Archives for 2014

Ask the Doctor: What Are My Options For Post-Op Reconstruction Using Implants?

July 11, 2014 by Gail

This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I’m 42 years old, and I have a surgery this month for breast reconstruction. Due to my genetic history, a plastic surgeon will be performing a double mastectomy. I want to know what my options are for post-op reconstruction? Thanks.

Answer: Hi — Thanks for the information about your planned surgery. If you have requested using your own tissue and were told that was not a good option for you, then you certainly can get a second opinion. You stated that your mastectomies were for preventive reasons, which gives you the time to consider all possibilities. Before having surgery you should feel good about your decision and be confident you know all your options. You have excellent surgeons and I know you will do well.

One advantage of using an implant is that you don’t require an incision anywhere else on your body in order to donate the tissue to make the new breasts. Using your own tissue requires a longer recovery and more healing. The donor area ends up healing with a scar. If you don’t need a tummy tuck or have “excess” tissue in your thighs or buttocks then you may not want a scar in these areas. You should also know that it is not necessary to sacrifice any of your muscles in order to use your own tissue. Finally, it is important to know that if you have implant reconstruction and it does not work out you can still use your own tissue later–even years later! Most likely it will work out and you will have an excellent result and speedy recovery. I hope this has helped. Let us know if you have more unanswered questions. If you would like a second opinion, you could set up an appointment in our office, or we could also consult over the phone if you cannot make the trip to Charleston.

Dr. James Craigie
Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

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

The Best Low Country Beaches

July 9, 2014 by Gail

Did you know: Charleston was the winner of the 2013 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for “Top City in the United States.”

We love our city. It has great shopping, a fun nightlife scene, plenty of delicious restaurant options—and we especially love catching rays on our beautiful beaches!

Summertime is in full swing, so why not spend this weekend enjoying the sand and ocean breezes on one of Charleston’s award-winning beaches? Here are the most popular spots for having some fun in the sun around Charleston:

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island is known for its family-friendly and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to take your family and loved ones for a weekend of sunshine, South Carolina history, and Low Country dining. Tourists and locals love Sullivan’s Island for its beautiful scenery, friendly environment, and spacious beaches.

Isle of Palms

If you’re looking for a place that’s one-of-a-kind and full of activities the entire family will enjoy, look no further than Isle of Palms. You’ll find virtually every activity you can think of to enjoy on your vacation or day off on Isle of Palms—and it’s only 12 miles away from downtown Charleston! The Isle of Palms beaches are clean, safe, and even feature a designated swimming area and family park that you and your kids can enjoy throughout the entire summer.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a private beach community with undisturbed scenic views, natural beauty, and forests rich with pine trees, magnolias, and oaks. This Island is only accessible to owners and guests of the resort or rental properties, but it also features a publicly accessible beach area at Beachwalker County Park. Travel to Kiawah and you’ll enjoy the 10 miles of stunning beach that Travel Channel has named one of the country’s “Top Ten” beaches to visit.

Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island is another private destination located nearly 22 miles south of downtown Charleston. Residents and rental guests enjoy Seabrook’s gorgeous, pristine Atlantic beaches. The laid-back atmosphere and stunning shorelines make for an unforgettable South Carolina experience for all who visit and reside on this special island.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach is truly one of South Carolina’s hidden treasures. Conveniently located just 15 minutes away from historic Charleston, this barrier island is the home of surfing, rich Low Country history, the Morris Island Lighthouse, and delicious South Carolina fare. Guests can visit the Folly Beach County Park and enjoy amenities like outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and much more. Bring the entire family to Folly Beach for a wonderful weekend of sun and fun on “The Edge of America.”

Ready to plan your next beach getaway in Charleston? Click here to get more information about our favorite local vacation spots.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: Adventure in Charleston, Charleston activities, Charleston family activities, Charleston fun, Charleston SC, healthy living

Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier

July 7, 2014 by Gail

Remember being a kid and your biggest chore was eating all of your dinner?

What a “problem” to have!

When it comes to living happier, you could learn a lot from a children. In fact, children laugh an average of 300 times a day while adults only laugh around 20 times.

It’s easy to forget to live a happy life as you get older. Bills, careers, stress, relationships, and countless other adult activities can burden your day-to-day routine. If you don’t remember to be happy, you’ll walk around with a frown, as if there’s a permanent rain cloud above your head.

But there’s a bright side to being an adult: you have more control over your life than you did as a child. While you have more responsibilities than a child, you don’t need anyone’s permission to do exactly what you want. Making a change for the better is simply a matter of wanting to do it.

