Frequently asked questions about plastic surgery.
January 5th, 2010 admin
January 5th, 2009
By: Norma Wes
Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos – What to look for
Just recently I saw a piece on ABC 7 about a laser center that has doctors on staff that are not board certified plastic surgeons (American Board of Plastic Surgery). I will not even begin to talk about that aspect. However I do want to address the thing that I noticed the most. The before and after photos of the Plastic Surgery Patients were terrible. To the untrained eye, sure the after shots look different from the before, however different isn’t always a good thing when it comes to bad Plastic Surgery.
The before & after photos that many cosmetic practices show on their website, if you know what to look for, show terrible results. Terrible Plastic Surgery Before & After Photo results are: lumpy and bumpy skin, patients who still have loose and hanging skin, Lipo-suctioned parts of the body that have deep dents and grooves, breast lifts where nipples have been placed too high, the list goes on and on.
Good Plastic Surgery Before & After Photos
So what do good Plastic Surgery Before and After photos look like? There are so many thing to look for. Is the skin smooth and is there symmetry? Does the skin on the stomach from a Tummy Tuck look tight but not over stretched and shiny? Are there deep groves (cannula marks) form the over-suctioning of fat? There are more than the simple visual factors to consider. What about Patients who are not candidates for a procedure because of skin laxity, however they get cattle called into a procedure?
The Wrong Procedure for the wrong Candidate
Many clinics will cattle call patients. Meaning they will give everyone a liposuction procedure, just because they are a laser center for liposuction. The problem with this is that these patients may have been better candidates for a Tummy Tuck and so on.
Comparing Good and Bad Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos
Below I’ve bumped up some “bad results” after photos next to Dr. Thomas’ before and after photos. You will see the difference.
Let’s look at the photos below to compare:
(A unnamed Laser Center Laser Lipo Before & After Photos – No American Board of Plastic Surgery Physicians on Staff)
This is laser lipo. See the Irregularities in the skin (after photo). Lumps, bumps and deep wholes. This is because the laser can melt through the fat too quickly and burn too close to the skin. After the laser damages a certain layer of fat too close to the skin (deep burn), it produces a lumpy effect. A typical Patient surfing the net for before and after photos won’t know to look for this type of irregularity. Patients typically will only look at the amount of fat that has been removed but not the total end results.
Take a look at a set of Dr. Thomas’ traditional Liposculpture (without laser).
No lumps and bumps and irregularities.Patient looks natural and “not done”.
Other ways to trick the consumer with plastic surgery before & after photos are: Distance – The distance between the before and after can be farther apart tricking the eye to think the patient looks smaller. Lighting – Brighter lighting after shots can portray better results and may not show irregularities. Arms Up & Down – Patients may have their arms up for the after picture making Breast Lifts & Tummy Tucks appear more lifted with better results. When in actuality lifting of the arms creates the lift. For more examples of trick photography compared to good results let me know. I have seen plenty of bad photos flooding the internet lately.
Posted in Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Home, Liposuction Specialist, tummy tuck | 1 Comment »
December 29th, 2009 admin
Tummy Tuck Specialist – Beverly Hills, Los Angeles


