Collin County Living Well Magazine March-April 2020

Dirty Secret Happiness It’s more than a feeling

HEIDI KLUM

MODEL MOGUL

Healthy Changes Start at Flower Mound

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COUNTY

SA HAPPY FEELING

upermodel Heidi Klum believes the entertainment world maxim that it’s a rapid downhill slide for women after 30. At 46, the Germanborn Klum is more vibrant than ever. Not only is she branching out into fresh markets and taking on dynamic projects as she matures, Klum is a glowing newlywed to a man 16 years her junior.

Tackling ageism and sexism with grace are just two of the things that come naturally to this business-minded beauty. In response to the fiercely fickle and uber competitive entertainment industry, Klum has the foresight to continually pursue multiple creative and business goals to diversify her trademark brand of beauty and brains.

We catch up with the flaxen-haired beauty in this month’s celebrity spotlight to learn more about Klum’s wanderlust for global travel and passion for philanthropic endeavors. We also get an inside look at Klum’s new Amazon show, Making the Cut, and get the dish on Tom Kaulitz, her much-younger hubby––a man she says is making her the happiest she’s ever been.

Speaking of happiness, James Denny, the owner and operator of Imagine Senior Living has some thoughts on the subject. Unlike Klum, much of mankind has been searching for the elusive feeling for centuries. Apparently there’s even a science of happiness. What does it take to experience this pleasant state of being? Well, Denny has some thoughts on the subject. Turn to his article, “Happiness, More Than A Feeling,” to discover what they are.

Switching gears, we take a peek into investment advisers’ dirty secret. Financial consultant Rick Ferri, CFA, the CEO of Ferri Investment Solutions, pulls back the curtain on the financial adviser industry and explains why it’s far more complicated and costly than it needs to be. He suggests simple may be better when it comes to your portfolio––read why in his article.

With that in mind, simply dive in and get reading for a host of informative and entertaining content.

Cheers,

Sam and Spring Houston

PRESIDENT & CEO

Sam Houston

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

Spring Houston

FEATURE WRITER, COPY EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Sondra Barr

ART DIRECTOR, LAYOUT, PRODUCTION & WEBSITE DESIGN

Lewis Schucart

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT

Jennifer Beavers

ADVERTISING/SALES

Texas | Denton County, Dallas County, Collin County

Texas & Oklahoma | Texoma

WRITE TO US. Tell us who you would like to see featured on the cover, or what subjects you would like covered in upcoming editions of LIVING WELL Magazine at spring@livingwellmag.com

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LIVING WELL Magazine is a source for quality educational articles on living a healthy, vibrant life. Our focus is on connecting our readers with the latest information on a host of topics relevant to their evolving life. From cutting edge medical news and procedures to top-tier financial, legal and lifestyle information. Connecting readers to leading medical and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma.

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COLLIN

A Guide to DARTable Spring Festivals

Looking for a spring festival in North Texas? Our region is bursting at the seams with them. How to survive so many weekends of fun in the sun? Sunscreen and lots of water! How to get there? Here’s a hot tip: The DART System takes you right to the fun and delivers you in a festive mood – no traffic or parking headaches. Check out this roundup of DARTable spring shindigs, plus a few other tips we’ve picked up.

The free Deep Ellum Arts Festival is a rockin’ good time in a neighborhood famous for its creative spirit. On the weekend of April 3-5, six blocks off Main Street are lined with hundreds of sculptors, painters, jewelers and crafters, some creating art on the spot. There’s plenty of food and drink to be had. And it wouldn’t be Deep Ellum without music; some 100 acts perform on several stages. To get there, take the Green Line to Deep Ellum or Baylor University Medical Center stations. deepellumartsfestival.com

TIP: While kids and teens are welcome, this one’s a pretty grown-up affair; there are no kids’ activities, and things can get mildly raucous after dark.

For a big-bang kind of Earth Day, head to EarthX, one of the world’s largest gatherings of its kind. The free festival takes place the weekend of April 2426. Find live music, food, beer and other festival fare, along with various environmental organizations. Appropriately enough, the Green Line gets you there. Get off at Fair Park Station. earthx.org

TIP: If you’re true-blue about going green, the event includes a film festival and conference where you can learn about everything from clean energy to urban design. Check the website for times and places.

On May 2, Plano AsiaFest fills Haggard Park with the food, colors and culture of the Earth’s biggest continent. Learn more about Asian languages, medicine, music and fashion. Rich and distinctive cultures are yours to explore, with cultural performances and vendors from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and Nepal – and points in between. Discover Asia next to Downtown Plano Station on the Red Line. asianamericanheritage.org

TIP: If a culture or cuisine sparks your curiosity, return to Plano for more; the city has the region’s largest concentration of Asian immigrants, and the authentic restaurants to prove it.

In Texas, spring is synonymous with wildflowers, and Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival is a celebration where springtime fun flourishes. From May 15-17, Galatyn Park Urban Center comes alive with a bouquet of musical acts and a profusion of exhibitors and vendors. This year’s headliners include Collective Soul and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. One of the region’s best music festivals blooms adjacent to the Red Line’s Galatyn Park Station. wildflowerfestival.com

TIP: If you want an up-close spot on the lawn of the Main Stage, arrive early to stake your turf with a picnic blanket or beach towel.

tiful Asian dance performances, lion and dragon dances, plus food, arts and crafts, and educational activities. The event happens May 17 at Irving’s Lake Carolyn, near Las Colinas Urban Center Station. dfwdragonboatfestival.com

TIP: You can partake in a 2,000-year-old tradition in an exhilarating way by participating in the Dragon Boat races. Visit the website to register.

Taste Addison is a food and music extravaganza from May 31-June 2 in Addison Circle Park. The event bursts with flavor and musical talent from North Texas and beyond, and offers chef demonstrations, wine tastings, face painting and more. Numerous bus routes serve Addison Transit Center, which is right next to the action. tasteaddisontexas.com

TIP: Lawn chairs are not permitted at this event, but blankets are welcome.

With the University of North Texas, one of the world’s premier jazz schools, within its borders, Denton has the most musical talent per capita this side of Nashville. See for yourself at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival. From April 24-26 at Quakertown Park (just north of the square), expect offbeat vendors, a collegiate atmosphere and serious jazz chops on display. To get there, take – what else? – the A-train. DCTA’s commuter rail service connects with the Green Line at Trinity Mills Station.

DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival features spectacular kite flying, exciting dragon boat races, beau-

TIP: The festival allows outside food and drinks.

Katie Montgomery

Sydney Beavers

MODEL MOGUL

By Sondra Barr

Heidi Klum makes the cut beyond “Project Runway.”

They say that German engineering is as close to perfection as you can get. No, we aren’t talking about a Mercedes or a BMW; we’re talking about German-born Heidi Klum, who has been rated one of the sexiest models in the world. For crying out loud, she even had her legs insured for $2.2 million dollars, and that was 20 years ago! German engineering indeed!

Much like the Mercedes Benz, the stunning and multi-talented entertainer, model, mother, and all-around superstar, Klum, has been a household name for generations. She’s been in the limelight since she won a modeling contest in her home country of Germany at 18, and has sustained global recognition well into her 40s. Now 46 years old, many wonder how she continues to maintain her superstardom. The answer––by keeping things fresh, branching out into new markets, different art forms, and always being the hardest worker in the room.

BEYOND BEAUTY

Klum is an archetype of physical perfection, a flaxen-haired blonde goddess with as much brains as beauty, a beloved role model for business-minded creatives, a wryly humorous German-American exotic personality, and an all-around loveable force to be reckoned with.

