We are incredibly fortunate to live in Fairfax County, a community that has a bustling holistic wellness scene, full of many restorative businesses that can benefit our minds, bodies and spirits. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite health-focused restaurants, spas and fitness studios in the Greater DC metro area. Invest in your own self-care and support the local economy by showing love to these great local businesses today!

Nourishing Eats

Greenheart Juice Shop was founded in 2013 by a small team with a big passion for plant-based nutrition. With four locations in the area, as well as a presence at several area farmers markets, they provide an impressive selection of cleansing juices, nut milks, salads and other freshly made consumables for optimum wellness. We can’t wait to try the Immunity Pack of juices to safeguard our bodies, from the inside out, for the upcoming winter season!

While eating highly nutritious food is always important, it is especially critical to provide your body with key micro- and macro-nutrients before and after a surgical procedure.

GreenFare is an organic cafe that opened in Herndon in 2015 with the mission of nourishing people and planet. They are not just a place for plant-based whole-food dining, but also healthy living and education—they advertise themselves as “an innovative community restaurant and learning center” that collaborates with medical professionals, environmentalists, and animal welfare advocates to positively transform our world. This is truly a one-stop shop for everyone on their wellness journey. Their daily menu is sustainably and seasonally focused, and they also offer catering services, virtual classes and other special events. Their meal plans and meal delivery programs also make an awesome gift idea!

Tip: For optimal healing, try supplementing your diet with these or other healthy options before and after plastic surgery! While eating highly nutritious food is always important, it is especially critical to provide your body with key micro- and macro-nutrients before and after a surgical procedure.

Bend & Breathe

Beloved Yoga is a serene 6,500 square foot sanctuary with six studio spaces for group yoga, private yoga, and Ayurvedic medicine. They offer over 80 classes per week – for everyone from the beginner yogi to the teacher in training, from kids to seniors. Don’t forget to check out the Sanctuary gift shop, the lending library, and the community lounge when you stop in for a class!

Sun & Moon is a locally owned and community-supported yoga studio and school. Since 1994, they’ve been teaching students and guests the magic of movement and mindfulness, with the opportunity to explore, play, inquire, and heal. They stand out from other yoga studios in the area by blending the ancient traditions of hatha yoga with their mission of inclusivity and social justice. Between their two area studios, and their large team of instructors and healers, they offer a wide variety of classes and events for everyone in the community. They also have gift cards—perfect for the hard-to-shop-for friend.

Primp & Pamper

Organic Nails & Spa is a salon offering luxury manicures, pedicures, and waxing services across three locations in Northern Virginia. Their calming, soothing space will delight the senses and bring joy to your day, while their natural and organic spa ingredients connect you with the serenity of nature even further. For those worried about sanitation and safety, you can have peace of mind knowing that their team uses appropriate sterilization methods, as well as offering non-toxic polishes free of formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals. Planning a girls day out, a corporate event or other group celebration? Enjoy complimentary beverages during your visit!

Ladan Holistic Spa is a wellness spa located in nearby Falls Church. Their therapeutic aesthetic treatments use only organic and natural products—many of them made by hand in-house. They also offer rejuvenating energy-healing experiences such as sound baths, reiki, and hypnotherapy, as well as a variety of workshops for spiritual healing and growth. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re bound to find something to balance your body here.

Get Moving

Urban Evolution is a unique “multi-movement” fitness gym offering experiences in a variety of sports and activities, including Parkour, Tricking/Freerunning, Aerial Acrobatics, Gymnastics, Yoga, Hip Hop Dance, Juggling, and more. Students not only get to utilize strength conditioning, confidence-building and problem-solving in their classes, but they also get to have FUN in a diverse and thriving community. Their classes welcome students of all ages and levels, so you can feel comfortable trying something new!

DivaFit is Northern Virginia’s premier pole dance and aerial fitness studio. Their aerial classes use silks, trapeze, and other circus arts to help students develop elegance, strength, stamina and flexibility. You’ll build a stronger, more flexible, and confident you, as well as lasting friendships and memories to last a lifetime. Looking for a higher intensity workout? Try a lap dance, chair dance, pole dance, or deep flex class. None of their specialty classes require previous experience, so grab a friend, your favorite heels and get moving!

Refresh & Rejuvenate

Nothing says self-care quite like a spa day at Hess Plastic Surgery! Board certified Fairfax plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher L. Hess has served patients in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, and his talented team of medical aesthetic experts provide a full selection of rejuvenating skin procedures to give you natural-looking results that will leave you feeling confident and beautiful. From injectable dermal fillers to skin-brightening facial treatments, to CoolSculpting or surgical options, we can improve virtually any aspect of your appearance that you’re dissatisfied with. To set up your personal consultation and learn how Dr. Hess can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, call our practice at (703) 752-6608 or contact us online.

