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Small Things Add Up: How to Stick to Your Diet

September 19, 2012 by

Image Taken From: www.womensonlinemagazine.com

Weight gain is often the cumulative effect of a series of small decisions: do you take the stairs or the elevator? Do you walk to the corner store, or drive? Sit in front of the TV, or walk the dog? Fortunately for those who want to stick to a diet, the small decisions we make every day can help us to reach our goals without feeling as though our lives have been dominated by the desire to lose weight. Here are some ways you can focus on the small things that have a huge effect on the success of your diet:

Mentally prepare yourself every day: When you wake up in the morning, consciously think about your diet. Before you even enter the kitchen, remember your goals, and mindfully select food that will fuel your body for the day. Whole grains and fruits are the perfect way to get your metabolism going without spiking your blood sugar levels.

  • Enjoy every bite: Take time during your meals to fully chew and savor every bite. Even if you are only eating your dish because you know it’s good for you, remember it’s healthy for a reason—those vitamins and minerals help your body perform the functions that sustain your very life! Rejoice in your body’s incredible machinery, and give it the fuel it deserves.
  • Stay accountable: Even if it pains you, step on the scale every day. It keeps you honest, and reminds you that the decisions you make throughout the day are leading you to your goal. You can even keep a food diary to chart your progress and keep track of the foods you eat throughout the day.
  • Regularize your eating: Eat at the same time every day, and plan meals that are both nutritious and help you feel sated. When your body gets in the habit of an eating schedule, you reduce hunger and the midday temptation to snack too much.
  • Exercise with a friend: Accountability can be the deciding factor in whether or not a diet succeeds. Plus, exercise is much more enjoyable when in good company.
  • Take the stairs: Remember, everything matters, and small adjustments make a world of difference when it comes to losing weight. Every opportunity you see to burn more calories or eat healthier, take them.  Get acquainted with the stairs, and be sure to break up the hours at the desk with a stroll to the water fountain, or just stand up for a few minutes. Really, anything burns more calories than sitting.

Do you have the secret to a successful diet? Feel free to share in the comments section below!

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Can I Expect Tissue Problems After Radiation Therapy?

September 7, 2012 by

Tissue ProblemsThe below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

What type of tissue problems should I expect after having radiation therapy post mastectomy and chemo? I have implants now, but will be having them removed and have a DIEP procedure. Thank you.

Hello,

If your implants will be removed then you should not expect problems with capsular contracture following radiation. Mainly these problems are related to your body’s rejection of the implant . The radiation will permanently affect the skin and others parts of your body that are treated with radiation. However when you recover from the radiation short term affects (usually 3-6months) you should be able to safely have a DIEP. Using your own tissue will give you the most natural permanent result without a high risk for problems due to radiation. When we know someone will need radiation following mastectomy this is our preferred method.

I hope this helps let me know if you have additional questions.

James Craigie, MD

Center For Natural Breast Reconstruction

Get answers to your questions about breast reconstruction straight from our surgical team! Submit your questions here today.

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Treasure Hunting: The Top Antique Stores in Charleston

August 29, 2012 by
Charleston Antiques

The Charleston Battery Bench, Image Taken From:Geo C. Birlant and Company (www.birlant.com)

Looking for something nostalgic to spruce up your home? In Charleston, there’s no shortage of fantastic antique boutiques—and each of these local shops is a trove full of beautiful finds you never even knew you needed. Make your next shopping trip a stroll down memory lane, and find an heirloom or two to take home with you. Here are some of our favorite places to treasure hunt:

Geo C. Birlant and Company: Founded by George Birlant in 1922, this historic shop is one of the best places to find exquisite English Georgian furniture and silver. The family-owned business offers the finest in antique benches, dressers, silver, porcelain, crystal, brass, fireplace accessories, and longcase clocks. For those looking for something old-but-new, they even handcraft exceptional reproductions.

Golden and Associates Antiques: Located in historic Charleston, this local boutique has a reputation for dealing with the finest antiques around.  Art, seating, case pieces, chandeliers, mirrors, and tables are just a few of the extraordinary items waiting to take your breath away. You’re sure to find your home’s new signature piece here!

