Plastic surgery patients have many difficult decisions to make before their procedure. However, finding the right plastic surgeon is the most important decision a patient can make. When you begin your search, the American Board of Plastic Surgery suggests that you ask your plastic surgeon if he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The government does not require a surgeon to be specifically trained in the procedures they offer. As such, they also recommend that you understand your surgeon's specialties and sub-specialties. A new book titled Navigate Your Beauty: Safe and Smart Plastic Surgery Solutions, aims...

Patients who choose to undergo a plastic surgery procedure are often concerned about scarring. Will the scar be visible? Will it detract from the overall look of the procedure? How will it look as I age? Unfortunately, these fears often prevent individuals from taking the next step and scheduling a consultation. A skilled and knowledgeable plastic surgeon can answer your questions and help calm your fears before your procedure. Armed with the right information, you can make a more informed decision about whether plastic surgery is right for you. What is a Plastic Surgical Scar? A scar is a mark that...

Many people, women in particular, wish the weight on their body would be distributed in a more even fashion. For some even though they adhere to a strict diet and exercise routine, other factors, such as genetics, menopause, and childbirth, can leave women with deposits of fat in the abdominal area. In some cases, an abdominoplasty—more commonly known as a tummy tuck—can produce excellent results. A tummy tuck can strengthen weak stomach muscles, remove fat, reveal a tighter abdomen and allow clothing to fit much more attractively. There are a number of things men and women considering a tummy tuck should...

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 15.6 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2014, an increase of 3 percent over 2013. Scot Glasberg, MD, ASPS President, attributed this increase to medical advancements and technological improvements, as well as the fact that patients are more “empowered with choices to achieve the results they are seeking.” The plastic surgical trends expected to top the charts in 2015 include the following: Buttock augmentation and lifts were not only among the fastest-growing procedures in 2014, they are expected to continue to increase in 2015. Buttock augmentation with fat grafting...

Everyone ages – but not everyone ages the same way. For some, aging is a graceful and natural process that occurs over decades. For others, sun damage, genetics, and environmental factors have made aging anything but graceful. Plastic surgery is a personal choice, and while it certainly isn't for everyone, it can be a good choice for many individuals looking to halt the effects of time. Dr. Kevin Ruhge is a leading Pasadena Plastic surgeon, assisting those who are considering plastic surgery. Most women and men begin thinking about plastic surgery as they approach middle age. Sometime after 50, the signs of...

When men and women inquire about facelift surgery other other plastic surgery procedures, they often want to know if the results will make them look younger. In addition, they want to know if these results will truly last. Unfortunately, there have been no long-term studies performed regarding the true effects of facelift procedures, largely because there are so many variables to control. Because each person ages differently, depending on genetic makeup and environmental factors, the degree of success will vary as well. Likewise, it is difficult to truly measure the results, since photographic evidence would mean having to take the pictures...

If you've ever considered liposuction to help you get rid of stubborn body fat, you are not alone. Over 300,000 liposuction procedures are carried out in the United States each and every year, making it one of the top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures in the country. Dr. Kevin Ruhge is a leading Pasadena plastic surgeon, helping many with their decisions concerning liposuction. Liposuction is also called lipoplasty or liposculpture. This cosmetic surgical procedure actually breaks up the fat from various parts of the body and disposes of it through a cannula, or hollow tube. For many individuals, liposuction is the answer to...

Did you know that breast implants have been used for more than 50 years! It is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States and has helped hundreds of thousands of women. In fact, in 2013 alone, more than 290,000 people chose to undergo breast augmentation, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Kevin Ruhge is a leading Pasadena plastic surgeon, helping many with their decisions concerning breast implants. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, it is important to understand all of the options. Knowledge is the key to a successful outcome. In...

Congratulations! You've made it through 9 months of pregnancy and had your beautiful baby. Now it's time to get your body back in shape. But where to start? For most new mommies, getting back into shape is no easy task – especially after gaining 30+ pounds during pregnancy. It is natural to be envious of TV and movie stars, as they grace the red carpet looking svelte and slim post-partum. Yet, for most moms, the weight doesn't just melt away and getting your pre-pregnancy body back is an uphill battle. Diet & Exercise are Often Enough If you just had your...

As you age, your face will undoubtedly go through many changes. By the time you enter your 40's, your eyelids in particular begin to stretch and lose their elasticity. Eyelids that begin to sag or droop with age are not only unattractive, but they may also feel heavy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, little can be done to prevent your eyelids from sagging, as it is largely hereditary. Yet, there are ways you can correct sagging eyelids: through plastic surgery. Eyelid rejuvenation surgery is also known as blepharoplasty. This is a common plastic surgery procedure, which can return your youthful eye appearance and...

