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St. Lucie County Edition Summer 2019

FEATURED ARTICLES

(see Reaching New Heights, page 4)

Reaching New HeightsDental

reconstruction plan improves

smile and function

T he 300 block of 9th Avenue in New York City has long been one of the busiest blocks in the United States.

For years, it was the site of the New York Station on the Hudson River Railroad Line, the spot from which Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train departed for Spring� eld, Illinois on April 25, 1861.

� at station is long gone, but in its place stands the Morgan General Mailing Facility, which just happens to be the larg-est mail sorting facility in the country. For 37 years, Jaime Lugo worked at that facil-ity, the last 23 as a senior manager.

“I was in charge of all the mail pro-cessing there from four o’clock in the afternoon until midnight,” Jaime explains. “I had about fourteen hundred employ-ees working under me, and anything that happened between those hours, it was on me to take care of it.”

Jaime’s nearly four-decade-long career with the US Postal Service came to an end in 2005, when he retired and moved to Florida. A little more than a decade later, he decided to get busy correcting a very noticeable dental issue.

“Ever since childhood, I’ve always had small teeth because I’ve always grinded my teeth,’’ Jamie reveals. “Even as an adult I’ve grinded my teeth and for years now, my family and friends have always mentioned it and said I should do something about it.

“It wasn’t anything that really bothered me. It’s not like I was ever embarrassed by it. But I knew it was something I should probably address at some time or another and so I eventually decided, Why not get it � xed?”

Jaime’s decision to repair his teeth came as he was growing frustrated with the dentist he’d been seeing since he � rst arrived in Florida years earlier. He wasn’t necessarily looking for a new dentist, but he found a new one nonetheless in a rather unique way.

“I like to go bike riding, and one day, I was riding my bike and saw this dental o� ce that I’d been passing for years and suddenly thought, It’s time to try something

new,” Jaime recalls. “� at’s how Dr. Blank became my dentist.”

Stephen G. Blank, DDS, has prac-ticed dentistry since 1982. He practices cosmetic and functional dentistry and willingly embraces leading-edgetechnologies as part of his com-mitment to providing the best care possible for his patients.

The Muscles Win “When I � rst examined Jaime, I found that all his teeth had been worn short,” Dr. Blank reports. “His lower incisor, for example, measured � ve millimeters tall, which is about half the size of a typical, healthy lower incisor.

“� at was a result of the fact he has very square jaws and very strong muscles. In cases like that, the muscles always win out over the teeth. When patients clench or grind, the muscles are always busy rubbing teeth against one another, and the teeth lose out because they can’t grow back.”

Jaime’s issues were not unique. It’s typical for people with strong, square jaws to grind their teeth. If the problem is detected early, the grinding can be abated by � tting the patient with a bite guard appliance they often wear at night while sleeping to protect the teeth.

Jaime had never been � t with such an appliance. As a result, his teeth had become so worn that he looked as if he

didn’t have teeth even when he smiled. � at wasn’t the only aesthetic issue caused by his worn-down teeth.

“� e only thing that keeps your chin from reaching your nose is the teeth in the middle, so with his teeth being as worn down as they were, his chin was getting closer to his nose all the time,” Dr. Blank describes. “His face was actually collapsing.

“What we needed to do was rebuild his teeth. Our goal was to give Jaime back the missing tooth structure he’d lost in both arches over the years and thereby increase the vertical dimension, or the height from the nose to the chin.”

Jaime agreed with the reconstruction plan, which began in April 2018 with a smile design visit. Dr. Blank measured all of Jaime’s upper and lower teeth, took pho-tos and created impressions to be used in the creation of a wax model of each arch.

Using the wax models as a guide, ceramic crowns were made to � t over the existing teeth with the lowers treated � rst to help accommodate Jaime’s desire to break the treatment in half.

During a second visit, Dr. Blank pre-pared Jaime’s teeth for the crowns and � t him with temporary crowns. During the third visit, the temporary crowns were removed, and Jaime received his perma-nent all ceramic crowns.

Never Too LateAbout six months later, Jaime’s upper teeth were prepared, and crowns were placed during a second series of appoint-ments. � e result is a full, bright, new

Jaime Lugo

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CosmetiC Dentistry

Those pastry chefs and cake design-ers competing on television shows such as Last Cake Standing on the Food Network have nothing on Jan Neubauer, a former bookkeeper who thought while watching one such

show several years back, I can do that.

And do it she does.Now 62, Jan has been baking since her mother

started teaching her the tricks of the trade when she was eight years old, and she is now the proprietor of U Take the Cake, a specialty cake shop in Vero Beach.

“We do birthday cakes, wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, just about anything anybody wants,’’ Jan says. “We even do cupcakes. I’ve been at it about seven years now, so it’s pretty much become a paying hobby for me.”

Jan’s paying hobby is one that keeps her on her feet throughout the day. To help her keep up her stamina and to ward o� other menopausal symptoms such as depres-sion and hot � ashes, Jan regularly undergoes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

“I started the therapy back when I was in my forties,” Jan explains. “I owned another business at the time, but there were days when I couldn’t bring myself to stay at work because I was so depressed and moody and anxious.

“My husband is the one who actually did the research and discovered it, and for years, I had to travel all the way to Orlando to get the therapy because that was the closest place I could � nd where there was a doctor providing it.”

Jan’s long trips to Orlando to receive BHRT ended several years ago when she learned that Melissa Dean, MD, of the Dean Wellness Institute in Vero Beach, was o� ering the therapy as well.

can be administered in a number of di� erent ways.

“Some people want to do topical creams, which are very inex-pensive and easily managed, while others prefer sublingual tablets,’’ Dr. Dean educates. “We also do a lot of bioidentical hormone pellets, which are about two times the size of a grain of rice.

“With the pellet therapy, we make a small incision and insert the pellet subcutaneously [below the skin]. � e pellet slowly dissolves into the tissue and gets absorbed into the system. Many patients � nd that approach to be much easier than managing a daily application.”

Prior to prescribing bioidentical hormone replacement treatments, Dr. Dean meets with the patient to learn of their activity levels, lifestyle choices and medical history, includ-ing where women are in the cycle of life.

She then orders lab work to determine the patient’s exact levels of speci� c hormones such as estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, which is followed by a discussion of how those levels relate to the patient’s symptoms.

“After that, it’s a matter of educating the patient regard-ing the di� erent modalities of administering bioidentical hormone replacement because it’s not one size � ts all,’’ Dr. Dean says. “� e patient’s lifestyle and ability to remember to take something really plays into which modality will work best.

“For example, some people don’t really look at the topical cream as a medication, but it certainly is, and if they’re not good at taking something consistently, then a daily application is not going to work best for them.

“Finally, there is an ongoing management because intermittently – every four to six months – we get new labs and check where the patient’s levels are and how they’re feeling, and based on those levels, we can either change the dose or keep it as it is.”

Back in Line When Jan � rst began receiving bioidentical hormone replacement therapy nearly 20 years ago, she had just begun a new business venture, running a gym in Vero Beach. She says she never would have succeeded in that venture were it not for the hormone treatments.

“At the time, I was on antidepressants, but after a while, I was able to come o� those because I really wasn’t depressed,’’ Jan reveals. “It was the fact that my hormones were all out of whack. � at’s what was causing me to feel so down.

“My hormones were also causing me to lose a lot of energy, and the antidepressants were causing me to gain

ICING ON THE CAKEHormone replacement therapy renews spice for life

Melissa Dean, MD, specializes in internal and general preventative medicine and is an expert in treating menopause and andropause. She has also been expertly trained in the field of diabetes man-agement, hormone replacement and nutrition. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Florida Atlantic University in and her Master’s degree in the same discipline in . She earned her medical degree from Ross

University of Medicine in and completed her residency train-ing in internal medicine at Orlando Regional Medical Center. She was fellowship trained at the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and earned a second Master’s degree in Metabolic Medicine from the University of South Florida in . In addition to her work domestically, Dr. Dean has traveled to Ireland, Central America and the Amazon to either study local medicine or take part in medical missions.

To learn more about their treatment options, please visit www.deanwellnessinstitute.com

Dean Wellness InstituteDean Wellness Institute has been serving Vero Beach and its surrounding areas for over years. The institute is focused on providing a holistic approach to wellness and improved health and works closely with its patients to improve their quality of life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or visit them in Vero Beach at:

1345 36th St.Suite B

(772) 567-1500

Our Mission:To work with each patient in a team approach and provide the most up-to-date information in an integrative manner that empowers each patient to be the best they choose to be. Our focus is getting to the root cause of health issues, rather than just treating the symptom.

MELISSA DEAN, MD

weight. But once I started getting the hormone treat-ments, I started gaining energy back and losing weight.

“To give you an idea of how well the treatments work, my husband, whom I lost last year, used to be able to tell when my hormones were getting out of whack or I needed to get checked again because he could see my mood change.

“He used to say subtly, Isn’t it about time for you to go get a new pellet? And, of course, he was usually right because about that time, I’d start to feel a bit run down and a bit low, so it was obviously making a di� erence.

“� ere’s no question that I’m happier and have a lot more energy because of the hormone therapy. I know I’m aging, but I don’t feel like I’m aging at all. And I’ve felt like this for so long now that I’ve almost forgotten what it was I felt like before.”

� at, says Dr. Dean, is one of the great bene� ts of BHRT.

“Because of the advances in medicine and science, we’re living much longer now than we used to,’’ she says. “So the question is, how do you want to live the last thirty to forty years of your life?

“Some people would like to have something that helps them preserve their balance, their memory and gives them a renewed vitality and energy, things along these lines. � is is a method to do just that.”

Jan concurs.“Any woman of my age that I meet who complains

about anything, the first thing I tell them to do is go see Dr. Dean and get BHRT. It’s remarkable how well it works.” FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Cake graphic from Pixabay.com. nj

Expert in the FieldDr. Dean has been specially trained in the area of BHRT, which is designed to treat men and women whose hormones are low or out of balance. BHRT is considered the most natural and e� ective solution for hormone-related issues.

� ose issues include insomnia, vaginal dryness and an inability to focus. BHRT has also proven to be e� ective in preventing diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease while also slowing the aging process.

Bioidentical hormones are natural byproducts of a plant derivative that are molecularly identical to the hormones produced by the human body and

Page 2 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition integrative meDiCine

Visit them online at www.encompasshealth.com/treasurecoastrehab

Choose WiselyAsk the right questions when

seeking rehabilitation

S nowbird Beth*, 89, spent the entirety of her 35-year work-ing career serving the federal court system as a stenogra-pher, dutifully transcribing

trial proceedings in shorthand.� ere were no stenotype machines

back in her day, so the work made Beth tough, but that toughness was challenged late last year when she became ill during her annual visit to Florida.

“In October, there was an incident with Mom’s health I didn’t understand and neither did her doctor,” describes Beth’s daughter Stella. “She was being observed in the hospital, but ended up just lying in bed too long. I thought she needed to have therapy, so I asked the hos-pital sta� to transfer her to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital.

“When Mom came home from Encompass Health, she was � ne. But about two months later, she didn’t feel well again. I called an ambulance, and she went back to the hospital. They discovered she needed gallbladder sur-gery, so she had surgery and then went back to Encompass Health for postsur-gical rehabilitation. � at all happened around Christmas.”

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Treasure Coast is an acute-level rehabilitation hospital located in Vero Beach. It’s the only facility in the area that o� ers that level of care.

As a hospital, Encompass Health provides daily visits by two physicians and round-the-clock certified regis-tered nursing care. Patients also work with experienced therapists who guide them toward their goals and prepare them for returning home.

“I thought Encompass Health was the best facility for my mother,” Stella relates. “They provided three hours of physical therapy per day, not just an hour and a half like so many other centers. I didn’t want her just lying in bed. � at’s not what she’s going to rehabilitation for.

