When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

What is Compression & Support Garments used for?

Compression garments or post-surgical garments are designed to help improve and increase blood circulation, rid your body of potentially harmful fluids, decrease your post surgery recovery time and reduce swelling.  In short, they help you to recover faster.

What are the different procedures that require compression or support garments?

• Abdominoplasty:  Abdominal support garments and binders are used after abdominoplasty to help reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and support your tissues while they are healing. Many tummy tuck patients said they got a painful pulling sensation when they did not wear an abdominal support garment in the first weeks. Many surgeons tell you keep your compression garment on 24 hours a day for the first 2 to 3 weeks. This depends on the invasiveness of your tummy tuck procedure and how fast you are healing.
• Beast Augmentation: Support garments used after breast augmentation can help decrease swelling and ease discomfort.  Many breast augmentation patients will experience a throbbing sensation after their augmentation mammoplasty when not wearing a support garment and choose to keep their supportive bras on for at least 2 weeks.  Not to mention, lack of proper support causes stretching of incision scars and internally.  Proper support is essential to your end result!  Even still, some patients may be required to wear a “strap” only which helps push the implants down into place.  Other patients must use a strap AND a support garment and still others, no garment whatsoever.  Please discuss this issue with your surgeon.
• Liposuction:  Support garments used after liposuction can help decrease swelling and aide in general comfort.  They can also promote proper tissue adherence after medium to large volume aspirations
• Breast Reduction: Support garments or compression wraps are always utilized after breast reduction surgery.  This helps relieve suture tension, and can aide in reduction of swelling and pain.  Many breast lift patients may experience a throbbing sensation after their reduction mammoplasty when not wearing a support garment and choose to keep their supportive bras on for at least 6 weeks. Increased tension on the new suture lines can also cause the scars to stretch, so a proper, supportive bra should be worn until scar tissue maturation, which in truth may take up to a year.
• Face Lift: Compression head wraps are used after face lift to aide in swelling reduction, as well as ease general discomfort.  These compression wraps also aide in tissue adherence. They come in several designs and comfort is an absolute must.  You get what you pay for so PLEASE consider this an important decision.  You will be living in this compression wrap for many days and may be sleeping in it for several weeks.

Our office likes to use Marena its a ComfortWear Compression and Support Garments. We have special discount for our patiens when they mention that Dr Gracia referred them. You are able to get any of the compression or support garments through Marena.

How do I size a compresstion or support garment?

Feel free to call our office with any questions you may have about sizing or which type of garment you may need (817) 336 9450

“There is little difference in people,
but that little difference makes a big difference.
The little difference is attitude.
The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.”
W. Clement Stone

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”

John Burroughs

Your first appointment with a surgeon is always filled with uncertainties like what should I bring, how do I get there how early should is show up… We are going to answer as many of your questions and hopefully more with this post.

If you are having a cosmetic consultation…

If your appointment is cosmetic you should have the following on the day of your consult:

• A government issued Identification Card (ie: Drivers License, State ID, Military ID or Pass Post)
• List of any and all medications you are currently taking (ie: proscribed, over the counter, or herbal)
• Arrive about 15 minutes early to the appointment so that you can fill out paper work
• Have the consultation fee ready when you finish filling out the paper work (ie: Cash, Credit Card, or Check)

After you have finished the paper work the medical assistant will call you back to the exam room at that time she will ask you a few basic questions and get height and weight on you. You then will watch a video on the procedure that you are interested in doing, after the video the doctor will come in the room and discuss your procedure. At that time he will answer any and every question you may have no matter how small you might think it is. The doctor will then give you a gown to change in to and leave the room. When he returns he will be with his medical assistant at that time the doctor will do your exam take measurements and before photos of you, while discussing what your options are and his opinion on what might be best course of action for the results you are looking for.

If you are coming in for a non-cosmetic consultation…

If your appointment is for a non-cosmetic consultation you should have the following on the day of your appointment:

•  A government issued Identification Card (ie: Drivers License, State ID, Military ID or Pass Post)
• Current Insurance Card
• List of any and all medications you are currently taking (ie: proscribed, over the counter, or herbal)
• Arrive about 15 minutes early to the appointment so that you can fill out paper work
• Have the consultation fee ready when you finish filling out the paper work (ie: Cash, Credit Card, or Check)

Whan you set your appointment the receptionist will ask you for your insurance information so that it can be verified before you come in for you appointment, after you fill out your paperwork is complete your co-pay is due if you have one. Then you will be called back by the doctors medical assistant at that time she will take weight and height on you be sure you have a list of your medications that you currently take including the name dosage and the reason you are taking the medication, the medical assistant will enter it into your chart. After that the doctor then will do your exam and give you his opinion on what course of action might be in your best interest.

