San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog - Page 4 of 26

The hallmark attributes of youthful skin is similar across cultures and ethnicities: firm, elastic, smooth, and free of defects or blemishes. However, the human body changes over time and the skin is no exception. As the largest organ in the body, it undergoes a tremendous number of changes from infancy to childhood to adolescence to adulthood.

Every so often, loose, sagging skin is one of the noticeable changes that prompt men and women to seek Dr. Mosser’s expertise in providing cosmetic solutions. Read on below to learn more about ways to reduce and delay the appearance of sagging skin resulting from aging.

Factors with Major Influence on Sagging Skin

Generally, factors that influence the appearance of sagging skin include the following:
- Effects of gravity – This refers to the natural downward pull as we walk, sit, and move in an upward position
- Prolonged and consistent sun exposure
- Gradual loss of collagen and elastin in the skin – Both are types of protein that naturally occur in the body and are responsible for the taut appearance of youthful skin. However, as one ages, the collagen and elastin in the skin tend to dwindle. Collagen loss is partly responsible in the appearance of crow’s feet (wrinkles in the outermost corners of the eyes) and the progression of jowls along the jawline
- Dramatic weight loss – This could be a result to a change in lifestyle (diet and exercise), recovery from a long-term illness, or immediately after childbirth when the skin loses elasticity as it is stretched. Excess, loose skin is often noticeable in the arms, stomach, hips, and thighs. In addition, stretch marks may also appear as the skin is unable to adhere to the new body contour
- Influence of hormones such as in the case of menopause when production of estrogen has been depleted.
- Prolonged and consistent sun exposure
- Substantial loss of fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the skin
- Shrinking bones which result to lack of support for the skin
Other factors that may also influence the development of sagging skin include chronic lack of sleep, lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, and alcohol.

Possible Cosmetic Treatments for Excess Skin

Face and neck – If you choose the surgical route, a face lift and/or a neck lift can help remove excess skin in the area. In addition, a brow lift or an eyelid lift can help remove loose, sagging skin on the upper third of the face. The aforementioned surgical procedures remove excess skin while the remaining skin is pulled into place for a more tightened appearance.

Non-surgical alternatives include the use of dermal fillers that primarily add volume to the skin. These injectables can be injected near or around the eyes, nose, lips, and neckline.

Body – Surgical cosmetic procedures are done in a similar fashion as the aforementioned surgical techniques for the face and neck. These procedures may include a tummy tuck, buttock enhancement surgery via implants or fat transfer, or a lower body lift.

If you’ve been having sagging skin issues either in the face, body, or both, Dr. Mosser and the rest of the team would love to help you look and feel your best! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through cosmetic surgery!
Planning for plastic surgery involves a host of factors ranging from an individual’s cosmetic needs and preferences, lifestyle habits, and the state of his or her overall health and well-being. During initial consultations here at our San Francisco plastic surgery practice, it’s not uncommon for us to encounter patients who are keen to undergo surgery yet the presence of certain health condition or disease may further put their health at risk following the procedure. Hypertension is one of these pre-surgery health issues.

Understanding Hypertension

Generally, blood pressure refers to the measurement of force exerted against the arteries (the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the areas of the body). Blood pressure is at its highest when your heart pumps blood (systolic pressure) and it is at its lowest when your heart is at rest between beats (diastolic pressure). In a blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure comes before the diastolic pressure.

Generally, a reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal while a reading beyond 140/90 mmHg can already be classified as high blood pressure. The development of hypertension is caused by a variety of factors and may even be a result of another existing condition. By and large, the older you are, the greater the risk of high blood pressure as the arteries become stiffer over time. Other factors that can influence the occurrence of hypertension include but are not limited to the following:
- hormone levels, particularly in women
- use of certain medications and supplements
- lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption
- excess body weight
- family history of hypertension
- stress and anxiety levels
- your body’s ability to retain water and salt which may be influenced by one’s diet
- in some cases, hypertension may be a result of existing conditions such as thyroid problems, disorders of the adrenal glands, pregnancy, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease
Plastic Surgery Risks Associated with High Blood Pressure

On a whole, having high blood pressure levels signify that your heart and blood vessels are experiencing too much strain. Having surgery when you’re hypertensive is like adding insult to injury to the body. The following risks and complications may be possible during and after surgery:
- Bleeding during and after surgery, particularly if the patient is taking blood thinning medications prior to surgery
- Hematoma or swelling filled with blood due to a breakage in a portion of the blood vessel walls
- Heart or circulatory system problems
Can hypertension stop someone from having plastic surgery?

