Surgery

Are you distraught by the fact that you have man boobs that are considered enviable by women’s standards but laughable in the eyes of men around you?

Perhaps you have considered a Gynecomastia surgery but let it be known that this is not your only way out. You don’t have to go under the knife. There are other techniques that you can apply to your situation so let us take a look at these methods before you commit yourself to a Gynecomastic procedure.

Can you imagine a large percentage of male adults enter and exit their adolescent period with enlarged breasts, which are also shamefully known as man boobs? This could be due to an imbalance of hormonal substances during puberty prior to entering the adult phase in life. These male “mammary glands” are most likely to melt away when his hormone levels tend to gradually be on the balanced end as they embrace adulthood.

These types of adults have no need to worry or run off to the surgeon’s office in order to have Gynecomastia done. However, some may find that their male boobs refuse to disappear even when they are in their late twenties or thirties, way after puberty has ended.

The best way to get rid of man boobs without resorting to surgical procedures is to speak to your doctor first. Do not be ashamed because your doctor has every right to know your problem and help you solve it. You should be all ears when it comes to listening to what your doctor has to say about possible treatments before signing on the dotted line when it comes to surgery to remove your male boobs.

The underlying reason for your man boobs could be treated using medicine prescribed by your doctor who can even recommend a good dietitian if obesity is your core problem.

Speaking of obesity, this is considered a huge problem suffered by men with enlarged breasts. All is not lost, as this can easily be remedied with weight loss techniques. With optimal adjustments made to their daily diets, physical activities and lifestyle habits, men suffering from engorged boobs can very well be on the path to recovery.

Gynecomastia surgery can cost thousands of dollars, which you can easily save if you took another path to correct your man boobs. And let’s not forget about the obvious discomfort after surgery has taken place. You may need to take several weeks off work in order to recuperate which again will set you back in terms of productivity.

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Let’s start with some interesting facts about being overweight. Recent surveys on weight loss indicate that more than 300,000 deaths are reported to have caused due to obesity. Wait a minute, we said that the facts are interesting and did we say that the facts are ugly? Yes all facts about being overweight are revealing the worse health condition of majority of people living in this planet. You will be familiar with the great old saying that problems and solutions are like two sides of a coin.

Things aren’t much different in the case of obesity. Obesity has become a major problem of more than 60% of Americans and obviously, there are more weight loss solution available out there than what is needed. As the people of this planet are desperate to lose weight as quickly as possible, the scammers out there have one thing they are look for – “The Demand”. The huge demand for the weight loss solutions has given birth to countless numbers of weight loss scams. These weight loss scams promise to help you lose your extra pounds in just days with a very little effort which is simply impossible. However, due to the desperate need for getting a weight loss solution, some people think that the impossible is possible sometimes. This thinking has resulted in increase in number of victims of the weight loss scams. Not every weight loss option available today happens to be a scam. Some of the perfectly working solutions such as the weight loss surgeries are hidden beneath the mountain of weight loss scams. Remember that the weight loss surgery is the only recommended option for dealing with obesity.

The Safe Option – Only If Done Right

People out there have a misconception that the weight loss surgery is very risky and that is the reason why it is classified under the major surgeries. The real fact is that, undergoing a weight loss surgery is 100% safe when done by an experienced medical practitioner. Weight loss surgery done without proper medical supervision will lead to serious complications and that is the reason why it is classified as one of the major surgeries. Weight loss surgery, also known as the Bariatric surgery is recommend for people with very slow metabolic rates and those who are greatly obese. It is not advisable to undergo the weight loss surgery on people who are mildly obese. All these people have to do is to follow a healthy diet pattern and do regular exercises.

The Conclusion

Comparing the risk of obesity, the risks involved in weight loss surgery are negligible. Remember that finding a well experienced surgeon to perform the weight loss surgery is all you have to do. This is the factor that decides whether the weight loss surgery is a boon or doom.

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Bariatric Surgery Offers Hope and New Life for the Extremely Overweight Bariatric surgery will assist and help individuals lose the excess weight that is necessary for their health. Extremely overweight persons struggle with their everyday activities that others often take for granted such as walking, jogging, and caring for their home as well as many other common practices that are encumbered by the excess weight. Simple tasks such as walking though the mall at a fast pace or going outside to get the mail are often burdensome tasks that are altered and made difficult due to excess weight. Excess weight can affect every area of life: self esteem, relationships with others, work opportunities, overall health, the ability to have a family and so much more. Losing weight is not just a choice for the extremely obese, it I urgently important and a must have. For those who have tried to lose the weight through traditional means of diet and exercise the option of having bariatric surgery completed is like a breath of fresh life. Health insurance companies usually cover bariatric surgery for the extremely obese as it is considered a medical need.

