Posts Comments

You are here: Home / 2013 / Archives for December 2013

Archives for December 2013

25 Fun New Year Resolutions

December 30, 2013 by

Every year, we make resolutions to do better in an area of our lives—and most of the time, they’re forgotten by the end of January. Why not make a fun resolution this year?

In 2014, resolve to…

  1. Eat one piece of good dark chocolate every day.
  2. Give and receive one hug and one kiss every day.
  3. Read one book for fun every month.
  4. Enjoy yourself on the weekends without worrying about work.
  5. Buy at least one bottle of wine you’ll enjoy (without worrying about the price tag).
  6. Tell one person you love him or her every day.
  7. Go outside and play at least once a week.
  8. Have a spa massage.
  9. Have a spa pedicure.
  10. Have a spa manicure.
  11. Have all three at once.
  12. Take your best friends out to dinner at least once.
  13. Allow them to take you out at least once.
  14. Buy yourself flowers for no reason.
  15. Buy that pair of earrings or that bracelet you’ve had your eye on.
  16. Eat ice cream. Whenever you like. For one week.
  17. Take up a new hobby. There’s something you’ve always wanted to try.
  18. Visit a state you’ve never been to.
  19. Point your car in one direction and drive for an hour. Stop the car, get out, and walk around. Just be in the moment and enjoy what you see.
  20. Play with a puppy or kitten.
  21. Play with a toddler.
  22. Turn up your radio and SING.
  23. Have a date night every week. If you’re single, have a date night a month with your friends.
  24. Listen and hear what people tell you.
  25. Open your heart to someone it was previously closed to.

What’s your New Year’s Resolution?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,

Can You Perform a Buried DIEP Flap Procedure Utlizing Expanders?

December 27, 2013 by

The following question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon, Dr. James E. Craigie. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction:

Q: I have had bilateral mastectomies without radiation. Cancer was in the left breast and I have been cancer-free for over a year.

I may be interested in DIEP reconstructive surgery. However, I am having trouble finding a surgeon to perform a buried flap utilizing expanders and my current mastectomy scars.

It is bad enough to have to have a large ugly scar across my abdomen, but to have my breast look like patches with two scars each is even more horrible than having cancer! It is even more disfiguring than the mastectomy and is not doing any woman a favor by making their self confidence and self image even worse. Are buried DIEP flaps one of the procedures that you perform?

A: Thank you for your question. I am sorry you are having difficulty finding a surgeon to address your situation. Every person’s situation is unique and if I had more info I could be more specific to you. However, I think I can help clarify why you are having a difficulties finding a surgeon to address your concerns:

During a mastectomy surgery, it is the breast surgeon removing the breast who has a major impact on subsequent reconstruction options. If no reconstruction was performed at the same time, then the surgeon was obligated to remove excess breast skin in order for the mastectomy incisions to heal without complications. It is important to understand the breast shape is determined by the breast skin that surrounds the new DIEP breast. If surgery removed the skin, then it has got to be replaced in some way.

In your question you spoke of tissue expansion. This technique does not create new skin but stretches the remaining skin. It also stretches the chest muscle and the muscle does not recover. Also, it’s important to note that some people will reject the tissue expander and have problems expanding the breast scar. In my opinion the technique of expanding the skin and later rebuilding the breast with a DIEP works best when the surgeons work together and extra skin is saved by the breast surgeon. Please try not to be discouraged! We have helped many women in your type of situation regain their self-confidence and their body image after mastectomy.

Also, please understand that in order to undergo the procedure you mentioned would require another surgery when the expanders are placed and the skin and muscle stretched over six months or sometimes less. When the stretching was completed then the DIEP procedure would be done but would require another two surgeries. It is unknown whether your body would stretch well and the process could be more complicated.

Most of our patients want to have reconstruction with their own tissue and do not want to sacrifice any important muscles. Our goal is to restore our patients’ self esteem and not simply scar their bodies and put them together with “patches.” Please let me know if you would like any more specific information we may need to touch base with you by phone.

James E. Craigie, M.D.

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Do you have a question about breast implants or natural breast reconstruction? Ask the doctor by submitting your questions here.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Holidays From All of Us!

December 25, 2013 by

Our doctors and staff at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction wish you a merry Christmas and holiday season!

