A patient journey post 2 – One month away from my breast augmentation

Hi, I’m back. If you didn’t get a chance to read my opening guest post, be sure to check it out. In a nutshell, I’m posting my entire experience leading up to the breast augmentation I’ve been wanting for years. Dr Ronel will be performing this on February 4th. This is my second post.

So, I’m one-month way from flying into Albuquerque and having Dr. Ronel work on me…actually 29 days to be exact. So I’ve been preparing. Okay, wait, I’m lying…I’ve been preparing to prepare, if that makes sense.

I’m already in the place where I meditate on a daily basis and practice visualization and things of that nature. I also work out regularly. The place where I’m really going to focus on in the coming weeks leading up to my surgery is alcohol consumption. That’s always been my downfall. I’m not an alcoholic by any means, but I’m in a rock band and we’re in a bar-like environment most of the time. It’s easy to have a couple beers or a cocktail a couple nights a week. (I’m also the tamest of the band, which is interesting.)

So, for me, with alcohol, comes cigarettes. Oh, the vicious circle. I’ve decided to take this month and next month off from drinking. I’ll keep you posted on how that’s going. Instead, I’m getting really focused on healing visualization (yes, I know, the surgery isn’t even done, but I’m serious about all this. I want this to be the best surgery experience of my life.) I want people to understand that state of mind has everything to do with your physical everything. This is why I’m guest posting.

Okay, so, I’m working out, journaling, meditating, drinking plenty of water and eating right. I’m getting excited. Not nervous. That’s where I’m at today.

For any of you out there, did you do any kind of prepping for your procedure? I’m curious to know what worked and didn’t work for you.

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Holistic Healing – The mind/body connection

How many of you believe that there’s a connection between what your mind believes and what you manifest in your life? Do you believe there is a mind/body connection?

I’ve felt this way since before I started practicing medicine. As I’ve explained before, the reason why I integrate the Whole Being Plan into my practice is because I have experienced and seen firsthand the power of thoughts and guided imagery affecting the healing process…some for the best and some for the worse.

My wife and I just covered this in our last episode of The Humanity Behind the Vanity. In the current issue of Yoga Journal, there’s an article talking about the very things we practice. Mentioned were focused breathing, guided imagery, visualization, affirmations and mantras, aromatherapy, and reflexology. All of these ideologies have been around and used for centuries in other parts of the world for healing purposes and general well being.

One of the biggest issues I’ve seen with patients that come in to see me is that some have no idea how to harness the personal healing power they have within themselves. This is why we have specialists in these areas to help assist in the process.

Watch as we talk about it more detail:

Ultimately, I want my patients to have the best experience possible, and going into surgery in the right frame of mind can make all the difference in the world. Please visit my website if you’d like to learn more or you can give us a call at 505-988-8886.

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Facial Trends – Buccal Fat Pad Extraction

Last week, on The Humanity Behind the Vanity, my wife, Betsy wanted to talk about a procedure I find myself doing more and more of: Buccal fat pad removal. Now, there are a lot of people who’ve never heard of this procedure, so I’ll give an introduction and let you hear our chat.

Buccal fat is the fat just under the cheekbone. If you’ve ever seen anyone with “chipmunk” looking cheeks or very round cheeks, that’s the buccal fat. So, many models back in the early 90’s would have a bit of the buccal fat removed for more enhanced and pronounced cheekbones.

Again, there aren’t many side effects besides a bit of swelling, which DOES go down after a few days. And there are alternatives to enhance the cheekbones as well, as Betsy describes. It’s all a matter of personal preference. If you’d like to know more or have any questions, send me an email or call my office at 505-988-8886…or let’s talk about it right here.

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Body Contouring – After Massive Weight Loss

Two weeks ago, on our radio show, The Humanity Behind the Vanity, we devoted the entire show to answering listener questions. In the first segment, we talked about cryolipolysis, or fat freezing. In this segment, we’re talking about body contouring after gastric procedures for weight loss, along with insurance questions.

One of the biggest issues people deal with after weight-loss surgery is excess skin. People who decide to go in and get serious about weight loss often don’t think about the after-effects. And in the past, it wasn’t something talked about during consultation with the weight-loss surgeon (nowadays they are better at preparing the patients for what to expect). In many cases, there have been some people who come out of the weight loss phase and are suffering just as much mentally because they weren’t prepared for the excess skin.

So, now that the weight has been lost after the gastric bypass, or lap band, or other procedure, what can be done with the excess skin? I typically don’t even think about body contouring on anyone until their weight has been stabilized for about three months, and this usually takes two years or so after the surgery. The only way to get rid of excess skin is to excise it…cut it off. The same goes for stretch marks. So, during this procedure, both are typically taken care of during the same surgery.

