American New Year’s Traditions

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in America are celebrated with various traditions and customs. Here are some of the common ones:

Countdown and Ball Drop: One of the most iconic traditions is watching the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City. People gather to witness the descent of a giant illuminated ball in Times Square as the countdown to midnight begins.

Fireworks: Fireworks displays are prevalent in many cities and towns across the country, especially at the stroke of midnight, marking the beginning of the new year with colorful explosions in the sky.

New Year’s Parties: People often attend or host parties with friends and family. These parties can range from small gatherings to large events with music, dancing, food, and drinks.

Champagne Toast: A common tradition is to raise a glass of champagne or sparkling wine for a toast as the clock strikes midnight, symbolizing good luck and a celebratory start to the new year.

Resolutions: Many Americans make New Year’s resolutions, setting personal goals or intentions for self-improvement in the coming year. These resolutions often focus on health, fitness, career, relationships, or personal development.

Watching the “Ball Drop” on TV: For those who can’t be in Times Square, watching the ball drop on television is a popular way to join in the celebration from the comfort of home.

Midnight Kiss: There’s a tradition of kissing a loved one at midnight to mark the beginning of the new year and bring good luck.

Black-Eyed Peas and Greens: Some regions in the southern United States have traditions involving specific foods eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck. Eating black-eyed peas is thought to bring prosperity, and consuming greens like collard greens or cabbage symbolizes wealth and fortune.

Polar Bear Plunge: In some communities, brave individuals participate in a “Polar Bear Plunge,” jumping into icy waters on New Year’s Day as a daring way to kick off the year.

These traditions may vary from region to region and from family to family, but they all embody the spirit of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one with hope, joy, and often a bit of superstition for good luck in the coming year.

Surgical drains are medical devices used after surgery to remove excess fluid and/or air from the body. They’re typically inserted into the surgical site or a nearby area where fluid might accumulate, such as the abdomen, chest, or under the skin. They can be secured with a suture removed at a later date.

After most surgeries, the body produces fluids at the site of the operation. Drains help remove this fluid to prevent it from accumulating, which can lead to complications like infection.

Small hematomas (blood collection) or seromas (fluid collection) can occur after surgery. Drains help in reducing the risk of these collections by providing an exit route for such fluids. By removing excess fluid, drains can help decrease the likelihood of infection by preventing the buildup of potentially infectious material.

There are various types of drains used depending on the surgical procedure and the specific needs of the patient. These can include passive drains that rely on gravity, suction drains that use negative pressure to remove fluids. Most of the time for plastic surgery procedures we use negative pressure drains with bulbs. For plastic surgery specifically our drains serve a similar purpose and are used in several procedures. They aid in the healing process and help reduce complications.

After procedures like breast reconstruction following mastectomy or breast implant removal, drains may be used to remove excess fluid and reduce the risk of fluid accumulation around the implant or in the surgical site.

Drains are often placed in the abdomen after a tummy tuck to remove excess fluid and prevent seromas (fluid collections) from forming in the space between the skin and muscles. These procedures involve the use of drains to remove excess blood or fluid that could accumulate beneath the skin, helping to reduce swelling, promote healing and improve the cosmetic outcome.

The specific use of drains in plastic surgery depends on the surgeon’s preference, the type of procedure, and the individual patient’s needs. Drains care necessary to help minimize complications, reduce the risk of infections, and promote proper healing by preventing fluid buildup at the surgical site. It’s important for patients to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including caring for drains to ensure optimal healing and recovery. Below is the typical drain we use in plastic surgery procedures

For CA, please call 949-888-9700 or visit www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com
Or for MA location, call 508-755-4825 or visit www.salisburyps.com

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