Weight Control: Muscle and Fat
Did you know that for every pound of muscle you add to your body you burn an extra 50 calories per day (on average)? It’s true! Let’s talk about weight control.
The really good news is that when you exercise, your body begins turning stored fat into glucose for fuel before it begins breaking down muscle for fuel. This is why high-level athletes can eat so much and still stay sleek. Take Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’s 12,000-calorie-a-day diet, for example. Because he has such a low percentage of body fat, he has to provide his body with enough fuel or his body will begin breaking down proteins in muscle, since it’s pretty much out of body fat to go to for fuel. Have you ever noticed an ammonia-like smell after working out? That smell is indicative of the protein breakdown that occurs when their new elite, low-fat bodies have begun tapping into muscle for fuel. It generally means that they need to start eating more to make it through the workouts—a problem most of us would love to have! Most of us aren’t dealing with the problems of elite athletes trying to get enough fuel; we’re just trying to get our bodies to approach that kind of shape.
One popular exercise myth is that if we’re trying to lose body fat, we should just do lots of cardio and sweat and burn fat, then build muscle later. That’s a sort of “lose weight now, get in shape later” approach. There’s some truth there. The more we exercise, the more calories we expend and the sooner our bodies tap into our fat stores for energy. But by building up muscle, in addition to doing cardio activity, we can burn a lot more calories, even while we’re at rest, and maximize the calorie burn during cardio. Plus, when the stored fat begins to melt off, there will be lean muscle in its place.
If you aren’t sure how to get started or don’t think you have the time or equipment to build muscle on your body we can help! We have great weight management programs available. Initially focus on the large muscle groups for muscle growth (legs/glutes, back and chest). Start with 2 exercises per muscle group for 3 sets of 10 repetitions. For example:
Legs/Glutes: 1) Body Weight Squats (sit back on those heels!) and 2) Split Lunge (stand with one leg forward and one leg back and bend the back knee. Be sure to stay upright in your upper body and keep the back heel down).
Back: 1) Standing Band Row (wrap a resistance band around anything that will hold your weight and while standing tall with good posture pull the band back, squeezing the shoulder blades together then slowly release). 2) Hyperextensions (Supermans). Lie on your stomach and with eyes facing the floor, raise your chest, arms, knees and feet off of the floor at the same time. Squeeze your glutes as you do this. Slowly lower and repeat. This will work your low back area into your glutes.
Chest: 1) Pushups – This old standby is still one of the best exercises you can do! If you cannot do them properly off of your knees start either with hands against a wall or with knees on the floor. Make sure your pull your belly button in towards the spine and tighten your glutes during the lowering and raising phases of this exercise. Bonus: You will also work your arms, shoulders and core while doing this exercise. 2) Incline Fly: Sit on an incline bench or a standard chair. Wrap a resistance band around something sturdy behind you, or use dumbbells in each hand. Keep a slight bend in your elbow and pull the weights (or band) towards each other just over your chest. Envision hugging a big circle with your arms.
Three sets of 10 of each of those exercises 2-3 times per week with about 2-3:00 rest between sets will be enough to spark initial muscle growth. After 3-4 weeks you will need to change up the routine and add weight, etc. in order to keep progressing. We have great fitness programs available. If you would like assistance with your strength training routine you can make an appointment for a consult or program design with one of our skilled fitness coaches here at Cool Springs MD. You are worth it!
Living Slimmer: Increasing Brown Fat Works Better than Fast Weight Loss Tips
Starla Asher RN, MSN
Just because folks living in or around Nashville frequently search for fast weight loss tips, not everyone is caught up achieving the Hollywood image. Most of us, studies show, simply want to look a little better than our age would reflect. Overall, we don’t think of looking and feeling more youthful as a destination but a journey. Usually, people just want to feel good about what they look like in the mirror. Despite this, the sad truth is we are our own worst critics. We, men and women alike, frequently beat ourselves up when we carry around a few extra “vanity pounds.”
The men and women of Nashville, TN, may exercise regularly. We count calories, avoid bread and pasta, and sometimes try rather ridiculous fad diets. Then, we get frustrated when all the fast weight loss tips don’t actually change the scale. Nashville and Middle Tennessee residents come to us at Cool Springs MD not knowing what to do next.
Unfortunately, our inner critic never pays attention to all our positive habits and ways we are getting it right. That inner critic just sees those extra 5-to-20 pounds as an actual enemy. He or she whispers, “You look awful! Lose some weight!” Isn’t it crazy that it’s often those same few pounds that have haunted us for years and that same voice continues to beat us up?
What if I told you that fat is not bad? And, what if I said that you could add one or two tweaks to your life to accelerate your weight loss? Like most people, you’ve probably got some really good habits in place along with a few bad ones. What if a few lifestyle tweaks dramatically launched you into living a slimmer lifestyle? What if I also said you don’t need to sacrifice one more calorie or exercise one minute longer? What if I said it could easily be introduced to your already busy week? Are you all-in as I am? Here goes!
What is Brown Fat?
I asked a friend today if she knew there is two kinds of fat. She laughed and said, “Yeah! There’s cellulite and deep fat.” Her answer detailed the locations of fat but not the type of fat. Like my friend, you might think that fat is fat and there is no difference. There ARE two very different types of fat in our bodies with an important distinction. This distinction will open your eyes to the fact that it’s neither about fast weight loss tips nor about fast weight loss exercises. It’s about making small lifestyle adjustments in order to talk nicely to that person in your mirror.