“During her three hours of physical therapy, Mom did a lot of walking and arm exercises. As part of her occupational therapy, she did picture matching and other fun activities, which she enjoyed. � e therapists did a good job of keeping her therapy interesting and entertaining.

“� ey use a lot of di� erent pieces of equipment when treating patients, depend-ing on their ability level and what’s wrong with them. It was very interesting to watch all the patients in di� erent modes of ther-apy with the equipment, not just Mom.”

Choice ChecklistWhen people need rehabilitation and are faced with a choice of where to go, it’s important they become informed consumers and understand the world of rehabilitation, stresses Dawn Bucaj, RN, BSN, senior rehab liaison at Encompass Health. Sometimes, consumers must fight for their right to choose the facility they desire.

“People want to make sure they’re given adequate choices that meet their speci� c needs when it comes to their rehabilitation decisions,” Dawn observes. “� e question becomes, How do patients make intelligent choices once they’re given a list of facilities at the hospital? � at’s generally what happens, then patients select a facility from the list.

“I’ve compiled some questions people and families can use to make informed decisions and choose facilities that work best for them.”

The first such question is whether the patient will be seen by a physician and if so, how often. Because patients leave acute-care hospitals very quickly, it’s important they are seen by a physi-cian during rehab. At Encompass Health, patients are seen by a combination of primary care and rehab physicians six to seven times per week.

“� e next question that needs to be asked is, Does the facility have all the nec-essary members of the rehab team on site?” Dawn states. “In addition to physicians, team members may include a speech-language therapist, physical and occu-pational therapists, a dietician, certi� ed rehab nurses, a respiratory therapist and a case manager. We have all these team members on sta� at Encompass Health.

“Also, ask about the number of hours of therapy provided to patients.

As an acute rehab hospital, Encompass Health is required to provide at least three hours of therapy per day.”

Further, it’s important to inquire about the facility’s percentage of patients who return to acute-care hospitals.

“Skilled nursing facilities have a dis-charge rate back to acute care of nearly twenty-� ve percent, while the rate for rehabilitation hospitals averages ten percent,” Dawn discloses. “� is is a re� ec-tion of the hospitals’ ability to maintain a higher level of care for their patients. Maintaining a low discharge rate to acute-care hospitals is an extremely important objective for Encompass Health.

“Another thing to explore is whether the facility has nurses on sta� who are certi� ed in rehabilitation. Also, ask about the technology they have available to deal with physical disabilities. Is it state-of-the-art? Encompass Health has rehab-certi� ed nurses and the most advanced technology for rehabilitation.

“Gathering all this information will increase people’s knowledge and help them make the best possible decision for themselves or their loved ones.”

After weighing the answers to these questions, people seeking rehabilitation can make an informed choice of a facility for their care, Dawn points out. She also notes it’s important for patients and fami-lies to ask for Encompass Health by name.

Wonderfully MotivatedStella describes her mother, Beth, as an out-to-dinner socialite who loves to play with her cat. She relied on Encompass Health to return her mom to health fol-lowing surgery and get her back to doing her favorite activities.

“When we went to Encompass Health the second time, the entire sta� met us in Mom’s room,” Stella recalls. “� ey said they saw my mother’s name on the dietary department list, so they knew we were coming back.

“As soon as I walked into Mom’s room, everybody was standing there greet-ing us. � ey all knew us, so it was just like family, with everybody gathered in Mom’s room to visit.

“The Encompass Health staff is absolutely wonderful. I can’t say enough about what they did for my mother. � ey did everything they could to keep

Mom motivated and moving forward during her rehabilitation.

“The staff was wonderful to my mother and me both times we were there. I admire everyone at Encompass Health for their professionalism and work ethic.”

Dawn’s checklist can be used to gather information to make an informed deci-sion on a rehabilitation facility. Stella had her own reasons for choosing Encompass Health for her mother’s rehabilitation.

“I chose Encompass Health because it’s the cleanest facility and the employees have the best attitude,” she enthuses. “And we get really good care there, especially when it comes to Mom’s therapy. � e ther-apy room is nice and big, and patients get a lot of attention. I feel more comfortable with my mom at Encompass Health.”

Stella says her mom, an Ohio native, is not particularly active. She prefers watching golf on TV over playing it her-self. But after Beth’s stay at Encompass Health, she felt up to par.

“Mom doesn’t play sports or golf,” Stella con� rms, “but she watches all the golf tournaments every week and cheers for her favorites, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods or whoever’s on at the time.

“My mother was at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Treasure Coast for ten days. She was dis-charged shortly after New Year’s. And since I brought her home, she’s been hold-ing her own. She has a good life.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photo by Nerissa Johnson.

Header stock photo from Pixabay. Sign graphic courtesy of

Encompass. mkb

*Names withheld at their request.

A Higher Level of Comprehensive Rehabilitation

ServicesEncompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Treasure Coast takes

patient self-referrals and referrals by patient families or advocates. They

welcome readers to tour the hospital seven days a week, no appointment

required! Contact the hospital in Vero Beach for an

in-home nursing evaluation.

1600 37th St.(772) 563-4070

We know how important it is to ask smart questions to help you or your loved one

make the right decision for rehabilitation. Questions such as:

• Will a physician see me daily?• What technologies are used in therapy?• Are nurses certi� ed in rehabilitation?• Am I guaranteed at least 15 hours of therapy

per week?

Smart questions lead to smart decisions. Call (772) 563-4070 for more information.

You make decisions every day. Are you making the right ones?

St. Lucie County Edition | Summer 2019 | Florida Health Care News | Page 3rehabilitation

Dr. Blank was awarded gold medals by the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (FACD) Scientifi c Session

competition, which is designed to reward excellence in clinical cosmetic dentistry. The FACD is an organization devoted to

seeking improvements in the science and art of cosmetic dentistry.

Gold Medal Winner

For That Healthy Smile

Dr. Blank and his staff look forward to meeting the readers of Florida Health Care News. To schedule an appointment or learn what Dr. Blank can do for your smile through a complimentary cosmetic consultat ion, call or visit his office in Port St. Lucie at:

184 NW Central Park Plaza

(772) 878-7348

We take great pride in treating one patient at a time like family. We are a private practice with one dentist with 37 years of experience. We are not part of a corporate dental chain. We believe in building relationships with our patients that make them an integral part of their own success. Scheduling is done with respect for our patients’ time, with double-booking not even considered. We do not measure success by how busy we are, but by our patients’ dental health. Care Credit is available for patients who need assistance with � nancing.

Your Own Virtual Smile Makeover

To learn more about Invisalign® by Dr. Blank, go to www.PSLDENTIST.com/

invisalign. For a complimentary Invisalign consultation, call the

offi ce and ask!

Private Care Dentistry

Jaime’s full mouth restoration has given him a bright new smile.

Stephen G. Blank, DDS, is a graduate of Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. He has since completed intensive continuing education studies. Dr. Blank has studied TMJ under Mark Piper, MD, DMD, at the Piper Education and Research Center. He has completed the course continuum at the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Blank was a clinical instructor with the Hornbrook Group, teaching dentists from all parts of the country in live hands-on courses on the various aspects of smile design, occlusion, full mouth reconstruction and complete patient care. He was a facilitator/mentor with the Dental Boot Kamp program. Dr. Blank has enjoyed teaching dental teams around the country.

(continued from page 1)

Dr. Blank invites you to visit his website at www.PSLDENTIST.com. Visit him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSLDentist

smile that Dr. Blank might not have been able to produce the way he did had Jaime waited much longer to address the grinding issue.

“If the teeth get too short and I prepare them to accept crowns, there may not be enough tooth left to grab the crown,” Dr. Blank explains. “When patients wait too long, the teeth are too short, and crowns may come o� . So, you need to have a certain amount of tooth to do this.

“� ankfully, Jaime’s teeth were not too worn down. Had his teeth gotten much shorter, his prognosis would have been worse. So, he’s a good example of why it’s never too late to come in and get a consultation to � nd out what can be done.

“A lot of people think their teeth are too far gone, and they stop caring for them. But I always tell patients, Keep caring for your teeth just in case we can � x them, because it gives us more to work with and gives the patient the best chance for a good outcome.”

Jaime got what he describes as an excellent outcome. He says the days of him smiling and no one seeing his teeth are over. He now has a “beautiful,” healthy smile that looks natural and that he is proud to show o� .

“Dr. Blank did a great job,” Jaime enthuses. “And he wasn’t pushy at all. When we were discussing the options I had and the best way to go about repairing the problem, he gave me the chance to make the decision that I was most comfortable with.

“� at was really important to me, because this was an invest-ment. Dr. Blank is just so professional and caring, and he told me if I ever had a problem with anything to visit the o� ce and he would follow up. He’s really exceptional, and I highly recommend him.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Patient photos by Nerissa Johnson. Before image courtesy of

Dr. Blank. mkb

Reaching New Heights

Dr. Blank has become a Medicare approved provider to deliver Apnea appliances for quali� ed patients. Dr. Blank works with your medical doctor

for patients that cannot tolerate their CPAP machine. A follow-up sleep study veri� es the e� ectiveness of the appliance. A dental evaluation is

needed to determine if a patient is a candidate for Oral Apnea Appliances. Call today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

S leep apnea is a serious condition in which the body lit-erally stops breathing dozens of times during the night. � ese frequent stops rob the brain and body of the oxy-gen it needs to refresh itself and stay healthy and alert.

� e results often cause su� erers to wake up feeling tired because, unbeknownst to them, they did not get the proper amount of deep sleep they need to be at their best. For su� erers of such symptoms, Dr. Blank has a � x called the Custom Fit Dorsal Fin.

T h e Cu s t o m Fit Dorsal Fin is a custom-� t sleep appli-ance that is � t with a moveable block in the back that allows the patient to recalibrate the appliance so that it opens the airway enough to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

As with most snore guards, the Custom Fit Dorsal Fin takes some getting used to, but not much, according to Dr. Blank, who wore the appliance himself after he suspected he was su� ering from symptoms of sleep apnea.

“It probably took me two or three days to get used to wearing it, but now I feel odd if I don’t have it in at night,’’ Dr. Blank says. “Best of all, I’m sleeping better. I know because I feel fresher in the morning when I get up.

“I’m hitting my goal of getting at least seven hours of actual sleep. � at’s what this appliance is designed to do, because peo-ple want results. � ey want to stop snoring, get a good night’s sleep and feel healthier. � is appliance helps them do that.”

Doctor-Tested Sleep Appliance Works Wonders

Page 4 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition

Barry LevineExecutive Publisher

Mike DeckerAssociate Publisher

Gina L. d’AngeloCFO/HR

Roy CummingsEditorial Supervisor

Michelle BrooksCreative Director

Brian LevineProject Coordinator

Patti DiPanfiloAnnette MardisEditorial Staff

Laura EngelProduction Assistant

Nerissa JohnsonGraphic Designer

Nerissa JohnsonJordan PyszFred BelletPhotography

Steve TurkMario Hill

Kent BoothRobert MizeGary SmithDistribution

Stephen Blank, DDSCosmetic Dentistry

Dean Wellness InstituteIntegrative Medicine

Encompass Health Rehabilita-tion Hospital of Treasure Coast

Rehabilitation

Center for Advanced Eye CareOphthalmology

Slim Body Laser SpaLaser Aesthetics

South Florida Eye ClinicOphthalmology

Stuart Periodontics, P.A.Comprehensive Dentistry

Regenerative Biologics InstituteStem Cell Treatment

Florida Pain Management Associates

Pain Management

Acute Wound CareCompression Therapy

The Dry Eye Spa & V.I.P. Laser Eye Center

Dry Eye Treatment

215 Bullard ParkwayTemple Terrace, FL 33617

(813) 989-1330

Florida Health Care News

Florida Health Care News is published by Florida Health Care News, Inc.