What is a Tummy Tuck Specialist?
A Tummy Tuck Specialist is a Doctor who specializes in Abdominoplasty. Like in many fields, a Plastic Surgeon can specialize in certain areas of interest and study. For Plastic Surgeons, they specialize in areas of the body; face, breasts, stomach, legs, etc… When a Plastic Surgeon “specializes” in certain area of the body it can mean a few things: A. they enjoy working on this area of the body B. They typically have an advanced technique that they have developed that yields extraordinarily beautiful results and C. They have had the chance to perform 100’s of the same procedure, each case proving to be unique in their own right.
What this means is that each individual patient gets beautiful results by a physician who understands the surgery and has a working knowledge of how the same procedure can uniquely benefit each patient. Also a Tummy Tuck specialist performs his/her own special twist on a technique. For example: Dr. Ivan Thomas, Tummy Tuck Specialist in Beverly Hills, performs what is called a High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck. Not only is this a more advanced technique Tummy Tuck, but Dr. Thomas also added a unique variation to the technique, which results in tighter and flatter results for his patients. Qualification as a “Tummy Tuck Specialist” can only come from years of experience, repetition, a flawless reputation and proper certification.
What type of certifications should a Tummy Tuck Specialist have?
With any plastic surgery physician, a patient should look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This ensures that the Physician has gone through rigorous training and board certification by the only board in American who is able to deem medical specialties, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Things a Tummy Tuck Specialist will evaluate for candidacy
A Tummy Tuck specialist will evaluate the potential patient for candidacy before recommending a Tummy Tuck procedure. A reputable Tummy Tuck Specialist will consider.
- How much intro –abdominal fat (inside fat) the patient has
- How much fat the patient has underneath the skin
- The extent of laxity that the patient’s stomach muscles & skin
- The patients skin elasticity and thickness
- The patient’s overall health and medical history
- The patient’s ideal weight and size
- If the patient has realistic expectations for their final results
Posted in Beverly Hills Mini Tummy Tuck, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, Home, Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2009 admin
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck Specialist Dr.Ivan Thomas Discusses Scar Revision of a Tummy Tuck
Skin Types
It is true that each skin type responds differently to trauma to the skin. Some skins heal better than others, following a Tummy Tuck surgery. The general rule is the darker the skin type the more visible the scar. However there are exceptions to that rule. We have seen good to bad Tummy Tuck scars in all skin types.
Dr. Thomas will leave a normal laxity in the stomach skin when he performs his advanced Tummy Tuck technique, named the High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck. By leaving a normal laxity in the skin it prevents Tummy Tuck scars from having too much tension, which creates a more difficult environment for a Tummy Tuck scar to heal. When Tummy Tuck wounds are closed too tightly and the skin is over stretched, scars may become more visible.
Tummy Tuck Scar Revision
Scar Revision in a Tummy Tuck means the unfavorable scar is excised usually under local anesthesia and the wound is re-stitched using plastic surgical techniques. Following scar revision the reunited wounds should be treated with silicone gel preparation or silicon gel pads for several months. Scar revision is not always successful. Recurrences are not unusual.
Posted in Beverly Hills Mini Tummy Tuck, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, Home, Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck | 2 Comments »
December 15th, 2009 admin
Celebrity Plastic Surgery Secrets – Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ivan Thomas Reveals Celebrity Secrets
Pssst… SHHhhhhh
Do you want to know the beauty secrets of the Stars?
We are about to reveal celebrity secrets for a flat Tummy, beautiful curves and a flawless youthful appearance. Many people often wonder: Do celebrities get plastic surgery? The answer is yes. The secret is to get it done right so that nobody can tell that you had it done.
Do you think you can shake your way to Shakira’s perfection?
If a flatter tighter abdomen is what you want and you have tried sit-ups and work out plans and those lumps
and bumps just won’t go away a Tummy Tuck could be your answer to a sexy new tummy.
Do you think you can bounce your way to Beyonce’s beautiful body?

Beyonce's Beautiful Body
If shapely hips, legs and belly is what you want Liposcutlture can contour your body and leave you with that beauty-licious bod.
Do you think you can smooch your way to the top like Angelina Jolie but your lips just don’t have the gusto?

Angelina Jolie's beautiful lips
Full Lips can be achieved with a natural lip enhancement. Brad Pitt not included.
Do you think you can look as young as Demi Moore by dating younger guys?

