Denver Cosmetic Surgery Blog.com

This article is from the December issue of our Cosmetic Surgery Newsletter.

Dear Heather:
I’m thinking about personal training, but I’m not sure if I should go that route or do aerobic classes at the gym as a way to lose weight. Can you give me some insight?
Suzie M.

Dear Suzie:
As we age, our metabolism slows down, which can lead to larger belt sizes and more weight. Heart disease, stroke, adult onset diabetes and some forms of cancer are linked to obesity. You can do a great deal in short periods of time if you apply consistent effort. I think that lifting weights is one of the best forms of fitness for everyone and especially for those who want to lose weight.

Many people believe that aerobic exercise will lead to faster weight loss. Running, stepping, walking on a treadmill and biking or swimming are great for losing weight, but none of them will re-sculpt your body like weight-lifting. Lifting will burn the most calories and do the most for your overall physique. And gals, you don’t have to worry about developing more muscle than you wish. It’s all based on the size of the weights and the repetitions. The more repetitions at the lower weight size, the less “bulk” you will build into the muscle groups. One caveat: To achieve muscle changes, you have to shock the muscle. If your muscles aren’t burning at the end of each set, you aren’t doing enough weight or reps to get results.

I recommend that you seek out a personal trainer to work with for at least a month. Interview several of them—it’s much like choosing a plastic surgeon: there are good ones and not-as-good ones, and you want to get the best. You can expect to pay between $50-75 an hour, though some less-experienced trainers charge less. The more experience a trainer has, the better. It’s important not to let a trainer’s education be the biggest factor in your decision. There are trainers with a great deal of training, but if you’re choosing between one with lots of education and another one with more client experience, I’d opt for the one with the most experience. And be sure to ask for references!

You should plan to work out with your trainer at least 4 days a week but no more than 5 days per week.

In terms of where to train: some trainers are only house-based; i.e., they come to your home, while others do both home visits and gym training. I recommend going to the gym, as there’s that much more equipment to work on.

Feel free to call on us for a consultation by phoning our gym.

Heather Armbrust
IFBB Professional Bodybuilder
CO Owner of Armbrust Pro Gym
www.heatherarmbrust.com
www.armbrustprogym.com

This article is from the December issue of our Cosmetic Surgery Newsletter.

This holiday season you may have an assortment of different holiday parties to attend including office parties, get-togethers with friends, charity events and the list goes on. In the past, many of us would go out and buy a whole new outfit from shoes to jewelry. However, in today’s economy even those of us who can afford it are cutting back. I believe the best looks are those that look fabulous yet effortless. Here’s some tips for you to start putting together those holiday outfits without spending a lot or looking like you just spent your entire bonus in an effort to impress.

Keep It Classic

This is a universal rule, no matter what the occasion. You can never go wrong with classic pieces. They are appealing to most people and you never risk being a fashion victim. No matter if you are headed to a conservative office party or a funky art gallery charity event, you’ll fit in and be approachable. Men should wear dark ties in rich colors with a suit jacket for more formal events. A sport jacket in a solid color, subtle pattern or texture. Women should wear a tailored skirt and jacket and/or pretty blouse. Use jewelry, such as diamonds and pearls, to add sparkle.

Rework What You Have

Save your green for gifts and after-holiday sales. It never makes sense to spend money on clothes that you are only going to wear a few times a year. Instead, shop in your closet. Men can do this pretty easily. Just use the same sport jacket and change-up the shirt and tie. Contrary to our social belief, it’s ok to wear the same dress twice. Take the dress you wore to the office party last week and wear it to the benefit party this week with different accessories to make it feel new. I love black stone jewelry; it’s different from your typical diamonds and yet conveys a sleek elegance. It can also look edgy if done in the right way. Put the necklace with a simple black sheath dress (which you probably have in your closet) and you’re instantly styled!

Keep It Simple

Skip the Swarovski-drenched dress and accessories. Use warm rich colors but keep it simple with the bling. I’m always a fan of a fun cocktail ring. It makes a good conversation piece and stands out without being obvious. Go for one standout piece. It could be a cool detail in your dress, bold earrings or a statement necklace. Limit yourself to one, otherwise you look like your trying too hard and your pieces start to compete for attention.

All men look more “manly” with a nice metal band watch. Skip the leather bands. A simple chain necklace works for men who like to accessorize. If you do not normally wear a necklace this is not the time to try it. You’ll look uncomfortable.

Prioritize: Clothes, Shoes, Accessories

If you feel like you have nothing in your closet that will work, then head to the stores. Based on your budget, spend the bulk of your money on the clothing, then the shoes, then the accessories. The clothing is going to be the largest, most noticeable piece. You not only want to have a quality piece that you can wear again and again, but you don’t want to waste money on something that you don’t love. Hopefully, you can find shoes at home but if not, get a pair of shoes that will work for several special-occasion outfits. Do not be matchy-matchy and get unique shoes that will only work with that particular outfit. You’ll be wasting money.

Lastly, if you still have money left over in your budget, buy some accessories. If not, these are easy to borrow from a friend. You can pair inexpensive jewelry with a nice outfit. Some of the best jewelry I have cost only $10 from the B.P. department in Nordstrom. Target is a great source for some modern and fun pieces too!

Most importantly, have fun and know that it isn’t a fashion contest. It’s about feeling good about the way you look and enjoying yourself at the party!

Milena Joy

Milena Distinctive Image Consulting

303.585.0589
www.milenaconsulting.com

It’s long been a tradition in medical practice to use FDA approved therapies in new, “off-label” ways. Is this safe? Botox, a treatment so prevalent as to have become synonymous with cosmetic medicine, is approved to treat four problems: muscular eye disorders, muscular neck disorders, excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis), and frown lines or wrinkles between the eyebrows. Yet, it is common practice for clinicians to use Botox in a myriad of other ways. Botox, a butulinum toxin isolated from bacteria, works by locally paralyzing the region where it is injected. A new version of this toxin, Dysport, has recently been approved as well. With botulinum toxins, doctors have had success treating anal fissures, pelvic muscle spasms, chewing problems, migraine headaches, and in the world of anti-aging therapies, ridding the aging face of crow’s feet and wrinkles around the mouth.

Is it reasonable to adopt novel uses of these drugs before rigorous study under governmental supervision establishes the appropriateness of such therapy? Doctors are entitled to employ FDA approved therapies in unapproved ways based upon their experience with their use. For patients and clinicians alike, it seems difficult to discern whether off-label use of these treatments is a reasonable therapeutic leap based upon the safety and practice guidelines already established or if it’s just experimentation on the unsuspecting public. 

I recommend that anyone considering off-label treatments of an approved medical device or medication consider the following:

1) Ascertain why the treatment has not been approved for the proposed use. Silicone gel breast implants were reapproved by the FDA in October, 2006. However, they are not approved for women under 22 years of age. This is clearly not due to a lack of device testing or understanding of gel implant safety. A gel implant would not be less safe in a 21 year old as compared to a 22 year old. The imposed age restriction on approved usage of these devices implies that the FDA is suggesting an age-related degree of maturity necessary to make this particular decision. If I meet a mature, self-aware, 21 year old who has well thought out her desire to have silicone gel implants, this may be a reasonable off-label use of these devices.

2) Determine if the clinician has an extensive history of using the treatment. In the example of Botox, a clinician who has injected many people for brow furrows would have a particular aptitude for safely determining Botox usage in other areas of the face. 

3) Ask if there’s a substantive, theoretical basis behind the proposed therapy: it’s efficacy and safety. We know that Botox paralyzes muscles locally. There is voluminous evidence that Botox rarely effects areas distant from the treatment site unless used in extremely large doses. Because of it’s mechanism of action, the present data on the local therapeutic affect, and the miniscule side effect profile, it is theoretically reasonable to treat local disorders related to muscle tightening or spasm at appropriate doses.

4) If the therapy is a medication, ask if it’s off-label use proposed is in similar doses to it’s approved use. 

The debate over off-label device and drug usage will not be solved any time soon. The FDA restricts companies who make medical treatments from promoting their non-approved applications. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, recently filed a law suit against the federal government claiming that this restriction violates their First Ammendment rights to speek freely with doctors regarding the promotion of their drug. We’ll see how this plays out. Meanwhile, clinicians can and will continue to use Botox in non-approved ways: ways that are in great demand and improving the quality of life for many people. While this should not trivialize the  FDA’s role in safely regulating medical treatments, patients can continue to benefit from off-label drug applications as long as they are involved in the process of determining the appropriateness of such usage.

Many young moms that I see for surgical consultations are using the catchy terminology, “mommy makeover”. A “mommy makeover” generally refers to a combination of surgeries to include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and a breast procedure. Some women opt for a breast augmentation, while others need a breast lift or even a breast reduction. The combinations of these procedures can be performed safely, allowing for one recovery and less expense.

So if you’re contemplating the post-baby plastic surgery plunge, here are a few considerations:

1. Be sure you’re down to your pre-pregnancy weight, or at least the closest you can manage with your new, hectic lifestyle. Although a tummy tuck will go a long way towards restoring your pre-baby belly, it’s not a weight-loss tool.

2. Consider postponing your post-pregnancy tummy tuck and breast plastic surgery until after you’ve completed your family. Having more children after these procedures can undo the results leaving you wanting further surgery. 

3. Be sure to check out the Internet for before and after photos to get a realistic idea of your expected results. Yes, you’ll look better, but you’ll have some scars along with your transformation. A skilled surgeon can hide the scars that will fade considerably with time, but some scarring is inevitable.

4. Choose your plastic surgeon wisely! He or she should be Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You can confirm this by checking on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website. Don’t settle for less. This is your body and surgical changes are permanent. You want to be sure you’re in capable hands.

5. If you’ve likely completed your family, thoroughly screened your prospective plastic surgeon, established a support system for your recovery, and reviewed post-surgery photos, there’s only one consideration left: where to buy the bikini you’ll surely want to wear after your procedures.

Dr. Vath