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5 Healthy and Delicious Breakfast Ideas

March 12, 2012 by

healthy breakfastAs Charleston breast surgeons, we’re always on the go, and breakfast is a meal we often overlook. Like you, we tend to grab something quick and run out the door or stop at Starbuck’s on the way to work for a quick pasty with our coffee. The old saying is true: a good breakfast is the start of a good day, so you don’t want to skip it.

Following are a few ideas we’ve found that don’t take long to prepare. They’re not only tasty but also good for you.

Breakfast casserole or quiche

You can prepare a quiche or breakfast casserole on the weekend and reheat it all week long, or you can prepare mini quiches for an even quicker bite. They’re delicious, and if you do it right, you’ll have at least one or two servings of vegetables and protein in each helping.

Fruit with peanut butter and cheese

Who can resist fruit with peanut butter and cheese? This breakfast is not only quick, but also mouthwatering and very healthy, especially if you use organic peanut butter or almond butter and low-fat cheese. Make sure the fruit is fresh!

Smoothie with fruit, protein powder, and yogurt

It doesn’t get much easier than this—throw some ice, protein powder, yogurt, and fruit or juice in a blender, turn it on, and drink your breakfast. A little research will turn up plenty of smoothie recipes you’ll love, and you’ll be amazed at how long you stay full if you add enough protein and fiber.

High-fiber English muffin or bagel with nut butter

Toast the bagel or English muffin and put your favorite nut butter or Nutella on top instead of butter or cream cheese. You could also add fresh or dried cranberries, strawberries, raisins, banana or apple chips, or sunflower seeds. You’re limited only by your imagination.

Your own GoGurt

You can make this great breakfast with any kind of cereal or granola you wish, along with your favorite flavor of yogurt. Grab a bowl or to-go cup and put some yogurt in the bottom. Add a layer of cereal or granola, and then add a second layer of yogurt and cereal. Fill the bowl and top it with your favorite fruit or nuts. There are literally a hundred and one ways to make this delicious breakfast.

What’s your favorite healthy, quick breakfast?

 

 

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Your Questions about Natural Breast Reconstruction and Implants Answered

March 9, 2012 by

implantsThe following submission below is answered by Dr. James E. Craigie, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

I had breast reconstruction in 2009 with implants and am unhappy with the result.  How hard is it to go back and do reconstruction with your own tissue?  What is the recovery time and does insurance give you a hard time if you need to do this?

Sorry that you are having so many problems with your implants, here are several things you need to know.  First of all, if someone required a mastectomy and their insurance company offers coverage for mastectomy; there is a federal law that mandates that insurance company to cover breast reconstruction.  If one technique did not work for you or failed, you are still eligible for another technique.  In our practice, 30% of our patients who undergo reconstruction with their own tissue have had failed implants.  Implant failure can be many different things.  Some people lose their implants because of infection; some have had radiation effects that contributed to rejection of the implant or hardness, while others simply have a result that is not satisfactory to them.  Other factors such as problems with implant itself or leakage can be reasons for implant failure as well.  Depending on exactly what your situation and original surgery was, the challenges of reconstruction following implants can include repair of the chest muscle, removal of leaking silicone, or removal of Alloderm if that product had been used during the initial reconstruction.  All of these things do make the reconstruction more challenging, but certainly our most successful technique to solve this problem is to remove the implants, any leaking implant material, the Alloderm, and the hard capsule that had formed around the implant and replace all of this with your own healthy living tissue.   Our preferred way to do this utilizes muscle-sparing techniques such as the DIEP or GAP, using just your fatty tissue to replace the implants.  Compared to someone who has not had failed implants, you may require an additional one or two revision stages of surgery and may require more time to allow the results to settle and overcome the effects of the previous surgeries.  These issues do make the process more complex, but the success rate among our patients is very high and the completed result is permanent and natural feeling which our patients who have had implant failures report to be their main goal. The recovery time for these types of surgeries is always patient dependent and generally longer than surgeries utilizing implants but our patients are usually back to work anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks.  I hope this has answered your questions and if you have any others I can answer, please feel free to forward them to us.

Do you have a question about breast implants or natural breast reconstruction? Submit your questions here to be answered by our team!

