San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog - Page 5 of 26

June is just around the corner and it seems like everyone around you is starting to shed the heavy coats and bulky sweater of winter! You, on the other hand, may be panicking at the thought of baring everything as the weather warms up because of the dreaded muffin top. Before you give up and assume that all is lost, a visit to our San Francisco plastic surgery practice may just be the best last minute decision you’ll ever make.

The Problem

If you’re still uncertain what a muffin top is, it’s actually the oh-so-familiar belly overhang just above your hips that makes it impossible for you to wear your favorite tight fitting jeans or trousers. Here at our practice, we understand why it’s dreaded by many.

The Solutions

The good news is that there are a lot of ways to either camouflage or completely banish the muffin top out of your life for good. We’ve rounded up the tried-and-tested methods below! Keep in mind that each method will most likely work to your advantage if they’re done simultaneously. Think of them as variables in an equation.

1. Exercise the right way.

The perfect combination of physical activity to help reduce the appearance of a muffin top is to do both cardiovascular training and weightlifting/strength training exercises. Choose an activity that will increase your heart rate and a parallel activity that will consequently work your core muscles — a group of muscles that support your abdomen and the back.

2. Eat from whole food sources and avoid processed foods as much as you can.

In addition, you might want to limit your portions if you tend to eat for two. Majority of what you eat should be from lean meat, fish, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

3. Avoid low-rise pants and jeans like the plague.

Low-rise trousers and a tight t-shirt or blouse is a deadly combination when it comes to revealing your muffin top. Consider wearing mid-rise or high-rise jeans that will most likely flatter your figure. In addition, avoid wearing tops that don’t hit past your hip bone. When buying new tops, lift your arms and move around when trying them on to figure out its actual length.

Consider Liposuction (and Maybe a Tummy Tuck, Too)

Muffin tops are actually pockets of fat that can be addressed with liposuction. This body-contouring procedure can refine and contour areas of the body in which pockets of fat tend to be resistant to diet and exercise. Dr. Mosser’s goal in using liposuction to help get rid of your muffin top is to remove fat aggressively in the waist but leave some fat near the hip area for an hour-glass appearance.

Liposuction is ideal for individuals with good skin elasticity. If you have loose abdominal skin and tissues, you might consider liposuction with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to completely eliminate the dreaded muffin top.

Your Liposuction Options in San Francisco, California

Dr. Mosser performs 3 types of liposuction here at our San Francisco plastic surgery practice: tumescent, ultrasound-assisted, and VASER liposuction.

In addition, we also offer a non-invasive approach to reducing the appearance of your muffin top through CoolSculpting! The procedure itself is FDA-approved and is becoming increasingly popular due to its non-invasive nature, primarily the lack of surgical incisions. There is no downtime involved thus this procedure is perfect for men and women who do not have the luxury of longer recovery periods.

Let us help you figure out which type of liposuction is ideal for your aesthetic goals, needs, and current lifestyle.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you get rid of your muffin top and baring everything this summer!
Recent statistics have demonstrated that plastic surgery, whether cosmetic or reconstructive, is not just for women anymore. In fact, the most recent numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reveal that there were roughly a million cosmetic procedures done for men in 2013, a whopping 85 percent increase from the statistics in 2000.

Here at our San Francisco plastic surgery practice, we have noticed a similar trend. In addition, one of the most common questions among our male clients during their initial consultations is “Is there something that you can do for me that is quick and non-surgical in nature?” If you’re a guy who has been asking the same question for a while now, we’ve provided a list for you below!

Brotox is the New Black (for Men)

According to the ASPS, there were approximately 385,000 men who opted for Botox in the U.S. last year to help them get rid of crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eye area) and frown lines. In addition, Botox can also help men deal with migraines and excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, and feet. If celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay had Botox, why can’t you?

