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Posts from the ‘RECOVERY AIDS’ Category

Aug 24

Sleep Wrinkles And Aging Skin

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Goesel Anson, MD, FACS, Michael A.C. Kane, MD, and Val Lambros, MD, FACS, published an article in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (September 2016) in which they discuss the role of sleep wrinkles in aging skin, which differ from expression wrinkles in that they are caused by mechanical compression, shear and stress forces that act on the skin in sleep positions. They performed a literature review relating to the development of wrinkles and the biomechanical changes that occur in response to intrinsic and extrinsic influences, and explored the possibility that compression during sleep not only results in wrinkles, but may contribute to facial skin expansion.

Because sleep wrinkles differ from expression wrinkles in mechanism of origin (external forces vs. internal muscle contraction), location (at the limits of retaining ligaments vs. site of muscle contraction), and directionality (mostly perpendicular to each other), the authors suggest reconsidering wrinkle classification and posit that facial distortion during sleep may also contribute to overall facial aging. They note that with age, the number of position shifts during sleep decreases from 27 to 16 per night, with an average of 20 position shifts per night, meaning the time spent in each position increases with age.

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons would benefit from recognizing sleep wrinkles as distinct from expression wrinkles with a different etiology, and potentially grouping them with gravitational wrinkles since they develop due to external forces and are influenced by ligamentous attachments. Unfortunately, treatment options for wrinkles caused by sleep are more limited than those for expression lines; the authors suggest that the only reliable way to minimize sleep wrinkles is to avoid facial distortion. In their practices, they recommend back sleeping and specialty pillows designed to minimize facial deformation during sleep. They suggest advising patients to avoid sleep compression in addition to the typical suggestions for minimizing signs of aging, i.e., using sunscreen, quitting smoking, optimizing nutrition and maximizing topical skin care.

“While avoiding the development of sleep wrinkles may be important, it is the facial distortion and its potential impact on overall facial aging that may be even more important,” the authors wrote. “The consequence of repetitive stretching of facial tissue over time is intriguing and warrants further study.”

http://medestheticsmag.com/

Aug 22

The Knifeless Facelift

“The LazerLift is the first procedure that tightens the facial skin and underlying supporting tissues without a scalpel,” says cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Bassin. “Using a new fiber-optic laser device, the LazerLift tightens and smoothes the skin from the inside out, safely and effectively. The LazerLift is done with the patient awake, with no stitches and no scars,” says Bassin.

Read more

Jun 9

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A Hot Bath – the road to recovery

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Taking a bath is a relaxation technique that is beneficial in so many ways.  It decreases cortisol levels that can be brought on by stressful situations. This is helpful on many levels.  First, cortisol causes fat to be stored around your middle. Second, cortisol increases inflammation. It is important to include things in your daily routine to reduce cortisol. This is especially important because we live in a culture that induces cortisol just by participating in daily life. Taking a bath also decreases fatigue and benefits your nervous system. Baths increase your circulation and lowers blood pressure. For optimum benefit this is what I recommend (although, always ask your doctor if this is a good idea for you).

Harmony Bath(20 minutes each day in a hot bath)

Ingredients:
-2 Cups Epsom Salts
-1 Cup Baking Soda
-10 Drops Organic Lavender Oil

There are many benefits to the Harmony Bath. First the Lavender relaxes the nervous system and lowers cortisol levels. The Epsom Salt enhances the effects of the detox. The baking soda promotes a balanced pH for optimum healing and detox benefits.

Of course, it goes without saying that the bathroom environment should be supportive and nurturing. That is, take some time to make it pretty and inviting. Your experience will be less beneficial if you are looking at piles of laundry in the corner and are reminded of your to-do list instead of enjoying the blissful 20-minute restorative experience.

And as a bonus…add a little cold therapy with CDI  Soft-sided Gel Packs.  Placed on the eyes, it ensures relaxation, decreases puffiness and brights appearance.  These little soothers are also ideal for a variety of cold therapy applications, such as use after injections, blepharoplasty and breast surgeries.

pink_gelpack tubThese sturdy, reusable gel packs remain flexible when frozen and provide uniform cold therapy.  The ultimate patient-friendly cold therapy product!  Features one soft-sided surface that shields the skin from direct contact with the frozen pack.  These 4″ round gel packs offer a convenient, comfortable and economical cold therapy application for patients.

Colors: Pink Ice, Kiwi, Cool Blue, Mango, Grape and Vanilla – match the bathroom!

see more…http://christaoleary.com/2016/06/01/need-take-care/?mc_cid=80593cf64b&mc_eid=cbeb522f6e

May 19

Stage 2 Male Compression Shirt

SC-175 CDI Stage 2 Male Compression Shirt

Ideal for use during the extended recovery period following gynocomastia and liposuction of the upper body. Made from our exclusive SuperSilky fabric, the CDI SC-175 offers maximum compression to the chest, upper back and flanks and upper and lower abdomen. A tapered design provides a contoured fit and allows this shirt to be worn under every day clothing, ultimately contributing to increased patient compliance and a comfortable recovery.

