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The Best Charleston Parks

August 23, 2016 by

 

Nothing beats a nice long walk, picnic, or game of Frisbee in the park on a beautiful sunny day.

And, boy, are we at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction glad to be located in Charleston, a city full of beautiful parks.

Whether you already live here or are planning a visit sometime this year, we hope you’ll take some time to check out a few of our favorite parks in town.

Take a look at our favorites…

Angel Oak Park

 Angel Oak Park is home to one of the most stunning Angel Oak trees you’ll ever see.

This tree is believed to be hundreds of years old. In fact, it’s one of the oldest oaks known in existence.

Aside from its majestic oak tree, this park has plenty of space to go for a walk and has built-in picnic tables. Public restrooms are located on the property.

This park is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

For more info, visit the park’s website here.

Washington Square Park

 Washington Square Park is one of Charleston’s more historic parks. Its historic location is also home to Charleston City Hall.

The park is filled with mature oak trees, which makes it a nice shady place to take a walk or enjoy a good book.

As you walk through the park, you’ll also notice elegant floral displays which are changed throughout the year.

This park is in a public location and is always open to visits. No admission is necessary to visit.

For more info, visit the park’s website here.

Waterfront Park

If you love the water, Waterfront Park is a stop you’ll want to put on your list.

It’s located directly on the harbor, so you can grab a seat on a bench and enjoy the sailboats coming and out of the marina.

On the park property is a beautiful fountain. On hot days, you’ll see children running through the water and having fun.

This 8-acre park is located near the market and other great shopping areas.

Whether you’re shopping, or just stopping by to view the beautiful flower gardens, this is a park you want to make sure you get to.

For more info, visit the park’s website here.

James Island County Park

 If you’re up for an adventure, James Island County Park is the place for you.

It spans over 600 acres and is open for fishing, crabbing, hiking, biking, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more.

This park is also awesome for dog lovers, as it contains a completely enclosed dog park.

It’s only a $2 fee per person to enter the park.

For additional fees you can access the park’s campground, climbing facility, water park, disc golf course, and paddle boats.

Make a full day of it or camp out for the weekend at this park.

For more info, visit the park’s website here.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ask the Doctor- Can my TRAM flap be redone?

August 19, 2016 by

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

Question: I had a tram flap done back in 2012. Didn’t like the results so I didn’t go back to get it finished. I was to receive a breast reduction on my left breast because I was heavy. My left breast is still larger than my right. Can it be re-fixed to how I want so that I can be happy with my body?

Answer: Thanks for your question. Yes you can still have a procedure to adjust your other breast. There is a good chance that adjusting your “heavy” breast will improve the match or symmetry between the two and improve your overall result.

It is also possible that your TRAM breast could be adjusted so that the result is better. If you never went back to have it revised then there is a good chance that improvements could be made. If you would like more information then let me know I can have someone from my office contact you for more information.

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

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Easy Activities to Help You Get into a Workout Routine

August 16, 2016 by

 

Getting into a workout routine isn’t the easiest thing to do.

And it’s even harder if you’ve been put on medical rest due to an illness or injury.

The good news, however, is that it’s easy to take baby steps to get yourself back into an exercise routine.

There are many activities you can do in your home, outdoors, or at a community gym to help you build up your stamina again.

So we’d like to share some of our favorite activities with you to get you started with a new workout routine.

Before we begin, we’d like to remind you to check with your physician before you begin a new workout program.

This is especially important if you’ve had surgery or a serious illness such as cancer.

Walking

Walking is a great activity for so many reasons.

When you walk on a regular basis it helps improve blood circulation, strengthens muscles and joints, and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

The best part is that you can do it virtually anywhere.

Take a walk around your neighborhood, do a few laps around your home, or jump on a treadmill at your gym.

Start by walking small distances. As your body gets stronger and builds endurance, increase your distances.

Make walking more fun by bringing a friend along. What a great way to exercise and catch up on each other’s lives at the same time!

Swimming

Swimming is a wonderful activity and is very refreshing on a hot day. This activity is great for heart health—it’s by far one of the best cardio activities you can do besides running.

And when you swim, you are working all of your muscles and getting a full body workout.

This activity is perfect for people who are healing from injuries or those who can’t put a ton of stress on the body.

The reason… it’s one of the lowest impact exercises you can do.

