Mischa Barton - Aging, Drugs, or Weight Loss?

Ayyyy.com has posted this photo of an extremely gaunt Mischa Barton. What has happened to her? Her face has gotten extremely thin and wasted. Can this be aging, drugs, or weight loss (or a combination)?

As the face ages, it loses volume. The best surgical treatment for this is facial fat grafting. Nonsurgically, Sculptra (although not FDA approved for this purpose) is a fine treatment for volumizing a gaunt face, but takes several treatment sessions.

Mischa was such an attractive woman before. Hopefully she can gain some weight, get healthy, and maybe even try a little fat grafting if needed.

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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New Methods of Liposuction - Body Jet and Cryolipolysis?

It seems that everyone wants liposuction without the surgery. Two interesting new techniques have recently garnered attention: the Body Jet and Cryolipolysis. The Body Jet was FDA approved last summer and apparently infiltrates anesthetic fluid under a pressure system and then immediately sucks it out with associated fat. It is touted as having less pain, less downtime, and less swelling as compared to traditional liposuction. To my knowledge, it has not been studied by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and there is very little (or nothing) in the medical literature about it. It sounds like it may be a gimmick, but at this time the information out there is so sketchy it's hard to tell. The only physician that admitted to using it in this article is an Ob-Gyn who is now a cosmetic surgeon (not a real plastic surgeon). Click here for an article on the Body Jet.

Cryolipolysis involves a chilling device that is placed on the skin to rapidly cool it. It is believed that this can create death of the underlying fat cells, allowing them to be eventually cleared away through the lymphatics or blood stream. Clinical trials are currently underway. Click here for more information on cryolipolysis.

As of now, liposuction is the only proven treatment to permanently remove fat cells from the body. Although there are some alternatives being used, none have proven to be safe and effective...yet.

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Is the Dark Knight's Two-Face a Realistic Description of Third Degree Burns?

From the Kevin MD medical blog:

Patient-blogger Duncan Cross takes exception to the cavalier treatment director Christopher Nolan gives to third-degree burns in Aaron Eckhart's super-villain."There is no way that eye would have survived intact, much less be able to function without a lid and tear ducts," he writes. And his refusal of pain medications in the film? "The idea that someone could suffer Dent’s injuries, be in that kind of pain, and still be capable of coherent thought is just plain BS."

I spent a considerable amount of time during my plastic surgery residency working in a regional Burn Unit. Burn injuries are some of the most painful wounds we can suffer, and often need massive amounts of narcotics to control. I would have to agree with the statements above.

I haven't seen the Dark Knight yet, but currently have it on my Netflix queue. I was a bit of a comics geek when I was a kid, so I'm excited to see this one...

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Has Kate Winslet Had Plastic Surgery?

I don't think so. Make Me Heal has a recent post that gives the opinions of two different plastic surgeons: one who believes she's had a rhinoplasty and another (myself) who thinks she's avoided going under the knife. She has gone on the record as being against plastic surgery. According to Starpulse:

The British actress admits to being tempted by the surgeon's knife but she's holding back for the sake of her marriage.
She reveals, "I am intrigued by surgery but Sam would leave me if I did anything like that."

She also responded with shock and disgust when finding out a person went on MTV's I Want a Famous Face and underwent multiple plastic surgeries in order to look like her. According to AskMen.com she reportedly broke into tears:

She told Britain's The Times newspaper: "I could not believe this girl was putting herself through this because she wanted to look like what she thought I looked like."Jeanette had her breasts increased from a B-cup to a D-cup and had 14lb of skin and fat cut out of her stomach. But Kate said: "I don't have breasts remotely like those. Trust me. She had slabs of her stomach taken out. What is going on?"

I really don't think she's had anything done, not even a rhinoplasty. But only Kate and her surgeon know for sure...

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Who Has the Best Legs in the World?

According to a study by the International Society of Plastic Surgeons, the best legs in the world belong to Tina Turner, Cameron Diaz, and... Sharon Stone? It's a three way tie.

The best legs I've seen in person on a celebrity probably belong to either Kate Beckinsale or Brooke Burke. They are both stunning in person. Carmen Electra has a nice set of legs too...

For more, visit the In Your Face blog.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Did Alicia Witt Have a Modest Breast Augmentation?

Good Plastic Surgery (a nice site from the makers of Awful Plastic Surgery) has a post on Two and a Half Men's Alicia Witt. There are before and after photos that may show a tasteful breast augmentation. IF she's had breast implants placed, it appears she's gone from an A to a B. I often have patients who ask for relatively small implants (less than 325cc) so that it's not obvious to others that breast augmentation has been done.

I've never watched Two and a Half Men, but I hear the show is pretty funny. She looks good.

Bring on LOST tomorrow night!