 

Mar 29

Breast Reduction Scar Treatment

There’s more than one type of incision (and more than one type of scar)

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“Breast reduction, which is done to reduce the size of a woman’s breasts, usually includes removing skin and/or the breast tissue beneath it,” Gordon Lee, M.D., a plastic and breast reconstructive surgeon at Stanford Health Care, tells SELF. There are three incision types to do just that. Which one your surgeon chooses largely depends on how much excess skin and breast tissue needs to be removed. If you only need a small amount taken out, there’s the circumareolar incision—also known as a doughnut incision—which involves cutting around the areola and removing some of the surrounding excess skin. If you need to remove more loose skin and tissue than that, the next level up is the lollipop incision, which leaves a scar around areola and a second scar that goes straight down from the base of the areola. “When you sew it together, the final shape is like a lollipop,” says Lee. For more extensive reductions, there’s the Wise pattern, which has the same two incisions as the lollipop and an additional scar that runs along the underside, or crease, of the breast, creating a scar that resembles an anchor. In some cases, surgeons also tack on liposuction to help reduce breast tissue.*

During the formation of scars, the epidermal layers of the skin will produce high levels of moisture in an attempt to hydrate the scar site. However, most of this moisture evaporates once it reaches the stratum corneum, or upper layer of the skin. This moisture loss triggers keratinocytes in the skin to produce collagen. Left unchecked, excessive collagen production can lead to abnormal scarring.

Silicone Gel Sheeting in procedure specific configurations fully encapsulates the scar site, meaning that it completely covers the treatment site for even distribution of necessary moisture (hydration), and maximum exposure to oxygen. Although the entire site is covered, silicone is semipermeable, allowing oxygen to enter while maintaining necessary moisture. This is called “homeostasis,” otherwise known as an ideal healing environment.

Epi-Derm Silicone Gel Sheeting, provided by Contemporary Design Inc. is an ideal healing environment at the stratum corneum signals keratinocytes to scale back the production of collagen, thereby preventing abnormal scarring.

*http://www.self.com/wellness/2016/03/8-things-women-should-know-about-breast-reduction-surgery-but-dont/

Jan 19

Learn more about Lymphedema

Dr. Tracy Bender, a lymphedema and cancer rehabilitation specialist in Lincoln, NE has submitted to the Ellen DeGeneres show for a positive platform for increased awareness of the condition called lymphedema associated with breast cancer treatment. Please help us here atContemporary Design INC to SHARE the word, and keep Dr. Bender’s momentum going strong! #Ellentv #theellenshow
lymphedema
Spreading awareness of this disease’s symptoms and treatments is key to its control.  Contemporary Design, Inc. is committed to sharing the pertinent information you “need to know.”

External resources

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone: 301-592-8573
TTY: 240-629-3255
Fax: 301-592-8563
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
U.S. National Institutes of Health
Public Inquiries Office
Building 31, Room 10A03
31 Center Drive, MSC 8322
Bethesda, MD 20892-2580
Phone: 301-435-3848
Toll-Free: 1-800-422-6237
TTY: 1-800-332-8615
http://www.nci.nih.gov/

National Lymphedema Network
Latham Square, 1611 Telegraph Ave.
Suite 1111
Oakland, CA 94612-2138
Toll-Free: 1-800-541-3259
Phone: 510-208-3200
Fax: 510-208-3110
http://www.lymphnet.org/

Office of Rare Diseases
National Institutes of Health
6100 Executive Blvd.
Room 3B01, MSC 7518
Bethesda, MD 20892-7518
Phone: 301-402-4336
Fax: 301-480-9655
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/

Aug 25

It’s not a choice of Smooth or Chunky

Liposuction smooth results

Liposuction, done properly leaves the skin with a smooth finish, unlike crunchy peanut butter.

Unlike Peanut Butter – there is no choice of smooth or chunky when it comes to Liposuction.  A Smooth finish to the skin surface is always the goal.  How do you ensure that your Liposuction Surgery has optimal results?

Start with a questions and answers session with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to your liposuction or fat transfer surgery.   Discuss how he does the procedure.  The instrument that a Plastic Surgeon uses to remove the fat from your body during a Liposuction procedure is called a cannula.  All Liposuction cannulas have holes at the tip (like a straw), where the fat enters the cannula tube and gets sucked out of the body. A thin,  3 millimeter diameter cannula with small 1mm diameter holes at the cannula tip ensures that you don’t leave defects in the fatty tissue where fluids or blood can accumulate.  The results is a smooth skin surface.   Larger liposuction cannulas do the job quicker, but allow fluids to accumulate and have a higher likelihood of uneven surgery results…and scaring. It is the uneven scarring that causes skin contour irregularities.

