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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
AUGUST 2023
MY FAVORITE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING SPOTS HOW I REACHED NEW HEIGHTS
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced? For Bobby Matthews and Josh Madigan, it was climbing all 46 peaks of the Adirondacks Mountains, joining an elite club of people who have done the same. On Aug. 1, 2015 they scaled the final peak on Whiteface Mountain. In May of 2016, they were formally inducted into the Adirondack 46er Club. Subsequently, on Aug. 1, we celebrate National Mountain Climbing Day in their honor. I’ve always enjoyed mountain climbing, but a patient I saw recently inspired me to step up my game. He’s an avid mountain climber who hikes at least twice a week in any weather. Unfortunately, he came to see me after he tripped and tore his eyelid. Despite the unusual injury, his enthusiasm was infectious. His primary concern wasn’t about his eye but whether he could teach his mountain climbing course the following week. (Sadly, he couldn’t, but he is now fully recovered and back in business.) Tala and I have been hiking more frequently since this encounter, and I love every minute of it. The many available trails aid our new dedication to the activity in our DMV area, with several incredible places to visit that are a short drive away. Great Falls Park is only 17 miles from downtown Washington D.C., making it one of the most accessible options. The hiking level is easy to
moderate, so it’s perfect for beginners or those who want a less strenuous outing.
Shenandoah National Park, one of our most treasured spots, is more of a trek as it requires a 2.5- hour drive, it is well worth the journey. You can easily spend the whole weekend there camping and hiking all the scenic trails. They’ve got colorful names like Stony Man, Bearfence Mountain Trail, Mary’s Rock, and Hawksbill Mountain. Dark Hallows is a crowd- pleaser known for its magical waterfall. But Old Rag is probably my favorite. Old Rag has a lot of rock scrambling and other fun features, but you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to visit. The National Parks Service is experimenting with hiking passes to prevent overcrowding, and Old Rag is a pilot site for the program. If you want to check it out, make sure to book your ticket. Just visit Recreation.gov and type “Old Rag” into the search bar to access the reservation page.
The Billy Goat Trail, part of the Great Falls Park, which is between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River (Trail A) is a fantastic choice. There are three sections labeled A, B, and C. Billy Goat trail A is a more strenuous experience with “rock scrambling,” or physically climbing over boulders with your hands and feet. C is a significantly more relaxed route for those who desire something less rigorous, and B is a good mix of both. You shouldn’t miss out on the Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail, either. I particularly recommend trying Bears Den Park. You will get spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley and a beautiful stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Locally, in Fairfax, the Cross Country Trail is 40 miles long and runs from the Potomac River at Difficult Run (Great Falls National Park) and Occoquan River at Occoquan Regional Park (Occoquan). Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a little over an hour away and will give you a taste of the outdoors and a dose of history. The abolitionist, John Brown’s Fort and a Civil War museum are on site. At this location, you can hike on and around battlefields.
We are truly blessed to have so many places to hike and climb in our area, so I hope you’ll consider getting
out there and trying some of them for yourself. I feel
honored and grateful to have met the patient who inspired me to again pursue mountain climbing adventures. From easy to strenuous, pick your level and send me a picture!
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(703) 620-4300
Juicy Uses for Lemons SQUEEZE THE DAY
FRESHEN YOUR BREATH Lemon juice is an excellent tool for combating bad breath.
Lemons — they’re sour, aromatic, and juicy. Contrary to popular belief, though, these little citrus fruits can be utilized in more ways than making lemonade or as a kitchen staple. There are many unusual and resourceful applications that may surprise you! Here are some fun and creative uses for lemons around the house and for your health and wellness! FIGHT OFF BUGS Pests like ants, mosquitoes, and spiders enjoy summertime, but insects can make humans miserable. Citrus oil found in lemon peels is a natural bug repellent. In fact, the scent alone keeps them away. Place lemon peels on your counters, windowsills, and the nooks and crannies of your house to keep bugs out! STICK-NO-MORE How often have you cooked rice in a pot on the stove, only to have it stick to the bottom of the pan? So frustrating! Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your rice’s boiling water to prevent this grain from sticking! REMOVE BLEMISHES Did you know that lemon juice is a natural astringent? Applying just a tiny amount after cleaning and drying your skin clears pores and removes oil and dirt that can lead to acne and zits.
Drinking lemon water can help fight odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Because lemon juice can erode the enamel on your teeth, follow it up with some plain water! CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE Try this hack if you have food buildup in your microwave. In a bowl, combine water, lemon juice,
and slices of lemon. Heat the mixture in your microwave on high for three minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe the microwave’s interior clean! You’ll be surprised just how easily the residue cleans up! BREATHE EASIER When you’re sick, one of the most frustrating things is congestion. Drink lemon juice and hot water to reduce phlegm, soothe the throat, and relieve other cold symptoms.
Who would have thought the lowly lemon had so many practical applications?
‘A Guy I Can Trust’
George Shares His Experience With Dr. Scott
George’s drooping eyelids were making it difficult for him to drive. “It’s a hereditary thing,” he explains. “My dad had it, and he had surgery.” George talked to his optometrist, who informed him he had ptosis. He went to see Dr. Scott after a referral from his wife, who had previously visited the office for a consultation. Dr. Scott could correct the ptosis problem, but he informed George that a second surgery might be necessary. “Once the eyelid goes up, it pushes the skin above back down,” George recalls Dr. Scott’s explanation. “I asked him why he couldn’t do both surgeries at the same time.” Dr. Scott explained that not all patients suffer from excess skin, and he wouldn’t know how much to remove until it appeared. “I said, ‘That makes sense,’” George remembers, “but sure as anything, that skin started drooping above the eyelid. It got to the point where I was trying to read the newspaper while holding up my eyelid. So, I went back to Dr. Scott.”
