Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Physical Therapy CME – April 25-26 “Solving Recurrent Low Back Pain”

http://www.texasinstituteforsurgery.com/assets-news-events/Texas%2009%20brochure%20proof.pdf

Don't Lose Precious Memories to Cataracts-- Advanced Lens Technology for Cataract Surgery. Free informational seminar April 16

http://www.texasinstituteforsurgery.com/assets-news-events/cataractsurgeryseminar.pdf

Regaining a firmer bustline

Most women today endeavor to feel and look their best. Many are willing to eat a nutritious diet and maintain a consistent exercise routine so as to reap the health benefits and maintain a youthful appearance. But, the effects of pregnancy, menopause and large fluctuations in weight associated with hormonal changes. can sometimes cause a women to look older than she feels.While becoming a mother is a joyous and momentous occasion, it can change your life and your body in many ways. Later in life, women will also experience new changes in their body. These changes leading to menopause can begin as early as age 35.

Sagging or loose breasts are sometimes the result of pregnancy, changes in weight, or due to the natural aging process. The breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure that elevates and reshapes the sagging breast.
Breasts are carefully marked in an anchor-shaped form to indicate where the incisions are to be made. The anchor-shaped incision follows the natural contour of the breast, outlines the area where the breast skin will be removed, and defines the new nipple location.

Excess skin is removed and the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position appropriate for the woman’s chest wall proportions. The skin around the areola is brought down to shape the breast.

Stitches are placed around the areola, in a vertical line extending down from the nipple, and along the lower crease of the breast.

Some patients, especially those with small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for less extensive procedures, such as the “doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy,” in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of the skin is removed.

A breast augmentation may be performed at the same time as a mastopexy. If an implant is inserted at the time of the breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.

On the other hand, some women may prefer to have their breasts made smaller, or reduced, at the time of the breast lift. A reduction-mastopexy can be performed through the same operative incisions.
Following surgery, an elastic band or a support bra is worn over gauze dressing. The bra is worn for the patient’s comfort for about three to four weeks.

Before proceeding with a breast lift, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the options available and to discuss any questions or concerns you might have with your doctor. Every patient is unique and her specific needs should be addressed.

http://www.drgibby.com

New procedure for treating chronic sinus infections – Balloon Sinuplasty is less invasive