Florida Health Care News, Inc., reserves the right to decline any advertising/marketing article.

Florida Health Care News is provided for information only and should not be construed as health care advice or instruction. If you have questions concerning articles in this edition, feel free to call our contributing editors.

Florida Health Care News provides a paid forum for health care professionals to present their ideas about various aspects of health care treatment and proce-dures. Florida Health Care News, Inc. is not responsible for the health care delivered by the contributing editors presented in this edition.

Articles reflect the opinion of the sponsoring profes-sional or organization and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other contributing editors. Contributing editors have approved all text contained within their respective articles.

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RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE

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CosmetiC Dentistry

Needa

Lift?

Upper eyelid surgery improves vision, appearance

Alice Arcand

William J. Mallon, MD, is board certifi ed by the prestigious American Board of Ophthalmology. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, East Lansing, he was awarded his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Mallon served his internship at Methodist Hospital, Memphis, TN, and completed his residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, followed by a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic & reconstructive surgery in Memphis. He is a member

of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, and is past president of the board of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology.

Adam M. Katz, MD, is board certified by the prestigious American Board of Ophthalmology. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Union College in New York, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, he was awarded his medical degree from Albany Medical College, NY. Dr. Katz completed his internship in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. After completing a three-year residency in ophthalmology at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan, he went on to complete a one-year medical retina fellowship at NYU and a second two-year

retina fellowship in Memphis with world-renowned retinal surgeon Steve Charles, MD. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Florida State University and served as President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. Dr. Katz has more than years of clinical experience treating patients with retinal and vitreous disorders.

Alexander D. Blandford, MD, is a board-certifi ed ophthalmologist with a focus in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Blandford completed a two-year fellowship approved by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS) at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. While a fel-low at the Cleveland Clinic, he was awarded the Outstanding Clinical Fellow Award and the Knights Templar Research Award by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Dr. Blandford completed his residency in ophthalmology at the

University of Florida, where he served as chief resident and was elected the Resident of the Year. Originally from Lexington, KY, Dr. Blandford attended medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, where he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and received the Clinical Translational Science Research Grant.

Alice

WILLIAM J. MALLON, MDADAM M. KATZ, MD

J. MICHAEL SCHNELL, MDSARAH S. KHODADADEH, MDEDWARD S. BRANIGAN III, MD

ALEXANDER D. BLANDFORD, MDDOMINICK BENEDETTO, MD

For more information, please visit the Center for Advanced Eye Care online at www.caec.info

Seeing Better

The caring staff at the Center for Advanced Eye Care welcomes

your questions about cataracts, intraocular lenses to correct vision,

retinal issues, glaucoma surgery and all other eye concerns. For

more information or to schedule a consultation, call or visit their

offi ces in Vero Beach at:

3500 US Hwy. 1(772) 299-1404

Back in the mid Sixties, when the United States was taking the lead in the space race against the Soviet Union and

developing the technology that allowed man to walk on the moon, Alice Arcand literally had a hand in making that history happen.

“My sister and I came down to Florida and took jobs at Cape Canaveral for a while,” Alice explains. “I was a typist for testing procedures during the Gemini and Apollo missions. It was interesting work, to say the least, and a lot of fun.

“One of the interesting things was, we typed on typewriters with ribbons back then, and at the end of the day, someone would always collect all the rib-bons because the information we were typing was top secret.”

Now 75 and a resident of Hutchinson Island, Alice has long been a regular patient at the Center for Advanced Eye Care, where she has been under the pri-mary care of Adam M. Katz, MD, and recently had cataract surgery performed by William J. Mallon, MD.

It was during her annual eye exam last December that Alice mentioned that her sagging upper eyelids, an issue Dr. Katz had been monitoring for a cou-ple of years, had drooped to a point where they were a� ecting her vision.

“� ere wasn’t enough light getting into my eyes, especially the right eye,” shares Alice. “And my peripheral vision was a� ected as well, which made it more di� cult to drive.”

Upon examining Alice, Dr. Katz agreed that the problem had reached a point where it needed to be addressed and recommended Alice visit his associ-ate at the Center for Advanced Eye Care, Alexander D. Blandford, MD.

Dr. Blandford is a board-certified ophthalmologist who completed an addi-tional two-year accredited fellowship in oculofacial plastic surgery at the presti-gious Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute and specializes in cosmetic and recon-structive surgery around the eyes and face.

In addition to performing upper eyelid (eyelid lift) and lower eyelid (lower bag removal) surgery, brow lifts

and nonsurgical skin treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal � llers, Dr. Blandford also specializes in skin cancer removal/reconstruction, orbital surgery and tear drainage system surgery.

Birthdays and Gravity “Alice came to me with a complaint of having trouble getting enough light into her eyes and having to lift her eyelids up with her � ngers to be able to see better,” Dr. Blandford explains. “She also said she looked a lot more tired and almost asleep compared to the way she actually felt.

“� ese are complaints I hear often from patients as birthdays and gravity result in extra tissue encroaching on the upper eyelids, often resulting in skin cov-ering the eyelashes and creating lateral hooding of the upper eyelid. Patients may also have weakness in one of the muscles that elevates the eyelid, called ptosis. � ese changes can not only create a cosmetic problem, but in some cases can actually impair a patient’s vision and abil-ity to enjoy their daily activities.

Dr. Blandford says issues of this nature need to be identi� ed prior to sur-gery through a thorough examination. Following just such an examination of Alice, Dr. Blandford concluded that Alice needed to undergo two procedures on each eye to correct the issue a� ecting her vision.

� e � rst is called an upper blepha-roplasty, or eyelid lift, which is designed to remove excess skin and/or fatty tissue from the eyelid. � e second is called pto-sis surgery, which involves repairing or tightening the muscle that is responsible for lifting the eyelid.

“The Whole Package” Dr. Blandford performed these proce-dures while Alice was under intravenous sedation, which allowed her to be awake and breathing but relaxed during the pro-cess. � e combined surgeries took about 45 minutes to complete and both were performed through one incision in the skin of the eyelid.

“Everybody is a little di� erent, but if the patient doesn’t have significant extra eyelid skin and a ptosis is the pri-mary problem, we also have the option of tightening the muscle from the inside of the eyelid without an external incision,” Dr. Blandford notes. “Either way, every

patient has a customized plan in terms of their surgery.”

Alice had her upper blepharoplasties and ptosis surgeries last October. Prior to the surgeries, Dr. Blandford went through every step of both procedures he would eventually perform, and he was mindful of her well-being during the course of each procedure as well.

“He was very attentive and kept ask-ing me, Are you okay? Are you okay?” Alice reports. “� at helped to put me more at ease. He also called me the weekend after my surgery from Chicago, where he was attending a conference, to check on me. He’s so kind and so professional. He’s the whole package as far as I’m concerned.

“� e work he does is exceptional. I even got a little cosmetic bonus out of it. � at’s not the reason I had it done, but by removing that excess skin and tightening up my eyelids, my eyes look a lot better. � ere’s de� nitely a di� erence in the way I look, which I really like. And of course, I can see a lot better now and have a more rested appearance.

“� at is what I was most concerned with. � at’s why I decided to have the surgery in the � rst place, and immedi-ately after the swelling went down, my eyes were open more and more light was coming in, and my vision all around was much, much better. Dr. Blandford did a great job, and I recommend him to anyone!”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Patient photo by Nerissa

Johnson. mkb

St. Lucie County Edition | Summer 2019 | Florida Health Care News | Page 5ophthalmology

TRED J. RISSACHER, DC

Results may vary from person to person based on di� erent factors, and there is no guarantee for speci� c results. Testimonials and examples found in this publication, in our article from the Slim Body Laser Spa of Stuart, are veri� ed results that have been actually achieved by our clients as described. However, these results may not apply to the average person and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.

FDA indications for use FDA 510(k) � e Lapex is intended to emit energy in the visible and infrared spectrum to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and sti� ness, minor arthritis pain or muscle spasm, the temporary increase in local blood circulation and/or temporary relaxation of muscle.

VIP Priority SchedulingThe first 20 people to schedule

an appointment may begin their treatments right

away. These VIP priority-scheduling times are the most sought-after times available, so

call today for your VIP time.

For more information, please visit www.slimbodylaserspa.com

Treatment AreasDr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-

Assisted Weight Loss System can eff ectively

treat the following problems in both men

and women:• Belly fat• Chin fat• Upper arm fat• Mu� n top• Thigh fat• Bra bulges

And more

B&As of Dr. Tred’s patients

9 treatments/3 weeks time Total inch loss = 7”lost . inches in sessions in weeks

Tred J. Rissacher, DC, completed his under-graduate studies at Indian River Community College and earned his Doctorate degree in Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. He attends postgradu-ate seminars on the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders. The Lapex BCS is being used “off label” for spot fat reduction and laser-assisted weight loss.

SE Ocean Blvd.Suite A

Stuart

(772) 223-5885

Here’s where you can find us:

Dr. Tred lost pounds and inches using his own laser-assisted

weight loss system.

Dr. Tred Rissacher has devoted his practice to helping peo-ple safely lose stubborn pounds and inches. When

he started to develop symptoms of pre-diabetes due to his own excess weight gain, he � rst tried dieting and exercising, but the weight did not come o� .

The solution, he realized, was the fat-shrinking system he uses with his patients every day.

“I decided to really commit to my own laser program that I recommend to others,” he

BEFORE

AFTER

Doctor Commits to His Own

Weight Loss Programobserves. “I began the laser program, and within four weeks, I dropped ten inches.”

He also lost 30 pounds in less than six weeks, and his health issue disappeared.

“My diabe-tes responded beautifully to my weight loss. It resolved as soon as I lost weight and got rid of the inches.”

Dr. Tred was pleased with his accom-plishments, but he didn’t stop there. He decided to continue with his treatments. As a result, he added to his weight and inch loss totals.

“As of the � rst of May 2014, I lost forty pounds and twelve inches and dropped three pant sizes in less than eight weeks using my own LipoLaser Weight Loss System,” he describes. “I am also enjoying more energy and better health than I have had in years.

“What’s more important is I’m keep-ing it o� ,” he adds. “I have not gained back any of the weight or inches because I con-tinue to use the laser and watch what I eat.

“I believed in this product before I tried it myself, but now I can say from experience, It really works!”

Areas Served:Stuart, Hobe Sound, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point, Jupiter, Saint Lucie West, Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Okeechobee  

Gregory Gollhofer is a smart man. Not only did he work in information technology for 37 years, he also � ed the brutal cold of the Brooklyn,

New York winters and moved to balmy Florida, where he’s lived for the past 34 years.

For most of his life, however, Gregory struggled to lose weight, especially the extra fat on his belly and chest. But he was smart enough to know when to look in a new direction when fancy diets didn’t work.

now, I’m between a thirty-six and thirty-eight waist to even things out, and I went down to large shirts.

“When I’m not at Slim Body Laser Spa, I walk about five miles and do forty-five minutes of aerobic exercise in the pool. And for the past four months, I’ve eaten better and lost about thirty-four pounds total to � nish at a lean one hundred ninety-� ve pounds.”

Both Gregory and Lizette are impressed with Dr. Tred, his sta� and especially his laser-assisted weight-loss program. � ey both experienced dramatic results in only nine sessions in three weeks. � us, they believe in the science behind the laser treatments and have achieved the results to prove it. � ey’re happy to share what they’ve learned.

“I would suggest Dr. Tred’s program at Slim Body Laser Spa to anyone because it was a totally exciting experience for me,” Lizette says. “Anyone can walk in there and lose three and a half or four inches in three weeks. � at’s quite a bit, and it’s pretty impressive.”

