Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery - What Are The Risks Involved?

by Terry Edwards


Cosmetic plastic surgery is more popular than ever for many different reasons. But even though this type of surgery can alter and improve any area of the body, there are risks and issues to be aware of. Here is a quick look at some of the more serious issues with this procedure.
One of the bigger risks or side effects of cosmetic plastic surgery will always be infections. Infections can occur from a couple of days following surgery until 2-3 later. It is critical to be aware of this as it can lead to serious issues.
Although infections are not that common, it is something that happens more often with plastic surgeries such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty.
With that said, don't freak out and get stressed over it. Knowing what to keep an eye on is important.
Another area is mental. Depending on the type of cosmetic plastic surgery you are having, it may take several weeks or months for the swelling and scarring to go away. It's easy to feel that something is wrong and the surgery was a failure when that is not the case at all. Be patient and give yourself time to heal.
One of the most important points is to ask your doctor plenty of questions beforehand. Talk with them and understand what to expect before having the procedure.
Having a positive outlook and mind before going through plastic surgery will help you have a smooth procedure as well as help with the healing process.
All in all, the risk of anything going wrong with cosmetic plastic surgery is very low and any problems that may come up can be quickly handled.
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.
About the Author
By the way, you can learn more about Cosmetic Plastic Surgery as well as more information on everything to do with cosmetic surgery by visiting us at http://www.CosmeticSurgeryA-Z.com

Thanks to Terry Edwards for this article.

Monday, September 3, 2007

The Risks of Lasik Surgery

by T. Daniel Frith, III


The first Lasik eye surgery was performed in 1998; so long term data on the effects of Lasik eye surgery are not available. While Lasik eye surgery has been marketed as a quick and painless way to improve the vision of those afflicted with nearsightedness, Lasik eye surgery may do more harm than good if performed negligently.
Lasik eye surgery procedures are meant to correct faulty or myopic vision, sometimes this procedure has tragic results. To lose your vision as a result of the negligence of a medical professional is a very serious thing.
The Pros and Cons of Lasik Eye Surgery
Undoubtedly, thousands of Americans see better because of Lasik eye surgery - but this procedure is not necessarily right for everyone. Anyone considering Lasik eye surgery should always consult their Lasik eye doctor about the benefits and possible complications of a Lasik procedure. It is important that a potential Lasik patient receives all the information available to make an informed decision.
Lasik is a fairly new procedure for vision correction. It involves surgery of the cornea. A knife, called a microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in the cornea. This flap is lifted out of the way and the doctor reshapes the corneal tissue with a laser. The flap is replaced and quickly adheres to the eyeball. There are no stitches involved. A shield, either plastic or metal, is placed over the eye to protect the flap.
While thousands of people have had Lasik, It does not necessarily mean you will have perfect vision. You may have to return in the future for additional surgery to fine tune your vision. It is also important to remember that there can be serious side effects associated with Lasik eye surgery.
The possible negative side effects of Lasik eye surgery include:
- Loss of lines of vision on a vision chart. - Debilitating visual symptoms, such as glare, halos and double vision. - You may develop severe dry eye syndrome where the eye doesn't produce enough tears to keep the eye moist. - For far sighted patients, your results may diminish with age.
Don't forget that there are no guarantees in medicine, so it is important to make an informed decision in choosing a Lasik eye center and a Lasik eye doctor.
If you feel you have been injured in a lasik eye surgery procedure, contact a medical malpractice lawyer in your area now.
Lasik Surgery Related Sites:
Lasik Surgery Risks: FDA's information on risks of lasik surgery. (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/risks.htm)
Federal Trade Commission's basic tips on lasik surgery including facts and how to find licensed surgeons. (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/lasik.htm)
About the Author
T. Daniel Frith, III is an attorney with Frith Law Firm in Roanoke, Virginia. He concentrates his practice on medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, lead paint poisoning, and business torts. You may view his complete profile at www.frithlawfirm.com/frith.htm and the firm's home page at www.frithlawfirm.com

Thanks to T. Daniel Frith, III for this article.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