She is a woman of many talents and even more life interests: A former Project Runway presenter, a talent show judge, and a philanthropist––in addition to being a model, actor, singer, and a carefree, body-positive nudist. (Rumor has it that she enjoys brushing her teeth topless!)

At an age where the entertainment industry often chews up mature women and spits them out, Klum has continually raked in the money and the fans without any slowdown in sight. She still makes headlines several times a year, for various projects.

LAID BACK OUTLOOK

Sure, she’s been a Victoria’s Secret Model and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, but

she’s also a perennial Halloween favorite, conjuring up costumes that would make creature feature artist Rick Baker jealous. She’s undergone hours of prosthetic makeup for Halloween to transform herself into fun and imaginative monsters and aliens, rendering her unrecognizable as the supermodel underneath. Sometimes beauty is a bit more than skin deep.

Despite being gorgeous, hip, and fashionable, Klum doesn’t claim to always be at the apex of haute couture. She admitted to USA Today that she’s often “The worst dressed” when in public, and doesn’t mind. Fans agree Klum’s willingness to be casual and her generally laidback demeanor makes her more relatable.

Hollywood and the entertainment industry are fiercely competitive and fans can be fickle and forgetful of the greatest talents. To compensate for the vagaries of Hollywood, Klum has always pursued multiple creative and business goals to cultivate a diversified and interesting career, everything from writing to acting to producing.

MAKING THE CUT

What current projects does she have in the works? Well, in a recent interview with Variety, Klum dished about her newest project, and how it came to be. Following a wildly-successful ride of 16 years producing and hosting Project Runway, Klum and Tim Gunn decided to graduate to the next level, creating a new hit show called Making the Cut. As they discussed with Variety, “Project Runway is the undergraduate program, Making the Cut is the graduate and PHD program.” This new fashion competition reality program on Netflix speaks not only to Klum’s competitive nature for self-improvement, but also a realiza-

Continued, page 10

Continued from page 9

tion that more could be done with a new show on a new network.

Being a semi-retired model still requires a great deal of dedication and focus on her physical wellbeing. Klum takes a balanced approach that allows her to eat reasonably well, and doesn’t kill herself working out every day of the week.

STAYING ACTIVE

For the most part, she relies on cardio like running, a bit of weight training and then yoga as her stretching and resistance regimen (which helps her keep her impressive abs and core looking like a 20-year-old’s). She’s also been known to jump on trampolines and dabble in circuit training to keep her heart rate up. Klum’s motto is that working out is easier with an accountability partner. Gym partners are friends and motivators in one. “My best advice,” Klum dished to Glamour, “is to workout with a buddy. They keep you motivated and get you out of bed.”

Klum admittedly eats a generous amount of food, but she eats nutritious foods that help fill her up (fruits and veggies for fiber), eggs and skinless chicken for protein, and watches her portions around dinnertime, careful not to eat too much before bed, as she explained to US Weekly

FINDING LOVE

As far as her personal life, Heidi has been thrice married, famously to the pop singer Seal, with whom she had children, and most recently to musician

Tom Kaulitz. He is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and keyboard player in the bestselling rock band Tokio Hotel. He also just happens to be 16 years her junior! But while double standards may raise eyebrows for these age gaps among women who are the senior partner, Klum doesn’t sweat the questioning looks.

The couple hardly seems to care about the age difference; but the public, especially in Hollywood, can be shallow.

“Lately, I’m being reminded more about my age by people other than myself,” Klum recently explained to InStyle. “My boyfriend is many years younger than me, but I don’t see the big deal.”

When asked about her recent nuptials, Klum told USA Today, “So far, so good!” Which would hardly count as a ringing endorsement, save for the fact that she was ribbing us with a coy smile and her trademark sense of humor.

Klum and Kaulitz get along famously, for several reasons. Both are German natives and, on top of that, they both have been married before. Not to mention, they are both multifaceted entertainers with a pas-

AT LEFT: Heidi Klum and husband Tom Kaulitz attend Angel Ball 2019 hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for cancer research.

sionate love for life and wanderlust for global travel. Kaulitz has grown very fond and paternal of Klum’s children, as she has expressed in multiple interviews.

Amusingly enough, she had not listened to her husband’s music prior to marrying him. They, in fact, met through a mutual friend, Kaulitz’s twin brother. She had met Tom’s brother years ago, without knowing that she’d eventually fall in love and marry into the family. She is, however, a current fan and cheerleader for her husband’s successful band.

PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS

Klum is also a noted philanthropist, giving generously to multiple causes and charities over the years, even lending her star power to fundraisers along with her dollars. In 2014, she was even given the honor of receiving the Crystal Cross Award, a rare tribute to the generosity of donors like Klum. She received special recognition for her contributions and advocacy for the Red Cross after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, as first reported in The Telegram.

“I think everyone can do something, even if it is in your own community,” Klum explained. “You can visit children in the hospital or bring gifts to them, cook a meal for someone who is ill and can’t. We are all global citizens and whatever we can do, if it is small or something bigger––it’s all important.”

Klum has more plans on the horizon, both creatively and philanthropically, which we would expect from someone as busy as this beloved entertainment mogul. Stay tuned for what’s next!

LEFT: Heidi Klum hosting with Tim Gunn on Amazon Prime Video’s Making The Cut.

RIGHT: The American Red Cross presented Heidi Klum with the Red Cross Award for her work volunteering with the charity.

America’s Got Talent judges Howie Mandel, Alesha Dixon, Terry Crews, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell.

Universal Studios

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, March 20

5pm to 7pm

Thursday, March 26 4pm

Tuesday, April 9 4pm

Wednesday, April 22

Casino Night - Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association

Help us raise money to fight Alzheimer’s as you play poker, blackjack, roulette, dice and other fun casino-style games. Enjoy live entertainment, chef-prepared appetizers and signature cocktails.

Ethics for Healthcare Professionals

A Free CEU Opportunity for Our Partners

As a reward for our referral partners, we want to invite you to join us for this special educational opportunity. Earn CEU credits as you learn more about ethics in the healthcare industry.

Social Artworking

Sip wine, enjoy tasty appetizers, network with other professionals and paint your own creative masterpiece to take home. All skill levels are welcome to participate!

11am Farmer’s Market

Local vendors will be on-hand with fresh fruit, vegetables, art, jewelry, candles and other market treats. You’ll also enjoy live summertime music, cooking demos and complimentary strawberry-watermelon smoothies!

When you need top quality parts and service, look to Plano Power Equipment. To keep your equipment in top shape, you can count on Plano Power Equipment’s retail parts sales and servicing of Toro-brand equipment using genuine Toro® parts.

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PERFORMANCE AND LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY!

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• 50” heavy-duty fabricated deck featuring Toro’s tough IronForged™ cutting system that dominates challenging cutting conditions – 3-bladed mowing system and durable 6” commercial inspired spindles, driven by belts made of Kevlar®, the same material found in bullet proof vests.

MARCH IS SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH!

Stress is bad for your health and your vision too.

Courtesy Key-Whitman Eye Center

Perhaps you’ve learned stress is bad for your health, but what many people don’t realize is that stress can also cause vision loss. Although stress-related loss of vision is often temporary, many people with common, underlying eye and health conditions aren’t always so lucky, which is why stress management is key.

According to Plano eye doctor Faisal Haq at the KeyWhitman Eye Center “Generically, stress is bad for us in many ways. It can cause high blood pressure, increase cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) levels and elevate sugar levels in the blood, which are direct consequences of stress on the body. Then there are the indirect consequences of stress. There’s no doubt that high blood pressure, high cortisol levels and elevated blood sugars can exacerbate certain eye diseases and conditions, which may lead to permanent vision loss for some patients.”