“I totally recommend Dr. Tred’s pro-gram to my friends,” Gregory agrees. “It’s an excellent option for losing weight. With it, there are no side e� ects, no pain, no surgery and no dangerous injections. Dr. Tred’s pro-gram helped me reduce my size, gain energy and con� dence, and achieve a good weight for better health.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo Photos by Nerissa Johnson.

Before and after images courtesy of Slim Body Laser Spa.Header

photo & bomb graphic from Pixabay.com. nj

*Patient’s name withheld at her request.

Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System is like a dream come true. With it, many people can lose one to � ve inches of measured girth while lying on their backs for 30 minutes three times per week for three weeks. � at’s with no strict calorie reduc-tion or excessive exercise.

“ Thi s dream has become reality in the form of today’s FDA-approved technology called low-level laser lipo machines, also known as red light lasers,” Dr. Tred notes. “� ere’s no longer a need for people to subject themselves to the risks associated with sur-gical interventions such as liposuction and tummy tucks, or the use of thermal energy such as fat freezing and hot lasers.

“When applied to the fat layer under-neath the skin, low-level laser therapy will produce predictable, consistent,

vibration comes in. Whole body vibration use accelerates this transfer of energy.

“Without whole body vibration, it would take two to three days for the body to burn the released calories. Whole body vibration does it e� ectively in only ten minutes, so patients get results quicker and lose inches more consistently than they would if they relied on home exercise to burn the calories.”

“� e laser sessions were very calming, and there was music playing while I was get-ting treated,” Gregory describes. “� e sta� put me at ease and made me feel secure that there’d be no outside interference. I got the laser on two spots, my belly and my chest.

“� e treatments were nothing. All I had to do was lie on a table, and the sta� placed laser paddles on my problem areas, then they moved the paddles every ten minutes. When I finished with that, I went on a special shaking machine for twenty minutes, and that was one complete treatment.”

While the program does not require calorie restriction or strenuous activity, Dr. Tred does mention that diet modi� ca-tion and some exercise can help the process be more sustaining.

“Patients do need to eat right and move around in order for the results from the low-level laser treatments to be long-lasting,” he urges. “People will be more than happy with the results they see if they follow the entire plan.”

Southern ComfortAlabama native Lizette* moved to Florida in 2011 after retiring from 20-plus years in the industrial supply business. She says she wasn’t old enough to retire, but her husband urged her to do it anyway, so she agreed. � e downside to not working, however, was that her activity level decreased, which had a negative e� ect on her body.

“I put on some pounds from not doing anything,” Lizette shares. “I developed a double chin, and my stomach was really sticking out. I’d never been overweight, and I was very uncomfortable.

“My clothes felt uncomfortable on my body. I wouldn’t wear � tted clothes, like � t-ted shirts or dresses, nothing that actually showed my bulges. I wore more loose-� tting clothes because I felt so fat.”

Gregory Gollhofer

Lizette learned about Slim Body Laser Spa and Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System at a local fundraiser she attended. At the fundraiser, the spa’s sta� made a positive � rst impression on Lizette.

“The people at Slim Body Laser Spa were just so upbeat when I went for my con-sultation,” Lizette recalls. “I loved Dr. Tred. He was a wonderful person and a class act. I was so impressed that I signed up for the entire three-week, nine-session program.”

� oughts of weight loss were foremost on Lizette’s mind. She was already exercising regularly by swimming in her pool. She was excited about starting Dr. Tred’s program and seeing what the laser could do for her. Like Gregory, Lizette found the treatments comfortable and calming.

“I was totally surprised by the laser sessions. � ey were very relaxing,” Lizette con� rms. “I just lay there and listened to the music. I took a nap while I was getting the treatments. And after the laser sessions, I went on the whole body vibration machine for ten minutes, which was wonderful. I liked it so much, I bought one for home.”

Strict dieting is not required with Dr. Tred’s program, but staff at Slim Body Laser Spa dis-cuss good nutrition with program participants. Lizette took advantage of that bene� t and made some key changes to her daily eating plan.

“� e sta� was very encouraging as far as diet, using high-protein drinks and other nutrition suggestions,” she relates. “I got into new eating habits, which was a won-derful experience for me.

“� ere were two things I pretty much cut out of my diet, sugar and bread. I occasionally have half a sandwich, but it’s very rare for me to go to a restaurant and order a sandwich. My husband is following my exercise and diet plan with me, which makes it easier.”

Gregory was also pleased with the nutri-tion advice he got from the sta� at Slim Body Laser Spa. He liked that they didn’t expect him to follow a complex meal plan, like the one the dietitian created for him, or an extremely low-calorie diet.

“� ere was no crazy diet,” he assures, “� e sta� gave me information on certain vegeta-bles and fruits I should eat. � e information included the number of calories and amount of sugar they contain compared to what I was eating. � ey stressed getting enough protein for my body to function during the day.”

Goal Outcomes AchievedDr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System did for Gregory and Lizette what diets and exercise alone had failed to accomplish. And they were amazed by how quickly they saw changes in their bodies after starting the program.

“After three treatments, I could tell a dif-ference in the way my clothes were � tting,” Lizette enthuses. “At the end of my third treat-ment, they measured me, and I’d already lost several inches. After nine sessions, I lost a total of eleven and a half inches and twelve pounds.

“It was awesome. It was so exciting to see the changes in my body. I had a waistline again. I could wear clothes I wouldn’t wear before, like those � tted shirts and dresses.”

Gregory had a similar experience. He realized a difference in his body even sooner, experiencing results right o� the bat.

“� e changes started right away after the � rst

session,” he marvels. “I noticed I dropped a pound or so of weight, and the size of my body changed. I could tell by the clothing I was wearing.

“I went for nine sessions in three weeks and lost � ve and a half inches o� my belly and one and three-quarters inches o� my chest. I also lost nine pounds during that time. I was ecstatic, so I signed up for addi-tional treatments.”

Like Lizette, Gregory also felt more comfortable in his clothes after his laser treatments. He was so pleased with his results, he used them as a springboard to begin a healthier lifestyle that included a nutritious diet and regular exercise. � ese changes proved very successful for him.

“Before I went to Slim Body Laser Spa, I was wearing size forty or larger pants and extra-large shirts,” Gregory reports. “Right

sustainable inch reduction without pain, downtime, rigid food discipline or strenu-ous exercise. Areas such as the belly, chest, back, thighs, arms and chin can all be safely improved using laser lipo.”

When compared to classic weight loss, the dif-ference is the laser, which works directly on the prob-lem fat cells, causing them to release their contents and shrink. Each 30-minute laser session releases approx-imately 40 to 60 grams of free fatty acids, or 400 to 600 calories, into the body’s surrounding tissue.

Dr. Tred explains, “� e laser treatments release stored calories from the fatty layer of cells, which the body burns as energy. It’s a slow process for the body to absorb and convert those calories into energy with normal exercise and time. � at’s where a process called whole body

Gregory used his weight loss at Slim Body Laser Spa as a springboard for a

healthier lifestyle.

Drop stubborn pounds and inches while lying on your back

“I went for nine sessions in three weeks and lost � ve and a half inches o� my belly and one and three-quarters inches o� my chest. I also lost nine pounds during that time.” –

Greg

ory

“A� er nine sessions, I lost a total of eleven and a half inches and twelve pounds. . . . It was so exciting to see the changes in my body.” –

Lize

tte

“At one point, I weighed two hundred and twenty-nine pounds, was wearing size forty pants and extra-large shirts, and even they didn’t feel comfortable on me,” Gregory reveals. “So, I tried one of those big diet programs.

“I lost fifty pounds, but the weight came right back. I tried to convince myself that program was the way to go, so I went on it a second time, and the same thing happened, so I learned that diet program really didn’t work for me.

“� en, I went to a dietitian, and she taught me how to eat, what to eat and what portions to eat, which was excellent. But fol-lowing that meal plan was too complex, so I didn’t maintain my weight loss.”

When his attempts at dieting failed, Gregory didn’t give up. He remained open to new approaches to losing weight and eventually discovered a unique option in an unlikely place – his doctor’s waiting room.

While waiting for an appointment, Gregory picked up a copy of Florida Health Care News and read an article about Tred Rissacher, DC, and the Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System he o� ers at Slim Body Laser Spa in Stuart.

“When I read the article, I said, � is is something I’ve never thought about before. Maybe I should look into it and learn more about it,” Gregory remembers, “So, I made an appointment for a consultation to see what was involved with the program.

“My first impression of the spa was excellent. � e people who work with you are very professional. Then I met with Dr. Tred, and I was impressed by his knowl-edge. He explained how everything worked.

“Before meeting with Dr. Tred, whenever I thought about lasers, I thought of some-thing destructive. But Dr. Tred explained that his laser system is designed to heal the body and could help me lose weight.”

BOMBARD BELLY FATPage 6 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition Laser aesthetics

TRED J. RISSACHER, DC

Results may vary from person to person based on di� erent factors, and there is no guarantee for speci� c results. Testimonials and examples found in this publication, in our article from the Slim Body Laser Spa of Stuart, are veri� ed results that have been actually achieved by our clients as described. However, these results may not apply to the average person and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.

FDA indications for use FDA 510(k) � e Lapex is intended to emit energy in the visible and infrared spectrum to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and sti� ness, minor arthritis pain or muscle spasm, the temporary increase in local blood circulation and/or temporary relaxation of muscle.

VIP Priority SchedulingThe first 20 people to schedule

an appointment may begin their treatments right

away. These VIP priority-scheduling times are the most sought-after times available, so

call today for your VIP time.

For more information, please visit www.slimbodylaserspa.com

Treatment AreasDr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-

Assisted Weight Loss System can eff ectively

treat the following problems in both men

and women:• Belly fat• Chin fat• Upper arm fat• Mu� n top• Thigh fat• Bra bulges

And more

B&As of Dr. Tred’s patients

9 treatments/3 weeks time Total inch loss = 7”lost . inches in sessions in weeks

Tred J. Rissacher, DC, completed his under-graduate studies at Indian River Community College and earned his Doctorate degree in Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. He attends postgradu-ate seminars on the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders. The Lapex BCS is being used “off label” for spot fat reduction and laser-assisted weight loss.

SE Ocean Blvd.Suite A

Stuart

(772) 223-5885

Here’s where you can find us:

Dr. Tred lost pounds and inches using his own laser-assisted

weight loss system.

Dr. Tred Rissacher has devoted his practice to helping peo-ple safely lose stubborn pounds and inches. When

he started to develop symptoms of pre-diabetes due to his own excess weight gain, he � rst tried dieting and exercising, but the weight did not come o� .

The solution, he realized, was the fat-shrinking system he uses with his patients every day.

“I decided to really commit to my own laser program that I recommend to others,” he

BEFORE

AFTER

Doctor Commits to His Own

Weight Loss Programobserves. “I began the laser program, and within four weeks, I dropped ten inches.”

He also lost 30 pounds in less than six weeks, and his health issue disappeared.

“My diabe-tes responded beautifully to my weight loss. It resolved as soon as I lost weight and got rid of the inches.”

Dr. Tred was pleased with his accom-plishments, but he didn’t stop there. He decided to continue with his treatments. As a result, he added to his weight and inch loss totals.

“As of the � rst of May 2014, I lost forty pounds and twelve inches and dropped three pant sizes in less than eight weeks using my own LipoLaser Weight Loss System,” he describes. “I am also enjoying more energy and better health than I have had in years.

“What’s more important is I’m keep-ing it o� ,” he adds. “I have not gained back any of the weight or inches because I con-tinue to use the laser and watch what I eat.

“I believed in this product before I tried it myself, but now I can say from experience, It really works!”

