San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog - Page 2 of 26

Although the Brazilian butt lift (buttock enhancement via fat transfer) is nowhere near the popularity of liposuction and breast augmentation, recent figures by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery revealed that the number of buttock-enhancement procedures has grown leaps and bounds in the past year. Specifically, buttock augmentation enjoyed an 86 percent increase in 2014 according to ASAPS.

Killing Two Birds With One Stone
At Dr. Mosser’s practice, women are turning to fat transfer for buttock augmentation rather than implants mainly because the procedure is like killing two birds with one stone. In this procedure, our highly experienced Brazilian butt lift team will obtain excess fat in the abdomen, thighs, or flanks via liposuction. The harvested fat is purified and reinjected into the buttocks to boost volume and shape in the area. Generally, it’s like killing two birds with one stone — slimmer waist or thighs and a shapely derriere.

It’s Not Just the Women
The desire to improve the appearance of non-existence butts is not limited amongst women. We have also noticed than an increasing number of male clients are displaying interest in buttock enhancement via fat transfer. During personal consultations, our male clients would often lament about how endless hours spent at the gym are not giving them the posterior they want. Often, their muscles all over the body are ripped except for the gluteal (buttocks) region.

In a nutshell, fat transfer in buttock enhancement is now preferred by many over traditional butt implants because of the following reasons:

• fat transfer results are more natural-looking than implants
• zero risk of capsular contracture which may happen in butt implants
• no need for additional surgeries in case of implant displacement

For more information on the Brazilian butt lift at the San Francisco Bay Area and neighboring cities, call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment today!
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was recently spotted in a body-hugging mesh crop top and pencil skirt revealing a well-toned midriff at Studio City, California. Kim credits her hourglass look to the waist training that she and her sister Khloe have been obsessing with since last year. The makers of the modern-day corset claim that the slimming device significantly cuts down water retention and reduces inflammation in the uterus following childbirth.

Do these waist cinching devices really work? Yes they do but only temporarily. Many women use waist trainers days or weeks before they are about to wear a body-hugging dress for a party. Also, the corsets promote positive body image which in turn encourages them to eat healthy and exercise regularly.

If you’re looking for permanent results, there’s no reason to fret! You can give Kim’s corset training a try and couple it with the following surefire ways to permanently achieve a firmer, healthier, and shapelier midsection:

Assume the role of sleeping beauty!
Getting enough sleep do not just help boost the immune system and make you appear naturally glowing the next day. A study has found out that a slimmer waist is not just about eating less and moving more but also about getting enough sleep. A 2012 study revealed that one’s sleeping habits play a significant role in losing weight. Additionally, the researchers found out that chronic sleep deprivation is a risk factor of obesity.

Strengthen your core.
The core is comprised of your muscles in the abdomen, back, pelvis, sides, and buttocks. Functionally speaking, a strong core enhances your body’s balance and stability. The real world benefits of having a strong core include having a healthy back, good posture, excellent balance and stability, and less difficulty in performing household chores. Aesthetically speaking, a slimmer waist is also a consequence of a strong core. Planks, squats, lunges, and kettlebell swings are excellent core exercises for beginners.

Explore your body-contouring options.
Liposuction is currently the most frequently performed body contouring procedure in America. This is not a surprise at all because such treatments really deliver their promise in shaping and sculpting the body’s natural contours. Additionally, the introduction of new techniques has made body-contouring procedures less invasive with shorter recovery periods.

Let us help you find out which body-contouring procedures are ideal for your specific needs and cosmetic goals! Fill out this contact form or call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment today!
Here’s the Injectable to Watch Out For in 2015!
It looks like the double chin woes of many will be gone for good sooner than most people expect. An injectable which is currently called as ATX-101 has just been unanimously recommended for approval by an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) advisory committee last month. By and large, ATX-101 is just one final approval away before it becomes available for the general public.

Currently, there is no injectable in the market that has shown to be truly effective in eliminating the unsightly, excess fat under the chin. Men and women who want to get rid of their double chins usually resort to surgery. The surgical approach itself is even complex. First, liposuction is performed to get rid of the excess fat. Once the issue on extra fat has been addressed, there’s a huge chance that excess skin will remain. Therefore, another type of surgery is needed to trim or remove extra skin. In some cases, chin implants may be necessary to fully improve the appearance of the chin’s natural contours.

On the other hand, non-invasive procedures such as Ulthera and Thermage to help reduce fat in the chin area has been shown to not give patients their desired outcomes all the time.

How ATX-101 Works
In a nutshell, ATX-101 primarily contains deoxycholate, a naturally occurring compound in the body which dissolves dietary fat. With repeated injections, the fat below the skin’s surface is slowly and gradually eliminated.

