Some tips for a happy and healthy holiday

You know, it’s that time of year where homemade cookies, candy, and pies abound. Food is everywhere…home and office…and you quickly find that grazing is the name of the game. This time of year tends to cause some major stress on people, especially when it comes to health and weight gain. So, this is what I think: Enjoy yourself. Know your limits, but don’t freak out if you have one extra scoop of those mashed potatoes or a piece of pie your co-worker brought in. It’s not as if you’re doing it everyday.

If you really want to watch your intake this holiday season, here are a couple of suggestions. You may have heard them before:

1. Don’t skip breakfast – I know, I know…it’s tempting because you want room for all that food later (especially on the actual day of celebration), but don’t skip out on breakfast. This will help get your metabolism going and will help you (if you let it) avoid overeating or overgrazing throughout the day.

2. Drink plenty of water – This is definitely the time of year where eggnog, wine, beer, and all kinds of fun holiday drinks are around, but don’t forget that water will help keep a balance. Not only will it help stave off too many calories from the parties you attend, it also aids in digestion. So, stay hydrated.

3. Stay active – This time of year is pretty hectic with all the food prep, shopping, and end of year stuff, but whatever you do, try to stay on some kind of work out regime. If you literally can’t fit working out in, do your best to laugh…A LOT. You can always get back to your normal routine when you get the chance.

4. Enjoy your time – I’d say that this is one of the most important ones. Enjoy every moment you have with your loved ones and the people in your life. Be IN the moment. This is a sure fire way for you to have an amazing holiday season.

If you have questions, be sure to let us know. If you have tips that work for you, we’d love to hear them. Put them up on the comment section. Most of all, thank you for reading and thank you for contributing for all those who have!

Here’s to a happy holiday season!

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Tyler Perry: Speaking Out on Abuse

I’m going off a plastic surgery topic today because had a great guest on our show this past week: Malinda Williams, Director for the Community Against Violence in Santa Fe. As a surgeon, I hear about stories of abuse from my patients. It’s not uncommon for me to work on men and women alike, who grew up with years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Some are trying to escape it with plastic surgery.

Tyler Perry, director and movie producer, recently came out on multiple platforms about his abuse as a child. Often, the shame people feel when they go through these types of things can almost be overbearing. For some people, its triggers such as these that can cause them to not want to take care of themselves…ie: drug or alcohol abuse, overeating, etc. We touched on overeating bit in our last post.

I once had a patient tell me that one of the reasons she overate was because of the sexual abuse she incurred as a child. She felt that if she were ugly, it would keep abusers away.

Check out our discussion with Malinda on abuse:

Children don’t have the choices that an adult has. We have a voice to speak out for them — if we hear of children that are in abusive homes, we can pool resources and support programs designed to deal with these issues.

If you are in an abusive situation, there are hotlines you can call and people out there who care.

I’ll leave this open for discussion, if you’d like to share. Tyler Perry spoke up to help be an encouragement for others who have endured or are going through what he went through. I would encourage you to get involved in your community abuse program to help those who may not feel there is anywhere to go.

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Understanding Liposuction

I think everyone has heard of the term, Liposuction, but I’m not sure that everyone really understands what it entails, the different types of liposuction, and the results that can ensue. I feel like this is always a great topic to cover and feel it flows well with our ongoing conversation about getting to the root of making changes.

Okay, so you’re at the point where you’re exhausted. You’ve been making small changes, getting a little healthier every day, and perhaps even working out a bit, but even through all the hard work you’ve been putting in, you’re ready to just have that excess fat sucked right out. (This is what patients have said to me, literally.)

So, my wife and I were going through New Beauty Magazine and they just happened to also be talking about liposuction in their issue. Here are some of the different lipo procedures they mentioned along with my take on them.

1. Power-Assisted Liposuction – Okay, this is still basically traditional lipo. What it means, though, is rather than the doctor using his/her own physical endurance to handle the canula, the doctor guides it along, and a machine does the movement instead of the doctor.  This type of liposuction is great when the doctor is working on the entire body.  I did a case last week where I removed fat from a woman’s abdomen, hips, inner thighs, arms, and flanks.  That’s a lot of work!

2. Water Jet Liposuction – This type of procedure is still in the experimental stages. It uses high frequency, tiny water jets to break up fat cells.  Not ready for Prime Time.

3. Laser Assisted Liposuction (also called Smart Lipo, Cool Lipo, Laser Lipo, and several other somewhat gimmicky names) – This is currently best for smaller parts of the body and the face. The laser energy breaks up the fat cells, which are sucked out, and the energy also causes the skin to tighten.   I think this is the most exciting concept in liposuction, but we cannot tell you exactly what the long-term effects are because it’s so new.  I’m not sure that laser energy is the best form of energy – there is now radiofrequency energy and that may be safer.

4. Ultrasound Assisted Lipouction, aka Vaser – This type of lipo treatment is not as new. It has been around for a while. Although it can cause burns if not done properly, it is very effective, and we know how to use it. I’ve found it actually works very well on men, and I explain why in the video.

As usual, I like to send my patients to a nutritional counselor and/or an exercise counselor to make they’re on the right track for making long-term changes. Since liposuction can be such an intensive surgery, I typically have patients enrolled in the Whole Being Plan, integrating alternative forms of therapy. Patients who participate in the Whole Being Plan typically see a faster recovery, have less bruising and soreness, have reduced pre/post surgery anxiety, and have a better understanding of their physical and spiritual selves.

Okay, let’s look a little deeper into these as well as talk about the traditional procedure.

If you would like to learn more about our alternative therapies and Whole Being Plan, click here to read my white paper on alternative practices.

Questions or comments?

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Vaginal Rejuvenation

If you’re a mother, I’m sure you can understand the massive effects childbirth can have on your body. I sometimes receive calls from women who, after childbirth, have issues with not feeling as much friction during vaginal intercourse. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and many women are in the same boat. If you were unaware of this before, there is a procedure that can help reconstruct your vaginal canal area to make it smaller. It’s called vaginoplasty or vaginal rejuvenation.

Let me also say, I do not do this procedure but I do highly recommend and send patients over to Dr. Maria Rodriguez. She is the only board certified Ob/GYN in New Mexico to offer this type of surgery. With over 25 years of experience in vaginal surgery, Dr. Rodriguez has naturally added vaginal and labia surgery to her practice for both aesthetic and physical purposes. She uses a technique that is gentler and leaves less scarring than Dr. Matlock’s Laser technique (see Dr. 90210).

Some of her most common procedures are:

• Vaginoplasty – Tightening of the vaginal canal.
• Labioplasty – Process of making the labia or lips of the vagina, trimmer or made smaller.
• Clitoral hood reduction – Some woman have excess tissue around the clitoral hood which can have an effect of the sensitivity of the area. This procedure removes some of the extra tissue.
• G-spot amplification – Utilizes common fillers to enlarge the G spot area.

My wife and I had Dr. Rodriguez on our radio show a couple of months back. Listen to what she has to say about some of the procedures she does.

Dr. Rodriguez can be reached at 505-989-3870.

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Office Procedure Safety

There are lots aesthetic procedures available to augment, enhance, or restore the body in whatever way is desired by the patient. Some procedures are perfectly safe to do in-office. Others are best suited for an operating room.  My wife and I recently covered this topic on our radio show, The Humanity Behind the Vanity on Talk 1260am, KTRC Santa Fe.

Safety is always my number one priority, so if there is a procedure that may be questionably suited for in-office, I’ll go with the safest route and schedule it for the OR.  If a patient can relax and tolerate a local anesthetic, doing work in the office can save time, as well as thousands of dollars in some cases.

Some things I’m able to do in the office are upper and lower eyelid tucks, browlifts, lip procedures, some facial procedures (not a face lift, I prefer to do those in the operating room), hip fat excisions if they are not too massive, and any type of earlobe correction.

Here is a short video discussing what is safe, and what is not:

Every patient is different and not everyone is able to go the in-office route. Some of the reasons could be psychological and some could be physical. All of these things are taken into careful consideration. However, if I can do it, I will, and my patients have been pleased with the money and time they’ve saved.

