The post Home of the free because of the brave. appeared first on Ralph Bashioum MD ..read more

Sun Exposure on New Scars. With summer around the corner, it’s wise to review the best way to assure a well-healed scar and minimize redness.  All surgery leaves a scar, including cosmetic surgery. However, cosmetic surgery scars are designed to be less visible. Most of us have either had or observed minor injuries or a scrape at one time or another.  If you recall how the scar on a skinned knee or elbow changes over time, you might remember that the process requires several months to mature or fade. It is important to keep new scars protected from the sun. Permanent pigmentation is ..read more

Fondly remembering summer and it’s almost time to plant again! I had special guests visit my garden, Sushi Chef extraordinaire Billy Tserenbat from Billy Sushi and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine food blogger Stephanie March. Of course it was an occasion that called for a glass of wine while we toured the unusual fruits and vegetables that I’m growing. I find great pleasure in sharing my harvest with family, friends and neighbors and it’s a kick to have things that aren’t available locally. Everything in the garden is edible and provides some interesting flavors for cooking. Besides the hand-gr ..read more

Generally, the mommy makeover is requested after unwanted changes in the body are due to pregnancy, commonly the breasts and tummy. However, the granny makeover request, actually a misnomer, is simply due to unwanted changes caused by aging. Patients may vary widely, both in age and problem areas seeking attention. So, let’s discuss problem areas most mentioned for this type of rejuvenation makeover. Of course, the face is frequently the first area for concern, including a facelift, to correct sagging jowls, or upper eyelids to correct sagging lids. Body concerns include saggy belly, legs and ..read more

The artistic aspects of cosmetic surgery cannot be stressed enough. Sculpture is the cornerstone of all cosmetic surgery whether I am adding, removing or rearranging tissues. The quality of result is not dependent on what is removed but rather knowing what is left behind, as in sculpture. I find that by observing the classic principals and proportions of artistic expression, it is essential for achieving a pleasing and natural look. The post Cosmetic Surgery as Sculpture appeared first on Ralph Bashioum MD ..read more

Updating Facelifts: Are you thinking about having a secondary Facelift? How do I know I’m ready? This is a common question of my patients after 8-10 years when skin laxity or sagging of the skin occurs, simply due to additional aging. Patients become quite accustomed to their refreshed look and begin considering a little nipntuck refresher. Happily, secondary facelifts are usually less painful and patients report a shorter recovery. This may be due to updated techniques and less sculpting needing to be done the second time around. Although some supportive wrapping helps to assure proper heali ..read more

Who remembers the good ol’ days with Tom and the KQRS Morning Show crew in Las Vegas? Silly antics abound from listeners was the signature of the Morning Show audience! Doubt it would fly these days… Tom’s new podcast is a tad more subdued! The post Throwback Thursday: KQ in Vegas appeared first on Ralph Bashioum MD ..read more

As a reminder, the Minnesota DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. It is especially important now after our unseasonably warm temps! Be careful of thinning ice! The post Lake Minnetonka Ice Melting: Beware appeared first on Ralph Bashioum MD ..read more

We caught national attention and caused a mild media controversy by airing this pair of digitally animated commercials on local television. The artsy campaign was locally produced along with the unusual original music scores. Watch both commercials here. Posted on one of our previous posts. The post Our Funny CLIO Award TV Commercials appeared first on Ralph Bashioum MD ..read more

When is the ideal time to consider a Mommy Makeover? I often see women in my office wondering about this question. So here are some factors to consider when thinking about having a Mommy Makeover. Firstly, the 2 surgeries that are involved include breast surgery restoration and tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. It is crucial to be done breastfeeding, returning the breast tissue and milk ducks to their pre-pregnancy state and this time frame varies. A tummy tuck is particularly helpful to minimize excess skin that has stretched and is a result of accommodating a growing baby when diet and exercise ..read more