Yes, that is if you have uncontrolled hypertension. Here at our practice, we strongly recommend that a patient should work closely with their general doctor in putting their high blood pressure under control through medications and lifestyle revision. We can actually work with your primary care physician to make sure that you meet the criteria for undergoing surgery safely.

Take the results of this survey among plastic surgeons as an example. Here’s an excerpt from the conclusion (perioperative care translates to care before surgery):

Proper perioperative care of the facelift patient is paramount in the reduction of hematoma rates. Preexisting hypertension correlates with a higher hematoma rate, though this study also suggests that normotensive anesthesia, as well as strict postoperative blood pressure control did contribute to a reduction in hematoma rate.

Allow us to help you come up with a personalized plastic surgery plan that will put your pre-existing health conditions into consideration. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through cosmetic surgery!
Many women who visit us for the first time here at our San Francisco plastic surgery practice for a breast augmentation consultation would often express their concern about scarring after the procedure. Although scarring after having breast implants can be influenced by various factors such as genetics, sun exposure, and smoking habits, the incision you choose in implant placement plays a significant role on the amount of scarring post-breast augmentation.

Why Choose the Inframammary Incision for the Least Amount of Scarring

Generally, there are 4 types of incision used in breast augmentation: underneath the breast folds (inframammary incision), around the areola (periareolar), in the armpit (transaxillary), and around the belly button (periumbilical).

Of all four types, the inframammary incision offers the advantage of the least amount of scarring possible after placement of breast implants. The incision made underneath the breast folds ranges between 2.5 to 5 cm in length. Consequently, a pocket is created in which the implant is carefully positioned just behind the nipple. The implant can be either placed in front or behind the chest muscle.

On the whole, the inframammary incision offers the following advantages:
- Inconspicuous scarring (usually a thinner flatter scar in comparison to the transaxillary approach).
- Versatility, as it can be used in either silicone or saline implants.
- Direct placement of the implant in comparison to other approaches. Proper placement and good symmetry will most likely result from this advantage. Reduced risk of hematoma and infection than the transumbilical approach.
- The incision site can be re-used in case revision breast augmentation is necessary e.g. when an implant has significantly shifted on the chest wall.
Let Us Help You Make the Incision Decision!

Ultimately, deciding on which incision to use is up to you. A combination of finesse, skills, and vast experience in breast enhancement surgery makes Dr. Mosser a top choice when looking for the right breast augmentation surgeon in San Francisco and neighboring areas. He is genuinely passionate in helping women look and feel good with themselves through plastic surgery.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through cosmetic surgery!
Although aging is inevitable, there are numerous cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of the hallmarks of physical aging — from sagging jowls to the dreaded crow’s feet. Whether you’re looking into restoring your natural beauty or wanting to make subtle changes for dramatic results, our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice is committed to helping you discreetly erase years off your face and body.

By and large, the following signs of aging will almost always give away or real age (or make you look older than your real age!):

1. Turkey Neck

This refers to sagging skin just below the chin making you think twice about posting that bathroom selfie you just took. The appearance of turkey neck can be attributed to flaccid muscles and excess accumulation of fat. A neck lift may be done for those who wish to choose the surgical route. Unfortunately there are very few non-surgical methods that help to a significant degree with a sagging neck.

2. Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet refers to fine lines and wrinkles on the outermost corners of your eyes. Generally, their appearance is a result of repeated muscle contractions in the area when you squint and blink. Since you can’t stop yourself from squinting or blinking as a means of preventing them from appearing, Botox is the perfect choice to subtly erase them for a more youthful appearance.

3. Sagging jowls

Have you heard about the Triangle of Youth? It actually refers to the three components of how a youthful face should look like — full cheeks, high cheekbones, and a well-defined jawline. However, once aging has taken its toll, the Triangle of Youth slowly becomes the Pyramid of Age — sunken cheeks, nasolabial folds or parentheses, and the appearance of jowls in the lower third of the face. A face lift, chin liposuction, and certain dermal fillers can help make sagging jowls less noticeable.