Dallas – March 12, 2009 – Texas Institute for Surgery
· Sinusitis is one of the most common health problems in the US, afflicting an estimated 37 million Americans – approximately 14% of the adult U.S. population report issues with sinus pain.
· Unlike past procedures where tissue and bone are removed, the Balloon Sinuplasty system uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses.
· New procedure is far less invasive and recovery times are quicker.
Claire Maestri, 30, of Dallas says while Spring is her favorite season, she used to dread this time of year.
“This past Fall I became ill and despite taking multiple prescription medications, I just could not shake a long series of debilitating sinus infections. My sinuses just went haywire and it doesn’t help that North Texas is one of the allergy capitals of the world,” Maestri, mother of a nine-month old son, says.
Maestri said she not only had a constantly stuffy nose, but she often experienced sinus pain in the form of headaches and felt quite lethargic.
Determined to find relief from chronic sinus infections, Maestri is one of the first patients in the county to undergo a relatively new procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty.
Dr. Ford Albritton, MD of the Texas Institute for Surgery at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is one of the early pioneers of the procedure and recently demonstrated the breakthrough technique to KXAS-TV. Very similar to the use of balloons in certain cardio procedures, The Balloon Sinuplasty system by Acclarent™ uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function.
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“Balloon sinuplasty is a true advance for sinus pain relief because in many cases it can be done without removing any tissue or bone. That means faster recovery times for my patients and less post-procedure discomfort. Many patients have been able to return to normal activities with 24 hours and have had a significant improvement in their symptoms,” Albritton says.
Until recently, patients suffering from chronic sinus pain were limited to two treatment options: medical therapy such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus surgery such as Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).
FESS is a conventional surgery that requires bone and tissue removal in order to open up blocked sinus passageways. With Balloon Sinuplasty no bone or tissue is removed which makes the procedure much easier on patients.
Maestri says her busy lifestyle and the needs of her family were a primary concern – while her sinus pain was severe enough to consider traditional sinus surgery in the past, a long recuperation was out of the question.
“Dr. Albritton had me sold when he told me the recuperation period from balloon sinuplasty was minimal. I did the surgery on a Monday and on Wednesday afternoon, I was out having lunch with my Mom and young son - and I felt great,” Maestri says.
She adds: “To say this surgery has had a profound impact would be putting it lightly – instead of headaches and lethargy that lasted for months; I have more energy and feel better than I have in a long time.”
Physicians around the country are traveling to Dallas to visit Texas Institute for Surgery to train under Dr. Albritton. As more physicians are trained, Albritton believes the procedure will become very popular.
Dr. Albritton also believes patients being affected by the shaky economy might be helped by this procedure. Many drugs used to treat sinus issues are now being sold over the counter which means they are not covered by insurance. For chronic sinus sufferers, the balloon sinuplasty procedure is covered by many insurance plans.
Learn more about treating sinus pain with Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology by visiting the Texas Institute for Surgery Sinus micro-site which includes a list of Dallas-Fort Worth area surgeons who have been meticulously trained to perform the procedure.
Sidebar: Facts About Sinusitis[1]:
  • Chronic sinus issues affect approximately 14% of the adult U.S. population.
  • Sinusitis affects 17% of women and 10% of men each year.
  • Chronic sinusitis (not including acute sinusitis) results annually in an estimated 18-22 million physician office visits.
  • Direct healthcare expenditures due to sinusitis cost are well over $8 billion each year.
  • Total restricted activity days due to sinus related issues are well over $73 million per year.
About Texas Institute for Surgery
Founded in 2004, Texas Institute for Surgery at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is one of the premier specialty surgical hospitals in the country. Surgeons operating at Texas Institute for Surgery in North Dallas specialize in orthopedic surgery, back and spinal surgery, ENT procedures, sports medicine, plastic surgery, urological surgical care, and pain management among others. More information at http://www.texasinstituteforsurgery.com.
More Links
North Texas has been listed as one of the allergy capitals of the United States or “worse than average” by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation. Do you live in an allergy capital? Check here http://www.allergysavvy.com/page.jhtml?id=allergysavvy/include/fall_capitals.inc to see.

Building a Positive Body Image

Women struggle for satisfaction with themselves and their bodies much, if not all of their lives. While the reasons for this struggle are varied, there are common factors which affect all of us. Whether in magazines and advertisements, or television and movies, we are constantly faced with images of thin, lean, beautiful women.

It is no surprise that many women are preoccupied with body image. According to one American study, approximately 80-90 percent of women dislike their bodies.

The perception of our bodies begins at a very early age in life. Childhood messages about our bodies form the foundation of our body image later in life. The way family members react to the changes we encounter and comments from others is an important part of how our body image develops. How we perceive and internalize these childhood messages about our bodies determines our ability to build self-esteem and confidence in our appearance.

Body image is an individual’s perception of his/her physical self. It is the mental picture a person has of their body, as well as the individual’s associated thoughts, feelings, judgments, sensations, awareness and behavior. Body image is not a static concept. It is developed through interactions with others and the social world.

Thus, what society holds up as ideal is often what women strive for. Preferences for body shape vary over time and among all cultures. Historically, most societies have associated extra weight in women with desirable social status — an overt sign of wealth when food was not abundant. Rubenesque women were considered the epitome of femininity and beauty.

Because women today are inundated with beautiful faces and perfect bodies, we must strive to maintain a realistic and healthy body image. A healthy body image is evident when a person’s mental picture of her body is accurate, and her feelings, assessment and relationship toward her body are positive, confident and self-caring.

Healthy body image is more than the absence of struggles around food, weight or appearance. It is having the support and resources necessary to: 1) care for the body;
2) find outlets for self-expression; 3) develop confidence in one’s physical abilities and capacities; and 4) develop a positive self-concept.