Demi More Celebrity Plastic Surgery
Youthful flawless and lifted skin can be yours without surgery. Exoderm lift & peel will lift your skin, build collagen and reverse sun damage, erase deep wrinkles and old acne scars. This revolutionary procedure can be your secret. No one will know you had it done because unlike a face lift it leaves zero scars.
Dr. Ivan Thomas, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon holds the secret to getting the body and face you always imagined yourself having. Call today for a complimentary consultation. Mention this ad and receive a $500 gift card towards a Tummy Tuck. Two offices to serve you Beverly Hills 310.203.8297 or Lancaster 661.949.0404 or visit online at: www.ivanthomasmd.com
Posted in Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, Home, Injectables, Liposuction Specialist, Non Surgical Face Lift, tummy tuck | 2 Comments »
December 1st, 2009 admin
Plastic Surgery Public Service Announcement – How to Avoid Botched Plastic Surgery
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Surgeon, Ivan Thomas M.D., releases this Public Service Announcement to help Plastic Surgery Patients Avoid Botched Plastic Surgery
The Holiday Season is a time when many patients undergo Plastic Surgery procedures. The reasons are due to more time off work, kids are not in school and the household budget is coming to a close and discretionary income can be more freely spent. We want you to know of recent developments that our offices have discovered through speaking with many of our patients, their family members and of our own observations. It’s important that if you choose to have a procedure done this Holiday Season you are aware of how to choose a surgeon and what pitfalls to avoid.
“DEALERSHIP” PRICING
Time and time again you hear advertising on the radio for Tummy Tucks and Breast Augmentations for nominal fees. Fees are advertised as pricing ending in “$99” or “$95”. This type of pricing is structured to be enticing. In actuality this is the type of pricing you would find at a car dealership. When choosing medical procedures you want to look for practices that base their pricing on an individual’s needs, time in surgery, years of experience and proper qualifications.
BOTCHED PLASTIC SURGERY ON THE RISE
The rate of botched surgery is increasing each year. As cosmetic surgeries are becoming more socially acceptable, more MD’s are practicing cosmetic surgery. Inadvertently you will now find general surgeons and practitioners performing plastic surgery procedures with little or no formal training and proper certifications. You should always choose a plastic surgeon who is Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
SURGERY SHORTCUTS

Stretched Scars that will not heal from "Donut" Lift
Shortcuts may result in irreversible financial and physical losses. Be aware of shortcut procedures that are passing trends and make unrealistic promises. We have seen patients who were made unattainable promises such as: Breast Lifts with out scaring (Donut Lift, Beneli Mastopexy), non-invasive Face Lifts that take less time to perform, shorter healing time with long lasting results. Other practices will prey on overweight patients and will perform Tummy Tuck or Liposuction on a patient without having them take the proper measures for weight loss. Without the proper weight loss Liposuction and Tummy Tuck will produce less than desirable results.
“TRICK” PHOTOGRAPHY
Inconsistencies in photography on a Dr.’s website may lead many patients to believe that the work produced is accurate and esthetically pleasing. The trained eye knows what to look for.
Distance – The distance between the before and after can be farther apart tricking the eye to think the patient looks smaller. Lighting – Brighter lighting after shots can portray better results and may not show irregularities. Arms Up & Down – Patients may have their arms up for the after picture making Breast Lifts & Tummy Tucks appear better.
QUALITY, EXPERIENCE & PRICE
Dr. Thomas cares about his patients and wants you to get the best results possible for your one and only face & body. No matter the fee you can be confident that you will love your results and receive only the best of medical care from Dr. Thomas and his staff. To inquire about our newly reduced fee schedule, we urge you to contact our staff for support. If you did happen to choose another physician we hope you are 100% satisfied with your results and wish you all the best.
Beverly Hills: 310.203.8297 – Lancaster/Antelope Valley: 661.949.0404
Dr. Thomas is certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and has been performing Plastic Surgery for 28 years with a flawless history.
Posted in Awards, Breast Enhancements, Earlobe Repair, Home, Injectables, Liposuction Specialist, Mommy Makeover, Non Surgical Face Lift, tummy tuck | 6 Comments »
November 25th, 2009 admin
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck, Breast Implants & Breast Lift is what makes up a Beverly Hills Mommy Makeover
The desire to become a mom is such a strong emotional feeling. This most precious gift can create changes for a mother’s body which can be undesirable. The process of pregnancy leaves permanent effects on the breasts and abdomen. The breasts and abdomen become enlarged and then can become deflated and saggy. Dr. Thomas performs a duo-combo of Breast Enhancement and Tummy Tuck procedures on Patients coined “Mommy Makeover”. When combining these procedures Dr. Thomas can turn back the hands of time and give Patients back their pre-pregnancy bodies.
Components of a Mommy Makeover
Breasts Enhancements – Implants & Lift
Pregnancy and breast feeding often take a toll on the breasts causing a loss of substance and severe sagging. This overall deflation is mainly due to a loss of baby weight and breast tissue, and an inability of the overstretched skin to shrink. A Mommy Makeover can include two types of Breast Enhancement: Breast Lift (Mastopexy) and Breast Augmentation (Silicone or Saline).
Mastopexy (Breast Lift) - Dr. Thomas performs anchor incision Breast Lifts which removes the excessive loose skin and lifts the breasts and nipples to their original youthful position. Stitching is done underneath the skin with absorbable sutures, so there are no stitches to be removed.
Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) - When Dr. Thomas performs Breast Augmentation, whether with silicone or saline implants, his goal is to restore the youthful breast size, shape, feel and prefers the implants be placed under the chest muscle as this creates a more natural shape and feel.
Tummy
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) – As the baby grows, it stretches the abdominal skin and also thins out and weakens the abdominal muscles pushing out the inner organs, creating the typical after pregnancy tummy bulge. Abdominoplasty is the procedure which removes the excess skin and tightens the overstretched and weakened muscles restoring the pre-pregnancy figure. Dr. Thomas performs an advanced technique of a Tummy Tuck he named “High Lateral TensionTummy Tuck” which creates a tighter, shapelier, and more feminine abdomen and waistline.