There are many health issues that vanish as the excess weight vanishes after this surgical procedure, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes can be addressed through weight loss and exercise which are both made possible through this surgical procedure. Gain your life back and restore your hope for a long life filled with healthy days. Extreme obesity is accompanied with a high mortality rate and that can be a dread that hangs over the lives of extremely overweight individuals. That dread and fear can be overcome through an effective surgery that changes the digestive system so that less food is able to be consumed. The food consumption through bariatric surgery is controlled long term by making internal changes that result in long term weight loss and maintenance of weight loss. This type of surgery is not for cosmetic reasons and it is only for the extremely obese. Bariatric surgery removes the fear and dread of disease and it frees up to the body to move with flexibility. Life and hope are given back to the persons that undergo this serious weight loss surgery. This operation is for those that are ready to deal with their obesity once and for all and that desire to gain back their overall health.

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Bariatric Surgery Makes Losing Weight Possible Extreme obesity makes the lives of many people difficult by causing them to be restricted in their movements and their ability to function in everyday tasks that others take for granted. Obesity can be addressed through bariatric surgery, which makes losing weigh possible for many who have struggled to lose weight but simply had not been successful. This surgery is for those that know that it is a serious surgery and that are serious about following through with the long term weight loss. This surgery is not a cosmetic surgery; it is an invasive surgery that alters the digestive system to limit the amount of food that can be eaten. Weight loss is possible through bariatric surgery for the extremely obese. This is an effective surgery that counteracts years of obesity and health related problems and sets people free from obesity. Health insurances usually cover this surgery because it is considered a necessary surgery as it reduces mortality as well as many diseases and health related issues that go along with extreme obesity. However, there are other ways to pay for the surgery when health insurance declines the coverage.

Some of these options are borrowing from a 401K or using a bank loan. Your surgeon will be able to help you locate a variety of possible ways to cover the expense. The surgery is expensive but the life that it renews is priceless. Dangerous obesity is a trait that often runs in family lines and that affects nearly everyone in a family line. This can be turned around by having bariatric surgery completed. Health issues such as diabetes can be erased or greatly controlled through weight loss. The ability to move about freely can be restored and the hope of the future can be regained. There are employment opportunities that are available after the restrictions caused by extreme obesity are removed. Living a life of extreme obesity is very restrictive. These restrictions are being removed with bariatric surgery that makes losing weight possible. Weight loss and the ability to move about freely are possible through this surgery. You can receive renewed strength and vitality through weight loss. Put the past behind you and find a healthy future. Weight loss is possible for the extremely obese through bariatric surgery.

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The important part of the digestive system is colon. The colon helps the body to absorb nutrients, minerals and water. The other function of the colon is help the body get rid of its waste food particles and undigested materials in the form of stool. The length of the colon is approximately six feet and makes up the major portion of the large intestine. At the end of the large intestine are the rectum and the anal canal.

When cancer occurs in the cells of the colon, it is known as the ‘Colon Cancer’. This type of cancer is common and is found in both men and women. It has been estimated that almost 110,000 people in the United States alone are diagnosed with colon cancer every year.

Generally 95% of all colon cancers are of the adenocarcinomas type and the rest 5% are of less common cell types which includes neuroendocrine tumors, gastrointestinal stomal tumors, carcinoid tumors, lymphomas, melanomas, leimyosarcomas and signet ring cell tumors.

For effective treatment of the patient the doctor has to examine the extant or the stage of the cancer and then decide about the course of treatment to be followed. If tumors are to be removed due to colon cancer, then resection surgery also known as the partial or hemicolectomy is chosen as treatment.

The resection surgery is a major surgery and requires the surgeon to enter the abdomen through a large incision in the abdominal wall. The section of the colon or rectum which is diseased is removed along with the lymph nodes and some parts of the healthy colon. After removal, the two healthy ends are reattached again. The aim of the surgeon performing the colon cancer surgery is to make the patient to return to the most normal bowel function as soon as possible.

In the aftermath of the operation, some tissues are removed from the lymph nodes and sent to the laboratory for pathological examination. The function of the lymph nodes is to conduct the flow of a fluid known as the “lymph” into the cells in the body. As a rule, cancer cells tend to gather in the lymph nodes, so it is a good indicator for determining cancer and how far it has spread. The risk of the cancer reoccurring is also reduced after the removal of the lymph nodes.