Terrace Oaks Antique Mall: Since 1988, Terrace Oaks Antiques has been one of the most renowned multi-dealer antique shops in Charleston with over 90 booths for every collectors’ tastes. Here you’ll find Victorian jewelry, books, American and European furniture, majolica, oyster plates, antique prints and engravings, original works of art, military items, linens, rugs—and that’s just the short list. Come peruse this storied mall and see for yourself!

Antiques of South Windermere: This upscale antique shop has plenty of furniture, household goods, and art to offer the discerning buyer. With well-preserved, high quality antique items on the main floor to entice your browsing, there is also a back room with a plethora of books to discover. If you’re looking for a nice gift or trying to decorate on a generous budget, you’ll love this gem of an antique shop.

Now get out there,  and find the little piece of antiquity to complete your home’s stellar décor.

What is your most treasured antique find?

 

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Is This Normal? Your Post Op Breast Reconstruction Question Answered

August 17, 2012 by

Post Op Breast ReconstructionThe below question comes all the way from Australia, and is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction!

6 weeks after surgery I had a leak a long my stitches all bright yellow came out when that stopped a week after my scar further round swelled and it started leaking from there. Thats stopping now, is this normal? Will it keep happening, and I think my breast seems to be going smaller?

Hello,

It depends on the type of surgery you had. Drainage from incisions 6 weeks from surgery could be related to  incision healing. If the incision healed without problems and then the drainage occurred it could be a reaction to stitches or from a collection of fluid underneath that is working its way out. Your description might suggest liquefied fat is working its way out. If it is coming from the breast it may stop on its own or could require a procedure to remove all of it. Make you sure you check with your surgeon to make sure there is no infection. I hope this helps answer your question.

James Craigie, MD

Center For Natural Breast Reconstruction

Would you like your breast reconstruction question answered?  Register for our no-cost webinar on August 28th where there will be a live Q and A session!!

 

 

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Around the World in Charleston: Best Ethnic Dining

August 8, 2012 by

In Charleston,  we like to give our taste buds a little adventure, and luckily, we don’t have to jet-set far for a bite of global cuisine. With our local restaurants showcasing classic dishes the world-over, all we have to do is decide where our hunger will take us next! Here are some of our favorite places to dine the world right in our beloved Lowcountry:

  • Basil: When we’re in the mood for authentic Thai cuisine,  only Basil will do. Whether it’s peanut-sauce-glazed satay, their famed basil rolls, curries, or Pad Prik, no other Thai restaurant comes close to Basil’s dishes or their lush, sophisticated ambiance. Be sure to top off your delicious meal with one of their signature cocktails—a perfect nightcap.
  • Zia Taqueria: Looking for something a little south of the border? Zia is an authentic Mexican taqueria offering regional Mexican, Southerwestern, and Tex-Mex cuisine and beverage with only natural ingredients. Be sure to try the savory tortas, carne asada, and baja fish —you’ll never forget that wonderful baja sauce!
  • Tabbuli: To sum up the magic of Tabbuli in a word: babaghanoush. Their fire-roasted rendition of this beloved eggplant appetizer is worth the trip alone! Of course, we stay for their glorious salads—fattoush, tabbuli, and the tahini salad. And the falafel. And the kabobs. Who are we kidding—we love it all.
  • La Fourchette: This French bistro will have your heart before you can say moules a la bretonne (their steamed mussels with shallots in a buttery garlic and white wine sauce). For the vegetarian diner, they offer a plethora of soups and salads, as well as an otherworldly delicious eggplant dish, replete with tomatoes, zucchini, and goat cheese, all in a decadent leek sauce. Don’t leave without sampling their succulent cheeses, paired perfectly with any wine from their full list!

Which ethnic eateries have you sampled in Charleston?

 

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What are the Next Steps if Capsular Contracture Occurs from a Breast Implant?

July 27, 2012 by

The below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

What are the next steps if capsular contracture occurs from a breast implant?