How Stress Plays a Role in Vision Loss for People with High Blood Pressure, Glaucoma and Diabetes

No. 1: High Blood Pressure Increases

The Risk Of Vision Loss Due To Vascular Disease.

Stress can raise blood pressure, which can raise the incidence of vascular disease. This includes vascular disease of the eye, a condition that can cause damage to the optic nerve and the retina, resulting in vision loss. Vascular disease can also cause the macula located at the back of the retina to deteriorate, which may exacerbate macular degeneration, a progressive, blinding disease.

No. 2: High Cortisol

Levels

Increase The Risk Of Vision Loss Due To Glaucoma.

Stress raises the levels of cortisol which is associated with high eye pressure. Increased eye pressure worsens glaucoma, a disease that can damage the optic nerve and even cause blindness.

No.

3: High Blood Sugar Levels Increase

The Risk Of Vision Loss Due To Diabetic Retinopathy.

Stress can increase blood sugar levels and make it more difficult for diabetics to regulate blood sugar. Poorly controlled blood sugars contribute to diabetic retinopathy, a blinding condition in which blood vessels in the back of the eye become weakened and leaky. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to permanent loss of vision unless diagnosed and treated early.

Reduce Your Risk for Vision Loss –Get Stress in Check NOW!

If you feel stressed-especially if you have one of the underlying conditions discussed above - it is important to take proactive steps immediately to manage stress.

“When I talk with patients who are highly stressed and at risk for vision loss, one of my first pieces of advice is to schedule time with their primary care physician to work out a stress management plan. It’s so important to find ways to minimize stress and find balance in life,” Dr. Haq stated.

Dr. Haq also urges patients to think about the things they love doing reading, traveling, cooking, sports, etc. – and devote more time to doing those activities, in order to find a better work-life balance.

According to Dr. Haq, “Personally, I enjoy playing tennis or golf to reduce stress, but everybody is different. That’s why it’s important to work closely with your doctor to develop a customized plan for you. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from exer cise, dietary changes, massage therapy, acupuncture, breathing exercises, counseling and other solutions. Most important, don’t delay. The sooner you get stress under control, the sooner you’ll reduce your risk of vision loss and other health issues.”

Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash

Many blinding eye diseases and conditions advance without any symptoms, which means, once you realize your vision is failing, it may be too late. This is the case with vascular eye diseases, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, eye doctors like Dr. Haq even in their early stages, have the ability to test for these conditions.

“While it’s important to get stress under control, early diagnosis and treatment of eye disease are essential if you want to ward off permanent vision loss. If you’re seeing a doctor for a chronic health condition, you should be seeing your eye doctor regularly, too. We can monitor your eye health and prescribe treatments to help preserve your vision for the long-term,” stated Dr. Haq.

From left to right are: Leslie Pfeiffer, M.D.; Anita Jacob, O.D.; Kimberly Warren, M.D.; Sadaf Razi ElHaffar, O.D.,; Faisal Haq, M.D.

TREATING PAIN FOR BETTER

DAYS

Introducing the OsteoCool™ RF Ablation System for the treatment of pain caused by metastatic malignant bone tumors. If cancer has metastasized to bones such as your spine, hip, femur, or pelvis, talk with your oncologist about treatment options, such as OsteoCool™ RF Ablation to treat your pain.

To the right is a list of Physicians actively offering the OsteoCool™ RF Ablation System in your local area.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Remember to always talk to your doctor about the benefits, potential complications, and risks for any procedure. Damage to surrounding tissue may occur from this procedure. Additionally, if you have a tumor in the cervical spine (neck) or have a heart pacemaker or other electronic implant, this procedure may not be right for you.

For more information, please visit Medtronic.com.

Allen, TX

Leonard Kibuule, MD (817) 442-9300

Adrian Moger, MD (972) 599-9328

Frisco, TX

Paul Salinas, MD (972) 377-9200

Stephen Neece, MD (972) 334-0300

McKinney, TX

Irfan Ali, MD (817) 488-0410

Eric Benson, MD (972) 599-9328

Edward Pong, MD (972) 599-9328

Plano, TX

Theodore Belanger, MD (972) 608-5020

Scott Kutz, MD (972) 608-5020

Richardson, TX

Akilan Arumugham, MD (972) 599-9328

Jorge Roman, MD (972) 599-9328

Crys Sory, MD (972) 566-7866

Michael Oh, MD (972) 283-4966

Bartley Mitchell, MD (214) 948-2076

Dr. Jeff Angobaldo, M.D.

Dr. Jeff Angobaldo is a board-certified plastic surgeon licensed in the State of Texas and has been practicing here for 11 years. His office is near the Shops at Legacy in Plano. Dr. Angobaldo is very well regarded by his patients and colleagues and is known for going out of his way to ensure patient satisfaction. Dr. Jeff Angobaldo or, as his patients call him, “Dr. Plano” specializes in mommy makeovers and all surgeries of the breast including reduction, lift, and augmentation.

Creating the best version of each patient is the goal for Dr. Angobaldo and his staff. To help the patient achieve his/her goal. Surgery is an option for many moms and for those that have had massive weight loss. There are other aesthetic procedures that Dr. Angobaldo offers that can be employed to help retain a youthful appearance such as Botox and other injectables, lasers, microneedling, PRP and more. Dr. Angobaldo and his staff are great about suggesting what patients need and helps each one through the process to achieve individualized and personal goals. For one person it may be a body transformation and for another, it may just be Botox. Each patient gets the same attention and compassion as Dr. Angobaldo’s ambition is to help every patient he can, from reconstructive to cosmetic needs, as every patient is important.

If you have any questions about Dr. Angobaldo, his staff or facility, he invites you to call and make an appointment. You can also review his before and afters on the website and on various social media outlets such as Instagram and follow the staff’s day to day on SnapChat. You can easily communicate with the staff via social media. When you are ready go in for a consult and see what everyone has been talking about. . . Dr. Plano is a great Plastic Surgeon and his staff will treat you like family.

Dr. Angobaldo graduated from the University of Michigan in 1996. He graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan Medical School in 2002 and completed a residency in Plastic Surgery in 2008 at Wake Forest University. Willing to lend his expertise, Dr. Angobaldo was featured on Good Morning Texas and is a national spokesman for the SlimLipo / SmartLipo laser liposuction technology. Additionally, he is a Top Contributor for Realself.com, and answers readers’ more popular questions about cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

Courtesy Preston Place

How about some resolutions that are easy to keep – and even fun?

We all make New Year’s resolutions each year, with high hopes and the best intentions. Yet, we tend to abandon them before the end of January. In fact, a 2018 study conducted by Strava, a social network for athletes, pinpointed January 12th as a date most often reported as the day resolutions fail. The reason? We set unrealistic expectations for ourselves.

When it comes to goal-setting, your best chance for success is choosing attainable goals. You also want to choose very specific goals, and put them in writing. Map them out in a day planner or a mobile app - whichever you prefer. When they’re in print or on your screen, they become real.

It’s also a good idea to divide your goals into smaller steps. Rather than saying, “I want to lose weight” or “I want to read more,” try breaking your resolutions into bite-size weekly and monthly goals. For example, “I want to lose 5 pounds this month,” or “I want to read three books per month, instead of two.”

At independent living communities like Preston Place in Plano, it’s easy to maintain your resolutions all year. Here are a few ways you can enhance your everyday routine and enrich your life, right here in the Plano area. Finish your college degree, earn a master’s or take a college class

With so many wonderful colleges and universities in our area, it’s never too late to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or take a course in a subject you’ve always wanted to study. At Preston Place, our residents have Dallas Baptist University just 10 minutes away, as well as Collin College, and many more continuing education opportunities right in the Plano area. Many courses and degrees are offered online as well, so you can learn at home.

