Health and Fitness Facts

Archive for the ‘Surgeon’ Category

Gastric banding is a relatively new form of weight loss surgery first pioneered in Sweden in 1985 with the band being designed initially to be fitted using open surgery. The first laparoscopic surgery for the insertion of a gastric band was performed in France in 2000 and a year later in 2001 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of an American adjustable gastric banding system for use in the United States. Since then gastric banding has grown rapidly in popularity.

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is a form of restrictive gastric bypass surgery which many surgeons are beginning to favor as it avoids many of the nutritional problems associated with malabsorption surgeries. It also involves no cutting or stapling of the stomach and this, combined with the fact that the procedure can be performed laparoscopically, means that the death rate from surgery is about one-tenth of that seen in the widely used open Roux-en-Y form of surgery.

From the patient’s point of view the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band means a relatively short stay in hospital and a quick recovery. Once in place the band can also be adjusted without further surgery so that the surgeon has much greater control of patient management in the critical weeks following surgery, making it possible to react quickly and easily to problems which the patient might experience.

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure is also fully reversible and, after removal of the band, the stomach will return to its normal pre-operative state.

As with most restrictive forms of surgery weight loss tends to be less dramatic than in malabsorption or combination surgeries and patients have to work a little bit harder in the early months following surgery to achieve a satisfactory rate of weight loss. However, because weight loss is not quite so easy and patients have to learn a strict set of eating habits, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery tends to produce better long-term results and weight stability.

Nose reshaping surgery is also known as rhinoplasty. You will not be able to undergo this surgery before the age of 14 or 15. Boys should wait even longer. The nose may not be fully developed at a younger age. Of course, cosmetic surgery is not something one should be thinking of at that age. As a teenager, your plastic surgeon will want to be certain that you have thought carefully about surgery and that the desire to change your appearance is based on your own feelings rather than those of your parents or friends.

Assuming you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for having your nose reshaped. Rhinoplasty is sometimes performed in conjunction with a facelift or other rejuvenate surgery to correct aging changes of the nose such as a drooping tip.

Sometimes certain breathing problems related to the internal nasal structures can be corrected at the same time as nose reshaping is performed. Your plastic surgeon will be able to help you determine whether these structures should be modified along with reshaping your nose.

During your initial consultation you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

Some indications that you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty are:
Your nose appears too large for your face
There is a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed in profile
Your nose seems too wide when viewed from the front
The nasal tip droops or plunges
The tip is thickened or enlarged
Your nostrils are excessively flared
Your nose is off-centre or crooked
Previous injury has made your nose asymmetrical

It is important that you have a clear idea of how you would like your nose to look and, at the same time realise that there are limitations to the procedure. Patients with sufficient physical and emotional maturity who undergo rhinoplasty because they want to enhance their self-image are usually very satisfied with their decision.

Fashion dresses and accessories come and go. They hop from one generation to another. In fact, the trend is like a cycle. Most of the dresses of your grannies in their prime age are similar to the dresses that you have now.

Look inside their drawers or closets, study their collection of shoes, socks and accessories. Chances are you and them have similar fashion sense. Worst, their very clothesline is pretty much similar to that of yours.

The difference may lie on the design, color and twist. However, the semblance can be apparent. Time introduces fresh innovations that contribute to new materials and fad. However, there may be distinct qualities that remain.

Say for instance, socks. Socks have a wide selection. However, there are selections that are ageless and one of them is knee sock. Knee socks have already stayed in the global clothesline for good. In fact, they are still giving influence even to the modern day dressing up.

Knee socks otherwise known as turn-over-top socks were first cited in the early 19th century. However, it is believed that they have already existed since 18th century. Nevertheless, they became famous in the 20th century when Baden Powell and his Boy Scouts have habitually used them.

They were commonly worn in Britain. Little boys match their knee socks with their short pants. In America, these socks are worn with knickers. They are common among older affluent boys.

France, Germany and Italy followed the trend. In 1970, other countries started wearing them. In New Zealand, winter secondary school uniforms are completed by knee socks. Other countries like South Africa, Australia and Japan have joined the trend.

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.