Brown Fat: What is brown fat? Think of brown fat as the “good fat” or desirable fat. It is made up of small droplets of lipids and mitochondria. Pulling from high school science, you might recall that the mitochondria are the “powerhouses of cells.” It’s the cell’s engine. The iron found here along with the tiny blood vessels causes this type of fat to appear brown.
Here’s what makes this fat special: 1.) It helps keep our blood sugar balanced. When our blood sugar is out of balance, as in the case of diabetics, we eventually will see damage in cells throughout the body. 2.) Brown fat plays some kind of role in bone strength and health. 3.) It plays a role in building more muscle. 4.) It is highly efficient at burning calories. Even though most adults only have a couple of ounces of brown fat, it burns many more calories than white fat. In fact, it burns 300 times more energy than white fat! 5.) Brown fat actually burns white fat. 6.) It is our temperature regulator. Brown fat helps to actually BURN calories in order to produce heat. It does not store calories. It only gets rid of them. Brown fat burns calories!
Depending on our age and the time of year will depend on how much brown fat we have on hand. As babies, 5% of our fat is brown. It is powerful when it is allowed to do its job. (Animals who hibernate have brown fat as well.) As infants, it gets us through the early stages of adapting in our new world without the umbilical cord and warming oven. But here’s the remarkable thing scientists understand as we age: Adults who have MORE brown fat are more slender and younger looking than adults with less brown fat. So, now you’re screaming, I want some extra brown fat, right?
White Fat: White fat is made up of a single lipid droplet, a single mitochondrion and many fewer blood vessels than brown fat. This provides it a white appearance. Overall, it’s not nearly as exciting. It does have many purposes: It insulates and cushions our organs, it produces estrogen when our body senses low levels, produces leptin which tells us when we are hungry, contains hormone receptor sites, and is an energy source when food is scarce.
Here’s the really bad news associated with white fat: Location, location, location. Men usually store it around their middle. Women store it around the hips, buttocks and thighs before age 40. Then woman begin to store white fat around the middle as they age. When white fat is stored around the middle, it puts us at significantly higher risk for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Also, excess white fat throughout the body puts us at added risk for sleep apnea, cancer and physical disabilities. Finally, too much white fat causes our limited supply of brown fat not to work properly. The brown fat won’t burn calories like it does when there is more ideal percentage of white fat.
Steps to getting more brown fat
- Here’s one of the best reasons I know to get a full night sleep. When your body creates more melatonin, the melatonin regulates your stores of brown fat.
- Exercise helps to produce more brown fat and causes brown fat to become more active.
- Apple skins contain ursolic acid which creates more brown fat.
- Do not starve yourself.
- Drink a ½ liter of ice water first thing in the morning, 20 minutes before eating breakfast.
- Apply an ice pack (with a barrier cloth between pack and skin) to back of neck for 30 minutes in the evening.
- Start by ending your showers with cooler water. Eventually, end with cold water. With time, you’ll adapt to taking cold showers. To make it more tolerable and to prevent uncontrollable shivers, try avoiding cold water on your head and hair at first.
- It pays off to be cold! Turn down the thermostat, 59-62 degrees. When white fat gets cold on a regular basis, it becomes brown fat! So, spend time as much time as possible outdoors during cooler months. In the warmer season, keeping the indoor temperatures low a few hours per day can achieve this. With time, your body will adapt.
- Keeping your white fat percentage in a healthy range and not overeating helps brown fat to function better and burn more calories.
Steps to getting more white fat
- Eat more calories.
- Burn fewer calories.
- Sleep less than 7 hours a night.
- Bundle up, sit on the couch, eat ice cream out of the carton while watching The Biggest Loser (Yes, I admit I’ve done that!)
What is the take away?
Please go a little easier on yourself. Weight control is a process. Living a slender lifestyle is all about making healthy choices, one decision at a time. It’s not about finding the best fast weight loss tips! Maintaining a healthy BMI is important. We’re finding that having a healthy waist-to-hip ratio is an even better indicator of ideal cardiac health and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
So, making some simple daily modifications that don’t consume any additional time can help you to maintain a slimmer frame. They can create a healthier you, and ultimately give you a better quality of life. Think of them as “lifestyle tweaks” and promise yourself to NEVER again “diet.”
After waking, I’ll drink a ½ liter (17 oz) of ice water 20 minutes before I eat breakfast. Have a shower with 5-10 minutes of cold. Eat breakfast around 20-30 minutes after drinking the ice water. In the evening, I’ll get an ice pack and place it on the back of my neck or a bit lower for 30 minutes. I can wear cooler clothing while exercising under colder temperatures. I can sleep a little longer with the thermostat a bit lower. I have to eat anyway so I’ll eat a few apples along the way. I won’t under-eat nor will I over eat. Doing these things cannot harm me. These things may, in fact, make all the difference in the way I view my reflection. So come on Nashville…Are YOU all-in yet?
Your Holiday Survival Strategy
There’s no denying that the holidays have arrived.
Lights have been strung, gifts are being wrapped and holiday treats are everywhere.
It’s no secret that most people gain 5 to 10 pounds over the next month. With all the parties, special meals and edible gifts, weight gain is pretty much inevitable…right?
Not so fast.
We’ve come up with a survival strategy to keep holiday pounds from making a permanent home on your hips.
This strategy is very simple. I’m not expecting you to have the time to log all your calories or eat every meal at home. We are going to be realistic…
Golden Tip to Avoid Holiday Pounds: Spend the next 4 weeks eating like a caveman, with 2 daily exceptions.
Here’s why: Holiday pounds are caused by eating too many foods that are high in carbohydrates and simple sugars.
You can avoid all that by sticking with an eating plan created by our pre-historic ancestors, while still keeping things fun by allowing for 2 small daily exceptions.