How to Know if You are Ready for Cosmetic Surgery

by James Calvin


You know you're ready to undergo cosmetic surgery when you are in tune with what's going on. Cosmetic surgery is a pretty big commitment and your doctor will be there to help you every step of the way. The key is to know what you want, and you will have the information needed to proceed to the next step. The plastic surgeon is trained to help you figure out what you want to end up looking like. I suggest you make his or her life easier by deciding that on your own and bringing in pictures of what the end result would look like.
You need to made clear by the doctor on your expectations. Your level of expectancy should be real and it's the doctor's job to make sure that you are both on the same page. If you are not serious about going through some steps, then you are not ready for cosmetic surgery. It's recommended that you are in excellent physical health. Now, that does not mean that if you have any serious conditions, you are no longer a candidate for cosmetic surgery. What that means is if you have any preexisting medical conditions, then your doctor needs to know them so they can determine the type of medication can be used during and after the surgery. This is key. If you do not disclose this prior to the operation, this can lead to a very frustrating process.
You should also be in good health mentally and emotionally. If you are going through some hard times in your life, then you may not be ready for cosmetic surgery. This process is intended to be a great time in your life and to help you look the way you deserve and feel. But if you are hoping for miracles to happen with cosmetic surgery, you are looking in the wrong place for your miracles.
If you are a smoker and undergoing cosmetic surgery, now would be a good time to quit, and hopefully for good. Smoking never does anyone any good and will only harm your progress as you are recovering. You need all the strength you can get, so don't hinder the process by smoking.
Keep yourself motivated. Set realistic goals and stay well informed of the entire process. Make sure that you follow up adequately and obey the doctor's orders. If you are highly motivated, you are the best candidate overall because you will be obeying the doctor's commands. And those that obey them will be the ones that succeed. Just remember that you are as responsible for the success of your operation as you are for the failure. The doctor needs your help to see this through.
About the Author
James Calvin runs the site over at http://www.cosmeticsurgeryclients.com Cosmetic Surgery tips, resources and information. Know your options prior to any operation.

Thanks to James Calvin for this article.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Getting the Most from LASIK Surgery

by Joseph Then


LASIK eye surgery can completely change the way you see the world around you. It can take your blurry vision and make it clear. You will no longer have to rely on eye glasses or contact lens to see, but be able to wake up each morning jump out of bed and see the world before clearly. Imagine how great that would be. LASIK, though, is not a miracle cure, there are ways you can help ensure your LASIK surgery is a success.
The first thing you should do to ensure you get the most from LASIK surgery is to ensure you are a good candidate. Not everyone is suited for LASIK and in some cases, certain medical conditions could make LASIK surgery too risky. Some of the general qualifications for getting LASIK are:- 18 years or older- Not pregnant or breastfeeding- Not taking certain medications- Have overall healthy eyes with a stable prescriptionOne of the major concerns with LASIK and the reason for these qualifications is hormones in the body can cause subtle changes in the eye that can effect vision and therefore can effect the results of the LASIK surgery.
You should also understand that while LASIK is generally successful in producing vision clear enough to avoid the use of corrective lens, that it will not correct other eye conditions that do not effect the cornea. LASIK is designed to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. It will not treat problems in other areas of the eye and it will not stop the condition that causes a person to need reading glasses as this is an age related condition. It is reasonable to have high expectations, but you should be clear on what the results may be.
Part of getting the most from LASIK surgery is also choosing the right doctor. You need to ask a lot of questions about your surgeons experience and the overall LASIK experience. Your surgeon should be experienced with using the equipment and with doing LASIK surgery. He should be able to answer any question you have as well.
To get the most form LASIK surgery involves you being prepared for the surgery. It is not all just about getting perfect vision. You want the whole experience to be a good one. The most you can expect is to walk away being grateful and happy that you had the surgery it is then that you have really gotten the most form your LASIK surgery.
About the Author
Get more FREE information about LASIK Surgery and other related information right now by visiting our LASIK Eye Surgery website

Thanks to Joseph Then for this article.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Weight Loss Surgery - Possible Complications and Risks

by Brandon Cornett


Any type of surgery comes with a certain degree of risk, and weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) is no different. But what are the potential complications of weight loss surgery, and how common are they? We will attempt to answer these questions here.
What is Weight Loss Surgery?
Before we talk about the possible complications of weight loss surgery, we need to define what this type of surgery entails, just so we are on the same page. Simply stated, bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery both refer to the same thing -- various types of surgery intended to help obese patients lose weight.
In her book The Patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery, author April Hochstrasser defines bariatric surgery as "surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help people lose weight by altering the normal digestive process."
Complications of Weight Loss Surgery
The complications associated with weight loss surgery vary, based on the type of surgery being performed. And, of course, the potential risks and complications of general surgery apply here as well.
Potential complications of general surgery:
* Respiratory problems
* Risk of infection (from incision area)
* Excessive bleeding (internal or external)
* Allergic reaction to medicines
* Reactions to anesthesia
Potential complications of weight loss surgery:
* Leaking of stomach acid or bacteria into the abdominal cavity
* Vitamin and mineral deficiencies as a result of malabsorption
* Hernia in the abdominal wall (with gastric bypass)
* Dumping syndrome (heart palpitations, nausea, sweating, etc.)
The major risks of weight loss surgery:
* Leaking of stomach content into other areas
* Blood clots
* Respiratory failure
According to the University of Iowa report "Mortality in Obesity Surgery," the majority of patients who die within a month of weight loss surgery suffer one of the three major complications above.
* You may republish this article online if you retain the author's byline and the active hyperlinks below.
About the Author
Brandon Cornett is the publisher of the Bariatric Learning Center. To learn more about the possible complications of bariatric surgery, and much more on this topic, visit the Learning Center at http://www.bariatriclearningcenter.com

