Our 3^rd edition of Mountain Medicine Directory was published in January 2010 and has been very well received. We have been busy distributing the new publication to pharmacies, hospitals, medical offices and eateries in Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Mesa counties.

Through the help of InteractiveWest, a web development company based in Aspen and Denver, Colorado, Mountain Medicine Directory has completely revamped our website presence where we have begun the process of posting past Mountain Medicine Directory publication articles online. If you are a potential advertiser and missed being in our paper product - don’t worry! We can easily add an article about your business to our Mountain Medicine Directory Blog.

In the next few weeks, we will be taking the directory portion of our publication online. Mountain Medicine’s Online Directory will include information that you see in our print version plus offer expanded information to include business description, listing of practice physicians, website link, plus map and direction links.

One good thing about troubled economic times, is that it forces consumers to make smarter healthcare choices. Our mission at Mountain Medicine Directory is to help connect healthcare consumers with the best care available through licensed doctors, certified practioners, hospitals, clinics and wellness centers.

Healthcare consumers clearly make better decisions regarding their health when they are fully informed and know what their options are.

We invite you to look to Mountain Medicine Directory to provide informative articles plus comprehensive and detailed directory of healthcare providers in our area both in print and on the Internet.

A thorough knowledge of human anatomy blends with finely honed dexterity and a well developed sense of aesthetics. Dr. Daniel Thimsen has practiced plastic and reconstructive surgery for over 24 years, at the Mayo Clinic and for the past 11 years serving patients in the Glenwood Springs area.

Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Thimsen keeps current with the latest developments in cosmetic surgery through his active involvement in The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. His Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery practice offers a full spectrum of surgery for both men and women.

Among the most popular procedures nationally is eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty), which enhances the most notable aspect of a face - the eyes. It is given one of the highest satisfaction rates for patients post-surgically, according to national surveys, producing natural-looking improvement at a relatively low cost. The surgery removes fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. It can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes.

Dr. Thimsen performs many eyelid surgeries in his private surgical suite. The results are impressive. Blepharoplasty restores a youthful appearance in a very natural way, eliminating eyelid bags and puffiness.

One of Dr. Thimsen patients, an attractive woman in her fifties, had always been less than satisfied with her eyelids. "My eyes always had a lot of fatty skin over my eyelids. As a teenager, I cried the first time I tried to put on mascara and the fatty tisue touched my lashes. At this phase in my life, I was looking tired - much more tired than I actually felt. I did some investigation with Dr. Thimsen and decided on the eyelid surgery - I treated myself."

Her satisfaction with the procedure is palpable. "There are no perceptible scars and the recovery was precisely as Dr. Thimsen had predicted. And I don’t look tired or angry any more. I look how I really feel."

According to Dr. Thimsen, the best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

His surgical services also include facelifts, browlifts, breast augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, rhinoplasty (nasal surgery), breast uplift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, otoplasty (ear surgery), reconstructive breast surgery, mole and skin cancer removal, and hand surgery. Further information on these procedures is available on Dr. Thimsen’s website at www.rockymountainplasticsurgery.com.

In addition to Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery’s state of the art facility, Dr. Thimsen also offers medical skin treatments and products at his Medispa at Glenwood Meadows. He also peforms injectable treatments such as botox, Restylane and Juvederm at the Medispa office. Free Medispa consultations are available by calling 970.945.8390.

Dr. Thimsen offers free cosmetic surgery consultations at his Glenwood office, as well as his offices in Eagle, Edwards, and Rifle. To make an appointment, call 970.945.1144.

2008 has been the year of reinvention and upgrade in the field of medical lasers. In 2009, it now seems we are into the next generation of lasers all of which is meant to improve efficacy and safety for the patient. There are no substitutes for the effects that these machines give. The Medical Spa® at Plastic Surgery Specialists, PC has always prided itself on staying abreast of new developments and not only keeping the very best equipment for our patients but also providing the very best education of our staff to operate these impressive machines. Some of the most efficient lasers today that are used in our practice are:

The Dornier Laser® is used to collapse down the abnormal varicose veins in the legs. What is unique about our laser is that the same fiber energy and fiber can be used not only inside the vein but can be directed onto the skin where there are visible varicosities. With this one laser, we can treat the full gamut of varicose vein deformities.

Our SmartLipo Laser®, used for fat destruction and skin tightening, is the leading laser in the field of least invasive fat destruction for body contouring purposes. It is being used now for many different applications including excessive sweating in the armpits (called hyperhydrosis) and for sagginess of the aged face and body.

The LightSheerXC® has always been and still is the number one top hair removal laser. The new XC has a larger treatment head and more efficient cooling of the tip, all leading to much less pain.

We also have other lasers. Come check out your treatment of choice.

For a person experiencing a heart attack, the common medical adage is, "Time is muscle."