Directions to our office…

• If you are coming from I30 west you will take the Rosedale Exit and follow down until you see 5th Ave. on you right hand side turn there then right after the stop sigh is our office on the right.
• If you are coming from I30 East you will take the Take exit 13 for Summit Ave toward 8th Ave, Turn left onto Summit Ave, Continue onto 8th Ave, Turn left onto W Rosedale St, Turn right onto 5th Ave.
• Coming from I35 you will take the Rosedale exit follow all the way down until you make it to 6th Ave you will make a U turn because there isnt an intersection for 5th ave then you will turn right on 5th ave right after the stop sigh is the doctors office on the right hand side.

Call and set up you cosmetic or non-cosmedic consultation

(817) 336-9450

Our office would like to send out a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends…

What is a Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces bagginess from lower eyelids and removes excess skin from the upper eyelids. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and underlying fatty tissue. While it is primarily a cosmetic procedure, an eye lift is also an effective method for improving sight in older patients whose sagging upper eyelids obstruct their vision. An eye lift will not eliminate dark circles under the eyes, remove crow’s feet, or other facial wrinkles. It is often performed in conjunction with other procedures such as laser resurfacing or forehead lifts.

Who do you get the bags and sagging skin?

As skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. A lack of elasticity, combined with the constant pull from gravity causes excessive skin to collect in the upper and lower eyelids. Excess skin on the lower eyelid causes wrinkles and bulges and on the upper eyelids an extra fold of skin forms which can hang over the eyelashes and obstruct vision. Bulges in the upper and lower eyelids can also be caused by the fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull. The thin membrane that holds the fat in place weakens with age, allowing the fat to protrude into the lids.

What are the ty pes of Blepharoplasty?

There are 2 types of blepharoplasty upper lid and lower lid. Both can be  performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

• Upperlid blepharoplasty, an incision is made in an upper lid crease and excess  overhanging skin and bulging fat are removed.  Fine sutures, attention to  detail, and careful skin closure are used to minimize the visibility of any  scar.  This results in a more defined lid crease and an open, refreshed  appearance to the eye.
• Lowerlidblepharoplasty can be performed in two ways.
  • Most commonly, an external incision is made just below the eyelashes and  bulging fat and excess skin are removed smoothing not only the lower eyelid but the cheek skin below it as well before careful and detailed skin closure using  fine sutures is performed.
  • Alternatively, a hidden incision can be made on the  inside of the lower eyelid allowing removal of fat with a separate, less  invasive procedure to remove excess skin.  The type of blepharoplasty you need depends on age, skin type, ethnic background, and degree of vision obstruction.

Who is a good candidate for a Blepharoplasy?

In general, the best candidates for upper eyelid blepharoplasty are people:

• 18 years of age or older
• In good physical health
• Psychologically stable
• Understanding the procedure’s outcome
• Desiring correction of droopy, baggy eyelids
• With no known ophthalmic conditions such as glaucoma or detached retina
• With no known medical conditions such as high blood pressure, circulatory problems, hypothyroidism or other thyroid related conditions.
• Having realistic expectations for the outcome

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

What are the long term results for most people that have a blepharoplasty?

The more alert, youthful look that this surgery provides is usually long lasting. Thin scars may remain slightly pink for six months or so, but can easily be concealed with makeup. They eventually fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line. The removal of fat is permanent, but the looseness of the skin and fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may return in the future. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time. If continued loss of skin tone in the forehead later causes sagging of the eyebrows, a forehead lift or second eyelid procedure may be performed.

What are some of the complications associated with a Blepharoplasty?

• Retrobulbar hematoma – (bleeding behind the eye) – rare, but can cause loss of vision
• Temporary problems with excessive tearing
• Decreased sensation in the eyelid
• Dryness, burning, stinging, gritty sensation in your eye(s)
• Prominence or firmness of the scars
• Asymmetry in healing or scarring
• Milia or whiteheads where the sutures emanate from the skin.
• Difficulty closing their eyes completely; in rare cases, this condition may be permanent. Further surgery may correct this problem.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your facial surgeon, both before and after your eyelid surgery. Pre-existing conditions can also put you at risk, including thyroid problems, insufficient tear production or dryness of the eye, elevated blood pressure, circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, discuss this with your surgeon before proceeding with this procedure. In this case, your surgeon may require a clearance from your general practitioner or other physician.

Call our office at (817) 336-9450 to set up a consultation to see if a Blepharoplasty is right for you…

How Much is Too Much?

A Beeline to the Belly

Diabetes & Heart Disease

Look to the Liver

Sweet Something

Over View

DermaTrak Skin Imaging Centers: help you and your physician monitor changes in existing moles, detect the presence of new moles, and aid in screening for melanoma.
Total Body Photography (TBP) is also referred to as Whole Body Integumentary Photography and is an important tool for the early detection of skin cancer. TBP is a medical procedure in which the skin covering most of the body is documented in a series of sectional photos.
Melanoma is serious. Every year over 50,000 people in the United States develop melanoma. Every hour someone dies from it. Most melanomas have an early stage where many develop as changing moles. When detected and diagnosed early, melanoma is easily cured. When not found in its early stages it is very difficult to treat.
Mole mapping by TBP at a DermaTrak Skin Imaging Center is one of the best ways to document the clinical appearance of your moles for future reference. Leading medical centers and private dermatologists employ TBP to aid in the early detection of melanoma.

