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If You're Severely Obese, make 2016 the Year You Drop the Weight
For those suffering from severe obesity, weight loss surgery is perhaps the most promising option. Both in terms of controlling the urge to eat in excess, and in their ability to maintain these benefits long-term, bariatric procedures have been shown to be extremely effective in helping patients lose weight and keep it off long term. Significant weight loss will not only improve quality of life but can add an average of eight to 14 years to life.

Controlling Cravings
The basis of weight loss surgery's effectiveness is in its ability to restrict the capacity of the stomach so patients can feel full and satisfied after eating a much smaller quantity of food. While the procedures use slightly different advanced methods to safely and effectively achieve this effect, the idea behind them is simple: when your body is satisfied with a much lower amount of food, the emotional and mental difficulties that go along with losing weight are greatly reduced.

A Long Term Solution
The second aspect of weight loss surgery that makes bariatric patients so successful is that the procedure allows them to maintain a lower caloric intake permanently. While most people have found that they can stick to a successful diet for a few days, weeks or even months, it is often inevitable that life catches up to a dieter and pushes them off track. Weight loss surgery is so effective due to the fact that, even a year down the line when a patient's motivation may have tempered off, the capacity-limiting effects still work as intended.

Learn more by contacting Beverly Hills Physicians for a free consultation to determine if you are a good candidate.
249-4040



Pick your Perfect Studio & get Fit in the New Year

At Bella Barre, clients love the welcoming atmosphere, friendly instructors, knowledgeable staff and class times that can fit into even the most harried of schedules. Enjoy a workout that was designed by a woman for women and love the way you look and feel in clothes (And out!). Use "dancer" moves (No rhythm required!) and get a long, lean body while relieving lower-back pain and achy joints, too. This is where your "problem" areas become zones of celebration. Your muscles will be challenged, no matter your fitness level - and your heart will feel full in this sisterhood-building environment. 299-7767



Clients love Wundabar's core shredding, high energy and cardio-intense 45-minute full-body workout classes. For the first time ever, they've combined the Reformer, Wunda Chair, Ballet Bar and Jump Board into one unbelievable machine. Get bored quickly? Us, too. You'll never take the same class twice and their 45-minute classes fly by, challenging you at every turn. Give them a whirl for free. They guarantee you'll find muscles you did not know you had. 255-5411



At Cycleup, energetic, motivating instructors brilliantly guide you to success in a friendly atmosphere that has moved the brand to cult status in the SCV. The all-inclusive spin zone fosters a healthy competitive environment that encourages and pushes you in every class. Many clients have reported remarkable drops in weight - many over 30 pounds - thanks to the studio. Join them for their signature Weigh Down events that create an exciting way to lose weight and connect with a team. Don't miss their next Weigh Down beginning in March 2016. 645-3060



Invest in Something Special for the Entire Family
If your 2016 resolutions include doing more as a family, meeting new people and getting fit, here's one way to do it all simultaneously. At The Paseo Club, families play and exercise together at the gorgeous Valencia facility. From complimentary coffee to bi-monthly free member mixers, diverse programming, convenient group fitness schedules and more, The Paseo Club has something special for everyone.

There's no other club in Santa Clarita that provides child care, children's fitness, tennis, boutique exercise options, traditional fitness offerings, swimming and fantastic social events. At Paseo, you can go to a spin class in the morning and return for dinner and drinks with friends at the bar that night. Hang out with the kids by the pool or join one of their five Greatest Results challenges yearly. These events focus on healthy eating, exercise, goal planning and daily motivation. Every participant lose inches, weight and body fat while gaining long-lasting friendships. 257-0044



Dispelling the Myths
Plastic Surgery Done Right in 2016
Old habits die hard, which is why many men and women who undergo plastic surgery procedures with dated methods report less-than-satisfactory results.

"With today's opportunities for micro-surgical treatments, there's no reason to worry about extensive scarring, incredible pain or long recovery times," says Dr. Justin Heller of Heller Plastic Surgery in Valencia. The board-certified plastic surgeon explains: "Using state-of-the-art techniques, coupled with a practiced hand and exclusive training in minimally-invasive procedures, I'm able to provide my patients with superior surgical results that wow their friends and family."

For example, many women still experience marked scarring after breast lifts. "It's a shame that so many patients are lead to believe that the only way to lift the breast tissue is with a very-invasive process that often leaves major scarring behind, both under and on the sides of the breasts. The vast majority of the breast lifts I do work on the level of tissue below the skin. That way the body is brought back to its ideal shape without leaving a noticeable mark. The pain is also much more manageable and recovery time is remarkably shorter; plus, the results are better. It's a 'win' across the board," says the surgeon.

Is plastic surgery on your "want" list in 2016? If so, schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Heller today. 233-4949



Electrotherapy is the Time-crunched's Best Friend
You know you should be at the gym six days a week to achieve the kind of results you want to see this year - but it's just not going to happen. But what if you could get those same results by combining two or three days at the gym with a weekly electrotherapy session? You could answer e-mails or read a book for your hour appointment while gaining the same benefits you'd see from many hours sweating in the gym, plus you'd be able to shape, whittle and tone the areas that are hardest to "fix" - like your lower tummy and inner thighs. This FDA-approved treatment works so well because the tiny electrical impulses sent to your muscles make them contract up to 800 times in only 60 minutes. That explains why clients swear that they notice a difference in the firmness and skin tone (Bye, cellulite.) after only one session. Most clients drop a dress size in only eight sessions and over a dozen have lost 20 pounds or more in the first month of treatment when the only new variable to their eating and workout regimen was the addition of ForeverSlim electro-therapy sessions. The private appointments are pain free, perfect for both "gym bunnies" and the gym adverse, and currently available at the lowest price of the year. 313-4878

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Henry Mayo Fitness & Health Announces New GM & Membership Director
The community welcomes Bill Holstein, general manager and Scott Fushi, member services director, to the new Henry Mayo Fitness and Health full-service fitness center. Bill and Scott each bring over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry to their new positions at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health. The state-of-the art fitness center will provide a variety of exercise amenities such as strength and weight training, cardio equipment, pool and group exercise studios.

