Blog - Beverly Hills & Orange County | Frederic H. Corbin, MD

Where Can You Turn When Diet and Exercise Fail?

August 12th, 2019

Many men and women try to tone their bodies through healthy diet and exercise. While these are both necessary for a healthy lifestyle, they are not always enough to create the trim and firm lines that many desire. Whether the excess pockets of fat were a result of age, pregnancy, or leftover from significant weight loss, some fat does not respond to regular diet and exercise.

While being unable to achieve the definition you are striving for can prove frustrating, the unwanted fat pockets do not have to be permanent. Both surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are available to help you get and maintain the sculpted body that you desire.

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What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that targets unwanted fat on the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, knees, ankles, arms, and neck. This procedure allows for the safe removal of localized pockets of excess fat and can provide lasting results and a firmer contour after one treatment.

There are several different liposuction techniques available, one of which is the SAFELipo® technique. SAFELipo® utilizes a three-step process that first separates the fat from the surrounding tissues so there is less heat damage to the surrounding cells. Then, the fat is removed through a suctioning device known as a cannula. After that layer is removed, SAFELipo® performs its final step: fat equalization. This step allows the remaining layer of fat to be smoothed for the most natural-looking and highest-quality results. This technique is highly specialized to the patient and can provide long-lasting tone.

*Actual Patient* Results May Vary

What Is BodyTite™?

BodyTite™ offers non-surgical fat removal as well as the firming of mild to moderate skin laxity. BodyTite™ uses radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, a minimally invasive technique that does not require liposuction-sized incisions.

Instead, a tiny incision is made that is just large enough to insert the BodyTite™ probe. This probe administers thermal energy to the underlying tissues that eliminates fat and tightens skin.

The radiofrequency introduced liquefies the fat so it can be removed easily through a microcannula, allowing for the safest removal of unwanted fat. BodyTite™ offers noticeable body contouring and smoother skin after one session with no downtime or scars and comes with a reduced chance for surgical-related complications.

How Does Liposuction and BodyTite™ Differ From Weight Loss?

When an individual loses weight through diet and exercise, the fat cells in the body are reduced in size, not removed. Every person is born with a specific number of fat cells—a quantity that will not be altered regardless of weight fluctuations.

This is where liposuction and BodyTite™ differs from weight loss. When a patient undergoes cosmetic body contouring, fat cells are physically removed from the body, thereby lowering the total number of fat cells present in the body. Since the fat is removed, cosmetic body contouring offers lasting results.

What Are the Limitations?

Liposuction and BodyTite™ provide noticeably slimmer contours; however, even they have their limitations. Cosmetic body sculpting is designed to do just that: sculpt and enhance. They are ideal for patients who have localized pockets of fat but who are otherwise in good shape and are physically healthy. These procedures are not intended for significant weight loss, nor should they be considered as an alternative to a healthy lifestyle. For patients who are looking to remove a more considerable amount of excess fat, they will need to look elsewhere before considering cosmetic body contouring.

Both of these procedures provide long-lasting results since the fat cells they target will not reproduce in the body. But even though the removed fat cells are gone, the remaining fat cells can still expand, and, therefore, it is possible to gain the weight back if a healthy lifestyle is not followed.

Occasionally, patients also experience a decreased amount of skin elasticity after weight loss or because of aging. Liposuction does not tighten the skin, and the skin tightening available with the BodyTite™ has limitations. For patients with a more substantial amount of laxity, additional cosmetic surgeries such as an abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, or thighplasty may be necessary.

If you are experiencing frustration due to the inability to tone and sculpt your body contour, contact Dr. Corbin today by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out his online contact form.

Categories Body Contour

Finding the Right Time for a Mommy Makeover

by Frederic Corbin

July 11th, 2019

A Mommy Makeover is a procedure for women who are dissatisfied with the physical changes brought about by pregnancy and childbirth. While most women welcome the joys and responsibilities of motherhood, many are less inclined to accept the presence of excess skin, pockets of fat, loose abdominal muscles, and the deflated appearance of the breasts.

This is where the combination of procedures that make up a Mommy Makeover can shine.

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Am I a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Do You Have Elongated Breasts?

Breasts are often left elongated and deflated from the size fluctuations and trauma caused by pregnancy and childbirth. The round, compact, and perky breasts you once had may stretch and sag while the nipple-areola complex enlarges and shifts downward.

