Music City Plastic Surgery - November 2021

CRYOTHERAPY ISN’T JUST FOR ATHLETES ANYMORE

Can It Really Slow Aging Like Celebrities Claim?

Alicia Keys has enough money to spend her weekends in Paris, on a private yacht, or being pampered in a spa — so what compels her and other celebrities

Mandy Moore, Jennifer Aniston, and others use it to achieve all kinds of goals, including to lose weight and slow aging.

to choose shivering in a nitrogen-filled chamber instead? The answer is a trend: whole-body cryotherapy. You may have heard of cryotherapy. The word itself just means using cold temperatures as a form of treatment, like we do with ice baths and cold compresses. Whole-body cryotherapy, however, is an extreme version that first gained traction with athletes as a way to slow blood flow, reduce swelling, and relieve pain after workouts. To do it, you have to stand in a tank that drops to

Unfortunately, this isn’t a bandwagon you should hop on just because celebrities say so. According to University of Utah Health professionals, “The use of this type of cryotherapy for anti-aging is not as well understood or supported by rigorous medical science [as its benefits for recovery from exercise].” Studies are also split on whether cryotherapy can help with weight loss, but most seem to indicate it’s only effective in the long term and/or when combined with exercise.

minus 200 degrees F for several minutes! Stars like Steph Curry and Cristiano Ronaldo swear by cryotherapy, and rumor has it that Ronaldo has his own chamber at home.

What cryotherapy can help with is arthritis, joint pain, and post-workout recovery. And you don’t need to shell out $30–$50 for whole-body cryotherapy

(or hundreds of dollars for a cryotherapy device that can be pointed at your sore spot) to see those benefits. You can achieve similar results with an ice pack or ice bath, although those are recommended more for minor aches and injuries.

These days, cryotherapy goes far beyond use for athletic purposes. According to the International Business Times, Lindsey Lohan,

What Is Gynecomastia?

AND WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Turkey breast with cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple! But speaking of breasts, a procedure that is sometimes overlooked is gynecomastia. The American Society for Plastic Surgeons reports that men receive more than 40% of all breast reduction surgeries in the United States. In our office, it is the most popular procedure for men. Gynecomastia is a condition in which men or boys have an overgrowth, enlargement, or overdevelopment of their breast tissue. The condition can be hereditary or occur from side effects from certain medications, thyroid conditions, testicular cancer, steroid usage, or hormone imbalances. However, it is most common when a boy is going through puberty and undergoing hormonal changes. Sometimes the condition is idiopathic, meaning that the diagnosis is simply unknown. However, just because there may not be a clear cause doesn’t mean there isn’t a treatment.

gynecomastia and subsequent surgical options: diffuse breast tissue, fibrous tissue, and mixed component. In the case of diffuse breast tissue, liposuction alone is an effective treatment. When a fibrous component exists, which presents as a nugget or a “golf ball” sized mass beneath the nipple, it is removed with a direct excision. An incision is made beneath the nipple and the fibrous tissue is removed. Lastly, with a mixed component, both liposuction and a direct excision takes place. An incision is made, and liposuction is performed on the areas that can be reached. Then, the fibrous component is removed. Overall, the surgery is quick and easy, lasting about an hour to an hour and a half, and the recovery is very quick. In extreme cases, such as massive weight loss, patients will have minimal fatty tissue, but loose, droopy chest skin left over. In that case, a skin excision and nipple reposition with a nipple graft may be necessary.

Sometimes, the treatment for gynecomastia is strictly weight loss, but oftentimes, that is not enough. There are three different forms of

For all gynecomastia questions and needs, we are here to help! Call us today for a consultation with our award-winning Nashville surgeon!

2 • WWW.MUSICCITYPLASTICSURGERY.COM • YOUR UNPARALLELED PLASTIC SURGERY EXPERIENCE

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator