How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

As the New Year approaches, we sit back and reflect on the triumphs and failures of the year past. We resolve to do better, be healthier, achieve more. New Year’s resolutions are full of hopes and frustrations. They range from things as simple as “be happier” to those as complicated as “achieve my dream figure.” But your goals are not out of reach. Achieve your resolutions this year with these tricks for beating the odds.

How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions

  1. new year's checklistWrite it down. Whether your goal is health-based, relationship-based, or emotion-based, writing it down will give you an external motivator to keep trying. Set tangible, achievable goals (no “look like I did in high school” resolutions here). As you work toward your goal, check off smaller, mini-goals along the way.
  2. Change your lifestyle. If you simply vow to exercise more and eat better, you’ll be off track by the middle of January. Instead of renewing your gym membership or going carb-free, reset your way of thinking. Take the stairs, park farther from the grocery store entrance, and find a fitness buddy to make your workouts more fun. Instead of swearing off sweets and carbs, find a healthier diet you can actually enjoy. A lifestyle change will give you the results you want, whereas an all-or-nothing regimen will have you back at square one in a matter of months.
  3. Research first. Have you quietly wished for a breast augmentation for years? Do you wonder if a reduction could relieve your chronic back pain? Do you feel that a face lift could renew your confidence? Before making any major surgical decisions, always research your options. Learn about the procedure, look through before and after photos, and schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. If you feel unsure about your decision, postpone it until you’re confident in your choice.

It’s time to put your best foot forward! Happy New Year from Dr. Brantner’s office!

Image from FreeDigitalPhotos

Merry Christmas from Dr. Brantner!

season's greetingsChristmas is a time of celebration. All throughout December we celebrate the joys of the season: delicious desserts baked by thoughtful patients, the festive merriment of holiday crowds, and the anticipation of seeing the people we love for the holidays. Dr. Brantner and his staff love nothing more than sharing the joys of the season with the people around us. We’re blessed to interact with wonderful people daily, from our incredible office staff to each new patient. And we can’t wait to share the holidays with the kids, grandkids, and other loved ones we see far too infrequently.

The joy of Christmas is love. After all, that’s the Christmas message. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In saving the world from our imperfections, God displayed the ultimate loving sacrifice. Because of Him we can reflect that ultimate love to our friends, families, neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers. Because of that love, we have joy, peace, and eternal life.

Merry Christmas from Dr. Brantner’s office! We pray you have a blessed holiday and a happy New Year.

 

Things to Know Before Scheduling a Neck Lift

handsome older manAs people age, the skin often often loosens around their neck and jaw line. Treatment of these folds and fatty deposits does not always require a full facelift. Patients who choose neck lift surgery are often happy with the appearance of their features, but feel a tighter neck and jaw will rejuvenate their appearance. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering a neck lift.

What Does Neck Lift Surgery Treat?

  • Fatty deposits and sagging skin on the lower face that creates jowls
  • Fat deposits under the chin
  • Loose or sagging skin around the neck and jaw line
  • Muscle banding in the neck
  • Loose skin, fatty deposits, and muscle banding in the neck caused by aging, heredity, stress, or environmental conditions

Who Is a Candidate for a Neck Lift?

Good neck lift candidates are men or women who are unhappy with the appearance of their neck or jowls. They may have a double chin, jowl lines, a “turkey wattle,” or a jaw line that doesn’t match the smoothness of their face. Candidates for a neck lift also:

  • Have reasonable expectations for the procedure
  • Have not been pressured into surgery by a friend or loved one
  • Are non-smokers or willing to quit smoking as recommended by their doctor
  • Are generally healthy, with no conditions that may cause complications or impair healing

What to Ask Dr. Brantner

  • What are my facial rejuvenation options?
  • What is the process of neck lift surgery?
  • Do you have recommendations for the aesthetics of my procedure?
  • What will the recovery process be like?

Ready to schedule your surgical consultation? Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Image Source

Keep Skin Smooth When the Air Gets Dry

The combination of winter’s chill and the all-encompassing warmth indoors leaves skin dry, cracked, and inflamed. If you’ve recently had a facelift, necklift, or facial rejuvenation procedure, your skin is more tender than usual – and thus more susceptible to the harshness of winter weather. Keep skin smooth and healthy for this year’s holiday pictures by paying special care to skin care during the winter months.

Post Procedure Skin Care

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures allow patients to get noticeably healthier skin without the cost or recuperation of a facelift. Whether you have a full facelift, Juvederm, or a chemical peel on your wishlist this year, proper skin care is critical to achieving that youthful glow.

  • Wash your skin (and the area around sutures) as recommended by your doctor
  • Use gentle, fragrance-free facial cleansers and moisturizers
  • Avoid wearing makeup until allowed by your doctor

Tips for Healthier Skin

moisturizerWhether or not you’re planning a cosmetic procedure, a good skin care routine is vital during the winter months. Properly caring for your skin preserves the strength and elasticity of your skin, helping you keep your natural youthfulness.

  • Use an oil-based moisturizer, which will create a protective layer between your skin and the elements
  • Wash your face daily
  • Moisturize every morning and night
  • Use foundation with built-in sunscreen
  • When the air becomes dry, use a humidifier
  • Eat healthy foods and exercise 3 times a week

Do you have questions about non-surgical facial rejuvenation, post-surgical skin care, or planning a cosmetic surgery in East Tennessee? Call us at Jim N. Brantner MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Moisturizer Image Source

Rejuvenate the Skin with Juvederm

The holidays have a way of shedding light on the aspects of our lives we’d like to change. For many of us that means rethinking our priorities, finding more time for the people we love, and attempting to come to terms with what we dislike about our physical appearance. If you’re lacking self-confidence this holiday season, there’s no need to put on a brave face. Juvederm is a non-surgical procedure that subtly smooths and lifts sagging skin, giving you a youthful glow (and a brighter smile) just in time for holiday photos.

What is Juvederm?

Juvaderm is an injectable filler that adds volume to the skin, temporarily minimizing the effects of age. The gel is injected around the mouth to treat moderate to servere lines around the nose, chin, and cheeks. Juvederm is approved for use in patients over 21 years of age. The anti-aging effects generally last around one year.

Candidates for Juvederm Injections

doctor injecting a fillerIf you’re dissatisfied with wrinkles and sagging in the skin around your mouth, but aren’t ready for a full surgical facelift, you might be a candidate for Juvederm. Juvederm injections take less than 30 minutes and require minimal recovery. Temporary side effects may include tenderness, itching, bruising, swelling, bumps, or discoloration around the injection site. Most side effects are mild and should last no longer than 7 days. Juvederm might be right for you if:

  • You have deep lines around the nose, mouth, and chin
  • You want a longer lasting but ultimately temporary solution to facial aging
  • You have discussed your desired aesthetic with Dr. Brantner
  • You have given Dr. Brantner a complete list of your current medications and known allergies
  • You have several weeks available before any holiday functions to schedule your cosmetic procedure

Are you interested in a non-surgical cosmetic procedure? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.

Injection Image Source