There are many stories out there regarding plastic surgery that has gone awry.  Fortunately, there is a relatively easy way to discover whether or not your plastic surgeon has the proper credentials.  By checking with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, you can look a doctor up by name to see if he/she is certified.

Dr. Thomas Nguyen is a board certified plastic surgeon who is currently offering Free Consultations in Orange County, California.

In the last ten years there have been major advancements in the mastectomy technique which have minimized the disfiguring scar. Also, women recovering from breast cancer can benefit psychologically from a breast reconstruction procedure.

“For me, there was never a question of whether or not I would have breast reconstruction,” said Teia Giraud, today a five-year survivor of breast cancer. “Mentally and emotionally, I needed to wake up from the nightmare of breast cancer intact, and that meant having newly constructed breasts.”

Nearly 70% of women in the United States elect to have a breast reconstruction procedure post mastectomy utilizing a method involving a tissue expander followed by an implant. Tissue expanders are inserted below the skin and muscle and inflated over several months to stretch and grow the skin to create space for the permanent implant.

Another option is using an autologous reconstruction which involves reconstructuring the breast with tissue from one area of the body. For example, a flap of tissue from the abdomen is rotated up into the breast. Microsurgery is required to reconnect the artery and veins in the flap to those in the breast.

The Women’s Health Act of 1998 requires insurance companies that provide benefits for mastectomies to also cover “reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed.” In addition, those companies are required to cover “surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance.”

The American Society of Plastic Surgery and the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery have found that breast reconstruction immediately following a mastectomy is linked with significantly improved survival rates. In addition, the U.S. National Cancer Institute found a 26 percent reduction in mortality rates among those who underwent immediate reconstruction – they attributed this to the patients improved sense of well-being.

Of course, choosing the right plastic surgeon is at or near the top of the list. Make sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Thomas Nguyen, Medical Director at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Orange County.

Call for a Free Consultation: 877-909-4011

The ASPS, the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons, is encouraging patients to investigate the qualifications of any doctor they are c0nsidering for a cosmetic surgery procedure.  They state that:

“There is a misconception among consumers that as long as a doctor is certified in a medical field that he or she is qualified to practice plastic surgery. This is absolutely wrong and it is dangerous for patients.”

A story out of Los Angeles recently tells the ordeal of Dinora Rodriquez, who sought to replace her leaking breast implants and woke up to find that her breasts had been fused together.  The surgeon was a non-board-certified plastic surgeon.

In another recent article, The Business Insider questions why so many people are willing to purchase discount plastic surgery procedures from places like the online coupon website, Groupon.  Buy-one-get-one-free deals are not available for colon screenings because they are serious surgical procedures. Why doesn’t that attitude carry over to cosmetic surgery?

All too often people who purchase discounted or coupon plastic surgery end up spending more when it becomes necessary for a board certified plastic surgeon to repair the less than satisfactory outcome.

ASPS President, Malcolm Z. Roth, states that patients are getting injured, sometimes very seriously due to procedures by non-board-certified plastic surgeons.

“We want patients to understand what to ask their doctor and what to look for so that they can maximize their chance of a safe and successful procedure.”

In today’s increasingly information charged age it’s not difficult to verify a doctor’s credentials.  The American Board of Plastic Surgery has the following link on their website:

Is Your Surgeon Certified?

And the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a Find A Surgeon page, where you can discover the credentials of your surgeon.

Dr. Thomas (Thuan) T. Nguyen, Medical Director at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, whose credentials can be found at both locations mentioned above.

Call today for a FREE consultation:  877-909-4011

In Orange County, liposuction is a very popular procedure.  Patients typically choose liposuction to improve their physical appearance. However a new study may indicate that removal of the fat from those well-padded areas may also reduce harmful fat that circulates in the blood.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons hold their annual meeting in Denver on Sept. 25th. Research to be presented at the meeting focuses on measuring triglyceride levels in over 200 people having liposuction. Those with normal triglycerides who had the procedure saw no difference, however, the study found that those with high triglyceride levels showed a 43% reduction in blood tests taken 3 months after the procedure.

