Plastic Surgery Blog:Necessary Health Test for Women

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As women age there are many tests that are recommended for women based on age. According to a recent local newsarticle national Women’s Health Week encourages women to take several proactive steps,

  1. Skin cancer screening — The American Cancer Society has estimated  that Arizona will see 1,650 news cases of melanoma this year.
  2. An EKG to to screen for heart disease — Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and the symptoms are often hidden. It’s six times more likely to be fatal than breast cancer. Women older than 50 are recommended to have an EKG every year.
  3. Pap smears annually between the ages of 21 and 30, and then every third year in patients older than 30, if  they are in a monogamous relationship and have a consistent  history of normal pap smears.
  4. A mammogram starting at age 40 every other year and bi-anually after age 50.
  5. A colonoscopy – Once the baseline is determined at age 50 then follow-up tests should be done every five to 10 years.

Dr. Angelchik explains to patientsthat maintaining their best health is one of the best ways to keep up their most youthful appearance. Plastic surgery is  a viable option for patients who  in excellent health. Older Americans are  more likely now than ever to have plastic surgery procedures performed. The most popular procedures for older Americans include blepharoplasty, facelift, and browlift. Dr. Angelchik reiterates that each patient should check with their primary care physician to determine which tests are required. Dr. Angelchik instructs patients that if they are over 50 medical clearance will be required prior to surgery. This will include an independent exam which will clear the patient to proceed with surgery. Dr. Angelchik is committed to patient safety as well as excellent results.

Plastic Surgery Blogs:Summertime is Coming ,Take Care of Your Health and Body

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Even in the hot Arizona climate the transition to summer calls for changing some behaviors. According to  a  newsstory the outdoors can contain some health risks, especially during the summer, so preparing yourself for outdoor activity make sense. Here are some tips according to the article, first, mosquitoes are common carriers of many viruses including West Nile virus, while ticks are known for carrying Lyme disease. These insects do not respond to repellent, so it’s best to protect yourself with clothing when spending time outdoors. Too much sun exposure can cause serious problems including heatstroke and also heat rash. Heatstroke happens when the body becomes overheated. It can cause fatally high body temperatures. Heat rash can also be a problem. Extended exposure can lead to the development of skin cancer. This is preventable by wearing the right sunscreen daily. Eyes should be protected as well. Pollutants that can trigger allergies are abundant during the summer months and should be avoided. Fungal infections can be common issue in public common areas such as a public poo,l and public showers. Closed in shoes will help to prevent contracting fungal infections such as athletes foot. Avoid poison plants including poison ivy and poison oak. Become familiar with what they look like and be sure to steer clear of the plants. Heath and beauty are both important especially in the summer.. The summer is a great time to consider breast augmentation . As the summer months approach Dr. Angelchik’s practice is buzzing with patientswho are anticipating a better proportioned and contoured bust line for the summer. Breastaugmentation is extremely popular this time of year because most patients can recover from surgery and be swimsuit worthy within a few weeks. Dr. Angelchik offers both salineandsilicone implants for breast augmentation as well as a breastlift breast augmentation combination. He also offers different techniques based on the size, shape, contour,and the desires of the patient. Dr. Angelchik’s experience and artistic skill continues to rank him as one of the top board-certified plastic surgeons in the country.

Plastic Surgery Blog:We Know We’re Not Supposed to Pick Our Skin; So Why Do We Do It?

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A recent online NBC news story looked at the reasons why so many of us feel the urge to pick at our skin when we know that it is not good for us. According to the article Compulsive or pathological skin picking, which is also known as dermatillomania, falls under the umbrella of a “body-focused repetitive behavior,” says Dr. Ted Grosbart, PhD, a Boston-based clinical psychologist who specializes in dermatology. Patients with this impulse-control disorder have a strong urge to pick at their skin over and over again to a significant enough degree that it creates noticeable tissue damage and it increasingly becomes a real problem, Grosbart explains. He says the condition, which is found more commonly in women, has a genetic basis. And there’s usually an emotional stressor or hormonal trigger (like puberty), which ignites it. This is more extreme than the average person who will pick a pimple or a dry skin patch. A person with a compulsive disorder to this degree would be advised to seek psychiatric treatment. Patientswho are not compulsive pickers, yet they are experiencing skin concerns because of acne, dry skin patches, or unsightly moles should consider a consultation with JanaDreebin, Dr. Angelchik‘s experienced medical aesthetician. Jana offers medical grade skincaretreatment and were not compulsive skin care products as well as medical grade skin care services in the Claroclinic. Jana will analyze the skin and determine the best treatments to restore the skin to its most healthy state. Jana may also use lasers including IPLtreatments to even skin tone and treat age and sunspots. Jana will reiterate the importance of keeping patients hands away from the face including picking blemishes or dry skin that may peel after a treatment. Patients who are truly concerned about the state of their skin care benefit best when they are under the care and supervision of medical aesthetician Jana Dreebin. Jana often refers patients who are considering injectable products including Botoxand fillers like Restylaneor Sculptrato Dr. Angelchik for added youthful benefits.