Known side effects of the injectable include slight bruising, swelling, numbness, and redness in the area.

The final approval of ATX-101 from the FDA is estimated to come out in May this year. Like with previous cases as before, the FDA usually approves what an advisory committee unanimously recommends.

Dr. Mosser and the rest of the team are looking forward to the approval of ATX-101 this year! For more information on injectables to help you get natural-looking results, call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment with us today!
A vampire facial may sound appalling but before you cast your judgment on the facial rejuvenation procedure, did you know that the queen of selfies Kim Kardashian routinely treats herself to the treatment?

First of all, there are no vampires involved in a vampire facial. Generally, a vampire facial involves two major processes: micro-needling and a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment. A patient’s blood sample is obtained and quickly spun in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from other components of the blood. The yellow plasma contains potent growth factors that will be re-injected into the dermal layers of the skin through micro-needling.

The pen used in micro-needling will create microscopic channels in the skin for the plasma to easily penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. Once the plasma has penetrated into the skin, the potent growth factors help stimulate cellular regeneration and consequently soften the appearance of fine lines, fill in volume-deficient areas, and lightened darkened spots. No wonder the Queen K looks consistently flawless.

Unlike other injectables, the vampire facial has minimal to zero risk of allergic reactions because one’s own blood is used. A series of 3 to 4 treatments may be done a month apart from each other. Results can be immediately noticed within 10 days to 3 weeks of the treatment and can last for roughly 12 to 18 months.

The PRP and micro needling combination treatment can also be used to improve the appearance of the neck, jawline, chest and decolletage, skin around the eyes, and the back of the hands and arms. It can also be used to stimulate hair growth.

Would you like to learn more about the vampire facial? Call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment with us today!
In recent years, major cosmetic surgeries are not the only ones who have experienced significant growth. Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are also taking the cosmetic industry by storm, ranging from injectables to laser treatments. By and large, this has to do with the ever-evolving technological and conceptual advancements in cosmetic procedures.

A procedure is often considered as minimally invasive when there are no incisions or openings made into the skin. Many people prefer these procedures over their traditional counterparts due to the following advantages:
- Lesser pain and discomfort due to fewer or zero incisions
- Reduced chances of scarring
- Shorter healing times than major surgery
- Reduced risk of complications such as bruising, swelling, and bleeding
- Less trauma to surrounding tissues
- Higher accuracy outcomes
- Lower costs than surgical procedures
It should be noted however that there are certain issues that only surgery can address. A typical example of this would be rhinoplasty versus nose-reshaping via dermal fillers. Although non-surgical rhinoplasty via fillers can help soften the appearance of nasal humps and bumps, this technique cannot help you if your goal is to reduce the size of your nose.

Explore your non-surgical cosmetic options with us today! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment.
It’s that time of the year again to commit to improving certain aspects in your life such as being proactive with how you look and present yourself. After all, your physical appearance will have a profound impact on how you feel about yourself and how you interact with the people around you. If you’re contemplating about a head-to-toe makeover to start the year minus the downtime and costs of plastic surgery, we recommend the following non-surgical options:
- CoolSculpting – Are you frustrated with those stubborn pockets of abdominal fat that do not respond to diet and regular exercise? You might want to consider CoolSculpting, a non-surgical approach to removing fat. Due to its less invasive nature, there is no significant amount of downtime involved.
- Sclerotherapy – Banish leg veins for good with a series of sclerotherapy treatments. A treatment could last between 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and number of leg veins being treated.
- Chemical Peels – If your main skin concerns have to do with light freckling, skin discoloration, or anything that has to do with hyperpigmentation (brought about by prolonged sun exposure), you might want to turn to chemical peels. There are various types of chemical peels out there and it is best to talk to your chemical peel provider about your goals to figure out the type and strength for you.
- Facial Fillers – Losing volume and elasticity is a part of aging itself which in turn leads to unsightly folds, jowls, and creases. If you’re currently experiencing the aforementioned and would want to add some plump and youthfulness this holiday season, facial fillers are your best bet. These fillers vary in their content — from naturally occurring substances such as collagen and hyaluronic acid to synthetic materials that fill in areas that have lost volume.
- Botox – Who wouldn’t want to give the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure a try? Although this injectable is popular in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, it is also approved by the FDA in diminishing the appearance of those pesky vertical lines in between the brows and horizontal lines in your forehead. Since Botox is quite popular, we encourage everyone to exercise caution when choosing a Botox provider.
An initial consultation with Dr. Mosser is your first step to looking and feeling great in 2015! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
According to the most recent figures by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Brazilian butt lift (buttock augmentation via fat transfer) was one of the surgical cosmetic procedures whose consumer demands increased last year. Here at our practice, another cosmetic procedure utilizing fat transfer is also starting to catch the attention of many clients — facial fat transfer.