Exercise and a healthy, nutritious diet should be on everyone’s daily routine, which can serve as the first line of defense against several ailments. But many patients wake up to the perils of obesity fairly late when their excessive weight has led them to a series of complaints including diabetes and coronary disorders. They get easily dispirited, especially when faced with the rigors of the demanding exercise and diet regimens that won’t give them the fast results they desire, and turn in for gastric bypass surgery.

But is gastric bypass surgery the magic bullet that can provide permanent freedom from the extra pounds?

The bypass surgery, or for that matter any bariatric surgery, is not a quick-fix. As the surgery carries its own risk, the surgery is not for all, but only for those morbidly obese persons whose BMI has crossed 40 and who cannot achieve significant weight through diet and exercise alone. It can be successful only for those who are disciplined and committed to the prescribed diet. People who suffer from depression, bipolar disease, or schizophrenia should consult and be under the care of a psychiatrist before gastric bypass, as weight loss can worsen these conditions.

How the gastric bypass surgery works is simple. The stomach is cut high up so that it is divided into two parts – a small upper part, a one 1 oz pouch, and a large lower part a 39 oz bypassed part. Three rows of staples secure the two pieces so that most of the time they don’t leak. The pouch is then connected to the small intestines bypassing duodenum and part of the intestines (jejunum). The larger lower part of the stomach is just left lying idle. So you end up with a small stomach and a shorter intestines. This means that you will feel full more quickly and that you will absorb less of the food actually eaten (because of the shorter bowel). Food flows directly into the middle section of your small intestine, limiting absorption of calories.

Exercise and a healthy, nutritious diet should be on everyone’s daily routine, which can serve as the first line of defense against several ailments. But many patients wake up to the perils of obesity fairly late when their excessive weight has led them to a series of complaints including diabetes and coronary disorders. They get easily dispirited, especially when faced with the rigors of the demanding exercise and diet regimens that won’t give them the fast results they desire, and turn in for gastric bypass surgery.

But is gastric bypass surgery the magic bullet that can provide permanent freedom from the extra pounds?

The bypass surgery, or for that matter any bariatric surgery, is not a quick-fix. As the surgery carries its own risk, the surgery is not for all, but only for those morbidly obese persons whose BMI has crossed 40 and who cannot achieve significant weight through diet and exercise alone. It can be successful only for those who are disciplined and committed to the prescribed diet. People who suffer from depression, bipolar disease, or schizophrenia should consult and be under the care of a psychiatrist before gastric bypass, as weight loss can worsen these conditions.

How the gastric bypass surgery works is simple. The stomach is cut high up so that it is divided into two parts – a small upper part, a one 1 oz pouch, and a large lower part a 39 oz bypassed part. Three rows of staples secure the two pieces so that most of the time they don’t leak. The pouch is then connected to the small intestines bypassing duodenum and part of the intestines (jejunum). The larger lower part of the stomach is just left lying idle. So you end up with a small stomach and a shorter intestines. This means that you will feel full more quickly and that you will absorb less of the food actually eaten (because of the shorter bowel). Food flows directly into the middle section of your small intestine, limiting absorption of calories.

Hemorrhoid surgery is often a last resort for many patients. Many times, one can treat the condition with diet modifications, topical creams, sitz baths and herbal treatments. In severe cases, however, surgery is required in order to correct a more serious or chronic situation.

Traditional hemorrhoids surgery, or a hemorrhoidectomy, is sometimes an inevitable solution. This procedure is painless because you will be given either general anesthesia or a spinal anesthesia. During surgery, an incision or incisions are made around the hemorrhoid tissue. The enlarged vein is tied off to prevent further bleeding and the offending hemorrhoid is then removed. Depending upon the size of the incision, the area may be stitched up or left open.

The actual work will be completed with either a scalpel, laser, or cautery pencil and is done in a surgical ward. While it sounds unpleasant, most patients receive treatment and are then sent home on an outpatient basis, though those at high risk (the elderly, distance patients, and pregnant women) may be temporarily hospitalized after the hemorrhoids surgery.