There may be cases where a large part of the colon or rectum is diseased and the reconnection (also known as the anastomosis) may not be possible. In such cases the surgeon may perform a colostomy.

Surgeons create colostomy by inserting a large part of the intestine through an opening created in the abdominal wall. The portion of the colon that remains outside the body is known as the “Stoma” (mouth). A bag is attached to the stoma to collect the waste material of the body. This bag has to be emptied several times in a day regularly.

Colostomies are a temporary phenomenon and is necessary for allowing the colon to heal properly after completion of the surgery. After some times, a second surgery is performed to reattach the colon together. Permanent colostomy is required only in 15 percent of the cases of the surgery.

Recovery from the colon cancer surgery takes place in different phases which includes the postoperative stay in the hospital and the recovery time at home. Problems like infections and blockages are monitored by the doctors and complications if any are promptly treated. The patient is generally able to get back to his or her regular diet after a period of time that may be prescribed by the doctor. Care should be taken in taking your diet which should preferably be as per the instructions of your doctor.

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hemotherapy Treatment In India

What is chemotherapy ?

Chemotherapy is a general term for treatments that use chemical agents (drugs) to kill cancer cells. Many different kinds of drugs are used, either alone or in combination, to treat different cancers. The specific drug or combination used is chosen to best combat the type and extent of cancer present.

Chemotherapy drugs are given for several reasons :-

1. To treat cancers that respond well to chemotherapy
2. To decrease the size of tumors for easier and safer removal by surgery
3. To enhance the cancer-killing effectiveness of other treatments, such as radiation therapy
4. In higher dosages, to overcome the resistance of cancer cells
5. To control the cancer and enhance the patient’s quality of life…….

Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

Common types of cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs include :-

* Alkylating agents modify/damage cancer cell DNA and block the replication of DNA, therefore interfering with the growth of cancer cells…….

Other drugs used in cancer therapy include :-

1) Hormonal agents target the hormonal processes that may stimulate cancer cell growth and/or survival.

2) Biological agents affect natural processes that may stimulate cancer cell growth and survival.

3) Immunotherapy is intended to boost the recognition of cancer cells by the body’s immune system, thereby helping the body to kill cancer cells……

How are chemotherapy drugs given ?

Chemotherapy is given in different ways depending on the cancer type and the drugs used.Methods of giving chemotherapy drugs include :

1. Intravenously (IV)
3. Intramuscular (IM)
4. Intraperitoneal (IP)
5. Intracavitary (IC)
6. Subcutaneous (sub.q.)
7. Oral (PO)…

How Chemotherapy Works ?

Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells. Cancer cells often multiply more rapidly than normal cells. Cancer cell are also less able to recover from the toxic effects of chemotherapy than can normal cells. Normal cells that divide rapidly, such as hair or blood cells, are also killed by chemotherapy. This results in common side effects such as hair falling out and blood counts dropping……

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In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most innovative methods for managing infertility and makes use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to increase the chances that you will conceive. It is a process by which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the womb. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. This process involves hormonally controlling the ovulatory process, removing ova (eggs) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them into a fluid medium. The fertilized egg is then transferred to the patient’s uterus with the intent to establish a successful pregnancy.

A women’s weight can affect her fertility. Obesity leads to decreased fertility in women with irregular menstrual period. Again, obesity results in an increased production of estrogen-this hormonal imbalance interferes with ovulation, which is the basis of successful conception. As you lose weight, the hormonal effect of excess fat decreases. This may result in a substantial increase in your fertility.

Women who are obese and attempting to get pregnant using IVF can also expect better results if they lose weight. You might have a significantly improved chance for success if you reduce your weight through weight loss surgery.

Obesity in In vitro fertilization (IVF) patients has been associated with increased cycle cancellation rates, reduced live birth rates and increased miscarriages. Additionally, obese women are more likely to encounter delivery complications including preterm delivery, fetal macrosomia, increased need for induction of labor, greater utilization of instrumental delivery and a higher risk of emergency cesarean section. Therefore, obese women should consider the importance of weight reduction and adopt effective strategies before preconception.

Another issue related to body weight and IVF is safety for the patient at the egg retrieval. When a woman is significantly obese, the ovaries are usually pushed up high by the extra fatty tissue that is in the pelvis. At the time of IVF, the needle is pushed to reach the eggs in the ovaries and if the ovaries are too high, it will be very difficult to get the needle into the follicles to get the eggs out.

Another problem is that the ultrasound images become very hazy because of the extra tissue under the ovary. It is often very difficult to visualize clearly the ovaries and the egg containing follicles.