 

 

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Top 5 Spas in Charleston

March 7, 2012 by

Charleston SpasIf you’re in Charleston for a consultation or breast reconstruction surgery, we recommend the following spas for a bit of pampering or relaxation.

The Spa at Charleston Place

With its beautiful views and airy rooms, The Spa at Charleston Place is one of our favorites. The massage therapy options themselves are incredible: Swedish, deep tissue, warm stone, reflexology, and Moroccan oil. Skin care treatments include a decadent 24-karat gold facial and a diamond facial. Peppermint rosemary body scrubs, spa manis and pedis, and yin and yang classes are only a few of the dozens of possibilities for pampering.

Treatments for men and children are available, and if you stay at the hotel, you have use of the state-of-the-art health club with salt-water pool and Jacuzzi.

Stella Nova

Stella Nova takes facials to the next level with their Rx Infusion facial, which provides results fast with medical-grade ingredients that reduce rosacea and fine lines. This facial includes a penetrating serum and soothing mask. The Micro Mini Peel helps combat aging and firms the skin, while the Purifying Complexion facial reduces blemishes and deep cleans pores. The Cure Carboxi-Express and O2 Awakening infuse pores with oxygen to detoxify the skin.

Full-body treatments include a head-to-toe massage and salt scrub, a lavender-scented body wrap, African Red Tea Body Cocktail, and a sweet, luxurious sugar scrub. If you’re visiting with friends, book the VIP Spa Suite to enjoy the butler service and choice of delicious food and drink while you’re being pampered.

Simply Your Spa

An intimate day spa and yoga studio, Simply Your Spa offers a variety of packages that give you the best of the best in spa services. The Simply Your Sampler includes a Swedish massage, Quick Results Facial, Express Manicure, and Express Pedicure. For the ultimate in spa, The Pleasure Seeker Package offers a Swedish massage, Herbology Body Treatment, Simply Your Signature Facial, and Sea Spa Manicure and Pedicure. The Ultimate Feet Treat Package pampers your feet with a shea butter reflexology foot massage, followed by a Sea Spa Pedicure.

Simply Your Spa also offers lash and brow tinting, spray tan, and yoga and Zumba classes, as well as professional skin care, makeup, and doggie bath products for sale. Men’s and couples’ packages are available, and Simply Your Spa caters to brides, grooms, and groups.

Urban Nirvana

With an invitation to come into your own, Urban Nirvana is a day spa with a difference: their treatments use luxurious products rarely seen anywhere else. In addition to prenatal and hot stone massages, they offer a spectacular hand and foot massage, a scalp and full-body massage with citrus extracts, a paraffin massage, a warm rubdown, and an aromatherapy massage with your choice of intoxicating scents such as oolong and mandarin.

Urban Nirvana’s reclined-seating hydrotherapy tub and seven-head Vichy Shower offer unsurpassed luxury and relaxation. Body treatments such as a seaweed detox, a coffee body mask, and cocoa shea-butter wrap are treats for the body, mind, and soul. A full-service salon provides hair care and waxing by seasoned professionals.

Seeking Indigo

Integrating holistic wellness and lifestyle, Seeking Indigo has a yoga studio, Pilates center, organic café, and detox center that offer biofeedback, yoga, massage, organic facials, and Ayurvedic treatments. In addition to reiki and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, the spa has unique treatments not seen anywhere else. The Charleston Hyperbaric Chamber delivers oxygen to the body at the cellular level and allows the body to heal itself. Seeking Indigo’s far infrared sauna heats you from the inside out, reducing blood pressure and detoxifying the body.

The spa also offers fashion from local designers ranging from vintage to modern, jewelry of all types, books, music, art, and exotic treasures for sale.

Which spas appeal to you, and why?

 

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

5 Tips for Staying Regular (And Feeling Great!)

March 5, 2012 by

dietary fiberYou’ve heard it for years: eat more fiber to stay regular—but you might not understand what that means. Fiber is the part of the grain, vegetable, or plant that we cannot digest. It passes through your system without breaking down and adds weight and bulk to your stools.

Eating more fiber decreases constipation, reduces straining because bulky stools are easier to pass, and helps you feel great. You’ll want to aim for a certain amount of fiber per day, so you’ll need to read ingredient labels or research fiber amounts online to see how much each food has. According to the Mayo Clinic, men under 50 need at least 38 grams per day, while men over 50 need 30. Women under 50 should have at least 25 grams, and those over 50 should have at least 21 grams.

Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. The more of these you eat, the more you’ll find what works best for you. It’s easy to work fiber into your diet; for example, you can eat high-fiber cereal or cook with high-fiber vegetables. You can also use over-the-counter fiber supplements such as Metamucil, though whole foods should be your first choice.

To stay regular, you might try some of the following ideas in addition to extra fiber. These ideas will also help after breast reconstruction surgery,  as the procedure itself can be constipating.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Water helps keep your stools soft and easy to pass. Hot liquids, especially those with caffeine, stimulate colon action. You might try hot water with lemon juice first thing in the morning.

Don’t ignore the urge to go.

Many of us will simply hold off on using the bathroom if the urge hits at an inconvenient time. Always answer the call of nature. Regularly ignoring it can cause constipation or hard stools that are difficult to pass. Not going when the urge hits can also contribute to poor bowel action.

If you have a habit of ignoring urges, you may want to establish a certain time of day when you go to the bathroom.

Get more exercise.

Exercise helps you stay regular because the movement stimulates your body and helps your colon move waste. There’s a reason dogs tend to go during daily walks. Laughter has also been found to stimulate the colon, so if you’re having trouble, watch your favorite funny movie.

Know your medications and compensate.

Some medications can be constipating, so you may need to be extra vigilant about your fiber intake and add more water, prunes or stewed figs, or even a stool softener.

Take precautions when you travel.

Traveling tends to make you irregular, so be sure to stay well hydrated and eat plenty of fiber before and during your trip. The time difference may mean you’re using the bathroom at very odd times. Go with it and don’t ignore your body.

What’s your favorite tip for staying regular?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tips for Improving Recovery and Healing Time

March 2, 2012 by

Healing TimeOn the last edition of Ask the Doctor, we provided you with steps for the most optimal surgical experience. This week we are sharing with you some steps we have to help our patients improve their post surgery recovery and healing time !

After Surgery

Family members will receive periodic updates during your surgery.

Following the procedure, you will be moved to a special unit in the hospital where you will be connected to monitoring equipment. There, nurses trained in post operative care of breast reconstruction will monitor you at all times.  Family members can see you during visiting hours.

You will also receive an informative sheet that discusses your specific information and post-operative care.  This likely will include information concerning drain care; it is very important to monitor flow from the drains in a 24-hour period. This guides us on when to remove them.  You will also have a kind of thermometer on your chest, which monitors the flap.  Other specifics and information will be provided in your post-operative packets.

As You Heal

Family and Friends:
Support from loved ones is very helpful. But understand that comments they may make during your recovery can cause you concern. Remember this: We will tell you honestly how you are doing and what we expect your result will be.  Please trust in our knowledge and experience when we discuss your progress with you.

Healing:
You will heal! How quickly depends on factors your genetic background, your overall health and your lifestyle (exercise, smoking, drinking, etc.). Many people believe the surgeon “heals” the patient.  No person can make another heal. Dr Craigie and Dr Kline can facilitate, but not accelerate, the healing process.  But you play the starring role, so your cooperation is key.

Swelling:
You may find swelling of your new breast and abdomen (DIEP) or buttock (GAP) to be troublesome and your clothes may not fit.  Be patient, this swelling will gradually subside and you will feel better in a few weeks.  There will be a certain amount of tightness in the area where the flap was taken from.  This will slowly relax in a few months.

Following Instructions:
Another way to improve healing is by following the instructions given by Dr. Craigie and Dr. Kline’s staff.  We believe “the difference is in the details” and strive to achieve the best possible results for you.  It is imperative that you act as a partner in this process — not a passive participant.  The instructions are designed to give you the best opportunity for healing without delay or surprise.

Click here for a complete list of post surgery healing and recovery tips and instructions.

Have questions for the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction’s team? Send them on over, we’d love to hear from you!

 

 

 


 

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Change is in the Air!

February 29, 2012 by

Goodbyes are often bittersweet. While we are sad to see Christina Hobgood Naugle PA-C leave our team, we are proud to welcome a new team member, Kim Kay PA-C! Please take a moment to read the special message from Christina below.