he laughs. “But in a couple of days, most of the swelling and discoloration was gone. If you walked in here right now, you’d have no idea I had surgery.” He’s eager to return to his golf game, though Dr. Scott told him he must wait several weeks. Throughout the process, George was most impressed by Dr. Scott’s thoroughness and transparency. “Dr. Scott is just an outstanding guy,” he says. “He’s a good listener and he takes his time.” George uses his experience shortly before surgery as an example. “I’ve had several surgeries,” he says, “and the doctor usually just pops in beforehand and says, ‘You ready?’ But Dr. Scott came in, sat down, closed the curtains, and said, ‘What questions do you have?’ He sat there for 20 minutes talking to me. I could see he cares, and I’m not just another number.” One other moment sticks out in his mind. “I was talking to one of the nurses in post-op, and I said, ‘I really like Dr. Scott.’ And she said, ‘We love him here,’ which is another testament to him that all the nurses at the hospital love working with him,” he says. “That’s a guy I can trust.”
We caught up with George one week after his blepharoplasty to remove his excess eyelid skin. “When I came out of surgery, I looked like a zombie,”
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TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL BLEPHAROPLASTY CAN RESTORE YOUR APPEARANCE NO MORE UNDER-EYE BAGS
removing the fat from the inside of the eyelid where no one will see the internal laser incision.
tiny portions of the old skin in a precise formation to promote new collagen growth. Ultimately about 65% of the old skin is removed, and 35% is left behind. Dr. Scott calls this “the golden 35” because it does the hard work of making new tighter and smoother skin. Laser resurfacing will not eliminate wrinkles created when your facial muscles move, called dynamic wrinkles, but the area treated with fractional laser resurfacing will be smoother, tighter and flatter “at rest.” Patients with wrinkles below the eye before their blepharoplasty should strongly consider having skin resurfacing for the best cosmetic results. If you have excess fat or skin below your eyes that is making you look older, Eye Plastic Associates would love to help. During your visit, Dr. Scott can review your options and determine which treatments will work best for you. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Scott performs this procedure weekly on an outpatient basis. Once patients are comfortably sedated and asleep, he places protective shields over the patient’s eyes and completes the procedure. For patients with minimal herniated fat, this fat removal may be all the patient needs to resolve the matter. However, most patients will need an additional procedure performed at the same time involving fractional laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Scott compares the skin beneath the eyes to a balloon. When you remove the excess fat from the inside of the lower eyelid, the balloon deflates, often creating additional excess skin and new wrinkles. Fractional laser resurfacing is the ideal solution to tighten and rejuvenate this delicate area.
Transconjunctival lower eyelid laser blepharoplasty is a mouthful, but the complicated term describes an elegantly simple procedure. Herniated fat below the lower eyelids is a common problem, especially as we age. A transconjunctival blepharoplasty can resolve this issue on an outpatient basis without external scarring. The most obvious route to remove excess fat below the eyes is through the skin. But doing so requires operating with a long skin incision and traversing an eyelid muscle layer and membrane called the orbital septum, which is unnecessarily invasive and leaves a scar. A transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty, on the other hand, involves
The CO 2 laser shoots tiny beams of light in a dot pattern over your skin. The laser gently vaporizes
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained
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2 tsp honey
1 tsp kosher salt
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5 garlic cloves
1/4 tsp black pepper
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us four referrals this month!
1 tbsp sherry vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!” –Dr. Seuss
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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 Mountain Hikes
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When Life Gives You Lemons
A Patient Shares Why He Recommends Dr. Scott Dr. Scott’s Preferred Way to Remove Under‑Eye Fat
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Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Can You Solve This 18th-Century Cipher?
A mysterious 18th-century code has made even the most renowned geniuses lose sleep and continues to puzzle the world. On the grounds of Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, England, lies the baffling code that refuses to be cracked. The Shepherd’s Monument was commissioned by British Parliament member Thomas Anson and sculpted by Peter Schee around the mid to late 1700s. But what makes this monument so mysterious? On the monument is an engraving of Nicolas Poussin’s painting “The Shepherds of Arcadia” and the inscription “OUOSVAVV” framed by the letters “DM,” which are placed slightly lower than the main eight letters. While the inscription has a long history of confusing the public (including Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin), the monument’s mystery was reignited after its appearance in the bestselling novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. Now, countless theories have been made, but no confirmed meaning exists.
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A tribute to Anson’s late wife with the letters standing for “Optimae Uxoris Optimae Sororis Viduus Amantissimus Vovit Virtutibus,” meaning, “Best of wives, best of sisters, a most devoted widower dedicates [this] to your virtues.” The monument is a dead end with jumbled letters to taunt those who look too deeply into inscriptions.
This Enigmatic Inscription Remains Unsolved Discover the Theories Behind Shepherd’s Monument
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While these theories have been the predominantly believed meanings for centuries, one recent discovery may make the most sense. Linguistic expert Keith Massey utilized his expansive knowledge of Latin to develop the phrase “Oro Ut Omnes Sequantur Viam Ad Veram Vitam,” which translates to “I pray that all may follow the Way to True Life.” This phrase was common on ancient Christian tombs. The primary hint was the mysterious “DM,” which Massey determined was “Dis Manibus” or “for the Manes,” another phrase seen on ancient Christian tombs. Massey explained, “My solution provides a straightforward and grammatical sentence, all parts of which are attested in tomb inscriptions and texts predating or contemporary with the creation of the Shugborough inscription.” Do you agree? Is this finally the true meaning behind this riddle, or is there still more to be uncovered?
So, what are the conspiracy theories out there behind this vague inscription?
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Masonic symbols lead to the hidden location of the Holy Grail with the outside letters “DM,” meaning “Devout Mason.”
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