The pharmaceutical company Gilead is now sponsoring tests of their anti-viral drug Remdesivir in 2400 patients with severe Wuhan virus symptoms in 152 hospitals and clinics worldwide, and in 1600 patients with moderate symptoms at 169 sites worldwide. This drug intercalates itself into the DNA to try to disrupt the virus growth. It did not perform well in the inhibition of another RNA virus, Ebola, when it was trialed in multinational compassionate use during the Africa pandemic outbreak in 2014. A University of Chicago investigator reports data on the performance of this drug is preliminary. Those of us anxiously awaiting drug trial results must acknowledge that it typically takes multiple years and a billion dollars to bring a drug through rigorous testing. Streamlining the FDA approval process is a Herculean task. The legal hurdles and compliance requirements alone can take months. Rank and file patients awaiting magic drugs, off-label use medications, antibody tests, or vaccines to materialize have to recognize that sweeping away scientific rigor on safety, efficacy, specificity and sensitivity aren’t prudent. Government facilitation in recent weeks to allow companies to roll out new tests has facilitated many but we must keep in mind that cries for “more testing” must first acknowledge that the very tests we need were not even invented a few weeks ago. The swabs weren’t even produced, let alone established pathways to test. The reagents need to be scaled up and distributed, and machines need to be created, verified, calibrated and deployed. The native response is, “why does it have to be this way?” Why, indeed.

Those who are keeping their distance from others publically, may be experiencing some melancholy and stress in their home relationships. The harmful psychological effects of solitary confinement are well described in animal models as well as in studying those who are incarcerated. A third of solitary inmates developed a specific psychiatric syndrome, characterized by hallucinations, panic attacks, overt paranoia, diminished impulse control, hypersensitivity to external stimuli, and difficulties with thinking, concentration and memory. Some inmates lose the ability to think clearly, while others develop crippling obsessions.

The difference in our current society restriction is that we are confining ourselves with government decree as a public health measure, and each of us are practicing self-imposed restriction. We have a way out of our front doors, and can leave our homes at will to shop and attend essential functions. We also have access to tools in our homes that allow us to maintain social relationships and obtain stimuli- reading materials, TV, video, phones and perhaps cohabitating family members. But of course this new found time is a bonanza for hobby and personal development. (Time to dust off that old accordion!) It may be time to put down the phone and play a game with your children, actually engaging them in conversation. Home schooling is stressful for parents and kids, who are used to a different structure to their educational day. The tools and creativity you employ to engage those children will probably have you achieve a new appreciation for the teachers in their lives.

Your time of solitude may be an opportunity for mindfulness. It may allow you to pay attention to yourself in a way that our frenetically paced world hasn’t allowed. Despite your fear of the Wuhan virus and its economic uncertainties, right now in this moment you may rejoice in the notion that you are well. We just celebrated Easter- acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins- through the death of Jesus Christ. I hope you can find solace in your own rewards for your own sacrifices, now and in the coming days.

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Feed the Front Line

Feeding the Front Line is a community-based campaign in partnership with local restaurants to share meals with front line staff. These hot delivered meals boost morale and show support for our health care heroes helping to care for patients during this crisis. To coordinate a donate meal, click here. You may also make a monetary donation towards a meal, here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Donate a Meal” color=”blue” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.signupgenius.com%2Fgo%2F9040b4cadae2ba2f49-feeding||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Monetary Donation” color=”blue” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flander.lakehealth.org%2Fsupporting-the-community||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1585951530425{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][dt_media_gallery_carousel image_border_radius=”0px” slides_on_wide_desk=”2″ slides_on_desk=”2″ slides_on_lapt=”2″ slides_on_h_tabs=”2″ slides_on_v_tabs=”2″ project_icon_border_width=”0px” arrow_bg_width=”36x” arrow_border_width=”0px” r_arrow_icon_paddings=”0px 0px 0px 0px” r_arrow_v_offset=”0px” l_arrow_icon_paddings=”0px 0px 0px 0px” l_arrow_v_offset=”0px” include=”56947,56948,56949,56950,56951″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56902″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

In the midst of much uncertainty, I have some encouraging news from the frontline fight against Coronavirus COVID-19! Hydroxychloriquin, the anti-malarial drug, in conjunction with Azithromycin, is showing great promise in blunting the severe immune reaction created by the virus in causing the lung damage associated with the deadly effects of Coronavirus.

