Take a look at our December newsletter!
The
Monthly
Renewal
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • www.eyeplasticmd.com
DECEMBER 2021
WHAT MAKES THIS YEAR SPECIAL HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
One of my favorite childhood memories is how my siblings and I would wake up before the sun came up on Christmas morning. My parents, being reasonable adults who worked for a living and spent a lot of effort getting the holiday ready for us, absolutely forbade us from waking them before 7 a.m. Besides, they told us, we needed to give Santa time to deliver all of the presents. But we were way too excited to sleep. We’d get up around 4 a.m. and gather together in my or my sister Beth’s room. We had to stay quiet, but we’d all be so insanely excited it was hard to talk softly. That three-hour stretch every year felt like the longest time ever; we all thought we were going to burst! I’m feeling that same kind of enthusiasm about Christmas this year, because for the first time in a very long time, almost my entire family will be together. Like many families, ours now live all over the place. But we’ll all be coming together this December — and like when I was a kid, I just can’t wait. Present, of course, will be me, my wife Tala, and our two children Alecia and Nicholas. The Scott family matriarch — my mom, Patricia — lives in Reston. (My dad has passed away). My brother, Robert; his wife, Jennifer; and their three children, Jessica, Elizabeth, and Michael also live locally and will all be attending our Christmas gathering. My sister Leigh will be coming in from Maine, and my brother Grant will be visiting from Raleigh.
be visiting us from Holland! She’ll be bringing her husband, Jitze; their three daughters Anja, Jennifer, and Carolyn; and Carolyn’s husband, Danian. The “kids” will be here for about 10 days, and Elizabeth and Jitze will be visiting stateside for about a month. We’re all so glad they’re coming. From Tala’s side of the family, my mother-in-law Swetlana and my brother-in-law Michael will also be with us for Christmas; unfortunately, my other brother-in-law, George; his wife, Maria; and their two children, Luke and Inna won’t be able to attend. They live in California. We’ll also particularly feel the absence of my brother Brian, who passed away more than a decade ago. I’m sure we’ll take the time to say a prayer, remember him, and be thankful for the time we did have together. We also wish his two children could be with us this Christmas.
I’m not sure how we’ll all fit at a single table together, but we’re truly thankful we’ve all been fully vaccinated and the U.S. has opened its borders, making this as safe a gathering as possible. It will be really exciting to have a big celebration, see each other, and share so many stories from our family’s past. During this holiday season, I wish all of you and your families well. I hope you are blessed with good health and can gather with your loved ones to break bread and enjoy each other’s company. No matter how you celebrate this time of year, I hope you find a way to make it special.
—Dr. Kevin Scott
Perhaps most excitingly — because we get to see them the least — is that my sister, Elizabeth, will
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BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH THESE TIPS Spending the Holidays Alone?
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Just because you’re not seeing people during the holidays does not mean you should forgo your basic needs.
Many Americans spend the holidays alone every year, and the pandemic has only made it more difficult for people to see their loved ones, as travel has become more restricted and strenuous.
If you’re one of these people who are spending their first holiday season alone this year, here are a few strategies you can try to make the situation a little easier.
Stick to your regular hygiene habits and do not let them get away from you. The same goes for eating and sleeping. Staying clean, well-fed, and
DON’T HOLD YOURSELF TO THE USUAL STANDARDS. One of the best things about spending the holidays alone is that you can do things your way. You don’t have to worry about meeting everyone else’s standards. Instead, you only have to make yourself happy. Simply telling yourself that you are not going to have the usual holiday environment can slightly help, but redefining what the holiday means to you can remove a huge weight. Trying new things or looking toward the future are great ways to reduce the stress of spending the holidays alone. Keeping up with old traditions may remind you of what you’re missing out on, so it can greatly help to create your own traditions. PLAN AHEAD. If you know in advance that you’re going to be spending the holidays alone, planning ahead can prevent negative feelings. While being spontaneous can sometimes keep things fresh, it could leave you with a feeling of hopelessness about what to do next. There’s no need for your list to be extensive or highly detailed, but even just planning to watch a movie or cook some of your favorite dishes can give you something to look forward to. All in the Family In 2017, Don visited Eye Plastic Associates for an upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery to correct his field of vision. The outcome of his surgery was so impressive that earlier in 2021, his wife Jeanette followed suit. Their journey started during a routine eye exam. Don’s optometrist pointed out that his field of vision had been reduced significantly over the years due to eyelid drooping and excess skin. The optometrist recommended Dr. Scott, so Don decided to visit him. Referring to his lower blepharoplasty, Don says, “I had real big protruding pockets. Dr. Scott said he could fix it, and he did.” He’s particularly amazed at how natural the results have been. “He said no one would ever know I had surgery, and he was exactly right.” So, when Jeanette began experiencing similar problems with her vision, she also decided to see Dr. Scott. Though she originally intended to have only upper and lower blepharoplasty performed, Dr. Scott also recommended a ptosis surgery on one eye. “I had a droopy eye,” Jeanette says. “My mother had it, and she never had anything done, so I thought it was a hereditary condition. But Dr. Scott said it could be corrected.”
well-rested goes a long way toward improving your happiness. As with all mental health advice, what works for some
does not work for everyone. Do what you think will work best for you and
help you keep your thoughts happy.