Have you ever experienced an in-office procedure? What was it like for you? Did you feel safe and comfortable in your environment?

If you have any questions or would like to talk more about the safety of in-office procedures, please don’t hesitate to contact me today.

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Speaking out about plastic surgery

For some, having a plastic surgery procedure can be a touchy subject. This can be especially true for some celebrities. Some would prefer keeping quiet about the procedures they’ve had done. Others don’t mind speaking out on the matter and being open with the public.

Long time celebrity, Jane Fonda recently opened up to the public about some work she had done. Fonda has been well-known, worldwide as a fitness instructor, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the list goes on.

Now in her 70’s, Fonda still looks amazing. In her recent blog, Fonda said she was “tired of not looking how I feel.” Many women can attest to this feeling.

Aging is not something many of us look forward to, especially when there is a youth inside that drives who WE are on a daily basis. With Fonda’s approach to both subjects, aging AND plastic surgery, she may once again be paving a way for women to be who they are and honest about it.

Whether you would prefer to keep surgery to yourself, or if you are one who doesn’t mind telling the world, we understand that confidentiality is of utmost importance…just as important as safety and seeing the results you want.

We believe Fonda is an icon and looks just as amazing as always. If you’re interested in having some work done in order to feel that how you look on the outside coincides with how you feel inside, call me today for a consultation. This would be an excellent time to do so, since March is Vanity for Charity month. We are offering 20% off Botox, Artefill, Juvederm, and Radiesse. This special has been extended through the first week of April.

We’ll work with you to help restore your inner youthfulness on the outside!

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Vanity for Charity

The technological advances that plastic surgery has made over the last 20 years have been phenomenal. We’ve seen improved results, safer surgeries and easier recoveries. Not only do we take a physical and psychological approach to plastic surgery with our Whole Being Plan, we also take a philanthropic approach as well.

The month of March is one of our VANITY FOR CHARITY months! All through the month of March, and extended through the first week of April, Botox, Artefill, Juvederm, and Radiesse with me performing the procedure is 20% off! That’s right. To top it off, that 20% we’re giving you off, will be going to a non-profit school in Santa Fe.

Here are some other ways we’ve given back.

I’m here to help you take your physical and psychological well being to a whole new level, which is why we offer integrated programs in regard to your health. Caryn Dies, M.Ed is the founder of White Cloud Institute. She and her team are conducting a long-term study on the effects of specific breast massage techniques. Caryn is part of our team to help our patients with Energy Healing Therapy.

There are a number of D.O.M.’s (Doctor of Oriental Medicine) that we refer to. Kartar Khalsa, Deborah Sherry, Emily Franklin, and Eden Kark each have their own practices–These non-traditional forms of medicine have shown to be safe, effective, gentle, non-toxic, non-invasive, non-intrusive, non-allergenic, and non-addictive.

We’ll cover more in the posts to come. We’re always here if you have any questions, and we’re always here if you have any concerns. Take advantage of March’s Vanity for Charity to not only look your best, but to also feel good about contributing to the lives of others.

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Botox for more than aesthetic purposes

Being a surgeon who focuses on helping patients look and feel their best, I’ve often heard the term, “It hurts to be beautiful.” Of course, it’s a bit of a running joke with some patients who have undergone plastic surgery procedures. However, plastic surgery isn’t the only reference this quote pertains to.

How many of you ladies (or men…we don’t discriminate), have had an entire night out….in high heels? They look great, but I can only imagine what you have to go through to endure an entire night of dancing, standing, and hanging out in them for hours on end. There’s definitely something to be said for that pain as more and more women are turning to Botox feet injections.

Aesthetic Medicine News reported the following:

Doctors are using Botox injections to cure high-heel wearers of a condition known as “stilettotarsal,” or pain in the soft tissue of the ball of the foot.

Caused by years of tottering around on high heels, many women are forced to forgo wearing their favorite Manolo Blahniks and opt for flats instead.

The Botox is injected into the metatarsal region and plumps up the ball of the foot, protecting the nerves and soft tissue.

News Channel 4 also ran a story about this back in January.  This story covered the use of Botox in patients who had foot spasms due to constant muscle contractions. Botox effectively relieves these spasms by allowing the foot muscles to relax. The effects typically last up to three months.