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Has Paula Abdul Had More Plastic Surgery?

Like millions of people, I watch American Idol. Like millions of people, I think that Paula Abdul has a screw loose. And, like millions of people, I also think she's had some plastic surgery.

I've commented in a previous post about her possible browlift and rhinoplasty (click here for the post) and in a separate post about her possible breast implants (click here for that post). Is it possible that she's had another rhinoplasty sometime during AI's hiatus? I think it is.

The photo above appears to show a nose that is a bit longer and thinner than she had last year. Cityrag has some before and after photos here. I think she may have had a slight tweak to her nose. Lengthening a nose isn't the easiest thing to do, and often requires moving a piece of cartilage from the ear, nasal septum, or rib to the nose.

Overall she looks as pretty as ever. At least her surgeon didn't make her nose go "Straight Up!"

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Plastic Surgery for Robert Pattinson?

There are rumors that Twilight star Robert Pattinson has had plastic surgery, making him look more masculine. If you examine these photos from allieiswired.com, you can see why people believe he may have had a rhinoplasty and jaw implants. His nose appears straighter and his jawline appears more filled out. A jawline implant is very similar to a chin implant, in that they are both usually made of solid silicone rubber. Another way to fill out the jawline is to use fat grafting.

Jaw implants or not, his nose definitely looks a lot better now!

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Latisse - FDA Approved to Enhance Your Eyelashes

Ever thought about having Angelina Jolie eyelashes? Well, put away the glue and false lashes you bought at CVS and head to your local plastic surgeon's office instead. The FDA has approved Latisse, the first and only medical treatment scientifically proven to enhance eyelash prominence. Here are some facts:

1. An FDA-approved study found significant increases in eyelash length, thickness, and darkness when compared to placebo.
2. The prescription-strength product was initially used as a treatment for glaucoma, but people using it found that their eyelashes became enhanced while on the medication.
3. It's applied once a day to the upper eyelashes.
4. Results can be expected by 8 weeks, with maximal results usually present at 16 weeks.
5. When Latisse is discontinued, the changes appear to recede within a couple months.
6. Very few side effects have been reported.
7. Latisse is manufactured and sold by Allergan, the makers of Botox.
8. None of the study participants ended up looking like Tammy Fay Baker, although Greta Garbo is a possibility. (jk)

Although Latisse has been FDA approved, it won't be in physicians' offices until at least the end of the month. The cost of the product has not yet been released, to my knowledge. Latisse is estimated to bring in up to $500 million in peak sales, so this one is a biggie. Plastic surgeons have not yet been trained in how to use this product, but I've made arrangements to be one of the first to "test drive" it (although not on myself...)

Photo above is a before and after of an actual Latisse patient, courtesy of Allergan.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Did Mickey Rourke Use Steroids for his Role in The Wrestler?

Like many of you I was happy to see Mickey Rourke win the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in The Wrestler. Although I've not seen the movie, it's nice to see the underdog, down-and-out person rise up to the occasion and win. That being said, did Mickey Rourke take steroids to bulk up for his role? According to Starpulse,

The actor piled on the pounds to play heavyweight retired grappler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in the film, a role that earned him a Golden Globe award on Sunday.
Rourke worked out twice a day with an Israeli cage fighter and gorged on seven meals a day to bulk up for the part.
But in a new interview with Men's Journal he suggests he had a little extra help to speed up the process - by indulging in a drug synonymous with the world of pro wrestling.
When asked if he took steroids, the star replies, "When I'm a wrestler, I behave like a wrestler."

He is pretty huge in the photos I've seen from the movie. I don't think if I ate seven meals a day and worked out twice a day I'd look like him. I'd probably look more like an Asian Fat Albert. Maybe he got some tips on adding muscle from Sylvester Stallone!

Photo credit: prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Dr. Youn is a Contributor to Joan Rivers' Guide to Plastic Surgery

Joan Rivers has recently published a guide to plastic surgery with famed writer Valerie Frankel, called Men are Stupid...and They Like Big Boobs. I was fortunate enough to be one of only six plastic surgeons who contributed information and opinions for this book. While everyone has their own thoughts on Joan's plastic surgery (no, I've never treated her), this book is a fantastic layperson's guide to the often confusing and complicated world of cosmetic plastic surgery. The chapters are well-written, well-researched, easy to read, and often very humorous. I even learned a few things myself while reading it!

I highly recommend that anyone with even a passing interest in plastic surgery pick up this book. You can buy a discounted copy by clicking on the Amazon.com ad below. She also comments on other celebrities and their plastic surgery results. Watch for my comments on rhinoplasty and injectable fillers!

Thank you to Valerie Frankel and Joan Rivers for inviting me to be a part of this book.




Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Kanye West's Mother's Plastic Surgeon Jailed

There are reports that Dr. Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon to Kanye West's late mother, has been jailed for one year for drunk driving. You may remember that he was under intense scrutiny after his patient, Donda West, died shortly after undergoing plastic surgery. The autopsy cited heart disease as a possible direct cause of her death.

Hopefully going into the clink for a year will give him time to get his life back together and get off the booze. This is just a sad story all around.

For my previous posts on the death of Donda West, click here.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Lisa Rinna Admits to Too Much Juvederm

Lisa Rinna has gone on record admitting that she's had too much Juvederm injected into her cheeks. According to momlogic.com:

I had Juvederm put in my cheeks. That's what I overdid -- big time. I tried it because my girlfriends did it. I thought: I'll do it! I saw a photo and I was like, "Oh Jesus. That's no good. That's NOT good." What I learned is that I don't really need it. You get older and insecure and you think you need it and you don't. I learned less is more. Keep your skin good. But, I still like Botox. It's great! It doesn't change the shape of my face... I look like a freak! I always said I wouldn't change my face, but I did it. I can't not be honest about it. I'd look like a fool. It's so obvious... I used to feel like it was nobody's business. But when this happened, I realized I couldn't hide it.

Cheeks? CHEEKS? What about her lips?
While I think her lips are majorly overdone, it is nice to hear a Hollywood star be candid and not deny the obvious. She does seem like a pretty down-to-earth person.

For a previous post containing my opinion on what Lisa Rinna had put into her lips, click here.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Ann Coulter - Plastic Surgery?

Has conservative author and pundit Ann Coulter had plastic surgery to prepare her for her upcoming book tour? Take a peek at the photo on In Your Face, and see how she is looking fantastic (the photo above is from 2006). If I had to venture a guess, I would bet that she's had Botox injections to smooth the wrinkles of her crow's feet, frown lines, and forehead. She's also likely had chemical peels or laser treatments to tighten the skin and improve her complexion. Finally, her eyes look more alert and refreshed. This can be a sign of a browlift.

The old-fashioned browlifts were pretty gruesome surgeries, with the scalp cut from ear to ear and the skin of the forehead pulled back. Most surgeons (myself included) now perform mainly endoscopic browlifts which are much less invasive.

While I don't agree with some of her political views, I think most people can agree that she is looking fabulous.

To read my previous post on Ann Coulter regarding possible breast implants, click here.

Photo credit (from 2006): prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Mickey Rourke - Plastic Surgery - Facelift and Hair Transplants?

Mickey Rourke has been making news lately with his widely acclaimed acting in The Wrestler. As this movie and his performance are seen by more and more people, many of these are wondering what's happened to his appearance over the years. Specifically, what plastic surgery might he have had?


I've commented on some of his possible plastic surgery in a previous post, entitled "Mickey Rourke - Bad Plastic Surgery?" You can visit that here.


If you look at the photos above, there are a few telltale signs that he may have had plastic surgery. Here are the surgeries I think he may have had:

1. Facelift - You can almost make out the scars in front of his ears. Also, notice how his sideburns are no longer present in the 2005 photo. This can occur when poorly planned facelifts are performed in men.
2. Upper eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty) - His upper lids are more open in the 2005 photo when compared with the younger photo.
3. Hair transplant - This procedure appears to have been performed between 2005 and 2008. Notice how his sideburns have reappeared and his hairline has been moved forward. The "wispy" hair of his new hairline is not as thick as in the young photo. This is how hair transplanted in micrografts (one to two hairs at a time) often appears. This is in contrast to old-fashioned hair plugs, which make the hair look like a toy doll's patchy hair.

I've not had a chance to see The Wrestler yet, but am looking forward to catching it in the near future. One of my fondest memories as a young kid was when my buddy Jason Swartz's dad brought the two of us to an NWA wrestling event in East Lansing. It was my dream at the time to see Tommy "Wildfire" Rich wrestle the Super Destroyer. Ahhh... if only life were that simple now...

Photo credit: Young Mickey Rourke : nndb.com, Older Mickey Rourke : prphotos.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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The Facile Breast Augmentation Technique

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but I've been a bit under the weather. While hanging out at home I've heard / seen local ads for two heavily advertised plastic surgery procedures that made me go hmmmm...

1. The Facile Breast Augmentation Technique - An ad on a local radio station promotes this procedure. It's a bladeless breast enhancement technique that's promoted to have a quick recovery (which is the same recovery time my patients need). Check out the comments on a different blog here. To view a video of a breast augmentation I performed for Fox News, click here.

2. The "Most Prominent" One Hour Facelift - CBS 46 Atlanta has a five part series focusing on this. Check it out here.

I do not and have never performed either of these procedures.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: