Plastic surgeries have been performed for centuries in one form or another, and technology has helped this field to grow in leaps and bounds as far as what can be done. The procedures rarely have anything to do with using plastic; the term was actually coined because it involves shaping or changing the way someone looks. Most people know that it's not always about vanity. Changing someone's looks through medical means is often done to correct birth defects or repair damage caused by injury or illness. It can also be done, of course, because someone simply wants to improve or enhance their looks. If you're considering having a cosmetic procedure done, there are some things that you should consider.
Your Reasons for Wanting a Procedure Done
What may seem obvious to you may not seem obvious to someone else when it comes to wanting one or more surgeries done. You may think that your nose is way too long or your breasts way too small, while other people don't see that at all. In the end, of course, it should be about pleasing yourself, but you want to make sure that you're doing something this drastic for the right reasons. Speak with trusted friends or family members who you know will be honest with you about what you're considering. Talk to a therapist or even your family doctor, if he or she has known you for a while. This can help you make your final decision.
Assessing the Cost
Plastic surgeries are expensive; there's no way around that fact. Some procedures, of course, are more expensive than others. There may be more than one type of treatment or procedure available for what you want, and they may range widely in price. Do your homework and talk to the right professionals. Though cost should not be the only determining factor, for most people it definitely needs to be one of them.
Know what to Expect
Plastic surgeries can range anywhere from an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time to something that involves one or more overnight stays in the hospital and months of recovery time. Before you have anything done, you want to be sure that you know what to expect for afterward so you can prepare. You may need to do such things as schedule time off work and arrange for child care, and you want plenty of time for this.
Whether you are experienced with plastic surgeries or are facing your first procedure, you want to make sure that you're doing everything right. Be sure of your intentions and your reasons, arm yourself with information, and work only with doctors you trust. Be involved in every step, and you'll be sure that you're doing what's best for you.
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Monday 28 December 2009
Healthy Weight Loss - Surgery is an Option
If you have considered surgery as a method to lose that dangerous extra weight you are carrying, read this article for valuable information that will be of help to you. First let us get an understanding about what weight loss is before talking about Healthy Weight Loss.
Losing Weight
It is the process of losing body weight, most often by losing fat. That means burning off the excess calories that you consume. You can do this by reducing the amount of food you eat and increasing physical activity by regular exercise. For losing weight in a healthy way, most experts recommend a combination of nutritional meals and regular exercise. For safe and healthy loss of weight, a physician should be consulted to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to you.
What are some ways to shed extra pounds in a healthy manner?
At the end of 2009 it was reported by health studies that weight loss surgery is growing in popularity for good reason. It has helped thousands of people to take off dangerous extra weight and can produce very good results. Medicare had decided a few years ago to cover surgery as a method of losing unwanted weight and for seniors as well. Keep in mind this is only an option if you have exhausted all conventional methods of weight loss.
We now know that getting rid of extra weight in some cases may require surgery and has become a leading treatment for obesity in the United States. If you have tried to lose significant amounts of weight repeatedly without success, as I mentioned earlier, weight loss surgery may be an option to consider.
In addition to the normal complications and overall risks of surgery, lose weight surgeries have their own unique set of complications and side effects. It would be wise to learn more about the risks of weight loss surgery and then make an informed decision. Of course the decision will be made in conjunction with your doctor.
Doctors and other health professionals now know that losing weight by surgery, the weight will come off and more importantly, it will stay off. Keeping the weight off is crucial whether by surgery or conventional methods.
How it works
There are two ways the surgery works. It is done by reducing the amount of food that fits in your stomach or by restricting the amount of food the stomach can digest. If an individual has not been able to lose weight by conventional methods, including seniors, surgery may be the best option for healthy weight loss.
Losing Weight
It is the process of losing body weight, most often by losing fat. That means burning off the excess calories that you consume. You can do this by reducing the amount of food you eat and increasing physical activity by regular exercise. For losing weight in a healthy way, most experts recommend a combination of nutritional meals and regular exercise. For safe and healthy loss of weight, a physician should be consulted to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to you.
What are some ways to shed extra pounds in a healthy manner?
At the end of 2009 it was reported by health studies that weight loss surgery is growing in popularity for good reason. It has helped thousands of people to take off dangerous extra weight and can produce very good results. Medicare had decided a few years ago to cover surgery as a method of losing unwanted weight and for seniors as well. Keep in mind this is only an option if you have exhausted all conventional methods of weight loss.
We now know that getting rid of extra weight in some cases may require surgery and has become a leading treatment for obesity in the United States. If you have tried to lose significant amounts of weight repeatedly without success, as I mentioned earlier, weight loss surgery may be an option to consider.
In addition to the normal complications and overall risks of surgery, lose weight surgeries have their own unique set of complications and side effects. It would be wise to learn more about the risks of weight loss surgery and then make an informed decision. Of course the decision will be made in conjunction with your doctor.
Doctors and other health professionals now know that losing weight by surgery, the weight will come off and more importantly, it will stay off. Keeping the weight off is crucial whether by surgery or conventional methods.
How it works
There are two ways the surgery works. It is done by reducing the amount of food that fits in your stomach or by restricting the amount of food the stomach can digest. If an individual has not been able to lose weight by conventional methods, including seniors, surgery may be the best option for healthy weight loss.
Saturday 26 December 2009
Eyelid Surgery - Know About the Post Surgery Recovery Process
Eyelid surgery, whose formal name is blepharoplasty, improves the appearance of both the upper and lower lids and has the result of making you look more rested and youthful. When you go to get the surgery done, there are a few steps that will be taken.
You will be given an anesthetic, either locally or generally, to enable the surgeon to get the work done. He or she will then make incisions wherever necessary, being careful to keep the incisions in places that will naturally hide the scars.
After the surgery, there are a few different things that can be done. Lubricating ointment is quite common, as your eyes may not be able to naturally produce the lubrication necessary for good healing.
Cold compresses are also common in order to reduce swelling and sometimes the eyes are covered with a loose gauze. Your doctor will discuss all of this with you at during your consultation and will go over the instructions again after the procedure is done.
It is important to follow all guidelines set for you by the doctor so that your healing happens the way it should. Some basic guidelines to follow include different things. It is important not to let your eyes dry up. Excessive reading, television watching, looking at a computer and all other eye-strenuous activities should be kept to a minimum.
You will likely be given eye drops so that your eyes can stay lubricated. One of the most important things is to protect the eyes from the sun. You can wear dark-tinted glasses to help accomplish this and can also avoid direct sunlight for the first week or two post-surgery.
You should also avoid exercising. Many people do not take this as seriously as they would with surgery of a different body part. You may wonder how exercising will affect your eyelids. The thing is that you need to avoid anything that will bring excess blood to the area.
Things like bending over, lifting, and other things like that can bring too much blood to the area. This can increase swelling. You will want to call your doctor's office with any questions or with any concerns.
It is common to experience redness, swelling, the skin feeling tight and the eyes getting easily tired. Plan for some time off of life so that you can recover with lots of naps and cold compresses. It is also common to experience some blurred vision for the first few days.
Anything beyond that warrants a call in to make sure that you're recovering properly. Remember that it does take several weeks for a full recovery. Many people forget this.
After a couple of weeks you will begin to see the full results of your surgery. If you follow all of the care directions, you will recover in the right time period and will be able to enjoy looking more youthful and rested.
You will be given an anesthetic, either locally or generally, to enable the surgeon to get the work done. He or she will then make incisions wherever necessary, being careful to keep the incisions in places that will naturally hide the scars.
After the surgery, there are a few different things that can be done. Lubricating ointment is quite common, as your eyes may not be able to naturally produce the lubrication necessary for good healing.
Cold compresses are also common in order to reduce swelling and sometimes the eyes are covered with a loose gauze. Your doctor will discuss all of this with you at during your consultation and will go over the instructions again after the procedure is done.
It is important to follow all guidelines set for you by the doctor so that your healing happens the way it should. Some basic guidelines to follow include different things. It is important not to let your eyes dry up. Excessive reading, television watching, looking at a computer and all other eye-strenuous activities should be kept to a minimum.
You will likely be given eye drops so that your eyes can stay lubricated. One of the most important things is to protect the eyes from the sun. You can wear dark-tinted glasses to help accomplish this and can also avoid direct sunlight for the first week or two post-surgery.
