New Year’s Resolutions: Take 2!

If you’re like millions of Americans, you rang in the New Year resolving to lose weight and get healthier by dieting, increasing your activity levels and adopting a healthier lifestyle all around. Now that February is behind us and spring break season is fast approaching, it’s time to take 2 on those New Year’s resolutions and evaluate your progress to date.

Have you kept to your resolutions?

Old habits die hard, and with our overly busy schedules, most of us fall back into those bad habits without even realizing it until we think it’s too late to turn back. But maybe you have kept up with your exercise and diet (good for you!) but you still aren’t seeing the results you’d like to see in the mirror. One way or the other, it may be time to look for a little help slimming down that waistline. (You might even get it in time for spring break!)

Option 1: A Little Liposuction

If you’re looking to refine and sculpt your midline, water-jet assisted liposuction may be just what the doctor orders. (Goodbye, muffin top!) The beauty of this technique is that there is no heat or agitation and healing time is minimal.

Here’s how it works:

A saline fluid mixed with an anesthetic is injected to loosen the fat. Then a slightly pressurized saline stream gently dislodges fat cells. Your doctor may use a cannula to suction the loosened fat away, or place a drain to help remove fluid. Using water means less trauma to the tissues and a faster healing time.

Option 2: A Mini Tuck

Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how much you work at it, that last little bit of skin and fat just don’t want to go anywhere! If you’ve made some progress this year, and just need a little help with loose skin and residual fat, a mini-tummy tuck may be the right choice to help you clear that hurdle.

In this outpatient procedure, the doctor makes a small incision above the groin, cuts away the loose skin, and performs liposuction as needed to help contour the lower abdominal area. A drain is then placed to help remove any fluid that builds up, and an abdominal compression belt is worn for a short period to help facilitate quick healing. There is no repositioning of the belly button in most cases and stitches are usually removed in 1 to 3 weeks.

Are you ready to find a solution?

Whether you’re almost where you’d like to be, or have a long way to go, rest assured there is a solution out there for you. As the experts advise, do some homework, learn about the different procedures, and find a reputable surgeon.

And, hey - even if you aren’t beach-ready for spring break, with a little research and commitment, you may be ready to don the bikini by Memorial Day...

Groupon and Living Social Come Up with Cosmetic Surgery Deals

The Wicked Local Dedham Website recently published an interesting and thought provoking editorial comment on its Health Watch blog. As websites like Groupon and Living Social continue to grow and thrive, the offerings put up also continue to evolve. Now, even cosmetic surgeries and cosmetic dermatology treatments are being offered on these websites at steep discounts to bring more patients. In many instances, the doctors and spas advertising on these websites are legitimate and you’ll get the kind of procedure and results that you want. But as in all situations involving your health, you must always exercise caution.

Groupon and Living Social, among other sites like this, are very effective at getting people to buy in to deals and coupons and discounts because the offers are excellent and offered for a limited time. The bargain, coupled with that small window in which you can buy in to a deal, create an intoxicating sense of urgency for the consumer. Now, you can get some great deals, but this effective marketing tool should also make you think twice. If you are purchasing any kind of surgical procedure like liposuction, or cosmetic enhancement or dermatological treatment, you need to make sure the physician and clinic environment are everything they should be.

If you see what seems like a great deal on Living Social or Groupon, take a couple of minutes to make the following checks:

• Does the spa or clinic have a website? Do they list their doctors online?
• Are the doctors involved board certified in their areas of expertise?
• Does the facility have a good reputation?
• Is there a way to get testimonials from real patients?

Always remember that a great deal is only a great deal if your health and well being are maintained and are your top priority. So before you sink any money into that great bargain, take some time to do some research and make sure it’s actually a great bargain.