This is what you would eat…
As many fresh and fiber-filled vegetables as you want.
Load up on salads.
Enjoy vegetable side dishes.
Just no starchy vegetables like potato or corn.
Lots of lean, protein-filled meats and eggs.
Stick with meat that has been roasted, barbequed, or baked.
Avoid fried meats and eggs.
Fruits, nuts and seeds in moderation
Fresh fruit for a delicious dessert.
A handful of nuts or seeds for a snack.
Don’t eat sugar-added fruits, nuts or seeds.
Then enjoy 2 small exceptions…
Bread or grain product: No larger than the size of your hand.
Starchy vegetables: Half of a cup.
Baked goods: Should fit into the palm of your hand.
Candies or confections: The smaller the better.
Holiday drinks: 8 ounces.
This plan works because it allows you to indulge in 2 exceptions each day. This encourages you to pick and choose the holiday cheat food that you really love, as opposed to feeling obligated to eat everything in sight.
When you navigate the buffet line at your next holiday party, feel confident knowing that you have a game plan. Stick with salad, vegetables and meats first, then pick out your 2 small exceptions and savor those.
Remember, we are here to help you meet your fitness and weight loss goals.
Call or email today to get started on a fitness program that will turn your holiday weight gain into a holiday slim down.
Contributed by: Sonja Friend-Uhl
CSMD Physical Wellness Director
*ACE certified Health Coach
*ACE certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
*ACSM and AFAA Certified Fitness Pro
*Schwinn certified Power Cycling Instructor
Erectile Dysfunction Happens to Most Men…Eventually
Erectile dysfunction in men has several causes. Regardless of the cause, the result is generally the same: a life-changing struggle. The psychological impact of allowing erectile dysfunction (ED) to define who you are can be devastating. Often ED occurs unexpectedly after a surgical procedure. More often, though, ‘Father Time’ or a chronic medical condition is the culprit.
By the time a man reaches age 40, a number of factors have impacted penile health and function. Men often notice a decrease in sensation and satisfaction, erectile strength and sustainability, and neurotransmission to the brain. He is experiencing a 54% decrease in the physical content of his organ. The collagen has begun breaking down and the elastin fibers have decreased as well. The smooth muscle within, as well as veins and arteries, are also affected. By the time he reaches age 60, the vast majority of function and sensation is completely lost. No wonder those very expensive little blue pills are sold like candy in this country!
High Risks in Resolving ED
When the subject of “procedural risks” associated with ED is raised, most people think of surgeries and daily self-injections. However, serious risks occur with non-surgical treatment as well. Have you ever considered that the majority of men consuming the Viagra-type pills are very often a high-risk group based on their age? Some listed side effects of Viagra include warmth or redness in the face, neck, or chest; stuffy nose; headaches, diarrhea, and an inability to differentiate between the colors green and blue; Loss of hearing, ringing in the ears; chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; irregular heartbeat; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; shortness of breath; vision changes; feeling light-headed, fainting; or penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer. Older men are at higher risk for many conditions. Adding a potentially harmful medication to the list of his daily meds may be riskier than a surgery.
Sadly, pharmaceutical companies are not interested in low-risk treatments if they cannot turn a big profit. This limits safe options for men with ED. Fortunately, there exists a very low-risk, non-invasive procedure that involves no drugs or scalpels. Drug companies can never turn a profit on this treatment because it involves your own blood product.
PRP Resolves ED
Platelet-Rich Plasma sounds pretty impressive. When you look closely, you’ll understand why.
Platelet-Rich Plasma, otherwise known as PRP, is simply your processed blood. The red blood cells and white blood cells are removed. What is left is plasma filled with many hundred growth factors. When re-injected into the body, these growth factors trigger our stem cells to go to work. Stem cells can be found in the fat, muscle or bone of adults. When called upon, stem cells function and structurally regenerate damaged or affected tissue, depending on the messages they gather. When a stem cell splits, both halves either remain a stem cell or become a more specific type of cell. For example, it might become cells of bone, cartilage, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, or brain. We believe these cells then release any number of molecular mediators. These mediators tell the targeted area exactly what to do. In this case, they tell the cells to begin a regenerative or healing reaction to disease or injury. The stem cells can rebuild damaged or non-functioning blood vessels, reverse the scars from self injections, rejuvenate injured nerves, restore nitric oxide receptors. The sole purpose of PRP therapy for the penis is to restore youthful erections and sexual satisfaction. The procedure that best achieves this is the POW Shot™.
When PRP is given the chance to rejuvenate the male sexual organ, it can promote the regeneration of injured cavernous nerve and the recovery of erectile function. When men have experienced lower amounts of oxygen inside cells because of diabetes, sleep apnea, or smoking, every organ of their body ages dramatically. The penis is no exception. Fortunately, several animal studies show that PRP facilitates nerve regeneration and overall recovery of erectile function. PRP rejuvenates the vascular system, thereby increasing oxygen and nutrients, pushing back the hands of time within this organ. Some have raised questions regarding whether or not cancer patients are good candidates for PRP therapy. In March of 2014, a research study (Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2014 Mar 26. pii: S0006-291X(14)00523-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.03.080) showed how autologous stem cells from fat cells actually slow and discourage prostate cancer cell proliferation. This study shows that PRP not only rejuvenates, it protects us!
With fresh, new tissue and capillaries, the neurological wiring is restored. When this happens, the sensation and pleasure in this organ resembles that of a much younger man. In fact, one patient reports, “It feels like it did when I was 20!” Stronger and longer orgasms are commonplace after PRP. This kind of change takes time. Many patients, however, are aware of improvements within days of the receiving PRP. Numerous studies indicate that with time, PRP continues to improve and strengthen the health of tissue, including innervation. This factor alone increase overall sexual satisfaction. It’s a safe, healthy solution for men’s aging sexual organ.