Breast lift surgery with or without augmentation is performed to restore youthful and perky breasts.

Have Your Abdominal Muscles Separated?

Often, pregnancy results in a condition known as diastasis recti, or the separation of the abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery repairs this separation while trimming away lax abdominal skin.

Do You Have Unwanted Pockets of Fat?

Pregnancy causes drastic changes to your body, allowing fat pockets to develop in places that you may never have had fat before. Unfortunately, even if you can find time to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle, some areas of fat are often resistant.

The only sure way to rid yourself of these unwanted pockets of fat is liposuction.

Are You Ready for a Mommy Makeover?

When Did You Have Your Child?

Your body takes time to heal after having a child. Although it may sound appealing to jump onto the surgical table immediately following the birth, it is important to have patience. A healthy and fit individual will heal better than a person whose body is already working overtime to recuperate from childbirth.

Also, the quality of your results will increase the closer you are to your desired weight. If you gained weight during pregnancy, you might want to try and lose some of it naturally before resorting to surgery.

Typically, surgeons suggest waiting six months to one year before undergoing a Mommy Makeover.

Can You Reasonably Handle Your Recovery Period?

Any new mother can understand the difficulties of taking care of a young child. Suddenly, your schedule is not your own, and you are at the beck and call of your little one.

This can prove difficult for someone who is recovering from surgery. A Mommy Makeover requires you to rest for several weeks—weeks that you will not be able to carry, play with, or take care of your child alone. You must have someone present at all times that will be able to help with these activities.

Are You Done Having Children?

This question is essential when determining your Mommy Makeover candidacy. Additional pregnancies will impact—possibly reverse—your surgical results. It is strongly suggested that you postpone any surgical procedure until you are sure that there will be no more pregnancies in your future.

For more information about the Mommy Makeover, or to see if you are a candidate, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories Mommy Makeover

Why Should You Consider Rhinoplasty After A Facial Injury?

by Frederic Corbin

June 12th, 2019

Facial injuries can occur at any time. Between car accidents, sports injuries, and falls, your nose is always at risk. Because your nose projects outward, it is far more susceptible to cosmetic and functional damage. While some nasal breaks can be repaired manually, more severe injuries, multiple breaks, or breaks that have already started to set may require a surgical fix. Rhinoplasty can be performed on injured noses to restore aesthetics and functionality by realigning and reshaping the nasal structure.

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External Complications

A cosmetic deformity is one of the major reasons patients turn to rhinoplasty after an injury. Even though many individuals believe that it is alright to allow a nose to heal on its own, this is not without risk. A broken nose is like any other broken bone: if it is not set correctly, it will not heal correctly. Patients may discover that their once well-shaped nose is crooked, flattened, or humped. Surgery is the only option to correct a nose with a cosmetic concern such as this.

Internal Complications

Nasal obstruction is the most significant concern after a facial injury. A broken nose can lead to a deviated or perforated septum. Both of these conditions diminish breathing capabilities and can result in additional complications such as headaches, recurring sinus infections, nosebleeds, and trouble sleeping. When there is a blockage to the nasal airway, a technique known as septoplasty can be performed. Septoplasty repairs a deviation by realigning the soft cartilage of the septum to allow for proper airflow.

There is a sudden rush of blood to the nose when it experiences trauma. Occasionally, this blood will collect and create a septal hematoma that, if left untreated, can lead to an infection. Infections settle into the cartilage and begin to eat away at it, causing the collapse of the nose. A collapsed nose is complicated to treat and should be avoided at all costs.

How Soon Can Rhinoplasty Be Performed?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that improves nasal form and function. Because facial injury causes both external and internal bruising and swelling, it can be challenging to diagnose the underlying concerns initially. Often, patients will need to wait a few days before undergoing surgery so that the surgeon can see the damaged structure without the bruising and swelling getting in the way. While some waiting is helpful, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible. The chances of complete restoration are increased significantly when the damage is corrected shortly after the injury. Rhinoplasty can, however, benefit patients with fully healed nasal injuries. Rhinoplasty after a broken nose can greatly enhance confidence and self-esteem that may have been affected by the injury.

To learn more about the benefits of rhinoplasty after a broken nose, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out his online contact form.

