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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
NOVEMBER 2023
My mother has been an inspiration my entire life and remains the best role model I could have asked for. One of her strongest beliefs was always in the power of education. She’s still a voracious reader at age 92 and set an example of lifelong learning and curiosity. School-wise, I might have ended up in a different place without her influence. I had a difficult transition in fourth grade when I switched mid-year from private to public school. For some reason, the new school placed me in all of the most advanced classes and I was in way over my head. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the reading machine in my class that projected a few words on the screen at a time. They began the year scrolling through the words slowly and sped up as time passed. Unfortunately, I transferred into the class the last four weeks of the school year. When I first entered the classroom, the words seemed to be zipping along at the speed of light. The teacher projected a given story, then tested our reading comprehension by asking questions like, “What’s the name of Peter’s dog?” I hadn’t seen the words “dog” or “Peter” on the projector screen. I was scared to death of failing fourth grade and soon began faking stomach aches to get out of school. Through it all, my mom remained my cheerleader. She offered me a lot of empathy and reassurance. “This is a transition,” she explained. “They still have to figure out the right level for you.” She gave me the courage to attend class every day and keep trying. That same, awful, fourth-grade year, a teacher in a class handed out a test he’d warned us would be particularly difficult. I was doing abysmally in the class, so I came home dejected, sure that I’d bombed. But my mom told me to keep a positive attitude. She told me if I believed I’d do well, I would. The next day, the teacher went around the room and asked every student what grade they thought they deserved on the test. Good students guessed they earned a B, C, or even lower grades. But when the teacher got to me, I remembered my mom’s encouragement and proudly announced I thought I got an A. WHY MY MOTHER IS MY GREATEST INFLUENCE Guided By Love
“Kevin,” my teacher paused, knowing I’d failed every test, “Are you sure that’s the grade you think you deserve?” I told him it was. After he’d gone through every kid in the room, the teacher said, “If that’s what you think you deserve, that’s your grade.” Thanks, Mom! Many years later, in college, I had to make difficult decisions regarding my future career. My major was chemical engineering, but I really wanted to go to medical school and was thinking of transferring back to our home state of New Jersey. I called my mom for her guidance, and she went above and beyond the call of duty. In the pre-internet age, she visited the library and did her research. She discovered that New Jersey only had one medical school while Virginia had three, and my chances of acceptance were much higher if I finished my chemical engineering degree in Virginia. Back then, they allowed me to claim Virginia as my home state while still matriculated. With that knowledge, I transferred from Lafayette college in Pennsylvania to the University of Virginia to complete my undergraduate studies. As a result of my subsequent change of state residency, I was accepted into the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and I attended this medical school as an in-state student. Who knows what would have happened without her help and analytical nature?
There are a million other stories I could tell you about my mom and even more lessons she taught me. Through her, I learned empathy, resilience, hard work, honesty, confidence, and humility. One of her most impactful lessons was that people will judge and remember you by how you treat others. I aim to always live up to her standards and never forget I am where I am today because of her influence. Massive thanks, Mom!
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ELEVATE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Unconventional Items to Pack on Your Next Flight
When preparing for your flight, it’s essential to pack the basics, such as clothing, medications, toiletries, and your travel documents. However, there are some surprising and often overlooked items that can greatly enhance your flying experience. These unexpected additions in your carry-on can make your air travel experience more comfortable, enjoyable, and stress-free. ELECTROLYTES Flying is dehydrating! Because airplane cabins are kept at a lower humidity level, your body dehydrates quicker than normal. To help keep your body hydrated without a dozen trips to the bathroom over the course of your flight, pack some electrolyte packets to mix into your water. Speaking of water, pack an empty water bottle with you, and after passing through security, you can fill it up at a water fountain! NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES Flights can be noisy. You can never predict crying babies, loud talkers, or hyper kids traveling alongside you. Noise-canceling headphones can provide a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the airplane. They block out ambient noise and allow
you to relax, listen to music, or enjoy in-flight entertainment without any distractions.
COMPRESSION SOCKS Wearing compression socks on an airplane is crucial for maintaining healthy circulation during long flights. Prolonged periods of sitting can lead to blood pooling in your legs, causing swelling, poor circulation, and even deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compression socks apply gentle pressure to your legs, reducing discomfort and circulation complications. PORTABLE CHARGER While you may have remembered to pack your plug-in phone charger, bringing along a portable charger and power bank is a lifesaver! Sometimes, finding an available charging station in a crowded airport can be tricky. But having a backup power source on the plane makes it possible to keep your devices charged throughout your journey! When packing for your next flight, don’t forget to include these trip-saving items in your carry-on for a more pleasant travel experience — you’ll be glad you did!
A VISIONARY TRANSFORMATION GREGORY’S EYE MAKEOVER JOURNEY
Gregory first met Dr. Scott in 2017 for an entropion repair on his lower eyelids, which involved his lower eyelid curled inward. He enjoyed the benefits of surgery for five years. But the condition began to return in a milder form — rare, but it can occur. “It wasn’t nearly as severe, so I wasn’t too concerned about it,” Gregory remembers. “But I went for my normal eye checkup and they said I needed cataract surgery. The doctor explained that unless we fixed the entropion condition, it wouldn’t be worth it. It would be like putting sandpaper on new lenses.” Gregory returned to Dr. Scott, who opted to try a new procedure to reduce the risk of recurrence. Dr. Scott also suggested an upper eye blepharoplasty. “I’m 75, and my upper
eyelids had started to sag,” Gregory says. “Dr. Scott said we could do that procedure, too, if I wanted, and that it was significant enough that Medicare would pay for it.” Gregory also opted for cosmetic laser work on his lower lids to make the most of the other procedures. We caught up with Gregory a few weeks after his surgery, and he reports he is recovering nicely. “Dr. Scott joked, ‘I threw the kitchen sink at you,’ so it will take longer than my typical lower eyelid surgery,” he explains. “He worked very closely with me to extend my leave of absence at work so I could rest and heal.” Clear guidance from Dr. Scott’s office has helped Gregory throughout the process. “The instructions from his staff have been very precise,” he says. “This is a difficult time to
find good people, but somehow, Dr. Scott has a great team who has his back and I feel very comfortable with him.” Though his healing isn’t quite complete, Gregory has already noticed a big difference. “The crow’s feet and everything under my eyes are dramatically different,” he says. “I think people will probably make comments once I’m back to working full-time. I didn’t start this for cosmetic reasons, but it’s nice.” Gregory is now looking forward to his cataract surgery and seeing more clearly. He’s grateful to Dr. Scott for everything he’s done to get him to this point. “I couldn’t be happier with him and his professionalism,” Gregory says. “He’s the best of the best.”
