At Western Reserve Plastic Surgery, we are always improving our performance through new methodologies and technologies. Ultimately, it means less time in the operating room for you and a quicker recovery. Here are a few of the latest techniques and procedures Dr. George Picha of Western Reserve Plastic Surgery is implementing.

 Breast Rejuvenation: Many patients are now moving to silicone gel implants because of the natural feel and reduced risk of wrinkling beneath thin skin. Gel implants today come in three proù les: low, medium, and high, as well as a wide range of volumes. °© e latest procedures use a “no touch technique.” The implant is placed into a funnel and then inserted through the incision, minimizing the potential for skin contact and infection. It delivers the implant with less trauma and reduces the risk for surface contamination.

At Western Reserve Plastic Surgery we offer combined techniques which restore volume and lift breasts which may have changed over time due to pregnancy and aging. Using the Benelli technique (making the incision around the areola) we can eliminate vertical incisions in front of the breast and horizontal incisions beneath the breast. This technique elevates the breast back to its original position and reduces excess tissue. °© is procedure can also be combined with breast augmentation.

 Laser Treatment for Excessive Sweating: You no longer have to suffer from the embarrassment of excessive sweating. A one time laser procedure performed in about 30 minutes can permanently end excessive sweating! Under local anesthesia, a specialized laser is used to target and destroy specific sweat glands in the armpit. They are then gently suctioned away. Patients see immediate results and only spend one to two days recovering from the procedure. Most are able to go back to work the next day!

 Broadband Light Erases Acne: Erase your acne in a í ash with Broadband Light (BBL) technology. BBL uses the power of pulsed light to precisely treat acne. The result is smooth, even-toned skin. This non-invasive, gentle procedure can be performed in a matter of minutes and in most cases you can return to work and activities right away! Most patients require two to three sessions and begin noticing dramatic results after just one session.

Laser Liposuction: You can have a new body in a matter of minutes with this in-office procedure. Laser liposuction, using Slim Lipo, removes unwanted fat right in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. You can be back to work the next day! With Slim Lipo there is less trauma to the tissue so the healing time is faster with less swelling and bruising. Slim Lipo also tightens the skin from the inside leaving the area looking smoother. This procedure works best for patients who are unable to get rid of fat deposits despite exercising and being at a healthy weight.

Dr. Picha is also highly skilled in endoscopic facial surgery, providing a more rapid recovery due to the ability to make minimal incisions, and he has pioneered the modified facelift, which allows the patient to return to normal activities in 24 hours. In his non-invasive treatments, Dr. Picha takes an artistic approach to the use of Botox, enabling him to contour and lift the brow. Soft-tissue fillers can also help reduce the appearance of lines around the eyes and mouth.

Now, more than ever, you have many options to create the look you want and feel your very best.

To learn more about these procedures and to make an appointment, visit www.wrpsurgery.com or call (440)842-FACE. Mention The Cleveland Women’s Journal when making your appointment.

  Dr. George Picha

In his 20 years as a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. George Picha has performed thousands of breast laser procedures. He’s a world-renowned expert in breast augmentation and design of breast implants. Dr. Picha is a master of aesthetics and has an astute understanding of balance and beauty, which he applies to all of his surgical procedures.

 In addition, Dr. Picha also has a Ph. D. in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and as a result, Allergan Corporation requested his services as a chairman of the breast implant follow up study. Allergan is the world’s largest manufacturer of breast implants and also manufactures Botox.

 Dr. Picha was the first physician in Ohio to perform LifeSculpt™ laser body sculpting which uses the latest technology to gently melt away fat cells in as little as 15 minutes! Palomar Medical Technologies was so impressed with Dr. Picha’s expertise and results, they asked him to be a preceptor and trainer of other doctors wishing to use the technology.

 Dr. Picha and his staff at Western Reserve Plastic Surgery take special interest in each patient and her/his treatment, from the initial consultation to the post-operative phase of surgery.

By Jeffrey A. Potter, R.Ph.

So you’ve made the resolution to lose weight through diet and exercise. Congratulations! However, as we age, diet and exercise alone may not be enough. As our hormones decline, so does our metabolism. This is true for both men and women. You may have heard or seen commercials and advertisements about fad products claiming a guarantee to work. Let’s face it, if they did really work, every physician would recommend them and we would stock them on our shelves! However, balancing your hormones with real human hormones along with proper nutrition and exercise is the ONLY effective method proven to work!

