Absolute Living

DR. ASHLEY ROBEY

CONTENTS

BEAUTY INSIDE AND OUT

DR. ASHLEY ROBEY

THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA

This month's rundown of the best events in the area will carry you merrily through the holiday season and into the New Year.

UNWIND YOUR MIND

Does the holiday season have your mind running in circles? Take time to breathe and find your peace.

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

Our annual "check-up" on the area's best medical providers, with a focus this year on specialty care.

THE HIGH LIFE

Our selection of America's most charming elevated destinations, offering the best both on and off the slopes.

SUBSCRIPTIONS For more information go to absolutelivingmagazine.com, call 317.509.3981, or email jpena@ absolutelivingmagazine.com. To sign up for Absolute Living's monthly newsletter, go to absolutelivingmagazine. com/newsletter. COMMENTS Contact us via social media or email us at jpena@absolutelivingmagazine.com

December 11 Christmas Market

The Sixpence thesixpence.com

This Christmas, get your shopping done in style at The Sixpence, Zionsville’s premier wedding and event venue. Enjoy signature holiday drinks and festive live music in a gorgeous setting with a variety of hand-crafted, locally-sourced and intentional gifts available, as well as DIY holiday floral design and complimentary gift wrapping.

The

Absolute

AGENDA

By SuSaN Salaz

December 18

Santa Hustle

White River State Park santahustle.com

It might be cold outside, but a run through Downtown Indianapolis with hundreds dressed as jolly Santa himself will warm you right up. It really doesn’t get much more magical than this, and there’s fun for the entire family with events that include a Half Marathon, 5K and Kid’s Dash.

December 16-17

Trunk Show with Beny Sofer and Roberto Demeglio Petite G Jewelers petiteg.com

For fancy last-minute gifts or something stunning for yourself, visit Petite G Jewelers in the Shoppes at 56th and Illinois for the city’s finest selection in boutique jewelry. This two-day trunk show features classic favorites from Beny Sofer and Roberto Demeglio—two distinguished families of the jewelry industry.

December 22

Handel’s Messiah

The Palladium thecenterpresents.org

Conducted by Eric Stark and performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, you won’t want to miss this rendition of Handel’s Messiah—one of the most revered oratorios of all time, complete with the compelling and impassioned “Hallelujah Chorus,” in the unforgettable setting of the Palladium.

January 15

Harlem Globetrotters

Gainbridge Fieldhouse harlemglobetrotters.com

Catch the outrageous athletics of the Original Harlem Globetrotters as they take on their long-time rivals, the Washington Generals, in a basketball game full of thrills, skills and non-stop fun. With amazing tricks, hilarious antics and unbeatable showmanship, the Globetrotters give every crowd a game to remember.

December 31

NYE with Elton & Me: My Life as Elton John Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael feinsteinshc.com

Close out 2022 in the iconic Feinstein’s Cabaret with an energetic performance by Craig A. Meyer, America’s premier Elton John tribute artist, as he weaves the classic pop ballads and glam rock music of Sir Elton John with Meyer’s own life growing up as the son of a preacher in Southern California.

January 20

2023 Indianapolis Home Show Indiana State Fairgrounds indianapolishomeshow.com

Experience the best in all things home at the 2023 Indianapolis Home Show, where you’ll find an array of home products, services and experts to help inspire and inform your next home project. This ten-day event features more than 400 booths with everything you need, all under one roof.

Coming Soon

Grand Opening: VERDE Flavors of Mexico Zionsville verdeflavorsofmexico.com

Zionsville is soon to get an authentic taste of Mexican flavors, with a fourth Verde location opening in the Appaloosa Crossing development at 146th Street and North Michigan Road. The new space will have an upscale, contemporary feel to it, while still preserving Verde’s fun and organic signature ambiance.

Unwind Your Mind

By SuSaN Salaz

Breath work, yoga and meditation can be valuable tools to help handle the stress and chaos that often come with the holiday season. These practices can also bring peace and calm to the coming year.