The POW-Shot™ Transforms Dysfunction into Satisfaction
Every day, medicine is making great advances in understand new uses for PRP. Men have been taught to self-inject various medications into penile tissue over the years. Nothing before has restored function and rejuvenated the tissue though. Using PRP to improve sexual function is one of its newer applications. This procedure is called the POW Shot™.
You quite possibly have found other providers, not necessarily MD’s, performing procedures involving PRP penile injections. Their procedure goes by any number of names. Truthfully, these providers pay monthly fees for their name to be actively listed on a website as a penile injection provider in hopes of attracting interested candidates. They’ve typically received a limited 10-minute instruction from someone with a few months experience with the procedure. Nothing more. They can’t tell you why PRP does what it does or how it works exactly. They may not be able to tell you the difference between Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Poor Plasma. Their website information regarding this procedure quite possibly is a word-for-word, exact duplicate of dozens of other similar websites. They aren’t actively doing any research to improve the procedure, protocols or patient outcomes. Patients are quickly herded through a factory-like system. They may even go as far as outsourcing the processing of your blood because they lack the correct equipment, thereby increasing the risk of errors. This is not high-quality health care. This part of your life is very important so demand the POW Shot™ as the best process available in Middle Tennessee to help rejuvenate function.
To be sure, assumptions can be very misleading. In the U.S., one MD takes sole credit for pioneering a PRP therapy for ED. When you do a little digging, other physicians also take credit for being on the scene in the early development phase of this procedure. Clearly, physicians have been injecting and teaching men to self inject medications for ED long before PRP. Much time and energy seem to be wasted on talking about being “first,” while little has been invested on technique backed by scientific research.
Here’s the major differences between the Pow Shot™ and other procedures which inject PRP into the penis. Using advanced techniques, the correct amount of PRP, with perfected processing, using a proven post-procedure protocol is critical to great outcomes. Just because one claims to be first does not mean his methods are the best. When it comes to your health and wellness, these are things you’ll want to explore. After you do so, you’ll learn that the POW Shot™ is a far superior procedure for meeting your needs.
PRP Therapy: 90 Minutes to Restore Wellness via the POW Shot™
This is probably not the easiest thing for you to talk about. You’re probably not looking forward to the journey, but the destination you anticipate is worth it. The destination is motivating you to proceed. Just know about 3/4 of the total procedure time we allot for the POW Shot™ is spent making you comfortable. The procedure itself happens so quickly, it’s over before you even realize. So, our goal is to help you experience your desired improvement and rejuvenation while making you comfortable along the way.
Here’s what PRP Therapy via the POW Shot™ looks like: You’ll arrive at our procedural suite. We’ll ask you to answer relative questions concerning your health and primary concerns. Then, you’ll complete or update your medical history and ask questions about the procedure and the risks. Once satisfied, you’ll complete informed consents. Then, you’ll receive a topical numbing agent in preparation for the therapy treatment. This is followed by having your blood drawn and carefully processed into PRP while you wait. Relax in private accommodations while waiting for the topical anesthetic to do it’s job, making you comfortable. Next, you’ll receive the life-changing POW Shot™ procedure, taking less than 5 minutes to complete. We’ll discuss post-procedure instructions and how you can get the most gain from your treatment. Finally, just anticipate a long-needed rejuvenation.
We’re currently conducting research to learn how long the benefits of the POW Shot™ last, on the average. No one has looked at this, but it’s a very common question among our patients. When you look at PRP in other treatment areas, rejuvenated tissue is younger. So, it’s a given that it takes time for your body to “age” in a rejuvenated treatment area. Joints take more abuse so it also makes sense that the rejuvenation may not last as long here. We want to know how long our patients will enjoy the benefits. If you would like to be consider as a research candidate and participate in follow-up surveys, let us know. Just for participating, you’ll receive a significant savings on the POW Shot.™ Give us a call today to be considered for Phase 1 of this trial: 615.645.5476.
Take the Next Step…
Once you’ve decided PRP therapy is the right direction for you, give us a call. Our patients come to us from all across the United States and Europe to receive world-class health care. Each person is treated as an individual, having a unique set of concerns and needs. We not only strive to meet those needs and address concerns, but we desire to help you feel important and well-cared for. When you call, we’ll set up a consultation with you. When you arrive, we’ll introduce you to our Cool Springs MD team, answer any remaining questions you have, and see if PRP therapy via the POW Shot™ is right for you. Call 615.645.5476 today.
PRP: What is Protein-Rich Plasma
For centuries, like PRP, medicine came from nature. When you look at one the most beautiful flowers called foxglove, it’s known by another named called digitalis. In looking at this incredible plant, you wouldn’t think that it’s saved millions of lives and done so much good.
PRP or Protein-Rich Plasma is something that is a natural product that is created inside humans. For over 2 decades, man has used it in a variety of ways to help save lives and improve lives. Using this completely natural, non-drug, man has been able to fight off dangerous infections, help decrease pain, restore function of damaged body parts, and regrow hair.
Many research studies have been done on the actual benefits that PRP has on damaged body parts. Here’s one that is down-right facinating: All Natural PRP and It’s Benefit. We’re using PRP in multiple applications to increase the blood supply to target areas. Doing so increases the oxygen and nutrients to these areas. The growth factors in the PRP calls the body’s own stem cells found in places like our skin and bone to the target area as well. Overall, rejuvenation of the body begins happening in as little as 5 days and continues for a year.
