Take a look at this month's edition of the Monthly Renewal!
The
Monthly
Renewal
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
DECEMBER 2020
Growing up, one of our family traditions during the holidays was going out to carol for our neighbors. My family has always loved to sing, and this is the time of year that gives us that chance to brighten the winter season. Even today, my kids enjoy getting out and singing for the elderly. However, while my wife and kids have wonderful singing voices, it’s clear in my household that I’m the odd man out. My dad, who was a professional singer years ago, used to take my brothers and me out to sing carols for the neighbors when we were all kids. Each year about this time, he’d say, “It is time to go caroling,” and off we’d go. As I got older, however, my voice started to change, which unfortunately, changed the way I sang. In my family, I sang “White Christmas” and, at the time, I was actually pretty happy with how it sounded. One year my father, brothers, and I went up to a friend’s house to sing and we were all excited, we rang the doorbell and when his dad answered the door we asked, “Are you ready for some holiday caroling?” and his response was, “I guess I am as ready as I will ever be.” Once we were finished, and as soon as the door closed, I turned to my dad and said, “Never again, I’m done.” Filling the Holiday Season with Carols
My son and daughter, both now in college, have continued to enjoy singing and have even found a way to carol on their own. Since their early childhood, they have been involved in a scouting group that, each year, visits the homebound elderly and sings to them to brighten the season. One year, we got as many of our extended family members together as we could, went to a local nursing home, and sang carols to the residents. While they really enjoyed that we came to visit and appreciated the effort we put in, one person did tell us our performance needed some work. Out of the whole family, my dad sounded fantastic, but the rest of us needed more practice. Which was true since we only managed to get in one practice the morning of the event, and they could tell. However, we still had a good time and to this day we still laugh about “the Family Von Scott” and we are shocked that they didn’t ask us to take our act on the road.
“My family has always loved to sing, and this is the time of year that gives us that chance to brighten the winter season.”
While celebrating the holidays in 2020 might be different, I still hope you get to enjoy the things you love this season. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday, and we’ll see you next year!
Since then, I don’t do much singing; I don’t mind because I wasn’t blessed with my dad’s voice. My kids will tell you it’s a good thing I retired from singing when I did. I remember once, when my daughter was very young, I was trying to sing her to sleep, and she said, “Oh Daddy no sing.” Luckily, I’m fortunate to have a family filled with wonderful singers, so I get to enjoy their singing when we’re together.
—Dr. Kevin Scott
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HERBALISM: A NATURAL SOLUTION
To Improve Your Digestive Health
Herbalism, a plant-based medicine, can be used to heal and improve your body’s functions. This medical practice is thousands of years old and dates back to the ancient Egyptians, but qualified herbalists continue to use herbal medicine today. Through the use of a variety of plants (roots, flowers, and leaves), herbalism can help improve digestion and provide other benefits for your circulation, mood, energy, and stamina. Digestion is an important part of your body’s functions. Poor digestion can result in diarrhea, constipation, nausea, heartburn, gas, or bloating. Other well-known conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), involve problems with digestion. Each of these symptoms and conditions can significantly impact a person’s well-being and daily life, but the proper use of herbs can help people reduce or ease these symptoms and support digestive health. The National Institute of Medical Herbalists states, “Many herbs are known to act directly on the digestive tract — bitters, for example, may stimulate acid and enzyme production, fennel and other aromatic herbs prevent bloating, but this is only part of the story.” If left untreated, poor digestion results in the inflammation of the digestive tract. When it comes to decreasing the risk of inflammation and other symptoms, a medical herbalist will consider a person’s total health when putting together the herbs needed for treatment.
Many herbs can help your digestive system function well and stay healthy. Here are a few you can include in your daily meals or use when you have
an uncomfortable gut feeling, according to TraditionalMedicinals.com.
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To calm the nerves: chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender To relieve cramping: ginger and fennel To alleviate constipation: dandelion leaf and root tea
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For more information about herbalism and how it can benefit your health, visit the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at NIMH.org.uk.