The holiday season can be many different things, depending on your traditions and beliefs, but one thing it does not have to be is stressful. Sure, you are busy and the month might feel like it’s flying by, but sit back and take a deep breath. You’ll feel better for it. “Once you take time to feel and breathe and connect to your body, it just changes everything,” says Karen Fox, passionate yogi and owner of The Yoga Studio, with locations in Broad Ripple and Carmel City Center. She calls it the ABCs of Yoga: Awareness of your body, your Breath and your Connection.

Fox says anyone can do this, even without a yoga class. She recommends sitting by yourself in a quiet space with your eyes closed. Breathe through your nose and notice the effects this has on your body and mind. “The very basic tool of the yogi is awareness,” she says, explaining that this simple practice can relieve tension and allow you to let go of thoughts. Once you have mastered this, she does recommend the structure of a yoga class to benefit from the full circle of healing that the physical component of moving the body brings. “This heals you from the inside out and gives you an opportunity to begin again.”

The adaptability of yoga makes it an excellent resource anytime, but incorporating it into your daily routine can significantly increase the benefits mentally, physically and spiritually. Begin with your breath, and as time allows, you can incorporate dynamic poses and flows that will add strength and flexibility to your body, as well as clarity and emotional stability to your mind.

If you want to go even deeper with your breathing practice, consider learning the skill of meditation. This ancient practice, accessible to everyone, is still relevant in our modern world, focusing our attention and uncluttering our mind. Benefits can include

decreased anxiety, improved concentration and problem solving skills, increased positive energy and a feeling of rejuvenation. Guided meditation, or visualization, is a good place to begin. With a voice as your guide, you are led through a series of visualizations, breathing techniques or mantras in a stepby-step format, training your mind to be still and in the present.

The stress of the holidays isn’t going anywhere, but with a few deep breaths, you can make a conscious effort to slow down and enjoy all of the beautiful moments that come as well.

ABSOLUTELIVING

BEAUTY INSIDE AND OUT

DR. ASHLEY ROBEY

By SuSaN Salaz

At Robey Plastic Surgery and Live Better MD, Dr. Ashley Robey utilizes plastic surgery, anti-aging medicine and overall health and wellness principles to deliver exceptional—and beautiful—results.

Carmel, Indiana, is home to one of the most qualified plastic surgeons you’ll ever find. Dr. Ashley Robey is the only quadrupleboard-certified plastic surgeon in the world, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Robey, who started her own practice in 2013, says she obtained all four board certifications to demonstrate a mark of excellence in all aspects of plastic and aesthetic surgery as well as aesthetic medicine.

With extensive training and expertise in both the fields of otolaryngology and plastic surgery, Dr. Robey sought to set herself apart. “It’s important for prospective patients to know that their surgeon is fully trained and held to high standards. Unfortunately, not everyone that performs plastic surgery is a plastic surgeon. I am a fully trained plastic surgeon and am very familiar with

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Dr. Ashley Robey has received many professional accolades throughout her career, and she was recently voted the city’s best cosmetic/plastic surgeon for IndyStar’s 2022 Best Things community choice awards. She has helped thousands of patients look and feel their best since opening her own practice in 2013. This month, Robey Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine is celebrating three years at their location in the Village of West Clay.

aesthetic and functional issues of the body and the face,” she says, noting that it is important for patients to find a well-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Robey points out that while the medical aspects have always drawn her to the field, the artistic component of plastic surgery is especially fulfilling to her. She recounts finding a letter that she wrote to herself at age nine which lays out her plan to become a plastic surgeon. As an undergraduate student, Dr. Robey obtained a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Purdue University: “My ChemE studies nurtured the problemsolving approaches that I use in creating individualized surgical plans.”

Dr. Robey obtained her medical degree at Indiana University, and she did a surgical internship at UCSF followed by an otolaryngology residency at the University of Nebraska. Her plastic surgery training program was at Oregon Health & Science University. She sat for her ENT boards, plastic surgery boards, and then facial plastic surgery boards. After the first three boards, adding the anti-aging certification made sense, allowing her to offer a more comprehensive approach and a focus on general wellbeing that better aligned with her philosophy.