PRP Hair Restoration
Let’s look at men and women who are thinning or losing hair on top. There are many theories as to why this happens. Some doctors simply want to blame their genetics because they see bald men and women in their family tree. Is it genetics that their hair begins falling our or is it genetics that the blood supply begins shriveling up and disappearing? No blood supply equals no nutrients or oxygen to the bulb of follicles.
Regardless of the true cause, PRP takes the least invasive and most natural approach to remedying the problem. With PRP Hair Restoration, we simply process your own blood in our in-house lab. We separate the red blood cells and white blood cells and utilize the plasma to do incredible things over time.
With PRP Hair Restoration, the plasma is loaded with many different growth factors. When gently placed back into the scalp with the tiniest needle, those growth factors are activated. When we look 2 or 3 months down the road, it’s triggered a cascade effect. The blood highway has been reestablished. Fresh oxygen and nutrients awaken the dormant and starving follicles to come alive with thickened, growing hair. There’s no moving hair from one place to another surgically!
Will PRP Hair Restoration Work for YOU?
There is only one way to know if PRP hair restoration will work for you. Give it a try! We offer an extremely affordable mini trial. We select an area on the scalp where at least some follicles are still present and growing. We take pictures of the numbers of hair there. Then we numb the scalp for your comfort. If you are pleased with your new hair growth, make an appointment and we can analyze the pictures to see what kind of difference the PRP has made. The cost of the mini trial does not cover the expense of this procedure. We offer it to you only to give you peace of mind before diving into yet another painful and expensive treatment that fails to meet your expectations.
PRP Research Studies
Qualifying candidates may be interested in participating in our research studies involving PRP hair restoration. Those who do qualify will receive PRP treatments at a significant discount while helping to refine this science to become the most effective and inexpensive way to regrow thinning hair!
Contact us to schedule an appointment today. Research space is extremely limited.
The MiXto CO2 Laser at Cool Springs MD
Cool Springs MD now offers a wide variety of lasers to service Middle Tennessee. At the request of our patients, Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing was added. With so many devices on the market, we studied the options thoroughly before selecting the best possible device. After looking at costs to patients and one-treatment results, we chose The MiXto Laser.
Hands down, The MiXto Laser offers the best results possible in just one treatment. In fact, MiXto has won the International Non-Surgical Enhancement Award for the last three years running! With technology constantly changing and devices always being added to the market, this is quite an accomplishment.
MiXto Laser Results
The MiXto is the gold standard of laser resurfacing. You’ll see more results after one MiXto treatment than competing devices are capable of delivering in two-to-three treatments. Patients can also expect less discomfort and faster recovery times. Compared to traditional CO2 lasers, it cuts the hard downtime in half! In a patient with severe damage or acne scarring, rather than skin with scabbing, crusting and oozing that requires 14 days to heal, we can treat the skin in such a way to need about 7 days of downtime.
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing with MiXto
The MiXto removes 30-millionths of an inch of tissue at a time. It directs rays of energy into the dermis layer without injuring the epidermis. Unlike a heavy chemical peel or dermabrasion, there are non-ablated areas of skin left between the laser target sites promoting more rapid overall healing. The laser introduces a small amount of heat into the dermis so that it remodels and stimulates the fibroblast cells to produce more collagen and tighten the fibrils. Then, over a few days the top layer of skin will peel off like a bad sunburn which will leave a beautiful new smooth clean skin without brown spots or wrinkles. The results continue to evolve over the next 3 to 6 months. This fractional CO2 laser resurfacing device also gives a uniform, consistent result over chemical peels and dermabrasion procedures.
A high-quality skin care regimen should be used following this procedure in order to help maintain your new, healthy and vibrant skin. Results may include:
• Improved texture
• Elimination of brown spots and uneven splotchy skin
• Decreased pore size
• Softening of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improvement in acne scars
• Brightening of complexion
• Promotion of new cell growth
• Tightening and toning of eyelid skin and crow’s feet, neck and jowls
Contact us to discuss this procedure, or schedule an appointment with our laser center.
The WOW-Shot is Correcting Bladder Problems in Women!
by Starla Asher, RN, MSN
Unless you’ve had problems with your bladder, you probably don’t truly understand the impact on daily life. Correcting bladder problems in women has been a challenge for centuries:
- Planning ahead each day
- Being sure not to drink to much water or liquids
- Scheduling bathroom breaks between meetings or activities
- Packing enough pads and an extra pair of underwear “just in case”
What if correcting bladder problems in women were as simple as one shot of their own blood plasma and a little bit of calcium? One week after her shot, my friend jumped on a trampoline for the first time in 20 years without any urinary leaking! She literally wept with joy. When she sneezes, she no longer needs to cross her legs and squeeze to prevent urinary leaking, either. It was freedom, time, and improved quality of life all rolled into one injection!
The WOW-Shot™
The WOW-Shot is a safe, FDA-approved procedure. The only down-side is finding a certified physician who has been trained and authorized to perform this treatment. Doctors like Jeffrey Lodge, MD of Cool Springs MD can be located on WOW-Shot.com ‘s list of trained physicians.
After an initial consultation, and the patient is determined to be a good candidate for the WOW-shot, a date is conveniently scheduled. Our patients arrive to our office procedure suite. In preparation for their treatment, one tube of blood is drawn from their arm. The tube is placed into our equipment to separate the blood’s plasma and growth factors from the red blood cells.