Bill's love of the health and fitness field developed into a management career in fitness centers, working in both commercial and corporate settings. Bill has coached youth and travel baseball in both Valencia and Castaic and has resided with his family in the Santa Clarita Valley for 12 years. New Membership Services Director Scott Fushi turned his passion for sports into a recreation and fitness career after injuries forced him to change his pro-athlete path. His management expertise from the former Valencia Spectrum will provide a familiar understanding of the facility as it transforms into the dynamic environment of Henry Mayo Fitness and Health.

As a clinically-integrated medical fitness and wellness center, Henry Mayo Fitness and Health will offer the Santa Clarita Valley a premier destination designed for individual and family preventive health care. Applications for charter memberships to Henry Mayo Fitness and Health are being accepted now.
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Aging Well
ASK THE SPECIALIST
Nola Aronson, MA, CCC-A & Founder
of Advanced AudiologyI'd like this year to be "my year." I'm aging and have the normal complaints. Thoughts on where to get started on the right path to a healthy 2016?
To me, one of the best resolutions for 2016 is a focus on making it a happier year. One way you can do that is embracing healthier hearing. Healthy hearing reduces stress and depression risks that accompany hearing loss, and improves social interaction, mood and confidence. This is scientific. Studies have linked healthy hearing and dopamine, produced by the body to influence mood. Imagine no longer struggling through conversations. With healthy hearing, conversations are a joy instead of a chore. Start your New Year by having your hearing checked. As SCV's trusted audiologist, our always-free screenings are a vital part of assessing hearing, identifying problems or concerns and developing plans to move forward. 505-1135



Choose In-home Senior Care for Better Peace of Mind
Caregiver burnout is a very real risk. When your quality of life takes a hit because of your caregiving duties, it's time to reach out to the professionals. Hiring a Visiting Angel to assist your loved one with bathing, dressing, grooming, walking, medication, errands, housekeeping, meal prep and more gives you time to recharge your batteries and take care of your personal and professional duties, too. Resolve to rely upon respite care in 2016 so that the entire family can stay healthy and happy.
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Dreaming of Baby
Sure, you can (And should!) read studies about how homebirths and birth center births have been shown to be safer than hospital births. And yes, you can (And should!) compare success rates from fertility center to fertility center. But number crunching and a subscription to PubMed won't get you the kind of first-hand experiences you need to know about to measure the intangible sensations of comfort and confidence. That's where true testimonials prove invaluable.

About the SCV Birth Center
"I delivered both of my babies with the loving and wise guidance of the midwives at SCV Birth Center. I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. Renee and Sara are evidence based - I really appreciated that their advice and support is rooted in science and evidence as well as experience and compassion. I loved my full hour during prenatal appointments and felt this really prepared me for a healthy and informed birth as well as motherhood. I had my first baby at the birth center and my second at home. Both were fantastic options. I love the community at the birth center. The classes, free support groups, and welcoming group of women helped me to be the mother I am today." Allison A. via Yelp.com
SCV Birth Center 254-3000

About CMD Fertility
"Our experience with Dr. DeUgarte has been awesome! She is absolutely amazing and every one in her office is so sweet. We flew across the country to go to her clinic and especially to see Dr. DeUgarte, and we are so happy that we did. I have never met a doctor so compassionate, dedicated and committed to helping her patients. She's truly one in a million. She made a personal connection with us that no other doctor has ever done. We truly believe that without her, our dreams of becoming a parent would never have happened and now we have two children thanks to Dr. Deugarte!" Trudy T. via Yelp.com

CMD Fertility is located in Valencia at 28212 Kelly Johnson Parkway.
310-873-1800



ASK THE SPECIALIST
Dr. Courtenay Poucher of Aesthetic Center
Everyone comments on how young I look for my age, but the truth is, I don't feel young "where it matters." I've had three vaginal births and I'm menopausal. My body's changing, and not for the better. I don't look forward to being intimate anymore, in part because it just doesn't feel as pleasurable as it used to and in part because I'm self conscious about how loose I look and feel "down there." Suggestions?

Absolutely! Excessive stretching of the vaginal muscles is a common occurrence after vaginal birth and is exacerbated by aging and hormonal changes. My guess is that you're also experiencing dryness, which is normal - but not pleasurable. These all add up to diminished sensation during intimacy and a noticeable reduction in satisfaction in both partners. It can be downright depressing - but there's a non-invasive, totally-pain-free solution that you should consider: ThermiVa. This treatment takes only three sessions of 30 minutes each, has immediately-noticeable results and no down time. A special wand applicator is applied externally to your labia tissues, which tightens and improves the outter appearance. Then the wand is inserted and the internal tissues are treated. It's delivery of radiofrequency energy revives atrophic tissue, restoring your body to its normal tone and function. You'll be tighter, have increased bladder control, benefit from markedly-improved sensation (And much easier romantic "release!") and feel much less dry. Patients are calling this treatment "the fountain of youth" and client satisfaction is sky high. Give me a call if you'd like to learn more!
312-0497