“To look your best externally, you have to be the healthiest version on the inside, too,” she explains. Acknowledging the areas that need improvement and seeking out ways to make your body healthier and higher functioning will likely not only improve your longevity, but also the quality of your life. “Our goal is to try to make people look good and feel good and to try to maintain that for as long as they can,” she says. Things like developing a healthier

lifestyle, incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet and adding nutraceuticals can all help your body function better and decrease the rate of aging, while treatments like Botox, fillers and lasers can even reverse the signs of aging.

Dr. Robey and her team believe that everybody has a peak level of health. Traditional medicine focuses on waiting until a person is in a disease state before intervening. At Live Better MD, Dr. Robey and her providers want to help ensure a state of pathology is not reached. “We are looking for our patients to not have just ‘normal’ results; we want them to be functioning optimally.” Her team of board–certified practitioners believes in breaking the mold of traditional medicine by uncovering the cause rather than masking the symptoms. By running a detailed panel of labs and completing a thorough history and exam, they are able to develop a comprehensive plan for improved health and well-being. To put this plan into action, the team provides patients with an understanding of how their body is functioning on a cellular level and how to make the necessary lifestyle changes. Supplements and prescriptive therapies are often incorporated into these treatment strategies.

According to Dr. Robey, there is not a “onesize-fits-all” approach to plastic surgery, aesthetics and regenerative medicine. That’s why she has made a point to offer each of her patients a customized treatment plan specific to their individual goals, delivering compassionate care and results that are second to none. Now located in the Village of West Clay, Robey Plastic Surgery and Live Better MD offer an unrivaled array of options you won’t find in other med spas. Dr. Robey takes care of any surgical needs, specializing

in tummy tucks, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelifts and more. Her highly skilled team of medical professionals, including two nurse practitioners (both boardcertified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine) and a medical aesthetician, can offer minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures ranging from weight loss to laser hair removal, Botox, microneedling and so much more.

Family nurse practitioner Tara Covey, who has worked with Dr. Robey for three years, echoes her sentiments on health and wellness. Defined by the World Health Organization, wellness is “a

state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmary.” Tara specializes in helping patients optimize their health and wellness through functional medicine and aesthetics, helping achieve a balance of mind, body and spirit. “I enjoy working in an environment that allows patients to take control of their health,” she says. “Here, we focus on prevention and correction of age-related diseases while improving quality of life.”

After nearly 20 years of medical experience, Dr. Robey is still committed to constant education

and staying at the forefront of the field with cutting-edge technology and techniques. “I think that's one of the cool things about medicine,” she says, adding that there is always new technology coming out. As a provider, Dr. Robey says she is always interested in figuring out what the next big thing will be. She asks herself questions like, “Is this something I would want, or something I would want my family to have?”

If the answer is yes, then she will seriously consider introducing that technology into the office.

“All of the [technology] that I have, I have tried out, and I've experienced what it's like to have the treatment,” she discloses, because that’s what her patients want to know: Is this going to work? Is this going to hurt? What’s my downtime going to be like? If these are questions you have, Dr. Robey has the answers.

She even has a new podcast, Nipped and Toxxed, where she discusses plastic surgery, aesthetics, and not only looking your best,

but feeling your best. Dr. Robey says that the podcast venture “has been a great way to not only share [her] insights about the field of plastic surgery and anti-aging medicine but also to learn new things [herself] through discussions with the various guests.” She notes that many of the things discussed during the podcast are topics that are commonly covered during in-person consultations. “The podcast has allowed me to connect with listeners on their time schedule. People that are interested in plastic surgery or anti-aging medicine can learn more about our approach to these fields. I, myself, am keen on the prospect of not aging; you only have one body while on this Earth, so you should probably take care of it and make it function optimally as long as you can.”

Robey Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine is located in Carmel at 12760 Meeting House Road in the heart of the Village of West Clay. For more information and to book a private consultation, visit robeyplasticsurgery.com and follow @robeyplasticsurgery on Instagram.

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH

Doctor Spotlight

Always wanting our readers to live their absolute best lives, we’re checking up on some of the area’s best medical providers offering high quality, personalized care.