You should also avoid exercising. Many people do not take this as seriously as they would with surgery of a different body part. You may wonder how exercising will affect your eyelids. The thing is that you need to avoid anything that will bring excess blood to the area.
Things like bending over, lifting, and other things like that can bring too much blood to the area. This can increase swelling. You will want to call your doctor's office with any questions or with any concerns.
It is common to experience redness, swelling, the skin feeling tight and the eyes getting easily tired. Plan for some time off of life so that you can recover with lots of naps and cold compresses. It is also common to experience some blurred vision for the first few days.
Anything beyond that warrants a call in to make sure that you're recovering properly. Remember that it does take several weeks for a full recovery. Many people forget this.
After a couple of weeks you will begin to see the full results of your surgery. If you follow all of the care directions, you will recover in the right time period and will be able to enjoy looking more youthful and rested.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Understanding Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery
Blood flows from your left and right atria (upper chambers of your heart) to the left and right ventricles (lower chambers), respectively. The right atrium and right ventricle are separated by the mitral valve (MV). The left atrium and left ventricle are separated by the pulmonic valve.
The mitral valve can malfunction by failing to close or open properly. In the former case, blood can potentially flow backward from the ventricle into the atrium. In the latter case, blood may be prevented from flowing into the ventricle.
When the MV fails to work properly, surgeons can either replace it or repair it. This article will discuss the surgery that is performed to repair the MV. We'll describe the traditional approach before explaining how minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is performed.
The Traditional Approach
Before the technology and tools that are used today debuted, surgeons were forced to cut through the patient's sternum in order to access the MV. Then, the patient's ribs were forced apart. The incision that was required in order to perform this type of procedure was large (six to eight inches). Plus, due to the high-trauma nature of the operation, the mortality rate was higher than observed with the less invasive methods that are used today.
Using Robotic Assistance
The use of robotic tools is becoming more popular when performing mitral valve repair surgery. Rather than gaining direct entry to the site, the surgeon can use a computer in order to control robotic arms. The arms are adorned with surgical instruments on the ends. As a result, the doctor needs far less room to perform the necessary repairs.
Because the computer-controlled robotic tools are smaller and more precise than the surgeon's hands and fingers, they can repair the mitral valve within a limited space. As a result, it is no longer necessary to make a large incision. In fact, the surgeon does not need to go through the patient's breastbone in order to access the MV. Nor is it necessary to spread apart the ribs.
This minimally invasive method delivers several key advantages over the traditional approach. There is less bleeding and trauma, which translates into a lower level of pain for the patient. There is less likelihood of infection. The amount of time the patient is required to stay in the hospital following the operation is dramatically reduced. So too, is the recovery time. It's not uncommon for the patient to be fully recovered within two or three weeks (compared to up to two months for open heart surgery).
It is worth noting that not every person is a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Your age and the severity of the valvular disease are important. Plus, your medical history may include details that the surgical team consider too great a risk. The surgeon will help you decide if this form of surgery is the most appropriate route given your circumstances.
The mitral valve can malfunction by failing to close or open properly. In the former case, blood can potentially flow backward from the ventricle into the atrium. In the latter case, blood may be prevented from flowing into the ventricle.
When the MV fails to work properly, surgeons can either replace it or repair it. This article will discuss the surgery that is performed to repair the MV. We'll describe the traditional approach before explaining how minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is performed.
The Traditional Approach
Before the technology and tools that are used today debuted, surgeons were forced to cut through the patient's sternum in order to access the MV. Then, the patient's ribs were forced apart. The incision that was required in order to perform this type of procedure was large (six to eight inches). Plus, due to the high-trauma nature of the operation, the mortality rate was higher than observed with the less invasive methods that are used today.
Using Robotic Assistance
The use of robotic tools is becoming more popular when performing mitral valve repair surgery. Rather than gaining direct entry to the site, the surgeon can use a computer in order to control robotic arms. The arms are adorned with surgical instruments on the ends. As a result, the doctor needs far less room to perform the necessary repairs.