Women today have resources to help them resist negative environmental messages, the most important being education and the awareness that we are all unique individuals. Good nutrition and regular exercise help to keep us both physically and mentally fit, as well as promotes a healthy body image. And sometimes cosmetic surgery is appropriate to help women feel better about their bodies and looks in general

Women who already have a healthy body image and desire to enhance, but not change their appearance, will generally benefit the most from cosmetic surgery. Striving for improvement — not perfection — is the key. Women who have realistic expectations can greatly improve their body image with appropriate cosmetic surgery. Of course, before having any cosmetic surgery, you should discuss any questions or concerns, as well as your expectations, with your physician.

It’s not about looking like a movie star or a runway model. It’s about being accepting and nurturing of the body you have. Since a healthy body image is directly related to self-esteem, it is important that women understand that the images in the media have nothing to do with realistic expectations. After all, what could be more beautiful than a woman confidant about her appearance, both inside and out!

more at http://www.drgibby.com

Mother to watch over, nourish and protect. A Female Plastic Surgeon Explains the Mommy Makeover

Few things in life bring as much joy as having children. As parents, we lovingly sacrifice for our children. These sacrifices may come in the form of lack of sleep, crazy carpool schedules, and financial investments for their future.
Pregnancy, however, can take a toll on a mother’s body during the growing, nurturing and feeding of a baby. A woman’s body changes in a multitude of ways during pregnancy - the hips become wider to allow the passage of a baby through the birth canal; the skin of the abdomen stretches and grows to accommodate a growing fetus, soon to be an infant child.
Add to this breastfeeding. A woman’s breasts not only go through the enlargement that pregnancy brings but also the changes that providing sustenance and nourishment for a child brings.
Some of these changes, thankfully, are reversible. The average weight gain during pregnancy should be about 30-35 pounds. The majority of this weight can be safely lost during the baby’s first year with a healthy regimen of good eating and exercise. Breastfeeding can assist in this weight loss by helping the body burn calories that have been stored during pregnancy.
But what about the changes associated with pregnancy that does not respond to weight loss? What about excess skin on the abdomen? What about stretch marks? What about the now sagging breasts? These problem areas do not always respond to dieting and exercise. This is where the Mommy Makeover comes in.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation or breast enhancement surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the U.S. The number of women having breast augmentations has increased by over 50 percent since 2000. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is also a commonly performed procedure, with a 133 percent rise during the last decade. The increasing popularity of these procedures mirrors the increasing popularity of plastic surgery in the general population.

A Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures that restore a woman’s body to its natural, pre-pregnancy state. The goal is to bring back to form what was stretched-out during the growing and nurturing of a child. For many women, this may start with an abdominoplasty, which tightens the excess skin of the lower abdomen, leaving a scar that can be hidden low in the bikini line. Often, many of the stretch marks of the abdomen can be removed with this procedure. The muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened to improve the “tone” of the abdomen. Liposuction is often performed to additionally contour the abdomen.
The changes in a woman’s breasts are the next area to be addressed, many times during the same operative procedure as abdominal contouring. Often, women complain that they are empty or deflated and droopy or low. Breast implants can be used to replace the volume of the breasts, and a breast lift might be recommended to tighten the skin of the breasts to a more natural, youthful position.
Breast implants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, not to mention materials. Although saline implants are still more commonly used, some women prefer silicone implants for its ability to mimic the feel of a natural breast. We will discuss in detail the risks, benefits and difference between the two styles of implants to help you make a choice that is best for you and your lifestyle.
Other concerns may be addressed during a Mommy Makeover such as unwanted fullness in the hips, thighs, and arms. These areas can be contoured with lipo-sculpture, or liposuction to improve your overall proportion.
A Mommy Makeover may be performed in a single operation or in staged procedures, depending on your general health and of the complexity of the operation. Also, depending on the length of the procedure, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended as well. Safety should be the guiding principle of any elective surgery.
Nothing should overshadow the joy that pregnancy and raising a family brings. As a mother and surgeon, I understand that the changes you see in your body with pregnancy are simply that. Changes. These changes associated with pregnancy, motherhood and aging affect each woman differently and can be improved upon with new advances in surgical techniques. A consultation and examination is your first step toward a Mommy Makeover. We will listen to your concerns, assess your problem areas and discuss which options will help you achieve your desired results.

more at http://www.drgibby.com