Take a look at our August newsletter!
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
AUGUST 2022
There’s nothing like a mountain to make you feel small. Our entire family loves the sense of peace and awe that comes from getting up high and seeing the world from a whole new point of view. Aug. 1 is National Mountain Climbing Day, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to talk about the best vacation we’ve ever taken. When we sat around in the spring of 2019 trying to decide on a summer vacation, Nicholas, our son, declared he didn’t care where we went so long as it had mountains. We all agreed and eventually chose Switzerland. It made sense for several reasons: We have a close friend living in Zurich, the Alps are some of the most impressive and beautiful mountains in the world, and my daughter, Alecia, found roundtrip plane tickets at a steal of only $500 apiece! Our vacation started in Zurich, where we met our friend, who blessed us with a fabulous tour. After visiting Lake Zurich and the downtown area, we dined at Clouds. The restaurant sits at the top of Prime Tower, the tallest building in Zurich. Our friend’s husband is the manager of the restaurant and he was kind enough to reserve a table for us in the perfect corner with a panoramic view of Zurich. We ate an amazing meal, enjoying a gorgeous lake and mountain view. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our trip. From Zurich, we went to Lucerne where we visited the top of Mount Pilatus by a cogwheel train, which has the distinction of being the steepest rack railway in the world. It’s really something else traveling upward at 48 degrees! Once we reached our destination, we enjoyed some of the most peaceful moments of our lives. You get to step away from the hustle and bustle, and you don’t have to worry about phone notifications. Your only concern is taking deep breaths and enjoying the view while hiking around the mountaintop— and, of course, snapping lots of pictures. We left some time open in our schedule the following days to do some spontaneous sightseeing. We visited Liechtenstein, Austria, and St. Moritz, Switzerland, where we stayed in a beautiful mountain hotel near the site of two previous Winter Olympics. We then traveled to a central town in Switzerland called Vals, where the 7132 Hotel has a breathtaking spa with natural thermal Our Journey to the Swiss Mountains Riding High
baths. The spa overlooks a picturesque mountainside. The pool temperatures ranged from very hot to ridiculously cold, and we, as a family, had a lot of fun competing for who could last the longest in the extreme temperatures. Our Swiss getaway ended in Gimmelwald. We drove more than three hours to get to our hotel at the base of the mountain adjacent to the famous Eiger Mountain, only to find a closed road sign shortly before our destination. There was no other way to reach the hotel without backtracking for hours! So, we called the bed and breakfast for a solution, and they assured us we had no reason to worry. They told us to take only our most-needed items and travel to the hotel using a gondola (cable car)! We reached our accommodations by riding 1,000 feet up in the air. We hiked this mountain for several days and on our last full day we wanted to reach the top of the mountain, but the weather was terrible. We had no desire to take two gondola rides up 10,000 feet just to endure the same rainy weather as at our hotel, but an app showed us the conditions at the summit, and they were absolutely gorgeous! At the top is Piz Gloria, a restaurant featured in the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” This rotating restaurant had an all-you-can-eat buffet that was just finishing breakfast service as we walked in. We devoured our eggs and bacon and then settled in for lunch. We must have eaten for three hours! Somehow we managed to do some surrounding mountaintop hiking as well.
There’s no better feeling than being up high and on top of the world. I hope to have another family vacation like that someday, and I’m glad that our family was able to experience this breathtaking country. I encourage you to get out there and climb your own mountains!
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HOW MICHAEL PHELPS FOUGHT MENTAL ILLNESS A DECORATED OLYMPIAN’S HARDEST BATTLE: DEPRESSION
If you’re under pressure to be a great role model, it can be stressful to make mistakes — even for the world’s most decorated Olympian.
It’s no surprise that physical activity is part of Phelps’ self-care routine — but, truthfully, Phelps never expected to swim again after retiring. “Swimming is the one place where I can go and I can be myself, and I can let my mind escape.” As a parent, being a good role model is especially important. “My kids see my struggles — sometimes daily,” Phelps said. “I try to give them any tools I can to help them get through their big, strong emotions.”
In 2014, after Michael Phelps was charged for a DUI and suspended from USA Swimming for six months, he felt his world crashing down. It wasn’t his first DUI, either. It was his second, during a “very dark spot” in his life. He told People magazine, “It was the lowest point that I have been to so far — I felt like I didn’t want to be alive. At that moment, I felt like the best thing for me to do was just to end my life because I was causing other people so much pain — myself included.” This was before Phelps became a father to three sons. Although, if he had ended his life, he never would have met them.
Of course, you don’t need to be depressed to try talk therapy. It’s a great emotional management tool, and you won’t be struggling alone. You’ll be in good company.
“That’s when I really decided that I needed help,” he said.
Phelps checked into a treatment center — but even after leaving the center, he continued to see a therapist. “Therapy saved my life,” Phelps said. “It helped me feel comfortable in my own skin, to be my authentic self.” Today, Phelps has become a mental health advocate and now lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with his wife Nicole Johnson and their three young sons. As an ambassador for Talkspace, a virtual therapy service app, he speaks openly to the public about his battle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Brittney’s Life No More Tears
How Surgery Changed
Technical recruiter Brittney is only 28, but she has experienced eye trouble most of her life. “Ever since I was little, my eyelashes on my lower eyelids grew upward,” she says. “They were always in my eye, but it didn’t initially cause any hurt or discomfort.” That changed a few years ago. “I started experiencing a lot of irritation and watery eyes. I was carrying tissues and eye drops with me everywhere.” Before long, she was also experiencing sensitivity to light. She decided to see a doctor, who diagnosed her with a lower eyelid entropion, a condition where the lower eyelid turns inward. Her eyelashes were causing scratches and other damage to the surface of her eye. “It scared me,” Brittney admits. But when she first visited Dr. Scott, Brittney had more than normal pre- surgery jitters. “I tend to have an overgrowth of scar tissue and get keloids where there’s trauma to my skin,” she explains. “But Dr. Scott made me feel very comfortable. He offered to do a test incision on my upper eyelid under the crease to see how my skin would react to the procedure.” When the experiment went well, they decided to proceed.
