Super model Tyra Banks came clean years ago on her show about her battle with bulge on her backside.  Diet and exercise alone don’t always target those dimples that can show up on the legs and thighs. Millions of women around the world deal with the dreaded reality of cellulite. Fact: no one is exempt!

A popular treatment currently on the market is the recently FDA-approved Cellulaze, a minimally invasive, laser-assisted procedure performed by a qualified physician, to increase your skin’s natural thickness for a smoother, healthier look.

With many machines and expensive treatments currently on the market, it can be difficult to decipher what works and what doesn’t to really target and banish cellulite. Cellulaze, done under local anesthesia, works through a small laser tube that is inserted under a patient’s skin. The laser heats up to melt lumpy pockets of fat and cuts through the fiber bands that pull the skin and cause dimples. The laser then heats the skin to trigger new collagen growth, leading to better elasticity and thickness.

• Cellulaze can be effective in as little as one treatment with most patients seeing results that last up to a year.
• There is very little pain associated with the procedure and patients can resume normal activity in as little as one to two days.
• This procedure is recommended for patients who are not significantly overweight and have moderate cellulite.

View this video on the Cellulaze treatment featured on The Doctors:

Additional resources and reading:

New Treatment Cellulaze May be Permanent Solution for Cellulite

Promising new procedure to treat cellulite

Contact Dr. Stevens for a consultation and learn more about your options for cellulite reduction procedures.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele. Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

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Moms of all ages may enjoy brunch at her favorite restaurant, breakfast in bed or even a card and flowers, but according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, what many moms (that is 320,000 patients in 2010) want is to feel good about their bodies long after they’ve given birth.

While the experience of carrying and giving birth to a child can be a wonderful one for many women, the lasting effects and toll that bearing children can have on a woman’s body can be damaging to a woman’s self-esteem.

Typical mommymakeover procedures that assist in helping women achieve their pre-baby body include tummytucks, liposuction, and breastlift/augmentation. Each of these procedures can dramatically enhance and restore a mom’s body image and can typically be performed at the same time.

If you’re considering a mommy makeover (tips from ASPS)

• Wait at least six months to a year after having your last child before undergoing mommy makeover procedures.
• Be specific about your post-baby body goals so that your plastic surgeon can recommend the best procedures for you.
• If you are trying to lose weight, do so before undergoing the procedures.

Contact Dr. Stevens to learn more about your options for a mommy makeover and to find out which procedures are best for you.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

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With the joys of motherhood come dramatic changes in a woman’s body which may include the onset of unsightly stretch marks and loosened abdominal muscles. For patients looking to get their pre-baby body back with failed attempts at just the gym, yoga class or diet changes, a tummy tuck can be the best option for removing excess skin and revealing their bikini body.

What it is
A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened or separated muscles to make a patients “tummy” tighter, smoother and firmer. During the procedure, a horizontal cut is made between the pubic bone and the navel. The skin is pulled back, fat is removed and over-stretched abdominal muscles are repaired.

Can I have One During a C-Section?
While many moms may want to speed up their recovery process and opt for a tummy tuck after a c-section Dr. Stevens recommends that new mothers wait at least a few months and consult a surgeon to make sure that the procedure would be safe.

What’s the recovery time?
Most patients will be back on their feet  well within two weeks. Post-surgery, a thin tube may be placed under the skin to drain excess fluids during the first week.

What are the risks?
Like in all surgical procedures risks like infection and necrosis (which is much more common in smokers), can occur. To minimize your risks speak with your surgeon about your health history and how to prepare pre and post surgery.

To learn more about your post-pregnancy tummy tuck options or to address your concerns, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Stevens.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

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Women aren’t the only ones going under the knife for the sake of a better-looking body or to reverse the signs of aging to compete in a youthful workforce. In fact, male cosmetic procedures are rising at a faster rate than their female counterparts. More and more men are beginning to understand the benefits of cosmetic procedures not to mention the health benefits of shrinking their waist lines.
According to an article on TheDailyFinance.com, in 2010 men underwent 1.1 million cosmetic procedures accounting for almost 10% of all cosmetic procedures. So what are the top procedures for men considering plastic surgery?

Dr. Stevens lists the most popular cosmetic procedures for men and how they work.

• Face lifts – Also known as a rhytidectomy, a face lift can create a more youthful look by correcting sagging skin and muscles for a firmer and more vibrant appearance.

• Liposuction – When fat cells won’t shrink after rigorous dieting and exercising, liposuction provides the ability to slim the thighs and hips, flatten abdominals and reduce a double chin.

• Male Breast Reduction – Or gynecomastia surgery. Getting rid of the dreaded “man boob” can include liposuction, and/ or an excision to remove excess breast tissue or skin or both depending on the patient’s case.

• Nose Jobs – Rhinoplasty has been a great option for male patients impaired with breathing abnormalities or simply looking to enhance their appearance. Nose surgery can change the size, tip, dips, nostril size and overall asymmetry of the nose.

As with any type of surgery there are a variety of risks and complications that can occur. Patients should discuss pre, post and in-surgery care, risks and potential complications and create a plan to minimize them. Using an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon (not a doctor that took a plastic surgery course) should be at the top of a patients list when looking to avoid complications from surgery.