Many gyms or community centers such as the YMCA have pools you can access for a small fee.

Better yet, find a friend or family member with a pool and schedule a swimming date!

Yoga

Yoga is all the rave almost everywhere. So why not give it a try?

Especially because it’s been proven to help keep you flexible, build muscle, drop blood pressure, and regulate your adrenal glands.

This activity is great because it allows you to start slow and move at your own pace. As time goes on, you’ll build endurance and progress to more advanced yoga techniques.

Many gyms and fitness centers offer yoga classes for beginners. You can also find yoga videos in stores or on YouTube to do at home.

All of these activities are fun, come with valuable health benefits, and will put you on the path to becoming a stronger and healthier individual.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, and with your doctor’s permission, get going!

What’s your favorite exercise activity?

Comment below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ask the Doctor-Can you perform a redo of a reconstructed breast?

August 12, 2016 by

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

Question: I need a redo of reconstructed breast. It is very high on my chest and it is showing in my clothing.

Answer: Thank you for your question. Sorry you are having problems with your breast reconstruction. If you do not want your surgeon who performed your reconstruction to revise your results then I would be willing to let you know what possible options you have.

We specialize in breast reconstruction and after getting all the details of your surgery I can let you know what my opinion is. My staff will need to contact you for all the details but until then can you tell me if you had implant reconstruction or another type? Also did you require radiation?

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

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

6 Back to School Tips to Relieve Stress

August 9, 2016 by

 

 

Summer coming to a close means one thing: getting prepared to send the kiddos back to school.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an elementary school kid, an adult student, or a parent…getting back into the swing of things is an adjustment for everyone.

To help you make the transition from a summer schedule back into the classroom, we’d like to share with you some of our favorite tips for going back to school.

Shift Gears into Scholar Mode

During the summer, it’s great to lounge by the pool, sleep in, and catch up on your favorite TV shows.

But as the first day of school approaches, it’s important to shift gears into scholar mode. Try planning a family trip to a local museum, nature center, or science center.

Encourage your kids to take notes, study new things, and learn as much as they can.

Adjust Your Sleep Schedule

During summer break, the family’s sleep schedule often shifts.

Late nights and sleeping in can become your new routine.

While there’s nothing wrong with this schedule, it can become a problem when you suddenly have to wake up at 6 a.m. to get your kids ready for school.

Try heading to bed a little earlier every night as the start of school approaches. It’s also helpful to set an alarm to help you wake up earlier each morning.

Create a Calendar

The start of school often means the start of new activities, sports, and after-school clubs. Creating a family calendar is a great way to ensure that you can keep track of everyone’s schedule.

Better yet, it also allows you to block off some time to spend with family, as we know the school year can be busy and hectic.

Get Your School Supplies

Most schools send out school supply lists before the year even begins.

Stay ahead of the curve and make sure your kids have all the books, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and other assorted supplies they need to start the year.

Purchasing these items a few weeks in advance will allow you to enjoy the rest of the summer without having to rush around at the last minute.

Put Together Meal Plans

Planning meals ahead saves a lot of valuable time and energy.

If your kids bring packed lunches to school, sit down and make a list of the foods they would like to have.

Having this list ahead of time will allow you to quickly run to the store and grab the necessary sandwich supplies, fruit, snacks, and drinks to keep your kids fueled during the school day.

Having a meal plan is also a great idea for dinner time, especially when schedules get crazy.

Put together a list of quick meals, and stock up on food items that won’t spoil so you can easily prep and serve meals without having to make an extra trip to the store.

Prepare for the Next Day Ahead of Time

There’s nothing worse than rushing around at the crack of dawn and trying to get everything organized and ready to go before the bus arrives.

Avoid this chaos and prepare for the next day ahead of time.

Lay out clothes for the next day, pack lunches the night before, and make sure backpacks are packed with homework and books ahead of time.

Do you have a favorite back to school tip?

Share it in the comments below!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Ask the Doctor-What should I do next?

August 5, 2016 by

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

Question: Diagnosed with breast cancer in Dec. 2013. Had Mastectomy Feb 2014. Reconstruction of left breast Feb. 2015 using TRAM flap procedure. Developed bulge which abscessed/infection (hospitalized 2 weeks). Bulge got bigger (right lower abdomen). Hernia repair Nov. 2015…unsuccessful.