DON AND JEANETTE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH DR. SCOTT Jeanette had her ptosis surgery in January, and she needed several months of downtime before proceeding with the blepharoplasty in June. “I’m really pleased with the work, and I’m glad I had it done,” she says. “In pictures, I can see a difference.” But nobody else seems to have noticed the surgery, which is precisely what Jeanette wanted. “I guess what made me finally have the surgery is that no one noticed my husband had it done. We’ve got three grown kids, and they don’t even know.” Both Don and Jeanette were pleased with their recovery, though they note they were grateful to have each other’s help. “My husband says everything went great,” Jeanette jokes, “but he doesn’t say anything about how well I took care of him!” They also agree they received excellent care from everyone at Eye Plastic Associates. “Dr. Scott sits down and talks to you and explains the procedure,” Don says. “His bedside manner is very professional, unlike most doctors I’ve seen. I was very, very happy with the whole procedure, and I would recommend him to anyone who might need this type of surgery.”
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Understanding Benign Eye Tumors AND HOW WE CAN TREAT THEM
causes red splotches on the skin. These growths can turn into a squamous cell carcinoma and should always be removed when they occur on the eyelids. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral-related growth that occurs on the edge of the eyelid. When the viral particles fall into the eye, a patient can present with chronic conjunctivitis. In these cases, the conjunctivitis usually resolves immediately after this tumor is removal. With so many different types of tumors, we don’t expect you to identify them yourself. If you have a growth around your eye that’s bothersome or increasing in size, it’s worth having it excised — even if it has existed for years. At Eye Plastic Associates, we have a minor procedure room where Dr. Scott can remove most small eyelid tumors on the same day as your appointment. For tumors on other areas of the face, please see your dermatologist to get their opinion on the need for treatment.
About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, so everyone should have regular dermatological checkups of the whole body. As we age, it’s common to develop growths on the eyelid, but most are benign — in fact, there are over 50 different types. But even benign tumors can be bothersome, unsightly, and even become irritated. One of the most common eyelid conditions is a chalazion, or stye, which occurs due to clogged eyelid oil glands. If the clogged glands don’t get the signal that the “front door is closed” and to stop making additional oil, the lesion can become severely inflamed and may need to be drained. Draining is typically done from inside the eyelid, whenever possible. To avoid a scar, some patients will need multiple treatments to fully resolve this condition. Seborrheic keratosis is another common type of benign tumor. While this growth can range in color from pale to dark, it tends to look like a wad of gum that has been stuck on the skin. Seborrheic keratosis can look similar to aggressive tumors like
melanoma, but it does not have cancerous potential. A doctor can freeze off seborrheic keratosis with liquid nitrogen on other areas of the body, but that process is too dangerous to use near the eye. Instead, treatment includes a superficial excision. Xanthelasma commonly forms on the upper eyelid but can occasionally appear on the lower eyelids as well. Made up of scavenger cells that eat cholesterol, these growths initially present as small yellow dots and later become larger yellow patches. It’s best to remove them before they become too large because the resultant small excisional scar can help inhibit regrowth. Some studies suggest that xanthelasma can be associated with a higher risk factor for coronary heart disease, even if the patient’s cholesterol levels are normal. So, patients with this condition should always make their primary care physician aware of this lesion and obtain a further cardiac workup if indicated.
Remember that most skin cancers are very treatable, but early discovery is essential.
Another common type of benign tumor is actinic keratosis, which occurs from sun damage and
If you or one of your family members has concerns about an eye growth, give us a call today.
FESTIVE APPLE CIDER Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
A referral is the highest compliment our patients can give! Welcome to our new patients, and thank you for the seven referrals this month! Do you know someone who might need Dr. Scott’s care? Pass this newsletter along to them!
If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
INGREDIENTS
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1 lemon
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2 tsp allspice berries
1 gallon pure apple cider 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise
1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 tbsp honey
3 cinnamon sticks
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2 tsp whole cloves
“I find that it’s the simple things that remind you of family around the holidays.” –Amy Adams
DIRECTIONS
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
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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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Why the Scott Family’s Christmas Is Extra Special This Year Tips for Spending the Holidays Alone
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A Married Couple Shares Their Surgery Stories Benign Eye Tumors Are Common
Festive Apple Cider
Decorate Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro
CREATING A HOLIDAY MASTERPIECE How to Decorate Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro
One of the most popular holiday traditions has become making and decorating gingerbread houses. The tradition began in Germany in the early 1800s and originated from Grimm’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Some shy away from the idea of making their own gingerbread house, but have no fear — if the Germans did it in the early 1800s, so can you! To simplify things, many gingerbread houses come with baked pieces and a full decorating kit. This helps you have more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so you can make something really kick-butt for the holidays! Icing will be your best friend. Think of it as the yummy glue that holds everything together while also acting as a colorful trim for your gingerbread house. However, because it’ll keep the house from falling, be sure to use a lot!
M&Ms are a must-have for anyone decorating their gingerbread house. Not only are they delicious, but they also make cute little accents all over the house and yard.
Mini cookies of your choice may also make a deliciously good-looking roof. Try layering them up for a dimensional look! And, for extra pizazz, strategically place mini candy canes throughout the yard and on either side of the front doors and windows. If you want to get really detailed, try using actual candy bars as fire logs in the fireplace. Just be sure to store your gingerbread house in a cool area so nothing will melt! Whether you prefer a simple gingerbread house or a flashy one, any and ALL candy can be used! Get decorating and be sure to have a bite of candy along the way!
Spice drops also make for a great trim and “roofing,” just use icing to hold them in place. Alternate between colors or use a variety to make your house really pop.
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