Being physically healthy plays a major role in our well-being, making regular attention to healthcare a necessary component of our lives. A healthy and high-functioning body is the result of tending to it as a whole, and in this month’s cover story, Dr. Ashley Robey explains how we need to take care of every facet of our body—leading to greater longevity and quality of life. Here, we profile some of the area’s top specialists, focusing on dentistry, optometry and dermatology, because the teeth, eyes and skin are some of our body’s most valuable assets that should not be overlooked.

If improved health is something you’d like to focus on in the coming year, read on to see how these passionate, board-certified doctors, each working at the forefront of their chosen field with cutting-edge technology, can help you achieve and maintain the best version of yourself in the years to come.

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DR. MELANIE KINGSLEY

Board-Certified Dermatologist

“I find it rewarding that I can have a positive impact on someone’s life and self-confidence by improving their skin.”

Dr. Melanie Kingsley, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery at IU Health Physicians Dermatology, considers herself blessed to be doing what she loves. “I have wanted to be a doctor since I was very young,” she says, describing a photo of her two-year-old self with a stethoscope. Dr. Kingsley studied at IU School of Medicine and discovered her passion for dermatology and surgery after working for a summer in Chicago with Dr. Carolyn Jacob, who became her mentor. After a four-year residency in Indianapolis, along with further specialized training with a prestigious Cosmetic Dermatology and Laser Surgery fellowship program in Boston, Dr. Kingsley was invited to start the cosmetic division at Indiana University Dermatology in 2010. “It has been quite a journey, and we have grown into a successful cosmetic laser center since that time,” she says.

Dr. Kingsley sees patients for medical dermatology issues and skin exams, but also performs specialized procedures for both medical and cosmetic purposes, including lasers to treat sun damage, wrinkles and acne scars. Diligent about continual learning, she loves the excitement and fast-paced advances this field offers, saying, “I owe it to my patients to be giving them the most updated and relevant information.” When it comes to everyday skincare, Dr. Kingsley educates her patients on the importance of sun protection. Don’t skip outdoor activity, she says—just make sure you are protecting your skin.

In the spring of 2023, Dr. Kingsley is pursuing her dream of opening her own practice, MK Dermatology. Follow @ melaniekingsleymd to find out more. You can also shop Dr. Kingsley’s own medically based, scientifically formulated skin care products at skintherapyMD.com.

DR. JULIAN DAVILA

Orthodontist

Geist Orthodontics

8140 Oaklandon Road Indianapolis, IN 46236 (317) 823-8338 geistortho.com

WestClay Orthodontics

2149 Glebe Street, Suite 120 Carmel, IN 46032

(317) 593-1400 westclayortho.com

“Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth. We aim to provide you with the most beautiful smiles by using customized appliances designed for every patient.”

A native of Lima, Peru, Dr. Julian Davila discovered early in life how passionate and rewarding a career in dentistry could be by watching his father, a now-retired dentist in Lima, provide stellar care, excellent clinical results and a memorable experience to each of his patients. “I have learned so much from him, not only how to be a better clinician, but, most importantly, how the practice of our profession is not just focused on the teeth and the mouth, but on the entire health and quality of life of our patients,” says Dr. Davila.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Peru, Dr. Davila came to the US with his family in 1997. Here, he received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Tufts University and a Master’s degree and specialty in Orthodontics from the University of Minnesota. He has been practicing in the greater Indianapolis area for the past 12 years, currently on the northeast side of Indianapolis at Geist Orthodontics, and in the Village of West Clay in Carmel at WestClay Orthodontics.

When it comes to his philosophy regarding orthodontia, Dr. Davila says that beauty and function go hand in hand. Utilizing the latest advances in the field, Dr. Davila and his team can provide treatment to patients of all ages and every lifestyle. He says, “There are new technologies in our field available now for individualized, customized treatments with invisible appliances, providing our patients with greater comfort, less visits to our office, and shorter treatment times.”

For more information, the latest news and lots of beautiful smiles, follow @geistortho and @westclayortho on Facebook and Instagram.

“In order to provide proper care, you have to meet people where they are… Really understanding what a patient struggles with or what their concerns are is the best way to help them.”