Next, the patient has a triple-numbing medication applied to the pelvic site. With this local anesthetic, our patients remain completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
In approximately 20 minutes, the patient is numb, comfortable and ready. Then, in 5 minutes or less, the procedure is over! Correcting bladder problems in women can happen this fast! Relief of symptoms range from 24 hrs to 3 weeks.
Benefits of the WOW-Shot
- Decreased urinary incontinence
- Decreased pain for those with dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
- Increased natural lubrication
- Greater arousal from clitoral stimulation
- Younger, smoother skin of the vulva (lips of the vagina).
- A tighter introitus (vaginal opening)
- Stronger orgasm
- More frequent orgasm
- Increased sexual desire
- Increased ability to have a vaginal orgasm
WOW-Shot Testimony
Another patient never truly enjoyed an intimate relationship with her husband of over 20 years. She had this to say about her results:
The WOW-Shot transformed my life and our marriage. I did struggle with a leaking bladder for years. But, the larger problem was depression. My sweet husband felt like our intimacy problems were his fault. I carried the guilt in knowing they were MY fault. After having 2 large babies, intercourse was painful. Nothing we tried helped. The pregnancies also took their toll on my bladder. Dr. Lodge recommended the WOW-Shot.
It was completely painless! Since the shot, we are experiencing a closer bond than we have ever had in 20 years! Now, it’s not uncommon for me to experience “Multiple O’s” when we’re together. Hubby is walking tall. I no longer struggle with the guilt and depression. I feel like his queen! It’s the easiest treatment for correcting bladder problems in women. More than that, it has been the greatest investment for my marriage! Thank you Dr. Lodge and Cool Springs MD!
Cost of the WOW-Shot
The cost of the WOW-Shot is much less than what a woman typically spends annually on incontinence pads, dry cleaning, laundry,
medication and related medical visits. Back in 2005, one study determined the average woman spends $2000 annually in these costs associated with urinary stress incontinence. No price can be assessed for the psychological costs, of course. As of the writing of this article, The cost of the WOW-Shot is $1895. There have been no adverse reactions to injecting a woman’s own plasma inside her tissue. Approximately 90% see complete results from the stress incontinence. In women with BMIs at or below 25, the percentage is above 95%. So without taking any memory-altering anti-cholinergics, or wearing any incontinence pads, one WOW-Shot has been shown to resolve bladder leaking for one to two years!
Clearly, a price cannot be placed on the time freedom away from these related tasks. It is completely safe, it’s easy and convenient, it’s without pain or the surgical/medication risks and side-effects.
To find out more information, contact us today. We will be happy to answer your questions or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lodge to see if this treatment is right for you!
Frequent Urination & Female “Dis-Interest” Issues Fixed with One Injection of the WOW-Shot
Are you are one of the 20 million U.S. women suffering? Looking for the best cure for frequent urination or urinary stress incontinence? Ever heard of the WOW-Shot™? The WOW-Shot can dramatically increase libido, decrease painful intercourse and strengthen marriages. Lacking interest? Need a “little pink pill?” Sound like a solution for you? Then you’ll definitely want to learn more about this one-shot WOW-Wonder!
Traditionally, there has never been an effective single-shot cure for frequent urination and stress incontinence. They typically involve a list of side effects and serious procedure risk…that is, until now.
“Patching Up” the Pro Athlete
Have you ever stopped to wonder about professional athletes? How do they sustain pretty serious injuries to joints and ligaments, but can return to the field in a week or a month without surgery? The answer happens to be the same answer for a Leaking Bladder: P.R.P. or Platelet-Rich Plasma.
How PRP and the WOW-Shot Works
Here’s how PRP works in orthopedic injuries: A tube of the patient’s/athlete’s blood is drawn. It’s spun until the red blood cells separate from the plasma. The plasma is what holds all the “really good stuff” including growth factors. Your own plasma is drawn up and mixed with a little calcium. Because something is being injected back into the body, this is an FDA regulated and approved procedure. Plasma + Calcium: These are the ONLY two things that are returned into your body. None the less, it achieves some pretty amazing results to injured areas.
Calcium’s Role in Healing Our Body
Calcium does a few things inside the PRP treatment:
- It thickens your plasma, and causes it to stick and stay put in the targeted area of the body (place of injury).
- It also triggers your body to go into a “repair” mode. How? Normally, sodium levels are higher in the blood than calcium levels. When the body sustains an injury, calcium is released from the injured area. This calcium sends signals to your platelets that there’s been an injury.
- An amazing multi-step cascade occurs. This sends your body into a protective mode over the site of injury. The site of injury is “walled-off.”
- The platelets then release growth factors in your body.
- After this happens, these growth factors stimulate stem cells to replicate/grow new, healthy tissue.
- Regardless of your age, the body is sent into a repair mode. Sha-Zam! Healing begins to happen, often very rapidly.
Standard Treatment Options for Frequent Urination and Stress Incontinence
- When it comes to a Frequent Urination in women, most physicians begin with “behavior management.” They tell women to empty their bladder hourly. Often, they’ll keep them in a state of dehydration if they are unable to urinate this frequently. Dehydration creates problems with memory, digestion, appetite suppression, and urinary tract infections.
- The next step is usually medication in the drug class of anti-cholinergics. They affect the ability to think. For an older woman dealing with memory issues, it often worsens the condition. So a woman with a fading memory suddenly shows signs of worsening dementia! But, at least she’s not urinating on the floor!? Nice trade off, huh?
- Next is surgery. Some women have a prolapsed bladder and truly do need surgery. Others, however, have a less severe condition. Surgery can cause urinary obstruction as well as infection. This not ideal for younger women still planning to have children.