The next step would depend on how severe the capsular contracture is.  All implants will develop a capsule and this may slowly lead to changes in the shape or in the most severe cases painful scarring and hardness.  When symptoms develop it may be necessary to surgically intervene.  The next step would depend on whether the patient has had radiation and the available options for reconstruction.  The first step and the least involved regarding surgery would be capsulotomy or release of the scar. Sometimes the healing process, whether there was an infection or a bruise around the breast, could have increased the risk for capsular contracture. Other times it may simply be the body’s reaction to an implant.  If after capsulotomy or capsulectomy the contracture has not resolved, the next step would be to consider moving additional healthy tissue to cover the implant or to remove the implant and replace it with your own tissue.  30% of our patients who choose to undergo autologeous reconstruction have had prior implant reconstruction and their bodies have developed severe capsular contracture.  If someone has had radiation, the capsular contracture will be more severe and most likely once problems develop the problems will continue.  Therefore, when multiple capsular contracture procedures have been necessary; our recommendation would be to consider removing the implant and replacing it with your own tissue using a muscle-sparing procedure.  Your own tissue would not develop capsular contracture and it is the most successful way to solve problems resulting from implant reconstruction.

Would you like your breast reconstruction question answered? Just ask us!

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Five Irresistible Books for Your Summer Beach Bag

July 23, 2012 by

What better way to soak up a little sun than with a riveting new read? At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we’ve pooled together a list of hot summer books for you to enjoy at your favorite Charleston beach!

1. Wild by Cheryl Strayed: One of the hottest memoirs to hit the shelves, Strayed’s story is a heartening and harrowing one. After losing her mother to cancer, reeling from the ruin of her marriage, and recovering from drug addiction, Strayed made a life-changing decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail solo in the hopes of salvaging her life and herself. If you need more convincing, Oprah selected this memoir to kick-off Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.

2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James: If you’ve yet to dive into the naughty world of Grey, we recommend you start at the very beginning, where Ana Steele and Christian Grey first fell headlong into their steamy, erotically dark affair. This book is sure to fuel your appetite for the other two novels in this trilogy: Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

3. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty: A story of tangled trajectories, this novel tracks the journey of fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks before she became the silent-film icon, and her thirty-six year old chaperone Cora Carlisle. Set in the roaring 1920’s, this novel is rich both in its cultural depiction, and in its exploration of each character’s destiny during this era of possibility.

4. The Odditorium by Melissa Pritchard: This short-story collection is the imaginative transport your summer’s been missing. Weirdly enchanting, beautifully haunting, Pritchard bends the conventions of westerns, horror, and historical fiction to create a menagerie of pure enthrallment. Good luck putting this one down!

5. We Only Know So Much by Elizabeth Crane: With whimsy, wit, and unrelenting insight, Crane reveals the story of the Copelands, a family torn and entwined by the secrets they keep and the lives they lead. Sharp and voice-driven, this novel will make you laugh and cringe, but most of all, you’ll simply be happy to be reading it.

What books are on your reading list this summer?

 

 

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The Advantages of ICAP Flap Breast Reconstruction and When to Use This Procedure

July 13, 2012 by

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

When would we use the ICAP flap for breast reconstruction and what are the advantages of this procedure?

The TCAP flap is a procedure for reconstructing the breast or partial breast reconstruction and is another of the muscle-sparing flaps. The ICAP does not require microsurgery or reattachment of the blood vessels, but usually the amount of tissue available is small.  In our experience it is most frequently used to perform partial breast reconstruction of mainly the outer side of the breast or to add volume to a previously reconstructed breast or when the resulting size is not as quite as large as desired from the original planned procedure.  An advantage of the ICAP flap is that it removes tissue from the side of the body that is usually in excess and sometimes bothersome following a mastectomy.  It is just above the bra line and the scar, and although it extends to the back, can almost always be covered in a bathing suit or a support type bra.  Again, the ICAP’s best use is in adding additional tissue to an already reconstructed breast or providing small amounts of tissue for partial breast reconstruction.  It typically does not involve microsurgery to reconnect the blood vessels and the blood vessel that nourishes the tissue is conveniently located on the side of the body near the breast just above the bra line.

For more answers to your breast reconstruction questions, visit our Ask the Doctor section of this blog or submit your questions here.

 

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Around the Harbor: A Guide to Experiencing Charleston by Sea

July 11, 2012 by

Charleston is our favoite place to be during the summer months, with its great beaches and waterways helping to temper the heat. If you’re looking to experience our beautiful city from another vantage point, consider taking a cruise around the Charleston Harbor. You will truly get a feel for life in this city by the sea. While you’re out there, you might even encounter some dolphins playing in your wake!

Charleston Harbor Tours

Step aboard the “Carolina Belle” and immerse yourself in the history of maritime life with Charleston Harbor Tours! This 90-minute tour comes with a well-educated tour guide who will point out some of Charleston’s most historic landmarks and tell the fascinating stories behind them. You can also purchase a carriage or plantation tour package when booking a harbor tour.

Spirit Line Cruises

Tour Ft. Sumter, have dinner, and sail around the harbor with the same cruise company! Spirit Line Cruises offers private charters, three-hour dinner cruises, and even wedding receptions. This company offers something for the history buff and socialite alike.

Charleston Dolphin and Eco Tours

Looking for something a little less historical? Grab your family and see Charleston’s watery wildlife up close and personal! Charleston Dolphin and Eco Tours offers fun for the whole family, with nature-oriented tours and harbor cruises. Choose the perfect excursion for your family, and enjoy the ride!

About Charleston:

The Charleston area is home to wonderful resources for our patients and their families. If you are traveling here for surgery, rest assured that we have world-class medical and post-operative facilities. Patients of the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction are cared for at the East Cooper Medical Center, a state-of-the-art regional hospital, located very near to our offices.

The region is also filled with hotels, villas and homes available for short- or long-term rental.

Charleston is routinely ranked one of the nation’s most beloved destinations. And we’ve also been voted most polite so often, that we’ve politely pulled out of the competition. Charleston enjoys a temperate climate, a vibrant historic district, wide beaches, majestic homes and a friendly ambiance. No matter the season, there are plenty of things to see and do here.

You can get more information about Charleston and its’ harbor tours and cruises at the Charleston Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

 

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TDAP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery: When and Why to Choose This Option

July 6, 2012 by

The below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

When would we use the TDAP flap for breast reconstruction and what are the advantages of this procedure?

The TDAP flap or thoracodorsal artery perforator flap is a procedure for reconstructing the breast or partial breast reconstruction and is another of the muscle-sparing flaps.  The procedure allows for the fatty tissue from the side and back to be mobilized and then transferred to the breast without disconnecting its blood supply and performing re‑anastomosis of the small blood vessels.  The tissue that is used is in the area above the latissimus dorsi muscle, which is the largest muscle in the body; however, the procedure does not involve transferring the muscle or destroying the muscle.  The advantages of this procedure are that the tissue can be used for breast reconstruction without performing the microsurgery and without damaging or removing the muscle.  The disadvantages of the procedure are that there is a limited amount of tissue available to use for breast reconstruction and because the blood vessel remains attached and is not divided, there is a limit to the shaping and positioning of the new tissue.  It is most frequently used for reconstruction of a part of a breast, mainly the outside, but in some circumstances can be used for reconstructing the entire breast.  However, this is usually a smaller reconstruction and the amount of skin available is typically limited as well.  The TDAP can be used for transferring fat to the breast at the time of mastectomy or can be used later after mastectomy and the body has healed.

Procedures: Transforming Healthy, Living Tissue
Microsurgery has come a long way since its invention by vascular surgeons in the 1960s. The term refers to any surgery involving a surgical microscope. And it has found one of its best applications in breast reconstruction. Through microsurgery, our skilled surgeons are able to harvest healthy tissue from one part of a womans body and reattach it to the breast area. Through the careful process of attaching blood vessels, microsurgery allows patients to have natural looking breasts made from their own, living tissue. Another benefit is the minimized impact and injury to muscles, allowing patients to enjoy a faster, fuller recovery.

Did you find this post helpful? We’d love to hear from you in our comments section.

 

 

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