The post Highlighting Local Wellness Businesses in Fairfax County appeared first on Dr. Hess.

We’re fortunate to live near the nation’s capital where you can tour some of the world’s most iconic and notable art galleries, museums, and historic monuments for free. But many do not realize that our very own Fairfax County also has a myriad of no-or-low-cost activities to enjoy. Read on to learn about our favorite affordable “staycation” ideas in Fairfax and Northern Virginia!

For Arts Enthusiasts

If you’re looking for a low-key way to spend an afternoon or evening indoors, check out the Workhouse Arts Center. You’ll enjoy browsing the Center’s art galleries and studios, and can also learn about imprisoned suffragists at the Lucy Burns Museum. Don’t forget to snap a selfie with their LOVE mural. Other no-cost arts centers in our area include ArtSpace Herndon and the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art.

Want to get crafty and creative? Visit the Clay Cafe in Chantilly, VA, on Thursdays to enjoy half-off their regular studio fee. This means you get ceramic paints, materials, tools, instruction, glazing and firing for just $3.50.

For Music and Movie Nerds

Is there anything better than live outdoor entertainment on a summer evening? We think not! Every Friday, May through August, you can experience “Friday Night Live!” at the Herndon Town Green, a weekly outdoor concert series. Alternatively, on the fourth Friday of the month from May through October is also “Rock the Block” at Old Town Square. Bring the whole family, and don’t forget chairs and a picnic blanket to enjoy popular local and regional performers and a variety of local food and beverage vendors.

Is there anything better than live outdoor entertainment on a summer evening?

Prefer to watch a screen? Gather your friends at sundown on the lawn of Van Dyck Park for their monthly outdoor movie series, “Movies Under the Moon”.

For History Buffs

For a dose of history, take a complimentary guided tour of the Historic Blenheim estate featuring an old log cabin and a brick farmhouse built just prior to the Civil War. The buildings are nationally significant for the quantity and quality of examples of personal “graffiti”—inscriptions, signatures, pictographs, and messages written on the house walls by Union soldiers during their occupation of the Fairfax Court House area in 1863.

For Nature Lovers

Many of the major Fairfax County parks are free to visit and include over 900 miles of trails and paths to enjoy. Additionally, most of these parks have access to lakes for boating, fishing, or kayaking, for a small fee.

For those looking to hike, bike, walk or run, there are several iconic thoroughfares and greenways in the area. These include the Potomac Heritage Trail which can be accessed at Riverbend Park and even connects to nearby Great Falls Park, and the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail.

Other must-see parks for flora and fauna include Huntley Meadows and the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge.

For Families

If you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, there is no better place than Frying Pan Farm Park. Here the little ones can enjoy simulating life on a historic rural farm and enjoy fun seasonal events, nature trails, an antique carousel, and quality educational and enrichment programming. Need to beat the heat? Take the kids to the Splash Pad fountain in Old Town Square for hours of free fun and water play.

For the Green Thumb

Another great way to spend a beautiful day is to stroll through some of our area’s exquisite gardens. Green Spring Gardens is a year-round gold mine of information and inspiration for the avid home gardener. It is a national historic site that features an outdoor classroom and museum, and a programming calendar including events for the whole family. Another alternative is River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. It overlooks the Potomac River on 25 acres of breathtaking vistas.

About Hess Plastic Surgery

Residents of Fairfax county have long trusted Hess Plastic Surgery when they want to refresh their look. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher L. Hess has served patients in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, and been named one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in the region by Northern Virginia Magazine for 9 years. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hess, call us at (703) 752-6608 or contact us online.

The post The Best Budget-Friendly Activities for Spring and Summer Fun in Fairfax County appeared first on Dr. Hess.

The FDA recently updated its breast implant safety guidelines to address various concerns, including the potential risks of BIA-ALCL and breast implant illness. The revised guidelines add new safety information for surgeons to review with their patients in addition to the normal risks and benefits of breast implant surgery, as well as increase labeling and disclosure requirements for implant manufacturers. This month, we examine the FDA’s new guidelines and explain what they mean for patients and surgeons.

What are the new FDA breast implant guidelines?

The FDA is now requiring all breast implant manufacturers to include the following guidelines in their implant labeling, which all surgeons are expected to review with their patients:

• Patient decision checklist. Surgeons are now required to provide their patients with a decision checklist detailing the potential risks, side effects, and benefits associated with breast implants. Stated risks were expanded and include implant rupture, capsular contracture, BIA-ALCL, and systemic issues potentially related to breast implants (collectively referred to as breast implant illness, or BII). The checklist also lists alternatives to implant-based breast augmentation surgery, such as fat transfer breast augmentation and breast lift without augmentation. Patients and surgeons must initial and sign this checklist.

