Matthew J Nykiel MD

Matthew J Nykiel MD Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Office based in Newport Beach & Upland, CA. Restoring confidence, one patient at a time 🌟
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08/21/2026

How are breast implant sizes actually determined? Here's a quick breakdown for anyone researching before a consultation:

Base width (the diameter that fits your chest) is the top priority- implants need to properly fit your frame. Profile refers to how projected or prominent the implant looks: higher profiles tend to look more artificial, while moderate profiles create a more natural appearance. Interestingly, the same base width can vary quite a bit in volume depending on profile- for example, a 13cm width can range from 375cc (moderate) to 485cc (high) to 545cc (extra high). Once a size range is narrowed down, a sizing session lets you try on implants to see what truly matches your body.

If you're considering augmentation, understanding these basics can make your consultation so much more productive. Drop any questions below! 👇

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/20/2026

If you're thinking about scheduling plastic surgery for November or December, you're not alone, these are the most popular months, largely because patients can use their existing holiday time off work to minimize the number of extra recovery days they need to take.

But before you book, here's what matters most in choosing the right surgeon, in order of importance:

Most important: Meet the surgeon in person. Because complications and risks can happen, it's essential that your personality meshes with your surgeon's. That relationship builds the foundation of trust you'll need to navigate any potential adversity together.

Second most important: Review the surgeon's before and after photos. Plastic surgery is artistic, and results vary from surgeon to surgeon. You need to see that their aesthetic style actually matches your personal preferences.

Third most important: Confirm board certification. A board-certified plastic surgeon has undergone proper training and has been vetted by peers to ensure safe decision-making. This matters because in places like California, untrained medical professionals, even pediatricians or pathologists, can legally call themselves ""cosmetic surgeons.""

Planning ahead and doing your homework now can make all the difference. Have questions about scheduling your procedure or choosing a surgeon? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/19/2026

If you're preparing for surgery (or recovering from one), what you eat plays a bigger role in your healing than most people realize.

Wound healing relies heavily on collagen and protein, which means getting enough protein in your diet is essential. Aim for at least 60 grams of protein per day.

Vitamin C is also highly important for scarring specifically. It converts type 3 collagen, the type your body initially uses for repair, into type 1 collagen, the stronger, more mature collagen your body needs for long-term healing.

Zinc plays a crucial role too, helping break down different proteins so your body can put them to use during recovery. A multivitamin is an easy way to make sure you're getting enough zinc.

The recommendation: take both a protein source and a multivitamin consistently during the first six weeks after surgery, when your body needs the most nutritional support for healing.

Have questions about preparing your recovery plan? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/17/2026

Have you heard the term ""ballerina breast"" before? It refers to a natural-fitting implant that doesn't overly augment the body, more proportional and understated than a lot of people expect when they think of breast augmentation.

Here's how this specific look is achieved:

Implant profile: A moderate profile implant is generally used rather than high or extra-high profile, which helps keep the shape soft and natural.

Base diameter: Implants are chosen to fit within the actual width of the breast, measured from the medial to the lateral edge. This measurement is called the base diameter, and it's the foundation for choosing the right implant size.

Sizing and volume: To achieve a softer, more natural ballerina breast, implant volume is matched directly to the base diameter. For a 10 cm base diameter, smaller implants ranging from 175cc to 210cc are typically used. The most common base diameter is about 12cm, which usually pairs with a 310cc implant for this look.

Worth noting: these volumes tend to be smaller than what's commonly requested in regions like Southern California, this is a deliberately natural, proportional aesthetic rather than a maximalist one.

Curious what this might look like for your own body? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/17/2026

If you're using or considering peptides, there's important information you should know about how they're regulated, or in most cases, not regulated at all.

Many peptides on the market today do not have FDA approval, and several are actually listed on an FDA ""no-go"" list, functioning essentially like a no-fly list for these substances. Because they lack external regulation, technically all of these peptides are originating from black markets.

There is an important development on the horizon: an FDA meeting is scheduled for the end of summer to review and discuss what the official status of these peptides should be.

One major concern is sourcing. A large portion of these black market peptides come from factories in China, often chosen by consumers searching for the lowest prices. These facilities may not be up to date, approved, or producing quality products.

To illustrate the real dangers of unregulated imports, consider the historical incidents involving dog food from China. In those cases, manufacturers substituted standard ingredients with a synthetic chemical called melamine to falsely inflate protein and amino acid levels. The result was a poisonous product that killed many pets.

Similar substitution and quality issues can happen with unregulated peptides, which is why consumers need to be exceedingly careful about where they source these products. Have questions about peptide safety? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/15/2026

A lot of people think a tummy tuck is just about removing skin, but it's actually addressing three separate things at once.

First, it removes the loose, hanging excess skin, known medically as a pannus. Second, it repairs diastasis by tightening the abdominal muscles underneath, which is what actually creates that firmer, flatter appearance (skin removal alone won't do this). Third, it reshapes an old or sagging belly button so it looks more youthful and proportional to the new abdominal contour.

It's a much more comprehensive procedure than most people realize. Have questions about whether a tummy tuck addresses your specific concerns? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/14/2026

If you're trying to figure out whether chin liposuction or a chin/neck lift is the right option for you, here's a simple way to tell the difference.

Chin liposuction is ideal if you have a fat pad under the chin. You can actually test for this yourself: grab the area and swallow. If the tissue doesn't move when you swallow, that indicates a good fat pad, which can typically be removed with liposuction.

A chin or neck lift, on the other hand, is needed instead of liposuction if either of these apply to you:

Loose skin, a bunch of hanging skin often described as a ""turkey neck,"" cannot be corrected with liposuction alone.

Loose muscles, visible lines or bands running from the chin down to the neck, known as platysmal banding, also cannot be fixed with liposuction and requires a lift instead.

Understanding which category you fall into can help you have a more informed conversation at your consultation. Curious which option might be right for you? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/13/2026

We love sharing real patient experiences, and Natalie's story is a perfect example of what we hope every patient feels.

From the moment she booked her initial consultation all the way through the end of her process, Natalie said everyone at our office was welcoming and nice. That kind of consistency matters, and it's something we work hard to provide.

She shared that our team made her feel secure in her decision every step of the way, describing her overall experience as amazing from beginning to end.

Even her healing process was made easy, thanks to a team that answered all of her questions and made sure she had everything she needed to recover comfortably.

In her own words, Natalie called the whole journey an overall amazing experience. Stories like hers are exactly why we do what we do.

Have questions about starting your own journey with us? Comment below or send us a message, we're happy to help.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

08/12/2026

Here's something worth knowing if you've been frustrated by stubborn fat on your arms: even if you work out as hard as you possibly can, genetics can cause certain fat deposits to stick around no matter what you do.

Liposuction is an effective option for removing these deposits and helping to tone and shape the arms. The procedure involves making small incisions at the elbow and within each armpit fold to clean out the fat.

It can also be paired with skin tightening devices, allowing fat removal and skin tightening to happen simultaneously, helping the skin ""snap up"" after the fat is removed.

If you're interested in exploring liposuction for your arms, always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon first to see if it's the right option for you. Have questions? Comment below or send us a message.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us to get started! Book your appointment here: https://socalplasticsurgeons.com/contact/

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490 N Mountain Avenue
Upland, CA
91786

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
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