Fat Transfer vs Sculptra
Posted on March 25, 2010 in Beauty, fillers by Dr. KimNo Comments »

Q:  FAT TRANSFER vs SCULPTRA

I am a 43-year-old triathlete looking to replenish volume to my face. After consulting with several plastic surgeons, most recommended fat transfer and one recommended Sculptra. I am hesitant to have fat transfer because of its unpredictability, high cost, and the fact I don’t seem to retain fat very well on my face or body.

I am considering Sculptra (realizing it is temporary and would require touch-ups), as I have noticed several reputable plastic surgeons advertising it. My concern with Sculptra is the lumps it has been known to cause. Any comments or opinions on Sculptra would be very helpful.

A:  FAT TRANSFER and SCULPTRA can work well, but both can cause problems

Fat transfer typically leads to partial long-term fill. Some of the fat get reasbsorbed by your body and some will survive. So there may not be a uniform contour by the time all is said and done. Sculptra can also lead to bumpiness, but i have found it to be much less than fat, particularly if the Sculptra is diluted and injected a bit deeper into the tissue.

Dr. Kim’s thoughts on how his view of his role as a facial plastic surgeon has changed over the years.
Posted on March 23, 2010 in Beauty, Rhinoplasty by Dr. KimNo Comments »

The past: Early in my career I thought that being a plastic surgeon was all about making people look better.  Face-lifts, nose jobs, cosmetic office procedures—I viewed these as tools to enhance a patient’s beauty.  After having had the privilege of treating thousands of patients, my views on this have shifted quite a bit.  In particular, this change occurred after I reconstructed the nose of a young woman who had much of the nose removed to treat an aggressive skin cancer.  Once she recovered after several stages of surgery, she thanked me for returning her back to her life.  That she was finally able to feel happiness and joy again.  That’s when I realized that I should be in the business of making people feel better about themselves and not simply to look better.

The present: So now every time I meet with a patient in my office, I am thinking what I can do to make that person feel better.  How I can make that individual happier?  This has made all the difference in the way I approach each patient.  I find myself listening more carefully to their goals and paying more attention to what it is that makes them tick.  I have tried to construct a practice that is patient-centric and not one in which the game-plan for treatment is dictated by me.  I find that I am now able to make such a connection with each patient beyond that of a cosmetic surgeon and client, but one that embodies a true doctor-patient relationship.  As a result, I believe I have happier patients and I myself have found much more personal gratification in my work.

Nothing Can Replace A Facelift…
Posted on March 11, 2010 in Beauty by Dr. KimNo Comments »
A patients asked me the question, “Is there a non-surgical face lift that works?”

I am in my early 50s with drooping facial features.  I pray that someone tells me that a non surgery face lift is available — alternative that doesn’t require going through lots of recovery.  Maybe I can get away with treating using filling with things like Restylane?

My answer to her was “Nothing can replace a face-lift”

There are alternatives such as fillers (“liquid facelift”), skin resurfacing and good skin care (we have a fabulous new anti-aging skincare line, inquire in the office) but nothing can replace the repositioning, lifting, and fixation that occurs during a facelift. You can think of a face-lift as a “curative” treatment while some other non-surgical approaches are more “band-aid” solutions.

If you don’t want anyone to know you had Rhinoplasty surgery, you shouldn’t do it…
Posted on March 6, 2010 in Beauty, Rhinoplasty by Dr. KimNo Comments »


Recently, I was asked the question, “I am having rhinoplasty surgery, and I don’t know whether I should tell my friends and family about it. I’m afraid they will think I’m vain or judge me for having it done. What do you think? Should I tell?”

My answer to her is this…. If you don’t want anyone to know, you shouldn’t do it… It is a dilemma….you want to make a change, but you don’t want anyone to know about it.  If you have a rhinoplasty, chances are someone is going to be able to tell.  Particularly, those who know you well.  I think the better goal would be that the improvements to your nose look natural enough that someone who has never met you before would not know you had surgery!