Dr. Rhys Branman's Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Confused About Various Cosmetic Skin Treatments?

November 8, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Do you wonder what the difference is between a Micro Laser Peel and micro-dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and a chemical peels? Many Arkansas cosmetic skin resurfacing treatment patients are confused! Let me explain the options I offer for cosmetic skin resurfacing treatments at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. Please feel free to click on the highlighted links to see just who would be a candidate for each procedure. I use the latest technology for all of these procedures. Micro-dermabrasion (the word is a combination of derm = skin and abrasion =  abrading, or sanding ) is advanced exfoliation procedure. Micro-dermabrasion...

Manboobs?

November 6, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Remember the "bro" otherwise known as the "manssiere?" Now, before you laugh yourself silly, remembering  the episode of the Seinfeld show in which Kramer and George's father invent  this product for manboobs, know that this overdevelopment of the male breast is a real condition. It is called gynecomastia and about half of the male population has enlarged breasts to some degree, at some point in their lives. Several types of gynecomastia exist and may have to be treated differently. Pure glandular gynecomastia can occur in men with lean bodies. In this case the excess tissue is composed almost completely of...

The Right Way to Approach Cosmetic Surgery

November 5, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Vivian Diller, Ph.D., a psychologist in New York City, uses the acronym S.A.F.E. to remember to ask the right questions before you have cosmetic work done on your face or your body. The letters of the acronym stand for Safe, Affordable, For Whom, and Expectations. A recent article in the Huffington Post touts her 2010 book 'Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change.' Ms. Diller was a professional dancer and model before she became a psychologist. There is no doubt experience in these professions has given her an educated view of cosmetic surgery, why women want procedures,...

Celebrity Gossip?

November 2, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

When it comes to celebrities and the tabloids, all we hear about is cosmetic surgery gone wrong. But what about all those subtle, successful cosmetic surgeries the stars have had? The camera picks up every flaw and shadow. Movies stars are paid to be splashed across the big screen for our inspection. And celebrities don't have a lot of privacy out on the streets either. I was in Hollywood, a while back, in the Beverly Hills Mall actually, and found myself standing at a checkout line next to Ed Marinaro who looked excessively self conscious. Later in Starbucks, across the...

A History of Cosmetic Surgery & Video Tour of its Tribal Roots

November 1, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

"Anthropologists have a deep interest in body modification. Our current cultural craze and interest is a subsection of the larger cultural and historical significance of body modification" stated Neil Whitehead, an anthropologist who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Reading this got me interested in the history of body modification. Body modification is part of the history of cosmetic surgery. The Greek word plastickos means "to mold." Cosmetic plastic surgery in tribal society people included putting discs in their lips (Video Here), earlobes (Video Here), filing their teeth (Video Here), scar (Video Here), and even stretching their necks (Video Here). Some...

Bro-tox?

October 31, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

More and more men are getting cosmetic surgery! From injectable fillers, to BOTOX® and liposuction, Arkansas men are part of a trend. The fact that the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery had doubled in the past 15 years was touted on ABC news. The latest report of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery stated that 800,000 men accepted cosmetic procedures in 2011. The word "accepted" was used in a study that attempted to explain the differences between men and women when approaching cosmetic surgery. The study concluded that men were more likely to "accept" cosmetic surgery for practical...

Discouraged After Weight Loss?

October 29, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Often after significant weight loss patients although thrilled with their achievement, are not so thrilled with the excess skin on their lower bodies. Losing large amounts of fat from bariatric or gastric bypass surgery can leave you with sagging skin that camouflages the very contours of the body you wanted to show off!  To truly appreciate your new body and realize the benefits of weight loss, you may need to undergo a lower body procedure such as a thigh lift or body lift. Sometimes excess hanging skin can cause health problems as well, if the skin beneath the folds become...

Controversy From the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

October 26, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Of late there has been a plethora of news flashes about vaginal cosmetic surgery. The techniques being referred to are labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, hoodectomy and a few more. One of the strongest statements came from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). For your protection and education, I have created a link to the ACOG's warning. Some of this surgery claims to improve sexual sensation, yet there have been no definitive studies published in peer reviewed journals. In other words, there is no scientific evidence that vaginal tightening, hoodectomy, G-spot enhancement do indeed improve sensation. It is critical to understand...

Healing and Emotional Aspects of Surgical Recovery

October 25, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Many people do not think about the emotional aftermath of surgery. Studies have shown that self-esteem improves when patients attain the look they sought with a cosmetic procedure. We know you will look better, and often we think we are prepared for the recovery time involved. Despite all this rational thinking and careful consultation, often people expect to feel better right away. Unfortunately sometimes a patient can get a case of the "Post Surgical Blues."  General anesthesia can affect an individual both physically and emotionally for up to three weeks. The residual effects can even make someone feel lethargic or...

Brow Lifts to Remove Deep Furrows

October 24, 2012 - Rhys Branman, MD

Many people over 40 begin to notice furrows appearing on the forehead, their brows appearing low and heavy, perhaps "crow's feet" and "worry lines." These are indications that you might be a candidate for a brow lift or forehead lift. However, if you have a significant degree of skin hanging over the upper eyelids, I may recommend an upper eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty or both. Whether you would be better served by a brow lift or eyelid surgery will be dependent on your specific needs. You have a choice of Brow Lifts at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. As I have...

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