EYE EXPERTISE AND BOTOX DELIVER CONFIDENCE Patient Story of the Month: RMC
Our patient spotlight this month is a wonderful woman who goes by RMC. Since college, RMC has been involved with the fashion industry. She went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, and when she moved to the D.C. area with her husband, she opened up her own clothing store. Throughout her adult life, she worked with fashion magazines, publications and even a few celebrities. This, as she says, put her in the public eye. “I was in the public eye enough to care a lot about how I looked,” RMC says. “Not just my fashion but my physical appearance, too. If you’re constantly around people and being scrutinized, you want to look your best even more.” This view of herself has not changed now that she has retired from the fashion industry. RMC believes that looking her best is an important part of her life, no matter what, which led her to find our clinic. RMC first came to Eye Plastic Associates through a referral from a friend. Her friend had a blepharoplasty, in which Dr. Scott had performed her upper eyelid surgery. “He did an absolutely beautiful job,” RMC stated. She added, “And my friend told me that he also does incredible Botox, so I decided to go. He is so professional in the eye area, he knows exactly what to do to give his patients a really nice, refreshed look, and that’s exactly what Dr. Scott did for me so I’ve been going to him ever since.”
RMC says that what she loves most about Dr. Scott, our team, and Eye Plastic Associates is the quality of work we do. “Dr. Scott is the kind of doctor who doesn’t like to make you look ‘done.’ He wants to give people a natural look, one in which you don’t look frozen. He’s kind, honest, and very thorough. Every time I leave the clinic, I feel very positive and happy with everything. I know Dr. Scott will take care of me. “What makes Dr. Scott so unique is his focus on the eye area,” RMC continues. “There are a few plastic surgeons in the area, but having a plastic surgeon who works on the eye area is so much more comforting because he knows everything there is about that area. He knows all the muscles in the eye and exactly where to inject so it doesn’t cause any damage or drooping eyes. I have a high level of trust in Dr. Scott because he absolutely knows what he’s doing and is a kind and gentle professional.” Our goal is to help our patients feel good about themselves, and hearing how we have helped RMC and our other clients is very special to everyone on our team. We’re glad to assist our patients by helping them achieve the natural, refreshed and rejuvenated look they desire.
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This holiday season is more unusual than ever, especially when it comes to seeing each other. Outside of a mask, what we see of our family, friends, and everyday people is basically confined to eyes, forehead, and hair. As a result, our team at Eye Plastic Associates has had an increased interest from people wanting Botox in those exposed areas. This includes smoothing frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and giving a modest lift to the brow. Botox can help rejuvenate the portions of the face people can see as they practice social distancing and wear a mask. When someone comes into our clinic wanting Botox, it’s important that the patient understands the basics of this treatment first. Two of the most common questions asked are: How does Botox work, and is Botox a filler? Dr. Scott has a description he likes to use when helping patients understand exactly what Botox can do for them. Botox works by affecting the nerves that sit over the muscles, “almost like fingers over the keys of a piano,” Dr. Scott says. “Botox goes into the end of the nerve terminals and prevents the release of these ‘water balloons’ filled with a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.” BOTOX FOR THE HOLIDAYS DR. SCOTT ANSWERS 2 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
He continues, “There’s a SNARE protein complex in our body and its job, in a manner of speaking, is to take one of these ‘water balloons,’ open a window of the nerve terminal, and throw it at the muscle. When it hits the muscle, the acetylcholine then spreads locally over this muscle area causing it to contract. When you inject Botox, the Botox goes into the nerve terminal and tells the SNARE protein to ‘sit down for three months! You’re not allowed to throw any more water balloons at the muscle.’ Therefore, no acetylcholine is released and the muscles in these treated areas relax, thereby softening facial wrinkles. After three months, the Botox wears off and the SNARE protein can continue its job.” Therefore, the answer to the second question is no, Botox is not a filler. It doesn’t fill a space — instead it affects the nerve terminal and the SNARE protein directly. Of course, if you have more questions regarding Botox, or how it can help you look more rejuvenated this holiday season, call Eye Plastic Associates today to set up a consultation.
Inspiration
Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing
Nothing pulls together a salad quite like a delicious Caesar dressing. This easy vegan recipe takes just five minutes to make and keeps for 5–7 days in the fridge.
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup hummus
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2 tsp capers, minced
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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3 tsp caper brining juice
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1 tsp spicy mustard
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1/2 tsp lemon zest
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Hot water, as needed
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. 2. If needed, add a bit of hot water to thin the dressing until it will pour. 3. Serve with salad or refrigerate for later!
Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
Inside This Issue
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A Family Tradition of Caroling
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Improve Your Digestion With Herbalism
In the Public Eye: Appearance Is Important
Give Yourself a Fresh Look — Even While Wearing a Mask!
Simple Vegan Caesar Dressing
How to Eat (Responsibly) During the Holidays
How to Eat During the Holidays WITHOUT SACRIFICING YOUR FAVORITE FOODS OR YOUR WAISTLINE
to start eating without really looking. Then, find the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion. DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery. DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY) If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.
Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted
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