Page 146 - Westchester Magazine - January 2011

Robert J. Raniolo, MD , Har Chi Lau, MD and Michael Weitzen, DO
A health-threatening ailment that necessitates general surgery can easily cause any patient to worry or become anxious. So when doctors Robert Raniolo, MD, Har Chi Lau, MD, and Michael Weitzen, DO, of the Hudson Valley Surgical Group put on their white coats, they don’t hang up their humility, their compassion, or their understanding. Instead, they fortify these traits with the impeccable skills and expertise that they bring to their practice where they specialize in breast surgery, cancer operations, laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery (the benefits of which include faster recovery, minimal scarring, and less pain), and a full spectrum of other surgical procedures.
Working out of Phelps Memorial Hospital and Dobbs Ferry Hospital, one doctor from the group is always on call and available to discuss any patient’s concerns. “We’re all interchangeable and we all take care of each other’s patients as if they were our own,” says Dr. Lau. Coordinated care and communication with patients—answering all questions, addressing all concerns, and fully explaining treatment options and plans—are the defining characteristics of their practice.
A fluent Spanish speaker born and raised in the community he serves, Dr. Raniolo, Chief of Phelps Memorial’s Department of General Surgery, brings his 20 years of experience and an expertise in breast surgery to the practice. Dr. Lau, who is fluent in Chinese, has an expertise in minimal- ly invasive surgery. He has pioneered single-incision surgery at Phelps Memorial, where he has worked for more than 10 years. Dr. Weitzen, the newest member of the practice, brings the latest in treatment gleaned from a recent laparoscopic fellowship and from his tenure as director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Saint Barnabas Hospital. All three doctors are board-certified and hold numerous professional affiliations.
777 North Broadway, Suite 204, Sleepy Hollow, NY 914.631.3660 www.hudsonvalleysurgeons.com
144 / JANUARY 2011 / WWW.WESTCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM
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WINTER HEALTH & FITNESS
to cover up
During extreme weather, it’s important to cover up. Leaving your skin exposed increases chances of frostbite. Covering up also includes wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It may be cold outside, but the sun’s UV rays
are just as harmful. Combat dry, itchy skin with shorter showers and baths
at a slightly cooler less drying water temperature, followed immediately
with a body moisturizer to lock in the moisture, and try hair conditioner over shaving creams and foams.
Did you know: Pain, tingling or persistent numbness in the face, fingers, or toes could be a sign of frostbite.
not to sweat the
small stuff
Do your best to manage the stress. Give yourself a break—do what you can and forgive what you can’t. Reducing the stress pays off big time. Now that your resolution has put you in the mood to move, aerobic exercise is the best drug-free way to raise your brain’s serotonin levels, improving your mood and ability to handle stress. A raised level of stress lowers the body’s immune system and ability to fight illness and infection, including cold and flu.
Did you know: The best stress-busters are free—meditating, deep breathing, exercising to raise serotonin levels, laughing, spending time with friends who make you
feel calm.
As winter turns to spring (and it will), you stand a better chance of staying healthy and in peak condition with
a body that’s prime for hitting the beaches come summer.