The study also found that white blood cell counts fell 11% after the procedure.  White blood cells can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to a prominent plastic surgeon, it has been assumed for years that fat surrounding the internal organs has a greater metabolic importance and is more directly linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk than subcutaneous fat that lies under the skin.

This study suggests that this subcutaneous fat can be reduced by liposuction.

Call for a Free Consultation at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. 714-444-4011

It’s always, or should always be, a combination of two or three factors. Diet and exercise are mandatory, but sometimes diet and exercise are not enough.

In a recent WebMD article, Colette Bouchez writes that when Frances Kuffel reached her goal weight, after losing more than 200 pounds, she didn’t realize how far she’d come.

“I kept thinking ‘I’m still fat; I still look awful.’ Someone else had to point out that my problem was no longer fat — it was skin, all this excess skin from losing so much weight,” says Kuffel, author of Passing for Thin.

It’s not unusual for people who have lost 100 pounds or more to feel this way. They feel healthier, and logically they know they are healthier, but when they look in the mirror they are still unsatisfied with what they see.

After so much hard work to lose the weight, that feeling can sometimes even lead to mild depression.

Body Contouring has the ability to correct the consequences of Extreme Weight Loss.

There are a number of procedures that can reduce excess fat or sagging skin and tissue.

Fat-dissolving and skin-tightening procedures for body contouring are less invasive however, other procedures, such as liposuction can still be a viable option.

Some of the latest innovations include mesotherapy (lipodissolve), which involves the injection of various cocktails into the skin to dissolve fat, Thermage (also known as Thermacool or Thermalift), which uses radiofrequency to tighten facial skin for a “nonsurgical” face-lift, and LipoSonix, which uses high-intensity ultrasound to target and destroy fat cells.

Whichever option you choose, you must consult with a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Thomas Nguyen at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

One thing to be aware of is that for the first time, manufacturers are able to market in consumer magazines. Please keep in mind that it’s the technician, not the procedure, that determines success.

More and more, body contouring procedures are becoming the final step in the effort to acheive not only an ideal body weight and image, but a healthier existence as well.

Call today for a Free Consultation 877-909-4011

Brides are spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on procedures to help them look their best on their wedding day.

Amongst the most sought after procedures includes Botox/Juvederm, breast augmentation, body sculpting and rhinoplasty. For brides-to-be it’s not as simple as scheduling a surgery the week before the wedding. In many cases it can take months for the swelling to go down afterwards, and final results are fully appreciated so proper planning with your plastic surgeon is crucial.

Dr. Thomas Nguyen, a board certified plastic surgeon from Newport Beach, California gives prospective brides expert advice in his thorough consultation on how and when to embark on a pre-wedding surgical procedure.

The Cleveland Leader reports that even Jessica Simpson is considering a Breast Reduction procedure prior to walking down the aisle with fiance Eric Johnson.

Typically,  younger brides are coming in for liposuction or breast augmentation a few months before the wedding. Brides in their 30′s, 40’s, and 50′s often come in for Botox or fillers. Sometimes even family members, especially the mothers of the bride or groom, who come in for anything from injectables to facelifts

For your Free pre-wedding consultation, contact the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery and speak with Dr. Nguyen.

877-909-4011

A Newport Beach man suffers a bike accident that results in his nose being flattened.  Aside from the obvious physical disfigurement, his sleep is interrupted at times due to difficulty breathing.

In Laguna Niguel a woman daily stares in the mirror unhappy with the appearance of her nose.

Who should and who should not consider Rhinoplasty?

The two situations above seem clear cut.  If breathing is impeded, one should seriously consider having the air pathway repaired. But how important is changing your appearance because you think you don’t like what you see in the mirror?