Went to have follow-up laparoscopic hernia repair this week…couldn’t do procedure. Dr. said it wasn’t a hernia….abdominal wall defect….abdominal muscle has protruded into abdomen!

I have no idea what to do next. Having mobility problems because of all this, plus the deformity. I am a 72 year old woman. Any suggestions/information would be appreciated. All procedures carried out at MUSC.

Answer: I’m sorry you are having problems.I can’t say with certainty whether we can help, but I would be delighted to see you and evaluate your situation. If you could bring a disc with your latest CAT scan, and any operative reports, that would be helpful, but we can get that stuff later if you don’t have it.

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

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

How to Support Someone Dealing with Breast Cancer

August 2, 2016 by

 

Finding out your family member or friend has breast cancer is a shock. It’s sad and scary, and will most likely leave you wondering, “What can I do to help?”

The answer: There’s a lot you can do.

From making a meal to just being someone to talk to, you can make a difference in the life of someone battling breast cancer.

Keep reading to discover some of the best ways you can help.

Be a Listening Ear

Simply listen. Your loved one or friend probably has a million things running though her mind.

Being there to just listen is one of the most important things you can do.

Schedule a quiet time without any distractions to either meet up with your family member/friend or jump on the phone.

Let her direct the conversation. If she doesn’t want to talk about her diagnosis, respect that, and bring up a new topic.

It’s amazing how good someone can feel after a long talk with a person she cares about.

Bring a Meal

A cancer diagnosis often comes with many doctors’ appointments, medications, and various treatments that can be very draining.

And if your family member/friend has kids, a job, or other responsibilities, things like making a home-cooked meal can easily be pushed out the window.

Find out a few of her favorite meals and offer to bring her a meal once or twice a week. Or, if she’s the type that doesn’t accept help easily, just show up with food.

Keep in mind that she might not always be hungry thanks to medications and medical treatments.

That’s why meals that can be premade and frozen, like lasagna, are a great option. This gives the person flexibility to heat and eat food as needed.

Offer Yourself as a Chauffeur

Battling cancer is an exhausting process.

Also, treatments such as chemo can leave a person feeling sick and drained, which makes her unable to drive.

Offer to pick your friend/family member up from doctors’ appointments, offer to take her to and from the grocery or bank, or let her stay at home while you pick the kids up from school.

Driving when she is tired and doesn’t feel well is not only unpleasant, but it’s dangerous.

Give your family member/friend a hand by becoming her chauffeur.

Plan a Night Out

Sometimes it’s nice to get out and enjoy a fun activity.

If your friend/family member is feeling good, offer to take her out for a while to do something fun.

Here are a few fun ideas:

  • See a movie.
  • Go to brunch.
  • Paint pottery.
  • Take a walk in the park.
  • Splurge on a mini shopping spree.
  • Bake a delicious treat together.

It doesn’t have to be crazy. Just take a few hours to enjoy each other’s company and have some fun!

Send Cards

 It’s always special to get a card in the mail. All it takes is a simple note to make someone feel warm and fuzzy and loved.

Make a homemade card or get one from the store, and write a handwritten note. Tell a joke, share a funny story, or write words of encouragement. Better yet, send a series of cards doing all of these things.

If you live near your family member/friend, drop off notes throughout the week. Leave them on the door step or tape them to a car. Get creative!

Better yet, rally a bunch of friends in the area to leave notes/cards to show your loved one/friend that she is loved and thought of.

What’s your favorite way to support someone with breast cancer?

Share it below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,

Ask the Doctor-Should the same physician do the mastectomy and the reconstruction?

July 29, 2016 by

 

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

Question: Should the same physician do the mastectomy as does the reconstruction? Your thoughts?? I am undergoing chemo, will have bilateral mastectomy, radiation then reconstruction?

Answer: Generally speaking, the mastectomy should be done by a general surgeon, and the reconstruction should be done by a plastic surgeon. Often, the mastectomy and stage I of the reconstruction can be done at the same time, but not always. It is done this way for several reasons:

1) It would be difficult for one surgeon to stay up-to-date and proficient at both breast cancer management and breast reconstruction

2) There may be subtle unwanted bias when doing the mastectomy (i.e., extent of tissue removal) if the surgeon knows he also has to do the reconstruction

3) It is more fatiguing for one surgeon to do both procedures, and this could have undesirable consequences.