Woman, who is obese (BMI over 30 and higher) and undergoing fertility treatment, has less chance of success and higher chance of miscarriage rates. Prior to performing IVF, patients should know the impact of obesity on their IVF success rates. And losing weight through bariatric surgery can have a dramatic effect in terms of enhancing the chance of a successful pregnancy.

Proper exercise and diet are important for maintaining good health and proper weight. Obesity surgery may help couples have babies. Patients who underwent weight loss surgery improve the ability to conceive after they have IVF. Reproductive hormone levels are restored to normal only after weight loss surgery.

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Bariatric Surgery Bariatric surgery is a weight loss surgery. This is procedure that is performed on people who are dangerously obese. The purpose of bariatric surgery is to help patients lose large amounts of weight in a relatively short amount of time. This procedure is performed to prevent and stop the many medical problems that are caused by obesity. Bariatric surgery usually helps patients lose weight in one of two ways. It can be performed by reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted medical device (gastric banding) or a portion of the stomach can be removed (gastric bypass surgery). Both of these surgeries are considered bariatric surgery and will help patients achieve weight loss. These procedures work by reducing the amount of food that a patient can take in. Studies have shown that these procedures cause significant long-term weight loss. This weight loss can help patients recover from having diabetes, can improve many cardiovascular risk factors that were present before the weight loss, and can reduce mortality by twenty-three to forty percent. In addition to the medical side of the procedure, it often boosts a patient’s mental outlook as they have more self-confidence and are able to be more active and therefore do many more things. The United States National Institutes of Health only recommends bariatric surgery for obese people with a body mass index (or BMI) of at least forty.

For people with a body mass index of thirty-five but who have serious obesity related medical conditions such as diabetes bariatric surgery is recommended. Bariatric surgery is recommended for patients who have failed an adequate exercise and diet regimen. Bariatric surgery is also recommended for patients with obesity related conditions that can cause death such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, and/or obstructive sleep apnea. If you are considering having bariatric surgery then you should consult with a doctor in your area. Any bariatric surgeon you speak with should have plenty of experience. Ask the bariatric surgeon as many questions as you need until you feel comfortable with the procedure. The surgeon should also explain the risks of the procedure, along with the benefits.

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Cosmetic surgery has real health and emotional benefits for patients. However, in spite of plastic surgery’s increasing popularity, it’s not a good option for everyone. In 2004 the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) warned that “some individuals seeking cosmetic surgery are considered poor candidates because of specific lifestyle factors that can seriously impact their safety in the operating room and during recovery.”

These factors may lead plastic surgeons to delay or even deny treatment to some patients.

Patient Evaluation Is Necessary Before Plastic Surgery

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Fred Hackney explains that a discussion of lifestyle factors and medical history is an important part of the patient evaluation process.

“Board certified plastic surgeons are concerned foremost about patient safety,” Dr. Hackney says, “Lifestyle factors like smoking, lack of exercise, diet, weight and their preexisting medical problems effect a person’s overall health and can increase the possibility of complications after surgery.”

Lifestyle factors that might affect a surgeon’s recommendation include:

– Smoking habits – including exposure to secondhand smoke. Nicotine and carbon dioxide impair the body’s healing ability by decreasing the blood supply to the skin and deeper tissues. They also affect pulmonary health, which can lead to surgical complications. Many plastic surgeons require patients to stop smoking for a certain period before surgery.

A 2002 survey from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that about 45% of board-certified plastic surgeons limit the types of procedures they perform on smokers.

– Current weight and history of weight fluctuations. A good candidate for surgery is within 30% of his or her ideal weight. Another measure of fitness for surgery is the body mass index. (BMI). A BMI of 30 is considered obese. Obesity may affect healing both before and after surgery.

– Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect liver function and increase the likelihood of surgical complications. Alcohol consumption can also affect overall appearance. A 2009 study of twins’ physical appearance by Cleveland plastic surgeon, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, found that “the twin who avoided alcohol looked significantly younger.”

– Sun exposure. Like alcohol consumption, sun exposure can affect physical appearance and skin health. The same study by Dr. Guyuron found: “The more time a twin spent in the sun, in outdoor activity and without sunscreen, the older she looked.” Sun exposure can affect the long-term results of cosmetic surgery; it’s important for patients to protect their skin before and after a procedure.

– Sleep patterns. Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That has wide-ranging health consequences and affects a patient’s suitability for plastic surgery.

According to the CDC, “Not getting enough sleep has been tied to mental distress, depression, anxiety, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain risk behaviors including cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and heavy drinking.”

A plastic surgeon may refer a patient for treatment of sleep disorders – such as sleep apnea and chronic insomnia – before scheduling cosmetic surgery.

– Stress levels and coping mechanisms. Chronic stress affects a person’s physical and mental health. The Mayo Clinic lists a number of physical conditions that can result from stress, including: heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased immunity. It’s important for patients to find healthy ways to manage and reduce stress before surgery.

Board-certified plastic surgeons will discuss all this and more before scheduling cosmetic surgery. It’s an integral part of determining whether the requested procedure will be safe and effective. During your consultation, remember that no one is being judgmental.

Instead, your doctor is simply doing his job: making your health and safety his first priority.

Read more

Cosmetic surgery has real health and emotional benefits for patients. However, in spite of plastic surgery’s increasing popularity, it’s not a good option for everyone. In 2004 the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) warned that “some individuals seeking cosmetic surgery are considered poor candidates because of specific lifestyle factors that can seriously impact their safety in the operating room and during recovery.”

These factors may lead plastic surgeons to delay or even deny treatment to some patients.

Patient Evaluation Is Necessary Before Plastic Surgery

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Fred Hackney explains that a discussion of lifestyle factors and medical history is an important part of the patient evaluation process.

“Board certified plastic surgeons are concerned foremost about patient safety,” Dr. Hackney says, “Lifestyle factors like smoking, lack of exercise, diet, weight and their preexisting medical problems effect a person’s overall health and can increase the possibility of complications after surgery.”

Lifestyle factors that might affect a surgeon’s recommendation include:

– Smoking habits – including exposure to secondhand smoke. Nicotine and carbon dioxide impair the body’s healing ability by decreasing the blood supply to the skin and deeper tissues. They also affect pulmonary health, which can lead to surgical complications. Many plastic surgeons require patients to stop smoking for a certain period before surgery.

A 2002 survey from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that about 45% of board-certified plastic surgeons limit the types of procedures they perform on smokers.

– Current weight and history of weight fluctuations. A good candidate for surgery is within 30% of his or her ideal weight. Another measure of fitness for surgery is the body mass index. (BMI). A BMI of 30 is considered obese. Obesity may affect healing both before and after surgery.

– Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect liver function and increase the likelihood of surgical complications. Alcohol consumption can also affect overall appearance. A 2009 study of twins’ physical appearance by Cleveland plastic surgeon, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, found that “the twin who avoided alcohol looked significantly younger.”

– Sun exposure. Like alcohol consumption, sun exposure can affect physical appearance and skin health. The same study by Dr. Guyuron found: “The more time a twin spent in the sun, in outdoor activity and without sunscreen, the older she looked.” Sun exposure can affect the long-term results of cosmetic surgery; it’s important for patients to protect their skin before and after a procedure.

– Sleep patterns. Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That has wide-ranging health consequences and affects a patient’s suitability for plastic surgery.

According to the CDC, “Not getting enough sleep has been tied to mental distress, depression, anxiety, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain risk behaviors including cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and heavy drinking.”

A plastic surgeon may refer a patient for treatment of sleep disorders – such as sleep apnea and chronic insomnia – before scheduling cosmetic surgery.

– Stress levels and coping mechanisms. Chronic stress affects a person’s physical and mental health. The Mayo Clinic lists a number of physical conditions that can result from stress, including: heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased immunity. It’s important for patients to find healthy ways to manage and reduce stress before surgery.

Board-certified plastic surgeons will discuss all this and more before scheduling cosmetic surgery. It’s an integral part of determining whether the requested procedure will be safe and effective. During your consultation, remember that no one is being judgmental.

Instead, your doctor is simply doing his job: making your health and safety his first priority.

Read more

Cosmetic surgery has real health and emotional benefits for patients. However, in spite of plastic surgery’s increasing popularity, it’s not a good option for everyone. In 2004 the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) warned that “some individuals seeking cosmetic surgery are considered poor candidates because of specific lifestyle factors that can seriously impact their safety in the operating room and during recovery.”

These factors may lead plastic surgeons to delay or even deny treatment to some patients.

Patient Evaluation Is Necessary Before Plastic Surgery

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Fred Hackney explains that a discussion of lifestyle factors and medical history is an important part of the patient evaluation process.

“Board certified plastic surgeons are concerned foremost about patient safety,” Dr. Hackney says, “Lifestyle factors like smoking, lack of exercise, diet, weight and their preexisting medical problems effect a person’s overall health and can increase the possibility of complications after surgery.”