Today, many hospitals have begun to experiment with a new procedure that involves the use of staples to remove the hemorrhoid and seal the wound. It is believed that the new procedure is less painful post operation and may result if faster recovery time. Discuss options with your physician to see what path is the best for your particular situation. Hemorrhoids surgery is usually considered as an option with very large hemorrhoids.

Often, non-surgical treatments continue to be ineffective with internal hemorrhoids and surgery becomes relevant. External hemorrhoids are usually more painful than internal hemorrhoids and when pain is uncontrollable and/or keeping the area clean becomes problematic, then surgical intervention may be advised by your doctor. Prolapsed or thrombosed hemorrhoids (internal hemorrhoids that drop into the external anal area or blood clots) may also be reason for surgery.

Dental science deals with diseases that inflict a person’s mouth — especially the teeth. There are different kinds of dental illnesses and most can be dealt with externally with the help of dental tools or medication. However, some illnesses are graver and require dental surgery to ensure proper healing and repair.

The most common of all dental surgery is the extraction of a tooth. Simple extractions can be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon and are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anesthetic. Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that are not easily accessed, either because of a crack under the gum line or because it is impacted. Thedentist makes an incision into the gum to reach the tooth, and this sometimes may also require the removal of overlying bone tissue with a drill.

Another common reason for a dental surgery is to insert a new fake tooth or a dental implant. Sometimes a deep cavity in the tooth can only be filled with an implant or the tooth is extract fully and replaced by a fake tooth through surgery. This surgery also needs local anesthesia, as the pain is probably too much for a patient to withstand.

Although, the above mentioned are the most common reasons for a dental surgeon, there are cases where surgery must take place for other reasons too. These would include, fitting braces on extremely uneven teeth to bring them to an even formation, fitting permanent dentures, for root canal treatment and other types of procedures on gums.

Just recently, a friend of mine, had cataract surgery. He told me that after he was done, he saw better than he had ever seen since he was a kid. You had to see the look of joy all over his face. Yes, cataract surgery, especially with today’s modern methods, is a great thing. However, there are still risks involved in having this kind of surgery. This article is simply meant to point them out so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is something that you want to consider having.

First, let me give you the good news. About 98% of the people who have cataract surgery have wonderful outcomes and vision that is greatly improved. This is a significant figure and a testament as to how far we have come with this procedure. Still, there is that 2% that we need to be concerned with and what can go wrong in those cases.

One of the most common risks of cataract surgery is Endophthalmitis, which is an infection inside the eye. To help prevent this from happening, antibiotic eye drops are administered on the day of the surgery. In most cases, this procedure is all that is needed, but in some cases infection will occur. The statistics for post operative infection are 1 in 3000 surgeries.

A less common risk of cataract surgery is cystoid macular edema. The macula is the central part of the retina. Sometimes, after surgery, this part becomes inflamed, which results in a blurring of vision. A test is then given to determine the extent of the swelling. In some cases, steroids need to be injected into the area itself in order to bring down the swelling, which is always a risk in itself.

People generally get tired wiping sweat off their eyeglasses or cleaning their contact lens. Maintaining contact lenses is a tedious and time-consuming task. Laser eye surgery is used to correct the defects of the eyes such as myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, or hyperopia also known as farsightedness, and astigmatism.

In recent times, medical lasers have become more sophisticated and are complemented by surgical techniques that are less invasive. Laser eye surgery is generally considered safe but it is highly recommended not to misinterpret these as ?risk-free?. This is so because all surgical procedures normally involve some amount of risk.

A substantial number of people have given up their glasses and contact lenses after opting to have laser eye surgery. However, there are many considerations that have to be kept in mind before planning to go for laser eye surgery. Not all individuals can opt for laser eye surgery. Pregnant women, people with diabetes, or with binocular vision problem, dry eyes, thin corneas, or very large pupils are advised not to go for corrective laser surgery for the eyes. Aside from complications, there are also chances of side effects. It is often observed that a small percentage of people actually have increased vision troubles after laser eye surgery.

Skills and experience of an eye surgeon accounts for a large part of the success of the surgical technique .A good surgeon certainly helps to make laser eye surgery safer. PRK, LASIK, and CK are mainly three surgical techniques that are used to correct the defects in the eye.