• A boxed warning. All breast implant packaging must now feature a boxed warning alerting patients to any potentially significant health risks. The FDA requires a boxed warning for products that are associated with any rare but potentially dangerous side effects and/or require special instructions for safe use.

• Routine screening recommendations. The FDA now recommends that patients with breast implants undergo rupture screenings 5-6 years after their implant surgery and every 2 years after that. Due to the advances in silicone implant technology over the last decade, the risk for implant rupture is now as low as 1-2% per year. Furthermore, in the event of a rupture, a silicone implant’s filling may bulge out of its shell but should remain contained within the breast capsule.

• List of materials used in implants. The FDA is now requiring manufacturers to disclose the specific materials used in breast implants to patients and surgeons.

• Ongoing research. ​​The FDA increased the number of studies regarding breast implant risks and side effects that implant manufacturers must continue to conduct.

How will these new implant guidelines affect patients and surgeons?

Patients: By making sure that patients understand all of the potential risks and benefits associated with breast implants, we believe these new guidelines will help formalize the informed consent process and help patients feel fully comfortable in their decision to proceed with breast augmentation.

Surgeons: These new updates are largely directed towards surgeons who do not routinely go over all of the possible risks associated with implant-based breast augmentation. Most board certified plastic surgeons have always discussed these potential risks with their patients during their pre-surgical consultation; therefore, the only real change we’ll see at our practice is that patients and Dr. Hess will now be required to sign the Patient Decision Checklist to verify the patient has been informed of and understands the potential risks associated with breast implants.

These new guidelines will help formalize the informed consent process and ensure patients understand the rare risks associated with breast implants.

How can you help ensure you have a safe breast augmentation?

Many of the potential risks of breast implants can be avoided by choosing a board certified plastic surgeon. Board certified plastic surgeons are experts in breast augmentation surgery and will help you understand all of the potential risks, side effects, and benefits of breast implants. They will discuss the various shapes, sizes, and textures associated with different implants, as well as your implant placement and incision options.

In addition to choosing a board certified plastic surgeon, here are a few other ways to help ensure you have a safe breast augmentation with implants:

• Consider choosing a saline implant. If you are exceptionally concerned about the potential risks associated with breast implants, you may want to consider choosing saline implants. Saline implants provide a few benefits over silicone implants: 1) they are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, therefore it is obvious if a rupture has occurred, and 2) their filling poses less of a health risk. The downside is that saline implants don’t feel as natural as silicone gel implants.
• Replace implants after 10-20 years. You should replace your breast implants at the end of their lifespan or if a complication, such as a rupture or capsular contracture, is expected. Most surgeons recommend replacing both saline and silicone breast implants 10-20 years after augmentation; however, the longevity of your implants may be affected by your implant type, texture, size, and placement, as well as your body type and lifestyle.
• Schedule regular implant screenings: As your surgeon will explain during your consultation, it’s important to receive regular screenings for breast implant rupture after your breast augmentation. Most surgeons consider MRIs to be the best screening method for implant rupture as they provide the most in-depth imaging of both the breast and the implant.

Our takeaway on the FDA’s new breast implant guidelines

Hess Plastic Surgery is in full support of the FDA’s new breast implant guidelines. We hope these guidelines will prompt an open and honest conversation between surgeons and patients prior to surgery regarding the potential risks and benefits associated with breast implants.

Interested in breast augmentation? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hess

If you are interested in breast augmentation and would like to learn more about implant safety, look no further than board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher L. Hess. Dr. Hess has helped patients in Northern Virginia understand their implant options for over 20 years, and has even been named one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in the region by Northern Virginia Magazine for 8 years. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hess, call us at (703) 752-6608 or contact us online.

The post What You Need to Know About the FDA’s New Breast Implant Guidelines appeared first on Dr. Hess.

Maybe it’s the warmer weather, longer days, or being fully vaccinated—or a combo of all three—but spring has us ready to get out of the house and have some fun! Thankfully, Fairfax has a robust restaurant and retail scene we can all get behind. If you’re looking for ways to hit the town and make new memories with friends or family this season, this list of ideas can help get you started.

Use spring energy to get creative

Have all the colorful spring blooms got you in a creative mood? A gals night out with wine and painting might be the perfect isolation remedy—or you could channel your artistic energy into making culinary magic. Here are a few prime ways to bring out your inner artist:

• Take a culinary class. Ready to spruce up your kitchen game? Sign up for a cooking class with your S.O. or bestie at Workhouse Arts Center and elevate your pizza-making skills or learn basic cooking techniques.
• Paint your own pottery. Pottery painting is fun for the whole family, and Create Like Crazy has more options than ever for you to take home your next masterpiece. Grab your kids or BFF and sign up for an in-person or virtual class, or snag a take-home pottery kit and have it fired up when you’re finished painting!
• DIY wood painting. Are you and your gals looking for a fun alternative to the bar? Get your squad together and head over to Board and Brush for DIY sign making and wine drinking! Make a cute and welcoming wood sign for your home or customize your own wine glasses with your BFFs. Board and Brush also offers kids’ camps and family-friendly activities. Check out their events calendar to schedule your next DIY adventure.