While authorities have not yet had enough time to allow early applications to be studied scientifically against control measures, the early tremendous clinical response by patients has spurred physicians to utilize these medications in their frontline fight against this novel Coronavirus. Certainly the most rigorous science deserves to be pursued in this health crisis, but until other treatments are discovered, we will most likely widely deploy this initial combination of drugs in the current fight against this deadly pathogen, COVID-19.

Legislative measures have been taken to hasten the process of getting new products to those who need them. Instead of awaiting single source testing, U.S. tech companies appear to be able to scale up their testing infrastructure and deploy timely, accurate tests. Turning loose the power of individual companies to use CRISPR Technology has allowed for quickened expansion of nationwide testing. Personal protective equipment is also in heavy demand, and deployment is still awaiting increased manufacture rate, but red tape and bureaucracy have been cut through by federal action at the highest level.

As America’s Best work to find remedies and vaccines, our society must restrict interaction and reduce the passive transmission of this virus. I urge you to stay home, if possible, and also stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors who are elderly and/or immunodeficient, as they truly are the most vulnerable.

By Mary Malik

After 28 years as a dental hygienist, Debbie Scaletta knows how important it is to take good care of yourself, and how your outward appearance can affect your self-confidence. With her 93-year-old mother still living on her own, and her grandmother living to 110, Debbie expects to be around for a long time—and she enjoys looking younger than most people her age.

“I take good care of myself and pay attention to issues before they become serious,” says Debbie. “Three years ago, I had surgery on my leg for a melanoma. The surgeon performed a skin graft, which turned out to be quite disfiguring. I was embarrassed to show my leg and lost confidence in my appearance.”

Losing confidence was especially problematic for Debbie’s second career, acting in movies filmed around Northeast Ohio.

“Seven years ago, one of my daughters talked me into going downtown and trying out as an extra in The Avengers movie being filmed here,” says Debbie.

“I was skeptical but went and stood in line for hours. Debbie didn’t give it a second thought until she got the call that she had been chosen to be in the film. “It was an incredible experience and gave me the bug to give acting a try,” says Debbie.

She has been amazingly successful, appearing in nearly 40 major films. But subsequent auditions soon made her realize the acting business required a thick skin to handle the scrutinization and rejection that comes with it. Beauty, poise and talent are important, but personal confidence is absolutely essential to retain the necessary perseverance.

Talking to a friend about her scar, Debbie learned about Dr. Paul Vanek, a double board-certified general and plastic surgeon at Vanek Plastic Surgery in Mentor. As a biochemist and physiology expert, Dr. Vanek knows how the human body responds to surgical procedures. He can manipulate its structures to produce aesthetically pleasing results for his patients, even if he didn’t perform the original surgery.

“It’s such a relief when a cancer is removed, but it can be difficult to live with that constant reminder in the form of an unsightly scar,” says Dr. Vanek. “As a result of a skin graft, Debbie was left with a large defect in her leg that concerned her. Working in planned stages, I reduced the scar size and also improved the contour of her skin, making it barely noticeable.”

Debbie knew from her first appointment that she was in the hands of the right surgeon. Dr. Vanek is not only an expert in his field, he also conveys his expertise without overwhelming his patients. Debbie appreciated the time he took to explain each session thoroughly and was comfortable throughout each process. Dr. Vanek performed various procedures to minimize her scar, giving her the confidence to wear dresses and skirts again.

“Things like that can definitely shake your confidence,” says Debbie. “The scar on my leg was holding me back. My relationship with Dr. Vanek and his entire staff has helped me to step even further out of my comfort zone and go after things I may not have tried in the past.”

Dr. Vanek’s treatment for Debbie’s leg included an intralesional excision procedure, Sciton ProFractional lasering of the scar, and an autologous fat transfer to fill the depression in her leg.

“The excision was done in two stages and allowed me to reduce the defect by more than 50 percent,” says Dr. Vanek. “Then I used advanced Sciton laser technology to improve the color match of the area to the rest of Debbie’s skin. Finally, autologous fat transfer, where Debbie’s own fat was removed from her abdomen and filled any puckering or depressions in the skin left by the previous surgery, improved the contour of her leg.”