It’s not uncommon to combine procedures, two or sometimes three at a time (modern techniques have made this safe on most patients). Later on down the road, there can be another combo — popular ones are thighs and tummy, or breasts and arms, or tummy and breasts. We really wouldn’t know what would be best until we actually sat down and talked.

Concerning the insurance question, you’d have to ask your insurance company. Removal of excess tummy skin has been covered in the past, but not in all cases. Sometimes large-breasted women can have a reduction covered. Arms and thighs are not covered, unfortunately.

Questions?

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Madonna’s Aging Hands

There’s been a lot of press going around about Madonna’s aging hands over the past few years. Blogs have been written, photos have been posted, and assumptions have been made. Some doctors have said her “vigorous exercise routine” is partially to blame, mainly because strenuous exercise does cause increased blood flow, which in turn, causes veins to appear more prominent. But hang aging is a natural thing. The question turns now to, ‘what can be done about it?’

Working out is essential to our overall health. I would never advise anyone to not work out because it could cause hand aging. Madonna has taken her fitness level to the extreme, and she’s always been on stage. There is pressure for entertainers to be fit.

Another thing to consider is that the skin on our hands is just as sensitive as the skin on our face. It’s very thin, and some of the first signs of sun damage can be seen in these areas. Sunscreen is just as important on your hands as it is on every other part of the body. Also, genes are genes, and can’t be changed – some people will be more prone to hand and neck aging than others. We all have to work with what we’ve got.

The good news is, if you’re self-conscious about the way your hands look, you can change that. We’ve been using fillers in to rejuvenate hands for years and have seen great results. My favorite hand filler is Artefill because it lasts longer than any of the other fillers, though it’s more of an investment up front. The patients who have had this procedure done have loved it. Radiesse is a great alternative, less expensive and less durable.

Hand rejuvenation is an in-office procedure that takes a short amount of time. A small wheal of numbing medicine is raised on the back of the hand with a little needle, and the filler is injected painlessly into the area. It is then massaged into position, and voila! Done in 5 minutes. You can drive off and go back to what you were doing before you came in. There is numbness on the back of the hands and sometimes the fingers for a few hours.

A great combination for those with sun damage is to get laser treatments for those brown spots and freckles. I have a combo package going with my laser expert, Marian Urban. If you have any questions about this, always feel free to call my office in Santa Fe, at 505-988-8886.

Questions?

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Exercise vs. Plastic Surgery

We’ve had some questions come up recently regarding exercise and plastic surgery. Although I’ve written on it before, I’d like to talk about it in a bit more depth . . . mainly because even though they both change the body, they’re not the same.

Here are a few scattered thoughts:

• Burning more calories than one consumes has always been the safest way to stay in a healthy weight range.

• Today, consumers have many “healthy”, “diet” food choices available to them that are not ideal for how our bodies were made. Low-calorie foods with artificial sweeteners are not recognized by our biochemical food processing system, and so we end up starving our bodies of nutrients.

• As technology has improved, laziness has increased. We do not walk anywhere any more.

• Most people are not dumb, they are simply not properly educated because their parents weren’t properly educated and their peers are not. There are many confusing nutritional authorities in the media.

• There is currently an obesity epidemic, especially among teens. Having said that, there are millions of people consumed with body image and how their bodies look. It is easy for them to be swayed by the success of a few people they know or a few photographs in an advertisement.

• Exercise is such a crucial part to maintaining a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index). Not only does it keep us in shape, it also has major physical and psychological benefits such as lowering depression and anxiety, and strengthening the heart, lungs, and immune system. Exercise can give us peace of mind.

• Every person is born with different genetics. Some are small by nature, others are bigger boned, causing them to naturally be bigger. There is no “normal”. We’re all so very different. Take pregnancy for example: I’ve known women that have had children and have bounced back within weeks of birth. It’s not that easy for others. For some, no matter how hard and often they work out, that extra belly fat or skin just won’t go away.

Here is where the psychological effects of plastic surgery play a role: body image is very real to those that have it . . . good, bad, or indifferent. When someone’s body image affects him or her negatively and it controls a big part of his or her day, something should be done. With our Whole Being Plan, we’re able to address the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual. Exercise is a key component. Plastic surgery is often not the “quick fix,” that many believe that it is. I want to help people be the best they can be and feel their best. Sometimes, it takes a little more than what we can do on our own.

Thoughts?

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Who is getting plastic surgery?

Before Face, Neck and Browlift

After Face, Neck and Browlift

Those getting plastic surgery are not who you think they are. They’re not doing it for the reasons you might think. Since 2000, the number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has increased by almost 50% percent.

There were almost 10 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2009, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Surgical procedures accounted for 15% of the total with nonsurgical procedures making up 85% of the total.