Areas Served:Stuart, Hobe Sound, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point, Jupiter, Saint Lucie West, Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Okeechobee  

Gregory Gollhofer is a smart man. Not only did he work in information technology for 37 years, he also � ed the brutal cold of the Brooklyn,

New York winters and moved to balmy Florida, where he’s lived for the past 34 years.

For most of his life, however, Gregory struggled to lose weight, especially the extra fat on his belly and chest. But he was smart enough to know when to look in a new direction when fancy diets didn’t work.

now, I’m between a thirty-six and thirty-eight waist to even things out, and I went down to large shirts.

“When I’m not at Slim Body Laser Spa, I walk about five miles and do forty-five minutes of aerobic exercise in the pool. And for the past four months, I’ve eaten better and lost about thirty-four pounds total to � nish at a lean one hundred ninety-� ve pounds.”

Both Gregory and Lizette are impressed with Dr. Tred, his sta� and especially his laser-assisted weight-loss program. � ey both experienced dramatic results in only nine sessions in three weeks. � us, they believe in the science behind the laser treatments and have achieved the results to prove it. � ey’re happy to share what they’ve learned.

“I would suggest Dr. Tred’s program at Slim Body Laser Spa to anyone because it was a totally exciting experience for me,” Lizette says. “Anyone can walk in there and lose three and a half or four inches in three weeks. � at’s quite a bit, and it’s pretty impressive.”

“I totally recommend Dr. Tred’s pro-gram to my friends,” Gregory agrees. “It’s an excellent option for losing weight. With it, there are no side e� ects, no pain, no surgery and no dangerous injections. Dr. Tred’s pro-gram helped me reduce my size, gain energy and con� dence, and achieve a good weight for better health.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo Photos by Nerissa Johnson.

Before and after images courtesy of Slim Body Laser Spa.Header

photo & bomb graphic from Pixabay.com. nj

*Patient’s name withheld at her request.

Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System is like a dream come true. With it, many people can lose one to � ve inches of measured girth while lying on their backs for 30 minutes three times per week for three weeks. � at’s with no strict calorie reduc-tion or excessive exercise.

“ Thi s dream has become reality in the form of today’s FDA-approved technology called low-level laser lipo machines, also known as red light lasers,” Dr. Tred notes. “� ere’s no longer a need for people to subject themselves to the risks associated with sur-gical interventions such as liposuction and tummy tucks, or the use of thermal energy such as fat freezing and hot lasers.

“When applied to the fat layer under-neath the skin, low-level laser therapy will produce predictable, consistent,

vibration comes in. Whole body vibration use accelerates this transfer of energy.

“Without whole body vibration, it would take two to three days for the body to burn the released calories. Whole body vibration does it e� ectively in only ten minutes, so patients get results quicker and lose inches more consistently than they would if they relied on home exercise to burn the calories.”

“� e laser sessions were very calming, and there was music playing while I was get-ting treated,” Gregory describes. “� e sta� put me at ease and made me feel secure that there’d be no outside interference. I got the laser on two spots, my belly and my chest.

“� e treatments were nothing. All I had to do was lie on a table, and the sta� placed laser paddles on my problem areas, then they moved the paddles every ten minutes. When I finished with that, I went on a special shaking machine for twenty minutes, and that was one complete treatment.”

While the program does not require calorie restriction or strenuous activity, Dr. Tred does mention that diet modi� ca-tion and some exercise can help the process be more sustaining.

“Patients do need to eat right and move around in order for the results from the low-level laser treatments to be long-lasting,” he urges. “People will be more than happy with the results they see if they follow the entire plan.”

Southern ComfortAlabama native Lizette* moved to Florida in 2011 after retiring from 20-plus years in the industrial supply business. She says she wasn’t old enough to retire, but her husband urged her to do it anyway, so she agreed. � e downside to not working, however, was that her activity level decreased, which had a negative e� ect on her body.

“I put on some pounds from not doing anything,” Lizette shares. “I developed a double chin, and my stomach was really sticking out. I’d never been overweight, and I was very uncomfortable.

“My clothes felt uncomfortable on my body. I wouldn’t wear � tted clothes, like � t-ted shirts or dresses, nothing that actually showed my bulges. I wore more loose-� tting clothes because I felt so fat.”

Gregory Gollhofer

Lizette learned about Slim Body Laser Spa and Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System at a local fundraiser she attended. At the fundraiser, the spa’s sta� made a positive � rst impression on Lizette.

“The people at Slim Body Laser Spa were just so upbeat when I went for my con-sultation,” Lizette recalls. “I loved Dr. Tred. He was a wonderful person and a class act. I was so impressed that I signed up for the entire three-week, nine-session program.”

� oughts of weight loss were foremost on Lizette’s mind. She was already exercising regularly by swimming in her pool. She was excited about starting Dr. Tred’s program and seeing what the laser could do for her. Like Gregory, Lizette found the treatments comfortable and calming.

“I was totally surprised by the laser sessions. � ey were very relaxing,” Lizette con� rms. “I just lay there and listened to the music. I took a nap while I was getting the treatments. And after the laser sessions, I went on the whole body vibration machine for ten minutes, which was wonderful. I liked it so much, I bought one for home.”

Strict dieting is not required with Dr. Tred’s program, but staff at Slim Body Laser Spa dis-cuss good nutrition with program participants. Lizette took advantage of that bene� t and made some key changes to her daily eating plan.

“� e sta� was very encouraging as far as diet, using high-protein drinks and other nutrition suggestions,” she relates. “I got into new eating habits, which was a won-derful experience for me.

“� ere were two things I pretty much cut out of my diet, sugar and bread. I occasionally have half a sandwich, but it’s very rare for me to go to a restaurant and order a sandwich. My husband is following my exercise and diet plan with me, which makes it easier.”

Gregory was also pleased with the nutri-tion advice he got from the sta� at Slim Body Laser Spa. He liked that they didn’t expect him to follow a complex meal plan, like the one the dietitian created for him, or an extremely low-calorie diet.

“� ere was no crazy diet,” he assures, “� e sta� gave me information on certain vegeta-bles and fruits I should eat. � e information included the number of calories and amount of sugar they contain compared to what I was eating. � ey stressed getting enough protein for my body to function during the day.”

Goal Outcomes AchievedDr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System did for Gregory and Lizette what diets and exercise alone had failed to accomplish. And they were amazed by how quickly they saw changes in their bodies after starting the program.

“After three treatments, I could tell a dif-ference in the way my clothes were � tting,” Lizette enthuses. “At the end of my third treat-ment, they measured me, and I’d already lost several inches. After nine sessions, I lost a total of eleven and a half inches and twelve pounds.

“It was awesome. It was so exciting to see the changes in my body. I had a waistline again. I could wear clothes I wouldn’t wear before, like those � tted shirts and dresses.”

Gregory had a similar experience. He realized a difference in his body even sooner, experiencing results right o� the bat.

“� e changes started right away after the � rst

session,” he marvels. “I noticed I dropped a pound or so of weight, and the size of my body changed. I could tell by the clothing I was wearing.

“I went for nine sessions in three weeks and lost � ve and a half inches o� my belly and one and three-quarters inches o� my chest. I also lost nine pounds during that time. I was ecstatic, so I signed up for addi-tional treatments.”

Like Lizette, Gregory also felt more comfortable in his clothes after his laser treatments. He was so pleased with his results, he used them as a springboard to begin a healthier lifestyle that included a nutritious diet and regular exercise. � ese changes proved very successful for him.

“Before I went to Slim Body Laser Spa, I was wearing size forty or larger pants and extra-large shirts,” Gregory reports. “Right

sustainable inch reduction without pain, downtime, rigid food discipline or strenu-ous exercise. Areas such as the belly, chest, back, thighs, arms and chin can all be safely improved using laser lipo.”

When compared to classic weight loss, the dif-ference is the laser, which works directly on the prob-lem fat cells, causing them to release their contents and shrink. Each 30-minute laser session releases approx-imately 40 to 60 grams of free fatty acids, or 400 to 600 calories, into the body’s surrounding tissue.

Dr. Tred explains, “� e laser treatments release stored calories from the fatty layer of cells, which the body burns as energy. It’s a slow process for the body to absorb and convert those calories into energy with normal exercise and time. � at’s where a process called whole body

Gregory used his weight loss at Slim Body Laser Spa as a springboard for a

healthier lifestyle.

Drop stubborn pounds and inches while lying on your back

“I went for nine sessions in three weeks and lost � ve and a half inches o� my belly and one and three-quarters inches o� my chest. I also lost nine pounds during that time.” –

Greg

ory

“A� er nine sessions, I lost a total of eleven and a half inches and twelve pounds. . . . It was so exciting to see the changes in my body.” –

Lize

tte

“At one point, I weighed two hundred and twenty-nine pounds, was wearing size forty pants and extra-large shirts, and even they didn’t feel comfortable on me,” Gregory reveals. “So, I tried one of those big diet programs.

“I lost fifty pounds, but the weight came right back. I tried to convince myself that program was the way to go, so I went on it a second time, and the same thing happened, so I learned that diet program really didn’t work for me.

“� en, I went to a dietitian, and she taught me how to eat, what to eat and what portions to eat, which was excellent. But fol-lowing that meal plan was too complex, so I didn’t maintain my weight loss.”

When his attempts at dieting failed, Gregory didn’t give up. He remained open to new approaches to losing weight and eventually discovered a unique option in an unlikely place – his doctor’s waiting room.

While waiting for an appointment, Gregory picked up a copy of Florida Health Care News and read an article about Tred Rissacher, DC, and the Ultimate Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System he o� ers at Slim Body Laser Spa in Stuart.

“When I read the article, I said, � is is something I’ve never thought about before. Maybe I should look into it and learn more about it,” Gregory remembers, “So, I made an appointment for a consultation to see what was involved with the program.

“My first impression of the spa was excellent. � e people who work with you are very professional. Then I met with Dr. Tred, and I was impressed by his knowl-edge. He explained how everything worked.

“Before meeting with Dr. Tred, whenever I thought about lasers, I thought of some-thing destructive. But Dr. Tred explained that his laser system is designed to heal the body and could help me lose weight.”

BOMBARD BELLY FATSt. Lucie County Edition | Summer 2019 | Florida Health Care News | Page 7Laser aesthetics

For Eye Floater SolutionsSouth Florida Eye Clinic is located

in Fort Myers at:

4755 Summerlin Rd. Call Dr. Geller at:

(239) 275-8222or toll-free at:

(877) 371-3937

Scott L. Geller, MD, is board certifi ed by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Rush Medical College. While in medical school, he was awarded a student fellowship to study tropical medicine at a missionary hospital in India, and pursued additional studies at the famous Brompton Hospital in London, England. He interned at Presbyterian Hospital, Pacifi c Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Sinai Hospital of Detroit, which was affi liated with Wayne State Medical School and Kresge Eye Institute. Dr. Geller was fellowship-trained in anterior segment and

refractive surgery with Dr. William Myers of the Michigan Eye Institute. Dr. Geller is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and has presented papers on eye fl oater laser treatment at the International Congress of Ophthalmology, European Congress of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, European Congress of Ophthalmology and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology.

SOUTH FLORIDA EYE CLINICSCOTT L. GELLER, MD Dr. Geller has performed more

than 15,000 documented eye fl oater laser sessions.

Scott Geller, MD, teaches the technique worldwide

“L aser treatment of eye � oat-ers is fascinating,” says Scott Geller, MD, a board certified ophthalmologist

with a specialty clinic in Fort Myers. “I look forward to doing this every day. And our

reputation has become worldwide with the advent of the internet. We’ve had a steady � ow of patients from Europe, Canada, and even Russia, China, Arabia and Israel.”

Dr. Geller can rightly claim to have started this niche area of ophthalmic surgery, with the largest, continuous clinical series, having performed more than 15,000 documented eye � oater laser sessions.