Categories Rhinoplasty

Chisel Your Features With Implants

by Frederic Corbin

April 30th, 2019

Achieving muscle definition can be challenging for any man, no matter how many hours he spends at the gym. While many men can slim and tone their frame, for some genetics do not allow their body to build or maintain their desired level of musculature. This can lead to low confidence and physical insecurities. Instead of feeling defeated about this fact, consider augmenting your physique with pectoral or calf implants.

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For men that cannot build muscle through diet and exercise alone, implants can create the appearance of a muscular physique. Implants are typically placed in either the chest or the calves to mimic muscle and increase the size and definition of the area.

What Are Implants Made Of?

When many men hear the word implants in a cosmetic sense, they usually think of breast implants. There are similarities between pectoral or calf implants and breast implants: they are made of silicone, they enhance the size and shape of the desired area, and they are effective ways to achieve the look you want but cannot get on your own. However, this is where the similarities end. Silicone breast implants are made of a soft and pliable silicone material that is meant to mimic natural breast tissue. This is the exact opposite of what men usually want. The silicone used for pectoral and calf implants is more solid than what is found in breast implants. Pectoral and calf implants are standing in for solid muscle, and so the implants must reflect the same strength and sturdiness.

How Are These Procedures Performed?

Both pectoral and calf augmentation are simple outpatient procedures. Once it has been determined that you are a candidate for augmentation and you have identified the size and shape of your implant, it needs to be inserted. For pectoral implants, an incision is made in the armpit and the implant is inserted and positioned on the chest. By placing the incision in the armpit, Dr. Corbin can minimize the appearance of any post-surgical scarring. Calf implants are placed through an incision made in the crease behind the knee. Once again, incision placement here ensures that there will be less visible scarring.

Are Implants For You?

Not being able to achieve the physical appearance you want can be disheartening. Whether you feel as though your body is out of balance, or your “too thin” frame is preventing you from achieving your desired body type, implants can help promote your confidence in your physique.

To learn more about pectoral or calf implants, contact Dr. Corbin by calling our Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384 or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories Calf Implants, Pectoral Implants

How a Breast Reduction Can Reduce Chronic Pain

by Frederic Corbin

April 4th, 2019

Many women believe that having larger breasts will boost their confidence and make them feel more comfortable in their skin. While this may be true for some, women with naturally large breasts may disagree. It is common to want the opposite of what your current body traits are. However, when it comes to having overly large, cumbersome breasts, there is often more to this desire than simply wanting what you do not have. Large breasts can lead to many insecurities. Clothes do not fit properly, especially if the breasts are out of proportion with the abdomen and the arms, which larger breasts commonly are. You can dress to fit your breasts, which makes clothing too big everywhere else, or you try to fit the rest of your body, causing clothing to pull around the breasts or be too revealing. Either way, unwanted attention is drawn, which again, leads to insecurity. And unfortunately for women with large breasts, the discomfort does not end there.

Breast Reduction Before and After

Large breasts lead not only to emotional insecurities but to a host of physical symptoms. Back, neck, shoulder, and chest pain are all side effects of large cup sizes, and can range from being a simple annoyance to being entirely debilitating. And unfortunately for many women, this chronic pain can only be remedied by one thing: breast reduction surgery.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is most often caused by strain on the muscles and ligaments. As simple as it sounds, the larger the breast, the more it weighs, and this weight is directly supported by the back, neck, and shoulders. When the breasts weigh more, your posture shifts, causing a change in the alignment of your spine. Poor posture leads to unnatural curves in the spine, resulting in chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain. The constant pain makes everything from regular chores to participating in sports more difficult, and many women discover that many activities are just too painful, even with a great sports bra.

What Can Be Done?

While finding a supportive bra can help relieve some of these symptoms, the only way to truly address the underlying cause of your pain is to reduce the size of the breasts. Breast reduction surgery is performed to restore proportion and balance to your body frame. In this procedure, excess breast tissue and skin are removed so that the breasts are not only smaller and more compact but also lighter. This places less stress on the spine, which in turn can help with back, neck, and shoulder pain. Your clothing will also fit better, you will no longer have to worry about bra straps digging into your shoulders, and you will feel more confident in your appearance.

If you are suffering from chronic pain due to overly large breasts, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384 or his Brea office at (714) 671-3033 to set up a consultation.

Categories Breast Reduction

Where Can You Turn When Diet and Exercise Fail?

What Is Liposuction?

What Is BodyTite™?

How Does Liposuction and BodyTite™ Differ From Weight Loss?

What Are the Limitations?

Finding the Right Time for a Mommy Makeover