The sooner a blockage is resolved, the less damage is sustained by the heart muscle and the better the long-term prognosis. For people living in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, the safety net for heart attack patients was strengthened over the past two years. Valley View Hospital cardiac catheterization lab opened in January of 2007 and began providing an essential, lifesaving link in the continuum of care.

When a patient arrives in the emergency department with chest pain, the presence of the catheterization facility in the hospital provides a range of diagnostics and interventions that greatly increase the odds of a positive outcome. The only cath lab between Grand Junction and Denver, Valley View’s facility has saved dozens of lives in its first two years.

Catheterization technology involves threading a very fine filament through blood vessels and into the heart. The technique provide valuable immediate diagnostic imaging, and is also is an avenue for interventional procedures. A stent or balloon device can be inserted via the technology to open a vessel and resolve a cardiac event. Such timely treatment can minimize tissue damage and often can save a life.

The creation of a specialized and highly technical facility such as the cath lab required the import of a thoroughly experienced medical team. Dr. Frank Laws, a nationally respected cardiologist with an extensive background in the cardiac catheterization field, leads a team of seasoned professionals. Their presence has made a very real difference in their first years at Valley View.

Close to 300 catheterization procedures have been performed at Valley View since the facility’s opening. According to Dr. Laws, "People are alive here today because they were able to receive an intervention in the cath lab quickly." The lifesaving power of the technology is beyond that of clot-busting drugs, the cardiologist explains. "There are emergency cardiac patients who need a cath lab to survive an event - not in a matter of hours, but in a matter of minutes. There is nothing routine in the cath lab."

Dr. Laws welcomed the opportunity to bring new services to the area and to act as a pioneer in expanding locally available medical services. "It was a unique opportunity," he says, "to design a cath facility and assemble a good team to work together". He notes that he had worked with the technicians he chose for Valley View for many years, which provides a high level of confidence during an emergency procedure.

Cardiac patients are supported not only by the new cardiac facility, but by the adjacent Critical Care Unit at the hospital. "Sixty percent of a cardiac case depends on the emergency treatment provided," Dr. Laws notes, "But aftercare is critical and makes up the other forty percent in determining a successful outcome." In addition, the helistop at Valley View allows patients to be flown quickly to an urban center via helicopter for cardiac surgery, if necessary.

With Valley View’s lifesaving heart and vascular capabilities expanding, cardiologist Rebecca Laird, M.D. has recently joined Dr. Laws as part of the cath lab team.

The Heart and Vascular Institute at Valley View Hospital: 384-7290. Information on the internet: www.vvh.org.

The Aspen Birth Center is where families are born - where babies take their first breath, surrounded by love and joy, where patients become parents, and where siblings begin a lifelong journey with a little brother or sister.

On October 4th, 2008, the expanded and newly renovated Aspen Birth Center at Aspen Valley Hospital celebrated its grand opening with an open house for members of the community. The Birth Center includes a 5,800-squarefoot expansion featuring comfortable, private patient and family-oriented rooms, therapeutic whirlpool tubs, lactation experts, around-theclock anesthesia services and, as always, personalized care. The expansion promises to offer an added degree of comfort, privacy, efficiency, and security for patients and their families.

The renovation includes a large nursery with isolation area, ante-partum room for assessment and observation, family waiting area, patient education classroom, and sleep room for obstetricians and nurse midwives.

According to Cheryl Heffernan, Department Manager and Obstetrical Nurse, "The Aspen Birth Center is where families are born - where babies take their first breath, surrounded by love and joy, where patients become parents, and where siblings begin a lifelong journey with a little brother or sister." Cheryl, who has participated in the birthing of thousands of babies during her career, led the design of the Aspen Birth Center to ensure that it meets the needs of families today and in the future.

A threefold increase in the number of births since Aspen Valley Hospital was built 30 years ago, along with changing expectations and standards of care, were the driving force behind the expansion. From large private rooms to an inviting family lounge, the patient/family experience is significantly enhanced with the new birth center.

For more information or a tour of the new facility, please contact the Aspen Birth Center at 970.544.1130.

To improve one’s sight is to improve one’s quality of life.

The human eye consists of a series of lenses that refract (bend) light rays to focus light images on the retina. These images are then transferred via the optic nerve to the brain where we "see" them. The two primary focusing lenses of the eye are the cornea (outside lens of the eye) and the natural crystalline lens (inside lens of the eye).

A cataract occurs, usually gradually, as the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded or discolored. This clouding of the natural lens of the eye causes light entering the eye to scatter prior to reaching the retina, causing hazy or blurred vision. If left untreated cataracts can cause blindness. An estimated 20.5 million Americans older than age 40 have a cataract in either eye, and the total number of person who have a cataract is estimated to rise to 30.1 million by 2020.

Millions of Americans have taken charge of their eye health and undergone cataract surgery.

Take a minute to think about your eyesight. Is your vision as clear as you remember it to be?

Do you need more light to read than you used to? Do straight lines seem distorted? Are sunny days as bright? If you feel like your vision lacks precision, talk to your eye doctor - you may be suffering from cataracts.

