The herbal medication industry has skyrocketed. A trip to the drugstore will surprise the casual shopper of the shelves of medication one can buy without a prescription and without a doctor’s supervision. Herbal products have been used to treat insomnia, depression, gastrointestinal distress, muscle aches, bruising after surgery and an endless number of other maladies.

Unfortunately the side effects of those herbal medications are not always clearly elucidated to the consumer who buys those products. It is a ‘buyer beware’ mentality that is necessary when purchasing herbal products specifically. A quick Google search of any product you are thinking of purchasing may save you great future physical distress. More importantly when you are contemplating surgery of any kind it is imperative to tell your doctor about ALL the medicine you take including herbal medication.

A recent published study in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal by Bahman Guyuron MD of Case Western Reserve University highlighted herbal medication that may contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure). He divided those medications into common and uncommon herbal products that may contribute to hypertension. Some people may take herbal medication to help with depression, for example, only to unknowingly bring on hypertension that is medically induced by the herbal medication.

Among the common herbal products that may induce or contribute to hypertension listed by Dr. Guyuron were: Arnica, Bitter orange, Blue cohosh, Ephedra, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Guarana, Licorice, Pennyroyal oil, Scotch broom, Senna, Southern bayberry, St. John’s wort, and Yohimbine. The uncommon herbal products that may contribute to hypertension were: Areca nut, Belladonna, Calamus, Chilli pepper, Coltsfoot, Goldenseal, Henbane, Jimsome weed, Khat, Lobelia, Mandrake, Mate, Scopolia, and Vervain.

In a previous study by Eisenberg et al found in the New England Journal of Medicine research showed that 70 percent of patients do not reveal the use of herbal supplements to their health care provider. As a result of the possible deleterious effect of their herbal medicine and poor communication with their health care provider the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended that all surgical patients stop their herbal medication two weeks before their operation.

At Sono Bello we concur with the literature and also desire our patients to refrain from taking all types of herbal medication for two weeks before surgery. Aside from a causative factor in hypertension some herbal medication may contribute to other medical issues such as excessive bleeding during surgery and interactions with medication given for surgery. We, at Sono Bello, desire liposuction surgery to be a safe experience and want you to help yourself by understanding the effects that herbal medicine may have on you and your liposuction surgery.

You’ve likely heard us talking about how Sono Bello can help Reshape Lives. When we say this it isn’t just because we want you to use our liposuction services. It’s because we are hopeful that anyone who isn’t happy with the shape they are in will do something about it. Our long term desire is for you to BE IN BETTER SHAPE by improving your lifestyle, increasing your level of activity and modifying your diet for a long term improvement in health.

I have heard from so many of our patients who say the procedures we offer were just the ‘jumpstart’ they needed to commit to a healthier lifestyle and get active. Seeing the improvement our liposuction surgeons can provide can be life changing and provide the motivation many people need. Aside from the results our doctors can provide we are big believers in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

It’s not completely necessary for you to join a health club in order to exercise, although in this day and age they have become affordable in most cities. And they are a great place to socialize and partner with others who, like you, are trying to improve themselves and stay in shape. The ultimate experience is hiring a trainer who will safely develop and tailor a program of physical exercises that push you into better physical condition.
Another option is having enough inexpensive equipment at home to suffice as long as you use it several times a week and not let it collect dust. It is paramount for you to walk at least a mile three times a week at a brisk pace. Either in the morning before the day starts or when you get home before dinner may work better for you. This involves developing a routine that you can stick to.

And lastly an improvement in diet is important to accentuate your results. We all know that a high carbohydrate diet (bread, pasta, pizza, potato chips, heavy desserts) isn’t good for keeping a slim, toned figure. But also remember that if you eat too close to when you go to sleep, that is a poor health choice as well. These are just a few tips to help you lose weight but remember a healthy diet does not mean you have to starve. There are excellent delicious choices you can make that will keep you pleasantly full and still lose weight.

The most common area men tend to accumulate fat in is their stomach and ‘love handles’. Some men can be trim everywhere else but still have ‘love handles.’ Diet and exercise can help but we often hear people say they just can’t get rid of this area. TriSculpt™ (liposuction) can specifically target this area and lead to excellent results. Smaller waist size, better appearance in a bathing suit, and pants that finally fit well are all possible.

Another male specific area is the chest. Some men have a disproportionate fat distribution in the breast areas that can be quite embarrassing. This can be attributed to an excess of fatty tissue. The term gynecomastia is given to male breast enlargement. Employing the same techniques that Sono Bello physicians use to remove fat from other areas of the body, the fatty tissue is removed from the male breast. This can lead to an amazing physical transformation for men who are often embarrassed by this condition. For some men this means feeling the need to try and hide it by wearing a T-shirt on the beach or to the pool. After TriSculpt™ they will likely have the confidence and even the desire to display their recontoured, flatter chest. You can see the transformation of our patient Eric on Good Morning America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vCQ4wWrUgE .

The other significant area for men is fat under the chin. This tends to be hereditary and is often tough to reduce. A procedure performed by Sono Bello physicians can quickly and permanently remove this fatty accumulation. Reducing this area of the face can take years off the way you look.

We always advise our patients that a healthy diet and exercise is essential to good health and body image but the fact is there are many areas of the body that are that can be resistant to diet and exercise. TriSculpt™ is a terrific way to not only put those finishing touches on smaller areas but also can provide a jumpstart on those larger areas. The most important action for you to take is being evaluated by our medical team at a complimentary consultation to see what the possibilities are.