“I’m always asked why this useful treatment modality is not more widely available, or why some doctors try it but give it up,’’ Dr. Geller explains. “The answer is simple: there are no courses for training, and there is a lack of proper equipment.”

Dr. Geller was trained directly by the professor who researched laser inside the human eye at the famous University Eye Clinic in Bern, Switzerland.Dr. Geller adds: “� ey never thought this would be applica-ble to eye � oaters, but I proved them wrong.”

Dr. Geller uses the Swiss made Lasag laser.

“I have tried others, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind this is the most versatile and precise instrument,’’ he notes. “In fact, I have two of them, and

I � y in the engineers from Switzerland to update and service them yearly.”

A Doctor and an EducatorDr. Geller has personally trained the most experienced ophthalmologists in the US, as well as the top surgeons from Italy and Holland, who have visited his Florida facility.

“I am concerned about colleagues rushing into some-thing new without having a formal preceptorship,’’Dr. Geller says. “It is easy to push the button, but not so easy to get the optimal result and avoid complications.”

To improve physician education, Dr. Geller gave an hour-long course this year at one of the country’s major ophthalmology associations.

“This was the first course of this quality anywhere in the US,’’ notes Dr. Geller. “And I am going back to Italy, where I was invited to lecture at a major

SCAN THIS TO YOUR

SMARTPHONE TO SEE ACTUAL

PATIENTS

See what Dr. Geller’s patients say about the Eye Floater Laser at www.vimeo.com/eye� oaters and on the Scott Geller MD YouTube channel.

ophthalmology meeting. � is is the fourth invitation, and I will also consult and treat patients there, as I have in the past.”

Dr. Geller welcomes other ophthalmol-ogists to come and observe, and to call if they need advice on di� cult cases.Article submitted by Scott Geller, MD. Photo by Jordan Pysz. mkb

is not

acceptable.”

“Live with it

C. Nicholas DeTure, DMD, is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and completed three years of graduate training in periodontology and implantology at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.

STUART PERIODONTICS, P.A.C. NICHOLAS DETURE, DMD

Visit Stuart Periodontics on the web at www.stuartperiodontics.com

We Help Save Your Teeth

In addition to treating patients with periodontal issues, Stuart Periodontics offers a wide range of dental implant and preventative services.Stuart Periodontics is in Stuart at:

901 SE Ocean Blvd.

(772) 283-1400

Jann Rudd

Strong ConnectionConnective tissue graft lays groundwork for bright, new smile

T he � ip side of the devastating 2008 housing crisis is that it created a buying opportunity for real-estate investors every-

where. New Jersey-born Jann Rudd was among those who had the wherewithal to take advantage of that opportunity.

“I had already done a couple of proj-ects back in New Jersey, where I would � nd a commercial building or residence, reno-vate it and then rent it out or � ip it,” Jann says. “In 2010, I started buying down here in Florida, and I eventually moved here.”

When Jann made that move, she brought with her a dental problem that she believes has its roots in her early teenage years, when her � rst set of braces didn’t provide the permanent � x they were designed to.

“I’ve had braces three times – the last two when I was in my forties – because my teeth kept moving back,” Jann explains. “I think it may have been a result of all that

moving around, but my gums started to recede, particularly on one of my front teeth.

“I wasn’t very happy with my teeth in general and was looking to get some cos-metic work done, but the dentist told me, You can’t do anything cosmetically until you get your gums taken care of. � at’s when he recommended that I go see Dr. DeTure.”

Dr. DeTure is C. Nicholas DeTure, DMD, of Stuart Periodontics. He spe-cializes in repairing damaged gums. After meeting and examining Jann, he recom-mended repairing her receding gumline through a connective tissue graft.

Doctor PreferredConsidered the most common treatment for repair of receding gums and exposed roots, the connective tissue graft typically begins with the dentist removing tissue from beneath a flap cut in the roof of the patient’s mouth.

Synthetic or donor tissue can also be used during this procedure, but tissue taken from the patient provides a more stable, long-term solution, according to Dr. DeTure, who says the incision made in the palate heals quickly and comfortably.

After the connective tissue is obtained, another incision called a pinhole

incision is made near where the gums are damaged or receding and creates space for the connective tissue.

“This is called the pinhole dissec-tion technique, and once that pinhole incision is made, the graft material is threaded through that pinhole and into the space that we created,” Dr. DeTure explains. “� e gums hold that material in place while it heals.”

Another reason Dr. DeTure prefers using the patient’s own tissue for this procedure is that it tends to heal, � ll in and mature more quickly than synthetic or donor tissue. In most cases, the gums heal in about two weeks and � ll in com-pletely after a few months.

Jann agreed to the procedure, which was early last spring. By the fall, her gums had � lled in to the point where she

was ready to get the desired cosmetic work done. She says she could not be happier with the outcome.

“The outcome is an A-plus,” she raves. “Dr. DeTure did his magic and absolutely put my gums back

the way they were supposed to be. I couldn’t be happier with how I look now, and it would not have been pos-sible without him.

“A lot of people wouldn’t say this about a dental procedure, but it was a really good experience. � e procedure itself was all very painless, and Dr. DeTure could not have been nicer or more caring or considerate.

“He called me the night before the procedure to ask if I had any concerns and called me again after it was over to make sure I was comfortable and everything was all right. I’ve never met another dentist or doctor like him.”FHCN article by Roy Cummings. Photo by Nerissa Johnson.

Before and after images courtesy of Stuart Periodontics, P.A. mkb

Page 8 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition OphthaLmOLOgy

cOmprehensive Dentistry

Want to know more? Visit Regenerative Biologics Institute online at www.rbistemcell.com

BRETT HAAKE, DOJASON GRIFFETH, MS

FELICE HAAKE, DOJAY JOHNSTON, MMS, PA-C

DON PORTELL, MD

Repairing the Body a More Natural Way

The clinical team at Regenerative Biologics Institute has the expertise to offer the most advanced anti-aging and regenerative therapies to help patients sustain their health and quality of life. For more information about the latest in anti-aging and regenerative therapies, and about achieving optimal health in a more natural way, please call or visit the Institute in Vero Beach at:

3730 7th TerraceSuite 302A

(772) 492-6973

W hile playing tennis two years ago, Stuart Hamilton reached up for an overhead

shot. As he did, he awkwardly twisted his left knee and damaged its already degenerating meniscus, which is the crescent-shaped pad of cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee joint.

Nine years earlier, Stuart had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. � e tennis injury left him with identical knees. Both were arthritic and painful.

“Most of the time, it was a constant, nagging pain, so every time I sat down, I rubbed my knees,” the Cincinnati, Ohio native and retired health care electronics business owner says. “Sometimes, it was quite painful, and I tried everything to ease the discomfort.

“� e only thing that helped at all was an arthritis pain relief cream, but the pain just wouldn’t go away. When I got out of bed in the morning, I had to stand up for a minute and let my knees get together before I could even start heading out for my day in the sandbox.

“I never stopped playing tennis. I just endured the pain. But there was a time when my knees were so painful, I wasn’t very good on the tennis court. I mostly hobbled around, so I wasn’t much fun to play with.”

While Stuart’s right knee contin-ued to ache, the surgery on that knee stabilized it somewhat. But the incident on the tennis court initiated a two-year search for pain relief that nearly ended in major surgery on his left knee.

“I tried the lubricating shots in that knee a couple of times, but they didn’t work,” he recounts. “� en, I went to an orthopedic surgeon, who gave me a cor-tisone shot in my left knee.

“� at worked well, and the relief it provided lasted about a year. But it was a temporary shot, and every time I went to the orthopedic doctor, he said, You’re my next victim for a knee replacement.

“A friend of mine had that surgery, and I watched him go through a lot of discomfort. I thought, I don’t want to go through that if I don’t have to. A guy I play tennis with told me his wife had stem cell therapy and got amazing results.

“She couldn’t even get up the stairs in her condo, but two weeks after get-ting the therapy, she was running up the stairs. After hearing about that, I started looking into stem cell ther-apy and found Regenerative Biologics Institute [RBI] in Vero Beach.”

At RBI, Stuart met with Jason Gri� eth, MS, clinical director and stem cell scientist. Jason and the other regen-erative medicine specialists at RBI have spent ten years optimizing the Institute’s unique treatment protocol, TruGenta™ Injection � erapy.

“TruGenta is a proprietary for-mulation of the highest-quality stem cells, platelets and other bioactive growth factors,” Jason explains. “� e cells and growth factors work together to stimulate healing in an arthritic or injured joint. It’s an excellent nonsur-gical treatment option for people with degenerating joints, such as Stuart.”

“I went to RBI, talked to Jason and watched the treatment video,” Stuart relates. “The w h o l e t h i n g sounded logical, and I thought, Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Maximizing the Long-Term Eff ectsJason remembers Stuart’s condition when he arrived at RBI. He describes Stuart as experiencing s i g n i f i c a n t pain due to degenerative osteoarthritis in his knees and facing joint replacement sur-gery. Jason and his colleagues at RBI elected to treat Stuart with TruGenta Injection � erapy.

“Our goal with TruGenta is to treat patients like Stuart with the highest-possible quantity of mesenchy-mal stem cells,” Jason informs. “� ose are the soft-tissue-forming, healing cells of the body.

“We isolate millions of those cells, harvested from the fat of the abdomen or � anks, combine them with platelet-rich plasma [PRP] from the patient’s blood and directly inject them into the area of need with real-time ultrasound guidance.

“This combination gives patients with degenerative arthritis the best chance at a long-term regenerative e� ect. � ere are therapies on the market that can produce an anti-in� ammatory e� ect, but with TruGenta, we maximize the regenera-tive e� ect by using these high quantities of mesenchymal stem cells.”

Mesenchymal stem cells work in several steps, Jason explains. Once injected into the area of need, such as a knee joint, they adhere to the local tis-sues and bones then begin to replicate.

� ey then begin to crowd the area and start to fuse, and can form new tissue. Adding the PRP and bioactive growth factors further stimulates the mesenchy-mal stem cells to grow within the joints.

“These stem cells are also highly anti-in� ammatory by nature, so they substantially reduce in� ammation and

pain,” Jason observes. “� ey also release many therapeutic proteins, including

those that recruit other stem cells from around the body to the

area injected. Some of those proteins generate a new blood supply, which aids

in healing.“Mesenchymal stem cells

are very smart and are natu-rally programmed to heal and repair tissue. � at’s why we place high concentrations

of them into areas of injury or degeneration with precision using

real-time ultrasound guidance.”RBI has recently launched

a new therapy that’s a variation of TruGenta Injection � erapy called TruGenta PTM � erapy. PTM therapy combines the TruGenta formulation, which uses living stem cells from patients’ bodies, with pla-centa-derived growth factors

in the form of extracellular matrix growth factors.

“These growth factors help provide structural sup-port to the cells in the area we inject,” Jason educates. “� ey also recruit other stem cells from around the body to the area of need. We’re hoping that TruGenta PTM � erapy will help even better to form new tissue in patients

with severely degenerated joints, such as those that are

bone-on-bone.”

Order on the CourtIn an e� ort to decrease the

in� ammation and swelling in Stuart’s knees, Jason

recommended he not play tennis for at least a week prior

to receiving the TruGenta Injection � erapy, which Stuart described as quick and painless.

“On July sixteenth last summer, I walked into RBI,” Stuart recounts. “Two hours later, I walked out, and the entire process was completed using

stem cells from the fat in my � anks and platelet-rich plasma from my blood.

“It was comforting to know there was nothing foreign going into my body, and the process was virtually painless. I had the therapy on both knees and started feeling pain relief right away, so I started playing tennis again.

“But I think the most telling time is when I get up out of bed in the morning. � at’s when my knees used to ache a lot. Now, there’s no pain whatsoever. Now, I feel like a million bucks. I just walked two miles this morning, and I felt fabu-lous. My knees are one hundred percent better. � ere’s no pain. It’s a pleasure to walk around without knee pain.”

