Health and Fitness Facts

Archive for the ‘Surgeon’ Category

The price of liposuction will vary from state to state and from physician to physician. Although cost is surely a crucial factor in determining whether or not to have the surgery performed, several steps should be taken prior to obtaining a price quote from a surgeon. As a general estimate, last year, liposuction costs ranged from $1,000 – $10,000. Prices can vary largely depending on how much fat is to be removed and which areas of the body the surgery is targeting. Many cosmetic surgeons have pricing guides that may give a prospective patient a general idea of liposuction costs.

Firstly, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) recommends that a prospective patient thoroughly interview several surgeons and ask key questions before deciding on a doctor. The patient should inquire about the physician’s educational background and work experience. The surgeon should have graduated from an accredited medical school, have at least two years of residency in a cosmetic surgery setting and be a member of the AAPS. Most reputable cosmetic surgeons will also welcome a patient’s request for references. Carefully choosing an experienced cosmetic surgeon can greatly affect the outcome of the liposuction surgery.

After careful research, the patient will need to attend an in-depth consultation or counseling session with the chosen surgeon. This is when the surgeon will be able to give pricing information. The cost of the procedure is mostly determined by the area which will be treated and how much fat will be removed during the surgery. Many other factors are included in the cost of the procedure, however, such as anesthetics, facility fees, liposuction compression garments, bloodwork, and laboratory testing. Some surgeons may also recommend additional treatments such as ultrasounds or massages which should be taken into consideration in estimating the cost of the liposuction surgery. Another factor that influences the cost is how the surgeon ‘counts’ different areas of the body. For example, many surgeons consider the upper and lower abdomen to be separate areas.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that is characterized by symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, paresthesia (pins and needles) and loss of strength and coordination in the thumb, index, middle and sometimes one-half of the ring finger. Not all of the symptoms or fingers have to be affected simultaneously as symptoms often vary and may move around. (Symptoms present in the ring and little finger are not carpal tunnel syndrome and instead are related to ulnar nerve entrapment in disorders like Guyon’s Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common nerve entrapment disorder in the past decade and is generally caused by muscle strength and length imbalance that exists between the flexor muscles that close the hand and the extensor muscles that open the hand, resulting in excessive pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is one option for treating this disabling condition; however, it remains a controversial choice and it is important to fully understand the risks and benefits involved.

There are many invasive and non-invasive treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome including medication, exercise, wrist splinting, and corticosteroid nerve injections. Surgery is by far the most invasive procedure and it merits careful forethought as a majority of those undergoing the knife may obtain some relief, long-term relief has a very poor success rate. In contrast, the vast majority of patients fare better with conservative treatment and it is estimated that less than 1/3 require surgical intervention. Indeed, surgery is only recommended when there is persistent, debilitating pain, deteriorated grip or grasping, muscle flattening and all other conservative methods have been tried.

A new sinus surgery procedure has emerged in recent months. It is called sinuplasty, and it is similar in concept to angioplasty. That is, a small balloon is inserted into the sinus passages of the patient, the balloon is inflated, then deflated, and then removed. It is claimed that the passage will remain open for some time because of the small malleable bones in the part of the head where the sinuses are located. The theory is that once the balloon is withdrawn, these bones have been moved slightly and will remain in place. If this in fact proves to be true by follow-up tests and studies, this would undoubtedly be an interesting option for many sinus sufferers.

It is claimed that there is little pain in the sinuplasty procedure. I personally have had two sinus operation, and the pain and discomfort involved in each was substantial. After the first operation my nose was “packed”. That is, a large amount of gauze was placed in each nostril to stop bleeding and help start the healing process. Thus, all breathing has to be done through the mouth for the week or so that the gauze stays in the nose. It is very difficult to eat like this, because one cannot swallow food and breathe at the same time. Removing the gauze was another painful experience. The ENT specialist said that “this will feel like I’m pulling your brains out”. He was right, and that is exactly what it felt like. With regard to pain, I feel that I’m willing to tolerate it if going through the pain will accomplish something. In the case of my two sinus operations, I was still coming down with infections afterwards, so all the pain was really for nothing.

There are no long-term, scientific studies yet to show how effective the operation is. Several are under way, however, and it will be interesting to see the results. One study of 100 patients is due to be released in September, and another with 80 participants should be released subsequently. I personally don’t recommend sinus surgery to people because it seems that even if there are positive results, they only last a short time. I’ve heard of people having had 4 or 5 sinus operations, and one wonders what operation number 5 might accomplish that numbers 1-4 did not. The anecdotal stories of people who had suffered from chronic sinusitis and tried sinuplasty are encouraging, however. The ABC evening news ran a story about the procedure not long ago, and they interviewed a person who said her results were immediate and excellent. In any case I would recommend trying pulsating nasal irrigation with a saline solution before any surgery procedure, but if simplasty proves to be effective in the long term, this may be an excellent option for many sinusitis sufferers. If one has polyps, however, it should be noted that sinuplasty will not be an option, as the polyps will need to be removed by invasive surgery.

