I am sure that you have heard this many times in the past.  When your life is going smooth, without stress or worries, it is easy to be on course for a healthy and happy lifestyle. Eating proper food, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and enjoying your daily work schedule. Life is good!

When you have worries, and issues are “eating you”, that is when your daily healthy lifestyle goes to havoc.  You start eating unhealthy, exercise and meditating less, and one often engages in unhealthy choices such as excessive alcohol consumption, improper use of prescription medications or smoking.

As I have written in my prior months posts, the “New Year” is a time for reflection and changing ones course to a healthy and stress free life.  This is often easier “said or in this case written” than done.  My patients always say, that is easy for you to say!!  I have financial commitments, family to care for, health issues and no time for myself.

How can I start becoming a better person, living a better life, and enjoying life more? I would start by saying that it is not by shedding your responsibilities and commitment to your family, friends and career, and running away to a monastery.  It is actually the opposite!  You must become more engaged with yourself, be more involved with your inner self, and take control of your “self”.  So what is the “Self” that we are talking about?  The self can be considered ones “personality, character or nature”. It is the inner you! It is not what people see, but what you see yourself as.

By taking control of the “self” is the start to a happier life. I am not asking you to be cold, callus and unengaged with reality, I am suggesting that you actually become more engaged in what passes through between your ears.  By not allowing external images and ideas (what is eating you) take control or influence your day to day activities, will allow you to be more aware of your surroundings, and you will be able to deal with “stressors ” more effectively.

Now somewhere you must ask, why a plastic surgeon is posting about “the self and reality”.  Why are we not talking about facelifts, tummy tucks and liposuction?  The reason is simple….Your look and your appearance is a reflection of your inner self.  If you are a happier person, your outer self will be more radiant.

With the coming of the years end, we all have a chance to reminisce and review the past year and life, along with plans for the future.

We  do this both consciously and sub-consciously. “Eat Healthier, Loose Weight, Spend less Money, Stop Smoking, Exercise More, and Find a New Job”.

We need to look at the coming of the New Year not as an isolated event, time or date when some miraculous vision or miracle is going to occur. This time of the year should rather be viewed as a growth process in which we can make small changes in our life, re-direct our goals, and review our priorities.  Everyone needs a plan, with both short and long term goals.

Some short term goals include: Eat Healthy, Walk Daily, Pray or Meditate, Be Kind to Others, Be Thankful for What Your Have, Start looking for a new job. Some Long term goals include: Loose Weight, Spend Less Money, Stop Smoking, and Career Change. You have heard it many times; you need to crawl before you can walk. Don’t obsess with the big picture of loosing 20 pounds, look at the smaller daily picture, and loose one pound a week!!

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery can be looked at in a similar fashion. Cosmetic surgery is not a “Quick Fix”, to try and change a body feature you are unhappy with. It is not New Years day in which you wake up and it is a new year. Plastic Surgery is more of a “refinement process” in which we can make small changes in your appearance or body contour. Whether you are considering non-invasive treatment such as dermal fillers, or cosmetic surgical procedures such: facelift, eyelid surgery or cosmetic breast surgery, Dr. Stephen Chidyllo, at Central Jersey Plastic Surgery, always feels that “less is more” and plans for a gentle enhancement of your natural body features.

Dr. Stephen A. Chidyllo, medical director of Central Jersey Plastic Surgery and,   former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is proud to announce the joining of the medical staff at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City New Jersey.  Dr. Chidyllo has been in active practice serving the patients of the New Jersey region for over 20 years.  Central Jersey Plastic Surgery has two active offices in both, Monmouth County, West Long Branch and Southern Ocean County, Manahawkin NJ.  Dr. Stephen Chidyllo specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the Face and Breasts.  Facial, Craniofacial and Maxillofacial surgery is a significant portion of his practice.  Patients can schedule appoints for consultations at either of the two offices.

To avoid the over operated, over done appearance after cosmetic plastic surgery think of starting off slowly rather that performing multiple procedures at the same time. When considering facial rejuvenation, why not start with a treatment of BOTOX cosmetic or dermal filler, such as Restylane to soften and rejuvenated you appearance and erase fine lines and wrinkles. When considering body contouring, investigate the possibility of either liposuction or a mini tummy tuck to reduce your waistline, hips or abdomen. You always want to look and feel refreshed after plastic surgery, so think “less is more”.