4. Sagging brows and upper eyelids

Both the upper eyelids and brows are located close to each other and one will most likely assume that it only takes one surgical cosmetic procedure to improve their appearance. However, sagging brows can actually be remedied with a brow lift while loose skin in the upper eyelids will benefit from an upper eyelid lift. If both concerns are present, an eyelid surgery and a brow lift can be done at the same time. Botox can also help improve horizontal lines between the eyes.

5. Spotted and/or wrinkled hands

Your face may be youthful and flawless but your hands may convey an entirely different story with the appearance of wrinkles and brown spots. Laser therapy can significantly reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots while collagen-based fillers will help smoothen out those wrinkles.

Let us help you put your naturally youthful face and body forward! Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through cosmetic surgery!
The occurrence of seroma following plastic surgery is one of the most common concerns of men and women alike who visit us here at our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice for initial consultations. While Dr. Mosser’s technical expertise and meticulous attention to surgical details will ensure that complications following surgery will be minimal or non-existent, the risk itself will always be there. Thus, it is best to understand how it happens, why it occurs, and what can be done on your end to avoid it in the first place.

Why a Seroma Occurs

By and large, a seroma refers to a collection of fluid beneath the skin after surgery, particularly when it comes to procedures involving larger incisions such as a tummy tuck or breast reduction. Although a seroma will resolve by itself within a few weeks following surgery, the discomfort associated with its formation may cause unnecessary anxiety (e.g. longer hospital stays) on the patient’s end.

A seroma is different from a hematoma as the latter has to do with pooling of blood (like a bruise) rather than the clear serous fluid.

Causes of Seroma

The occurrence of seroma is quite common and may be influenced by a combination of factors such as age, weight, and presence of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

When a large amount of tissue is removed from the body, large negative space is created which in turn is a likely receptacle for collections of fluid. Damaged blood vessels and lymphatic vessels around the incision site tend to leak fluids to this negative space to prevent infection. Thus, a seroma is formed.

Prevention and Treatment of Seroma

Although it is entirely impossible to prevent the formation of seroma such as in procedures involving large incisions, preventive measures may be taken to avoid them from happening such as elevating the operated area, getting enough rest, and adequate nutrition and hydration. Use of compression garments and drains may also help prevent seromas.

Seromas that do not resolve on their own can be manually removed through aspiration or drainage tubes.

Dr. Mosser and the rest of the team here at our practice are committed to utilizing the latest surgical techniques available to avoid complications post-surgery such as seroma formation. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through plastic surgery minus the post-surgery complications!
Men and women seek Dr. Mosser’s expertise in rhinoplasty here at our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice for various reasons. Some find their noses too large or too broad for their face while others think that the base is too wide, the tip doesn’t seem to “fit in” when they smile, or it’s either too projected or not projected enough.

Whatever their reasons are for wanting a nose-reshaping procedure, there’s no denying the fact that how your nose looks like will significantly affect your overall appearance and consequently how you feel about yourself.

Achieving Facial Balance and Harmony

By and large, Dr. Mosser’s primary goal in a rhinoplasty surgery is to achieve facial balance and harmony. During your assessment and evaluation for surgery, you and Dr. Mosser will carefully craft a rhinoplasty surgery plan that will make subtle changes yet dramatically improve your overall look. For Dr. Mosser, improvement through plastic surgery happens through establishing harmony, not by manipulating your fundamental appearance.

Choosing an Experienced Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Rhinoplasty itself is a very meticulous procedure and choosing an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon from the inexperienced ones will make a significant difference in the outcomes. Dr. Mosser’s philosophy focuses on preserving the best features of your natural appearance, utilizing his knowledge of aesthetics to balance and improve the desired area of your body.

Rhinoplasty is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Procedure

An experienced plastic surgeon will explain to you that there is no one-size-fits-all technique used in rhinoplasty. Consider the differences between a male and a female nose. Generally, nose-reshaping procedures in males and females tend to differ on the final shape of the nose. The goal of male rhinoplasty is to make the nasal profile more masculine in appearance — strong bridge and a lower tip. On the other hand, rhinoplasty in women often aims for a more concaved tip, slightly elevated than the ones in males.

Apart from gender, ethnic differences is another important factor that should be taken into consideration when creating a nose-reshaping surgical plan. A skilled and highly experienced plastic surgeon will recognize this fact and will be able to improve the appearance of your nose while retaining your ethnic heritage.

To help you figure out if you’re an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty here at our practice , you can read more about it here. Moreover, if you’d like to learn how rhinoplasty can specifically help improve your overall appearance and find out which techniques will suit your goals and preferences, call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you make subtle changes that can dramatically improve your life!
Dr. Mosser earlier wrote a post about the possible causes of man boobs, also known as gynecomastia. As discussed, there are various factors that influence the appearance of unusually enlarged male breasts — from hormonal shifts to obesity to use of certain medications. However, its exact cause is still unknown. Here at our Union Square male plastic surgery practice, men seek Dr. Mosser’s extensive knowledge and expertise in reducing the size and shape of their enlarged male breasts and have expressed their satisfaction of the outcomes.

The Ideal Candidate for Male Breast Reduction

One of the main concerns of men wanting breast reduction is whether or not they are an ideal candidate for the procedure. In general, you should be in excellent health when you’re about to undergo gynecomastia correction. Specifically, you should be within your ideal body weight, has stopped smoking 4 to 6 weeks before the procedure (smoking can significantly delay healing and increase your chances of developing complications after surgery), and any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension should have been controlled or stabilized by medications.

In addition, it may be best if you’ve taken measures to reduce or eliminate the possible causes of your unusually enlarged breasts such as having committed fully to diet and exercise to aid weight loss or has halted the use of certain medications that potentially caused your gynecomastia.

Having firm, elastic skin on your breasts can also work to your advantage as this will help reshape the skin better for the best possible outcomes.

Lastly, having a clear and in-depth understanding of the procedure and its possible outcomes also makes one an ideal candidate. By and large, Dr. Mosser recommends breast reduction to post-puberty males. Apart from the physical maturity, performing the procedure on men above 18 years also means that they are most likely to be emotionally prepared for the possible change in their body image.

Ideally, we often discourage male breast reduction in men who are still obese or overweight and have not attempted to correct their weight issues yet. Moreover, men who are taking medications such as anabolic steroids and are still managing their excess alcohol consumption may be advised to deal with these issues first.

Planning for Your Breast Reduction with Dr. Mosser

At our practice, treatment for male breast reduction depends on its underlying cause. During your personal consultation with Dr. Mosser, we encourage you to be honest in the discussion of your cosmetic goals, preferences, and reasons for seeking gynecomastia correction.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted!
Every so often, women who visit us during initial consultations here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice will ask us about the activities they can and cannot do after their breast augmentation surgery. “How soon can I drive after I have my breast implants?” is one of the most common questions that Dr. Mosser encounters from these women about last year’s most popular surgical cosmetic procedure.

If you’re one of these women who have decided to take the plunge and enjoy your new life with a more proportional and youthful look, read on below to learn when is exactly the best time to resume driving following breast augmentation.

No Driving Immediately After Surgery

Breast augmentation with implants is generally performed with general anesthesia. This means you will be groggy or may feel unsteady hours after the surgery. However, such feeling will most likely dissipate as the anesthesia wears off. Thus, you are not to drive your way home after surgery. It is best to have someone drive you to and from the clinic or hospital and stay with you during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.

No Driving Until You’re Done with Your Pain Medications

In addition to anesthesia concerns, you are also not to drive until you are done with your pain medications. Narcotics in particular can potentially slow down your reaction time and impair your coordination which in turn will increase your chances of road mishaps. Generally, majority of our patients here at our practice find themselves not requiring pain medications between 1-2 weeks following surgery.

All things considered, you are totally safe to drive once you’re pain-free and feel like driving yourself. However, we encourage you to have someone stay with you during your initial return to driving and make sure that you are comfortable in turning your head and shoulders to check the motorists behind. It may also work best if you avoid very long drives for the first few weeks following surgery.

Last, we encourage you to get in touch with Dr. Mosser and wait for his go-ahead and signal that you can already hit the road.

Your Personalized Breast Augmentation Recovery Plan by Dr. Mosser

Dr. Mosser does more than perform breast augmentation surgery. He takes the time to create a personalized breast augmentation plan for you, including your recovery, that is in parallel with the change you want to see.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted!
Like all types of surgery, optimum outcomes will most likely be achieved with careful planning and thorough preparation. Whether it’s a tummy tuck or breast augmentation with implants you’re about to have here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice, we encourage you to take each single step below as part of your preparation weeks and months before the procedure.

