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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
SEPTEMBER 2023
HOW WE CAN BEAT THE ODDS A CALL TO ACTION FOR HEART HEALTH
Step Falls in Maine, where Dad underwent his “heart health test”
Heart disease is the top cause of death in the United States, killing roughly 700,000 Americans every year. That’s one of many reasons that the World Heart Federation and World Health Organization teamed up in 1999 to create World Heart Day on Sept. 29. The organizations wanted to bring further attention to the global impact of cardiac disease and how we as individuals are failing to care for our heart health. I remember one time in particular when my sister and I tested our dad’s heart. We were vacationing in Maine and visited a tiny hole-in-the-wall set of waterfalls off the beaten track. After hiking about a mile, you come to a stream flowing down the side of the mountain and into a pool at the bottom. It was structured so that you can climb up and slide down. My sister and I did just that, not realizing how cold the water would be. The water came from snow and ice and was probably barely above freezing. But we were kids and got used to it soon enough. So, we decided to play a trick on our dad, who was then about 45. We told him the water was great and urged him to jump in. He was a fun-loving guy, so he agreed and took the plunge. After his head resurfaced, he scrambled out of the water and yelped, “Oh, oh, oh,” more times than you could imagine. My sister and I looked at each other as if to say, “We just killed our dad.” But we also thought it was the funniest thing we’d ever seen. I’ll never forget the mixture of fear and laughter as we tested my dad’s heart health. It’s a funny memory, but heart health is no laughing matter. The World Heart Federation is running a serious heart challenge for everyone this World Heart Day and you can participate by scanning the QR code next to this article. It encourages you to get moving and uses an app I love called Strava. It tracks your walks, bike rides, and other outdoor movements, complete with a map, average speed, and elevation changes. Looking back at it and seeing what I accomplished during a bike ride gives me great satisfaction. Aside from quitting smoking, exercise is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease. Recent research indicates that a sedentary lifestyle could be as bad for your heart health as smoking. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 25% of Americans are inactive, putting them in substantial danger. Meanwhile, over 60% of adults don’t get the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
Thirty minutes of exercise five times a week doesn’t sound like much on paper, but busy lives keep many people from meeting that goal. Fortunately, a recent study showed that as few as 11 minutes of exercise each day can reduce our risk of heart disease and early death. That’s something virtually everyone can accomplish with the right plan in place. The more you can move, the better. If you work at a desk, take 3–5 minutes every hour to get up and walk around or do simple calisthenics. Even a short bike ride or walk around the block at a reasonable pace will help you be more aware of your heart health and provide a benefit. It’s something tangible you can do for your heart and you can start today.
World Heart Day falls on my daughter’s birthday. The coincidence makes it easy to remember why I want to stay healthy and live a long life. I want to see her and my son’s adventures for many years — that’s more than enough incentive to keep my heart in good shape.
Kick off your heart health journey by participating in the World Heart Day Challenge! Scan the QR code to get started.
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(703) 620-4300
Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone
Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock-full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind! CHECK IN THE SMART WAY. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t
admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into!
INSPECT YOUR ROOM. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry! KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following you, and always keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid going to your room. USE THE DEADBOLT. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! SHARE THE HOTEL INFORMATION. Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!
A PAINLESS TRANSFORMATION
Jane’s Journey With Dr. Scott
Jane suffered from drooping upper eyelids for years but confessed, “I didn’t even know there were eyelid specialists.” When she developed a cyst on her lower eyelid, her doctor referred her to Eye Plastic Associates. “As soon as I went to Dr. Scott’s website, I knew I’d ask him about my [upper] eyelids,” she remembers. She was immediately impressed by how quickly Dr. Scott resolved her cyst and noted his professionalism and willingness to answer questions. “I felt confident about him,” she said. Dr. Scott explained that Jane would need a blepharoplasty on her upper eyelids to remove the loose skin and restore her superior vision. He performed this outpatient procedure in March 2023. “I never had any pain,” Jane says of her recovery. In her view, the most inconvenient part of the surgery was icing her eyes for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for two days. “Everyone should have a daughter like mine,” she says. “She came over with tons of food and kept running to put the frozen peas back in the refrigerator and get them out for me.” After having her stitches out, Jane and her husband had a celebratory lunch.