Step outside your comfort zone

Try out for a local theater production, or use your stage management skills to put on a Broadway-inspired production right in your own neighborhood. Take a mixology class, go hiking somewhere new, or even go skydiving. It’s amazing what you can do when you resolve to step outside your comfort zone.

Join the Plano Senior Advisory Board

Did you know? Our local Senior Advisory Board meets six

times a year to hear the concerns and ideas of our citizens. Get involved, let your voice be heard, and help improve our city, together with your neighbors. Learn more at plano.gov.

Volunteer your time and talents

Tutor elementary school children, support your local food pantries, clean up city spaces, or get involved with any organization or cause that means something to you. Resolve to dedicate time each week, month, or quarter to volunteer, and get your friends involved, too.

Travel someplace new

If you’re a cruise person, find a destination you’ve never been to before – and be sure to add on as many excursions as you can. If you prefer air travel, try a new airline that flies somewhere you’ve always wanted to see. If you usually prefer to have every day of your trip planned out, resolve to take at least a day or two to “wing it” and go exploring without a plan. You never know what you may experience, or who you may meet.

Most of all, resolve to live your best life

One of the best resolutions you can make for yourself is to enjoy life more. For each of us, that can mean something different. Maybe it means retiring from household chores once and for all. Maybe it means making more time for friends, or trying new activities and returning to favorites. Maybe it means throwing out the rulebook and seeing where the wind takes you.

What will you resolve to do this year?

Dr. Steve Williams, Dr. Brad Wyatt, Dr. Joshua Williams, Dr. Jeff Williams

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Courtesy Allen Dental Center

Believe it or not, some folks don’t understand what dental implants are, how they work and why they are so helpful. A dental implant acts just like a real tooth root, maintaining complete stability of the attached tooth or teeth and stimulating the surrounding bone so that the bone maintains its volume. Dental implants are often the most conservative tooth replacement option and can be a better option than complex dental work to try and save a tooth where the tooth is already highly compromised. The actual implant is a small titanium screw that replaces

the root of the missing tooth or provides an anchor for a full arch case. After the implant is integrated into the bone, we can place a tooth on top of it and allow you to begin feeling confident again and chewing normally.

Why would anyone want to get dental implants? Something that can help aid you in your decision between a Dental Implant and any other dental procedure is that you will most likely want a solution composed of 5 things: natural looking, comfortable, easy to maintain, healthy for your mouth and a great value. Imagine a smile that is pure, clean and allows you to beam with confidence. Imagine a smile that allows you to brush and floss normally. Imagine a smile that will not require return visits to the dentist to maintain and replace expensive appliances. Dental implants are a great option for each of these ideal solutions.

Gone are the days of teeth flopping around in your mouth! Dental implants can secure most dentures, and that’s life changing. Most of us like being social and the most common thing we do is eat together. That’s reason enough to

make sure your teeth are secure, not to mention being able to eat the food we enjoy. Additionally, a single tooth implant might be used to preserve the surrounding teeth by avoiding a cemented bridge. When we do bridges, we have to treat the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. In trying to restore missing teeth, we would love to keep the others healthy too.

What worries the average person about getting implants? You can be sure almost everyone can benefit from implants. It’s a rare case that we can’t help someone. Maybe it might be between $3,000 for a single tooth and $50,000 for an entire mouth reconstruction. There are affordable ways, including special financing, that could bring the cost down to $56 a month for a single tooth and $390 for one full arch. This is all subject to credit approval and a down payment, but it gives a proper perspective to those who are considering this.

Another possible misconception is that Dental Implants could be painful. Most of the time getting implants is not nearly as uncomfortable as people imagine. There is a lot of planning put into the surgery ahead of time so that the actual procedure is quite simple.

The Allen Dental Center has been performing many dental services for decades, but implants are at the top of the list. We even have the Dallas Implant Institute conducting continuing education classes out of this facility with our doctors as the instructors. In other words, our dentists are getting to teach other dentists how to be successful at placing implants.

Implants can and often last a lifetime. It is important to find a dentist who knows how to help you get the successful results you deserve. Allen Dental Center is offering a free consultation with necessary x rays and are currently looking for certain cases that we can use for teaching classes.

Are Dental Implants right for you? Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you missing one or more teeth and would love to have a complete smile once again?

• Do you currently have any other kinds of tooth replacements such as: dentures, bridges, flippers, etc. that aren’t providing the comfort or convenience you desire?

• Have you or are you experiencing any mouth injuries, decay, gum disease?

• Are you embarrassed about your teeth and your smile?

• Would you love to finally have a healthy, beautiful smile?

If you said yes to one or more of these questions, then you are likely a good candidate for dental implants.

Dr. J. Richard Evanson is a board- cer tified, fellowship trained or thopedic surgeon specializing in hip preser vation as well as reconstruc tion of the hip and k nee. He is cer tified in total k nee and total hip replacements with the MAKO™ Robot, and focuses on a variety of surgical techniques including: hip and k nee ar thoscopy, minimally invasive techniques, spor t injuries, and joint replacement of the hip and k nee. He has a clinical interest and background work ing with spor ts related injuries, femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), hip dysplasia, avascular necrosis (AVN), and ar thritis of the hip and k nee. Dr. Evanson is a former Army surgeon and team physician for the Army Airborne R angers. Dr. Evanson offers minimally invasive hip joint replacement using the direc t anterior approach with the MAKO™ Robot, helping his patients recover faster while minimizing pain. He also specializes in hip ar throscopy, pelvic osteotomies and other hip joint preser vation surgeries to help his patients maintain their normal joints and ac tive lifestyles. Dr. Evanson is cer tified in total k nee and total hip replacements with the MAKO™ Robot.

Specializing in hip preservation as well as reconstruction of the hip and knee.

THE BUDDY SYSTEM

By Rick Allen

How many of us remember as little children being told “hold my hand while we cross the street” or “don’t go out there all alone”? These words of advice will stay with us our entire lifetime. I see husbands reach for the hand of their wife when crossing a street, not so much for safety but for the purpose of subliminally suggesting “you will be fine because I am right here”. As a Boy Scout, while working on our swimming merit badge we were told if you ever go out into open water always follow the buddy system. There should always be someone nearby in case you get in trouble.

As we grow and mature something mysteriously happens to us though. For some reason a large number of us feel as if we no longer need help (or at least are not supposed to ask for it). Society has somehow caused women to feel as if they should be independent and strong willed. As men, we develop the idea that we are never supposed to ask for directions or read instructions. I can personally attest to the fact that this is not accurate as I can easily become lost in a shopping mall and have the most difficult of times assembling even simple items. When something bad happens in our lives we naturally tend to want to shut down and isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. This is your mind’s defense system kicking into action. It is similar to an ostrich burying its’ head in the sand to hide. Everyone sees the ostrich, but since he cannot see them they must not exist. We all know how off base that

theory is, but believe if we hide our grief and sorrow; no one will know we hurt. This is terribly unhealthy as grief shared is grief diminished. Grief not acknowledged will only grow and ultimately lead to depression which will in turn manifest into a number of other unhealthy conditions.

When we learn of another person’s loss, we instinctively feel the need to do something to help ease their pain. The problem with grief is that most people feel awkward and unprepared in how to go about helping. The worst thing we can do is to avoid that person because of our own lack of confidence. This causes the person who is grieving to believe something is wrong with them for feeling sad. This feeling tends to cause the grieving person to want to rush through any type of memorial for the one who has died. Some people will try to avoid any acknowledgement that death has occurred at all in an attempt to get their life back to normal as quickly as possible. That never happens because the grieving person’s life cannot be the same again as there will always be a void where the person who died previously occupied. A healthy end result for a grieving person is the final phase of grief; reconciliation. When the grieving person can accept that their life will be

different because of the loss, but that different life will be ok, they have truly healed. This cannot be reached alone.

