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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
NOVEMBER 2024
Disney Dreams and Model Train Magic A Railroad to Childhood Memories
This month, I’d like you to imagine sitting on a 1/8th-scale train as it takes you around scenic land in beautiful California. It’s a nice thought, isn’t it? While this may not be the typical image that comes to mind for most people here in Virginia, as the weather gets chillier and the holidays begin to roll in, I always remember it this time of year. November is best known for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving — important holidays that allow us to honor the brave citizens who fought for our country and express gratitude for all the good things in our lives — but it’s also National Model Railroad Month. Not only has the world of trains been super- special to me since I was a kid, but it introduced me to a philosophy that I follow to this day. Allow me to share some history before I dive into that. I started building Lionel model train sets when I was little and loved designing and building landscapes for them. One day, a neighbor threw out a train set complete with capsules that could be placed in the train’s front engine to make it smoke. I couldn’t pass up the chance to add such a fantastic piece of technology to my collection, so I rescued the set from the trash in record time! I couldn’t get enough of my hobby back then. When I was in 4th grade, my family moved from White Plains, New York, to the small town of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. In an inexplicable move not part of the agreement, the movers had unloaded all our boxes onto the curb in front of our new home and drove away. Their negligence coincided with the town’s annual pick-up of anything left in front of residents’ homes. Well, you know where this is going. We lost most of our clothes and family mementos — and I lost my beloved trains. It’s tough to think about it even now. Fortunately, my positive memories of trains still overshadow that event. One day, I was attending a model train expo with my son when I caught a lecture by an expert in the field who had befriended Walt Disney. It turned out that the
man behind Mickey Mouse was an avid train enthusiast like me. In fact, Walt had funded his first-ever drawing set by working on real trains, and his love of them continued throughout his adulthood. In 1950, he added “the Carolwood
Pacific Railroad” — a custom-built, steam-powered 1/8th-scale train — to his backyard in Holmby Hills, California, and began offering rides to area children. After his lawyer cautioned him that providing such a neighborhood attraction could expose him to serious liability if a mishap were to occur, Walt turned his attention toward expanding his idea into an official amusement park on his expansive property in Anaheim. The name of this venture? Disneyland.
The lecturer also shared something Walt had said while conceptualizing what became his world-famous attraction, “We’re going to do what we do so well that people are going to want to come back and bring a friend.” It’s a wonderful sentiment that I remember every day at my practice. I strive to provide my
patients with a level of care so exceptional that they share their experiences with others. I’ve built my career by following Walt’s attitude toward giving people something to cherish and remember — and, like him, it all started for me with my love of trains. No matter what your hobbies may be, I hope they inspire you to pursue your dreams. Thank you, Walt Disney, for helping me achieve mine.
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EUROPE’S MOST EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES
HOW WELL-BEING CONCERTS ARE BOOSTING MENTAL HEALTH A Symphony of Support At Carnegie Hall, the concept of a concert has been reimagined with a delightful twist. Welcome to Well-Being Concerts, a series that entertains and soothes the soul. Launched in March 2024, these performances are designed to create a safe and relaxing place for the mind. Forget the traditional concert hall setting of rigid chairs and hushed whispers; these concerts invite you to settle down on cozy floor cushions. The environment is crafted to be as warm and welcoming as a friend’s living room, with soft, inviting lighting and fabrics draped to enhance the space’s coziness. Imagine a musical experience where you’re encouraged to breathe mindfully and connect genuinely with those around you — this is precisely what Carnegie Hall offers with its Well-Being Concerts. Sarah Johnson, director of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), explained the vision behind these gatherings: “Given everything that people are navigating in today’s world, we wanted to intentionally craft a communal musical experience to maximize the health benefits of attending a performance.” This innovative approach to concerts stems from the growing body of research, like the comprehensive 2019 World Health Organization report, that links music to reduced stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.
workers, veterans, and individuals affected by the justice system. Instead of a traditional stage, performers and attendees share the same level, forming a circle that fosters a unique sense of community. The impact of these concerts goes beyond the event itself. Johnson’s team, along with strategic advisor Ian Koebner, is exploring ways to extend the calming influence of the music. Attendees may soon be able to access curated playlists and snippets of the performance after the concert, allowing them to relive the serene experience and carry the tranquility into their daily lives. These Well-Being Concerts at Carnegie Hall are more than just performances; they are a sanctuary in the city, a gentle reminder of the healing power of music and community. Hopefully, we will see many more concerts like these in the Big Apple and worldwide.
The series, which included 16 Well-Being Concerts, catered to the general public and provided tailored experiences for specific groups such as health care
JENNIFER’S EYELID REJUVENATION BOTOX, BEAUTY, AND BEYOND
“A few years ago, I noticed a mole just below my left eyebrow and above my eyelid. Initially, it was a small dot, but it gradually grew larger and began to throb. Concerned that it could be cancerous, I visited my dermatologist, who referred me to Dr. Scott at Eye Plastic Associates. He removed the mole — which, thankfully, was noncancerous
— and I was thrilled and happy with the results. I was also impressed by Dr. Scott’s demeanor and how he made me comfortable during such a worrying situation. “I later thought of Dr. Scott when I wanted to do something about my droopy upper eyelids. After consulting with him, I decided to undergo regular Botox treatments for my eyelids and the frown lines between my eyebrows. Although I feared ending up with a permanent surprised look on my face, Dr. Scott assured me the Botox would look natural. He also thoroughly explained the process and answered every question I had. I’ve been going for Botox treatment with Dr. Scott every three to four months for over three years now, and I’ve been very pleased with how it has
improved my appearance. Best of all, he was right that the treatments look natural. Most people don’t realize I’m receiving Botox until I tell them — which is precisely the response I am looking for! “The best thing about Dr. Scott is that he is sociable enough to put me at ease. I tend to be quiet, but he is very easy to talk to. He is a great conversationalist who remembers and casually brings up details of our past chats, which I find very comforting. I never feel like I’m going to a doctor’s office when I visit Dr. Scott. I appreciate everything he has done for me and look forward to being his patient for years to come.”