- Finally, there is the family of injections with even more side effects than surgery. The drugs used can crystallize & cause granulomas which need to be surgically removed. Nearly half the women having this procedure have urinary obstruction. About 1 in 20 are not cured. It is an extremely painful procedure.
P.R.P. for Women
Approximately 50 million women in the U.S. suffer with sexual dysfunction. This is in addition to the 20 million suffering with a leaking bladder and frequent urination. These are pretty big numbers!
So, just over 3 years ago, Dr. Charles Runels had a theory of applying PRP to heal women with some very specific problems. In his medical practice, he came across women who experienced extremely painful intercourse. This often followed the trauma of delivering a very large baby vaginally, or even from physical abuse. There was no effective course of treatment or help for these women. Another part of his patient population was women who could just never enjoy an intimate sexual relationship. Finally, a large part of his patient population suffered from a leaking bladder and frequent urination.
The benefits of sex have been well-established. Regular sex can boost your immune system, decrease pain, and improve your mood. Unfortunately, most physicians are too busy to even address sexual satisfaction issues on annual wellness exams AND most women are to uncomfortable to mention it to their health practitioner.
Here’s what happened: Dr. Runels injected a woman with her own natural plasma into two target areas of her pelvis area. The results were more astonishing than he had even hoped they would be!
The WOW-shot is an all-natural, non-surgical treatment that’s been proven to rejuvenate and revitalize vaginal and clitoral cells and their function. The body calls your own stem cells to the treatment area an increases the blood supply including oxygen and nutrients. It effectively enhances a woman’s sex drive, resulting in stronger orgasms as well as a treatment for leaking bladders or urinary stress incontinence.
The PRP does two specific things:
- It promotes healing to a woman’s clitoris (which is actually 5” long beneath the skin…far larger than the “hood” one might see on self inspection.)
- The second thing PRP does is promotes healing to the urethra and portions of the urinary tract responsible for a leaking, frequent urination and “dribbling” that occurs with coughing, sneezing, walking, standing or exercise.
One single shot of a woman’s own plasma, mixed with a tiny amount of calcium, does this: It provides a woman an effective and adequate treatment like nothing before.
Sadly, the number one reason women are forced into nursing homes is for urinating on the floor. According to Dr. Runels, families will keep
grandmother home with them, even in a frail state, even with dementia; but when she can’t hold her urine, the volume of work increases to a point where the family can no longer care for her. Women who were becoming burdens to their families can now even live independently for a longer time. There is less fear of middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom, with devastating hip-breaking falls. Women can remain more social and experience fewer feelings of isolation without these physical restriction. One injection is changing the quality of life for women across the world.
Also, this one shot of a woman’s own plasma is allowing a woman who, perhaps, never has experienced an orgasm in her life, or rarely enjoyed an intimate relationship inside a marriage of 20+ years, to have a new awakening. Women are experiencing the greatest intimacy of their lives with stronger, longer, and/or multiple orgasms with faster climax. Those who had a decreased interest in sex as they once had in younger years are suddenly experiencing a life change!
The Monetary Costs of Urinary Stress Incontinence and Frequent Urination in Women
The average cost of a leaking bladder is $2005 (based on a 2005 study). Women spend money on daily medication, MD office visits, and urinary pad/supplies to stay abreast of the problem. This doesn’t include the costs of extra laundry and dry cleaning. It also doesn’t include the time involvement with “clean up” of the accidents. That dollar amount places no value on the psychological impact or physical issues surrounding a normal lifestyle (work, recreation, home life) of “accidents.”
How Long Does the WOW-Shot Work?
The WOW-Shot seems to be effective for 1-2 years. In some cases with a leaking bladder, it’s lasting even longer. The cost analysis, just on dollars and cents, indicates it’s really a no-brainer. One shot can save $2500+ in medical costs and supplies, and scheduled trips to the doctor. Additionally, there is no longer a psychological impact or physical nuisances of a life disrupted. Md’s are reporting decreases in incontinence, depression, anxiety, fatigue, dyspareunia and increased libido, arousal and orgasms in their patients, usually within 3 months of the shot.
What About the Side-Effects?
Among the thousands to have had the WOW-Shot, there have been no, that’s zero, reported adverse reactions. Why? Probably because PRP is simply relocating a substance found naturally in a woman’s body to trigger healing. 90% are cured of a leaking bladder with one procedure. One simple injection is creating significant improvement in the lives of women across the world.
Who Can Administer the WOW-Shot?
Every woman is different and the only person who can evaluate her needs is a highly-trained physician. Women cannot go to any doctor to receive this treatment. Sometimes, it’s a nurse or physician’s assistant administering this procedure. Locally, it might even be an eye doctor! We advise that you ONLY go to individuals who are individually-certified and trained MDs in the WOW-Shot. This allows expert evaluation and treatment of these common gynecological problems, as well as the promise of excellent standards of care.
Dr. Jeffrey Lodge has been certified and trained in the administration of the WOW-Shot. He is a board-certified gynecologist who has been successfully treating women from across the Middle Tennessee area for a leaking bladder and those with problems with libido and sexual dysfunction.
To find out more information, contact us today. We will be happy to answer your questions or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lodge.
It may be the one call that can change your quality of life in the most unexpected yet powerful way!
Ever Wonder About The Best Way to Lose Weight?
by Starla Asher, RN, MSN
People are always asking for the best way to lose weight. New research tells us more each day about our ability to lose weight and the best ways to lose weight…
Speed of Weight Loss Does NOT Affect Long-Term Weight Management
How many times have you heard it? “If you lose weight too fast, you’ll just gain it all back in a year!” Our standard guidelines have been pretty clear. For some time, the recommendation has been for adults to have gradual weight loss for the treatment of obesity.