 

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Take your partner out for a date night

Tired of takeout and Netflix? We don’t blame you. Mix up your next date night with these highly-rated Fairfax restaurants and bars.

• High Side. With 20 craft beer and four craft cider taps to choose from, High Side is our go-to spot for tasty drinks and hip ambiance. High Side also offers a full Asian street food menu featuring staples like steamed bao buns, plus modern twists like lemongrass fried chicken. High Side is currently open for indoor and outdoor seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bollywood Bistro. If Bollywood movies and authentic Indian cuisine sounds like your idea of an unforgettable date night, you need to check out Bollywood Bistro! We know the D.C. area has a lot of amazing Indian food, but trust us when we say Bollywood Bistro should be at the top of your list. Choose from a full selection of wine, beer, and cocktails while indulging in biryanis, tandoori entrees, or vegetarian plates, all while enjoying vintage Bollywood films and music. Bollywood Bistro is currently open for indoor seating at a limited capacity. Or, if you’re not ready to eat out yet, they offer free local delivery.
• Epicure Cafe. We love Epicure Café for their innovative vision and creative spirit. Seamlessly blending live music, art, drinks, and inspired dishes, Epicure is a melting pot of diverse talent and flavors. Plus, they have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free Mediterranean-inspired dishes to please all dietary preferences. So grab a drink and a meal with your S.O. and kick back and enjoy the show! Or, head up to the rooftop garden for full service and sweeping views.

Nourish your body with healthy foods

With gym and indoor dining restrictions lifting in Virginia, many of us are eager to get back to our diet and exercise routines. Prepare for and recover from your next workout with these healthy offerings.

• Senberry. If you’ve never tried an açaí bowl, you’re in for a delicious treat. This healthy bowl combines fruit (namely the açaí berry) and a variety of add-ins like nut butters, granola, plant milks, cacao, hemp seeds, and coconut flakes. Not only do açaí bowls provide your body with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats, but they also satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Fairfax’s Senberry Bowls offers delicious açaí bowls and coffee drinks for all your pre- and post-workout needs.
• True Food Kitchen. From salads and bowls to plant-based pizza and pasta, True Food Kitchen is Fairfax’s go-to restaurant for healthy dining. Re-energize your body and mind with a nutrient-rich poke or quinoa bowl, or indulge in a vegan spinach & mushroom pizza, made with almond ricotta “cheese” and topped with sautéed spinach & mushrooms, caramelized onions, and garlic puree. Whether you’re an omnivore or plant-based eater, True Food Kitchen has organic, nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to please your stomach and taste buds.

 

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• Fairfax farmers’ markets. Shop an array of colorful veggies, homemade cheeses, and grass-fed meats with friends or family at Fairfax County farmers’ markets this spring! Shopping at farmers’ markets supports your health and local farmers, and allows your kids to better understand where their food comes from.

Have some family fun

We know the colder months were rough for many families; being stuck inside with few options for recreation and entertainment made us all a little stir-crazy. But with temperatures rising and more people feeling safe to socialize, your family may be ready to leave the house and try these fun activities.

• Cool down with a waterpark trip. What better way to celebrate warmer weather than at northern Virginia’s largest waterpark? Whether you want to entertain your little daredevil with the four-story slides of Pipeline Tower or meander down the lazy river with your partner, SplashDown Waterpark offers fun and refreshing options for the whole family.
• Make it a lake day. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some family fun at nearby Lake Accotink! Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Fairfax, Lake Accotink Park offers over 490 acres of woods, trails, campsites, and waterfront activities ripe for exploration. Your little ones can enjoy a campfire and s’mores every Friday night during Campfire Fridays, and choose from a variety of summer camps focused on nature, adventure, and mountain biking.

 

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• Escapology. Let the countdown begin! Escapology takes a fresh twist on escape rooms by offering private rooms with themes for all ages and interests, including wild west shootout, nuclear war, code-cracking, and treasure hunting. Families will have the opportunity to work together and solve complex puzzles, riddles, and more. Enjoy this indoor activity on a rainy day or to beat the northern Virginia heat!

Refresh your look this spring at our medspa

Before you hit the town this spring, let our expert aestheticians help you refresh your look. From custom peels, microdermabrasion, cosmetic injections, and more, our Medical Spa & Skincare center at Hess Plastic Surgery offers all the services you need to put your best face forward. Contact us online or call (703) 752-6608 to schedule your skincare consultation and evaluation.

The post Get Out and Support Your Local Fairfax Businesses This Spring appeared first on Dr. Hess.