– Jennifer Wang
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How to Manage Styes and Recurring Chalazions
EAT WELL, HEAL FAST! Dietary Tips for a Smooth Surgery
Whether you’re planning to have surgery on your eyelids or any other part of your body, what you eat before and after significantly impacts how well you endure and recover from the process. Here are our dietary tips to help you prep for your medical procedure and heal well afterward. SMART PRE-SURGERY STRATEGIES Think of preparing for eyelid surgery like getting ready for a bike ride or a long run — you need to prepare your body to withstand physical exertion. Ensure that your body receives plenty of protein the week before your appointment and consider “carb loading” the day before. That doesn’t mean you should sit down and eat 10 pieces of cake, but you can bump up your levels of healthy carbohydrates in other ways. Examples include: sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, oats, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Carbs are stored in the liver as glycogen, which is released into the bloodstream as glucose when fasting.
If you regularly take supplements, avoid any that contain ginger, ginkgo, or other ingredients that could thin your blood, make you bleed more, and slow down your post-op recovery. Additionally, be sure to hydrate well the day before your surgery. POST-OP DO’S AND DON’TS Recovering from surgery means rebuilding your body from an injury, so you must take special care of yourself in those delicate post-op days. First, don’t stop at Taco Bell on the way home from your procedure, as you should avoid super-spicy or super-fatty foods immediately following surgery while the anesthesia is still in your system. It doesn’t take a weird diet to speed up recovery. Eggs are tremendous protein sources; turkey, chicken, lean beef, fish, beans, and nuts are also great. Foods with high quantities of healthy fats — including avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds,
and coconut oil — will also help
you heal faster. You can also take a multivitamin that contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. Above all, don’t eat processed foods . When in doubt about what you should or
shouldn’t eat post-operatively, remember this easy rule: Anything down the aisle at a grocery store is processed; anything around the periphery is what you should be eating after your procedure. Perhaps this is the path we should always follow. If you have further questions on dietary items or supplements, please be in contact with our office and we will be happy to assist you. Our goal at Eye Plastic Associates, P.C. is to make your recovery as easy as possible.
Greek Chicken and Rice
INGREDIENTS
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2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
• • • • • •
2 cups chicken broth
1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 cloves garlic, minced 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried thyme
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us six referrals this month!
Juice of 1 lemon
• •
1/2 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
“Our life is a constant journey, from birth to death. The landscape changes, the people change, our needs change, but the train keeps moving. Life is the train, not the station.” –Paulo Coelho
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened. 2. Add chicken, oregano, and thyme and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 3–4 minutes. 3. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. 4. Stir in the lemon juice and feta cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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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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Walt Disney’s Words of Wonder
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New Well-Being Concerts Highlight the Healing Power of Music
2 3 3 4
From Mole to Makeover
Pre- and Post-Op Eating Tips
Greek Chicken and Rice
Discover the Fascinating ‘What-Ifs’ of State Names
THE BIZARRE AND CREATIVE TITLES THAT NEARLY DEFINED OUR STATES NAMES THAT ALMOST WERE
Covington
Frankfort
Louisville
Lexington
TRANSYLVANIA
Owensboro
One of the first things you likely learned was the name of your home state, but what if everything you knew about your state’s namesake could have been different? Prepare for a journey through the quirky and bizarre world of almost- names for states! The early days of American statehood were filled with creative, peculiar, and downright odd suggestions. Let’s look into history and uncover the surprising stories behind the names that could have been. KENTUCKY Kentucky’s famous horse race was almost known as the Transylvania Derby, but it has nothing to do with vampires. In 1775, a businessman named Richard Henderson established the Transylvania Company and signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania colony. However, Henderson’s treaty failed as Virginia had already claimed the land. Years later,
in 1792, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away from Virginia to become Kentucky. Despite naming the state themselves, the residents couldn’t decide whether the state’s new name meant “prairie,” “land of tomorrow,” or “river of blood.” UTAH When Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon church), moved the congregation west, they settled in the Salt Lake Basin. He petitioned Congress to create a new state for them and settled on Deseret, after a name in the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptural texts. The government declined the request until 1896, granting them statehood in a smaller area than they had originally hoped for. They still didn’t get their desired name, though; the government named the state Utah after the Ute tribe that called the area home.
Bowling Green
NEVADA The name Humboldt almost became the name of the state of Nevada. It comes from explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who helped popularize scientific exploration. Though he traveled thousands of miles across Central and South America, he never made it to the Western United States. So, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow- covered” instead. History is full of “what ifs” and whimsical alternatives that could have shaped our country. These almost-names remind us of the rich tapestry of the past and the imagination that defines our nation.
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