Peel Those Spots Away

If you’re the type of man who loves to do some rough work outdoors, there’s a huge chance you have sun-damaged and unevenly pigmented facial skin. Add in those wrinkles and fine lines and you probably look older than you really are. This is where chemical peels can prove to be very beneficial! Our salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic peels are ideal for men with superficial wrinkles, acne, pigment conditions, rosacea, fine lines or aging dull skin.

Scar Face No More

Majority of men who visit our practice present themselves with deep scars and pockmarks, an undesirable reminder of their hormone-dominated adolescence. Good thing there’s dermabrasion which is a very effective procedure in removing dead skin cells and stimulating collagen production for a more renewed appearance.

Fill It Up!

Aside from Botox, dermal fillers can work wonders on lines and wrinkles that specifically plague men — from those horizontal forehead creases to the deep folds between the nose and mouth.

Sculpt Those Abs with CoolSculpting!

A six-pack is just around the corner with CoolSculpting! Unlike traditional liposuction, this procedure eliminated unwanted fat cells in the abdominal area minus the incisions. Furthermore, there is no downtime at all as it is a minimally-invasive procedure. Results are noticeable within 2 to 8 weeks after treatment,.

Lunchtime Cosmetic Procedures For Men in Union Square, San Francisco

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice, he also aims to provide gentlemen like you with personalized treatments and/or treatment combinations to give you the face, physique and confidence you’ve always wanted!
It looks like 2013 may also be the year the eyelid lift made it to mainstream popularity, alongside the equally popular Brazilian butt lift. First, it soared 5 percent higher than that of 2012, going a notch higher to 3rd place from its 4th place position last year in the top 5 surgical cosmetic procedures in 2013.

In addition, the admission of popular news anchor and host Julie Chen that she had eyelid surgery when she was 25 (and after being told that she will never become an anchor because she looked too Chinese) to look more Westernized has made it more well-known amongst the public.

This year, the eyelid lift does more than give you that Westernized look. Below are 5 ways an eyelid lift can make you look naturally younger (and finally make that decision to have the surgery in 2014):

1. An eyelid lift can remove sagging and loose skin that hangs over the eyes. Aside from rejuvenating the face, it can also help improve peripheral vision if the excess skin has been a cause of vision troubles.

2. An eyelid lift can also remove (and redistribute it) excess fat around the eyes which contributes to the dreaded puffiness.

3. The appearance of unappealing eye bags can also be improved with an eyelid lift.

4. In some cases, the lower eyelids may droop just below the iris, resulting to the “white part” of your eye taking over the colored portion. This can be corrected by an eyelid lift, too.

5. Lastly, an eyelid lift can restore overall definition of the eyes resulting to a more youthful look on your end.

What an Eyelift Cannot Do

Not all aging problems in the eye area can be improved with an eyelid lift though. By and large, the following cosmetic woes may need to be treated with other treatments or procedures:
- Crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes) – This is best treated with non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox and skin resurfacing treatments.
- Dark circles around the eyes – Dark circles, by and large, don’t have as much to do with aging but rather genetics, lack of sleep, and diet. Eye creams and non-surgical treatments may work for this cosmetic problem. However, when bags in the lower eyelids contribute to the shadows of dark circles, often a lower eye lift can at least improve the circles.
- Sagging eyebrows – An eyelid lift alone may not provide the optimum results. Rather, a brow lift may done alone or in conjunction with an eyelid lift for maximum aesthetic results.
Complete Eye Rejuvenation by Dr. Mosser

Our San Francisco plastic surgery practice offers skin resurfacing procedures that can further improve the tone and surface to the skin surrounding the eye. These procedures are typically done after your eyelid lift surgery. Oftentimes, an eyelid surgery may also be combined with a face lift to create an overall refreshed look.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice, he also aims to provide you with personalized treatments and/or treatment combinations to help restore and reveal your natural beauty!
Although we aim to provide meticulously customized facial rejuvenation treatment plans here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice, we also encourage our clients to do their part in achieving and maintaining a naturally refreshed and rejuvenated look after a procedure, may it be Botox, a face lift, or a session of dermabrasion.