In addition to replacing a cloudy lens, cataract surgery can correct astigmatism, which is an uneven curvature of the front of the eye. The newest lenses are incorporating some multi-focal capacity, which can reduce and sometimes eliminate even the need for reading glasses.

Humans rely on their eyesight more than any other sense. To improve one’s sight is to improve one’s quality of life. Hoffman Eye Care continues to be on the cutting edge of technology, using the latest developments in technology of multifocal implant lenses. These new techniques and devices make this a great time to be an ophthalmologist, and even better for patients needing cataract surgery.

Dr. Jason Martin, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who relocated to Aspen from Manhattan, joins us for a Question and Answer session to help those contemplating plastic surgery understand how to ensure they receive the safest, most effective treatments available. Dr. Martin, who specializes in cosmetic surgery, is the director of the Aspen Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He currently performs surgeries at Aspen Valley Hospital.

Q & A WITH PLASTIC SURGEON, DR. W. JASON MARTIN

Mountain Medicine: What can I do to protect my skin and stay youthful without plastic surgery?

Dr. Martin: Many patients are confused about how best to preserve the skin’s integrity and youthful appearance, especially in our mountain climate. Much of the aesthetic damage and skin cancer risk can be reduced with a proper skin care regimen and regular visits to professionals who specialize in maintaining the skins youthful appearance.

Prescription of a medical-grade skincare regimen offers the best method for maintaining the integrity of the skin and reversing unwanted damage from the elements. On a case by case basis, this regimen should be further combined with non surgical treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion and injectibles such as Botox. In combination, the natural skin changes attributed to aging can be slowed and delay the need for more invasive procedures and noticeably improve ones appearance. As a patient, it is beneficial to choose a physician with experience in office-based and hospital-based cosmetic procedures. From this standpoint, any comprehensive skin care regimen will include every facet of treatment available for improving ones appearance.

Mountain Medicine: What changes have taken place in the field of plastic surgery in the last decade? How does the process differ from years ago?

Dr. Martin: Emphasis is now on maintaining a natural appearance. Procedures have become less invasive, and in most cases require minimal recovery time. These new and innovative techniques that I have incorporated into my practice utilize shorter incisions, a less invasive surgical approach and place more emphasis on staging of the procedures. By scheduling a cosmetic procedure earlier in the aging process, a cosmetic surgeon will have a greater impact on the continued aesthetic changes inherent to aging.

Mountain Medicine: Can you give us an example of staging procedures as a means of countering the natural aging process?

Dr. Martin: Early hospital based cosmetic procedures followed by minor secondary procedures much later in life, place emphasis on subtle, natural changes over time. For example, the desired progression for the aging patient is to address changes around the eyes in their early 40’s, followed by a short incision, minimally invasive facelift 5 to 10 years later. Secondary refining procedures would then be performed in the late 50’s or early 60’s. This ensures a natural preservation of a youthful appearance while avoiding the over-operated appearance sometimes associated with more invasive procedures.

Mountain Medicine: How long does it typically take to recover from what you describe as a minimally invasive procedure like a facelift?

Dr. Martin: With a short incision facelift procedure, our patients have much less bruising and discomfort during the recovery period and should be able to return to normal activities within 2 weeks of surgery.

Mountain Medicine: Can you provide us with a recap of your surgical training?

Dr. Martin: I completed my general surgery residency and a plastic surgery fellowship over a six year period at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. I also was selected for post surgical training in cosmetic surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.

Dr. Martin can be reached at 970.544.0500.

The very best things in life are custom-fit, and today that includes laser vision correction.

Just like the tailoring of a fine suit or couture fashion, today’s LASIK procedure is 100% tailor-made for you, your vision and the unique characteristics of your eyes.

Spivack Western Slope LASIK located in Glenwood Springs at 20/20 EyeCare is proud to offer the new iLASIK^TM technology to the Roaring Fork Valley. The iLASIK procedure is one of the most precise medical procedures performed today. 3-D mapping technology, called Wavescan, provides precise measurements of your eye similar to a blueprint, allowing Dr. Spivack to then custom-fit the iLASIK procedure for each of your eyes. Combined with the use of the most advanced lasers available, the CustomVue Visx S4 IR and the blade-free Intralase Laser, differentiates the iLASIK^TM procedure from all others.

Renowned surgeon Dr. Lawrence Spivack, 20/20 EyeCare and their caring, professional staff are committed to providing better vision for your life. Their comprehensive, all inclusive package features pre and post-op care, 0% interest free financing, zero down, for one full year and state-of-the-art technology permanently located in Glenwood Springs. With the absolute best in LASIK right here in the valley, there’s no reason to spend time and money driving to Denver. If you’ve been thinking about iLASIK^TM to improve your active lifestyle now is the time to call Spivack Western Slope Lasik at 970- 928-9752 for a free evaluation and see life more clearly.