Lifestyle factors that might affect a surgeon’s recommendation include:

– Smoking habits – including exposure to secondhand smoke. Nicotine and carbon dioxide impair the body’s healing ability by decreasing the blood supply to the skin and deeper tissues. They also affect pulmonary health, which can lead to surgical complications. Many plastic surgeons require patients to stop smoking for a certain period before surgery.

A 2002 survey from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that about 45% of board-certified plastic surgeons limit the types of procedures they perform on smokers.

– Current weight and history of weight fluctuations. A good candidate for surgery is within 30% of his or her ideal weight. Another measure of fitness for surgery is the body mass index. (BMI). A BMI of 30 is considered obese. Obesity may affect healing both before and after surgery.

– Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect liver function and increase the likelihood of surgical complications. Alcohol consumption can also affect overall appearance. A 2009 study of twins’ physical appearance by Cleveland plastic surgeon, Dr. Bahman Guyuron, found that “the twin who avoided alcohol looked significantly younger.”

– Sun exposure. Like alcohol consumption, sun exposure can affect physical appearance and skin health. The same study by Dr. Guyuron found: “The more time a twin spent in the sun, in outdoor activity and without sunscreen, the older she looked.” Sun exposure can affect the long-term results of cosmetic surgery; it’s important for patients to protect their skin before and after a procedure.

– Sleep patterns. Americans are chronically sleep-deprived, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That has wide-ranging health consequences and affects a patient’s suitability for plastic surgery.

According to the CDC, “Not getting enough sleep has been tied to mental distress, depression, anxiety, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain risk behaviors including cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and heavy drinking.”

A plastic surgeon may refer a patient for treatment of sleep disorders – such as sleep apnea and chronic insomnia – before scheduling cosmetic surgery.

– Stress levels and coping mechanisms. Chronic stress affects a person’s physical and mental health. The Mayo Clinic lists a number of physical conditions that can result from stress, including: heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased immunity. It’s important for patients to find healthy ways to manage and reduce stress before surgery.

Board-certified plastic surgeons will discuss all this and more before scheduling cosmetic surgery. It’s an integral part of determining whether the requested procedure will be safe and effective. During your consultation, remember that no one is being judgmental.

Instead, your doctor is simply doing his job: making your health and safety his first priority.

Read more

Once you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, usually treatment starts first with surgery. There are generally two components to the operation: 1) the breast, and 2) the axilla (armpit).

In the breast, there are two choices: 1) lumpectomy (removing the cancer lump and some surrounding tissue), or 2) mastectomy (removing the entire breast). Just a quarter of a century ago, almost all patients had mastectomy, even if their breast cancer is small. But over the past few decades, it has been demonstrated that for small cancers, lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment is just as good as mastectomy. Now, “small” is a relative term. The goal of a lumpectomy is that the breast would still look like a breast after all the treatment is done. In someone with small breasts, a “small” cancer may occupy a significant portion of her breast. An adequate lumpectomy in this case may result in an unacceptable cosmetic outcome, and the patient may actually prefer having mastectomy with plastic surgery reconstruction. Another factor is the number of cancers in the breast. Usually, mastectomy is required for multifocal cancer (cancer discovered in two or more locations in the same breast)

At the same time as the breast operation, surgery in the axilla also is carried out for invasive (or infiltrating) breast cancer, as well as in selected cases of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). This is done to determine whether the breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the axilla. In general, there are two choices: 1) sentinel node resection, or 2) axillary node dissection. In sentinel node resection, the surgeon maps the lymphatic drainage of the breast cancer to the first lymph node that receives this lymph, i.e. the sentinel node(s). Only a few (1-3) nodes are then usually removed. In axillary node dissection, more lymph nodes are resected, usually 8-25. Sentinel node resection is a good choice for small early cancer that is unlikely to have spread to the axilla. When the suspicion for cancer already in lymph nodes is high, then full axillary node dissection should be performed.

The above are only general guidelines. No two breast cancer patients are exactly alike, and therefore the decision making process is different and unique for each individual person. Regardless of any one else’s advice, you should make the choice that you personally will be able to live with for the rest of your life.

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Weight loss surgery is becoming more and more popular globally; but why are so many looking at this option instead of diets and lifestyle changes?

Obesity is a rising problem in many countries around the globe but no more so than in America, where 66 per cent of the population was recorded as being overweight in 2006 and this is projected to rise to 75 per cent by the year 2015!

