Saturday, September 28, 2013

Choosing a Doctor for Your Liposuction

You want to be as careful selecting the doctor who will perform your liposuction as you would be selecting one for any other kind of surgery. While this procedure is relatively minor, you could be at risk for serious complications if it is performed by an unqualified professional. It is also vital that your doctor does a good job of managing your expectations.
There is really no specific qualification that will guarantee the doctor you choose will be the best one to provide your liposuction. However, you should still only consider those who have the proper amount of training and experience. There are many different types of doctors who perform this type of procedure, so make sure the ones you are choosing from specialize in the surgery if possible.
Liposuction typically takes place in either a doctor's office or an outpatient facility. Because of this, you may assume that your doctor will have the proper training needed. That may not be the case. It is very important that your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This entity holds doctors to extremely high standards, and requires them to undergo rigorous training.
Once you have narrowed down your choices to three or four doctors, schedule consultations with all of them. Ask as many questions as you can think of. If necessary, either write them down or bring someone with you to make sure no important questions slip through the cracks. You also need to have as clear a picture as possible regarding the cost of your liposuction before you commit to anything. If one doctor offers a much lower price than others, you don't want to risk the chance that you may be skimping on the quality of care for a reduced price.
Don't assume that because they are talking to a doctor that automatically means that person will be performing the surgery. You need to be aware of who will be taking care of your procedure so that you can be as comfortable as possible. Also, find out how often the doctor has performed the exact procedure that you will be having. He or she may specialize in facelifts and only perform liposuction sporadically. Get photos of recent operations so that you can judge the results for yourself.
Find out how long you can expect to spend recovering from your procedure just in case you need to take time off from work or make arrangements for someone to take care of any children you may have. Get as clear an idea as possible of the side effects that may arise too, and how much discomfort is expected. Once you have asked all of the necessary questions and you've found a doctor who you are comfortable with, you can plan you procedure stress-free.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Understanding Self Defence

Self Defence is the term used to describe a wide range of strategies and tactics in order to keep you safe. Self Defence should be considered as a continuum ranging from insuring that issues don't arise all the way through dealing with the legalities and after effects of a situation. An effective self defence system must take into account the tactics required for different situations and also the environment
The key areas
  • Prevention Tactics - These are pre-planned approaches to self defence, this includes home alarms and security, planning your travel routes and understanding and taking action on the risks that exist.

  • Avoidance Tactics - These tactics cover situations such as being confronted with aggression or being targeted by street criminals or predators. The key tactics here are situational awareness, assertiveness, focus, verbal de-escalation strategies and decision making

  • Physical Escape Tactics - These set of tactics focus on the use of Physical force to ensure your safety. This includes breakaways, escapes from being held, defence against striking and striking in your own defence. Physical tactics must also include issues such as multiple attackers, tight spaces, ground defence and weapons.

  • Legal Considerations - An understanding of the legal view on self defence is important in a complete self defence solution. Interpretations can vary, but in general most observe the concept of reasonable force. The question that is considered is whether your actions were reasonable and in-line with the threat faced, and was the level of force appropriate. A simple guideline is always to be focused on escape, so the moment you can safely leave the scene you must. Self defence law also allows you act in the defence of others and property.
Environment is also a factor in an overall self defence plan, as risk and vulnerability may change with location.
The following considerations should be taken into account
  • At Home - As already mentioned home security such as alarms and appropriate locks on doors and windows should be considered, but other factors that should be taken into account include escape routes, secure rooms to retreat to, emergency communication and ensuring incidental weapons such as kitchen knives are not available to intruders

  • At Work - A significant amount of time is spent at work so you should also consider your safety while at work. Ensure you understand you company's approach to dealing with security, do they vet staff, are your required to be alone with others, is there a risk from visitos or customers, does your work put you at risk. If any of these factors are a cause for concern action should be taken.

  • Socialising - A significant amount of crime happens around socialising, often alcohol is involved and security awareness can be lowered. These factors are very well understood by predators seeking to use these situations to their advantage.

  • Commuting - How you travel must also be a factor in self defence, make sure you understand the risk associated with types of transports and locations. Late night buses, trains and subways can be high risk. If you are travelling to a unfamiliar destination or using an unfamiliar route make sure you adequately understand the route and risk. Try to have an emergency get home plan, either someone you can call or the money for a taxi.

  • International Travel - When travelling to new countries we can find ourselves at risk. The experience can be unfamiliar and often overwhelming. Ports of entry are often targeted by unsavoury characters who want to take advantage of the confusion felt by new arrivals. Make sure to preplan you entry and know how you will leave the port before you arrive and consider organizing to be met and picked up by a trustworthy source. When booking accommodation make sure to assess the location and environment from a safety and risk perspective. In general but especially when on unfamiliar territory try not to show off valuables which might attract a predator.
In summary a complete self defence system must take provide you with the tactics to safe in various different situations and must also deal with the environments you inhabit.
Patrick cumiskey is the founder of Skiltful

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Wellness Engagement: Why I Love Cartoons In Health Communication

Laughter is a universal language. A place of common ground. Cartoons make us laugh because they allow us to suspend belief and enjoy the preposterous. Humor is the teaspoon of sugar that makes the medicine go down.
"That Barney Rubble, what an actor."
Night Shift 1982
Cartoons work in health education because they're...
• approachable, non-threatening, and non-judgmental
• familiar -- we see ourselves in them
• direct, able and willing to deliver the terrible truth
• non-pc and unimpressed
• memorable − they leave an impression
• different, unique, and interesting
• diverse, come in all colors and shapes, and don't care
Cartoon characters can be naïve, outrageous, endearing, cunning, and approachable. They can span time periods, take on different forms, and exaggerate to the point of the ridiculous. And all the while, they mock us with their own unique perspective on the human condition.
Who in their right mind would suggest calling people LAZY?
Not me! That's not exactly a motivation technique favored by trained wellness coaches.
We can laugh at ourselves via the truth of "their" cause. Cartoons can deliver messages in ways that connect and get through. And they accomplish it without being offensive.
English Undergrad Says Dr. Seuss America's Best Author
I recall being in an English Lit class in college. The professor asked the students to stand and tell the class who our favorite author was and why. I told them mine was Dr. Seuss. And I thought he was onto a good thing with color coding fish, as in "one fish, two fish, green fish, blue fish." The professor wasn't impressed with my sophomoric exhibition, which is part of the reason I was a C+ student. Everyone got a great laugh, however.
Wellness Managers Should Know
These 3 Things About Employee Engagement
There are three things every Wellness Manager should know about a workplace audience in regard to getting them to read or watch anything:
1. They don't want it.
2. They didn't ask for it.
3. They don't have time for it.
But if the message of health is part of a visually interesting and humorous cartoon, those three points of resistance turn into:
1. What is this?
2. Oh, now that is funny!
3. Hey, did you guys see this?
Cartoon characters prefer to tell us a short story through images and prompts. Great applications of the graphic arts provide us with a "blinding flash of the obvious." And a wonderful illustration can echo through the limbic center of our brain, changing our perspectives. And changing our mind.
I grew up with Yogi Bear, Popeye, Underdog, Huckleberry Hound, the Road Runner, Tom & Jerry, and Bugs Bunny, to name a few. And look how cartoon animation still produces box office blockbusters.