It is such a joy to have friends, former patients, and current clients reaching out to us during this time. We hope your week is filled with warmth and cheer for a healthy new year!

 

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , ,

How to Do a Sugar Cleanse Safely and Effectively

December 23, 2013 by

How to Do a Sugar Cleanse Safely and EffectivelyOne of the best things you can do for your health is reducing or avoiding sugar. Your body does not need sugar in the form we typically eat it. Yes, your body uses glucose, but any carbohydrate you eat is broken down to glucose, so vegetables and grains give you everything you need. Simple carbs like candy, cola, and fruit juice are unnecessary and cause weight gain, sluggishness, and many other problems in the body.

Many people look and feel better after they stop using sugar, and often they decide to do a sugar cleanse or sugar detox. When you take a break from sugar, you lose fat, increase energy, and lift your mood and spirits. Anxiety decreases, and you greatly reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

A common time period for a sugar cleanse is three weeks. Here is a typical sugar detox schedule with what you can expect.

First, a few ground rules… remember, this is just for 21 days.

  1. No sugar, candy, soda of any kind (including diet), cakes, cookies, you get the idea.
  2. No high fructose corn sugar, hydrogenated oils (trans fats), alcohol, deep-fried foods.
  3. No white foods—no bread, instant rice, pasta, tortillas, potatoes. These are all simple carbohydrates.
  4. No fruits or fruit juices.
  5. Drink plenty of water… at least 8 glasses a day. Ideally, you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces each day. This is water.

(Remember, after the 21 days, you can add back small amounts of fruit and other carbohydrates you enjoy… however, you still want to avoid the simple sugars, fake ingredients such as trans fats, and artificial sweetener.)

So what can you eat?

Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, eggs, organic poultry and red meats, most vegetables, brown rice, fish. Think anything you can pick, grow, or slaughter.

When you start the cleanse, you may feel a little sluggish or not quite yourself. You may find yourself thirsty, sleeping more, or feeling lightheaded. Some people feel moodier and irritable for up to the first week. These symptoms will pass—your body is getting used to not having any sugar. You may also have some detoxification symptoms, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, runny nose, or skin breakouts. These are normal.

So those are the negative effects you may have for a short time. What positive effects can you expect as the cleanse moves forward?

  • Weight loss
  • Fewer or no sugar cravings
  • Feeling of being lighter
  • Better sleep and ease in waking up
  • Energy boost
  • Happier moods
  • Brighter eyes, shinier hair, clear skin

If you’d like to experience immediate better health and fat loss, a sugar cleanse is a good place to start.

Have you ever tried one, and how did it work for you?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,

The Best Tips to Help You Prepare for Surgery

December 20, 2013 by

Q: I’m getting ready to undergo a mastectomy, and I’m nervous. There are so many things to think about and organize right now, and I feel overwhelmed! Do you have any tips on how I can prepare for my procedure?

A: Thanks for your question! First of all, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. A lot of women ask us how they can optimize their time and resources before and after surgery. We love this in-depth article from Best Friends for Life Co., which gives you an essential checklist of items to cover and pack, as well as key terms to understand your medical status pre-surgery. They also have post-surgery steps for what to expect. From the article, here are a few essential tips:

“If you work, you will need to inform your employer that you will be on medical leave for at least 2 weeks.  You might feel up to going back earlier, but it’s best to give yourself a buffer.

Make sure you’ve discussed payments and coverage with your health insurer before your surgery. Get all pre-authorizations in writing, and make sure you are aware of any out-of-pocket costs you will have to pay. There is sometimes a difference between what you are billed for and what your insurance will pay, and you should be prepared ahead of time to avoid surprises.

Get your house in order – literally. Pay bills, do your financial chores, get the laundry done, prepare and freeze microwave meals, and have help lined up for yourself, your house and kids.  Do any necessary heavy cleaning before your surgery, because pushing a vacuum cleaning or changing sheets will not be possible for quite a while afterward

Go shopping. Make sure you have several days’ worth of groceries for your family. Stock up on crackers, broth based soups (not creamy) and jello.  These are all easy to digest the first few days at home. Get some bendable straws; it makes it easier to drink.”

Be sure the read the entire article at their website. We also LOVE their BFFLBags, which take care of a lot of little details while you’re in the hospital or surgical center.

