Last week we posted a trivia question on Facebook relating to Anesthesia and received great feedback! General anesthesia is a type of sedation that uses several medications to render the patient unconscious and unable to move. The medications are given both through an IV and mixed with oxygen and inhaled. This combination of medications insures that the patient is unaware of any pain caused by surgery and also prevents the patient from moving during surgery, potentially causing a surgical error. The patient is unable to move after the medications are given so a breathing tube is placed into the patient's airway and connected to a machine that helps the patient breathe and maintain a patent airway. A Board Certified Anesthesiologist provides anesthesia for all of... Continue Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Last week we proposed the the following Facebook Trivia Question: Is a Tummy Tuck similar to a C-Section in terms of Pain? In general, there is more dissection involved with a tummy tuck than a cesarean section. In a c-section, there is an intraabdominal component to the operation and the fibrous tissue layer is cut. In abdominoplasty, the fibrous tissue layer is plicated (folded in or tucked) leading to tightness. However, people experience pain and discomfort differently. First we must realize that everyone handles pain differently. A history of chronic pain and long term pain medication usage will lead to a tolerance to the pain medication which may result in taking higher doses of medication for pain relief. Treating pain promptly is always best. You... Continue Reading
Almost everyone has heard that they should look for “board certification” when seeking a qualified plastic surgeon. Most people do not really understand exactly what this means and what is involved in becoming “board certified”. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the agency which oversees sub-specialty boards. More than 100 “boards” have been submitted to the ABMS for formal approval, but only 24 have met their strict educational and examination criteria. They are as follows: Allergy and Immunology Anesthesiology Colon and Rectal Surgery Dermatology Emergency Medicine Family Practice Internal Medicine Medical Genetics Neurological Surgery Nuclear Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology Ophthalmology Orthopaedic Surgery Otolaryngology Pathology Pediatrics Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Plastic Surgery Preventive Medicine Psychiatry and Neurology Radiology Surgery Thoracic Surgery Urology The American... Continue Reading
Ladies, if you are thinking about getting a manicure right before your surgery you may want to reconsider. Most hospitals and offices will advise patients to remove nail polish before surgery, but have you ever wondered why? Possibly the most important monitoring device that helps make modern anesthesia so safe is the pulse oximeter. This non-invasive method allows the monitoring of the oxygenation of a patient’s hemoglobin. A sensor is placed on the fingertip and this measures the level of oxygen in the blood and works by passing red light through tissue. Nail polish may reduce the effectiveness of this monitor. The nail bed is one of the best places to detect cyanosis caused by low oxygen levels. This is why acrylic nails, nail polish,... Continue Reading
Often times women wonder how men feel about women getting breast implants. It’s not uncommon for women to have their partner accompany them during the consultation and be involved for the entire decision-making process. Women undergo breast augmentation for various reasons including restoring the volume and shape that was lost with pregnancy, increase cup size for overall body balance and proportion, and/or even boost self-confidence. Ultimately, having breast augmentation surgery is a decision women need to make for themselves and should not feel pressured by a friend or partner. It is vital for women undergoing this procedure or any procedure to have a good emotional support system for the entire process. For many couples, breast augmentation is a very positive surgical procedure. Following the surgery,... Continue Reading
We all know that smoking is bad for you, that it can cause an increased risk of getting cancer and vascular disease. We also know that smoking ages us and gives us bad breath. However, often times patients will ask me, “Why do I have to stop smoking before my surgery?” Let’s talk about the reasons to stop smoking for elective plastic surgery. Smoking can have serious detrimental affects to abdominoplasty and breast enhancement procedures. At the Aesthetic Surgery Centre, we want our patients to be healthy and eliminate any factors that may put a patient at a higher risk of post-operative complications. Smoking can lead to the following problems: • Risk of infection increases • Pneumonia • Tissue death/necrosis • Poor wound healing •... Continue Reading
"Name one way to cope with post-surgical pain" was posted on our Facebook Fan Page this weekend and we had great responses! All those who responded over the weekend answered correctly and will be awarded with a gift card for your participation. First we must realize that everyone handles pain differently. A history of chronic pain and long term pain medication usage will lead to a tolerance to the pain medication which may result in taking higher doses of medication for pain relief. Treating pain promptly is always best. You should not delay taking prescribed medication when the pain starts. Taking the time to talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist about your concerns and needs as they relate to pain management following surgery is important.... Continue Reading