“The same combination of procedures I performed on Debbie’s leg can improve contouring for breast reconstruction surgeries, tummy tucks and many other areas of the body,” says Dr. Vanek. “They are virtually pain-free procedures with very little downtime, if any.” Vanek Plastic Surgery also offers many non-invasive procedures like chemical peels, OxyGeneo facials and Hydrafacials, microneedling with RF, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion, as well as fillers and injectables.

“We have all the latest technological offerings, but you’re never just a procedure in my practice,” says Dr. Vanek. “I enjoy taking the time to talk with you and discuss your realistic goals. We form long-term relationships to achieve your goals together, taking your confidence to a whole new level.”

Because of her trust in Dr. Vanek, Debbie plans to take advantage of some of the other services his practice offers. “I’ve always felt that if there’s something that bothers you about how you look, get it fixed,” she says. “There are so many things, even simple, non-invasive procedures, that can help you feel better about yourself.”

Debbie is no longer using bandages to hide her scar, and she’s wearing dresses again. Just in time for her latest role as Dottie in “Song Of The Tree Frog,” which starts production this fall, she’s feeling more confident than ever.

Dr. Paul Vanek is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. His offices are at 9485 Mentor Avenue, Suite 100, in Mentor. He offers various payment options. For more information, call 440-205-5750 or visit MentorPlasticSurgery.com or ThisCanBU.com, where all photos are of actual patients like Debbie, and not retouched.

New procedure can ease pain from radiation

This consequence can affect the breast and other parts of the body

A new American Society of Plastic Surgeons report reveals that over 1.3 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men last year, a 29% increase since 2000.

The largest increase was 22%, for breast reduction (gynecomastia) procedure. With more than 200,000 surgical procedures performed on men in 2018, rhinoplasty was the most popular with over 52,000 procedures. Eyelid surgery ranked second, primarily eye lifts to eliminate droopy eyelids and achieve a more youthful, toned appearance.

Similar to a “Mommy Makeover” for women, one of the fastest growing set of procedures is known as the “Daddy-Do-Over.” This consists of surgical and non-surgical body contouring and facial procedures performed in a single surgery. More and more men are considering this to enhance their confidence. In today’s competitive professional environment, men feel they need to improve their physical appearance to
advance their careers and compete in the workplace.

Although men don’t go through the same physical changes as women with pregnancy and post-pregnancy, their bodies and lifestyles change. Diet and exercise patterns fluctuate, and they don’t sleep as much. Many aging men struggle to lose stubborn fat, and ultimately realize they need help, especially in their chest and abdomen areas.

More men than ever before are also getting fillers and injectables, with about 600,000 of these procedures performed on men in 2018. If men go to an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon, they can come to the office during their lunch hour for various treatments, including body sculpting, and then return to work without anyone noticing they had a treatment. Please contact my office and we’ll talk about what is right for you.

Yes! My practice is one of the first in the country to offer Jeaveau NEWTOX. It was just introduced this Spring, and is rapidly becoming very popular in the facial injectable market. This is the number one aesthetic procedure in the U.S., at about $1.2 billion annually. Jeaveau
NEWTOX is injected into muscles for temporary improvement in appearance, especially of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). This is the first new neurotoxin introduced in almost a decade, and the only one designed exclusively for aesthetic purposes. Most people are not aware that many of these products now used aesthetically were originally intended to provide therapeutic benefits in other areas.

I always do extensive research on any new product before I offer it, and Jeuveau NEWTOX is backed by studies with more than 2,100 patients. This includes two Phase III U.S. trials, which are solely done to answer one critical question, “Is it better than what’s already available?” Since Botox is considered the category leader, it was the largest head-to-head trial to study how NEWTOX performs versus Botox, and Jeuveau was thrilled with the results. Since patient safety is always my highest consideration, I also noted excellent results with two long-term safety studies. It is approved by the FDA.

At its core, Jeuveau NEWTOX utilizes the 900 kDa molecule, which is the gold standard in this category. But it is uniquely manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility using proprietary Hi-Pure technology for greater longevity in performance.

Please call my office or visit www.evolus.com for more information about this very exciting and promising new product.

By Mary Malik

“Don’t ever feel guilty about taking care of yourself.”