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HOW CO 2 LASERS DELIVER PRECISE AND SAFE RESULTS THE POWER OF PRECISION
One of Dr. Scott’s favorite treatment tools is the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser. He uses the instrument in many procedures, including laser resurfacing and upper and lower blepharoplasties. In light of its crucial role at Eye Plastic Associates, we want to share more about what makes the CO 2 laser so beneficial for our patients. Physicist C. Kumar Patel of Bell Labs in New Jersey invented the CO 2 laser in 1963. His creation was one of the first gas lasers and remains among medicine’s most commonly used lasers. The word “laser” is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, which describes exactly what the technology does. It subjects carbon dioxide to electrical energy until energized, creating a high-powered, focused beam. CO 2 lasers are invisible, so a red beam is added to allow practitioners to “see” the beam. The laser targets intracellular and extracellular water for vaporization, penetrating the skin until it finds water to eliminate. The current fractional laser resurfacing devices treat 65% of the skin with tightly spaced laser dots and leave 35% untreated. The 35% untreated is referred to by Dr. Scott as the “golden 35” since it will spread out underneath the 65% and make new skin that smoother, tighter, and more youthful.
CO 2 lasers have numerous benefits for soft-tissue surgery and can replace scalpels in many procedures. The CO 2 laser is incredibly precise, so a doctor can target specific areas without interfering with the surrounding tissue. It is also versatile; Dr. Scott can create focused beams for fine detailed procedures and laser skin resurfacing. CO 2 laser blepharoplasties are essentially bloodless, so the doctor has a much better view of the area where they are working. As a result, surgery is shorter for the patient and the surgeon and typically results in less postoperative swelling and bleeding. Even better, lasers automatically sterilize any areas they touch, so patients have a lower risk of infection. Due to their powerful nature, CO 2 lasers pose a danger to the eyes. So, surgeons protect the eyes with customized ocular metal shields. This step makes the procedure very safe. Dr. Scott has performed over 5,000 procedures with CO 2 lasers and shares that he wouldn’t operate any other way. If you think a CO 2 laser procedure might be right for you, call us to schedule an appointment!
STUFFED PEPPER SOUP
INGREDIENTS
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2 lbs ground beef
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1/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 cups water
2 tsp salt
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us five referrals this month!
1 28-oz can tomato sauce 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1 tsp black pepper
2 cups cooked long-grain rice
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2 cups chopped green peppers
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
DIRECTIONS
“The supreme happiness of life consists of the conviction that one is loved.” –Victor Hugo
1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add beef back to the pot and stir in all ingredients except the cooked rice. Bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Add cooked rice and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
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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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How Dr. Scott’s Mother Shaped His Education
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Pack These 4 Items for the Best In‑Flight Experience
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A 75-Year-Old’s Comprehensive Eye Makeover
The Precision and Power of CO 2 Lasers
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Did the FBI Really ‘Steal’ $86 Million?
The Story Behind a Mind-Blowing California Raid Hang On — The FBI Robbed a Bank?
"This was the largest armed robbery in United States history, and it was committed by the FBI." That jaw-dropping statement came from Robert Frommer, an attorney representing several hundred people whose safe deposit boxes were emptied during an FBI raid in 2021. The story is wild from start to finish. On that fateful day in March, armed FBI agents stormed a California strip mall and burst into a U.S. Private Vaults bank branch. They searched 1,400 safe deposit boxes and confiscated the contents of many of them — making off with roughly $86 million, plus valuable collectibles like coins, gold, and jewelry. Why would the agency do this? Well, after a two-year investigation, the FBI suspected U.S. Private Vaults was catering to drug dealers and other criminals hiding cash in Los Angeles. So, the agency obtained a warrant and raided the bank to look for proof. And apparently, they found it. After the raid, U.S. Private Vaults pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder drug money and closed its doors for good. However, that wasn’t the end of the saga.
Remember attorney Robert Frommer? Roughly 400 people who kept their money at U.S. Private Vaults hired him to get the contents of their safe deposit boxes back from the FBI. They said they weren’t criminals and wanted their money back. One of those people was Joseph Ruiz, who lost $57,000 in savings during the FBI raid. He filed a lawsuit, claiming the raid was unconstitutional. When the FBI accused Ruiz of making his money through illegal drug sales, Ruiz showed proof of his income, and in August 2021, the FBI agreed to return his funds. However, not every U.S. Private Vaults customer has been so lucky. In September 2022, a judge ruled that the FBI raid was legal under civil forfeiture laws and dismissed the depositors’ class-action lawsuit. An FBI spokesperson also said the agency was putting a process in place to return items to innocent owners, but as of March 2023, at least one person still claimed she hadn’t gotten her money back — even though she wasn’t criminally charged.
If this story ever becomes a Hollywood movie, we’ll be first in line at the box office.
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