It is important to be the buddy for someone who has lost someone they love. Just telling that person you are sorry for their loss can open a door for conversation. The one thing every person who has lost someone wants to talk about is the person who has died. Allow them to tell the story of that person. In a way, this is allowing them to openly acknowledge that the person is no longer here and this will gently move them through the denial phase of their grief. Help that person find others who can relate to their loss. Maybe you have a friend who lost their spouse that can be introduced to the one who has just lost their spouse and they can share common feelings and listen to one another’s story. Grief support groups are also great ways to help a person move through the grieving process. The common thread to healthy recovery is being around other people. If you have lost someone close to you please do not shut down and attempt to find healing from within. If you know someone who is hurting from the loss of a loved one, be their buddy. The buddy system worked well for us all in our early phases of life. It will serve us all well in the end.

Rick Allen has been the owner of Allen Family Funeral Options for over 35 years and may be reached at 972-596-8200, or you may visit their website at www.AFFOplano.com.

Sta ed by 2 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology

Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs

Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions

• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings

Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids

Hearing Evaluations For All Ages

Battery Purchase Programs

Custom Ear Protection

Assistive Devices

30 Years of Experience

“Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs” . – Terry G. Box, Retired Collin County Sheri

ADVANCEMENTS IN HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY

By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D.

Like all high-tech devices, hearing aids have improved significantly over the past several years in terms of performance and advancements. Today’s hearing aids still amplify sounds, but thanks to digital and technological advances, they’re much smarter and more selective in what they amplify. Like phones that now do a lot more than just let you talk to people, hearing aids can do a lot more than just make sounds easier to hear.

Help with Hearing in Noise

designed to help you focus on speech from a certain direction. Noise reduction makes listening more comfortable, allowing you to focus on who or what you want to hear.

Wireless Connectivity

One of the most popular new advances is wireless hearing aids. With wireless, sound from your TV, computer or phone is streamed right into your ears at the volume you choose and control. This direct connection results in more immersive, enhanced sound as you’re now able to listen at the volume you want without having to turn the volume up loud in the room.

One of the biggest challenges people with hearing loss have is hearing in noisy places like restaurants or at social gatherings. It’s not that they can’t hear, it’s that they can’t hear clearly. It’s all one muddled mass of sound and the voices of the people they’re with don’t stand out.

The best of today’s hearing aids remedy those challenges with directional microphones and noise reduction technology. Programmed specifically to your hearing, they’re

And innovative accessories enable you to seamlessly switch between different settings (like remote microphone which lets you hear as though you are standing right next to the presenter) and different devices. You can also remotely control your hearing aids.

Other Advances to Ask About

When talking to your audiologist, ask about other features that can have an impact on how your hearing aids sound and perform, including: moisture, wax and oil barrier (advancements in mechanical design and protective coating help make hearing aids wear and wax/oil repellent); channels (additional channels allow your audiologist to create customized settings for different sound frequency ranges; ear-to-ear processing (means that both your hearing aids “work together”) to create a better listening experience.

Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney.

REHABILITATION CENTER

REHABILITATION CENTER

Stonemere Rehabilitation Center’s Accelerated Recovery program specializes in providing the latest in technology, equipment, techniques for those requiring short-term rehabilitation after recent hospitalization.

Stonemere Rehabilitation Center’s Accelerated Recovery program specializes in providing the latest in technology, equipment, techniques for those requiring short-term rehabilitation after recent hospitalization.

24-hour Skilled and Rehabilitative services

24-hour Skilled and Rehabilitative services

Stonemere offers 24-hour Skilled and Rehabilitative services for medically complex patients to include those needing high level acuity skilled nursing care.

Stonemere offers 24-hour Skilled and Rehabilitative services for medically complex patients to include those needing high level acuity skilled nursing care.

• Skilled care physicians and staff

• Skilled care physicians and staff

• Certified high level wound care

• Certified high level wound care

• Tracheostomy care

• Tracheostomy care

• IV therapies (antibiotics, Lasix) PICC line placement

• IV therapies (antibiotics, Lasix) PICC line placement

Luxury Amenities such as private rooms, WiFi, and full private baths. Comfortable living rooms.

Luxury Amenities such as private rooms, WiFi, and full private baths. Comfortable living rooms.

5 Star Dining, specialized menu tailored for patient’s nutritional needs by a licensed nutritionist. Therapy

5 Star Dining, specialized menu tailored for patient’s nutritional needs by a licensed nutritionist. Therapy

• Physical therapy

• Physical therapy

• Occupation therapy

• Occupation therapy

• Speech therapy

• Speech therapy

• erapist is LOUD certified

• erapist is LOUD certified

Stonemere has individually tailored therapy programs for strokes, orthopedics, elective procedures, generalized weakness and debility.

Stonemere has individually tailored therapy programs for strokes, orthopedics, elective procedures, generalized weakness and debility.

Voted

Total

Total

Partial Knee Replacement

Dear Olivia,

We are considering putting my aunt on hospice for a longterm illness that is worsening. Our biggest reservation is that we have heard that once someone goes on hospice, the regular medications are stopped, and morphine is started. She’s been on some of these medications for years and they really seem to help her. If we choose hospice, do we have to stop all regular medications?

~Questions about medications

Dear Questions about medications,

There is a common misconception about hospice that when someone elects hospice, they have to give up all of their other medications and start “comfort” medications right away, such as morphine. At VNA, we try to dispel this myth, as it is our goal to treat the whole patient and not only the terminal illness. We aim to do whatever is necessary to enhance someone’s quality of life. Many of our patients continue maintenance medications, such as blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sleep aides, and antibiotics. We will not discontinue medications unless it has been determined by the physician that there is potential harm or they are no longer beneficial. Decisions are made collaboratively between the patient, family and the doctor. Every hospice treatment plan is as unique as the patient.

~Olivia

OLIVIA ROGERS

Olivia is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the Chief Nursing Officer of VNA Texas.

Dear Olivia,

I’ve heard a lot about “group homes.” What are these homes and are they safe? We are starting to look for a place for my mother-in-law. She has become weaker and we are not sure how much longer we can take care of her on our own. We want to make sure we choose a place that is safe and provides adequate care.

~How do you know?

Dear How do you know,

That is a great question as group homes, or residential care facilities (RCFs) as they are known in the health care community, are springing up everywhere. This concept is not new, but it has become more popular in the last several years as the cost of other forms of long-term care increases. RCFs are actual homes in neighborhoods that are run as a business, often operated by a nurse or physician. They are regulated by the State of Texas if there are more than three residents living in the home and are licensed by the state licensing body known as HCSSA. This licensure and oversight ensure these homes are providing quality care and have the necessary fire and safety measures. This should give residents and their families peace of mind as these facilities are surveyed at least every three years. For help in determining what facility is right for your loved one, contact one of our medical social workers at VNA. We are here to help!

VNA Hospice Care

VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and comprehensive care provided by our highly qualified staff.

VNA Care Choices

Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician.

To schedule your free in-home informational visit please call (214) 689-2989 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-2271 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org

~Olivia

Rahul Banerjee, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

Rahul Banerjee, MD

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care with expertise in:

• Fracture Repair

• Joint Replacement

• Anterior Total Hip Replacement

• Fracture Nonunions/Malunions

• Limb Lengthening

• Periprosthetic Fractures

• Pelvic Fractures

• Upper Extremity Injuries

Dr. Rahul Banerjee is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in comprehensive fracture management, joint replacement (including direct anterior hip replacement), and management of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Rahul Banerjee is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in comprehensive fracture management, joint replacement (including direct anterior hip replacement), and management of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee graduated with honors from Brown University and completed medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society.

