[ By Robert J . Casañas , M . D .] ask el doctor
Dear Doctor , Hi , I ’ m thinking of having laser lipo done to my stomach and love handles . What would be the risk for me I ’ m 50 years old in good health , I don ’ t smoke , don ’ t drink or do drugs but I ’ m still nervous about this procedure . Do I go to a plastic surgeon or have a doctor who has performed over 100 of this procedure done okay to visit ?
Worried Linda !
Dear Worried Linda : Any laser procedure needs to be done with caution with the right equipment and the right adjustments to the patient ’ s complexion status . It is often the case that darker pigmented people have the most side effects . Make sure that you see a physician and not a technician or nurse practitioner .
As a rule , laser is not a hazard to someone like yourself , as far as medical complications . Sometimes infection due to contaminated equipment can occur but it is rare .
When you combine two or three modalities in aesthetic ( cosmetic ) medicine , there seems to be a higher probability of success .
Most , if not all , plastic surgeons associated with a “ medical spa ” will have other people do their procedures . They make better money doing surgery . An experienced dermatologist is also an option . The “ lipo ” to which you refer is a procedure whereby injections are given to melt the fat and then laser is used to firm up your collagen .
I would recommend a physician do this procedure . You might want someone to perform a complete assessment of your metabolism and anti-oxidant status so as to yield you a better pre-emptive long term result . This is what I refer to as “ functional beauty ”. By knowing what biochemistry and hormones and nutrient you take , this kind of doctor would recommend medical supplements , enzymes , minerals , etc . You don ’ t find this approach in any “ medical spas ”; they are there to sell you procedures and beauty products for your outside , the skin . But you need to address the internal processes as well .
Overall , it sounds like you should do well with this procedure . Don ’ t buy “ packages ”; if it ’ s going to work you should begin to see results in two or three sessions . Make sure they offer you topical anesthesia as well . Good luck to you .
Let me know if additional info is needed .
My website is lunasolinstitute . com Dr Robert Casañas
Dr . Doctor , I am of Hispanic descent , ( Mexican ) in my late 20 ’ s . My mother is a diabetic . I just recently learned that I am a diabetic . I am also a father to 2 beautiful little girls . Is diabetes more prevalent in “ Hispanos ?” What can I do make sure that my children don ’ t inherit this disease from me .
Henry Muñoz
Dear Mr . Muñoz : Congratulations on your beautiful daughters .
While it is a done deal that your daughters already inherited your genes , Diabetes of the adult variety or type 2 , non-insulin dependent seems to be a tendency or propensity if they have the genes ( which your daughters do ), but not a sure thing . You would first go through a phase called insulin resistance ( or metabolic syndrome ) and later develop the diabetes itself , when your blood sugar fasting is above 100 . If they keep a low-glycemic index diet ( food that doesn ’ t make your body release a lot of insulin ) and maintain their ideal weight and take certain supplements to keep down the ravages of oxidation ( a sort of biological rusting ), they may not necessarily “ get ” Diabetes . I can estimate that in your case , you could get off your meds if we get you to lose weight and take certain supplements to decrease your sugar . For instance the use of hops extract and acacia berry along with cinnamon and fenugreek could make you drop your sugar . Most doctors , when they find a “ disease ” want to quickly give you a “ drug ”. They have their place , but there is so much more .
There seems to be a higher incidence of Diabetes in Latinos ( or Hispanics as you call us ), but it ’ s probably more due to the dietary staples , like rice , bread , pastas , all of which are diabetogenic , or causers of diabetes . These foods demand a lot of insulin , excess insulin makes you obese , cause hypertension and along with triglycerides . Ultimately , sugar levels will rise ( but not at first ). This is why outdated unsophisticated doctors will miss the early stages when you can still turn it around . So yes , the genes are inherited but what those genes will produce depends , for a lot of human disease , on the environment you make them live in , or what you eat and fail to detoxify from the toxins all around us . Beware of plastic containers which release phthalates , a chemical that will cause diabetes by itself , just to cite one example . Keep your daughters active , away from TV and violent video games , away from trans fats , chemical toxins , engage them in physical hobbies . A lot of tendencies for disease will take shape in formative years . Please don ’ t let them eat fast food . Try organic foods . Teach them about good proteins and good carbs . Pack them lunch and don ’ t let them eat the school ’ s foul meals , if possible . When we become duped by big business we are dead in the water . Avoid the packaged toxins in the supermarkets , the fast food at the hospital ( TGH ), vending machines at school , etc .
Get your health coaching from a doctor that can be your coach and friend and not a pill-pusher who gives you five minutes of his time .
As Vasconcelos your countryman said , we are the “ cosmic race ”, so let ’ s act like we are just that . Take back control of your health ; yes even that of your genes .
¡ Si se puede ! Dr Casañas
Dr . Casañas is a Board Certified Internist and Board Certified Pain Management specialist . Dr . Casañas practices out of two offices , Unicorn Medical office in West Tampa and Lunasol Institute in Westchase . Submit your question for Dr . Casañas by emailing : AskElDoctor @ thelatinvillage . com Or contact him directly at : ( 813 ) 855-6530 .
February - april 2008 | LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE 13