Dr. Stevens outlines resources and things each patient should know when dealing with a complication from a plastic surgery procedure.

• Discuss with your surgeon – Be honest and open about the complication and your expectations on how the surgeon can assist in fixing it. Don’t automatically assume blame. Make sure you understand the cause of the complication and take notes to reference your understanding.

• Relax – Take time to de-stress and relieve anxiety. Clear your mind and allow yourself to start thinking about potential solutions.

• Think about revision surgery – Develop a plan of action for consulting with your surgeon about a second procedure to correct the complication. Identify the costs, risks and detail an ultimate plan of action.

• Consult a new surgeon – If you are unhappy with your results and choose not to elect a repeat operation with the original surgeon, seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon that has experience with revisionary plastic surgery.

• Contact the medical board – Notify your state medical board if you feel that your surgeon was in the wrong or caused you harm.

• Litigation – A law suit should be the last resort when there is no resolution possible between you and your surgeon. However, if a complication occurred as a result of unforeseeable circumstances, it is better to consult with a new surgeon.

Protect yourself and be prepared before surgery to know how to handle any potential complications. For further information and resources on the risks and results of cosmetic surgical procedures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

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People of color are often concerned about keeping their ethnic identity in tact as they elect to have a plastic surgery procedure.  More African American, Asian and Hispanic patients have undergone cosmetic surgery in the past few years than ever before.

Popular celebrities that have been surgically altered have included Halle Berry, Tyra Banks, Kimora Lee Simmons, Nene Leakes and Kelly Rowland.  Most of these celebrities have successfully maintained their ethnic identity while enhancing their appearance.

It is vital to patients with these concerns to not only seek out a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon, but to also select a surgeon with some experience in working with patients with an ethnic background.

Here are a few guidelines for choosing a plastic surgeon and knowing the risks of surgery specifically for ethnic patients:

CHOOSING A SURGEON

• Check that they are board certified
• Ask to see before and after pictures of their work on ethnic patients and ask to speak with them about their experience
• Discover if they have experience performing the procedure on ethnic skin and ethnically sensitive areas
• Ask to preview your results (see: Dr. Steven’s Vectra 3D technology)

POTENTIAL RISKS / COMPLICATIONS

• Keloids and scarring – These may increase with family history.
• Pigment irregularities – Lasers, chemical peels and dermabrasion can be too harsh on ethnic skin. Patients should speak with their doctor about doing a skin patch test done before completely committing to these types of procedures.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens to discuss your options for an ethnically-sensitive cosmetic procedure and what to expect.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

Getting older is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to mean compromising your looks. A facelift, a chin lift, or a brow lift can offer long term results, but are not always the best options for patients looking for quick and instant results. These days, patients who want to turn back the hands of time can do so without worrying about expensive surgeries or lengthy recovery time.

Dr. Stevens recommends these top nonsurgical procedures patients to fight these signs of aging.

Botox – This simple, non-surgical treatment administered by a doctor can temporarily smooth out moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. This quick treatment can last for up to four months. Learn more about Botox here.

Sculptra – This injectable facial filler helps to improve the appearance of smile lines, cheeks and temple hallows for a more youthful appearance. Find out more about Sculptra here.

Laser Resurfacing – Patients looking to improve the appearance of their skin and reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars or sun damage can benefit greatly from this procedure that uses a laser to remove skin irregularities. Learn more about Laser Resurfacing here.

Dr. Stevens offers a variety of options for patients looking to enhance their appearance without having to have surgery. Learn more about his non-surgical procedures and schedule a consultation to determine what is best for your desired outcome.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

1. iAugment – Patients considering breast augmentation can use this app to access vast amounts of information and resources on the topic. This app this provides a comprehensive overview of breast surgery while also educating users about procedures and recovery methods. Users can also upload and modify pictures to see simulated “Before and After” results.

2. BodyPlastika – This app allows users to upload photos and “virtually test” various cosmetic surgery procedures on their iPads, iPods and iPhones. Users can play with shapes and adjust parts of their body to simulate nose jobs, cheek implants, chin and lip augmentation, jawline contouring and a range of liposuction treatments.  They can also share these potential results on Facebook or Twitter if so inclined!

3. BuildMyBod – Users curious about the cost of a wide range of procedures can review a detailed estimate of the procedure they are considering, including listings of plastic surgeons in their local area.

4. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery – Built by the American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, this app offers advice on up-to-date advice on plastic surgery procedures and regulations on patient safety. Users can also search a database of reputable surgeons and learn important cosmetic surgery terms.

5. The Plastic Show – This “Before and After surgery” app allows users to watch videos about everything cosmetic surgery-related.  Users can also connect with patients that have had plastic surgery procedures to discuss expectations, results and more.

While mobile apps are fun, there is still no substitute for discussing your options with your plastic surgeon.  Dr. Stevens uses Vectra 3D technology during his in-office consultations to provide patients a preview to their new look with precision. Learn more about this technology in Dr. Steven’s video here and schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens to discuss your plastic surgery needs.

Dr. Leslie H. Stevens is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and co-director of the renowned Lasky Clinic, known for its extensive celebrity clientele.  Dr. Stevens specializes in facelifts, eye lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, labiaplasty, liposuction and body contouring.  His practice is located in the Los Angeles area at the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.