So, give yourself permission to be happy. Here are a handful of ways to get happy:

Do Nice Things for Others

Giving to others is just as nice as receiving. For some people, giving is actually more beneficial. Think about the last time you received a random gift. Remember how happy it made you feel? Re-create that experience for someone else. When you see her face light up, you’ll feel happy you’ve made someone else happy—for no particular reason at all! Spreading happiness works like spreading the flu, except with less coughing.

You don’t need to buy your friend a new car to make her happy (although if you did, we’re sure she’d be ecstatic). A simple cup of coffee does the trick.

It doesn’t even have to be a friend, either. Why not buy something nice and give it away to a stranger? Even better: do something nice for someone without them knowing it was you. Doing this removes them feeling the need to reciprocate, too. You still get the good feeling of being helpful and they don’t have the pressure of paying you back.

Learn a New Skill

You can do anything you want. Yes, anything! All it takes is the desire to do so and a little effort. Taking on a new hobby and seeing your newfound skill develop over time will make you happy!

If you ever wanted to play the piano, do it! No one is stopping you. Start today, and in six months you’ll be amazed at your progress.

You could even take a class completely unrelated to anything you do or thought you’d be interested in. Imagine the surprise of your friends and family when you take up karate or archery. Not only will they be impressed by how outgoing you’ve become, but they’ll be inspired to pursue new skills, too!

The takeaway for learning a new skill is to break the mold of regularity. You don’t have to dye your hair pink and buy an entire new closet of clothes. Simply start making small adjustments by learning something new, and happiness will flow through you.

Handwrite a Letter to Someone

Can you recall the last time someone wrote a letter to you? Perhaps it was a card for an event, like a birthday or a wedding invitation. There’s something magical about receiving a handwritten letter. Not only is it more exciting to open than a bill, handwritten letters make you feel special. Getting a handwritten letter means someone took the time to write to you!

Think of someone who brings happiness in your life. Maybe it’s a family member, or perhaps it’s a friend. It could be someone you’ve never met, like a book author or a celebrity. Regardless of who it is, spend a solid hour writing them a letter expressing how good they make you feel. When you’re done: fold, stamp, and send. Oh, and don’t forget to smile, too.

You never know what can come from sending a letter. One couple sent a wedding invite to the Queen of England on a whim. And guess what? The Queen showed up! It just so happened the Queen of England was in the area that day and didn’t have any other plans. Just a simple letter made that couple’s day much happier.

They didn’t ask for permission — they simply took the action.

Remember: you have the freedom to go out and create a happier life for yourself. No one is stopping you. You can start to be happy right now by just putting a smile on your face.

Share your favorite ways to make yourself happy below!

Photo Credit: Denis Collette https://www.flickr.com/photos/62202285@N00/2206463202

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: health tips, healthy lifestyle, reduce stress

Ask the Doctor: Do you have a recommendation for a topical that will help scars heal or fade?

July 4, 2014 by Gail

This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.

Q: Do you have a recommendation for a topical that will help scars heal or fade?

A: Unfortunately, nothing of which we are aware does this reliably. Avoidance of sun exposure is critically important to give scars their best chance of fading, but no topical preparations routinely make scars better. If scars are heavy or raised, Mederma can help, but it should not be used on scars which are already flat.

Dr. James Craigie

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

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

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: apply sunscreen, ask the doctor, breast scar tissue, Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, Charleston breast surgeons, Dr. James Craigie, skin care, womens health

Hot Enough for Ya? Try Homemade Ice Cream

July 2, 2014 by Gail

Ice cream makers have come a long way since the days of using rock salt and straining the muscles in your arm to create a small cup or two of ice cream. Today’s makers are automatic and you merely need to put in a few basic ingredients.

In a nutshell, a homemade ice cream maker uses a refrigerated compartment and mixer blades to create ice cream from simple ingredients such as cream, sugar, milk, and flavors. Many of the latest ice cream machines are multifunctional and can make frozen beverages, sorbets, and frozen yogurt.

Ice cream makers come in different types. Countertop machines often need to be frozen before use. The ingredients are added to the machine, and the mixer blades stir the mixture. After half an hour or so, the ice cream freezes. This type of ice cream maker is relatively inexpensive but can make only one batch at a time before being refrozen.

A lesser-known type sits inside the freezer, and every few seconds mixer blades stir the mixture. When the ice cream eventually freezes, the blades stop rotating. This type of machine takes longer to freeze than others, which work by placing the mixing bowl in direct contact with cold to freeze.

