Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Importance of Weight Management

As a society, our battle with obesity rates has been a hot topic of conversation and while there have been many initiatives put into place to encourage all of us to get active and be more mindful of the food and beverages we consume, for many weight management can be difficult.  An increasing trend among plastic surgery procedures is post-bariatric procedures, or body contouring procedures performed after losing a substantial amount of weight from either diet/exercise or gastric bypass surgery.  Once a person has successfully reached their goal weight, the removal of excess skin that has stretched out, due to the extra weight the body once carried, can be viewed as the last step to achieving their desired physique.  However, it is my belief that being mindful of weight management before, during and after rapid weight loss is the key to living a healthier, more active lifestyle and also maintaining your results.

liposuction atlantaBeing obese can cause a plethora of complications to your health.  From diabetes and depression to cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, not giving your body the nutrition and physical activity it needs to function properly on a daily basis can be detrimental.  Every inch of our bodies are interconnected and our bodies function similarly to smoothly run cars.  With proper maintenance and giving it the right “oil,” we are able to reduce stress, increase energy and brain function, control weight and even improve our mood.

Often times we hear the importance of exercising regularly; this alone is not going to help manage your weight.  There needs to be a nice balance of exercise and diet, plus a commitment to sticking with it, to ensure gradual success.  I say gradual because it’s a marathon and not a sprint when it comes to weight management; the challenge is finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.  Our days may simply seem like there aren’t enough hours to go to work, get on a treadmill for 30 minutes then follow that up with making a hearty, home cooked meal.  But if you were to think about all of the effort and resources needed to reverse prolonged weight gain, why not mitigate the need for multiple cosmetic procedures because your final plastic surgery results are reversed once you slip back into your previous lifestyle?

Body contouring isn’t a method for weight loss, so you shouldn’t be fooled by the idea that you can liposuction large amounts of fat to help you get to a specific weight.  The work doesn’t stop after you leave the operating room and battling pockets of fat can be an ongoing struggle if you let it work its way back into your areas of concern.  For those of you who are exploring your options for post-bariatric procedures, there are several procedures to help you address sagging skin and improve contours.  As a double-board certified plastic surgeon, most commonly I perform arm lift, thigh lift, breast lift, tummy tuck and body lift to help patients achieve a more sculpted appearance that matches your new body.

We understand the difficulty sticking with such an undertaking as changing your lifestyle can be, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.  To help better serve our patients and give them the extra resources that could benefit them, we have a Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist to help keep you focused and motivated.  Spearheaded by NESTA Weight Management Specialist Jackie Madison, our Lifestyle Change program promotes healthy active lifestyles by encouraging weight loss and management and holding you accountable each step of the way.  From past experiences, we have seen many of our patients make the most out of our Lifestyle Weight Management program and we really want each of them to have continued success long after leaving our office.

If you’re interested in starting your healthy lifestyle plan or want to find out about the body contouring and post-bariatric procedures we perform, please don’t hesitate to contact Southern Plastic Surgery today.  For more updates on plastic surgery and health and wellness, be sure to connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

A Healthy Breakfast Recipe for the New Year

During the rest of the year it’s nearly impossible to get the whole family together for breakfast; but during the holidays, big, unhealthy breakfasts become a tradition.  With a focus on health and wellness this season, give your family the festive breakfast they want with fewer calories and less fat. I’ve made it a goal of mine to inform my patients that a healthy diet and exercise routine is essential to enhancing your overall quality of life and is also beneficial for maintaining long-lasting cosmetic surgery results. Try this low calorie banana, strawberry, and chocolate hazelnut crêpe recipe that I enjoy making for my family.

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

1 package of pre-made, French-style crêpes

1 package of fresh strawberries, sliced

2 bananas, sliced

3 Tbsp. low-carb chocolate hazelnut spread, melted

2 Tbsp. low-fat whipped cream

 

Directions:

Step 1: If frozen, thaw the crêpes overnight in your refrigerator.

Step 2: Place one thawed crêpe in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on high; flip over and microwave for an additional 8-10 seconds. Repeat until all the crêpes have been warmed.

Step 3: Transfer the heated crêpe to a dish and fill each with your desired amount of low-fat chocolate hazelnut spread, and sliced bananas and strawberries. Roll or fold crêpe and top with a small amount of low-fat whipped cream.

Keep checking back periodically as I will be sharing more tasty recipes in the future. Stay up-to-date with me, Dr. David Whiteman, for more healthy recipes, exercise and post-surgery tips and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Stay in Shape This Holiday Season

Christmas Workout

The holidays are for spending time with family, shopping for gifts, attending holiday parties, and indulging in your favorite foods.  As most people find this time of year to be the busiest, we often struggle to pay a visit to the gym. It’s important to not let your jam-packed schedule hinder you from reaching your weight loss goals. Even if you’re considering cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, or mommy makeover, it is still important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to produce aesthetically-pleasing cosmetic surgery results. Here are some tips for staying fit and motivated this holiday season:

  • Schedule a block of time for your workouts:Take a look at your calendar and schedule in time for your workout. This may mean missing something else on your agenda, but it will be worth it in the long run. Set reminders on your phone so you won’t forget, even on your busiest days.
  • Get creative with your exercises: Whether you’re spending the holidays traveling or if you’re stuck inside because you’ve been snowed in, it’s difficult to stick to your usual exercise routine. Perhaps your flight gets delayed; find a space and stretch, do pushups, sit ups, or walk the terminal. As another alternative, try interval jumping jacks or running in place in your living room. You can also get plenty of cardio while shopping at the mall!
  • Sweat out the stress: It is known that stress is one of the leading causes of weight gain and noticeable signs of aging. Yoga is an excellent and sufficient way to decrease seasonal stress while improving strength, flexibility, and balance. As soon as you wake up in the morning, spend about half an hour doing a few relaxation and breathing exercises in order to diminish any tension in your body.
  • Make the most of your “off” day: Everyone has days that they slip up on their workout routine. Instead of vegging out in front of the television, use the time slot to enjoy some quiet time by reading a book, listen to music, or treat yourself to a day at the spa. Remember not to get down on yourself for skipping, instead, schedule a day off from your workout plan to rest, just be sure to practice self-control and start again the next day.
  • Limit holiday treats:Holiday foods are packed with calories. It is acceptable to enjoy these foods in moderation, but it’s important to not overindulge. People often make the mistake of not eating all day so that they can let loose at a holiday party. Instead, eat a healthy snack before going out to avoid eating extra calories to compensate for your hunger. Exercising in the morning will also help you provide some calorie wiggle room at the party.
  • Set goals: Get a head start on your New Year’s resolutions and set some goals. Setting goals is important and beneficial, but they need to be realistic. There’s no need to set yourself up for disappointment.

Staying fit over the holidays is all about self-control and moderation. I believe that exercise is an important part of overall health and wellness, and plastic surgery should not replace any exercise plan. If you’re looking to make the first steps towards healthy lifestyle changes, our in-house NESTA Weight Management Specialist, Jackie Madison is here to help. With the Lifestyle & Weight Management program, Jackie will help coach you through your pre- and post-surgery time period by teaching you how to commit to an active lifestyle, achieve weight loss and weight management goals, provide effective eating habits, manage your time and assist with battling stress. If you are interested in any of the cosmetic procedures I perform, please contact Southern Plastic Surgery, P.C. today. Be sure to connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery news.