Because the computer-controlled robotic tools are smaller and more precise than the surgeon's hands and fingers, they can repair the mitral valve within a limited space. As a result, it is no longer necessary to make a large incision. In fact, the surgeon does not need to go through the patient's breastbone in order to access the MV. Nor is it necessary to spread apart the ribs.
This minimally invasive method delivers several key advantages over the traditional approach. There is less bleeding and trauma, which translates into a lower level of pain for the patient. There is less likelihood of infection. The amount of time the patient is required to stay in the hospital following the operation is dramatically reduced. So too, is the recovery time. It's not uncommon for the patient to be fully recovered within two or three weeks (compared to up to two months for open heart surgery).
It is worth noting that not every person is a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Your age and the severity of the valvular disease are important. Plus, your medical history may include details that the surgical team consider too great a risk. The surgeon will help you decide if this form of surgery is the most appropriate route given your circumstances.
Sunday 13 December 2009
Breast Reduction Post-Surgery Tips
Women with excessively large breasts experience a multitude of discomforts, both physical and emotional. Back aches, painful indentations that have resulted from pinching bra straps, rashes under the pendulous tissue, neck and shoulder aches, inability to participate in athletics or to even fit into clothing easily are reasons why women choose to have breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty.
During a reduction mammoplasty, a plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and fatty tissue and then reshape the remaining tissue in order to establish a smaller bustline. A drain may be attached to the area in order to allow fluid to leave the healing area.
The nipple and areola will be removed during the procedure and then reattached into a new centered position appropriate to the smaller breast. Scarring is hidden as much as possible beneath the crease of the breast and around the areola. Liposuction is often performed in order to shape the breasts into corresponding symmetry.
The procedure usually takes approximately three hours and often requires an overnight hospital stay. General anesthesia is often the anesthetic chosen by physicians. Swelling may last up to six weeks, when the final appearance will become evident.
After the surgery, the patient will need to wear a sports bra over the gauze dressings in order to support the newly healing bustline. The drainage tube will be in place for the initial days following surgery in order to keep the area free of blood and excess fluids. If the stitches are not dissolvable, they will need to be removed by the physician after approximately three weeks.
During the first few days the patient will experience pain but this will be managed with medication prescribed by the plastic surgeon. Be sure to take the medication on schedule in order to stay ahead of the pain. Lifting or pushing objects that weigh five pounds or more should be curtailed for the first month. Stamina may be a bit low during this time, but walking around the block and doing moderate exercise such as bending, stretching and swimming will usually aid in energy recovery.
Cigarette smoke has been proven to hamper the immune response, so if a patient is still smoking, they should quit. Even second hand cigarette smoke can be harmful in slowing down the healing process.
Most of the swelling and redness will subside within the first several weeks. Scarring that will be noticeable in the early days will begin to fade over time. The breasts will finally settle into their newly formed shapes within six months to one year.
During a reduction mammoplasty, a plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and fatty tissue and then reshape the remaining tissue in order to establish a smaller bustline. A drain may be attached to the area in order to allow fluid to leave the healing area.
The nipple and areola will be removed during the procedure and then reattached into a new centered position appropriate to the smaller breast. Scarring is hidden as much as possible beneath the crease of the breast and around the areola. Liposuction is often performed in order to shape the breasts into corresponding symmetry.
The procedure usually takes approximately three hours and often requires an overnight hospital stay. General anesthesia is often the anesthetic chosen by physicians. Swelling may last up to six weeks, when the final appearance will become evident.
After the surgery, the patient will need to wear a sports bra over the gauze dressings in order to support the newly healing bustline. The drainage tube will be in place for the initial days following surgery in order to keep the area free of blood and excess fluids. If the stitches are not dissolvable, they will need to be removed by the physician after approximately three weeks.
During the first few days the patient will experience pain but this will be managed with medication prescribed by the plastic surgeon. Be sure to take the medication on schedule in order to stay ahead of the pain. Lifting or pushing objects that weigh five pounds or more should be curtailed for the first month. Stamina may be a bit low during this time, but walking around the block and doing moderate exercise such as bending, stretching and swimming will usually aid in energy recovery.
Cigarette smoke has been proven to hamper the immune response, so if a patient is still smoking, they should quit. Even second hand cigarette smoke can be harmful in slowing down the healing process.