Not good reading I’m sure you will agree, and although these figures are only representative of the US; the western world is usually hot on the heels of the American populus when it comes to these types of things.

Many people suffer from continually increasing weight no matter what they try to do to stop or stem the problem. Many people now consider the option of weight loss surgery as an answer to their problem, but is surgery really the best option and will it actually work at reducing your weight long term?

The simple answer to whether weight loss surgery is successful as a long term answer to weight reduction is yes, more so in extreme cases, but as to whether it is the best option remains open for discussion. As with any corrective procedure there is always a reason why the procedure was needed in the first place and it is this ROOT cause that really needs to be treated and addressed.

If this root problem is ignored, further weight reducing surgical procedures will be required as the problem will be back, time after time…and it will continue to return until you stop it.

Should the decision be made to have surgery, and it is not a decision that should be taken lightly, there are two approaches taken to reduce weight; the first is to restrict food intake and the second is to bypass part of the digestive system therefore reducing drastically the number of calories that are absorbed.

The main restrictive procedure and one that most people will know of, is gastric banding or stapling, or to give it it’s full medical name ‘Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG). This procedure works by decreasing the size of the stomach and therefore the amount of calories absorbed, you can view diagrams showing a step by step procedure here, these diagrams show clearly how this procedure is carried out.

Bypass surgery also reduces the size of the stomach but not as drastically as the VBG procedure. Where this procedure really differs is in its rerouting of digested food after it leaves the stomach, bypassing a large section of the small intestine where calories, fats, and many other nutrients are absorbed into the body. One such procedure is the Biliopancreatic Diversion Duodenal Switch.

In this procedure a section of the stomach is removed and the small intestine is shortened considerably, this results in less food being consumed, as the stomach feels fuller, sooner and for longer and the food that is consumed is only partially absorbed because of the much shortened small intestine, again you can view some explanatory diagrams here that will show you far more clearly than can be described with the written word.

These are the two main types of surgical procedures one could have but as mentioned earlier diet is highly important and through a good sustained weight loss program obesity, and therefore surgical procedures, could be avoided.

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One of the most handed down, often-quoted quotations is that “If you change your thoughts, you change your life.”

It is so true…

It takes a thought to create an emotion, which in turn drives a decision to take an action.

Simple, huh?

All the self-help books, tapes, seminars, etc. show you what to do, but not what to think or how to prioritize in order to do it.

How do you change your thoughts and lifestyle in order to make the right actions?

Nowadays, we live in such a fast-paced world that we don’t take the time to ‘stop and smell the roses.’ We are on a fast-paced train that continually runs on a regular track of toxic habits and behaviors. Sound familiar?

Well then, how do we get off this lethal train?

The first step is to recognize how we neglected to take time – the time to become calm within ourselves. By doing this, we acknowledge how reckless our lifestyles have become.

You might be saying to yourself, “Yeah, but the kids need me to drive them to soccer practice,” “I have to make dinner and do the laundry, not to mention the ironing,” “Oh, I am so busy with my business and the PTA. Oh, and I can’t forget my church group.”

Do you see and hear the insanity of it all? If you want to change something in you life, how much of this mayhem do you think you are going to fit in with what you are wanting?

Do you remember that old Calgon commercial? It had the wife/mother frantic, trying to get everything done. With her children screaming and the phone ringing, she finally runs into the bathroom, locks the door, throws up her hands and looks up shouting “Calgon, take me away!”

This advertisement said it all. She just needed a moment of peace. When we are able to take just a few minutes to be with ourselves, we can take what I like to call ‘ME TIME’.

Within those brief but valuable tranquil moments, we can start making conscious, clearer decisions about what we want. And remember, changing your thought patterns can create the change that you desire.

My challenge to you is to take a hard look at how often you seize that sacred moment to be with yourself. Is it once a week? Twice a week? Ultimately, my hope is that you become mindful to do this every single day of your life.

This means escaping from all of the chaos for a few minutes. Slowing down your pace; thinking of no one but you. Self- care is essential for life balance and when we forget about loving ourselves first, we can then tumble helplessly into possible burnout, depression, addiction, etc.

The second step is awareness. To realize the more often you think new thoughts, the more often they cross your mind, the higher your standards will be. More often you will be compelled to take the actions that will make you more and more successful in that area of your life.

Treasure in…treasure out.

Garbage in…(well, you get the idea).

For instance, you can have thoughts of being a thin person, but not think of being a financially stable person.