At his tennis club, Stuart calls him-self the “stem cell � ower boy.” He says many people have come up to him ask-ing about his experience with stem cell therapy. They also inquire about the treatment process and recovery, and where he had his therapy performed.

“I gave the gal behind the desk all the information about stem cell therapy and RBI, and she gives it out to members who ask about it,” Stuart states. “I promote RBI and TruGenta Injection � erapy to the best of my ability down there.

“If anybody asks me about RBI or stem cell therapy, I say they’re great,” he enthuses. “� e sta� is very professional and efficient, and I think TruGenta Injection � erapy is the way to go. It cer-tainly worked for me. It was fabulous!” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photo by Nerissa

Johnson. mkb

Spared from SurgeryRegenerative technique restores arthritic knees

St. Lucie County Edition | Summer 2019 | Florida Health Care News | Page 9stem ceLL treatment

HAROLD J. CORDNER, MD, FIPP, ABIPP

Harold J. Cordner, MD, FIPP, ABIPP, is board certifi ed in anesthesiology and pain management by the American Board of Anesthesiology, and in interventional pain management by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. He received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Cordner completed an internship in general sur-gery and residency in anesthesiology at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ. He is a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, International Neuromodulation Society and numerous national and international pain societies, and frequently lectures and teaches physicians advanced interven-tional pain procedures nationally and internationally. Consumers Research Council of America named Dr. Cordner one of “America’s Top Physicians.”

Get Back Into the Swing of Things

Visit Florida Pain Management Associates on the web at www.� oridapain.com

Regain Your Pain-Free LifestylePain management allows individuals who experience chronic pain to enjoy life and get back into the swing of things. Dr. Cordner treats a variety of painful conditions, including arthritic back pain, cancer pain, whiplash injury, arthritis, bursitis, vascular disease, refl ex sympathetic dystrophy, herpes zoster (shingles), intercostal neuralgia, sacroiliac joint arthropathy, failed back surgery syndrome, post-laminectomy syndrome, scoliosis, diabetic neuropathy and headaches.

Dr. Cordner welcomes your questions about pain management. To schedule a consultation, please call or visit the offi ces of

Florida Pain Management Associates at one of these two locations:

Sebastian US Hwy.

Vero Beach th Place, Suite

(772) 388-9998

Low Back LiberationSpacer system stops pain from spinal stenosis

Florida snowbird George Niemann spent a career as a neuropsychologist, but in his retirement, he became a certi� ed flight instructor of amphibious float-

planes near his summer home in Bar Harbor, Maine. After one � ight nine years ago, George experienced intense low back pain upon deplaning. He learned later the pain was from spinal stenosis.

“As I got o� the plane, I felt excruciat-ing pain in my lower back, and I couldn’t walk across the ramp without bending over,” George describes. “I eventually had to get into a wheelchair, and my wife took me to the emergency room, where they gave me an epidural injection. � at provided minor relief, but my condition continued to deteriorate.

“Over the years, I went to numerous physicians who recommended conser-vative treatments such as medications, mainly strong doses of nonsteroidal anti-in� ammatory drugs. I got some relief from regular strengthening exercises and physical therapy. My back pain problem really culminated two years ago.

“I love to take long walks on the beach, but at that point, I wasn’t able to walk � ve hundred yards without bending over and cringing in excruciating pain. I couldn’t � nd any position to sleep com-fortably, so I wasn’t sleeping. At times, the pain was a ten on a scale of one to ten.”

Among the physicians George visited were several orthopedic surgeons. More than one told him he needed a laminec-tomy, an intensive and invasive surgical procedure in which the lamina, a portion of the vertebra, is removed. George hoped to avoid surgery, so his family physician recommended pain management special-ist Harold J. Cordner, MD, of Florida Pain Management Associates in Sebastian and Vero Beach.

George’s spacer procedure is a success

“George came to us with complaints of pain in his low back going down both legs, as well as some weakness,” Dr. Cordner reports. “He experienced pain with walking that was relieved with bending forward or leaning on something such as a shopping cart. � at’s a classic symptom of spinal stenosis, which was con� rmed on MRI.”

“ M y M R I showed I had com-pression of the discs in my lower back,” Geo rg e r e l a t e s . “Dr. Cordner said I had an uneven spine from scoliosis, a degenerative disc disease called spon-dylosis and arthritis. All these conditions contributed to the spinal stenosis.”

Dr. Cordner recommended treat-ing George’s stenosis with spinal decom-pression using the Vertiflex® Superion® Interspinous Spacer System.

The Superion spacer is an H-shaped implant made of a titanium alloy that fits between two adjacent bones in the lower back. It’s designed to help � ex the spine when the patient stands and walks, relieving painful symptoms.

“� e Superion spacer decompresses the spine,” Dr. Cordner informs. “Once the spacer is implanted during a mini-mally invasive procedure, it opens up and enlarges the neuroforamen, the holes where the spinal nerves exit the spinal cord. � e spacer opens up the central canal as well.

“George had severe stenosis at two lev-els of the spine, so we implanted spacers at those two levels. � e Superion spacer pro-cedure is limited to two levels, so patients with more than two levels of stenosis are not ideal candidates for the procedure.”

Surgery AlternativeTraditionally, treatment for spinal ste-nosis begins with nonsurgical steps, such as physical therapy, anti-in� ammatory medications, chiropractic manipulation

and steroid injections. When all non-surgical e� orts have failed, surgery is generally the next step.

“� e treatment for spinal stenosis often included epidural steroid injections,” Dr. Cordner notes. “If those did not help, patients would undergo a decompressive laminectomy. However, there are patients

who are elderly or have diseases or complicated med-ical illnesses who cannot get cleared for, or are too sick to have, surgery.”

And some peo-ple, like George, simply choose to avoid surgery.

D u r i n g a laminectomy, the surgeon removes some of the bone, and any bone spurs and/or pieces of ligament that are compressing the ne r ve s . Do ing this opens up the space for the nerves and relieves pain. However, it requires one large incision or multiple smaller

incisions, and a lengthy recovery period. � ere are possible serious complications, and there is no guarantee it will succeed.

The Superion spacer is an excel-lent alternative to surgery. � e device is implanted during a brief, 20- to 30-min-ute, outpatient procedure using local anesthetic and sedation. Dr. Cordner works through a small, one-half-inch incision.

“During the implant procedure, I make the incision in the back and clear out some tissue between the spinous processes on the vertebrae,” Dr. Cordner explains. “� en, I insert the device through a small tube about the size of a dime.

“As I engage the device and screw it open, two arms emerge that push the spinous process bones apart. � is then cre-ates more room inside the spinal canal and the neuroforamen.”

According to Dr. Cordner, when performed, laminectomy works best at treating stenosis of the central spinal canal, but has limitations in treating ste-nosis of the neuroforamen.

“It’s typically very difficult for surgeons to correct narrowing of the neuroforamen,” Dr. Cordner stresses. “When surgeons perform a laminec-tomy, they can decompress the central canal, but opening up the narrowing on the sides of the spine is technically very challenging for them.

“However, the Superion spacer excels at opening up the neuroforamen, so it was the ideal procedure for treating George’s spinal stenosis.”

“Absolutely Spectacular”Dr. Cordner performed the spacer proce-dure on George in May 2018, and it was highly e� ective.

“After it was done, Dr. Cordner showed me an x-ray, and I could see how the procedure straightened my spine,” says George, who has resumed his favor-ite activities and more and says the results have been “absolutely spectacular.”

“Now, I’m taking the longest beach walks I’ve ever taken, without pain,” he adds. “I’m also cycling twenty miles sometimes, and I’m hiking up moun-tains in Arizona and California when we visit grandkids. I’m sleeping very well at night, and I can sit comfortably at work. My pain used to be a ten, and now it’s zero. I have my life back.

“My Superion spacer procedure was an absolute success. It’s truly amazing because now I feel terrific, and there were times I wondered if I would be crippled for the rest of my life. Now, I’m active, and my health is being restored. I recommend this pro-cedure without a doubt.”

George says he also recommends Dr. Cordner and Flor ida Pain Management Associates to others suf-fering with low back pain. He has high praise for the physician and his sta� .

“I’ve never had such good care, and I’ve seen many physicians,” he states.

“I’m impressed by their level of compassion and

understanding, and how they take time to figure out each individual’s unique issue. Then, there’s the surgical skill of

Dr. Cordner. He’s truly remarkable.“I feel extremely fortu-

nate to have encountered Florida Pain Management Associates and Dr. Cordner. � ey’re the best I’ve seen.” FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Patient photo by Nerissa

Johnson. Header stock photo from Pixabay. Spacer graphic

courtesy of Superion. mkb

Page 10 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition pain management

Dr. Navarro treats many patients with poor circulation, swelling and severe wounds.

Visit Acute Wound Care on the web at

www.acutewoundcare.com or call them directly:

Toll free (855) 949-4325

Locally

(239) 949-4412

Are You Su� ering From Chronic Limb Swelling?

W hile attending a medi-cal conference, Zoraida Catherine Navarro, MD, listened intently as

actress Kathy Bates described her struggle with post-cancer lymphedema, a condition in which excess � uid collects in the body’s tissues. � e doctor was surprised by what she heard.

“I didn’t realize the kind of swelling in the legs you get from lymphedema was di� erent from the kind of swelling you get from standing a long time or from sitting for a long period of time on an airplane,” notes Dr. Navarro.

“I also didn’t realize lymphedema could cause so much discomfort and pain along with swelling. � en, it happened to me. My legs swelled and became heavy and uncomfortable. � ey were also shiny-looking, like a blown-up balloon, and they felt rubbery. Walking was di� cult.”

Dr. Navarro thought at � rst that her symptoms might be related to a hormonal imbalance or an underactive thyroid. But lymphedema can result from anycondition or procedure that aggravates the circulatory system.

Having recommended a couple of her own patients to them, Dr. Navarro discussed her situation with some of the professionals at Acute Wound Care,

Physician counts on compression pump to curb her own limb swelling

DOCTORan in-home, quality-accredited supply company specializing in hospital-grade compression devices and specialty wound care dressings. One of the company’s therapists suggested Dr. Navarro try a compression pump to treat her leg swelling.

and compression stockings but have gotten little to no relief from those approaches.

“Compression pumps can also be used to remove � uid that has accumu-lated in the arms. � e pump’s limb-sized sleeves gently massage the limbs, draining

the excess � uid back into the body’s circulatory sys-tem so it can be naturally eliminated.

“ C o m p r e s s i o n pumps increase circu-lation in the affected limbs while alleviating many painful symptoms and are both highly e� ec-

tive and noninvasive. For the legs, they are much easier to use than compression stockings.

“Patients generally use the pumps twice a day for forty-� ve minutes, with an interval of at least two hours between treatments, so it is usually done in the morning and in the evening. While using the pumps for the legs, patients simply sit back with their limbs raised to further assist with circulation.

“To aid blood � ow, the pumps have multiple chambers. Each chamber � lls up with air, from the foot to the groin. � en, each chamber releases, and the pattern repeats in a rhythmic fashion. In addition to the circulation boost, many patients will see a noticeable di� erence in the swelling and in the size of their limbs after their � rst forty-� ve-minute pumping session.”

Hands-On Approach� e professionals at Acute Wound Care proudly take a hands-on approach to patient care, which includes certi� ed compression therapists delivering the pumps right to the patient’s home, where the therapist also sets up the equipment, instructs the patient on how to use it and adjusts the pump’s pressure level to the patient’s comfort.

“When we are in the patient’s home, we set the pressure based on the severity of the condition and the physician’s pre-scription,” states Alyssa. “We then adjust it so the patients are comfortable and will actually meet the requirements of the treatment, so they get great results.”

Once Acute Wound Care received Dr. Navarro’s prescription, a compression therapist contacted her to review the next step and answer any questions. After that, the therapist delivered the device, set it up and explained to Dr. Navarro how to use and care for it.

� e compression pump is a prescrip-tion device and is approved by Medicare and covered by many commercial insur-ers. Dr. Navarro is among the many who say they were thrilled with the results of their treatment.

“I was blown away,” she says. “I use my pump every day including at night. When I go home, I sit in my recliner, turn on my machine and call it a day. And when I’m done, I have ankles again. I no longer have cankles or shiny legs.

“I remember the � rst time I used the pump. My legs went down to half the size they were after just one treatment. And all of a sudden, when I got up, I could walk

perfectly well again. � e compression pump makes everything in your lower legs work better because nothing has to counteract � uid in areas where it doesn’t belong.”

Physicians throughout Florida have been recommending Acute Wound Care’s compression pumps to their patients for years and have been getting great results.

“Many doctors have told me that they’ve encouraged their patients to use the pumps to reduce limb swelling and improve circulation,” Alyssa con� rms. “They say the compression pumps are great, safe, noninvasive devices that sup-plement the medical treatment they’ve provided to those patients.

“One even told me that he received feedback from his patients, and that they agree the devices and the outcomes are positive. He said the patients also appre-ciate how good a job Acute Wound Care does of following up and mentioned that all are very pleased with Acute Wound Care and its product.

“� at same doctor said he’s so sat-is� ed with Acute Wound Care that he strongly endorses them and their com-pression devices to other physicians. He said he’s personally thrilled with Acute Wound Care because they help doctors improve their quality of care and the qual-ity of their patients’ lives.”

Dr. Navarro treats many patients with compromised circulatory systems that can lead to lymphedema. She has con� dence recommending the treatment that’s been so bene� cial for her.

“I refer many of my patients to Acute Wound Care for their compression pumps. � ey’re amazing!”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Patient photo by Nerissa Johnson.

Compression pump photo courtesy of Acute Wound Care. mkbLymphedema is a long-term, progressive condition in which excess lymph � uid collects in tissues, often of the arms or legs, causing swelling (edema). � e swelling may cause pain and skin changes, and may limit

movement of the a� ected area. Lymph is a protein-rich � uid that moves throughout the body in lymph

vessels collecting bacteria, viruses and waste products. � e � uid carries the waste to the lymph nodes, which � lter the impurities from the � uid and remove them from the body.

� ere are two types of lymphedema, primary and secondary. Primary lymph-edema is congenital, or present at birth. It is the result of genetic mutations that cause the lymph nodes and vessels to be improperly developed or missing.

Secondary lymphedema is caused by another condition or disease. Common causes of secondary lymphedema include cancer surgery in which lymph node have been removed or damaged, radiation therapy, infections, in� ammatory conditions, and injury and trauma.

Lymphedema is generally diagnosed using MRI, CT or ultrasound scan-ning. A test called lymphoscintigraphy in which a radioactive dye is injected into the lymphatic system to identify blockages may also be used.

Compression devices, such as Acute Wound Care’s compression pumps, are the mainstays of treatment for lymphedema.

What Is Lymphedema?

The pumps are non-invasive

and highly e� ective

Pump It Up“Acute Wound Care’s compression pumps mimic the body’s lymphatic system and promote lymphatic � ow by moving � uid through the body in the proper direction,” explains Alyssa Parker, a certi� ed compres-sion therapist with Acute Wound Care.

“� e pumps assist circulation by con-tracting the muscles and assisting blood � ow back toward the heart. � ere, the blood is collected, sent to the lungs to be oxygenated and then returned to the body’s organs and tissues.

“� ey reduce pain and swelling and are an excellent treatment for people who’ve tried elevation, diuretics, massage therapy

ACUTE WOUND CARE

St. Lucie County Edition | Summer 2019 | Florida Health Care News | Page 11cOmpressiOn therapy

Triple-stage process eliminates dry eye symptoms

Eileen Hoffman

THE DRY EYE SPA® & V.I.P. LASER EYE CENTER

CLIFFORD L. SALINGER, MD

E ileen Hoffman, 55, had bad eyes since her youth. Because she wore glasses most of her life, she maintained her vision

with annual exams by an eye doctor. At one appointment, the Jamaica native couldn’t achieve clear vision, and her doctor o� ered a possible explanation that sounded serious.

“At my eye exams, my glasses pre-scription kept going up each year,” Eileen recounts. “One year, no matter what pre-scription we tried, it wasn’t improving my vision. My doctor also tried a few di� erent approaches, including using a series of soft contact lenses. When that didn’t help, he suggested I might have a condition called keratoconus. He told me I needed to see a specialist.”

Keratoconus is a disorder of the cor-nea, the transparent layer that forms the front part of the eye. With keratoconus, the cornea thins out and bulges forward. It cannot maintain its round shape and instead becomes shaped like a cone. Treatments for keratoconus include spe-cial contact lenses, corneal inserts and, in severe cases, corneal transplants.

Eileen began looking for a cornea specialist. She was given the name of Clifford L. Salinger, MD, founder of The Dry Eye Spa & V.I.P. Laser Eye Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Dr. Salinger, she was told, was one of the top cornea specialists in the area.

Dr. Salinger became Eileen’s cornea specialist in 2000. He confirmed the keratoconus, and Eileen eventually had corneal transplants in both eyes.

“After the surgery, I began su� ering with severe dry eye disease,” Eileen describes. “My eyes were irritated, and because of the corneal transplants, they became painful. My eyes were itchy, and I had blurred vision. I was also having di� culty with sensitivity to light. I’m an avid reader and news watcher, and my dry eye symptoms made doing those things uncomfortable.”

Dr. Salinger explained to Eileen that the oil glands in her eyelids had become clogged with debris. � ey weren’t releas-ing enough of the oils necessary to keep a good, consistent tear � lm on her eyes’ surfaces, which keeps the eyes moist. � e lack of a consistent tear � lm was causing Eileen’s eyes to be dry and irritated.

The Surgery FactorDr. Salinger notes that many factors contribute to dry eye disease, including previous eye surgeries such as cataract surgery and LASIK®. Surgery does this by interrupting the corneal nerves. � is plays an important role in the development of dry eye disease.

“Any surgery, even perfect surgery, can upset the delicate balance of the eye’s tear layer,” Dr. Salinger explains. “As a result, the tear layer is more unstable and has the potential to evaporate more quickly, which leads to dry eye symptoms.

“Eileen had a history of eye surgery. She had the corneal transplants in both eyes – first in her right eye in 2004 and

then in her left eye in 2006 – and those surgeries, along with her age and per-imenopausal status, all contributed to her dry eye issues.”

Initially, Dr. Salinger treated Eileen’s dry eye symptoms with a reg-imen that included preservative-free, over-the-counter, sterile arti� cial tears; hot compresses; lid cleansings; vitamin supplements speci� cally for dry eye and anti-in� ammatory eye drops to reduce the in� ammation that contributes to the evaporation of tears.

“� at treatment improved her symp-toms some, but only incrementally,”Dr. Salinger states. “She was still having di� culty wearing her contacts, and con-tinued to have discomfort, itching and irritation. We � nally recommended treat-ment with the LipiFlow® and went ahead and performed it in April 2018.”

� e LipiFlow � ermal Pulsation System from TearScience® combines the controlled application of therapeutic heat with a gen-tle, pulsating massage. � ese two functions work to liquefy then remove clogging debris from the glands in the eyelids, enabling them to function e� ciently.

“LipiFlow is a revolutionary breakthrough for treating chronic dry eye disease,”Dr. Sa l inger a s s e r t s . “ I t

relieves dry eye symptoms by remov-ing blockages of the eyelid’s oil glands. Opening and clearing the blocked glands enhances the natural production of the oils needed to restore a healthier tear layer on the surface of the eye.”

Visit The Dry Eye Spa & V.I.P. Laser Eye Center on the web at www.TheDryEyeSpa.com

Cli� ord L. Salinger, MD, recipient of the “Heroes in Medicine” , awarded by the Palm Beach County Medical Society, is a board-certifi ed ophthalmologist with subspecialty certifi cation in corneal and refractive surgery, and dry eye. After completing his undergraduate degree at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, he received his medical degree from UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Salinger completed

an ophthalmology residency at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Cornea Society and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. He is a past associate profes-sor at the University of Rochester and has lectured extensively nationally and abroad. In addition to his volunteer work, traveling overseas on many occasions, he has been the education chairman for the Florida Society of Ophthalmology for more than years.

Convenient Location!Dr. Salinger is proud to present the latest breakthrough

medical technology for dry eye disease. He off ers consultations in Stuart and soon in St. Lucie West. The Dry Eye Spa & V.I.P. Laser Eye Center is located

in Palm Beach Gardens at:

11020 RCA Center Drive, Suite 2001

(561) 624-7878

Startling Results“LipiFlow can be performed in di� erent ways,” Dr. Salinger informs. “Many doc-tors perform LipiFlow only. We perform a three-step process that includes treat-ment with the LipiFlow. Step one in the process is a very thorough deep cleaning of the eyelids. Step two is treatment with the LipiFlow itself.

“� e third step is an expression of the oil glands by the doctor immediately after the LipiFlow while the gland material is still warm and relatively viscous. � is step is done to remove any clogging material the LipiFlow may have left behind.”

� e results are startling. Dr. Salinger reports that 90 percent of people experi-ence measurable improvement after one LipiFlow treatment at � e Dry Eye Spa and V.I.P. Laser Eye Center. About half of those patients notice improvement within one month. For the other half, it may take two to three months. For a very small percentage, it may take longer.

“The treatment was actually very comfortable,” Eileen comments. “During the first part of the LipiFlow process, the cleansing part, I was in heaven. � e second part was great, too. � e manual expression part I didn’t like as much, but I got through it with no problem.”

Dr. Salinger stresses that after patients achieve symptom relief with LipiFlow, it’s important that they continue with their routine dry eye treatment regimen. � is is critical for maintaining the bene� ts of the LipiFlow treatment process.

“If patients want to keep the oils from their eyelid glands flowing, they have to continue addressing their dry eye condition,” Dr. Salinger con� rms.

“Maintaining their routine treatments will keep them on a healthier track.”

The Best DecisionOnce Eileen had the LipiFlow proce-dure, her vision improved appreciably, and her symptoms of irritation, itch-ing and sensitivity to light disappeared. She can now read and watch the news in comfort. She’s thrilled with the out-come of her treatment.

“� e LipiFlow was the best thing I ever did,” Eileen raves. “Since I had it done, I haven’t had any issues with dry eye.

“I told Dr. Salinger that some-times things are going on in my life, and I forget to do my daily drops and cleansing routine. When that happens, I can go four or � ve days without suf-fering any ill e� ects. I attribute that to the LipiFlow because prior to that, if I skipped my drops or cleansing, I’d get severe irritation and discomfort.”

Eileen began seeing Dr. Salinger for her corneal disorder, but she con-tinued with him afterward for all of her eye health needs. She’s grateful to the doctor and his sta� for the care they’ve given her over the years.

“I love The Dry Eye Spa and V.I.P. Laser Eye Center,” she enthuses. “It’s topnotch. And I love Dr. Salinger. I’ve been with Dr. Salinger for eighteen years, which is a testament to the con-fidence I have in him and his team. I trust him implicitly.

“I recommend Dr. Salinger and � e Dry Eye Spa and V.I.P Laser Eye Center wholeheartedly to anyone who has corneal or dry eye issues.”FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photo by Jordan Pysz. mkb

Page 12 | Florida Health Care News | Summer 2019 | St. Lucie County Edition Dry eye treatment