Breast Implants

Breast Lift & Tummy Tuck
Posted in Breast Enhancements, High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, Home, Mommy Makeover, beverly hills breast implants, tummy tuck | No Comments »
November 25th, 2009 admin

- ABC 7 and Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck – Plastic Surgeon Ivan Thomas featured on ABC 7
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Ivan Thomas has won numerous awards one of which is the most prestigious in Los Angeles county’s city of Lancaster. This award is Best Plastic Surgeon, voted by the people several years in a row and in 2009.
Dr. Thomas has performed 1000’s of plastic surgery procedures, over the past 28 years, in his fully certified surgery center in Beverly Hills California. Dr. Thomas is known by his patients for his impeccable care and advanced surgical techniques.
Most importantly he is known to produce the best results for his advanced Tummy Tuck procedure called the “High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck.” So much so, that it grabbed the attention of ABC’s medical reporter Denise Dador and she committed to reporting a special “Healthy Living Segment” on why Dr. Thomas’ Tummy Tucks are so successful. In the 1/2 segment Denise Dador reveals plastic surgery misconceptions, of which she featured Dr. Thomas as the expert plastic surgeon in misconceptions about Tummy Tucks and Liposuction. There is the typical misconception is that Tummy Tucks and Liposuction are forms of weight loss.
Dr. Thomas has been doing Tummy Tuck and reconstructive surgery for nearly 30 years. He says the secret to figuring out if you’re a tummy-tuck candidate is to perform what Dr. Thomas calls a “push test.” A push test is a way to see if his patients are candidates for Tummy Tuck or if they need to continue to loose weight.
In this ABC 7 “Healthy Living Segment”, Annette Wise, a tummy tuck patient talks about what she went through before she was actually ready to have her Tummy Tuck procedure. For more on the story read the special report <<click here>> or watch the segment.
Posted in Awards, Home, Liposuction Specialist, tummy tuck | 1 Comment »
November 19th, 2009 admin
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck Specialist Ivan Thomas, M.D. featured on Bizymoms.com

Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck specialist, Ivan Thomas was just recently asked by Bizymoms.com a series of questions regarding Tummy Tuck. You can check out his LIVE interview (“An Interview with Dr. Ivan Thomas on Tummy Tuck“) on bizymoms.com.
Bizymoms.com is one of the largest and fastest growing sites in the US dedicated to moms. This site has been serving moms for over 12 years and offer 25,000 plus articles, 1000 plus experts and 200,000 plus pages across 60 plus topics and 880 plus cities. Out of 100s of millions of websites Alexa.com reported Bizymoms.com’s worldwide daily traffic rank to be 25,209. The site offers busy moms a news, tips resources and information.
Dr. Thomas has been asked to continue to contribute answers to questions on more plastic surgery procedures. These interviews will be featured on Bizymoms.com and or six other plastic surgery related mom websites that they will be launching.
Keep checking in with Bizymom’s in the near future because Dr. Thomas will also be discussing these topics:
* Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction
* Tummy Tuck
Posted in High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, Home, Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck | No Comments »
November 16th, 2009 admin
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck
Beverly Hills tummy tuck specialist Ivan Thomas, M.D., is a Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has been seen on a Women’s Health Special on ABC Channel 7, and a Mommy Makeover special on KCAL 9 and has been featured in newspapers and magazines across Los Angeles county.
Known for his High Lateral Tension Tummy, an advanced technique of Tummy Tuck, Dr. Thomas explains to viewers Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty as the procedure is known to surgeons.
One of the most frequently performed surgical procedures, next to breast augmentation and breast implants, a tummy tuck is a safe and effective way to rejuvenate your body in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area.
Tummy Tucks are for men and woman patients with bulging stomach muscles and loose overhanging skin. We find more and more men wanting tummy tucks turn to Dr. Ivan Thomas.
Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck and Liposuction Procedures
The high lateral tension Tummy Tuck does not only suture the muscles vertically it also addresses laxity in the muscles horizontally. Dr. Thomas also removes the extra skin in a tummy tuck. Dr. Thomas also uses liposuction to sculpture the abdominal area. The Tummy Tuck Scar is can be hidden in the bikini line where any garment or a bathing suit covers it. The liposuction scars are not visible because the instrument used to suction out the fat is very small.
When is a tummy tuck right for you:
- If you do not plan on having any more children.
- If you have undergone gastric by-pass or Lap Band surgery and you have loose and overhanging skin and bulging stomach muscles.
- If you do not have intro abdominal fat (fat inside and around the organs). Tummy Tuck is not a form of weight of loss. Tummy Tuck is effective for patients who have lost the internal weight and are looking to improve upon their outer layers like skin and muscles.
Liposuction of the inner/outer thighs, flanks, and hips in conjunction with the tummy tuck, will add pleasing contours to your body and will compliment the Tummy Tuck procedure.
Complimentary Consultations
Consultations are complimentary with Dr. Ivan Thomas. You can call to schedule a consultation or email the Doctor to discuss the procedure you always wanted.
View before and after pictures of Dr. Thomas’ Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck patients.
Posted in Breast Enhancements, Home, Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck | No Comments »
November 6th, 2009 admin

- Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck – Shakira
- Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck -Beyonce Knowles
When you think of big Hollywood stars like Brittany Spears, Beyonce Knowles, Shikira and all their the fabulously flat tummy’s in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles & Hollywood. One question comes to mind… How did they get such flat tight tummy’s with such cute Belly Buttons?
Most belly buttons are hidden underneath a layer of fat and loose skin. Especially after extreme weight gain and loss and or childbirth. On the other hand some people never had a flat tight Tummy ever since childhood. Genetics plays a huge roll in the making of a Belly Button. Dr. Thomas can defy the gene pool with one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. The Tummy Tuck.
At Dr. Ivan Thomas’ practice everyone who has received his advanced Tummy Tuck called the High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck, where stomach muscles are stitched together in an advance criss-cross vector, gets not only a flat tight tummy but they also receive that sought after celebrity Belly Button.
How does Dr. Thomas achieve this for his patients? During the Tummy Tuck operation Dr. Thomas will make an incision from hip bone to hip bone, similar to a C-section incision but a bit longer. The incision is longer because the loose skin must be traced to where it begins. The loose skin must be lifted away from the body. When the skin is lifted the old umbilicus (belly button) opening must be cut away from the umbilicus, so that the muscles can be sutured together in a flat manner. Then the loose skin must be pulled down in a conservative manner. This is why Dr. Thomas’ Tummy Tucks always look so natural and heal so nicely. Once the skin is pulled down the old fatty, loose, belly button opening is pulled down below the pubis, giving Dr. Thomas a newly smooth and tight skin surface to work with. A new belly button hole is then made in the newly pulled down skin and re-attached to the old umbilicus at it’s normal level.
The newly tightened and flattened tummy is a result of Dr. Thomas’ 28 years of experience in combination with his highly advanced Tummy Tuck technique. Patients love their new Beverly Hills Belly Buttons & Beverly Hills Tummy Tucks and can now wear the bikinis the midriffs and enjoy their results for years to come.
Go to Dr. Thomas’ Before & After Tummy Tuck Photo Gallery
To see the Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck procedure in 3D click here: http://www.ivanthomasmd.com/3d.asp
Keywords: Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck, Beyonce Knowles Tummy Tuck, Tummy Tuck Beverly Hills, Celebrity Belly Button
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