Simply, this means you can become so focused on your weight loss, that you completely neglect your financial goals. Remembering that your thoughts create standards that oversee your actions and decisions, you can have it all. This principle pertains to every aspect of your life, you just need to be aware and focus on your life’s balance. Therefore, go ahead and think of what it would be like to lose weight but don’t forget to also put thought into how you are going to keep your finances in order.

Once you start reflecting on the past, it is inevitable that your thoughts will create your destiny. I challenge you to set aside some time today to reflect on what is most important to YOU.

You CAN achieve your weight loss goals and enjoy a more balanced life.

“If you change your thoughts, you will change your life.”

Copyright © 2006 Jeff Cadwell Positive Coaching

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In his blog, Jimmy Moore of the book “Livin La Vida Low Carb”, the author posted about having an excess of 15-20 pounds of “loose skin” after losing 180 pounds of weight. In the following comments, someone noted that if one was to lose so much weight, lose skin is inevitable.


Indeed a search on the internet for “loose skin weight surgery” will always nearly without exception serve back topics on plastic surgery. Lose or hanging skin is most evident in people who have lost weight using weight loss surgery. The surgical intervention in obesity cases results to such dramatic loss of weight leaving “hanging skin” on the abdomen, thighs, buttock, chest and underarms.


The argument forwarded to support the theory of loose skin is that with weight gain your skin stretches. Since fat is stored both around organs (visceral fat) and under the skin (subcutaneous fat), you will need to stretch the skin to accommodate the increased fat.


With huge amounts of weight usually above 50 pounds but more graphically with 100 pounds, you literally melt away body fat with surgery. But because the skin was so far stretched, it losses its elasticity and cannot possibly stretch back to its original size. Rolls of skin in various parts of the body are shown as evidence.


But this evidence is really inconsistent with the human biology. The skin is really a thin sheet of tissue consisting of epithelial cells. Considering that the fold of skin can be a thick as one inch it is impossible that this so called “loose skin” is solely fat.


With such huge weight loss there not only loss of body fat, but also lean tissue in significant amounts. Studies show that weight lost by diets only programs consist of up to 25% lean tissue. This is specifically muscle tissue. Also with the same dieting technique, you tend to lose more visceral fat than subcutaneous fat. So even after an overweight individual loses a lot of weight, thier body composition still constitutes of significant amount of fat.


The rolls of skin that is usually called hanging skin is really subcutaneous fat. And when you lose this fat, your skin will go back to its original form.


Just think about it, the skin is a living tissue, everyday thousand of skin cells die and new ones are formed, and since the human body is inherently adaptive don’t you think that the skin will shrink as more of it grows and the older cell die?


Well do not get mad at the plastic surgeons for convincing you of “hanging skin”. What do you expect them to eat after all these years in med school; furthermore its not their job to tell you there is nothing like lose skin after weight loss surgery.

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According to various statistics, each year in the U.S. over 100,000 people opt for weight loss surgery. Obesity surgery (known as bariatric surgery) has been proved to be very effective for people with life-threatening weight-related conditions, but it is regarded as a last resort when all other methods of controlling weight, including prescription drugs, have failed. Here’s a closer look at this method of weight loss.

Obesity surgery is available privately on referral, and only for patients who have been receiving treatment from a doctor in regards to their obesity. To be considered for an operation, patients must have a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more if they have medical conditions that would improve with weight loss. They must also be fit enough to have a general anesthetic and be psychologically prepared for the life-changing implications of the operation.

Types of surgical procedure

The following types of surgical procedure are available; they may be carried out as ‘open’ or keyhole surgery. Gastric banding, or lap bands, involve the placement of a constricting band around the top of the stomach to restrict food intake, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the remainder of the stomach. An inflatable balloon is usually incorporated, which can be adjusted if necessary after the operation.

Gastroplasty involves partitioning the stomach into two parts, horizontally or vertically, creating a small segment of the stomach that fills rapidly with just a few tablespoons of food and then empties slowly through the digestive system.

Bypass operations involve both restriction of the stomach and bypassing some of the digestive system, so that fewer calories (and nutrients) are absorbed from food. There are two options; gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion, which is more extensive. Obesity surgery patients need special dietary advice before and after the operation and will be monitored for life, to ensure they do not become deficient in nutrients and that there are no complications from the surgery.

Research shows that bariatric surgery can be very effective and a life-saver for people who urgently need to lose significant amounts of weight for their health. But, along with this are many risks that you must consider. Any procedure under general anesthetic will carry risks. And the dramatic changes in diet and lifestyle that are needed after surgery are permanent.This is an option to be considered very carefully and then only with specialist support and advice. It is truly a method of last resort for losing weight.

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