Here at Hess Plastic Surgery, we are building on decades of experience with surgical safety and sanitation to keep our patients safe during the pandemic, along with added measures.

Is it safe to have non-surgical cosmetic procedures during COVID-19?

Yes, we believe it can be safe to have a non-surgical cosmetic procedure during the pandemic, provided you choose a responsibly-minded practice led by a board certified plastic surgeon.

The American College of Surgeons has developed a Patient-Surgeon Discussion Guide to help ensure communication between you and your plastic surgeon is as clear and thorough as possible. The following is a list of questions you should ask any practice before your office visit:

• What COVID-19 protective measures does the office have in place overall?
• Can I wait inside my car when I arrive for the office visit or do I have to come inside to check-in?
• What safety measures are in place for in-office check-in?
• How many patients are permitted in the waiting room at one time?
• Do I need to wear a mask? Are all other patients, office staff, and medical personnel required to wear masks?
• If I have to ride an elevator, does the building have a COVID-safe elevator policy? How often are the elevators cleaned?
• Will there be a physical barrier between me and any staff I am speaking with? If not, will they be six feet away from me?

Is it safe to have cosmetic surgery during COVID-19?

Yes, we believe it can be safe to have cosmetic surgery during COVID-19. Be certain to choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified and who welcomes any and all questions and concerns you may have.

We recommend asking any practice you work with the following questions about your procedure:

• Will I have my temperature taken before my procedure?
• Will I be tested for COVID-19 before my operation? If so, when will my test be scheduled?
• Will I be going into any other departments in the facility for testing or exams before my procedure begins?
• Who are all the people I can expect to interact with at the facility?
• Are the staff members I encounter also treating patients who have COVID-19?
• Will patients who have COVID-19 be in the same facility? If so, how will we be separated?
• What safety measures are in place for common areas like hallways, elevators, and restrooms?

For more discussion questions about the safety of the O.R. and precautions to take during your recovery period, we encourage you to review The American College of Surgeon’s complete guide to preparing for surgery during COVID-19.

What COVID-19 precautions are plastic surgeons required to take?

All board certified plastic surgeons must follow national, state, and local regulations regarding elective surgeries during the pandemic. Here in Virginia, we are following guidelines set out by The Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What if I feel a bit under the weather but don’t want to cancel my procedure?

While you may be reluctant to postpone your procedure if you’re feeling unwell, you’ll be doing your part to prevent the spread of the virus to others—as well as ensuring you have the safest experience possible. The same thing goes if you suspect you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

It’s important to note that this is true regardless of whether or not you have been exposed to COVID-19—moving forward with surgery with any illness risks getting others at the facility sick and potentially impeding your healing process.

Here is what we are doing at Hess Plastic Surgery to help our own patients stay safe during the pandemic

Since the pandemic, Hess Plastic Surgery has worked hard to refine our safety measures and practices to ensure the safest environment possible for our staff and patients. Below is a partial list of what you can expect (for a comprehensive list of the protocols we’re following please consult The Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Society of Plastic Surgeons websites).

• Taking patient and staff temperatures to confirm the absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Making hand hygiene supplies readily available to all personnel and patients in our office suite and restrooms.
• Routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces prior to applying a hospital-grade disinfectant to frequently touched surfaces or objects.
• Requiring all patients, medical providers, and office staff to wear masks.

When it comes to surgery, Dr. Hess performs most of his plastic surgeries at the Northern Virginia Surgery Center at Fair Oaks Hospital. Procedures longer than 4 hours are performed at either the Novant Prince William Surgery Center or the Novant Haymarket Surgery Center. Both facilities have comprehensive COVID-19 protocols in place.

What should I expect once I’ve scheduled my appointment?

1. On the day of your appointment, please call us at (703) 752-6608 when you arrive. We request that you wait in your car. We will call or text you when we are ready for you.
2. We have implemented a screening protocol for all patients. When you arrive, an office staff member will ask you a series of questions about your health, possible exposure to persons with the virus, etc.
3. We request that only patients receiving services come inside the office unless you’re an adult accompanying a minor or a caregiver who needs to be present.
4. Please bring and wear your own mask.

If you’re looking for skincare products from our Medical Spa, we can help you out with no contact! Call us at (703) 752-6608 to get product recommendations, place your order, and arrange for convenient curbside pickup. If a particular product requires a prescription, we can take care of you during a virtual evaluation and consultation.

All of us at Hess Plastic Surgery are committed to providing you a safe Fairfax plastic surgery experience during this time. As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, we will too. Please check in with our office if you have any questions or concerns about your appointment, consult, or procedure. You can give us a call at (703) 752-6608 or get in touch online. We’re happy to answer your questions and look forward to hearing from you!

The post How Your Plastic Surgery Experience May Change in a Post-Quarantine World appeared first on Dr. Hess.