However, a newly released study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, conducted by a Melbourne Metropolitan Hospital, finds the speed of weight loss does not matter! In this study, researchers did not look at the best way to lose weight. Instead, participants had a goal to either have a 12-week rapid weight loss or a 36-week gradual weight loss, both aimed at 15% weight loss. By the end of the second phase of this study, the rate of weight loss did not affect the proportion of weight regained within 144 weeks. BOTH groups regained a vast majority of the weight lost!
What Does this Show Us?
This study indicates that present dietary guidelines which recommend gradual over rapid weight loss, based on the belief that rapid weight loss is more quickly regained, is incorrect. It doesn’t really matter what the best way to lose weight might be. Why? Because it shows us that there is so much more to keeping weight off! If we lose it, but can’t keep it off, then it’s all for nothing.
Why do the majority of us regain the weight in a year or less? According to a recent Penn State University study, it’s primarily because the strategies we use to lose weight won’t necessarily keep weight off. So the best way to lose weight is to change our entire strategy!
Weight Management Vs. Weight Loss
In our attempts to finding the best way to lose weight, we take drastically different measures to lose it than we did to gain it. Our crazy, human expectation thinks we should lose the weight in ¼ of the time it took us to gain it! What we know for sure is that excess calories leads to excess weight. When we take in more than we can use and/or burn off, it accumulates in our fat cells. When we take in just what we need to complete all the activities of our day, we break even…nothing gained, nothing lost. When we take in less than we need to function, with our metabolism engaged at an appropriate level, then we will lose excess stores of saved energy.
Dr. Jeffrey Lodge of Cool Springs MD believes, “Assisting people in losing weight just isn’t enough. The true secret to weight loss is lifestyle change and management. We practice life management medicine.”
People Often Ask for the Best Way to Lose Weight…However, Mindset is Key
When we change our mindset from “dieting” to “managing,” psychologically, we can make an easier and stronger adjustment. The average woman has tried 61 diets by the age of 45 and she’s STILL not happy with her weight!! Once we reach our goal, we celebrate AND go back to exactly how we were living when we had the excess weight. This falls under the definition of insanity: Repeatedly doing the exact same thing while expecting different results. What does this tell you besides something is not working well here?
Weight Management You Can Live With!
- Portion Control & Plate Appearance: Whether or not you agree, your brain wants to see an attractive-looking meal set before you (so as not to feel “cheated.”) Eating portion-appropriate, lean proteins and beautifully-colored, in-season vegetables will tell your brain that your mouth & body is about to be pampered!
- Water: The 1950’s guideline of 8 glasses of water per day is simply too low for optimal health. Most Americans don’t even follow this guideline. It should be closer to 12 glasses of water per day. This one tip has proved to be key in weight management. Be sure to drink a full glass of water prior to your meals. Most of the time, you are actually thirsty and NOT hungry, but your brain misleads you.
- Don’t Skip Meals: Your furnace needs fuel. The body’s metabolism needs energy. (We KNOW you believe you’re really doing a great thing when you skip, but it only backfires on you, ESPECIALLY if you’re female!) Three meals daily plus snacks ensures the furnace can burn efficiently. This begins with breakfast, often the most skipped meal by women.
- Front-Load Your Calories: Turn what you were taught upside down. Dinner should NOT be the biggest meal of the day. Eat the majority of your calories near the first half of your day when you are most active and burning more calories. Then, be sure to eat healthy snacks (protein to satisfy hunger cravings work best). The lightest meal of the day should be dinner because the fewest calories will be burned over night. Filling up on water between these meals, remember, will prevent mixed messages of “hunger-thirst” to your brain.
- Make Your Wisest Choices in the Bread Department: Most women find that eating delicious breads are the easiest way to pack on calories. Despite eating lots of these temptations, most women don’t get enough fiber in their diets! Be sure to make wise choices and exhibit self-control in this danger zone. Think FIBER. Choose whole-grain, high-fiber breads and cereals; choose whole-wheat pasta and rice instead of white; and include more dried beans in your meals. Fiber helps fill you up faster, which can cause you to eat less and curb hunger. Most importantly, soluble fiber can help lower your cholesterol.
- Daily Activity and Exercise: Oh no! There’s that dirty word! Exercise! Remember mindset, folks. It doesn’t have to be movement you don’t enjoy. Make it fun. Make it something you enjoy or involve someone you enjoy being with. This is NOT a diet but a lifestyle. You might as well investigate, and try something new if what you’ve been doing isn’t working for you. Ever dream of ballroom dancing? Rollerblading? Jumping on a trampoline with your kids or grand kids? If you hate it, move on to something else. Hot tip: Schedule the activity…put it in your phone at a set time or write it on your calendar. This one change is a proven habit-maker.
- Include 5 servings of low-calorie fruits & veggies each day: Eat at least 2-3 servings of fruit daily. Avoid juice and canned fruit. Eat fruits with the skin for added fiber and nutrients. Have plenty of vegetables with lunch and dinner daily. They are also great as a snack.
Everyone’s body and metabolism is different. With aging, it all changes! It’s critical to learn your body’s own recipe for better weight management. Instead of asking for the best way to lose weight, you’ll know how to manage your weight. Dr. Lodge says, “We’ve found that people are quite successful and healthier overall with this approach and less likely to rapidly regain the lost weight.”
Understanding your body’s calorie needs, your personal habits that upset the weight balance, and committing to healthy, daily habits is the recipe that offsets the yo-yo fluctuations and weight gain. Put these 7 habits in place today and NEVER give up! If we change our lifestyle habits, then we can manage weight AND life.