Dr. Meret Thomas-Huebner admits that she did not grow up dreaming of being an optometrist, but she has always known that she wanted a career that would help people and make a positive impact. The Evansville native studied at Indiana University, earning a degree in anthropology, before attending the Indiana University School of Optometry, where she completed her primary care residency in Indianapolis with a focus on ocular disease. “All of a sudden it all fell into place and I knew optometry was the right path for me,” says Dr. ThomasHuebner, who loves getting to know new patients, but most importantly, loves helping them.

Dr. Thomas-Huebner earnestly keeps herself educated on all of the current trends and advances in the fast-moving field. “I am now initiating treatment that was only vaguely talked about when I was in school,” she says, citing treatments like myopia management, which can slow the progression of nearsightedness. She stresses the importance of early intervention eye care, explaining, “If a child needs glasses and they don't get the proper prescription at a young age, their visual capacities may be impaired forever.”

When it comes to patient care, Dr. Thomas-Huebner focuses on listening and honesty. “Studying anthropology taught me that the most effective way to communicate with someone is to understand them, and that can only happen in my profession by listening,” she says. “Whether we are talking about contact lens care, blood sugar control, or drop compliance to treat an ocular condition, patients need to be heard.”

To find out more or make an appointment with Dr. Meret Thomas-Huebner, visit carmelyeyecare.com online and follow Carmel Eyecare on Facebook.

THE HIGH LIFE

Ski towns offer something for everyone on and off the slopes. Here are some of America’s great snowy destinations, all of them at the peak of luxury.

Aspen, Colorado

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Aspen is a premier ski destination. Here, a lavish lifestyle comes naturally, with world class accommodations, an incredible culinary scene, renowned shopping and thriving arts and culture institutions and events. The highlight of any Aspen getaway is the après ski scene, where any level of skier can triumph with cold champagne or hot buttered rum, live music and a cozy fire at the base of the slopes in their ski boots.

If you go…be sure to ride to the peak of Aspen mountain and soak in the spectacular views on the Silver Queen Gondola.

Photography credit: Aspen Chamber aspenchamber.org

Big Sky, Montana

Adventure awaits in Big Sky, Montana, situated between Bozeman and West Yellowstone in the Northern Rockies. While downhill skiing might be the biggest draw, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are all in style here. For an experience you won’t soon forget, explore the slopes under the stars with headlamp night skiing, and afterwards, soothe your sore muscles with a visit to the Solace Spa at Big Sky Resort for an elevated escape.

If you go…take a snowy horse-drawn sleigh ride to the legendary North Fork Cabin at Lone Mountain Ranch for a candle-lit cowboy dinner and sing-along.

Photography Credit: Visit Big Sky visitbigsky.com

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

At the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a scenic dream, offering world famous alpine skiing, snowboarding and outdoor thrills, exquisite dining, luxurious lodging and entertaining nightlife. If you’re staying in town, a visit to the National Museum of Wildlife Art or the Elk Refuge is worth the drive, but a drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar on the town square might be just as wild.

If you go…soak in the steaming hot mineral waters of the natural hot springs just outside of town, perfect year-round, but accessible by snowmobile or dog-sled in the winter.

Photography Credit: Visit Jackson Hole visitjacksonhole.com

Lake Tahoe, California

Astunning winter wonderland, Lake Tahoe, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the perfect mix of luxury and leisure. Here you’ll find deep powder, sunny skies and picturesque views of the clear water and snow-capped mountains. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, consider a sunset helicopter tour to soak in the beauty from above, or keep your feet on the ground with a snowshoe hike to see things up close and personal.

If you go…glide along the snowy shores of Lake Tahoe on a pair of cross country skis to fully immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty.

Photography Credit: Tahoe South Photos visitlaketahoe.com

Park City, Utah

With fresh mountain air, old town charm and a list of modern amenities, Park City, Utah, offers both serenity and exhilaration. This historic silver mining town presents mountain life at its finest, with so much more than skiing and snowboarding (although the slopes don’t get much better than this). Ride the trolley down Main Street for dining, shopping and entertainment, all set against a Rocky Mountain backdrop that looks like you stepped into a snow globe.

If you go…give mushing a try on a dog sled excursion through snow-covered pastures and tree-lined trails for the thrill of a lifetime.

Photography Credit: Visit Park City visitparkcity.com