Arnica is a flowering plant that is a member of the sunflower family. Arnica, which is one of 30 members of the sunflower family, gets its name from the Greek word orna which means ‘lamb’ because the actual leaves of the flower are soft and hairy. Arnica Montana was originally brought from Europe and is found in the temperate regions of western North America. Interestingly Arnica Montana contains helenalin, a major ingredient found in anti-inflammatory medications which are used mostly for bruising. If you use Arnica as an ointment or cream do not put it on an open wound without the advice of a physician. Never ingest the actual plant by mouth as it can cause an upset stomach and possibly bleeding in the intestines. Only the refined oral medication that is sold specifically for that purpose is safe to be taken by mouth.

Since many liposuction patients have had less bruising and less pain while taking Arnica, Sono Bello carries Arnica Montana and supports its usage to help patients recover after liposuction.

It is not uncommon for patients to have anxiety prior to a procedure which can raise the blood pressure. Simply meeting the doctor (‘white coat syndrome’) is a well-known cause for a sudden and, at times, significant elevation in blood pressure. Strangely, some people have similar reactions in other situations unrelated to medicine at all, for example, walking into a crowded shopping mall, being in a small closed room, or having to give a speech in front of a group. For the patient’s benefit at Sono Bello we attempt to reduce the patient’s anxiety at surgery by giving oral (by mouth) medication that is known to relax you; either valium, Ativan, or Xanax. These medications can make you feel mellow and may lower your blood pressure. We also have oral medication available that reacts directly on tense blood vessels which relax them as well. The combination of these common medications often lowers the blood pressure to allow the liposuction to proceed. If this is not enough we do have specific blood pressure medication available if it is determined that the additional medication is appropriate and safe for your particular situation.

Of course, during the procedure we monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels to maintain the highest level of standards that are required by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), the highly recognized national organization that certifies all of our Sono Bello facilities.
Blood pressure management is a team effort that includes your PCP, us, and, perhaps more importantly, you. Your blood pressure should not only be at an acceptable range during surgery but also during your entire lifetime in order to prevent heart disease, strokes, and other medical conditions associated with hypertension. It is our goal to not only have you succeed with your surgery but also to live a long and healthy life.

The patient’s pulse is unique to each individual. Athletes usually have a slower pulse (50-60 beats per minute) than the average person (65-75 beats per minute). When we get excited, exercise, or for many other reasons, the heart beat can increase perhaps to 100 beats per minute or more. Each pulse beat signifies one contraction of the heart which propels blood throughout the body.

The blood pressure is just as variable from one person to the next (normal 120/70). The blood pressure cuff which determines the blood pressure can be placed on either the arms or legs and at times may be moved from one place to another depending on what surgery is being done or where the blood pressure is more easily obtained. Every five to ten minutes the blood pressure is automatically taken and that result is displayed on the monitor along with the pulse. The blood pressure is also recorded in paper form for your permanent record. Although the normal pressure may run 120/70, the actual normal blood pressure for that patient may be higher or lower and changes with excitement or anxiety. Aside from being liposuction experts, our Sono Bello physicians are trained to identify and treat blood pressure issues that occur during surgery. Every physician and registered nurse who is involved with your procedure is trained in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) to ensure patient safety.

Finally, our monitors show and record your oxygen level which is representative of how you maintain the correct oxygen level in your blood. Rarely is extra oxygen required but it is always available if your oxygen level drops and you need it.

The Sono Bello physician and staff in the operating room are continuously observant of your important pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels to insure a safe procedure. When certain states require additional monitoring we comply with all regulations. It is this kind of safety vigilance and adherence to AAAHC standards that places Sono Bello among the safest in the industry.

1)   “If I gain weight after liposuction, I will get fatter in the liposuctioned areas.”  Many people think that fat will preferentially accumulate in liposuctioned areas if they gain weight.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Your body has a total number of fat cells deposited in certain areas.  Liposuction removes that number.  If you gain weight, you will gain fat everywhere but proportionately less in the liposuctioned areas.

2)   “I’m going to lose weight with liposuction.”  Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity.  I always tell my patients it should be used for re-shaping the body to treat areas that have a dis-proportionate amount of fat.  Liposuction is ideally designed for pockets of fat in isolated areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. Also, the law limits the total amount of liposuction that can be removed at one time to 5L of liposuction for safety reasons.  I always tell my patient that liposuction cannot replace diet and exercise, but gives them a head start to a healthier lifestyle.

3)   “I’m scared of scars from liposuction.”  Liposuction is performed with small cannulas ranging on average from 3 to 4 mm.  Only small punch incisions are made in in-discrete places which usually heal well in a small line.  There is always a possibility of the scar becoming dark or raised but this is usually very rare.

Liposuction can help reshape areas of your body. Over ten years ago, I personally underwent liposuction of my inner thighs for a small pocket of fat that just would not go away no matter how thin I was.  Although it was a subtle change, I was really happy with the new contour to my leg.  Overall, my patients are extremely happy with their results.  Liposuction should always be performed with a good understanding between patient and doctor of realistic expectations, and with an emphasis on safety.

I have been thin for most of my life.  I am currently 5’10” and weigh about 160-165 lbs.  Even at my thinnest at 145 lbs when I was in high school I have always had these love handles that drove me crazy.  I have been an active soccer player most of my life.

After seeing how easy it was to do lipo and the amazing results, I decided to do my lower abs, love handles, man-boobs, and chin.  I had it done after work by one of my colleagues.  I was on call that night so I was not able to be medicated during and after the procedure.  I was surprised at how tolerable this procedure was.  The numbing or tumescing was uncomfortable but that was about it.  I medicated myself with ibuprofen post-op.  I did a full day of lipo the next day without a problem.  By 4-6 weeks I started to see the results.  I dropped one pant size and have amazing results.  My love handles are less noticeable and my six-pack is more prominent.  I don’t know why I waited so long to do this.  It took about two hours, and I get to enjoy these results for the rest of my life as long as I maintain my weight.