There's no denying that having a baby radically changes your life. Yet as rewarding as having a baby can be, there are some aspects of motherhood you may wish to leave behind: your post-pregnancy belly for example. If you gained a lot of weight during your pregnancy, you may be left with a post-pregnancy paunch that doesn't go away – no matter how many crunches you do and diets you follow. If you are one of these women, a tummy tuck combined with liposuction may be the solution you've been looking for. Changes to Your Belly During Pregnancy Pregnancy is a...

Q: What is a breast lift? A: A breast lift is medically known as a mastopexy. It is the medical procedure for lifting drooping or sagging breast tissue caused by aging, pregnancy or weight loss. Q: Is anyone a candidate for a breast lift? A: No, not everyone is a good candidate for a breast lift. Typically, in order to undergo a breast lift you should be in good overall health and have no major medical conditions. In addition, you should be over the age of 18 and not plan on breastfeeding. If you have a major medical condition, you may...

In 2013, nearly 300,000 women chose to undergo breast augmentation across the United States. After all, the benefits of breast augmentation are numerous. Breast augmentation often provides patients with a greater sense of self-esteem and helps to boost their self-confidence. If you are considering a breast augmentation procedure, it is important to understand what happens after the surgery is complete. How will you recover? What will be expected of you? How often will you need to follow-up with your plastic surgeon? This recovery guide for breast augmentation will help you along your journey and will provide you with the details of...

When many people hear the word "tummy tuck", they immediately think it has everything to do with vanity. Yet, this is not always the case. In fact, a large number of women get tummy tucks and other body-contouring procedures for reasons that have nothing to do with their physical appearance or the need to look like airbrushed models. New research shows that there are significant health benefits to tummy tuck operations and that tummy tucks are more than just about vanity. Tummy Tucks May Help You Keep the Weight Off Tummy tucks or abdominoplasty are common cosmetic surgical procedures that are...

While many believe that breast implants are the only option when it comes to shapelier, higher breasts, the increasing number of breast lifts performed each year says otherwise. In fact, the 90,000 breast lift surgeries performed in 2013 shows an increase of 70% in these types of procedures since 2000. This means that breast lifts now surpass implants by two to one. Why Women Choose Breast Lifts Of the 90,000 procedures performed last year, women age 30 to 54 made up almost 70% of that number. This has led some to wonder why there has been a shift, and the answer...

Whether you have already had a breast augmentation, or you are considering one, you may be wondering if you can still breastfeed your baby. If you have spoken to friends or looked around on the Internet, you have likely been told that breastfeeding is not possible. If this is the case, all those well-meaning information givers were wrong – with a bit of planning, you can enjoy the same bonding time with your baby as mothers who have not had breast implants. Keep reading to find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about breastfeeding with implants....

If you've ever wanted to shave a couple of pounds off of your mid-section, then you may have considered plastic surgery. For many who wish to reduce their waistlines, there are numerous surgical options, including tummy tucks and liposuction How do you choose between the two? Is one better than the other? Can you do both? Luckily, you can do both at the same time and achieve extraordinary cosmetic results—without the risk of increased complications. A new study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open suggests that combining liposuction with tummy tuck procedures may offer patients the best of both...

We all have them: little lines across our forehead, under our eyes, and around our mouth. We call them crow's feet and laugh lines, and these wrinkles are a normal part of the aging process. Yet for many, wrinkles are just part of the problem. Their cheeks may sag, lower eyelids can protrude, and jaw lines can be virtually invisible thanks to excessive skin. When this occurs, a facelift may be something you need to consider. As you age facial skin ages with you, often becoming loose and sagging. Genetics and lifestyle play a large part in how your face ages....

If you decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery, you will undoubtedly have many questions running through your mind. How long will my implants last? Will I need additional surgery? How long will I be expected to see my doctor? Your plastic surgeon should be able to answer those questions and help you feel at ease with your decision, the procedure, and the future. For women getting breast implants, it is important to know that breast implants do not expire. If they are not problematic, then there is no reason to replace implants at specified intervals. Some implants, however, do have a...

Choosing to undergo plastic surgery is a personal and difficult decision. Knowing that you are being cared for by an experienced and dedicated plastic surgeon can make that decision a lot easier. From the first exam to your critical post-surgery days, your plastic surgeon should be available to you 24 hours a day/7 days a week. After your surgery, it is even more important that your surgeon is available. You may have questions that need immediate answers, or complications could arise that necessitate immediate medical intervention. It was a Simple Procedure, What Could Go Wrong? Even if you had a simple...