July marks National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month, a nationwide initiative championed by the CDC and the American Cleft Palate‑Craniofacial Association (ACPA). While many see only the external appearance of these conditions, families know the deeper reality: feeding challenges, speech delays, breathing concerns, and profound emotional hurdles. Richmond craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos explains her role and how early, skilled care can dramatically change the trajectory of a child’s life to restore function, foster confidence, and safeguard overall development.

Frequent fluctuations in body weight—commonly called “yo-yo dieting”—can do more than stall your progress toward long-term health goals. Did you know it can also age your skin? Repeated cycles of gaining and losing weight may also impact your skin’s elasticity, leaving it looser, less resilient, and more prone to wrinkles or sagging. Board‑certified Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos explains how these changes occur and what you can do to restore your skin’s firmness and tone.

Women with disproportionately large breasts know all too well the physical and emotional strain that can come with a bigger bust. Breast reduction surgery can relieve chronic discomfort and help women feel more confident in their bodies. Richmond board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos specializes in breast procedures and shares the top reasons women consider breast reduction—and how life-changing this procedure can be.

If you’re looking to feel confident and look radiant when the warm weather arrives (and stays!), it’s time to start planning your non-surgical treatments. Here are five procedures you can start booking now to make Summer 2025 one to remember.

When you make an appointment for dermal filler treatment, you can expect to have several options, like the popular hyaluronic acid-based fillers from the brands Juvéderm and the RHA Collection. While each filler formula is slightly different, the brand name on the syringe matters less than working with an injector who can help choose the filler whose duration and formulation are best suited to your specific goals and needs.

My patients often ask me for recommendations on how to achieve the quickest recovery and best outcome after surgery. In this post, I share exactly what to eat—and what to avoid—leading up to and following your cosmetic procedure so you enjoy outstanding results as quickly as possible.