Unfortunately, Brittney faced other hurdles on her journey. “My insurance didn’t want to cover the procedure,” she remembers. “But Dr. Scott advocated for me to my insurance company, and they approved my surgery. He went above and beyond — he really cares.” As for her recovery, Brittney says, “I healed perfectly with no scars, and I feel like I look younger.” The change has impacted her even more than expected. “I could never wear makeup around my eyes because I was dabbing them every 10–15 minutes,” she says. “I didn’t think it was a big deal until I could do it! I’ve rediscovered my love for beauty, skincare, and makeup. My quality of life has improved so much, and I’m super grateful.” Now she wants to spread the word. “Dr. Scott told me he has done this procedure hundreds and hundreds of times, but it’s very rare that someone is so young when he performs it,” Brittney says. “But I know I’m not the only person in their 20s who could be suffering from this condition, and I hope I can bring some light to it. I never knew what it felt like to not be in constant pain or discomfort. The only thing I wish I did differently was to find Dr. Scott and his team sooner.”
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SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR DOUBLE-CHIN How Kybella Can Improve Your Profile
Do you eat a healthy diet, exercise often, and keep your weight under control, yet still struggle with a stubborn double-chin? If so, you might be an excellent candidate for Kybella. It’s the only product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove small to moderate amounts of the submental fat that tends to form below your chin. Kybella is an injectable treatment using a substance called deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring agent that appears in human bile and dissolves fat. Treatment allows doctors to directly inject Kybella into fat pads and dissolve the membranes around the fat cells. As a result, the fat cells are destroyed and absorbed by your body, making it significantly harder to deposit the fat back underneath the chin. Most patients receive 2–3 Kybella treatments to achieve their desired look. Each treatment consists of several injections to ensure we target the majority of the offending fat cells. We typically wait 6-8 weeks between appointments, which gives the injections time to work their magic before the next round. All patients experience some burning during and after treatment, though many report less intense effects during their second and third sessions. Patients can also expect the area to swell for several days to a week after each treatment as it’s part of the immune system’s process to clear out the old fat cells. To help reduce any
discomfort, swelling and bruising, we recommend patients apply ice packs to the treated area. Once the swelling goes down, the skin tightens slowly and lifts, creating a sleeker and younger-looking profile. No aesthetic procedure is risk-free, and there are rare reports of nerve injury affecting the corners of the mouth. The good news is that this side effect is now even less likely with the updated injection patterns we use during the treatment — and all known cases eventually resolved on their own.
Kybella works best on small to moderately sized fat pockets, and those with larger amounts of fat will typically require other procedures. We also typically would not recommend the treatment to those who have previously had a facelift and neck lift, have very loose skin, or experience any difficulty swallowing. If you want the area under your chin to be firmer, we’ll be glad to see if Kybella is the right choice for you. Call our office to schedule a consultation today!
1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish. DIRECTIONS Tasty Bruschetta Chicken INGREDIENTS • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us four referrals this month!
3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy new hiking gear.”
Inspired by Delish.com
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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’s Favorite Summer Vacation
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Michael Phelps’ Hardest Battle
A Patient’s Life After Entropion Surgery
Eliminate Your Double-Chin With Kybella
Tasty Bruschetta Chicken
What to Consider Before Buying an RV
3 TIPS FOR SENIORS BEFORE BUYING AN RV EMBARKING ON AN RV JOURNEY
DO YOUR RESEARCH. There is much more to buying an RV beyond the actual shopping experience. You have to also learn to drive and/or tow it! Before making a purchase, be sure to research and look up reviews on the driving experiences of other owners of the same make and model. An RV can be a second home, so take your time and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Before making your decision and pulling the trigger on your brand-new RV, make sure you’ve done your homework and are prepared for life on the road! A huge adventure awaits — the best thing you can be is prepared!
You can tour the country without ever having to leave your home — motor home, that is! Seniors around the country are all hopping aboard the RV train because it’s a great way to get up close and personal with nature while being free to go where you want. One morning, your backyard can be Yellowstone National Park, and the next, you’re in the Mojave Desert! If you’re looking to purchase an RV in your golden years, here are some tips. RENT ONE FIRST. Renting an RV before you make the commitment to buy one is the way to go, especially if you’ve never taken a trip in one before! This way, you can take
it for a nice long test drive and determine which features are must-haves and which you can do without. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re okay being in such a small space with your family, partner, or travel buddy! DON’T RULE OUT PRE-OWNED RVS. RVs can be expensive, depending on which model you are looking into. In some cases, opting to purchase a pre-owned RV can save you a great deal of money. And, if you get a great deal on a pre-owned one, you can repair, renovate, and redecorate it to your liking with the money you saved. An additional perk is that insurance is usually cheaper on pre-owned RVs!
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