Do you have medical questions? Submit your question to Ask the Doctor today! Be sure to browse our archives, too.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , ,

A Holiday Stroll Through Charleston? Go For It!

December 18, 2013 by

Grab a few friends and boost your heart health with a fun holiday stroll through Charleston this season!

Charleston Strolls presents their annual Holiday Walking Tour, which is your chance to see the Holy City in a new way this winter.

Tour where carriages and motorcoaches are not allowed. Enjoy stories and traditions revealing Charleston’s rich history and colorful past. Charleston Strolls has been featured in Southern Living and recommended by both the New York Times and the AAA Tour Book. Throughout December, the finale for this special tour takes place in the gorgeous Mills House Hotel, where you and your friends can enjoy holiday refreshments.

During your stroll you will:

  • Visit Four Corners of Law and The Battery
  • See private neighborhoods dressed in their holiday finery
  • Hear about old Charlestowne from 1670 through the Civil War to the present and enjoy historic highlights and famous landmarks

Parties of 8 adults or more automatically receive $1 off each adult ticket upon purchase! Click here to read more and purchase tickets.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: ,

5 Tips For Stress-Free Christmas Shopping

December 16, 2013 by

5 Tips for Stress Free Christmas ShoppingChristmas shopping can be mentally and physically stressful, and one way to keep yourself grounded is to be careful and patient while shopping. The crowds can cause anxiety, and trying to find the right gifts can be time consuming and difficult. We have a few tricks we use to get through Christmas shopping—hope they help you too.

Go shopping during slow times whenever possible.

This may sound crazy, but if you can shop late at night, especially during the week, you’ll avoid the rush and most of the other shoppers—and your store experience can be extremely peaceful. You’ll be surprised how few people are out late at night.

Don’t try to do too much.

Some shoppers try to take care of their entire list in one day, and the stress it causes is enormous. Split your list so you’re not stressing yourself out to buy all the gifts at once. Your body and your brain will thank you.

Look online.

Nowadays, there is no need to leave your home to Christmas shop if you don’t want to. You can buy anything and everything you need online. You save time, money, and energy if you use your computer to do your shopping. And the great thing is, depending on the stores you use, you could conceivably get most or all of your shopping done in one or two online sessions.

Ask for help.

Your family can help you do your shopping—there’s no need for you to feel like you have to do everything yourself. Or if you’d rather do the shopping, ask them to do the other tasks, such as decorating, cleaning the house, sending out Christmas cards, or cooking.

Take care of you.

Listen to your body. If it tells you to slow down, do it. Don’t push yourself, especially if you’re tired. Standing in line, dodging other shoppers, and walking across parking lots can take their toll. Be kind to yourself, and you’ll enjoy shopping more and get more done.

What’s your favorite Christmas shopping tip?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,

Will My Previous Surgeries Compromise My Chances for a DIEP Procedure?

December 13, 2013 by

This week, Dr. Richard Kline of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.

Q:  I am BRCA 1 positive and researching prophylactic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. As far as I can find out, DIEP is not available in TN. I am planning to have a bilateral salpingo oophorectomy at some point in the near future and have had 2 previous C-sections. Does that exclude me from being a DIEP candidate?

A: Thanks for your question. Most likely your previous  surgeries have not compromised your chances for DIEP breast reconstruction. In fact, I see patients frequently who have been told they can not have a DIEP, and in fact it works quite well. I would be glad to get more info and could be more specific. Let me know.

 Q: I’m considering implant-based breast reconstruction. My surgeon mentioned a “risk of capsular contracture.” What exactly is that?

A: Capsular contracture is an abnormal response of the immune system to foreign materials in the human body. Medically, it occurs mostly in context of the complications from breast implants and artificial joint prosthetics.

The occurrence of capsular contraction follows the formation of capsules of tightly-woven collagen fibers, created by the immune response to the presence of foreign objects surgically installed to the human body, e.g. breast implants, artificial pacemakers, orthopedic prostheses; biological protection by isolation and toleration. Capsular contracture occurs when the collagen-fiber capsule tightens and squeezes the breast implant; as such, it is a medical complication that can be very painful and discomforting, and might distort the aesthetics of the breast implant and the breast.

Although the cause of capsular contracture is unknown, factors common to its incidence include bacterial contamination, rupture of the breast-implant shell, leakage of the silicone-gel filling, and hematoma.

Moreover, because capsular contracture is a consequence of the immune system defending the patient’s bodily integrity and health, it might reoccur, even after the requisite corrective surgery for the initial incidence.

The degree of an incidence of capsular contracture is graded using the four-grade Baker scale:

• Grade I — the breast is normally soft and appears natural in size and shape
• Grade II — the breast is a little firm, but appears normal
• Grade III — the breast is firm and appears abnormal
• Grade IV — the breast is hard, painful to the touch, and appears abnormal

Dr. James Craigie

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , ,

Don’t Miss These Charleston Christmas Events

December 11, 2013 by

Charleston South Carolina Christmas eventsChristmas in Charleston is a magical time, and we’ve found some events that you don’t want to miss. For a full lineup of events, visit the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

A Christmas Carol, Woolfe Street Playhouse

December 6–7, 12–13, 14, and 19–21 at 7 p.m.

December 8, 15, and 22 at 3 p.m.

You’ll love this unusual performance of the Christmas classic. Per the CVB website, “Using only Charles Dickens’ extraordinary words and a chameleon ensemble of eight actors, ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a bold theatrical re-imagining of a classic Christmas story.” Ticket prices are $30.00 for adults, $27.00 for seniors, $20.00 for students, and $15.00 for kids 12 and under. For more information, visit http://woolfestreetplayhouse.com/events/a-christmas-carol/.

The Charleston Christmas Special, Charleston Music Hall

December 12–14, 15, 19–22 at 6 p.m.

A Charleston must-see, this year’s show will be chock-full of holiday song and dance, so get your tickets now, as the shows typically sell out. Ticket prices range from $13–$36. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://charlestonmusichall.com/events/the-charleston-christmas-special/.

The Sound of Charleston Holiday Special Edition, Circular Congregational Church

December 13, 20, 26, and 30 at 7 p.m.

With a range of music from Gershwin to gospel and Civil War camp songs to jazz, you’ll hear the sounds of Charleston’s history. You’ll hear holiday songs, have cookies and wassail after the show, and meet the cast. Tickets are $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $16 for students, and free for children ages 3 to 12. To learn more, visit http://www.soundofcharleston.com/.

Holiday Train Rides at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre

Various dates and times, see below

Take a train ride and celebrate the holidays!

For more information and ticket prices, visit http://www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com/

Dates and times:

December 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

December 15, noon to 6 p.m.

December 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

December 22, noon to 6 p.m.

December 28, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

December 29, noon to 6 p.m.

What are your favorite Charleston holiday traditions?

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: ,

Tips For a Healthy and Fun Holiday Party

December 9, 2013 by

Holiday Parties - Safety TipsWe all love the merriment of the holidays, and parties are the best part of the festivities for many of us. However, it’s easy to get carried away, but we have the following tips to avoid that (and perhaps avoid a hangover or unwanted weight gain).

Decide what you’re going to eat and drink ahead of time.

If you have some idea of what you’ll be served, you can plan your indulgences before you go. You can determine what you’ll drink and eat. When you go to a party and are prepared, you’re less likely to overdo it. If you’re offered alcoholic beverages you’ve never had before, just have one…you never know how you might react if you have more.

Also, if you know you’ll be served hors d’oeuvres only, you can decide whether to eat a meal before or after the party. If you’ll be drinking, it’s a good idea to have substantial food in your stomach.

Drink one glass of water or juice for every alcoholic drink.

This will help pace your drinking and reduce your chance of a hangover, since you’ll keep yourself hydrated. You might also consider having a cocktail with fruit juice so you have some vitamin C in your system.

Follow the one-plate rule.

Fill your plate just once, and choose the smallest plate you can to avoid overeating. Your waistline will thank you! While you want to have some fun sugary foods, fill the majority of your plate with veggies, fruit, nuts, and meat.

Keep an eye on your designated driver, or call a taxi.

Hopefully you decide upon a sober driver before you enter the party, but if you don’t, call a taxi. Your designated driver can have one or two drinks when you get to the party, as long as you’re there for at least two hours.

If your driver overindulges, or you end up alone for some reason, it’s much better to pay for a taxi ride than for a drunk-driving incident—and it’s much safer for everyone involved.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,
Next Page »