The top five cosmetic surgical procedures in 2009 were:

• Breast augmentation (311,957 procedures)
• Liposuction (283,735procedures)
• Eyelid surgery (149,943 procedures)
• Rhinoplasty (138,258 procedures)
• Abdominoplasty (127,923 procedures).

Women had over 9 million cosmetic procedures, over 90% percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women decreased over 3 percent from 2008, likely due to the poor economy.

The top five surgical procedures for women were:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Breast reduction

Men had over 900,000 cosmetic procedures, over 9 percent of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for men actually increased over 8 percent from 2008.

The top five surgical procedures for men were:

• Liposuction
• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelid surgery
• Breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts
• Hair transplantation

So, what are some of the reasons why? Here are excerpts from some emails I have received from patients:
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“I’ve had 2 kids and I breastfed them both. I’ve been dieting, I go to the gym, and have even been using a personal trainer to tighten my abs. I just can’t get rid of the “baby fat” across my tummy and my breasts are too saggy. Help!”

The number of “mommy makeovers” is increasing: in this day and age, women are giving birth later, returning to their careers sooner, and have busier schedules than ever before. Many are finding cosmetic plastic surgery to be the answer to returning to a pre-pregnancy shape they are comfortable with. The “mommy makeover” procedures include breast augmentation, tummy tuck and breast lift. In fact, for the first time, breast augmentation has become the most popular plastic surgical procedure, followed by nose reshaping.
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“I’m 45 years old and was let go 6 months ago by my accounting firm. I’ve been going to job interviews but I am competing with men 10 years younger. Do you think a facelift will help?”

The reality is that our workplace society favors a more youthful look – those who look younger and fitter are generally more highly paid, etc etc

Baby boomers (44 – 61 years of age): as a group they are experiencing the loss of skin elasticity with age, and so the number of body lifting procedures, targeting the thighs, lower body, breasts, upper arms, and face, has increased significantly.

In the past year, men have typically looked to revitalize their aging faces with injectable fillers. In contrast to these minimally invasive procedures, they were also looking to tone their bodies with surgery, including tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and breast reduction procedures.

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Isn’t it vain to have plastic surgery?

The Latin origin of the word, “vanity” is vanus, meaning, “empty, without substance.” This does not apply to most people seeking plastic surgery. The typical patient either wants to refresh their appearance, to look as they did in years past, or to enhance their body to a state that corresponds to their image of themselves. An increase in self-esteem occurs, and rarely crosses the line into an excessive feeling of attractiveness or of one’s abilities. The increased self-confidence is profound and has many positive repercussions.

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Isn’t plastic surgery for the rich?

No longer! The relative cost of plastic surgery has decreased and has become available to a much larger segment of the population. There are financing plans available much like those for buying automobiles or appliances. Even some managed care insurance plans offer cosmetic surgery to their participants in a limited fashion. 48% of Americans with an income under $25K approve of plastic surgery according to the survey and would have a procedure done.

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How can people afford it?

Although some patients save up the entire cost of their plastic surgery, many are turning to finance companies that will lend them the money, often at reasonable rates. Financing provides the opportunity to have the surgery without having to wait — for many patients, the plastic surgery loan is just another bill, a way to build up frequent-flier miles if they put it on a credit card, or another check to write once a month.

My patients have included teachers, truck drivers, retirees, ranchers, and school-bus drivers.

Questions?

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Is every surgeon honest about before/after photos?

How do you define positive plastic surgery results? Is it in the way the patient would feel after a procedure? Does it come from the aesthetic appeal? Can plastic surgery bring you to a more spiritual place?

Before and after photos are pretty important factors within my industry, but unfortunately can be misunderstood by prospective patients. In some cases, the photos don’t even represent a particular surgeons work. You may be wondering, “How is that even possible?”

There are surgeons out there that post photos that are not their work.
Some ways to get the truth is to ask your surgeon if they were the one that actually performed the surgery in the photos being viewed. If the practice has several surgeons, photos need to be clearly labeled with the doctor who performed the procedure.

Now, of course you’re going to look at before and after photos. It’s important to do that. However, I recommend looking at photos of patients that are similar in body size, age and height (if applicable). And despite similarities, it’s important to remember that we all have different body types. No one can make you look like a photo.

Despite the importance of photographs, remember that they can be altered. It’s sad but I’ve seen it done. Photos should only be one of the factors when choosing which plastic surgeon you go to. Remember to check credentials, ask for patient referrals, but most importantly, ask yourself whether or not you feel comfortable with the surgeon and the office staff.

For more questions about this subject, please don’t hesitate to email me at info@danielronelmd.com or call the office. We’re here for you. In the meantime, have you ever experienced a surgeon not being honest? How did you react? Did you find out before or after the fact? Sound off now.

