Happy Humpday! I hope everyone's week is going well, and maybe some of you have some fun plans for St. Patrick's Day this Sunday! It looks like spring has sprung and with it the pollen. Boy, it's bad this year.
In recent blogs, I have spoken about current weight loss trends and the use of Ozempic. I have a particular interest in this weight loss topic since it can go hand in hand with requests for body contouring procedures. This week I have decided to put a spin on this body weight discussion and bring attention to a problem that affects people of all ages. Last week was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. While some people battling excess weight have true genetic or metabolic disorders, including thyroid disease, which contribute to weight gain, for some people, the excess weight can be associated with a form of an eating disorder. For this reason, patients seeking bariatric surgery are instructed to undergo some sort of counseling before undergoing the procedure. Conversely, the deleterious effects caused by anorexia and bulimia can be devastating. The malnourishment causes strain on organs like the heart, as well as destruction of bone health. The vomiting associated with bulimia causes dental issues and esophageal problems, among others. Unfortunately, society often encourages these unhealthy behaviors because of the glamorization of being thin and beautiful, while at the same time shaming those who are overweight. The influence of social media, especially on teens, only exacerbates these problems. As a side note, it will be interesting to see what Congress does today on the proposed ban on TikTok.
Plastic surgeons sometimes encounter patients suffering from eating disorders and body dysmorphia, who are also requesting cosmetic procedures. These cases can be quite challenging, in part because patients can sometimes hide their disease. For instance, anorexia can also manifest by extreme fitness regimes, and not necessarily by starvation alone. Body dysmorphia leads to dissatisfaction with surgical results, and the compromised nutritional status of a patient compromises healing. Sadly, one of the effects of Covid has been the heightened presence of teens on social media outlets. This has added to the depression and anxiety being experienced by teens, especially females, because of the emphasis of the posts on beauty and appearance. If you or anyone you know are suffering from or showing signs of an eating disorder, I hope you can find counsel from a qualified professional and don't suffer in silence.
Continuing the topic of diet, I also want to follow up on some recent posts on the @drwilliamswellness social media pages. I have made mention of pro and prebiotic beverages and powders for beverages. We are learning more and more about gut health to promote a healthy immune system. I just wanted to take a moment to explain the difference between pre and probiotics since you may not be aware. Probiotics are bacteria that help promote good bacteria in your gut and prevent an overgrowth of bad bacteria. Prebiotics, on the other hand, help encourage the growth of good bacteria or probiotics. Probiotics are increasingly being studied in their role not only on gut health and inflammation, but also on anxiety and depression, and even memory issues!
As I wrap up for today, I just want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patty's Day! In the spirit of this lucky day, we are offering some "Luck of the Irish" specials today and tomorrow that are listed below. The emphasis of the specials is on laser services since laser season is winding down with the arrival of the warm, sunny weather! That's not to say that laser services cannot be performed in the summer months, but sun avoidance is key.
20% off of Upneeq to get your Irish eyes twinkling!
25% off of any CO2 laser treatment, including packages of 3!
30% off of all laser hair removal packages!
And before I leave, I also want to share an exciting announcement from the FDA! Voluma (one of my FAVORITE fillers) is now approved for temporal hallows. Feel free to call with any questions!
And never fail, here's a little music video for your enjoyment! Who doesn't like a "lucky" throwback to the '70's?!
'Til next time,
Heidi Williams
Comments