Dr. Banerjee graduated with honors from Brown University and completed medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society.

Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Major. Dr. Banerjee was assigned to treating injured patients and training orthopaedic residents at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. During his service, he was deployed to the War in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and treated many injured soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Major. Dr. Banerjee was assigned to treating injured patients and training orthopaedic residents at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. During his service, he was deployed to the War in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and treated many injured soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Banerjee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Howard Rosen Teaching Award from AO North America. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Banerjee has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous textbook chapters on the treatment of orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Howard Rosen Teaching Award from AO North America. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Banerjee has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous textbook chapters on the treatment of orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Medical City Plano. In 2019, Dr. Banerjee joined Texas Bone and Joint and continues to practice in Plano.

Dr. Banerjee serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Medical City Plano. In 2019, Dr. Banerjee joined Texas Bone and Joint and continues to practice in Plano.

469-782-9870

1600 Coit Road, Suite 104

Plano, TX 75075

drrahulbanerjee.com

These days, getting old seems to be harder than it used to be. Families live farther apart and aren’t always able to care for each other the way they did in the past. People are living longer, and providing quality care is getting tougher. And, there are many in the “sandwich generation” who are raising children and taking care of parents at the same time. That’s a lot to juggle. Though we can’t reverse the aging process, there are some things we can do to make it a little easier on ourselves and our loved ones.

Fraud Awareness: Fraud on seniors happens more than we like to imagine. We see countless cases where seniors have been manipulated by someone they thought they could trust: a son, a daughter, a family friend, a teller at a bank, or even a caregiver. These people befriended the seniors and then abused their position to exploit them, almost always in ways that were financial or material. Take the time to talk to your loved ones regularly about their lives and daily activities and listen carefully for hints that they are struggling to manage on their own. Remind them not to give out their personal information or bank account numbers over the phone, and that anyone who pressures them for money or asks that they withhold information from family members does not have their best interests at heart. Make yourself available to help and make sure they know you care about their well-being and financial security.

Know Your Health Care Options: It’s never too early to get the facts on your health care coverage and available public benefits. Many people don’t know what private health insurance and Medicare will and will not cover. People are often shocked to find out that Medicare or their health insurance will not pay for long-term skilled nursing, assisted living, or at-home care, all of which can cost several thousands of dollars a month. Some people can get government benefits, such as Medicaid or Veterans’ benefits, but not everyone qualifies for these public

Lori Leu, Erin

GETTING OLD IS HARDER THAN IT USED TO BE

By Leu & Peirce, PLLC

programs. If you have the advantage of time to plan in advance, long-term care insurance, or its equivalent, can make all the difference.

Long-Term Care Planning: Every week, we are asked to help families who are faced with the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. These situations are difficult for everyone involved. Debilitating illness can become the kind of worst-case scenario that leaves a family in financial ruin due to lost income, medical expenses, and nursing care costs. It’s impossible to plan for every circumstance that could arise in the future, but having your estate planning documents in order as soon as possible will definitely help. Medical and financial powers of attorney allow you to designate agents to assist with medical decisions and financial matters and are the primary way to avoid the need for guardianships.

Guardianships: Sometimes, it becomes clear that a person no longer has the capacity to care for or protect themselves. A judge can appoint a legal guardian for someone who is suffering from dementia or any other disability that impairs judgment and decision-making. The appointed guardian will typically oversee personal affairs and finances. Guardianships can be difficult, but are sometimes necessary to protect a loved one from exploitation by unscrupulous or misguided people. One of the only ways to ensure you have some control in who will be appointed guardian is to sign a Declaration of Guardian while you have capacity. A Declaration of Guardian allows you to choose who you do, or do not, trust to act as your guardian. A little advance planning can make things much easier down the road, and can help prevent heartache and fighting.

Find Trusted Advisors: Whether you’re helping a family member deal with aging or whether you’re facing those challenges yourself, don’t go it alone. Seek qualified professional advice on health care, insurance, legal documents, and financial planning. There are many trust-worthy professionals in our community. Take the time now to build relationships with people you trust to help you plan for your future. You’re doing your family an invaluable service when you complete a plan well before you need it.

Lauren Olson, Laura

and Zachary Stubblefield are Elder Law Attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC in Plano, TX. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.

Peirce,

Chavero,

VEGGIE TREND ALERT!

Lookout for these veggies in 2020

By Julie Alvira

Still in demand, vegetables (veggies) are on the rise and replacing popular carbs such as rice and flour.

Veggies have been trending for some time. As more people avoid refined grains because of their link to inflammation, vegetables have become a nutritious alternative. The addition of gluten in a diet can cause an inflammatory response in the body that is linked to gluten intolerance. Gluten is mostly found in wheat, rye, farro, and barley. Farro, a trendy grain, also has gluten because it is a type of wheat grain.

You’ve heard of veggies such as cabbage and its relatives: cauliflower, Brussels sprouts (making a comeback), and kale. But, do you know why are people turning to them and what makes them popular? Let’s see.

Cabbage: A plant that is usually eaten as a vegetable, it’s a great source of fiber and is rich in antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C. You can use it in soups (I personally don’t like soups but a veggie one with cabbage, yes, please!), cut it for coleslaw, and use it to make all sorts of salads. If you slice cabbage, it can be grilled, fried, or steamed. Research needs to continue on its cancer prevention qualities, although there are studies suggesting it can help with prostate and stomach cancer. Be careful of eating too much if you have diabetes because it had been said that cabbage can interfere with blood sugar levels.

Cauliflower: This veggie has become popular because of the keto-eating plan. Low caloric and rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, it also is rich in folate, vitamin K, fiber, and natural compounds that help with oxidative stress. It’s suggested that cauliflower helps with inflammation, premature aging, and prevention of heart disease, cognitive decline, and digestion. Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and others without the condition may find it a bit difficult to digest because cauliflower is a FOD-

MAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharide, and polyols food). A popular use for cauliflower is to use it as rice. Cooked brown rice can have 210 calories/46 grams of carbs, while a cup of cauliflower rice has 25 calories/5 grams of carbs.

Brussels Sprouts: As the name suggests, this veggie hails from Brussels, Belgium. In the United States, they are mainly grown in New York and California. High in fiber, folate, vitamin C

and K, like its relatives mentioned above, it’s suggested it helps with inflammation, prevention of heart disease, and cancer. Brussels sprouts contain four times more vitamin C than oranges. There are more than 110 varieties of this trendy veggie. Did you know there is an Eat Brussels Sprouts Day? Yes! Every January 31st is a day dedicated to this veggie.

Kale: “America’s superfood sweetheart” since around 2014, this cruciferous veggie had been everywhere. Not only does it help with overall wellbeing but it’s also high in fiber, vitamins K and C, calcium, chlorophyll, potassium, and nitrates.

Note: Like with all cruciferous vegetables, eating too much of them in excess can interfere with medications or bodily functions in many individuals. For example, these vegetables contain thiocyanates, which can affect your body’s ability to absorb iodine. They are also high in vitamin K (helps with blood clotting), which can interfere with blood thinner medications.

Always consult your doctor if you have questions concerning your health before starting a new eating plan or making drastic changes in your eating habits.