If you know that you are going to have radiation, then most likely the plastic surgeon will either do nothing, or place a tissue expander at the time of surgery. If you are going to attempt permanent implant reconstruction, the plastic surgeon may try to place the permanent implant before the initiation of radiation, or may leave the inflated tissue expander in place until after you have healed from radiation (usually about 6 months).

If you are planning to have natural tissue reconstruction, the expanders can be removed and flap transfers done after healing from radiation. Natural tissue reconstruction is usually not done at the same time as the reconstruction if radiation is planned, as the radiation can severely damage the transferred tissue.

Hope this helps, please let us know if we can answer any more questions.

 

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

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

Antioxidant Juice Recipes for the Summer Season

July 26, 2016 by

 

Juicing is incredibly popular, and it’s no surprise why!

Fresh juices taste great, are packed with antioxidants, and deliver the nutrition your body needs to stay healthy.

The best news of all?

When you add antioxidant rich juices into your diet, you’re giving your body the protection it needs to fight against disease and chronic illnesses.

Juicing is by far one of the easiest ways to protect your body and keep it healthy!

So easy, in fact, that all you need is a juicer or blender and some fresh ingredients to get started.

So what are you waiting for? Give juicing a try with some of our favorite antioxidant juice recipes for the summer season!

Breast Cancer Awareness Juice

Ingredients

 ½ of one lemon

1 large whole tomato

1 large wedge of watermelon (approx. 1/8 of melon)

Directions

#1 Add juice from lemon and whole tomato into blender and mix.

#2 Slowly incorporate wedge of watermelon until all ingredients are mixed together.

#3 Enjoy.

Fun fact: Lycopene from red watermelon, along with limonoids from lemons, is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Recipe source: https://juicerecipes.com/recipes/breast-cancer-awareness-juice-40

Fruit Punch

Ingredients

1 apple

2 kiwi’s

¼ lemon with rind

¼ lime with rind

1 peeled orange

½ pineapple

Directions

#1 Juice all ingredients with a juicer.

#2 Mix juice of all ingredients together.

#3 Enjoy.

Fun fact: Liminoid is a compound found in oranges. It helps fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon. The high vitamin C content acts as a good antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals.

Recipe Source: https://juicerecipes.com/recipes/fruity-punch-twist-60

Cucumber Melon Juice

 Ingredients

 2 large cucumbers

1 large wedge (about 1/4) of honeydew melon

3 celery stalks

 Directions

#1 Peel the melon and cucumbers (optional).

#2 Chop the ingredients to fit through your juicer.

#3 Juice all ingredients.

#4 Enjoy!

Fun Fact: Honeydew holds the second highest level of vitamin C compared to all other melons. The high content of vitamin C found in honeydew juice has been proven to aid in fighting and preventing various forms of cancer.

Recipe Source: http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/a-surprisingly-not-too-sweet-cucumber-melon-juice/

 Do you have a favorite juice recipe?

Share it in the comments below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , ,

Ask the Doctor-Can you tell me about the possibility of reconnecting nerves during DIEP flap?

July 22, 2016 by

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

Question: Is your team capable of reconnecting nerves as well as oxygenated blood supply during DIEP flap?

Answer: Yes, any DIEP surgeon is easily capable of connecting nerves, if the situation is favorable. Firstly, DIEP flaps must be designed based on optimizing the blood supply, not the nerves – otherwise, the flap would not survive. Having said that, many, but not all, DIEP flaps will have a usable sensory nerve as part of the flap, which can be connected to an intercostal or pectoral cutaneous nerve during the procedure, if the geometry of the flap is favorable for it.

If the flap has a useful sensory nerve which will not reach the intercostal nerve, a nerve graft can be used to bridge the gap, but this takes additional time, and could potentially impact the overall flap success rate.

Connecting nerves is technically significantly less demanding than connecting blood vessels, but the results are less consistent – even in the face of what looks like a technically adequate nerve repair, the nerve fibers may not grow through the anastomosis, resulting in a “nerve success rate” significantly less than the 99% vascular success rate obtained by most DIEP surgeons.

Achieving erogenous sensation in a reconstructed breast is a very worthwhile goal, and I am sure that progress will continue to be made in this area. However, while we are happy to attempt it if the patient desires it, we do not want to overstate the chances of success.

Thanks again for your question!

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

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