“I am very happy to introduce to you all, Kim Kay PA-C.  Kim will be taking my place at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction starting in March.  My husband and I have a good opportunity in South Florida, so I will be returning to my home town.  Kim was a student with Drs Craigie and Kline a couple years ago, so she is a familiar face to The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction team.  I am very sorry that I am unable to hug each one of you prior to my move, but I could not leave without telling you all “Thank you”.  Thank you for the friendships, and thank you for the life lessons that each of you have provided in the past 3 ½ years.  This experience has been invaluable and the strength I have seen inspiring.  I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, and check in with Drs. Craigie and Kline occasionally.

I am leaving confident that Kim will be an excellent addition to The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction family!
All my best!”

Christina Hobgood Naugle PA-C

Christina,  we wish you the best of luck in South Florida!

 

 

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Stop Smoking Series: All about Tobacco Quitlines

February 27, 2012 by

Tobacco QuitlinesEvery state has a tobacco quitline, typically paid for with funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. In 1998, the states settled Medicaid lawsuits against the tobacco companies to recover their costs for treating tobacco-related illness, and the tobacco companies agreed to pay the state over $200 billion over 25 years.

Hundreds of thousands of smokers and chewers call quitlines every year, and the North American Quitline Consortium reports that depending on whether nicotine replacement therapy is part of the program, 30-day success rate ranges from 14–36%

The quitlines are telephonic tobacco cessation services that help smokers and chewers quit through phone coaching or counseling, medications, and education. Each quitline coach or counselor has had extensive training in tobacco addiction and best practices in quitting. The staff of each quitline stays up-to-date on the latest research in tobacco cessation and relapse prevention, and is trained to coach in the use of the various medications such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), antidepressants, and Chantix.

Each state determines how its quitline will provide services, including the hours of operation, whether medication will be offered, whether there will be a charge for participants, and the duration of the program. To find out more about your state’s quitline, call 1-800-QUIT NOW.

The coaching that you receive from a quitline is instrumental in helping you quit. The coach will discuss your smoking history with you, including your previous quit attempts. He or she will give you tips on quitting and strategies to deal with cravings. Many of these coaches are former smokers themselves and know what you’re going through; however, even if they have never smoked, the coaches are highly trained in helping you quit.

You will be encouraged to set a quit date either on the initial call or during a follow-up call. Setting a quit date is an important first step in your quit plan and signals your commitment to stop tobacco. The coaches will call you on a regular schedule throughout the program, and you are encouraged to call in any time you have issues or uncontrollable cravings.

All you have to lose is your tobacco addiction. Call your state’s quitline at 1-800-QUIT NOW and get started creating a healthier you today.

 

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What Can You Do to Improve Your Surgical Experience?

February 24, 2012 by

We at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction are constantly finding breast reconstructive patients asking how they can have the most optimal surgical experience. We have decided to share with you some steps we have to help our patients have the best surgery experience possible!

Starting Immediately

Stop Smoking: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing.  (This includes avoiding rooms with smokers.)  You must be nicotine free for at least 1 month prior to the procedure and throughout the duration of the various stages (a minimum of around 10 months).  Note: nicotine in your system increases risk for wound healing complications, infections, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, or flap loss/failure.

Get in Shape: While reconstruction process will help improve parts of your body, it is important to be in optimal shape prior to surgery.  A Body Mass Index between 19%-25% is an ideal goal.  We do not recommend “crash diets” or extreme lifestyle changes.  However, statistics have shown patients with a lower Body Mass Index have fewer wound healing complications, infections, pulmonary complications, and cardiac complications.

The Day before Surgery

Cleansing:  Purchase Hibiclens or Dial soap and wash all surgical areas with these products.  (The Hibiclens is provided with the other prescriptions given pre-operatively.) DO NOT use this after your surgery unless otherwise instructed.

Do not shave the day before your surgery. Open wounds can invite infection.

Eating and Drinking:  Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight the evening prior to surgery.  This includes water.  No breath mints, no chewing gum.

The Morning of Surgery

Eating and Drinking: Do not eat or drink anything!  If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning unless the hospital has given you instructions otherwise.  No breath mints, no chewing gum.

Oral Hygiene:  You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.

Cleansing:  Shower and wash the surgical areas again with HIBICLENS or DIAL soap.