As for her vision, Jane notes that she didn’t notice too much of a problem before the surgery. “Only when it goes away do you say, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s so much better now!’” she explains. Though she had the surgery for medical reasons, she also calls the cosmetic result “excellent.” “Some people say they don’t notice the difference,” she says, “but when I show them a picture of how I was before, they say ‘Wow.’” Jane strongly recommends Dr. Scott and is eager to tell her story. “I told Dr. Scott and Dawn that if anyone were hesitant about surgery, I’d be happy to talk to them one-on-one.” At 84, she worries that people her age might be reluctant to undergo surgery. “It’s probably younger people who usually do it,” she says. But she is pleased with her choice to resolve the problem after all these years. “It was literally painless,” she reiterates. “I would certainly recommend Dr. Scott because it was a great experience.”
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WHY REFERRALS ARE THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT The Secret to Our Success
Thank you for your support! r
Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to have many patients who were kind enough to refer their family and friends to our practice. If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you may have noticed that we include a monthly total of new referrers on Page 3. There’s a good reason for that — it’s because we consider your referrals to be our greatest compliment. We’ve spent years developing relationships with doctors in many different fields. Over 1,000 doctors have referred patients to us since we’ve been in business, including optometrists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, and even internal medicine specialists. It feels good to be recognized by other doctors and I feel honored that they trust me to help their patients. Having said that, a patient who feels happy enough to entrust us with their loved ones’ health is special. I care deeply about my patients and consider it a privilege to help care for them and take care of their
surgical needs. A patient referral means I helped a patient and they were pleased enough with the care that they received to recommend me to someone they know or value. Nothing could make me happier. I think of it as being a chef. It’s one thing when a guest compliments your food — but it’s something else entirely when they bring a crowd back with them. Actions speak louder than words. As a token of appreciation, we will be contacting all patients who have referred someone this year to offer them a complimentary microdermabrasion service. We’re also extending the offer for all patient referrals for the remainder of 2023. It’s one small way we can say thank you. Patient referrals are the lifeblood of every practice and I continually appreciate the confidence you display in us by referring others. Thank you for the opportunity to help others as we have helped you.
HONEY-PECAN CHICKEN BREASTS Inspired by TasteOfHome.com With summer over and fall here, pecan and honey reign supreme in this sweet chicken recipe. The honey provides a perfect caramelization while pecans pack on the crunch factor! INGREDIENTS
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us five referrals this month!
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2 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
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1/8 tsp black pepper 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
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1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter 3 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp finely chopped pecans
“A REFERRAL IS THE HIGHEST HONOR A BUSINESS CAN RECEIVE FROM A CUSTOMER.”
DIRECTIONS
1. Pound chicken with a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat; brown chicken on both sides. Cook covered until chicken is no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes, turning once. 3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pecans. Cook covered until chicken is glazed, about 2–3 minutes.
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
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Dr. Scott Takes a Serious Look at Heart Health
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Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone
How Dr. Scott Restored a Patient’s Vision
The Power of Your Referrals
Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts
Injury-Free Running: The Key Lies in Form
Running is one of the most effective cardiovascular exercises, but it’s also among the most likely to cause injuries. However, many problems runners face aren’t inherent to the sport — they result from bad form. Improper running form can put unnecessary stress on your joints, spine, and neck, potentially causing long-term damage. Here are some of the most common errors that can lead to injury — and how to correct them. OVERSTRIDING Many runners mistakenly think they’ll improve their speed by increasing their stride or making each step bigger. But your body has a natural stride length, and extending your legs too far in front of your center of mass is one of the fastest paths to an injury. Overstriding stresses your joints unnecessarily, so focus on shorter, quicker steps instead. You’ll feel lighter and run more efficiently. BOUNCING Running should move your body forward, not up. Many runners push themselves off the ground and into the air, producing a bouncing motion that sends them up and down. It’s bad for your legs and will make
you feel tired more quickly. To correct this problem, physical therapist and running coach Dr. Casey Guthmiller recommends imagining a low ceiling just over your head as you run. You aim to avoid bumping your head by maintaining a consistent distance from the ground. HUNCHING Many people have bad posture, so it’s no surprise it carries over to their running form. But it’s a problem worth correcting. Hunched shoulders and leaning forward while running make breathing harder and prevent proper hip extension. It’s also bad news for your back. Dr. Guthmiller urges runners to imagine a string pulling their spine toward the sky. At the same time, avoid standing too straight. Proper posture involves a slight lean with a straight spine and squared shoulders. Developing proper running form takes time, and no one eliminates all errors immediately. But you’ll reduce your risk of developing an injury and see more progress if you can reduce your mistakes. Try to focus on one part of your form at a time — you might be surprised how much better you feel.
INJURY-FREE RUNNING: THE KEY LIES IN FORM
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