How Facial Fat Transfer Works

As its name implies, facial fat transfer involves using a patient’s own fat to increase facial volume and consequently look fresher and younger. In most cases, fat is harvested from the stomach or thighs via liposuction. The fat is purified before it is reinjected into desired areas in the face such as the foreread, cheeks, lips, around the eyes, and around the mouth.

Advantages of Fat Transfer

Many of our patients choose to use their own fat for facial rejuvenation for the following reasons:
- Natural looking results
- Minimally invasive and doesn’t require general anesthesia
- Results are immediately noticed and can last for years
- There is no danger of the patient’s body rejecting the filler because it’s his or her own fat in the first place
- It’s like hitting two birds with one stone; liposuction in the donor part of the body could result to an enhancement as well
Planning for Your Facial Fat Transfer

If you’d like to figure out if you’re an ideal candidate for facial fat transfer, get in touch with us for a personal consultation today! We will create a personalized facial rejuvenation plan that is in parallel with your cosmetic goals, existing facial anatomy, and lifestyle habits. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
There is no doubt that transgender surgery will involve a substantial amount of fees and expenses. Thus, transgender surgeries offer at discounted rates or for a lower cost may be appealing for many.

By and large, costs alone should not be the instrument in which a surgeon’s skills and the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes should be measured. First of all, there are surgeons who are the best in the field that offer transgender surgery for a lower cost than average. On the other hand, there are mediocre surgeons who seem to charge way more than the others who have greater skill and experience in transgender surgery.

On a whole, the best way to figure out if your surgeon has the skills and experience to perform the transgender surgery of your choice is finding out his or her history of good surgical outcomes. You can ask your circle of friends for recommendations. Online testimonials may be considered but should not be totally depended on as some of them may be made up stories or entirely exaggerated.

During consultations, asking for before-and-after images of previous patients is also a good way to gauge a surgeon’s skills and finesse. In some cases, these images can be viewed online through the doctor’s website.

It is also equally important to exercise caution when you come across discounted surgeries. Most of the time, surgeons offering procedures that are extremely low are not aware of the current advancements in the industry nor they are knowledgeable of the newer techniques that are less invasive. Furthermore, even if the surgery itself was a success, follow-up clinic visits may be poor or non-existent at all in discounted surgeries.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about transgender reassignment surgery. Aside from creating a surgical plan that is tailored to your needs, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of practice and safety in transgender procedures. Fill out this contact form today or call 415.398.7778 to schedule an appointment.
There are two types of cosmetic surgeons — responsible doctors who seek to help their patients and irresponsible types who seek to solely improve their bank account. It’s not always easy for a patient to know enough about a surgeon’s technical know-how, but there is a n easy way to differentiate between the responsible and irresponsible.

Ask yourself – do I feel in any way that I’m being even slightly rushed?

For most, cosmetic surgery is a life-changing process that can provide a whole new outlook. Because of that, it’s also a decision that’s not to be taken lightly – nor is it one that should be rushed. If, for example, you’re considering rhinoplasty but just cannot make up your mind, you really shouldn’t have to worry about mulling it over for weeks, months, even years. If you’re vacillating, do you get the feeling the surgeon is getting a bit annoyed with your inability to make up your mind? If so, you need to find a new surgeon.

Dr. Mosser does things differently. We not only encourage a period of deep and comprehensive thought prior to going ahead, we insist upon it. We’ll never rush you to surgery without first giving you time to think carefully about your decision. If you’ve approached the whole subject with a level head then chances are you won’t change your mind and are ready to proceed with surgery. But if you’ve acted upon impulse, you might find that this cooling off period changes, or at least delays, your decision.
Most people would like to change a part or an area on their bodies. Perhaps there are some minor love handles; perhaps the process of aging seems to have accelerated a little too fast. In most cases, there is a cosmetic surgery that can address these issues and the cost is probably lower than you think. But the question is, do you really need plastic surgery?

There are practices and surgeons, putting their own financial interests first, who will tell you surgery is the answer. However, speak to a responsible surgeon and the first thing he or she will ask is why you want the surgery in the first place. In the case of weight loss or shape augmentation, they should ask what efforts you’ve already made on your own to make the difference you’re looking for. For example, if you’ve never made any effort to get off the couch or modify your diet, you shouldn’t be looking at surgery as an easy way out. The same also goes for toning – have you bothered hitting the gym, or are you just looking for the simplest solution?

If you’ve worked hard and tried to address areas you don’t like, then surgery may provide a solution. But if you haven’t put in the effort first, you need to be sure that you’re not considering surgery as an end run around effort and commitment on your part.

So ask yourself again, do you really need plastic surgery?