Plastic Surgery Blog: Shape Up for the Summer Safely

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With the official summer kickoff right around the corner many people are searching for diets and quick fix programs to improve their body before pulling out the fashions that show more skin. According to a recent onlinearticle losing weight and getting in shape for the summer should not be a short term goal. The lifestyle changes required should be adopted as a new lifestyle for the patient. According to the article being healthy and losing weight are not only about crash diets, the sizes of clothes, and  the moving numbers on the scale, experts say. Including fitness into your life can increase your confidence and make you feel and look better, said the experts, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.”Start by throwing away all clothing catalogs with skinny models in skimpy bikinis on the front,” Beth Kitchin, assistant professor of nutrition sciences, said in a university news release. According to the news story the goal is to find a comfortable stable and healthy weight and maintain it over a lifetime. Dr. Angelchik helps patientsunderstand the value of plastic surgery for patients who are healthy and at a stable weight, yet desire enhancements to improve signs of facial aging. It is not uncommon for patients who have lean body mass to also have a hollowed out appearance on their face as they age. In many cases it causes the patient to look much older than their stated age. Typically, Dr. Angelchik will recommend a facelift, browlift, and blepharoplastywhich will make a considerable difference, taking care of loose and lax skin on the face. To add volume in the hollowed out areas, Dr. Angelchik may recommend Scupltra Cosmetic. This product allows patients to gradually build their own collagen over time to create a more full and youthful looking face. Dr. Angelchik has been an expert Sculptra injector for many years and has seen firsthand very impressive results from the product. Patient should contact Dr. Angelchik to see if Sculptra Cosmetic and other facial rejuvenation procedures are right for them.

 

Plastic surgery blog:Believe It or Not, Beer Has Health Benefits

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Most people would not associate drinking beer with any health benefits whatsoever. However, according to recent my Fox Phoenix news report a study has found that occasional beer drinking does have health benefits. According to the news story beer can actually be beneficial for your health when consumed in proper moderate amounts. Those who drink a moderate amount of beer have been proven to have a 31 percent greater reduced risk for heart disease than those who don’t. Beer has also been directly associated with the ability to reduce the risk of heart attack and fatalities from cardiovascular disease by up to 40 percent.. Studies have found that moderate beer drinking can facilitate an increase a person’s levels of HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol that assists in preventing clogged arteries. Beer drinking helps prevent blood clots from forming and restricting blood flow to the heart, neck and brain. Beer drinkers have 30 percent more vitamin B6 in their blood than non-beer-drinkers and two times as much as those who drink red wine. Vitamin B6 is essential for proper tuning of the brain, energy and fighting off illness. Moderate beer drinkers are much less likely to contract kidney stones.  The risk of kidney stones is reduced by about 40 percent for men if they are beer drinkers in contrast to non-beer drinkers. Drinking beer can lead to healthier bones. Studies have discovered that older individuals who consume one or two beers per day have higher bone density. This is widely due to the fact that beer (especially pale ales) has an increased amount of silicon, which is great for bone health. It’s important to consider your personal health risks and your genetics when making lifestyle choices which include drinking beer regularly, and how much you should drink.  As with any alcohol product there are risk patients should consider. Consuming beer on a regular basis. For men beer is often blamed for what many men believe is a beer belly. As men age many complain of an inability to get rid of fat on the abdomen, love handles, and lower back. Many blame it on their diet including drinking beer. Dr. Angelchik explains that for many men the increase in abdominal fat could also be due to aging and hormonal changes. For men who do not have excessive loose and lax skin, liposuction could be an excellent option in reducing the fat around the waist line. Dr. Angelchik explains that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and that patients need to be diligent about diet and exercise following surgery to maintain the long-term results.

Plastic surgery blog: Embrace “The New Look of Motherhood”

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As Mother’s Day approaches many are scrambling for last-minute gift ideas to celebrate moms on a day set aside just for them. Gone are the days when people gave allowances for a mommy pouch, or “baby weight” for moms. So, this Mother’s Day a mommy makeover is the perfect gift for many patients. Dr. Angelchikconsults with patientswho have had children and often tell him they are dissatisfied with the contour and shape of their body. Most often they are dissatisfied with the volume they have lost in their breast and the sagging skin that accompanies it. They are usually also dissatisfied with the loose skin on their abdomen that usually also includes stretch marks. In these cases, Dr. Angelchik with typically recommend a mommy makeover. The mommy makeover consists of different procedures that can vary based on the patient’s desires and needs. For some patients, Dr. Angelchik may recommend a Brazilian tummytuck which incorporates more liposuctioninto the procedure. This procedure allows him to contour the waist using liposuction and tightens the skin and abdominal muscles for a flatter more toned looking abdomen. For other patients he may recommend a traditional tummy tuck, in which case there will not be as much liposuction performed at the same time. Both procedures yield excellent results for the proper candidates. For the breast, Dr. Angelchik will typically recommend a breastaugmentation using breastimplants. If the patient has a component of sagging to the breast, Dr. Angelchik will recommend a breastlift which can usually be performed in conjunction with the breast augmentation. In most cases, provided the patient is healthy, Dr. Angelchik can perform these procedures together as a “mommy makeover”. In some cases, Dr. Angelchik may recommend an overnight stay to ensure safety as well as patient comfort. The new look of motherhood is one that allows a mother to look as beautiful and youthful as her peers, regardless of their motherhood status. Motherhood no longer has to bear the badge of honor that previously included stretch marks, wrinkles, and lack of energy. To find out if a mommy makeover is a good option for you, called Dr. Angelchik’s office for a consultation. Happy Mother’s Day!

Plastic Surgery Blog:Half of Young Adults Still Get Sunburned

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It’s hard to believe in this day and age with so many warning,s that young adults are still engaging in activities that allow them to get sunburn. According to a recent onlineFoxNews article 50% of U.S. adults under the age of 30 say they have had sunburn at a minimum of once in the past year, a government survey found — a indication that young people aren’t taking seriously the warnings about skin cancer. The rate of sunburn is approximately the same as it was 10 years earlier; this basically erases any progress reported only five years ago. “I don’t know that we’re making any headway,” said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society’s deputy chief medical officer. Experts explain that even a single blistering burn can increase the risk of developing melanoma by two times, an often deadly form of skin cancer. Researchers are not certain why the sunburn rate picked up again, reported Dr. Marcus Plescia, director of the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. Alarmingly, the CDC also discovered a rise since 2005 in how many people reported that they wear sunscreen or take other measures to protect their skin. But only about a third reported that they usually wore sunscreen. As the rate of sunburn continues to increase it  suggests that many people are  either not putting on enough, or re-applying it inadequately, some experts said. Dr. Angelchik is committed to helping his patientsmaintain the healthiest skin possible. This is why he created the Claroclinic within his upscale Glendale  practice. The clinic offers exceptional medical grade treatment products as well as medical grade skin care services which are provided by Dr. Angelchik’s experienced licensed medical aesthetician Jana Dreebin. For several years Jana has treated patients within the clinic using IPLtreatments to help even skin tone and correct minimal sun damage. Jana also recommends sunscreen is worn daily and educates her patients on how to use the products for maximum benefit. Jana believes in creating solid relationships with their clients so that they can benefit from her high level of service and professional training.

 

Plastic Surgery Blog:Zinc May Shorten the Length of a Cold

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Having a cold is a miserable experience and most people reach for relief of their symptoms immediately. For patients who are scheduled for surgery catching a cold could mean postponing the surgery date. According to recent onlinenewsarticle Zinc may be effective in shortening the time a person is affected by cold symptoms. According to the article a new Canadian analysis has published reports that zinc tablets could help patients suffer a little bit less, but side effects are common. “Although it is possible that oral zinc preparations impact symptoms of the common cold, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend its use in children and only a weak rationale for use in otherwise healthy adults,” said lead researcher Dr. Michelle Science, of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “The decision to use zinc should take into consideration the questionable benefits balanced against the potential adverse effects.” The report appeared  in the May 7 edition of the Canadian medical journal CMAJ. This quote is hardly a grandiose endorsement of oral zinc lozenges. Dr. Angelchik explains to patientsin their preoperative visit that they should make every effort to remain as healthy as possible prior to surgery and throughout the recovery period. A common cold could postpone a patient’s surgery if their nasal passages are stuffy and their cough is persistent. As you might imagine, this situation would be very difficult for someone who has just had breastaugmentation, abdominoplasty, or facelift. These are a few of the surgeries that involve the muscles and it would be extremely uncomfortable to endure coughing as well as the discomfort that comes from the surgery itself. Also, the day of surgery the anesthesiologist will conduct an examination and determine if the patient is able to proceed with surgery. Respiratory concerns could cause the anesthesiologist to recommend postponing surgery. Needless to say, while this could cause an inconvenience safety is always of the utmost concern. So, what’s a person to do to avoid the common cold ? This question has many answers,  none of which are definitive. The best advice(especially when scheduled for surgery) is to continue a healthy lifestyle, get plenty of rest, wash hands frequently, and avoid public places where coming in contact with germs is inevitable.

Plastic Surgery Blog: Diet Pill Could Be On the Verge of FDA Approval

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The search for an effective diet pill seems to have eluded us thus far. According to a recent onlinenewsarticle a diet pill is getting buzz because it is expected to be granted FDA approval. According to the news story the Food and Drug Administration denied approval for Arena’s lorcaserin in 2010 after scientists focused on concerns about tumors that developed in animals studied with the drug. The company provided a new submission with the drug and additional data earlier this year, with high hopes for a more positive result. FDA reviewers stated that increased hormone levels were probably contributors to noncancerous tumors visible in the studies of female rats. The reviewers stated that the results suggest “extremely minimal risk to human beings. Questions are still unanswered concerning the drug’s effects on heart valves, an issue that often haunts weight loss pills. The FDA stated that collective results from multiple studies provided by the company show statistically bothersome levels of heart valve damage. The agency will request answers from a panel of advisers Thursday whether Arena has submitted enough supportive information to address those and other risks. Whether this drug makes it to the hands of consumers now or later down the road, patient should be prepared for the likelihood that if they are losing a substantial amount of weight there will be unsightly loose and lax skin. Dr. Angelchik explains to his patientsthat while patients lose weight it is important for them to understand that loose and lax skin can only be reduced by surgically removing the skin. For most post massive weight loss plastic surgery patients a lower bodylift is an excellent recommendation. This procedure will remove loose and lax skin from the abdomen, lower back, hips, and upper buttok. Many patients also benefit from a brachioplastywhich takes care of loose and lax skin on the upper arms. Dr. Angelchik prepares an individual treatment plan for each patient which helps them to address each of the areas that are most bothersome.

Plastic surgery blog:Are You Feeding Your Depression?

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What we eat is known to be linked to our moods. According to an onlinearticle, a March study in the journal Public Health Nutrition found that people who consumed junk food were 51 percent more likely to show symptoms of depression. The more junk food study participants consumed, the more likely they were to be depressed. This could explain why emotional eating quickly becomes a repetitive behavior for some people. A January study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that when women have a feeling of ”burn out” at work, they are at risk of engaging in emotionally-charged and uncontrolled eating. If those women are consuming junk food for feeling of comfort, they are often making a bad experience even worse. People can substitute better mood enhancing foods for junk food and get better health benefits. According to the article these include dark chocolate, spinach, beans, and fish. Dr. Angelchik encourages his patientsto be conscious of their lifestyle choices and eating habits. Dr. Angelchik requires patients who are seeking body contouring procedures including abdominoplastyand liposuctionto be at a normal and stable weight prior to surgery. Dr. Angelchik also request information regarding the patient health history including their mental health. It is not uncommon for patients who are struggling with their weight to have experienced some emotional struggles. It is important that patients share this information with Dr. Angelchik if they are considering cosmetic surgery procedures, so that Dr. Angelchik can incorporate the information into his recommendations for helping the patient achieve their cosmetic surgery desires.