An estimated 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. While treatment options have improved and survival rates have dramatically increased, many patients still require invasive surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, which can have unpleasant side effects.

As a plastic surgeon who regularly performs breast reconstruction, I have seen first-hand the impact that traditional treatments have on a patient’s body and quality of life. My patients handle these challenges beautifully, but it matters personally to me that breast cancer treatment options continue to improve, and I follow this area of study closely.

One newer treatment option called immunotherapy harnesses a patient’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells—and scientists recently developed a new type of immunotherapy using TILs (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes), which may have the power to reverse or even cure some of the deadliest forms of cancer.

This article in Forbes reports on a case in which TILs eradicated all tumors in a patient with metastatic breast cancer who had previously been told she would be dead within months. Nearly 2 years after receiving the treatment, the patient is cancer-free.

Immunotherapy using a patient’s own immune cells, called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, may have the power to reverse or even cure some of the deadliest forms of cancer.

How does TIL immunotherapy work?

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, or TILs, are immune cells that the body generates to attack tumors. The key is getting the right TILs in a large enough quantity to overpower the cancer and heal the body—the body can’t produce enough of these cells to overtake the tumors on its own.

During this particular type of immunotherapy, doctors extracted TILs from the patient’s own tumors, identified which particular TILs had the right “data” to target the mutated proteins in the cancerous cells, and then grew them in a lab. Once they had enough TILs, they injected them back into the patient, unleashing them on the tumor. At the same time, the patients took medications that prevented the body from interfering with these TILs. It worked.

Could immunotherapy using TILs mean the end of invasive cancer treatments?

One huge benefit of immunotherapy is that it usings the body’s own natural cells to defeat cancer without surgery or toxic chemicals, which dramatically reduces the risk for side effects and adverse reactions. For breast cancer patients, this may be a way to avoid mastectomy.

That TILs may also be able to completely treat metastasized tumors and more aggressive forms of cancer is enormous; should this new immunotherapy option continue to prove effective, patients who previously were considered untreatable may have a new lease on life.

It’s important to keep in mind that while promising, cancer is a moving target, and that makes successful immunotherapy is a very complex endeavor. To work, the TILs have to be able to respond to the specific mutations occurring in a patient’s tumors—and those mutations can change. However, scientists are doing their best to address potential problems as they develop immunotherapy, and large-scale trials are underway to see if TIL immunotherapy proves as successful for other patients as it did for this breast cancer patient.

All in all, I am hopeful that immunotherapy and other less invasive breast cancer treatment options will become more mainstream in the future. As rewarding as it is to help my Fairfax breast reconstruction patients restore their bodies after mastectomy, I would much rather women have an option to beat breast cancer without any surgery at all.

The post New Immunotherapy Removes All Tumors in Advanced Breast Cancer Case appeared first on Dr. Hess.

As you may have heard, Allergan very recently chose to recall all of their BIOCELL textured breast implants at the request of the FDA—a decision made in an attempt to improve patient safety while investigation of the association between textured breast implants and BIA-ALCL continues.

This news has been understandably alarming for many women with breast implants, who may be wondering if their safety is at risk. Before reading on, Dr. Hess wants to assure patients that you do not need to have your Allergan BIOCELL breast implants removed if you do not have any symptoms. Because the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is so small, the FDA does not recommend prophylactic breast implant removal unless you have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL or are experiencing unexplained pain or swelling around your implants.

Learn all about BIA-ALCL & details of the recall from a board certified plastic surgeon

Dr. Hess recently wrote an article for The Doctor Weighs In covering all aspects of BIA-ALCL, including risk, diagnosis, treatment, and the latest updates on the recall. Dr. Hess believes that the most important thing a patient can do to ensure their own safety is to be informed—and he strives to ensure his patients have the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions.

• Read Dr. Hess’s full article here »

If you have any questions or concerns about your breast implants, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. Dr. Hess and our friendly, knowledgeable patient care staff are happy to help you understand your options and allay any fears you may have.

The post Dr. Hess Discusses BIA-ALCL & the Allergan Recall on The Doctor Weighs In appeared first on Dr. Hess.

My heart goes out to the patient’s family, and I sincerely hope that this remains an isolated case. However, the simple fact that another type of textured implant has been linked to ALCL deserves attention. Patient safety is our foremost concern as plastic surgeons, and we need to carefully examine any new risks that come up with any procedure.

BIA-ALCL vs GIA-ALCL. There are some key differences to note.

First, it’s important to understand that there are many different variations of ALCL. Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL, is one variation. Now we have evidence that gluteal implant associated ALCL, or GIA-ALCL, is another.

This case of GIA-ALCL was aggressive and behaved very differently than anything we have seen with breast implant associated ALCL, which is slow-growing and in most cases fully treatable with breast implant removal and capsulectomy.