It’s Called Beauty Sleep for a Reason
It may sound like standard advice that has been passed on from one generation to another but the idea of getting enough sleep to keep yourself youthful and attractive is actually backed by science. In fact, a recent study found a solid link between sleep and the appearance of the signs of aging.

Here’s an excerpt from the study’s press release:

“The researchers found statistically significant differences between good and poor quality sleepers. Using the SCINEXA skin aging scoring system, poor quality sleepers showed increased signs of intrinsic skin aging including fine lines, uneven pigmentation and slackening of skin and reduced elasticity. In this system, a higher score means a more aged appearance. The average score in the good quality sleepers was 2.2 versus 4.4 in poor quality sleepers. They found no significant difference between the groups in signs of extrinsic aging, which are attributed primarily to sun exposure, such as coarse wrinkles and sunburn freckles.”

Now that there’s already a solid body of scientific evidence proving that poor quality of sleep can actually accelerate the signs of skin aging and reduce its ability to repair itself, we recommend the following easy steps to making sure that you improve the quality and quantity of your sleep:
- Make an effort to build a sleeping routine; sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
- If you’ve been sleeping with the lights on or the window shades up, try to sleep in the dark by turning the lights off, getting dark shades, or wearing an eye mask.
- Try to sleep with socks on your feet so you can keep your extremities warm and promote comfort.
  Avoid caffeine after lunch and try to stick to one cup in the morning.
- Eat better by choosing foods from whole food sources and avoiding highly processed food. You might also want to limit your alcohol intake.
- Step away from the screen (television, smartphone, and the likes) at least an hour or two before you plan to sleep.
Let Us Help You Put Your Best Face Forward!
Apart from improving the quality and quantity of your sleep, regular visits at our practice can help you put your best face forward!

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice, he also aims to provide you with personalized treatments and/or treatment combinations to help restore and reveal your natural beauty!
Plastic surgery has grown exponentially for the past 5 years. According to the latest numbers by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans have spent the largest amount on plastic surgery procedures and cosmetic treatments since the Great Recession in 2008.

While it’s a good thing that people are now more aware of how they can benefit from plastic surgery, we noticed here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice that misconceptions still exist (and is still believed by many!) about plastic surgery.

1. Plastic surgery is only for celebrities and the wealthy who have tons of extra cash to pay for surgery.
What a misconception! In fact, most of our clients here at our practice are just regular men and women who wish to improve their appearance and consequently regain their confidence. An excellent example would be this teenage boy who recently visited us for a consultation on how he can improve the appearance of his unusually large breasts. The boy in question has been quite embarrassed to take his shirt off at the beach for fear of being bullied about his condition. Fortunately, our male breast reduction procedure was able to correct his gynecomastia (unusual breast enlargement in men).

2. Plastic surgery is only for women. Men who choose to go under the knife are not “real men” at all.
Ooops, that’s another myth right there! From male celebrities like Gordon Ramsay to those guys over at Wall Street who decided to have Botox not just to improve their overall look but also help them keep their jobs. In fact, 2013 saw a huge growth of male plastic surgery procedures — a whooping 273 percent from that of 1997.

3. Plastic surgery is painless and does not result to scars.
Despite the use of anesthesia, plastic surgery is still surgery itself. Swelling and pain may be present once the anesthesia wears off. In addition, any type of surgery that involves incisions will almost always result to scars. However, choosing a skilled and high-experienced plastic surgeon will make the difference on whether or not your scars will be noticeable or not.