If you have recently begun to feel intense amounts of neck or back pain, you may have a condition that needs treatment from a medical professional. Often such conditions are easily curable with a simple hot or cold pad or regular visits to a chiropractor, but for more advanced, for more severe cases, your only option may be neck surgery.

Surgery on your neck involves cutting into your spine in order to correct some sort of anatomical defect which is causing your pain. While there are other, less invasive types of surgeries and treatments available, neck surgery is often your only choice if you are suffering from a pain that cannot be treated in any other way. This is only provided that the source of your pain can be identified, as exploratory surgery on your neck is never an option that you should consider due to the relatively high risk of damaging a vital part of your body.

All surgery which is done on the spine or the neck should only be conducted by an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon. If you are considering receiving surgery in this area of your body from a surgeon that is not one of these two types, you should definitely think it over and go with a licensed and trained orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon instead.

The most important thing to remember about any type of spinal surgery, including surgery on the neck, is that it is totally elective. There are often a variety of other ways in which you can treat your pain or discomfort without having to go under the knife. Sometimes neck surgery is not even the best way to treat such problems. However, it should always be a type of surgery that you should really only consider as a relatively last resort, as there is usually more risk involved in such surgery than potential benefits.

Millions of people suffer from gallbladder attacks every day, but are completely baffled by what causes them. As a result, almost all of them continue to do, on a daily basis, the exact things that will make their condition worse. It’s not a question of adding new things to your life, in the form of medication, but stopping what you did that has caused the pain in the first place. The first thing you need to know is that your condition was not caused by genetics. You are causing every single gallbladder attack you have by your actions throughout the day. And what are those actions? Very simply, a gallbladder attack is caused by what you eat.

But, before we get to that, I want you to know that having your gallbladder taken out is not a good option. About 750,000 people in the United States have their gallbladders removed every year. A very large portion of these people continue to have frequent gallbladder attacks well after the surgery. In other words, it is not effective at reducing a gallbladder attack AND you will be without a very important organ for the rest of your life. The gallbladder is important because it works in conjunction with your liver to remove fats, cholesterol, and other harmful waste and toxins out of the body. Since your condition was caused by your diet, removing your gallbladder and continuing to eat the same way won’t make you better. In fact, it puts you at much greater risk for other diseases. Remember, your gallbladder isn’t doing anything wrong: You are. It’s doing the best it can to keep you healthy, but you are eating in such a way to make that impossible. Taking out your gallbladder because of what you are eating would be like taking out the engine in your car, because you put in the wrong kind of gasoline and the car stopped running.

I would like to simplify this for you so you can go about this the right way and stop any future gallbladder attack. So, what is the problem with your diet? Well, let’s take a look at cholesterol, which is the prime culprit in your condition. Although a very small amount of cholesterol is necessary for good health, your liver naturally produces all the cholesterol you will ever need. However, other animals produce cholesterol too. When you eat meat and dairy foods, you take in their cholesterol which causes your cholesterol to skyrocket. This increase in cholesterol is what leads to heart disease and many other harmful conditions, including gallstones which is the cause of your gallbladder attack. You see, gallstones are actually cholesterol deposits! It is this daily action of eating unhealthy foods that causes you to have a gallbladder attack, not your gallbladder.

Every woman ought to have at least one pair of boots. The question is, what style of boots do you want? Well, first we are going to divide boots into two categories: ankle boots and knee-high boots. Yes, there are indeed thigh-high boots, and they can be very fun, but they are not quite as versatile as your basic knee-high or ankle-high boots.

Ankle Boots

Ankle boots tend to weave their way in and out of fashion trends, year after year. So, while ankle boots are hot right now, you might remember that they were also hot in the 1980’s, and they may not be so hot again for another few decades. Nonetheless, ankle boots are still great boots, and they look great with many different outfits.

As far as what style of ankle boots you should get – suede, stiletto, purple, fringed, buckled, etc. – that is completely up to you. Have fun with your ankle boots. Go crazy!

Knee-High Boots

So, you just learned not to wear your ankle boots with a short skirt, right? Well, let me tell you that you can wear your knee-high boots with a short skirt – just do not try to wear them with a short and tight mini-skirt, unless you are trying to look like a street-roamer.

Rather, choose an A-line mini skirt that does not hit higher than mid-thigh. This is still a sexy look, but it is much more sophisticated than the aforementioned look. You could also choose a fitted skirt with an above-the-knee hemline. You want to be sure that there is a gap between the top of the boots and the hem of your skirt.

A mid-calf skirt also looks great with a pair of knee-high boots. Just avoid a fitted skirt – something with an A-line cut is going to be much more flattering.