Although very rare, BIA-ALCL is a known risk with textured breast implants. According to the most recent data, the risk of developing BIA-ALCL lies between 1 in 3,800 and 1 in 30,000 for patients who currently have or have had textured breast implants at some point. To date, approximately 573 unique cases have been reported to the FDA, while tens of millions of women in the U.S. currently have breast implants.

What is more, BIA-ALCL is typically slow-growing. In almost all cases, patients developed symptoms such as seroma or breast pain, but were diagnosed long before the cancer could spread, and were fully cured of the disease by undergoing breast implant removal and capsulectomy. To date, only 9 deaths have occurred among approximately 660 BIA-ALCL patients, and in all of the fatal cases, the patient received a late diagnosis.

This case of GIA-ALCL behaved very differently than anything we have seen with BIA-ALCL. The cancer was very aggressive—while the patient sought treatment shortly after developing symptoms, her condition deteriorated so quickly that surgeons did not have time to perform explantation surgery before more aggressive treatments were required. Also, in addition to seroma around the implant, the patient had fluid masses in her lungs containing ALCL cells and skin ulceration in the buttocks.

What can we take away from this news?

First, that any sort of implanted device—whether breast implants, butt implants, an artificial hip or knee—carries some risk of an adverse reaction. In most cases and with most devices, the benefits of having the device greatly outweigh the associated risks for the patient.

However, when it comes to butt implants, I feel the risks outweigh potential benefits. Firstly, we now know that textured gluteal implants may carry risk of a more deadly form of ALCL than breast implants. Additionally, there are many other issues with gluteal implants which are already well-known, including capsular contracture, infection, malposition, and visible edges.

If this leads you to wonder if Brazilian butt lift (a procedure that doesn’t use implants) is a better alternative, think again: it has an even higher mortality rate. However, there is an alternative approach.

Know the risks of buttock enhancement before choosing a procedure

I’ve already mentioned the risks of gluteal implants, but gluteal fat injections, a.ka. Brazilian butt lift surgery, currently has the highest mortality rate of any cosmetic surgery procedure, estimated to be as high as 1 in 3,000. In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and several other organizations formed a task force in 2018 to review the safety of the procedure after a handful of patients died from complications of Brazilian butt lift surgery, and Florida has placed emergency restrictions on the procedure.

Granted, these procedures are often successful when performed by a very experienced plastic surgeon in a safe, accredited surgery center—but serious complications are not rare enough for me to feel comfortable performing either gluteal implant surgery or Brazilian butt lift surgery at my practice. Instead, I opt for safe, proven methods.

How can I get a larger butt without implants or fat injections?

Many people focus on ways they can enhance an area by adding to it—but one can take a completely different approach and instead reduce the size of surrounding areas. By using liposuction to remove fat from the lower back, abdomen, hips, thighs, and/or under the butt, I can make the buttocks appear larger in comparison. Additionally, this creates a more pleasing, hourglass shape, all without having to modify the buttocks themselves.

Liposuction can achieve the look of Buttock Enhancement procedures without implants or gluteal fat injections.

Most importantly, when performed correctly by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, liposuction is a very low-risk procedure that can yield dramatic, lasting results with a relatively quick recovery.

I welcome your questions

I will continue to follow both BIA-ALCL and GIA-ALCL and stay abreast of any new developments to ensure I can provide the safest, most effective patient care. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I am always happy to help.

The post What You Need to Know About the First Case of Fatal Implant-Associated Lymphoma After Buttock Enhancement appeared first on Dr. Hess.

We were recently talking about our favorite things to do in Fairfax and NoVA outdoors and thought these ideas would help you get started!

Try an Outdoor Yoga Class

There’s nothing like yoga to help you decompress, tune into your body, and feel more grounded. Taking your yoga outdoors—and hearing birds chirp, feeling a gentle breeze, and smelling the fresh dewy air—can take your practice to a whole new level. There are several outdoor yoga classes near DC and Fairfax, many of them free! One of the most popular is the summer yoga series at National Harbor. Check it out!

 

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A post shared by National Harbor (@nationalharbor) on May 11, 2019 at 3:42am PDT

Join an Adult Summer Soccer League (or Dodgeball or Cornhole)

Whether you miss the days of soccer after school or have never played before in your life, there’s no time like the present to get (back) in the game. Team sports are a great way to make friends as well as work out your body. The FXA Sports Association has adult leagues for over 15 sports (yes, including cornhole), and many welcome social/beginner players. You can join a team or form your own. A lot of the summer leagues start up in early June, so get cracking! Here’s the link to FXA sports.