Services

The DermaTrak Skin Imaging Center will provide you with a book of photos showing your skin surface in sections and instructions for the effective use of your print book. Your custom print book will serve as the baseline for future skin examinations. Total Body Photography (TBP) is usually a one-time investment in your health care that may or may not be covered by your insurance company. You would only need to repeat the TBP if your body underwent significant changes: such as growing to adulthood, pregnancy, extreme weight change, or developing many new moles.  The current appearance of your moles can be compared with your baseline TBP photos during your monthly self-examination and on follow-up visits with your physician. If you see a change, circle the location on the acetate covered print for review with your physician. This form of screening can reveal subtle changes in moles that may be indicative of melanoma in its earliest and most curable phase. Also, TBP may prevent unnecessary biopsies of moles that have not changed when compared to the baseline photos.

What to expect

Call our office at (817) 336-9450 to set up a consultation and to get your referral for Total Body Photograohy… 

What is a cleft palate?

Cleft Palate is a treatable birth defect. It happens when the roof of the baby’s mouth (palate) doesn’t develop normally during pregnancy, leaving an opening (cleft) in the palate that may go through to the nasal cavity. A cleft can form on any part of the palate, including the front part of the roof of the mouth (hard palate) or the small flap of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate (uvula). It may appear by itself or along with other birth defects of the face and skull, such as a cleft lip

What is the cause of a cleft plate?

Doctors aren’t sure what causes it. But your baby may be more likely to have cleft palate if you:

• Use certain medicines while you’re pregnant.
• Use alcohol or illegal drugs while you’re pregnant.
• Smoke while you’re pregnant.
• Are exposed to radiation or infections while you’re pregnant.
• Have a family history of cleft palate.

It’s important to take good care of yourself before and during your pregnancy so that your baby will be as healthy as possible.

What problems are associated with a cleft palate and/or cleft lip?

• Eating problems: With a separation or opening in the palate, food and liquids can pass from the mouth back through the nose. Fortunately, specially designed baby bottles and nipples that help keep fluids flowing downward toward the stomach are available. Children with a cleft palate may need to wear a man-made palate to help them eat properly and ensure that they are receiving adequatenutrition until surgical treatment is provided.
• Ear infections/hearing loss: Children with cleft palate are at increased risk of ear infections since they are more prone to fluid build-up in the middle ear. If left untreated, ear infections can cause hearing loss. To prevent this from happening, children with cleft palate usually need special tubes placed in the eardrums to aid fluid drainage, and their hearing needs to be checked once a year.
• Speech problems: Children with cleft lip or cleft palate may also have trouble speaking. These children’s voices don’t carry well, the voice may take on a nasal sound, and the speech may be difficult to understand. Not all children have these problems and surgery may fix these problems entirely for some. For others, a special doctor, called speech pathologist, will work with the child to resolve speech difficulties.
• Dental Problems: Children with clefts are more prone to a larger than average number of cavities and often have missing, extra, malformed, or displaced teeth requiring dental and orthodontic treatments. In addition, children with cleft palate often have an alveolar ridge defect. The alveolus is the bony upper gum that contains teeth. A defect in the alveolus can…
  • displace, tip, or rotate permanent teeth
  • prevent permanent teeth from appearing,
  • prevent the alveolar ridge from forming.

These problems can usually be repaired

What are the treatment options for a cleft palate?

• A cleft lip may require one or two surgeries depending on the extent of the repair needed. The initial surgery is usually performed by the time a baby is 3 months old.
• A cleft palate often requires multiple surgeries over the course of 18 years. The first surgery to repair the palate usually occurs when the baby is between 6 and 12 months old. The initial surgery creates a functional palate, reduces the chances that fluid will develop in the middle ears, and aids in the proper development of the teeth and facial bones. Children with a cleft palate may also need a bone graft when they are about 8 years old to fill in the upper gum line so that it can support permanent teeth and stabilize the upper jaw. About 20% of children with a cleft palate require further surgeries to help improve their speech. Once the permanent teeth grow in, braces are often needed to straighten the teeth. Additional surgeries may be performed to improve the appearance of the lip and nose, close openings between the mouth and nose, help breathing, and stabilize and realign the jaw. Final repairs of the scars left by the initial surgery will probably not be performed until adolescence, when the facial structure is more fully developed.

What is the prognosis for children born with a cleft palate?

Although treatment for a cleft lip and/or cleft palate may extend over several years and require several surgeries depending upon the involvement, most children affected by this condition can achieve normal appearance, speech, and eating.

Call the office of Dr. Walter D. Gracia M.D., P.A. at (817) 336-9450 to schedule your consultation…