evade this question, that is a huge red flag. They should be happy to give you any information you think is relevant about their schooling and training. Also ask if they completed a residency in plastic surgery. During a residency, usually two or three years, they will have learned a wide array of cosmetics surgery procedures.

Some other less obvious things to investigate are whether the surgeon has hospital privileges for plastic surgery in a Los Angeles area hospital. They should be up to date and experienced in the procedure you wish to have done. You may also try to seek out nurses or other professional the doctor has performed operations with to get another perspective. Another avenue is to check what societies the plastic surgeon belongs to and what the requirements for membership the societies specify. This can give further insight into the professional acumen of the surgeon and his relevance in the medical community. Finally you can talk to patients that the surgeon has performed the cosmetic procedure on and gage their satisfaction. Are they happy with the results? Are they satisfied with the service and care? Did they get the look they desired?

Evaluating a doctor’s personality is something you should be already a natural at. In this realm you can go with your gut. It’s beneficial that you like the person but more important that you be comfortable with their level of professionalism and contentiousness. Remember, if some goes wrong with the procedure, you may be seeing a lot of this person. One percent of all surgeries result in a major complication, plastic surgery included. Hopefully that will not be the case as you do your diligent research and scrutinizing of your Los Angeles area plastic surgeons.

For individuals with such issues, liposuction can be a viable option to reshape those undesirable contours and create a lasting and improved self image. Lipsuction may be performed as a standalone procedure or it may be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck or facelift. It may be done in one or more of the following areas: thighs, waist, hips, buttocks, abdomen, knees, back, face, chest, or lower legs.

Liposuction is not a miracle. Do not think that you can visit a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles morbidly obese and come out looking like a super model. Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and proper fitness routine. Lipo is for problem areas, not for weight loss. It is also not effective for reducing or eliminating cellulite or baggy, loose skin.

A successful outcome for your liposuction procedure or for that matter any plastic surgery procedure depends greatly on your honesty and openness with your doctor be it at a Los Angeles plastic surgery clinic or another location. You must be upfront with your plastic surgeon and staff. Be prepared to talk about your reason for desiring to have liposuction, what you expect out of the procedure. Also and medical conditions you may have or drug allergy you may have. Also what medication you are currently taking. You may also discuss diet, exercise, and any prior plastic or cosmetic surgery procedures you may have had.

Furthermore your surgeon will most likely take photographs of you before and after the surgery for your records. He or she may also discuss other options or treatments and most certainly will go over the expected outcome of the liposuction surgery and risk factors.

If you decide to actually commit to a liposuction procedure, there are some things you may be asked to do prior to undergoing surgery. You may have to visit a lab for testing, take a new medicine. You may be asked to stop smoking for a time in advance of the procedure. You may also be asked to avoid certain drugs like analgesics or food supplements.

Your plastic surgeon should thoroughly discuss your liposuction procedure and where in Los Angeles it will be performed. There are many Los Angeles plastic surgery clinics or centers where the procedure may take place. A hospital is even an option. The surgeon should also describe how anesthesia will be administered. Also follow up visits and any post operative requirements should be discussed prior to the surgery day. It is very important that you be communicative with your plastic surgeon and fully understand what your liposuction surgery entails and the expected results and additional requirements that may be in store. Undergoing plastic surgery in Los Angeles should be a rewarding experience and both doctor and patient are responsible for making that a reality. Los Angeles plastic surgeons are some of the best but they can’t be successful without you.

This is how it works. The thread has barbs on one end and teeth on the other. When the thread is inserted, it grabs and lifts the sagging skin with the barbs and fastens the skin to the facial tissue below. There are no scars, no incisions, and no stitches.

Who is An Ideal Candidate for a Thread Lift?
The ideal candidate for this technique is someone with minimal signs of facial aging or sagging who wants a subtle improvement with minimal downtime. Patients with lax skin or deep folds would likely be disappointed if they want dramatic results. They’d be better off going for a full facelift or a mid facelift.

The Pros:
Minimally Invasive-This outpatient procedure is typically done at a surgical center and takes anywhere between 30-60 minutes. Local anesthesia is used, which allows the patient to give immediate feedback to the plastic surgeon.

More Affordable than a conventional Face Lift
Quick Recovery-Less than one week. Some patients resume work after 2 to 3 days while others return the next day wearing thin, flesh colored bandages. Recovering patients need to refrain from rubbing their face or eating foods that require a lot of chewing. Side Effects are minimal bruising, swelling and soreness

The Cons:
Results of Thread Lift are more subtle than the standard face or brow lifts. There’s also the chance of no noticeable change.

Results last 3 years until new threads are inserted or until existing threads are tightened. Due to its recent development in the plastic surgery world, its techniques are still being improved upon, which accounts for its considerably varied results among patients.

Risks
Like any procedure, however minimal, risks are involved. They include an outside chance of irregular skin appearance, puckering, poking of thread through the dermis, migration of threads, asymmetric results, infection and thread visibility.

Thread Lift Technique
The plastic surgeon starts off the procedure by placing a needle through the skin in a key area. Then the surgeon places a threaded needle and raises the facial tissue. Once inserted, the barbs located on the thread will secure themselves into place. Before the sutures are anchored, the surgeon will make sure the desired areas are shaped and lifted. Finally, the threads are cut close to skin of the temple hairline.

Finding an Experienced Plastic Surgeon
Don’t take chances on your face. Even if you live in “Plastic Surgery Los Angeles,” you still should do thorough research. Usually the best plastic surgeons are board-certified because they have the most knowledge of the thread lift procedure.

Before choosing a plastic surgeon, do the following:
Meet with the surgeon and ask him/her about his educational background, credentials, training, his board certification (he should be an American Board of Plastic Surgery—ABPS—certified plastic surgeon which permits him to do both body and facial procedures) and the number of times he has performed these lifts. Ask if there have been any problems with the results of previous patients. Also, you can call the California Medical Board to verify the surgeon’s history of complaints, if any.

Verify his board certification by visiting https://www.abms.org/. While checking this out, make sure to notice that the Certification should be in plastic surgery, not surgery. If it just indicates surgery, that’s NOT the same as plastic surgery. Also, cosmetic surgeons ARE NOT plastic surgeons.
Ask to see before and after photos of the procedures HE has performed. Most surgeons have a notebook filled with different procedures/results, but some have been cut out from magazines or brochures. Tell him, or better yet, bring a photo of the results you what. Ask him if those results are obtainable.

Ask which technique of thread lift (there are 2 different ones) is best for your expected results. Remember, different surgeons employ different techniques and equipment for the procedure.
Ask where the procedure would be performed—at a hospital, his office or a surgical center?
Request and review a copy of the pre-op and post-op care instruction list.

Cost of Procedure
Thread Lifts in Los Angeles, like most cosmetic procedures, are elective, which means that they are not covered by most insurance companies. The cost of this procedure depends on the need of the patient and/or the plastic surgeon’s experience. It varies anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that average fee for thread lifts was $2,443 in 2006. If financial assistance is needed, some plastic surgeons do offer payments plans or can set you up with a loan from the financial group that they work with.