 

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A post shared by FXA Sports (@fxasports) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:00am PDT

Challenge Yourself to Hike the Entire Fairfax CCT

The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, better known as the Fairfax “CCT” is a 41.5 mile point to point trail that transverses all of Fairfax County, connecting the Occoquan River in Laurel Hill with Great Falls Park. While it would be a great feat indeed to complete the entire trail in one day, it’s probably more feasible (and more fun) to break it up into chunks–and with several parking areas and road crossings along the way, it’s easy to “section hike.” Depending on your schedule and fitness level, you might try and hike the CCT over a long weekend, or do part of it every weekend in June. Here are some great tips and resources for hiking the Fairfax CCT.

 

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A post shared by Scott Tury (@stury) on Sep 19, 2017 at 9:31pm PDT

Learn to Kayak & then put your skills to use!

We’re lucky to have a slew of lakes, rivers, and other waterways near Fairfax, and if you haven’t yet taken advantage of them, why not start now? Most of the state and regional parks in the area, such as Pohick Bay Regional Park and Burke Lake offer canoe, kayak, and paddleboard (SUP) rentals at reasonable rates. If you don’t know where to begin, head to the Fairfax REI store–they offer dozens of classes and excursions for beginning boaters.

 

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A post shared by Chiki (@onicelazo) on Oct 7, 2017 at 6:51pm PDT

Enroll in outdoor bootcamp

You don’t have to be in a gym to get in shape. If you want a killer workout under the sky, try one of Sarge Fitness’s outdoor bootcamps. Despite the name, “Sarge” won’t bark orders at you, but you will be challenged with military boot camp inspired high-intensity drills, obstacles, core conditioning, and body weight exercises. The goal is to progress your fitness from week to week–in the company of other motivated individuals. You can choose from several locations; check it out to find the most convenient for you (if you’re on the fence you can sign up for a free trial week).

 

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A post shared by Sergeant’s Fitness Concepts (@sargefitnessconcepts) on Sep 14, 2018 at 5:55am PDT

We hope you find something here you’re inspired to try. If so, snap a photo of the activity you chose and tag us @hessplasticsurgery when you post on Instagram. We’d be thrilled to see you enjoying the NoVA outdoors!

The post 5 Fun Ways to Take Your Workouts Outside In Northern Virginia appeared first on Dr. Hess.

Here are five of the patient comments from 2012 that helped us:

3/7/12
Patient review: Dr. Hess was very informative and made me feel extremely comfortable and confident about my decision to have surgery. I felt as if I was in good hands and Fair Oaks Hospital is an excellent hospital with a wonderful staff. I would go back to Dr. Hess and Fair Oaks in a heart beat. Overall experience was great!

Dr. Hess says:
We do have choices about where we perform surgery, and love to hear that our patients also love Fair Oaks as much as we do. I enjoy the atmosphere at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital and the Northern Virginia Surgery Center at Fair Oaks Hospital. Both facilities offer excellent patient care in relaxed and comfortable settings. The anesthesia and operating room staffs at both facilities are highly competent and provide for a safe and relaxed location to operate.

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9/6/12
Patient review: I was very impressed with Dr. Hess since the moment I met him at my consultation appointment. He explained the procedure in a very detailed and informative way that made it easy for me to understand all the aspects of the surgery. He listened to me and answered every single question that I had with great knowledge, honesty and professionalism. He made me feel extremely comfortable and confident about my decision to have the surgery and, in the process he made sure that I was happy with the choice I had made. My experience and surgery results were incredible!! I am the happiest girl in this world!

Dr. Hess says:
We schedule enough time at consultation for our patients to ask any and every question they have… we don’t ever want someone to feel rushed when making such an important decision. We are always happy to see patients as many times as necessary until they are comfortable with their decision.

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10/12/2012
Patient review: I would have appreciated a visual of the procedure which I am considering. A photo of someone who had this exact procedure and even the surgeon, perhaps, physically touching my face and showing me an approximation of the end result. I find it difficult to visualize.

Dr. Hess says: This comment made us realize that photos and visualization tools are important to our patients, especially those who are interested in facial rejuvenation. By incorporating visual images from our website via an iPad and drawings of the proposed surgery into the consultation, patients can get a better idea of the procedure.

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12/4/2012
Patient review: Post op instructions differed between what office provided and what surgical center provided. More consistent post op instructions would have been helpful.

Dr. Hess says: Message received! Over the years I have modified my postoperative instructions. Unfortunately, the instructions that patients received in their preoperative booklets were still outdated. I have updated the instructions in the patient preoperative booklets for all of the procedures I perform so that they correspond to the surgical center instructions.

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12/11/2012
Patient review: Beautiful, natural-looking breasts. Fast recovery. Dr. Hess did an outstanding job.

Dr. Hess says: Quick recovery is important to everyone! Several years ago we began using the Rapid Recovery Program for breast augmentation and our patients love it! Read more about Breast Augmentation Rapid Recovery

The post Our Top 5 Helpful Patient Reviews of 2012 appeared first on Dr. Hess.