A tabletop ice cream maker has a built-in freezing system, which saves time and creates ice cream in less than half an hour. They are more expensive than the others, but for many the convenience is worth the price. They can be used immediately, and they can make larger quantities of ice cream since there is no wait time. The disadvantage is that many cannot be moved for a number of hours after using so the coolant isn’t moved.

Ice cream recipes are simple and inexpensive. Here are two of our favorites from realsimple.com:

Lemon Sorbet

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 cups fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Use an ice cream maker.

In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and chill over an ice bath until cool. Stir in the lemon zest and juice.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for freezing. Serve immediately or freeze in an airtight container.

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Directions:

Use an ice-cream maker.

In a large bowl, combine the cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for freezing. Once the desired consistency has been reached, stir in the chocolate. Serve immediately or freeze in an airtight container.

Do you have a homemade ice cream recipe you’d like to share? Tell us below!

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: homemade ice cream, Ice cream, ice cream makers, ice cream recipes

Mini Spa Date: Pedicures 101

June 30, 2014 by Gail

Do you love going to the spa or the nail salon to get yourself pampered, but don’t feel like spending the time or money on a pedicure?

It’s sandal and flip-flop season, so make sure your toes are painted, feet are pampered, and you’re putting your prettiest feet in those new shoes. So, what are you waiting for? Get some friends together, open some wine, and host your own mini spa party!

Here are the steps to create the a perfect at-home pedicure:

1. Remove any old polish.

The first step to a great pedicure is removing any old polish you may have left on your toes. Use cotton pads or cotton balls with an alcohol-free or acetone-free polish remover. Removing old polish will give you a great fresh canvas for your next pedicure!

2. Cut your nails and file.

If your nails are long or jagged, give them a good cut and file before you soak them. Cut your nails straight across and not too close to the skin to avoid infection and prevent ingrown toenails from forming.

After trimming your nails, it’s time to file! Go for a traditional square shape by filing in one consistent direction. Use an emory board or a professional filing tool, but make sure you use a file that’s soft. You can finish the filing with a soft buffing to add extra shine and softness to your toenails.

3. Soak those feet!

Grab several large bowls—one for each of your guests—and fill them with warm or hot water. Include some yummy smelling bath salts, essential oils, salt, flowers, or any other spa essentials you love and dip your feet in! Leave your feet in the bowl for at least 10 minutes to ensure that your skin is soft, hydrated, and ready for scrubbing.

4. Give your cuticles some love.

Put some cuticle remover on your nails and rub it into your skin. After waiting 30 seconds to 1 minute, use an orangewood stick and push each cuticle down gently. You want your cuticles to meet the base of your nail. Don’t force them down! Use a soft circular motion and leave them alone after that.

5. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

Make sure your feet are smooth and silky before you move onto the rest of your pedicure. After your feet have soaked, take them out, dry them off, and start scrubbing them with a foot scrub, file, or pumice. Take away all of the dead skin that’s lingering on the balls of your feet, the bottoms of your feet, your heels, and on and between your toes.

It’s especially important to refrain from scrubbing your feet too hard! Once the dry skin layers are gone, your feet should be scrubbed enough. Often times, people scrub down to raw skin, exposing soft areas of the feet and exposing them to infection and irritation. Be gentle with your feet!

6. Moisturize!

It’s now time to moisturize your feet! Applying moisturizer will keep your feet hydrated, without cracks, and more beautiful longer. Find a scented foot moisturizer that’s soothing, relaxing, and tough enough to get into your skin. Massage the cream into not only your feet and toes, but also up onto your ankles and calves. Rubbing these areas will increase blood flow and circulation for healthier legs.

7. Time to polish.

Before you put polish on your toes, apply a thin layer of base coat. Remove any oils and moisturizers that may have lingered on your nails. Then, pick your favorite color for summer and apply! We recommend adding at least 2 coats of color to ensure that it looks bright and rich on your nails. If you mess up, use an orangewood stick to clean up any errors or smears.

Put on a layer of topcoat and let your nails set and dry. If you have an at-home nail dryer, set your feet under it so the thinners in your polish evaporate and the polish can harden and set. If not, make sure you air dry your nails in a cool, dry spot. If you’re in a humid place, the humidity will cause your polish to turn sticky and wet. After your nails have dried, finish them off with more moisturizer and finishing sprays.