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The facelift above was done by me.

Working With The Powers Of Aroma – Guest Post by Feng Shui Consultant, Ken Lauher

Last week, I posted about aromatherapy and how we’re incorporating it into our practice. We had celebrity aromatherapist, Kris Wrede, on our show and we’re excited to now have her on our team. Well, I wanted to follow-up by sharing an article written by celebrity Feng Shui consultant, Ken Lauher, from New York City. In his post about aromatherapy, he shares a bit from Daniel Reid about how different aromas and the effects they can have….positive or negative. It’s interesting how sometimes the smallest changes can have a profound effect on our quality of life. Here is Ken:

Aromatic essences extracted from flowers and medicinal herbs have been used for millennia to cure disease and balance human energies. The volatile aroma extracted by a flower or the essential oil of a plant carries the essential energy of that plant in the air in a way similar to negative ion energy, and this energy is assimilated into the human system through the same sensitive olfactory receptors in the nasal passages.

Depending on their natural affinities for various organs and tissues, different aromatic essences may be used to cure specific diseases, balance particular energies, and stimulate various functions. This is the basic principle involved in aromatherapy, but it only works when using aromas derived from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, and animals. Artificial fragrances have smell but no chi.

Writing in the French medical journal L’Hopital, Dr. J. Valent explains the way plant aromas affect human energies:

“Carried by the bloodstream, the ionized plant aroma impregnates every corner of the body, powerfully revitalizes the polarized and discharged cells, replenishes electronic shortages by recharging the bioelectromagnetic batteries, and disperses cellular residue by dissolving the viscous and diseased substances of the body fluids.

It oxidizes poisonous metabolic waste products, increases energy balance, frees the mechanism of organic oxidation and of self-regulation, and reaches the lungs and kidneys, whence it is excreted or exhaled without trace.”

Meditators throughout the world use incense to enhance their practice due to the balancing effects it has on human energies. Sandalwood in particular is well known among meditators in Asia for its power to pacify emotions and settle energy down into the lower elixir field (second chakra) below the navel, thereby establishing the ideal conditions for entering a stable state of spiritual tranquility.

The smoke produced by burning white sage, used by native tribes of North America for purification, sublimates the dense, heavy energies generated by negative thoughts and conflicting emotions and lifts them away from the body, thereby clearing the human energy system.

It’s interesting to note that during medieval times in the Middle East, medical texts took note of the fact that people who worked in perfume and incense shops were the only ones who never succumbed to the various contagious plagues that periodically swept through the ancient world, and even today it is often noted that clerks who work in fresh flower shops rarely seem to catch the flu and other infectious ailments.

‘Flower Power’ is more than just a catchy phrase: it reflects the potent healing properties of aromatic essence.

– A Complete Guide To Chi-Gung by Daniel Reid

Ken Lauher advises individuals, businesses and organizations on how to implement practical Feng Shui solutions to help you achieve your goals & live a more fulfilling life. For more information on this, visit him at his website www.kenlauher.com.

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Introducing the Obagi Skin Peel

People have been looking for alternatives to facelifts for years. Cosmetic and beauty products is an industry that topped over 45.4 BILLION in the U.S. alone last year, and that was in the midst of a serious recession. the same report shows that skin care will reportedly account for 60 percent of all cosmeceutical demand by 2010. I recently shared a blog post that showed that even cosmetic procedures were up this year. There is no doubt that people care about how they look and how they’re taking care of their skin. If you don’t believe, check out this article in Newsweek that shows exactly what the average beauty spending is ranging from tweens to adults.

Regardless of the numbers (I just wanted to make the point), I meet people who really care about their skin and face everyday. It’s not about vanity for many. It goes much deeper than that. But not everyone wants to undergo a facelift. Some don’t even need it. Instead, patients can seek other treatments in order to see results of a lighter, healthier complexion.

Marian Urban and I (she’s my medical aesthetician) have been looking into different options to serve the patients who come to me with this. We’re now incorporating the Obagi chemical skin peel. I’ve seen amazing results with this peel. Once the peel has been applied and removed (and you can apply in non-facial areas as well, such as the neck, arms…pretty much anywhere you have damaged skin), it typically heals between seven to ten days. The peel itself takes off layers of dead skin cells allowing for fresh ones to be seen. This improves the tone and clarity of the skin.

Because we’ve just introduced it into our office, we’re offering 20% off the procedure. Ask questions, talk about concerns, let me know your thoughts. And as always, feel free to call my office at 505.988.8886.

Also, we’re still giving away a free microdermabrasion session for anyone who comes in for IPL (laser hair removal treatment). It’s worth $750, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

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