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| Women
helping women is the primary focus for Dr. Therese Barrett and her staff
at Centennial Women’s Health Center in Longmont. On one side of
the office, Dr. Barrett and her staff at Centennial provide a number
of gynecological services to women of all ages and in various stages
of their lives. On the other side, Julie Banks and Fox Ridge Laser and
Skin Care’s staff of licensed aestheticians and certified laser
technicians offer hair removal, skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, and wellness
services. Fox Ridge has also recently added a form of laser body sculpting
to their offerings. Dr. Barrett began her medical career at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. After graduating from medical school, she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Soon after, Dr. Barrett accepted a position at St. Vrain Ob-Gyn Associates in Longmont, which was owned by Dr. J.R. McCauley at the time. The practice had one other physician working at the practice as well. Dr. Barrett, who is also a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, spent the next several years at St. Vrain treating patients, delivering babies, and treating high-risk pregnancies. After nearly two decades of often being on-call, attending deliveries in the middle of the night, and a never-ending workload, Dr. Barrett decided it was time for something new. “Although I love doing OB, it just got to the point where I felt like I needed a little more time with my family,” she notes. “My oldest one is a senior this year, and before she takes off, I don’t want to be on-call or recovering from being on-call.” Dr. Barrett opened both Centennial and Fox Ridge in east Longmont in August 2007 with the hope of providing more personal care to her patients. Although the two facilities are housed in the same office and at times provide complementary services, they have very different focuses. Centennial provides gynecological services to various women—not just those past the age of having children. What makes her current practice so different from her previous practice is the absence of obstetric care. “We have a lot of patients who are either going to have another pregnancy or think they may have another pregnancy, and we can take care of them until that time comes,” Dr. Barrett says. She goes on to note that oftentimes, patients who become pregnant will see their obstetrician during their pregnancy and then come back after the baby is born. For her patients, having a gynecology-only practice means there is far less chance she will have to reschedule an appointment, especially at the last minute, or be called away during an exam. “I’m not saying it never happens that I get called out for an emergency, but it’s a rarity,” she says. While many women tend to think of gynecological services only in terms of their annual exam, there are many other services and treatments offered. One of Dr. Barrett’s preferred treatments is endometrial ablation for women who suffer from unusually heavy menstrual cycles. Recent statistics show that one in five women suffer from this condition. Although there are a number of treatments available, Dr. Barrett says she prefers using Novasure because of its high efficacy rate and the substantial benefit it can bring to patients. “About 40% of patients will have no more periods after having it done,” she adds. The procedure can be performed in the office, often meaning less cost to patients because insurance co-pays for office visits are usually less than procedures performed in a hospital or surgery center. Having both facilities readily available can be a real asset when treating certain conditions. “It’s been great for our polycystic ovarian syndrome patients,” says Dr. Barrett. This syndrome can cause a number of symptoms, including infrequent menstrual periods, infertility due to a lack of ovulation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and increased hair growth on the face and other parts of the body. Along with combining treatments for the medical conditions, patients are also able to utilize the services at Fox Ridge to remove unwanted body hair, for example. Aside from treating symptoms related to specific medical conditions, the services offered at Fox Ridge can also be great when you just want to pamper yourself. “We do micro dermabrasions and chemical peels, and we recently added Smart lipo,” she states. “Smart lipo uses a laser to help emulsify the fat. This procedure is done in the office. It gives the skin a smoother appearance, and offers the added benefit of some skin tightening which does not occur with traditional liposuction.” Some improvement can be seen immediately, although the ultimate benefits from the procedure can take up to six months to be fully realized, Dr. Barrett says. One area of the body that she says has seen tremendous results from the new procedure is the skin along the neck and under the chin. Smart lipo not only removes fat from the neck area, she says, but it also tightens the skin for a dramatic change in appearance. So whether you are interested in hormone replacement therapy or laser skin rejuvenation, the staff at both facilities seems to be able to meet all of your needs in what I found to be a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment. Centennial Women’s Health Center is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Barrett, call 303-651-2800. For more information about Fox Ridge Laser and Skin Care and the services they offer, visit their Web site at www.foxridgeskincare.com. To schedule a free consultation, call 303-772-2000. |
Dr. Therese Barrett |
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