Sculptures Liposuction Foam

Sculptures Liposuction Foam is medical grade polyurethane foam designed to provide even, smooth padding and compression for added comfort and contouring

Another key component in maximizing even healing is the use of a well fitting Liposuction Garment and Liposuction Foam.  Immediately following surgery, Liposuction Foam padding is placed inside your compression garment. Sculptures Liposuction Foam can be cut to the desired shape and size, and then easily inserted between sterile dressing and compression garment.  The foam ensures even compression and the compression will hold the surgical area firmly in place, aiding in proper retraction and intended body contouring.   With the help of the foam, you will see less waviness in the skin surface – Free fat cells are thought to be redistributed evenly by the pressure of the foam plus the pressure garment. The result is a smoother skin surface.

As for your peanut butter – Crunchy wins!  Crunchy Peanut Butter has considerably less Saturated Fat and  gives you 2% more Fiber than Smooth and Creamy.  But then again Smooth and Creamy has more Vitamin E.  Either way Peanut Butter is a great source of Protein and B Vitamins.*

*National Nutrient Database for a Standard Reference from the USDA.

Jul 22

The power of You Tube – Oh My Vlog and Contemporary Design Inc. Get It.

You Tube and its impact on current affairs now has the ultimate mouth piece… Oh My Vlog magazine which launched today. Inside it has everything you need to know about your favorite YouTube vloggers – from Zoella to Tyler Oakley – and their fans.

Oh My Vlog and Contemporary Design understand the power of You Tube. Video and You Tube communicate in the most user friendly way…Excess-able to all, whenever and wherever you need.  Contemporary Design Inc. has now incorporated video as a learning tool for patients anticipating upcoming surgery, and explains the accompanying compression garments they will need.

Jul 8

Therma Therapy – an Answer to Pregnancy and Childbirth Pain

Contemporary Design, Inc. therma therapy is a natural way of dealing with Pregnancy and Childbirth pain.

Contemporary Design, Inc. therma therapy is a natural way of dealing with Pregnancy and Childbirth pain.

Throughout history nurses  and midwifery staff have found therma therapy a natural way of dealing with Pregnancy and Childbirth pain.

Prenatal:

Reduces pain to any tender muscles, neck hips and back (use cool or heated).

Utalizing Cold Gel Packs lowers body temperature and promotes comfort in the warmer months.

Safe, non-toxic, an alternative to analgesia for treating headaches.

Postnatal:

For perineal pain and breast engorgement we recommend Contemporary Design Inc.’s Round Soft-sided gel packs, T-450 or T-460 because they remain flexible when frozen.

Reduces pain and swelling after episiotomy, lessens perineal pain and aids healing, and provides comfort for haemorrhoids

T-460 Oval Hot/Cold Pack – (10.25 in. x 5.25 in.) is perfect for use on the lower abdomen following a cesarean section.

Contemporary Design Inc.’s gel packs are applied in the following way:

The skin must be shielded from direct contact. Twenty to thirty minutes should be the maximum time per area. If it is necessary to reapply, let the skin go to normal temperature or wait twenty minutes.CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, INC. HOT/COLD THERAPY

a)Held on-site by hand, t he soft sided gel pack is the ultimate patient-friendly cold therapy product!  Features one soft-sided surface that shields the skin from direct contact with the frozen pack.

b) Contemporary Design Inc.’s T-400, T-410, or T-430 can be inserting between clothing or inserted into sanitary napkins, giving considerable relief of pain and achieving faster CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, INC. HOT/COLD THERAPYambulation.

May 7

The Mommy Headache

Aiden lovingly serenades Momma back to good health….

What else can you do?

At the first sign of a headache or migraine, put your activities on hold and retreat to solitude, a quiet room.

Turn off the lights. Sensitivity to light and sound is amplified with headache or migraine. Relax in a dark, Sleep if you can.

Hot or Cold therapy has long been the number one self-care treatment employed for headaches and migraines. Apply hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. Cold packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the sensation of pain. Hot packs  can relax tense muscles.  Here’s one that does both!!

CDI T-450 Blue 7”x6” Hot and Cold Soft Side Therapy Gel Pack…This reusable gel pack can be used for  Hot (microwave/stovetop) or Cold therapy.contemporary design inc. T-450-Blue-7___x6___-Hot-and-Cold-Soft-Side-Therapy-Gel-Pack

Great size for use  after injections or a variety of surgeries. Features one soft-sided surface that shields the skin from direct contact with the frozen pack and radius edges for patient comfort.

There are three benefits that ice pack provided. First, puffy eyes are common among individuals. Skin around our eyes is easy to loosely attached and lack of any sebaceous glands. When you apply cold pack around your eyes, it will help the fluids accumulating in your eyes tissues work well and help you get rid of puffy eyes. Second, when you get sinus and migraine headache pains, ice pack can help you reduce pains and make you feel better as It can low the temperature of your head and help you recover sooner. Third, ice pack can help you heal your injury in the cold. Because cold can constricts blood vessels and thus reduce blood flow and swelling around the injured area. Using ice pack can help limit your tissue damage and help your body recover. But remember remove ice pack after a brief cooling period as your skin is sensitive and don’t used to the cold condition. So when you want a speedy healing process, you should apply ice pack for ten minutes and put it off for ten minutes. Repeat this cycle several times during the day to help decrease further damage.

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