Celebrity Sighting

He was seated at the next table, thin, slightly bowed and wearing his signature goggles with the “Croakies” and a super fade. I nudged my dining companion and whispered, “do you think that’s Kareem?”, who gave a cursory glance in his direction. “No, I think he’s too short. It’s definitely not him.” And then, just like that… Read More »

Is Cosmetic Surgery Mandatory

It’s official, cosmetic surgery is no longer the exclusive province of tabloid cynicism. The June 17, 2015 edition of Time features a cover story, “Nip. Tuck. Or Else.” Author, Joel Stein throws down the gauntlet with this opening statement: “You’re going to have to do it… Read More »

Dr. Chong On the Aesthetic Insider Show

Thrilled to be an invited speaker with Aesthetic Insider, an Internet live-streaming radio show. Hosted by Angela O’Mara, a fellow Brit and founder of the Professional Image, Inc. We spoke candidly about a variety of topics ranging from Mommy Makeovers to the rise of the Male Aesthete. I introduced the principle… Read More »

The Male Aesthete

Not long ago, male grooming was restricted to shaving and haircuts. Fashion, globalization and paradigm shifts converge on the Internet to make today’s man as well plumed as any male in the animal kingdom. Gender bias holds that females… Read More »

Fry Now, Pay Later

UVA (400320nm) comprises 95% of radiation and is the primary emission in tanning booth. It was previously believed that UVA was the principal culprit for photoaging of the skin, however it has now been implicated in damaging keratinocytes and resulting in Basal (BCC) and Squamous Cell carcinomas (SCC). Consider this… Read More »

Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Frantic Friday, split between the hospital and the office. Delivery of health care services is becoming increasingly polarized between the “acute” care centers and ambulatory facilities. My practice has evolved since its inception, focusing on aesthetic procedures, which are entirely discretionary and scheduled in the office setting… Read More »

Change

It has been suggested that life is a series of milestones: birth, education, graduation, marriage, family. I count myself fortunate to be in the “moyen age”: nurturing my surgical practice, enjoying the company of children who are developing independently and all the while, evolving. One of my guiding principles is that change is inevitable… Read More »

Mother’s Day 2015

Reflecting on a memorable Mother’s Day 2015 at the NCAA women’s waterpolo tournament, spent enthusiastically cheering my daughter and her team, U.C. Berkeley, who were ranked and took the 4th place. To the uninitiated, a waterpolo match is four 7-minute quarters but this discounts the countless hours of training… Read More »