Now that it’s clear enough that those statements have no hint of truth in them, call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice; he aims to enhance his patient’s lives and help them live more optimistic lives. We look forward to your visit!
Recovery period from liposuction here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice varies from one person to another. By and large, it mainly depends on the size of the treated area. Dr. Mosser will craft a personalized liposuction treatment plan that will help you achieve naturally beautiful and proportional results with the shortest recovery time possible. Read on below to learn more about what to expect during liposuction recovery and what you can do to make it quick and comfortable on your end at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, the length of recovery from liposuction varies but the timeline below will give you an idea what to expect following surgery.

Weeks 1-2 After Liposuction
You will most likely feel pain and sore right after the effects of anesthesia has worn off. While pain will be tolerable and manageable around this time, you may be prescribed pain relievers that you can take if the pain is quite debilitating. Your movements may be limited around this time.

Elastic bandages or compression garments may be used to cover treatment areas. They will help reduce the swelling that is typical after liposuction. Once swelling has subsided, the results you desire will gradually reveal itself.

The first two weeks after surgery will most likely be the most difficult and uncomfortable phase of recovery since the wounds will need constant monitoring for infection. Daily activities may be limited around this period, too.

Weeks 2-4 After Liposuction
Around this time, your incisions should already have healed and the swelling will be subsiding. You may gradually return to your usual activities of daily living immediately after surgery, but around the 3rd week light to moderate exercises may be done. Certainly you should reduce your level of activity if pain or discomfort is experienced.

Weeks 4 and Beyond
After a month following liposuction, bruising will not be noticeable anymore and your new shape will start becoming more obvious. You can fully return to activities of daily living provided that you are already able to do so. By the sixth week, you will start seeing results, though it will take as much as 3 months for the swelling to be nearly completely gone.

Ultimately, patience and adherence to post-surgery instructions are the key qualities a patient must have to be able to achieve the best possible aesthetic results of liposuction.

Choosing Your San Francisco Liposuction Surgeon
San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice; he aims to enhance his patient’s lives and help them live more optimistic lives. Call us at 415.398.7778 or by filling out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
Many women visit our San Francisco Bay Area plastic surgery practice for the first time to ask about their breast augmentation options. Every so often, one of their concerns is whether or not breast implants can interfere with their athletic activities. It’s not uncommon for most of our patients regularly running marathons, doing CrossFit, or engaging in some highly active exercise routine to stay in shape. The good news for these women is that they can still enjoy the benefits of breast implants and still enjoy exercise!

While a personal consultation with Dr. Mosser is the first step to creating a breast augmentation surgical plan that suits you well, including your athletic and highly active lifestyle, the following factors need to be taken into consideration:

Type of Breast Implant – Implants can either be saline or silicone. What we have noticed is that most women who engage regularly in highly physical activities prefer the softer feel and natural look of silicone implants. Each body is different though (including one’s preferences) and one’s choice of implant may be decided upon thorough assessment following consultation.

Implant Size – Having too large implants may cause pain and discomfort and affect performance, particularly in runners and swimmers. A thorough assessment of your body frame, including your height, weight, and width of your shoulder is important.

Implant Placement – Some athletic women prefers to have an implant placed above the muscle (subglandular) since it involves shorter recovery time. However, there are also women who engage in weight lifting, golf, and racquet sports who do not want their breast implants to interfere with their muscle activity. For these women, a submuscular placement (placed under the muscle) may be more appropriate.

Recovery – We understand that you may want to get back to your fitness routine or sports activity the sooner you are able following surgery. However, certain restrictions may apply following breast implant placement and you may have to take measures (like getting enough rest) to heal and recover quickly. It is best that you discuss your recovery expectations with Dr. Mosser.

Choosing Your Breast Enhancement Surgeon in Union Square, San Francisco
San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice; he aims to enhance his patient’s lives and help them live more optimistic lives. Call us at 415.398.7778 or by filling out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
Have you tried taking a photo of your favorite celebrity at a salon for the hairdresser to pattern your new ‘do’? While it may have worked a couple of times, there’s also the possibility that you have been told that it won’t work for your hair type or face shape. The same thing can actually happen to you in plastic surgery.