Most of the swelling and redness will subside within the first several weeks. Scarring that will be noticeable in the early days will begin to fade over time. The breasts will finally settle into their newly formed shapes within six months to one year.
Thursday 3 December 2009
Ovarian Cysts Treatment - Removing Cysts Using Keyhole Surgery
Ovarian cyst treatment options are dependent on the type of cyst and whether or not it is problematic. Many women have ovarian cysts which never require medicine because often ovarian cysts are present without symptoms, discomfort or interference with natural menstrual cycles.
If ovarian cysts are discovered the patient will often be told to wait one to three months to see if the cysts will disappear naturally. The patient will be checked again at the end of this time and if the cyst is still present a course of action discussed.
Reasons to treat may include the size of the cyst (because rupture and obstruction with blood supply are risks when the cyst is large), menstrual cycle changes and degeneration of surrounding tissue. Some unwanted side effects of ovarian cysts may include pain and excessive hair growth. If ovarian cyst treatment is requisite because of the size of the cyst, persistent discomfort, or unacceptable side effects the patient has several options.
When ovarian cyst treatment options are considered an ultrasound is done and the size, type and location of the cyst determined. Once this is established the cyst can either be drained or removed. The former option is less intrusive and can be done using a procedure called fenestration. This procedure allows a surgeon to use ultrasound and lasers to make a cut in the cyst wall and drain it without having to remove the cyst or ovaries, and sparing the women undue scarring.
Alternatively, if the cyst is benign it can be removed using keyhole surgery under general anaesthesia, with the probability of an excellent outcome. If the ovarian cyst is big or possibly cancerous, a larger stomach incision is made and the cyst is removed and checked for cancer and a plan of treatment is pursued.
There is some disagreement amongst practitioners about ovarian cyst treatment options; whether benign cysts should be removed and in which instances the ovary should be removed as well. It pays to do some research and perhaps search out a second opinion if the choice is uncertain.
The persistent appearance of ovarian cysts can at times be attributed to stress, diet or hormones. Modifying lifestyle and reducing stress can often help halt the recurrence of ovarian cysts and eliminate the need for any future ovarian cyst treatments.
Risks are even greater for women who are receiving infertility treatment. A holistic treatment addresses the fundamental problem which will bring lasting relief. This is different to classical medicine, which only addresses the symptoms. In this latter case, results can only be temporary and may also have certain side effects.
If ovarian cysts are discovered the patient will often be told to wait one to three months to see if the cysts will disappear naturally. The patient will be checked again at the end of this time and if the cyst is still present a course of action discussed.
Reasons to treat may include the size of the cyst (because rupture and obstruction with blood supply are risks when the cyst is large), menstrual cycle changes and degeneration of surrounding tissue. Some unwanted side effects of ovarian cysts may include pain and excessive hair growth. If ovarian cyst treatment is requisite because of the size of the cyst, persistent discomfort, or unacceptable side effects the patient has several options.
When ovarian cyst treatment options are considered an ultrasound is done and the size, type and location of the cyst determined. Once this is established the cyst can either be drained or removed. The former option is less intrusive and can be done using a procedure called fenestration. This procedure allows a surgeon to use ultrasound and lasers to make a cut in the cyst wall and drain it without having to remove the cyst or ovaries, and sparing the women undue scarring.
Alternatively, if the cyst is benign it can be removed using keyhole surgery under general anaesthesia, with the probability of an excellent outcome. If the ovarian cyst is big or possibly cancerous, a larger stomach incision is made and the cyst is removed and checked for cancer and a plan of treatment is pursued.
There is some disagreement amongst practitioners about ovarian cyst treatment options; whether benign cysts should be removed and in which instances the ovary should be removed as well. It pays to do some research and perhaps search out a second opinion if the choice is uncertain.
The persistent appearance of ovarian cysts can at times be attributed to stress, diet or hormones. Modifying lifestyle and reducing stress can often help halt the recurrence of ovarian cysts and eliminate the need for any future ovarian cyst treatments.
Risks are even greater for women who are receiving infertility treatment. A holistic treatment addresses the fundamental problem which will bring lasting relief. This is different to classical medicine, which only addresses the symptoms. In this latter case, results can only be temporary and may also have certain side effects.
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