Julie

Alvira, M.D., MBA Healthcare Management, is the founder of Coach Dr. Julie, LLC - Physician Life and Weight Loss Coaching Services. You can find her on Facebook as Coach Dr. Julie or via email at julie@coachdrjulie.com. www.coachdrjulie.com

THE FUTURE OF 3D PRINTING WILL INVOLVE SPINE SURGERY

Courtesy Texas Back Institute

There is an interesting intersection at work between the disciplines of mechanical engineering and orthopedic surgery. Spine surgeon Dr. Michael Hisey of Texas Back Institute is a perfect representation of this given his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and medical specialization in orthopedic surgery. His fascination with engineering continues to this day with the use of 3D printing for medical devices and its impact on improving patient outcomes.

3D Printing & Spine Surgery in Today’s Operating Room

“While it might surprise some, 3D printing has been used in spine surgery for many years,” Hisey said. “The first use of this process was in ‘rapid prototyping.’ Surgeons would build a plastic prototype of the implant to ensure the design would fit and work with the other parts of the spine.” Now, the market for 3D printing is growing rapidly and the doctors of Texas Back Institute are at the forefront.

Dr. Hisey notes that the 3D printing process can now use metal, rather than plastic. When it became possible to print a metal such as titanium, printers could build implants with geometries that weren’t even possible before with either molds or machining. This allowed implants to be made with porosity (i.e. with holes in their surface) that could never be created by standard manufacturing. This porosity allows for better tissue integration and speeds up the recovery time for the patient.

Another advantage of 3D printing in spine surgery is its capability to reproduce a model of the bones and joints of the spine using extremely accurate measurements from CT scans. A recreation of the patient’s spine allows the surgeon to better

plan the operation and accurately predict factors such as the size of the screws and what size implants will be needed to stabilize the bone.

“This allows us to observe the spine in three dimensions, hold it in our hands, and to get an accurate look at the patient’s spinal anatomy,” Hisey said. “This technology allows for more efficiency in ordering implants for a patient, thereby reducing the cost of the procedure to patients and their insurers.”

What is in Store for Biomedical 3D Printing?

Once technology begins to take hold in an industry, it typically expands exponentially, and 3D printing is no exception. “We’re getting to the point where we can build implants with flexibility characteristics that better match the body’s structure,” Hisey said. “This allows the implant to work better with the patient’s bones and avoid collapsing existing bone.

“I can also see the possibility of 3D printing a flexible disc in the near future that would be used for replacement of damaged or diseased discs.”

According to Dr. Hisey, “We ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

“In the next 20 years, I would expect that we would have a 3D printer that lives in the hospital,” he said. “This would allow us to plan the surgery the day before and then have the implant made as we are preparing the patient for surgery. It comes out of the printer sterilized and ready to be used for the patient. And for trauma surgery, a patient needing an implant could be treated in minutes.

“In addition, we would also have the ability to reproduce surgical equipment or be able to reproduce broken instruments in minutes. This reduces the number of instruments that are stored, saving money for the patient, hospital and insurance carrier.”

Improving Outcomes and Reducing Cost Through 3D Technology

As medical 3D printing continues to evolve, Dr. Hisey believes we will continue to see improved patient outcomes which is a top focus for Texas Back Institute. “Accuracy continues to improve,” Hisey said. “Imaging has never been better and with the increase in computational power, it will only continue to increase. 3D printing will ultimately allow us to customize implants and better match a patient’s anatomy which we expect will lead to quicker recovery, more accurate correction of deformities and better relief of symptoms. The combination of engineering, technology and medicine should produce better results than were previously possible. This is truly an exciting time for surgeons and patients.”

Reza Mobarak, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA

Board Certified in Foot & Ankle Surgery and in Wound Care

Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Fellow, American Professional Wound Care Association

Let Your Feet Guide Your Way To Comfort...

The foot is a crucial part of the human body and comes with numerous complications that often need to be treated by qualified professionals. Our staff is filled with responsible specialists experienced in treating a variety of conditions.

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Your Investment Adviser’s Dirty Secret

Investing your retirement savings is easy. You can do it yourself. All you need to be successful are a few broad market stock and bond index funds and you’re done. This simple and extremely low-cost strategy will outperform almost all the strategies offered by professional advisers, who charge 1% or more of your portfolio and then underperform the markets.

I know how the system works because I’ve been an adviser for more than 30 years. If you have an adviser who charges you based on the size of your portfolio, odds are very high that your portfolio is far more complicated and more costly than it needs to be, and that you’re underperforming the broad stock and bond markets. If you stop using the adviser, and adopt a simple portfolio that holds only a few index funds, you’ll save a lot of money and your performance will improve.

Complexity is job security in the adviser industry. If a portfolio strategy is complicated, people will think their adviser is smart and savvy, and owns a secret society ring that gives them special knowledge to outperform the markets. That’s not true, of course. What’s going on is marketing, and it’s time you learned that truth.

Show a potential client twenty different funds and talk in industry jargon about optimizations, efficiency, alpha, and factors, and people think this adviser is a whiz-bang genius who has the market nailed. That seems worth paying an average of 1% or more in fees, and this is before the fees of the twenty different funds they put in portfolios.

What adviser is going to show a potential client a simple portfolio of a couple of index funds that track the stock and

market. Slice, dice, glue, charge high fees – it’s a scam.

Complexity sells. Every adviser knows this and that makes complexity your enemy. If you don’t understand precisely what your adviser is talking about, and you don’t understand how much it’s costing you in total fees, then get rid of that adviser and self-manage with a simple portfolio of index funds.

I recommend buying three funds. For US stocks, I like the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI – 0.03% fee) or the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT –0.03% fee). For international stocks, I like Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS – 0.09% fee) or the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS – 0.10% fee). For bonds, the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND – 0.035% fee) or you can just create a portfolio of FDIC insured CDs. There are many similar low-cost index funds available from other providers.

bond markets? The potential client would say, “That’s easy. Why do I need you to do this?” It’s true. Anyone can create a simple portfolio that is low-cost and beats the complex portfolios of professional advisers after fees and this is why most advisers don’t recommend simple portfolios.

Advisers make things complicated by slicing and dicing the stock and bonds markets into many different pieces. They will then put those pieces back together again using multiple funds which essentially is a complicated and expensive way to get back to a total market index fund. They’ll do the same thing with international stock markets and the bond

I’m not saying all advisers are money hungry grubs who are making things complicated for the sake of job security. If you want an adviser or need an adviser, find a reasonably priced one who doesn’t make your portfolio complicated and charge you a lot of money for it. The cost of simple investing has come down to almost zero over the past 20 years due to low-fee index funds and the elimination of commission costs at Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade and other firms. The last bastion of gluttony is adviser fees. The average 1% fee for an adviser is far too high and that needs to come down.

If you search long and hard, you will find a growing number of hourly or fixed-fee advisers that charge reasonable fees to create and manage a simple portfolio that you can understand and self-manage if you want to. Their fee should be aligned with the actual time they spend working on your accounts and managing your money rather than charging 1% or more, regardless of how much effort they put in or how much you make.

Best of luck in 2020.

Diane S. Litke, MD

Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.

Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is affiliated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and ceramics.

Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.

Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Richardson, TX

www.LWOrthopaedics.com

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD

HAPPINESS, MORE THAN A FEELING

By James Denny

Noah Sillman/Unsplash

Try counting the number of songs written about Happiness or the lack thereof? Scholars and philosophers have spent their lives searching for the Happiness that has eluded mankind for centuries. There is even a Science of Happiness, (No lie. Look it up).

Happiness has been described as an enjoyable or satisfied state. Feelings of joy, appreciation, contentment, and feeling fortunate with one’s situation in life are all indicators of Happiness. Perfect Happiness has been described as enlightenment that comes when you have all your needs satisfied.

Duke University conducted a study to determine the difference between Happy and Unhappy People. This study concluded that if the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, and safety were met for a sustained period, the state of being Happy or Unhappy was based on an individual’s thinking habits and patterns. Happiness is an ongoing process, not a destination. Hap-

piness requires us to see life from a positive perspective, have a purposeful life, and a healthy spiritual life.