The psychological term for excessive concern about a perceived defect in one’s appearance is Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD.  The perception of the defect is often disproportionate to how it is perceived by others.  For example a small bump on one’s nose appears to them to be the size of a melon.

A recent study in Belgium revealed that 33% of Rhinoplasty patients suffer from BDD.  Among those who had functional issues with their noses , such as breathing complications, only 2 percent of them had BDD-related symptoms. The question is how many had BDD prior to the surgery to begin with?

Botox, abdominoplasty, even many breast surgical procedures clearly change your appearance, but most often it’s restorative and with some of those procedures you don’t see them as often as you see the nose on your face.

When contemplating a surgery for cosmetic reasons, taking the time to consider everything is a very good idea.

Rhinoplasty is a wonderful procedure filled with both aesthetic and health benefits when chosen with care.  And, as with any surgical procedure, unwanted consequences could occur as well.

Dr. Thomas Nguyen is a highly skilled board certified plastic surgeon.  To find out if you are a good candidate for Rhinoplasty, call the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery for a Free Consultation.

Overly large breasts may cause some women to have both health and emotional problems. In addition to self image issues, you may also experience physical pain and discomfort.

The weight of excess breast tissue can impair your ability to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness often associated with having large pendulous breasts is as important an issue to many women as the physical discomfort and pain.

Also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

Is it right for me?

This procedure is a highly individualized procedure and should only be done for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Reduction mammaplasty is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You don’t smoke
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large
• Your breasts limit your physical activity
• You experience back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• You have regular indentations from bra straps that support heavy, pendulous breasts
• You have skin irritation beneath the breast crease
• Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
• Your nipples rest below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
• You have enlarged areolas caused by stretched skin

It is important for you to be an active participant in the process of considering and planning your breast reduction surgery. The following list of questions will help you obtain the information you need during your consultation.

Use these questions as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
• Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Where and how will you perform my breast reduction procedure?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for breast reduction?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results from breast reduction surgery?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with this procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How will reduction of my breasts affect my ability to breastfeed?
• How can I expect my breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?
• Do you have  before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure? Which results are reasonable for me to expect?

These questions and more will be expertly answered at your free consultation at the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Call Today! 714-444-4011

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Injections typically cost a fraction of a facelift surgery and they require less recuperation time.  With less down time and no scars, people are warming up more and more to the idea.  The most suitable candidates are people with early signs of aging and volume loss.

Laurette, a 51 year-old general manager of McDonald’s was just getting ready to come out of her shell four years after losing her husband, but was unhappy with how age had changed her appearance.

She wasn’t thrilled with the idea of surgery so she started receiving different kinds of injections in her lips, cheeks and along the sides of her nostrils.

“I catch men looking at me now in a different perspective. It makes me feel very good,” she said. “At my son’s wrestling meets, other moms were like, ‘Did you have something done, Laurette? You look so good.’ I have no shame in saying, ‘I did this, and this, and this.’”

Other minimally invasive techniques include:

Soft Tissue Fillers

1.8 million soft tissue filler (dermal filler) injections were performed in 2010. This number was a three percent increase from 2009. Dermal fillers are used to add volume to cheeks and lips, soften facial creases, fill wrinkles and improve the appearance of depressed scars.

Chemical Peel

1.1 million chemical peels were performed in 2010. This number held stable from 2009. Chemical peels involve the topical application of a chemical agent to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, photodamage, skin discoloration, mild acne scars, and some forms of acne.

Laser Hair Removal

938,000 laser hair removal treatment procedures were performed in 2010. This number was a five percent increase from 2009. Laser hair removal involves using a laser device to injure hair follicles and ultimately reduce unwanted hair growth.

Microdermabrasion

825,000 microdermabrasion procedures down were performed in 2010. This is a decrease of nine percent from 2009. Microdermabrasion is a mechanical form of exfoliation that uses tiny crystals to remove the outermost layer of skin cells and stimulate cell growth of the underlying dermis.