Make-up:  Please do not wear any moisturizers, creams, lotions, or make-up.

Clothing:  Wear only comfortable, loose fitting clothing that does not go over your head.  Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry.  Please do not bring valuables with you.

Check back next week as our team will share  tips and suggestions for improving healing and cutting down recovery time.
Do you have a question for our team at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction? We’d love to hear from you

 

 

 

 

 

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Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Your Mammogram

February 22, 2012 by

mammogramWhile healthcare agencies and government entities may disagree about when to start having mammograms and how frequently to schedule them, one thing is clear: mammograms are the best way to screen for early breast cancer. You don’t want to neglect your mammogram, and here are a few reasons why.

You’ll have peace of mind.

When you’ve had a mammogram, you know you’re doing all you can to detect breast cancer early and get it treated. You won’t have that nagging question in your head about whether your monthly self-checks are doing the job.

Mammograms are the best way to protect yourself.

Regular mammograms are your best defense against cancer, and if you do have it at some point, you can treat it as early as possible. According to the National Cancer Institute, when breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98%. Mammograms can detect breast cancer years before you can feel the lump, so it’s the best early-detection instrument available.

Insurance covers it.

Most insurance covers mammograms for women over 40 or younger women who have high risk for breast cancer. If you have first-degree relatives (mother or sister) who had breast cancer at a young age, start having mammograms a decade earlier than the youngest age of diagnosis. For example, if your sister was diagnosed at 42, start having mammograms at 32.

It only takes a few moments.

Yes, the machine will press on your breasts, and yes, it can be uncomfortable. But it only takes a few moments, and then you’re good to go for a year. To reduce discomfort, try not to schedule the mammogram near your period if you tend to have tender breasts at that time.

If you’re over 40 and haven’t had a baseline mammogram, or you haven’t had one in a few years, it’s time to schedule one. Call your doctor today.

 

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

Beating Psoriasis and Dry Skin this Winter

February 20, 2012 by

Dry SkinDuring the winter, we often see breast reconstructive surgery patients who suffer from dry skin and psoriasis. While dry skin is a common winter complaint, it doesn’t have to be your fate. Following are some tips to prevent dry skin and take care of psoriasis.

Eat plenty of good fats.

Your body needs essential oils to keep everything smooth, silky, and healthy. Be sure to eat healthy-fat foods every day, such as avocados, nuts, and salmon. Check with your doctor to see how much you need, and enjoy!

Drink plenty of water.

We tend to forget to drink plain water in the winter because we crave warm drinks such as cocoa and tea. If your body doesn’t get enough water, it won’t stay hydrated, and your skin shows it. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and more if you’re thirsty. If this doesn’t help, your home may need more moisture in the air. Try a humidifier.

Sunscreen is still vital.

Even though the sun may be hiding behind clouds during the winter, it doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen. The sun can still damage your skin through the clouds and cause a psoriasis outbreak. If you love snow sports like skiing or snowshoeing, the glare can burn your skin and hurt your eyes—so don’t forget sunglasses! Be sure to carry sunscreen with you so you can reapply as necessary.

You may need a heavier moisturizer.

What worked well in the summer for moisturizing your face and body may not do the job during the winter months. If you love your moisturizer and don’t want to change, you may need to simply apply it more often during the day. Otherwise, look for a creamier moisturizer with more staying power. You might also consider using something like Bag Balm or coconut oil.

This tip will also help keep psoriasis flare-ups at bay, especially if you apply moisturizer liberally after baths and showers. Speaking of which . . .

Nix extra-hot showers and baths.

You love hot showers in the winter, but they’re actually doing more harm than good for your skin. The heat dissipates the oils in your skin, causing it to dry out and itch. If you do have itchy skin or a psoriasis outbreak, try a lukewarm oatmeal bath with plenty of non-allergenic moisturizer afterward.

Keep stress down.

Psoriasis, like most skin conditions, flares up when you’re under stress, and then the flare-up makes your stress worse. It’s a vicious cycle. Recognize your own early triggers of stress, and do what you can to reduce or prevent it, such as working out, meditating, or talking out your problems. If you’re facing breast reconstructive surgery, you’re already under stress, so you may experience a flare-up. If stress is an issue for you, contact your doctor for help.

What do you do to combat dry skin or psoriasis?

 

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