Could the way to Sustainable Happiness be in our thoughts? We all have a million thoughts flying through our minds at any given moment, but we choose the thoughts we dwell on. Grabbing hold of healthy thoughts and memories changes our emotional and physical state, which leads to a peace of mind that can experience joy, appreciation, gratitude, and contentment.

There is no evidence proving wealth contributes to sustainable Happiness, although it does make life easier. Being truly happy is as much about the attitudes within us as the circumstances surrounding us. The following is a list of contributors to a Sustainable Happy and Healthy, Emotional Life:

• Find a Purpose or a cause and contribute to making a difference. People who are focused on their needs or situations score lower on the Happiness Test. Giving is bet-

ter than receiving and being able to elevate something above yourself generates stronger self-worth.

• Cultivate a strong Spiritual Life that promotes love, compassion, thankfulness, loyalty, healthy relationships, and old fashion values. Spiritual life will expand your ability to experience Happiness and Healthy Emotions.

• Live in the Present. Today has possibilities for fun and enjoyable activities. You can easily miss out if you are not in the moment and forever lose the opportunity. Preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression and emotional stress.

• Resolve to be Involved with the Real World. Although the world of technology is trying hard to replace interpersonal relationships, nothing will replace the need for human-tohuman interaction. Family, friends, church, and social gatherings contribute to a feeling of belonging and purpose.

• Embrace Forgiveness when you are handed a Raw Deal. Let go of resentment and self-pity and replace it with the thoughts of undeserved, unearned forgiveness for others and yourself. It is not an over-exaggeration to say, when you hold onto a grudge or unforgiveness, it is like taking poison and expecting someone else to get sick. Unfor-

giveness is a major factor in unhappiness.

• Don’t Waste Time, energy or resources fighting unrealistic goals or conditions you cannot change. This is not to say give-up or lower your expectations, don’t be so hard on yourself. If you find a big distance between where you are in life and where you want to be, or if the conditions you face today have changed from the time you set your goals, give yourself a break. Give yourself the time to acquire the abilities to reach those goals. If your goals are unrealistic, evaluate and reset your direction based on talents and skill levels you have developed. When tested by life’s conditions or circumstances, give yourself the time needed to learn new skills to adapt to the challenge. Sometimes how we face a situation is more significant than the situation we face.

Why do you want to be happy?

Happiness is good for your heart; it

lowers your blood pressure and heart rate. It Improves your Immune System

and helps you combat Disease and Disabilities.

1,500 Americans, ages 65 and older, rated how much happiness and enjoyment they felt. After seven years, the participants with more positive emotion ratings were less likely to be frail. The same researchers found that happier elderly people were less likely to have a stroke; this was particularly true for men.

Lowers Stress Levels and allows quicker recovery from stress-related effects. Happy people have fewer aches and pains. Unhappiness causes pain.

Happiness can prolong your life; some studies show it can extend your life by seven to 10 years.

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

––Norman Vincent Peale

James Denny is the owner and operator of Imagine Senior Living, LLC and life-long senior advocate. www.imagineseniorlivingllc.com

Nathan Anderson/Unsplash

Richardson

“You may find that your 2nd or 3rd opinion should have been your

DENNIS BIRENBAUM, MD EUGENE J. WYSZYNSKI, DO

Dr. Birenbaum founded the Arlington Cancer Treatment Center in 1981. He founded the Texas Hematology Center, PA in 1997. He is the founder, Medical Director, and CEO of Patients Comprehensive Cancer Center (2001) & McKinney Regional Cancer Center (2007). Dr. Birenbaum trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute for 5 years, 3 years as a Hematology/Oncology fellow and 2 years as facility professor His private practice in Hematology/ Oncology has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979.

DENNIS BIRENBAUM, MD EUGENE J. WYSZYNSKI, DO

Dr. Birenbaum founded the Arlington Cancer Treatment Center in 1981. He founded the Texas Hematology Center, PA in 1997. He is the founder, Medical Director, and CEO of Patients Comprehensive Cancer Center (2001) & McKinney Regional Cancer Center (2007). Dr. Birenbaum trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute for 5 years, 3 years as a Hematology/Oncology fellow and 2 years as facility professor. His private practice in Hematology/ Oncology has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979.

AREAS OF CLINICAL INTEREST:

• Gastrointestinal Tumors

Dr. Wyszynski joins the Texas Hematology and Oncology Centers after many years of successful private medical practice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Dr. Wyszynski completed his internship and residency at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stanford, New Jersey. He followed these with a number of Fellowships including one in Hematology/Oncology at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and two years at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA Dr Wysznski is well known for his quality of care and the personal interest he takes in his patients. He is very active in many professional societies and investigative trials

Laser Therapy for

• Melanoma, Sarcoma

AREAS OF CLINICAL INTEREST:

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:

Dr. Wyszynski joins the Texas Hematology and Oncology Centers after many years of successful private medical practice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Dr. Wyszynski completed his internship and residency at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stanford, New Jersey. He followed these with a number of Fellowships including one in Hematology/Oncology at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and two years at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Wysznski is well known for his quality of care and the personal interest he takes in his patients. He is very active in many professional societies and investigative trials.

Pain

• Breast Cancer

• Gastrointestinal Tumors

Swelling

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:

• Lymphoma

• Melanoma, Sarcoma

• Breast Cancer

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine: Hematology/ Oncology-Certified: 8/24/2007

Arthritis

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine

CREDENTIALED AT SEVERAL LOCAL HOSPITALS:

• Lymphoma

• Centennial Medical Center

CREDENTIALED AT SEVERAL LOCAL HOSPITALS:

• Medical Center of McKinney

• Centennial Medical Center

• Methodist Richardson Medical Center

Wounds *Neuropathy (numbness, tingling, burning, pain)

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine: Hematology/ Oncology-Certified: 8/24/2007

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine

• American Osteopathic Association

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

• ASCO

• Texas Medical Association

• American Osteopathic Association

• Dallas Medical Center

• Medical Center of McKinney

• Methodist Richardson Medical Center

• Specialty Hospital

• Dallas Medical Center

• Kindred Hospital

• Specialty Hospital

• ASCO

• Dallas County Medical Association

• Texas Medical Association

CLINICAL CANCER INVESTIGATIVE TRIALS:

• Dallas County Medical Association

• Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group Protocal

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Kindred Hospital

• Born and raised in Dallas, TX

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Attended SMU (Southern Methodist University)

• Father of 2 sons

• Born and raised in Dallas, TX

• Owns six dogs

• Attended SMU (Southern Methodist University)

• Father of 2 sons

• Loves traveling and golf

• Avid collector of arts and antiques

• Owns six dogs

• Loves traveling and golf

• Avid collector of arts and antiques

Dennis Birenbaum, MD and Dr. Wyszynski, MD, DO are M.D. Anderson trained hematologists/oncologists.

Dr Wyszynski, MD, DO also trained at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

CLINICAL CANCER INVESTIGATIVE TRIALS:

• Eastern Cooperative Group

• Southwest Oncology Group

• Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group Protocal

• Eastern Cooperative Group

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Southwest Oncology Group

• Married and father of 2 children

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Foot and Ankle Surgery • Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis) • Bunions and Hammer Toe Procedure • Ingrown Toenails

• Enjoys traveling and spending time with family

• Active in many hobbies

• Married and father of 2 children

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome • Diabetic Foot Care

• Enjoys traveling and spending time with family

• Active in many hobbies

Flat Feet

Trauma

Drop Foot

Custom Orthotics & Braces