Love giving yourself pedicures at home? Share your favorite nail tools, tricks, and tips with us below.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: DIY pedicure, home pedicure, home spa ideas, pedi inspiration

Ask the Doctor: Questions About Reconstruction Surgery Years After A Mastectomy

June 27, 2014 by Gail

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

Q: I have been cancer free for 4 years, and have been very undecided about reconstruction. My surgery removed the underside of my right breast. I am very lumpy and the scar is very hard. Would I need to have a reduction in the other side or can the surgery site be repaired? I am “usually” a D in size currently. Also, is this surgery considered a “tummy tuck” type operation?

A: You have several potential options, depending on your present physical situation, and your wishes.

I’m assuming you are radiated (please correct me if I’m wrong). With this in mind, an implant to increase the size of the right breast is not likely to work. Increasing the size of the right breast with a DIEP flap (I assume this is what you meant by “tummy tuck”) is potentially a large operation for a lumpectomy defect, but sometimes it is actually the best option.

If you don’t mind being smaller than you were, reducing the size of the left breast may well be your best (and simplest) option to get better symmetry. That’s probably all I should try to say without knowing more details about your particular situation. We’d be happy to have our nurse Chris or PA Kim call you to discuss your situation further, if you wish. Thanks for your question, and have a great day!

Q: I had bilateral mastectomy in 2011, but didn’t have insurance. Now that I do have insurance, can I get reconstructive surgery? And how do I go about it?

A: Thanks for your question. There is no time limit to when you can have reconstruction surgery. Your next step would be to start researching what kind of procedure would achieve your goals. If you’d like a permanent reconstructive procedure, the ones we offer might be what you are looking for. We use excess tissue of your abdomen, buttock or upper thigh and transfer that along with it’s blood supply to build a new warm natural breast.

Richard M. Kline, Jr., MD
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: ask the doctor, breast reconstruction, breast reconstruction options, breast reconstruction surgery, Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, Dr. Richard M. Kline Jr., womens health

Raw & Vegan Foods in Charleston

June 25, 2014 by Gail

Are you a vegan or vegetarian? Maybe you just love incorporating fresh, raw foods into your everyday diet? Charleston is a great place to find healthy, vibrant foods and some of the tastiest vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

Here are some local spots where you can find fresh and delicious vegan and vegetarian fare in and around Charleston:

Dellz Uptown

This vegetarian restaurant offers vegan-friendly American and international cuisine. Takeout is available upon request. Try the house specialty Thai bowl! It’s a local favorite, plus it’s gluten-free and vegan. All menu items at Dellz can be made vegan.

Address: 511 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-641-0352
Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm, 5-8pm, Sat 8:30am-3pm, 5-8pm, closed Sun.

Dellz Vibez

Located around the corner from Dellz Uptown, this juice bar serves smoothies, juices, hot drinks, and soups daily. There are many delicious vegan options available! Grab something to sip on or eat on-the-go.

Address: 569C King St (at Cannon), Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-577-8900
Open Mon-Sat 7:30am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm.

Alluette’s Café

Alluette’s offers a friendly atmosphere and tasty vegan and vegetarian options for lunch and dinner. Enjoy American Southern cuisine in the heart of Charleston. Try their vegan desserts, too!

Address: 80 A Reid St (at Meeting St), Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-577-6926

Black Bean Co.

Black Bean Co. is considered an “energy food” restaurant, serving American organic food in a fun, friendly spot. Enjoy breakfast options, Rainforest Alliance brand coffee, vegetarian wraps, gyros, salads, and countless vegan and raw meal options.

Address: 429 King St (near downtown), Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-227-0990
Open Sun-Thur 8am-9pm, Fri-Sat 8am-10pm.

Cafe Paradiso

Address: 51 S Market St (at E Bay St), Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 678-777-3129
Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, American, Non-veg
Serves meat, veg options available. Lots of sandwiches, salads, breakfast, and coffee. Has veggie burger, veggie sandwich, falafel pita and vegetarian salads. Everything is either vegan or easily made vegan. Has outdoor seating. Inexpensive.

CO

Enjoy a modern interpretation of traditional Vietnamese fare in this warm, inviting restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, including an entire vegan menu prepared by the chef.

Address: 340 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-720-3631
Open Sun-Thur 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm.

Gathering Cafe

This family-owned restaurant is a favorite in Charleston. You’ll find lots of American and Italian specialties, make from seasonal, organic, and local food sources. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available to enjoy!

Address: 1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (at West Ashley), Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 843-297-8380
Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 4:30-9pm.

Earth Fare – Charleston

This healthy supermarket offers local and organic produce, fresh salads and a hot food bar, bulk food staples, vegan-friendly groceries, and natural foods.

Address: 74 Folly Road Blvd (at S. Windemere Shopping Ctr), Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 843-769-4800
Open daily.