I’ve always been fascinated by the different forms medicine can take as well as symptoms they can treat. No, Botox isn’t just for lines, furrows, and crows feet in the face. I’ve been effectively using Botox for over a decade for not only physical appearance, but for sweating and migraines as well.

Here is a bit about the many uses we have for Botox:

If you have any questions concerning any use of Botox, I’d be happy to answer them. And if you’ve ever wanted to know what facial Botox injections look like for you, click here to upload your photo and see what a treatment can look like for you!

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Plastic Surgery Blog:New Mexico a plastic surgery destination?

After a pretty brutal period economically, many people who want plastic surgery are considering going overseas for their procedures, lured by the advantage of lower process.  I would ask– what are you getting for the money?   There are a few things to think about before going outside of the U.S. for plastic surgery.   You might be taking a risk — although there are many skilled and qualified physicians practicing all over world, it is almost impossible to assess their training and credentials.  And it is hard to assess the qualifications of the facility where the procedure would be done, not to mention the anesthesiologists who work there. Don’t you want to know who is going to operate on you?  You are going to trust your body, your beauty, and your health to the surgeon and their team.  Some vacation destinations do not even have formal accreditation boards to certify physicians or medical facilities.  Also, the devices and products used in cosmetic surgery abroad may not meet U.S. standards as they may not have been approved by the FDA.

Cosmetic surgery is real surgery, and every surgery has some risks, even at the highest level of care right here in the U.S. Infections are the most common complication seen in patients who go abroad for cosmetic surgery (and the bacteria can be particularly nasty). Another common complication I have seen in those who have gone abroad are unsightly scars, especially after tummy tucks.  Also, travel too soon after surgery significantly increases the risk of complications such as blood clots, which can be fatal.  I tell my patients to wait about 7 – 14 days before flying, depending on the procedure.

Here’s another point: if you were to have cosmetic surgery abroad, once you return to the United States, who would you go to for your follow-up care and monitoring?  This is a very important part of any surgery.  It is difficult to find a qualified plastic surgeon to treat a problem or revise a procedure that was done abroad.  I have had to revise several surgeries done abroad: the initial technique used by the foreign doctor was substandard, and the revision surgery was more complicated than the initial operation!  If you were to have complications, your bargain surgery will end up being very costly.

Finally, do you really want to make all those hotel and travel arrangements?  Travelling is very stressful, and plastic surgery should be a happy, rejuvenating, and stress-free experience – the last thing you want to worry about is your luggage or your connecting flight.

With the cost of cosmetic procedures in Santa Fe and Albuquerque running at half to two-thirds of the cost for the same procedure in larger markets, I have seen an increase in cosmetic surgery tourism to New Mexico, an area known for natural and holistic medicine.   The services in my office include integrative programs with both psychotherapy and nutritional counseling. Out of town patients may want to come into town early to take advantage of these and other programs designed to add to the success of your plastic surgery.

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Plastic Surgery blog:Vacations and plastic surgery . . . they can go together

Winter has hit and January and February are the months when people get the desire to “go someplace warm”.    A good amount of effort goes into planning for a vacation someplace warm – reservations, tickets, time off from work, but sometimes when we look in the mirror we can see bulges that we swear were not there in August. What’s a woman to do?

 Dr Ronel , a board certified plastic surgeon who believes in treating the whole patient, understands that a procedure sometimes has to be fit into a patient’s travel plans.  If the patient can plan to undergo surgery approximately eight weeks before their departure, Dr Ronel has several different recommendations that will work effectively within that time frame. For the body, he can perform liposuction on the specific areas of concern.  He uses an artistic hand to literally sculpt a more toned and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The best candidates are those who are at or near their ideal body weight. This procedure can be combined with a breast augmentation and or a breast lift if the patient is unhappy with her proportions in her swim suit.  Remember not to tan the incisions to avoid permanent color changes.  For those interested in facial rejuvenation, Dr Ronel may recommend facial fillers and or Botox.   These should be performed about two weeks prior to departure.  Be ready and confident when you go on your trip!

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