Declining or imbalances within our adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive hormones are also known to cause sleep disturbances, decreased libido, depression, fatigue, and stress. How do you know if hormones are playing a role in your symptoms? Will balancing your hormone benefit you? How do you know if hormones are affecting your weight loss? These are some of the questions Clinical Apothecaries is asked on a daily basis.

It is important to identify the problem area before selecting a treatment plan. This is achieved through saliva testing, which is the most reliable way to measure free, bioavailable hormone activity. Most blood tests do not measure bioavailable hormone at the tissue level. Saliva testing is an excellent way to objectively measure estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol. Blood spot testing can additionally measure your thyroid hormone function by observing TSH, free T4, free T3 (active thyroid) and TPO. By analyzing this “symphony of hormones” it allows us to see a clear picture of your overall hormone health.

Additionally, Body Composition Testing analyzes our body in relation to fat, lean body mass, and water. More importantly, the information will help you to set realistic goals in terms of weight adjustment, eating habits and exercise.

During the months of December 2011 and January 2012, receive a FREE Body Composition Test ($75.00 value) with a completed full hormone consultation!

Please mention The Medina County Women’s Journal when scheduling your consultation.

JOIN US To learn more about the “Symphony of Hormones” and saliva testing, please join us at our upcoming seminar!

January 19, 2012 6:30pm-8pm

at Clinical Apothecaries

Call 330-721-7949 today to register!

A $10 advance registration fee is required and will be applied as a credit to the purchase of a saliva test kit or completed hormone consultation.

Visit www.cairx.com for more information

By Joshua Trentine, OVERLOAD Fitness

I hear it all the time, “But I have a slow metabolism.” People rarely understand what “Metabolism” actually is or how it is affected. Metabolism is a combination of two processes: Catabolism, when food is broken down into simpler components. This is accompanied by the release of energy that heats the body, enables the body to move and provides fuel for anabolism. Anabolism, when the body uses the energy released because of catabolism to make new cells, maintain body tissues and store energy for future use. Metabolism is the whole range of chemical reactions in your body’s cells that turn the food you eat into living tissue, energy, and waste products. It is influenced by age, genetics, gender, height, hormones, stress, activity levels, diet, stimulants, ambient temperature, and lean body mass. There are ways to maintain a healthy and balanced metabolism. Aging will dramatically affect variables as a loss of muscle mass and down regulation of hormones occurs. We can’t cease the aging process, but we can resist metabolic slow-down. Diet and exercise should be our first line of defense.

To read the rest of this article check out the digital version

Overload Fitness~ Metabolism: “A New Year, a New You”

Holiday Stress? Make sure you are keeping the right things in your daily schedule this year. Here is AVENUES OF COUNSELING’S advice to help you find the recipe that is ‘just right’ to get through this holiday season happy and stress free.

 Avenues’ Healthy-Looking Holiday Plate:The holiday season can be one of the most stressful times of the year; with out-of-town guests, gift buying, and multiple events to which you’ve committed yourself. Here are some guidelines for great mental health.

Limit-Setting: Try not to over-schedule yourself. Choose a few events to participate in, that way you will have the time and energy to do those few things well. Don’t spread yourself too thin.

Budget-Setting: Create a budget before the season gets rolling. If you overextend your funds, you will be feeling the money stress well into the new year.

 Get Out Of Your Head: Many people get so wrapped up in themselves around this time, they can’t see past their minor worries. Start a gratitude journal, or volunteer. It’s a great way to focus on the things you have to be thankful for, instead of small issues.

Rest: Of course this one is easier said than done, but try to stay rested. Start winding down early, so you are relaxed at bedtime. You will be better able to tackle the day if you are rested.

Schedule Family Time: Set aside some time each day -even if it’s only a half hour– to spend with your family. Turn the TV off and play a game, read a book aloud, or just talk about everyone’s day. Bundle up and go outside, the Vitamin D from sunlight will boost your mood too.

Unplug: The unrelenting texts, emails and phone calls can really amp your stress level. Set your phone to silent for a few hours, or set a separate ring for your three “must answer” callers. CHALLENGE: See if you and your family can completely unplug for an hour; this means no TV, phones, or game systems. Can you do it?

SOME OF THE SERVICES OFFERED AT AVENUES OF COUNSELING AND MEDIATION, LLC.

• Mediation
• Parenting Skills
• Couples Counseling
• Testing