Three Little Birds Cafe

Head to Three Little Birds for all-day breakfast food, a lovely outdoor atmosphere, and vegan and vegetarian options, including burgers, salads, vegan cheese, and spelt breads.

Address: 65 Windermere Blvd (at Folly Rd), Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 843-225-3065
Open Tue-Fri 7:30am-3pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 9am-2pm, closed Mon.

Are you a vegan or a vegetarian? Know of any great food spots in Charleston? Share them with us below.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: Alluette's Cafe, Black Bean Co., Cafe Paradiso, CO, Dellz, Earth Fare, Gatherine Cafe, Three Little Birds Cafe, vegan options in Charleston, veggie restaurants in Charleston

Cell Phone Etiquette to Reduce Your Stress and Theirs

June 23, 2014 by Gail

It seems that everywhere you look, people are completely glued to their cell phones. From the moment they wake up to the time they try and fall asleep, they’re constantly texting, emailing, and calling people.

We’re all guilty of being stuck on our phones, especially because they really are very useful! We know we shouldn’t be using them all the time, and it can be a difficult habit to break, but here are some common cell phone guidelines to keep in mind:

Don’t text or email during meetings—and turn your ringtone off!

It’s hard to get away from your phone, especially at the office, but put it away, turn it off, or at least keep it on silent during work hours. Staying on your phone is very distracting to others and can disrupt your productivity.

If you absolutely need to use your phone, take it outside during your break or lunchtime and make your phone calls, text whomever you need to, and take that time to have fun on your phone. At all other times during the day, try to keep your phone away.

Keep your conversations quiet in public.

If you must use your cell phone in public places, such as on the bus, in restaurants, coffee houses, and stores, remember to stay as quiet as possible. Try not to broadcast your conversations, particularly if they’re stressful conversations, business-related, or very personal.

If you know your conversation won’t be quiet, leave the building if needed. Also, try not to use your cell phone when waiting in line. Everyone else is waiting with you, so why annoy them? Just turn your phone off completely in certain public situations because texting is even just as annoying.

Avoid texting while walking.

Try to avoid texting, emailing, or playing on your cell phone while walking. It’s dangerous to do, especially if you’re walking down the street or through a crowded area!

When you’re distracted on your phone, you can forget to avoid huge obstacles in your way, such as other people, cars, signs, doors, and more. Not only is texting while walking dangerous, but it’s also a nuisance to others as they have to avoid you when passing by.

Turn your phone off at parties.

There’s nothing more important than face-to-face contact, especially at parties with your friends and loved ones. We suggest either turning your phone completely off, or at least storing it in your purse or pocket (and not feeling tempted to reach for it!) while attending dinners, get-togethers, and when spending time with others.

Don’t even try putting your phone under the table while eating dinner or grabbing coffee with a friend! The interference will cause others to get distracted, and they’ll know that your mind and thoughts are elsewhere.

After work, put your phone away!

When the workday ends, it’s your time to unwind and decompress. It’s unhealthy to stay “plugged in” 24/7. Make sure you really cut down on your phone usage at home, most importantly during nighttime hours. If you’re still staring at your phone screen or dealing with work, your body will have a more difficult time trying to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Try turning your phone and email off during the weekend, too. That’s your time to enjoy life and do fun things with your kids, your spouse, and your friends. Relax, kick back, and enjoy your free time without the buzzing, ringing, and distractions from your cell phone.

What are your favorite tips for staying unplugged? Leave them below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: cell phone etiquette, cell phone usage, cell phones in restaurants, email during meetings, phone time after work, smartphones and texting

Ask the Doctor: Is there any surgery for a Tram flap patient with a belly bulge, no hernia?

June 20, 2014 by Gail

This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.

Q. Is there any surgery for a Tram flap patient with a belly bulge, no hernia? Breast reconstruction was great and there were no complications. I have heard that mesh can be used, does this flatten the belly, or would I be at risk for complications such as a hernia?

A. Hi Karen, Thank you for your question. If your tummy bulge is due to the TRAM flap procedure then it is possible that repair of the bulge using mesh could help flatten your tummy or repair the bulge. We normally check for a possible hernia by ordering a CT Scan of the tummy wall before planning this type of procedure. The findings help us determine what is the best approach and if we need to use permanent mesh or some other type. If there is no hernia then repairing the bulge should not risk creating a hernia. Depending on the situation, it is possible that the bulge could come back. Prior to this type of repair you should make sure you do all you can to avoid being overweight, as your weight can impact the success of the repair. I hope this answered your question.