These are important words of advice that all of us need to hear. Victoria Sharp, a patient of Dr. Paul Vanek, of Vanek Plastic Surgery in Mentor, says this because she believes it, and because she wants all women to understand that taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, makes you better not only for yourself, but also for everyone in your life.

“I met Victoria and her daughter, Lillian, separately. I performed Lillian’s breast augmentation in 2014 and Victoria came to me for her breast lift this past April,” says Dr. Vanek.

“Whether it’s the size of your breasts, or their shape and positioning that you want to enhance or correct, I welcome your call and visit so we can talk about your personal goals.”

This is where Dr. Vanek is much more than your surgeon. He is your trusted confidant and a knowledgeable, highly skilled and experienced expert, all in one. Double board-certified both in general and plastic surgery, a biochemist and researcher, Dr. Vanek understands how to manipulate the body’s structures to reveal his patients’ true beauty.

“I always wanted larger breasts,” says Lillian. “I was always very small and never felt comfortable in clothes, or out of clothes. Luckily, I found Dr. Vanek. I could not be happier with my entire experience. I fell in love with his entire staff from the first phone call.”

After an introductory appointment and consultation, where Lillian and Dr. Vanek discussed size and shape of implants and details of the procedure and recovery, Lillian’s surgery took place on a Friday and she was back to work the following Monday.

“I was amazed at how good I felt and how very little pain I had,” says Lillian. “But the best part is how I was immediately thrilled with my results. I loved myself.”

Dr. Vanek describes Lillian’s recovery and response as typical and something most women can expect after breast augmentation.

“Breast augmentation is for the woman who isn’t happy with the volume of her breasts,” says Dr. Vanek. “Lillian had never been satisfied with her size and became even less so after breastfeeding her son. This is very common. Women can also lose volume after weight loss and want a more voluptuous look. I placed cohesive silicone implants underneath Lillian’s muscle for a natural appearance. The incisions are very small, resulting in very manageable pain.”

And after seeing her daughter Lillian’s results, Victoria was so impressed with her new look that for once, she started thinking about herself.

“I think it’s hard for women to think about themselves without experiencing some guilt,” says Victoria. “After raising my daughters, I felt I wanted to look and feel a little more feminine. I didn’t want larger breasts, but I just wanted to feel comfortable not wearing a bra under some of my pretty dresses and tops. For me, a breast lift was the answer.”

Dr. Vanek says a lift is for the woman who is happy with the volume of her breasts but not with the shape and positioning. A lift restores your breast shape and position without adding volume.

“I place incisions around the nipple, reposition the breast and then replace the nipple for a completely natural result,” says Dr. Vanek. “Victoria’s procedure had minimal pain and she was also back to work in a couple of days. I recommend that patients consider taking even more time off, but Victoria and Lillian were ready to get back to their lives.”

Many women like Victoria and Lillian are uncomfortable or embarrassed talking about their breasts or other parts of their body they aren’t pleased with. Victoria was pleasantly surprised with that part of her experience. “‘Kind’ is the best word to describe the staff here,” she shares. “I never felt judged or rushed in any way. And for such a sensitive topic to discuss with strangers, I was immediately put at ease. I love everyone here.”

Dr. Vanek totally understands this natural concern, and how it can sometimes prevent people from calling a plastic surgeon. “We really build strong relationships with our patients. That’s why so many of them even have their photos on my two websites,” says Dr. Vanek.

“We all try to make our patients feel at ease through the whole process,” he continues. “I’ve spent hours just talking through the options, risks and benefits. I want you to be totally thrilled with your result. I am walking this walk with you. After I make my recommendations based on a complete dimensional analysis of your body type and expectations, together we come up with the perfect plan for you.”

And don’t think that once you’re out of surgery Dr. Vanek is out of your life.

“I tell my patients from our first meeting that this is the beginning of a long-term relationship,” says Dr. Vanek. “Between yearly checkups and whatever treatments and procedures you may want in the future, you’re in my life for the rest of my career.”

And for this mother and daughter duo, Victoria and Lillian, that’s just fine.

Dr. Paul Vanek is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. His offices are at 9485 Mentor Avenue, Suite 100, in Mentor. He offers various payment options. For more information, call 440-205-5750or visit MentorPlasticSurgery.com or ThisCanBU.com, where all photos are of actual patients, and not retouched.