Have a thorough consultation with your plastic surgeon.

Despite the vast information available online about plastic surgery, each procedure is different for each person — from how to prepare for it to length of recovery times. Thus, it is best to ask questions that are specific to your cosmetic goals, preferences, and lifestyle.

In addition, it pays to be honest during the consultation. Take your smoking habits for example. Smoking can significantly delay healing and increase your risk of infection post-surgery due to its constricting effects on your blood vessels. While it may sound embarrassing at first to reveal certain habits or lifestyle factors to Dr. Mosser, keep in mind that it’s actually for your benefit.

Moreover, it is important to disclose to Dr. Mosser if you’re taking certain medications or supplements before your surgery. Aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and herbal supplements such as echinacea and gingko biloba may increase your chances of bleeding during and after surgery.

Lead a healthy lifestyle.

So what exactly does a healthy lifestyle entail? Does it have to do with choosing the low-fat cereal or sugar-free soda the next time you do your grocery? By and large, there’s actually more to those things when one wants to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

What we often share to our patients are the following trio of factors that make up a healthy lifestyle: eating real (minimally-processed) food in moderate proportions, incorporation of physical activity or certain movements to your daily routine, and getting enough amount of sleep.

Eating real food means consuming a lot of whole grains, vegetables, fish, and lean meat. Emphasis is placed on increasing your protein intake as it is vital during healing and repair following surgery. You can also ask your doctor about taking supplements. In addition, sufficient hydration is also important.

As to exercise and physical activity, we recommend doing a combination of cardio and strength training exercises at least twice or thrice a week.

Lastly, sleep is when your body recovers the most, priming you to operate at your optimum the next day. Find ways to get enough amount of sleep (most people would feel well-rested with 6 to 8 hours of sleep) every day before and after your surgery.

Build your recovery nest.

Majority of our patients here at our practice choose to recover at home. Creating a recovery nest that is conducive to safe and quick healing includes making sure that your prescriptions are filled, you have sufficient grocery supplies, and you have tons of comfort aids at home — from blankets to pillows to a good book.

Lastly, it pays to have someone to stay with you (that is if you live alone) or a caregiver to take care of your kids (if you happen to be an awesome mom!) during the first few days or weeks following surgery.

If you’d like to learn more about recovering from plastic surgery, call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted!
Although the Brazilian butt lift didn’t make it to the top 5 surgical cosmetic procedures in 2013, it is actually one of the procedures in which consumer interest was found out to increase quickly in numbers from 2012 to 2013. Specifically, it has been estimated that there was roughly a 16 percent increase in the number of Brazilian butt lifts performed in 2013 than that of the previous year.

Here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice, we have also observed a similar trend with more women asking about the body-contouring procedure during their personal consultations with Dr. Mosser.

One of the initial questions by women during Brazilian butt lift consultations here at our practice is whether or not they can actually have the procedure. By and large, you are an ideal candidate for the surgery if:
- Your buttocks are too small, flat, and/or square and are not proportional to your body frame
- You still have good quality skin (not too loose) in your buttocks area
- You have extra pounds to spare as fat may be suctioned from the abdomen and flank areas and later reinjected into the buttocks for a fuller and firmer look
If you don’t have enough fat that can be harvested and you are already within or close to your ideal body weight and if you have a lot of sagging skin in the buttocks/lower back area, a traditional butt lift may be the best option. The procedure involves removal of excess skin and fat from the buttocks and tightening the remaining skin for a more tone and sculpted appearance.

What Happens During a Brazilian Butt Lift

The procedure usually begins with a liposuction of the waist or hip area. Fat is then harvested, reprocessed, and injected into the buttocks. The remaining fat may be frozen for repeat injections at a later time. While some of the fat may be absorbed, a significant amount of the re-injected fat will remain and develop their own blood supply which in turn could give you your desired outcomes.

Your Personalized Brazilian Butt Lift Plan by Dr. Mosser

Dr. Mosser always takes the time to describe the advantages and disadvantages of every procedure available while discussing the specific goals of patients like you who are thinking of getting a Brazilian butt lift. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted!