We had a tremendous response to our “Bring a Friend” skin care micropeel recently, so we decided to continue the savings by reducing the costs for micropeels.  Normally, the peels are $85 each, but by purchasing a package of three they are $65, a savings of $60.

 (Did You Know?  Each month there is a special on a particular skin care product.  This month, September, sunscreens are 20% off.  Does not look like many cloudy days in the near future.) 

Over the weekend it came to my attention that there are physicians using HCG injections and extremely low caloric intakes for weight loss.  Numerous studies have refuted this.  I sent out an email several months ago detailing this.  If you would like a copy let me know.

This year’s fad that claims to tone your body without exercising is “toning shoes”.  (In my teens they were called earth shoes.)  Their claim is burning more calories and toning leg muscles while walking. 

So the American Council on Exercise studied these shoes by measuring muscle electrical activity through EMGs (electromyography).  They found that the shoes caused no significant increase in muscle activation.  Also, compared with running shoes, there were no significant differences in the rate of perceived exertion, oxygen consumption, or calories burned.

There are few, if any, shortcuts to lead a healthy lifestyle.  Eat right and exercise, eat right and exercise, eat right and exercise…

Misconceptions about risks of anesthesia could lead one out of four patients to postpone surgery according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.  They point out that advances in anesthesia over the past 25 years have drastically lowered the rate of anesthesia-related deaths.  There are a couple of common misperceptions of general anesthesia.  While similar to sleeping, there are distinct differences which allow control of pain, memory, and other surgical factors. Also, some confuse numbing a part of the body with being under general anesthesia.

A 6-year study of surgical outcomes from a Medicare database has determined that there is little difference in complication and mortality rates in states that allow CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) only anesthesia and states that require physician supervised anesthesia.

Safety always has and will continue to be our first priority for our patients.  We use a CRNA, Jenny, with almost 30 years of anesthesia experience.  Our operating room is certified by the state of Ohio and national certifying organization AAAASF.  The proximity to Bethesda North Hospital provides access to care beyond the operating room within minutes.

A lot of money is spent and many calories are consumed by drinking sports drinks and flavored waters.  From a hydration standpoint, when is plain tap water enough to satisfy our body’s needs?

According to Elizabeth Ward, M.S., R.D., tap water is sufficient for light physical activity lasting 30-60 minutes.  Light activity includes yard work, walking, light runs, tennis, swimming, and skiing.  If tap water is boring, watch the calories associated with enhanced or flavored waters.

 (Did You Know?  Gatorade was invented in 1965 by the medical team for the University of Florida Gators.  It took off in 1991 when Michael Jordan encouraged us to “Be Like Mike” in commercials.)  

More than 60 minutes of activity depletes energy, electrolytes, and fluid reserves.  Sports drinks replenish these after long runs, bike rides, basketball, soccer, or other strenuous workouts.  Interestingly, a glass of chocolate milk has the right balance of protein and carbohydrates to consume after strength training.  Use low-fat milk with Nesquik powder which has fewer calories.

Two recent studies emphasize an hour of exercise each day, five days a week.  The first, from The Journal of the American Medical Association, studied over 34,000 women average age of 54 over 13 years.  Women gained an average of 6 pounds.  The only group that did not gain the weight was the normal weight group that averaged an hour of exercise five days a week.

The second study from the University of Pittsburgh was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.  They followed nearly 200 overweight women ages 21-45 through a two year weight-loss program.  They were calorie restricted and put through varies exercise routines.  The women who lost weight (at least 10% of their starting weight) and kept it off exercised an average of 68 minutes a day, five days a week.

The conclusions we can take from these studies are that if you have some extra weight that a combination of calorie reduction and exercising at least an hour a day, five days a week will help reduce weight.  If you are currently near your ideal weight that to maintain that you also need to exercise an hour a day, five days a week.

Looking your best this fall is possible with CareCredit currently offering a 12 month no interest loan for surgery and even fillers/botox.  They also have a 6 month no interest plan and 2-3 year plans that require interest.

Not all plastic surgeons are members of CareCredit.  They are an agency we have worked with for a number of years and found them to be easy to use and reliable.  We do offer other plans from other lenders too.  They are listed on mckennamd.com.

The simplest way to get started is to call our office at 513-793-5772 and speak with either Dianna or Mary Ann who will walk you through the application process.  You can also reach CareCredit by going to mckennamd.com and it will connect you with the CareCredit web site.  The disclaimers are also shown on mckennamd.com.

Like any field, medicine has its share of myths that are perpetuated by unsubstantiated actions.  So what helps wounds and what hinders healing?  First of all, determine if the cut needs stitches and if your tetanus is up to date.  These plus any bite wounds need a trip to the emergency room.

Care of clean cuts involves washing with soap and water, applying antibiotic ointment and a band-aid.  Keeping wounds moist with the ointment and coverage allows healing cells to thrive.  Letting the wound “dry out”, using hydrogen peroxide, or applying mercurochrome inhibits these cells. 

  (Did You Know?   “Liquid sutures” like dermabond have the effect on cuts like stitches that are removed after one week.) 

Any wound that may become infected or looks infected should be evaluated by a health professional.  Wound care is more complex and depends on the amount of infection.  Antibiotics may also be necessary.

Like most of you, I am looking forward to grilling burgers, steak, or hot dogs this 4^th of July weekend.  Traditional eats anchor get-togethers, picnics, and festivals.  However, for at least one cookout, try grilling fish.

Unsaturated fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, appear to reduce your risk of heart disease.  They work by reducing the inflammation in blood vessels.  According to the Mayo Clinic, omega-3 fatty acids may also help improve learning abilities in children, decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, enhance immune function, and improve arthritis symptoms.  

(Did You Know?   This is the time of year to purchase wild salmon from your local fish monger or grocery store.) 

It is recommended to eat at least two servings of fish weekly.  Albacore tuna, salmon, herring and halibut have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  Besides grilling, there are many seafood recipes at seafoodhealth.com.

Recently, one of my patients, with the monitoring of another physician, went through a weight loss program consisting of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injections and a 600 daily caloric intake. Is this a legitimate diet and will it become the “in” way to lose weight?

Over 50 years ago a British born physician, Dr. Albert Simeons claimed that HCG injections and a 500 calorie per day diet would mobilize stored fat, suppress appetite, and redistribute fat from the waist, hips, and thighs.

There have been numerous studies that have shown that HCG is ineffectual in producing weight loss.  In 2009, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians issued a position paper stating that the majority of medical reports are critical of the Simeons method.  In fact, the 500 calorie per day diet is likely to result in loss of protein from vital organs.

Safe and lifetime weight loss comes from focusing on the basics.  This results from making a commitment to improve your lifestyle.  Changing to healthier foods and adding physical activity are the primary and most proven ways to achieve your goals.  Remember it takes time but in the end will pay off.

The summer months herald barbecuing and picnics which bring food in more contact with the elements and possible exposure to harmful bacteria.  Extra precautions, when taken, minimize foodborne illnesses.  A recent article in Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter explains.

Prevention starts the moment you leave the grocery store.  Perishable foods should be refrigerated within two hours.  Poultry and ground beef that won’t be used within a day or two should be frozen.  Other meat can usually be refrigerated up to five days. Similarly, leftovers should go in the refrigerator within two hours.

Undercooked meat can be especially vulnerable to bacteria.  E. coli is associated with ground beef and salmonella with poultry although other bacteria can be found with both.  To ensure safe eating cook both to a minimum of an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

When selecting seafood, it should smell mild and fresh, not ammonia-like.  The flesh should be firm and spring back.  Avoid fish with discoloration or a drying appearance.  Likewise avoid fish with frost or torn packaging.  Throw away any cracked shellfish.  Again, keep refrigerated only two days be fore use, otherwise freeze.  Cook most seafood to 145 degrees.

Fruits and vegetables should be washed prior to eating.  Bag these separately at the store from meat, poultry and seafood.