Here at our Union Square plastic surgery practice, we encourage our patients to go beyond reviewing before-and-after photographs online. We also want them to ask for the photos during consultation and check for the following:

1. Ask for photos with previous patients that are similar in your age, height, weight, build, gender, and perhaps ethnicity.

Aside from providing you a realistic picture of what to expect, choosing photos that resemble more of your physical attributes can help you visualize yourself post-surgery. This will help you make better decisions pre-surgery.

2. Check for symmetry.

Although perfection is not the ultimate goal in plastic surgery, a good plastic surgeon will certainly be knowledgeable in the science and art of balance. Look closely for symmetry in the right and left eyes, cheeks, arms, breasts, thighs, hips, or whatever body part you think needs improvement.

3. Look for consistency in the photos.

This means the same amount and quality of lighting is used and the patients do the same pose between before and after photos. A highly experienced plastic surgeon has nothing to hide thus consistency in the formatting of photos will be apparent.

4. Check for scars in the “after” photos”.

Like all types of surgery, cosmetic surgical procedures will eventually produce scars. However, an experienced plastic surgeon knows how to make scarring as inconspicuous and tiny as possible. To further investigate about scarring, ask how long after surgery were the photos taken. By and large, an incision days after surgery may appear pink and more visible while a photo taken after 6 months will most likely reveal a minimal scar or no noticeable scars at all.

Keep in mind that the photos you’re reviewing are probably the plastic surgeon’s best work. It should not be the sole factor to consider when choosing a plastic surgeon. Instead, reviewing before-and-after photos should serve as a tool to communicating to your surgeon what it is that you want as an outcome of your own plastic surgery procedure.

Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon in Union Square, San Francisco

San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Mosser does more than perform the procedure of your choice, he aims to enhance his patient’s lives and help them live more optimistic lives. Call us at 415.398.7778 or by filling out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
Skin A combination of the normal aging process in your skin, sun exposure and the effects of gravity could result to wrinkle formation. Apart from making you look old, the appearance of wrinkles also has a profound impact on one’s self-esteem. Here at our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice, men and women share their sentiments regarding how they are perceived to be upset or sad (when they aren’t!) due to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Because Science Says So
We shouldn’t be too surprised with those sorts of responses, as recent studies have shown that the appearance of wrinkles could actually influence how people interpret your emotions. This LiveScience article published the results of a study in which the participants were asked to rate the level of emotion from photographs of older adults’ faces. It was revealed that the participants rated the faces of older adults as more angry and sad than the faces of the younger adults. All the faces in the photographs actually had neutral expressions.

Carlos Garrido, one of the study’s researchers, speculated that such perception of older adults may have to do with the appearance of creases in the forehead and around the mouth area. The researchers further pointed out that more studies on the subject may be needed to verify their study’s results.

Undesirable Consequences
Dr. Scott Mosser and the rest of the team here at our practice understand that seeking cosmetic solutions for creases and wrinkles is more than just an issue of vanity. False perception and interpretation of your emotions could lead to undesirable consequences in real life such as being thought of by your colleagues at work as chronically depressed or your manager may not even consider you for promotion due to you looking consistently angry.

Facial Rejuvenation Options in San Francisco and neighboring areas
The good news is there are tons of facial rejuvenation options, whether surgical or non-surgical, here at our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice — from face lift to Botox to dermal fillers.

Let us help you improve your appearance and consequently the quality of your life! Enhancing people’s lives and witnessing positive changes in self confidence are key reasons Dr. Mosser chose plastic surgery as his profession. Get in touch with us by calling 415.398.7778 or by filling out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to your visit!
View the magazine article pdf

1. Ask for photos with previous patients that are similar in your age, height, weight, build, gender, and perhaps ethnicity.

2. Check for symmetry.

3. Look for consistency in the photos.

4. Check for scars in the “after” photos”.

Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon in Union Square, San Francisco