Spine surgery is done on patients who suffer from back pain or pain related to the spine. Surgical procedures on the spine are of two kinds – open procedures and minimally invasive procedures. Open procedures require large incisions and muscle stripping. These procedures also require more anesthesias, operating time, and hospitalization and recuperation time. Minimally invasive surgical techniques use tiny incisions made in the skin through which small, specialized instruments are inserted. These techniques cause minimal damages to muscle tissues. Less damage means less pain and a shorter period of hospitalization. The recovery time is also less. Different types of spine surgery can be performed utilizing minimally invasive techniques. Some types of minimally invasive spine surgery use laser technology. Lasers are used to separate or eliminate tissue.

There are several causes for back pain. Once the cause is determined, surgery is done to relieve the patient of pain in the neck, arms, lower back and legs. The first step in a surgery is to make precise incisions to access the affected area. These incisions are made using laser technology.

Another use of laser is in the treatment of herniated or ruptured discs. Discectomy and microdiscectomy are terms that mean the surgical removal of a part or an entire intervertebral disc. Discectomy is an open procedure and microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove a herniated or ruptured disc. In microdiscectomy, a laser fiber is passed through a needle and placed into the disc to vaporize the inner core of the disc. Laminotomy may also be performed in cases of ruptured discs. The ruptured disc puts pressure on one or more nerve roots. Surgery is done to expose the nerve root by removing a part of the covering or lamina that covers the nerve root. Laser beams are used in making incisions and in removing affected parts.

Cosmetic surgery is the new rage; every time we turn around it seems that someone else is having something done. Magazines and television shows pay homage to plastic surgery and more and more of us are finding that the relative risks are far outweighed by increased self-esteem. When we have something about our face or body that we feel self-conscious about then it’s hard to ignore a procedure that can eradicate it from out lives.

However, many people, thinking that cosmetic surgery is cost-prohibitive, do not give surgery much thought. Little did they know that with cosmetic surgery financing, they too could have the face and body they’ve always wanted.

Cosmetic surgery financing can not only ensure that you have the necessary funds to get the surgery – or combination of surgeries that you want, but that you are able to choose the doctor that comes the most recommended. Not having to work within a restricted insurance network will allow you to pick the most appropriate and highest skilled cosmetic surgeon.

When looking for cosmetic surgery financing you can look to any financial institution. Start with your own bank; a solid relationship and prior history can sometimes benefit you when it comes to getting lower rates of interest. Check online for competitive cosmetic surgery financing rates. You can shop interest rates from the comfort of your own home, taking the time to make the decision that works best for your situation.

Finally, some cosmetic surgery offices offer their own cosmetic surgery financing. If you have found a doctor that has met all of your qualifications reputation, experience, and recommendations then check with the office staff to see if there is cosmetic surgery financing available directly through them.

Did you know that unlike gastric bypass surgery, the adjustable gastric band or lap band surgery procedure is reversible? The LAP-BAND System received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States back in June 2001. Another type of gastric band, the Swedish adjustable gastric band, differs from the LAP-BAND because it’s not designed for use with keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

In general, gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and weight loss system is indicated for people for whom: Body Mass Index is above 40, or for those who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more over their estimated ideal weight according to the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables or for those between 30 to 40 with co-morbidities, which may improve with weight loss (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis). Mentally disabled or emotionally unstable people won’t be considered for lap band surgery. The lap band surgery is usually not performed if one has an untreated glandular disease like hypothyroidism, where other solutions may still be sought.

In order to be considered for surgery one must have the comprehension of the risks and benefits of the gastric band procedure and willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions required for long term success. Failure of dietary or weight-loss drug therapy for more than one year can also make one eligible for the adjustable gastric band procedure.

Gastric dumping syndrome problems that occur in other types of surgeries do not occur in lap band surgeries because no intestines are removed or re-routed. Unlike those who have procedures such as Roux -en -y gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch or biliopancreatic diversion, it’s unusual for gastric band patients to experience nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of any micronutrients. Another plus is the surgeon uses a specialized needle to avoid damage to the port membrane.

The last thing you want to think about is prostate cancer surgery. With the thought of all the uncomfortable tests and then the surgery itself, which takes organs from your body, scares many people. You never want to think about it or imagine it could happen to you.

The surgery itself is irreversible and over time, the affects this has on ones life will become known. Although the side effects are not life threatening to speak, but if complications arise from other health problems it could be. Men experience a sexual performance problem and in some cases and will need counseling.

What is Prostatectomy This type of procedure consists of removing the entire prostate gland along with nearby tissue that may have cancer cells that have spread to them. The two methods used are perineal and retro public.

The retro public method requires removal of the prostate through a small incision right below your belly button and about an inch above the penis. The other procedure, perineal is done with an incision between the rectum and the scrotum. This way sounds more painful than the retro public method.

Before the prostate cancer surgery, a catheter is inserted in your bladder through the tip of the penis. While the catheter is in place, all urine is drained from the bladder during the surgery and your recovery. Usually two weeks past before having the catheter removed.

Once they remove the catheter, you might experience some problems with urinary control for days, weeks and sometimes months. Not all men experience this unfortunate condition. An exception would be sometimes when you lift things or cough you might notice a little incontinence.