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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Lines, wrinkles, sagging and pre-mature aging aren’t only the concerns of mature women looking to turn back the hands of time. Women in their 20’s are starting to pay attention to how they can fight against early signs of aging and they’re not finding it in the latest anti-aging cream. They’re turning to Botox and thermage treatments to stop wrinkles in their tracks.

Treating wrinkles and bothersome lines is a completely different concept than actually preventing wrinkles. Botox treatments may be a necessity for young women who are concerned about fine lines that are already appearing but this is not to be abused.

Doctors argue whether early treatments are necessary or if our youth-obsessed culture is pressuring young women to stay young by starting the round of injections early.

Dr. Stevens recommends avoiding invasive procedures at too young an age.  Rejuvenating procedures should be used judiciously as needed for the best results. He sees another trend emerging with the advance of Botox.  “We can literally prevent wrinkles from occurring for many years.” For women in their 20’s looking to keep the age demon from showing its face too soon, here are a few anti-aging habits that don’t involve injections or expensive treatments:

• Wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage and pre-mature aging
• Avoid tanning beds
• Avoid smoking and excessive drinking
• Speak with a qualified surgeon about preventative treatments that fit your current needs and concerns

Schedule a one on one consultation with Dr. Stevens to speak further about anti-aging treatments and options.

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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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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Finding stories on parents gifting plastic surgery to their seven year old or getting their child’s ears pinned back to prevent them from being bullied at school is not uncommon.  Slowly, plastic surgery is venturing its way into the lives of adolescents without any regard to the impact that plastic surgery can have on young children.

Exactly how young is too young for plastic surgery?  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 3,200 patients aged 18 years old and under had a cosmetic procedure in 2004 to correct areas that made them self-conscious.  Surgery for children and teens can be an option for fixing flaws that emotionally impact their self-esteem, but plastic surgery should not be seen as an easy fix or a decision to be taken lightly, particularly by young adults.

Parents of children and teen patients must consider the following:

1. Find out what is motivating your child to request a cosmetic procedure.

2. Does your child or teen understand the risks and rewards of this procedure?

3. Is your child realistic about the expected outcome?

4. Is your child prepared for the healing process?

Plastic surgery is not always the answer for children and teens looking to change their appearance.  Parents should take time to investigate their child’s motivation and develop solutions for helping their child feel less self-conscious about their bodies.  For instance, if a child or teen has a weight problem, a better solution than plastic surgery might be working together (and with their doctor) to develop a healthy diet plan and workout regimen.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Stevens to discuss procedure options for anyone in your life.  Dr. Stevens can assist in determining the best options for any stage and any age.

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.

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.

While the thought of getting your long thought-over cosmetic procedure at a discount overseas is an appealing idea to consider, it’s important to understand that what you could be getting into before booking an appointment. There have been a number of cases in past years where patients have been scammed by clinics and fake surgeons abroad, and the results have been horrific, and even fatal. Never risk your life for an opportunity to get your surgery on the cheap.
If you do elect to have a procedure done in a foreign country, here are a few rules to follow to ensure that you don’t get more than you bargain for:

• Word of Mouth Isn’t Enough: Complete your due diligence and research a clinic and surgeon beyond advertisements. Make sure they are certified and ask to speak to some of their past patients. Also, find out the credentials of the certifying organization.

• A Sale Isn’t A Sale When It Could Kill You: Don’t opt for the cheap surgery based on price alone. If something seems ridiculously cheap, let your warning signs do the talking and back away.

• Make Sure Your Surgeon Speaks Your Language: Having the ability to communicate what you want to your surgeon is important. Make sure that you can communicate directly with the plastic surgeon in an agreed-upon language (no translators please) and insist on an in-person consultation before you head into surgery.

• Have a Post-Op Plan: What will follow-up care look like after your procedure is done? What type of care will you need post-surgery? How will your surgeon handle complications? Don’t go under the knife without knowing the worst-case scenarios and how you will be treated by your surgeon and their team after the operation.

Stay safe, do your research, ask questions and use precaution before booking a surgery overseas.

Want to learn more about what questions you need to ask your surgeon before a cosmetics procedure or want to speak with Dr. Stevens about the risks of surgery overseas? Contact him for a consultation.