Thanks to Brandon Cornett for this article.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Why Is A Lung Surgery Necessary?

by Mayoor Patel


When it comes to invasive surgical procedures, most of us don't have any real clue of what happens during the procedure or what type of precautions are taken to ensure a successful procedure. In fact, we may not be in any position to understand when a procedure may even be necessary. Here are some things about lung surgery you should know, including when the procedure would definitely be appropriate.
Lung surgery is a type of medical procedure that is performed on a patient with severe lung problems. This is done especially when a mass is found in the lungs. Likewise, it is done in cases where the lung wall is weak or fluids are collected inside the lungs. Under such cases, lung surgery is necessary to assess the level of the problem and to treat the problem. There will be cases when a part of the lung has to be removed or sometimes, all of it will have to be taken away. This will depend on the surgeon's recommendation, as to what process is necessary for a patient's condition.
Lung surgery is necessary to assess the lung problem even if non-invasive imaging tests such as chest x-ray, CT Scans and MRI has already detected mass, weak lung wall or fluids in the lungs. The reason is that these imaging tests do not have a way of knowing if the mass found inside the lungs is benign or already malignant. Only surgery can detect or assess the depth of the problem.
The procedure of lung surgery involves entering the chest wall in order to have access to the lungs. There are two types of lung surgery available today. The procedure can either be a thoracoscopy or a thoracotomy. Thoracoscopy is much easier and a less invasive lung surgery procedure than thoracotomy. In thoracoscopy, a surgeon uses a thin tube with a small camera and passes it through a small incision in the chest to view inside of the lungs with a video monitor. There are cases when thoracoscopy is done, a surgeon will insist to perform thoracotomy, too. Thoracotomy is the old way of doing lung surgery. A large incision is made on the chest when surgery is being done so as to view the lungs directly.
In the end, your health care professional can help you to understand why lung surgery is in your best interests and what you can expect during the recovery period. Listen closely to what he or she has to say, and make sure to ask any questions that come to mind. In the end, you will feel much better about proceeding with the surgery.
About the Author
Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://surgery.wares-are.us. Please visit for information on all things concerned with Lung Surgery

Thanks to Mayoor Patel for this article.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Best Weight Loss Surgery Choice For Very High BMI Patients

by Donald Saunders


There are a large number of choices available today when it comes to weight loss surgery, from the classical Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to laparoscopic or robotic adjustable gastric banding, but which is the best choice for patients with a particularly high BMI?
First we need to define what we mean by a particularly high BMI. It is generally accepted that obesity starts at a BMI of 30 and becomes morbid obesity at 40. This is the point at which most doctors will consider a surgical solution to the problem. With a BMI in the 40s patients are generally suitable for all forms of weight loss surgery (unless excluded by such things as co-existing medical condition) however, as BMI passes 50, the risks of gastric bypass surgery rise steeply and choices become limited. Against this background we would define a particularly high BMI as being 50 or above.
Despite the increased risks, some patients are nonetheless considered suitable and do opt for gastric bypass surgery while others take the safer route of gastric banding, but which is better?
In a recent study involving 106 patients (all of whom had a BMI in excess of 50) 60 patients underwent gastric banding while the remaining 46 opted for gastric bypass surgery. More than three quarters of the gastric banding patients suffered complications, which included dehydration and vomiting, while less than one third of the gastric bypass patients suffered complications. In addition, the gastric banding patients experienced only about one third of the weight loss recorded for the gastric bypass patients.
Perhaps most surprisingly, more than three quarters of the gastric bypass patients were satisfied with their result and none regretted their choice. By contrast, less than half of the gastric banding patients were happy with the results and ten percent actually expressed dissatisfaction or regretted their decision.
On the surface therefore it would appear that gastric bypass surgery is clearly the preferred choice. However, for many patients with a high BMI this is simply not an option as the risks are simply too high, so what is the answer in these cases?
Without doubt the preferred option is a combination of restrictive surgery, such as gastric banding, in the first instance to reduce weight to less than a BMI of 50 and then to follow this up with a second form of absorption surgery, such as the gastric bypass. In many cases however, rather than gastric banding, the preferred choice is to use a vertical gastrectomy (sometimes referred to as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy) as the first element in this two-stage surgical process.
About the Author
GastricBypassFacts.info is a substantial resource center providing information on all aspects of gastric bypass surgery and includes a number of articles covering such things as the vertical gastrectomy.

Thanks to Donald Saunders for this article.