Stem Cell Treatment

One thrilling strategy to wound healing, variously explained as Regenerative medicine or Tissue engineering continues to be the utilization of platelet rich plasma either alone or in combination with stem cells. PRP got latest notoriety when it was described that Hines Ward, the Pittsburgh Steeler's superstar wide receiver had obtained this treatment for an accident prior to the Super Bowl. As it happens, PRP continues to be used for a relatively good time now, especially at our middle, to help increase the healing of problems like tendonitis, ligament strains, muscle strains, arthritis, synovitis, and cartilage defects. Platelet rich plasma is used as a matrix graft, frequently referred to as an autologous tissue graft.

This platelet rich plasma matrix is defined as a Tissue graft incorporating autologous growth factors and\/or autologous undifferentiated cells in a cell array where design depends on the receptor website and tissue of regeneration. The reason PRP is so helpful is that platelets, that are a regular blood cell, contain numerous growth factors that stimulate tissue growth. Especially, PRP encourages the growth of collagen that is the primary element of connective tissue like tendons and cartilage. These components contain transforming development factor-, fibroblast development factor, platelet derived development factor, epidermal development factor, connective tissue development factor, and blood vessel endothelial growth factor.

These growth components recruit undifferentiated cells to the website of injury and stimulate their growth. Another component of platelets, stromal cell derived element I alpha causes newly recruited cells to comply with the area. When used with stem cells gathered from the patient bone marrow, PRP Fires off the stem cells to multiply rapidly. To utilize an analogy, PRP- especially when utilized in association with stem cells- sends the process of healing into Warp drive. PRP needs to be ready in a way to ensure a maximum amount of platelets along with a high concentration of development components.

Clearly, the more growth factors that may be delivered to the website of injury, the much more likely tissue healing takes place. This regenerative strategy is diametrically opposed to the traditional approach to healing tissue injuries that has been to make use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs as well as steroid shots, which, while reducing irritation, also substantially hinder the process of healing. PRP is usually utilized in conjunction with percutaneous tenotomy. That is a procedure where there's purposeful needle discomfort of the affected region utilizing ultrasound assistance after which it PRP is then slowly inserted into the site.

Primary Care

Address the confronts many challenges, but primary among them is coping with ongoing health care concerns. From the decrease in physicians due to Baby Boomers retiring, to changes in health care legislation and health care reforms, members of Generation X must pay particular attention to health care plans as well as the state of the medical industry. As Baby Boomers retire, the number of doctors inside the country is declining. This is partly due to the population typically, there are 77 million Baby Boomers, compared with 46 million Generation X ers, as well as partly due of the fact that numerous Generation X doctors are choosing to specialize rather than working in a general practice.

Consequently, many states face a scarcity of primary care doctors and general practitioners, that causes delays in treatment while new patients wait around for primary care physicians. Due to this challenge to find a primary care doctor, Generation X members need to plan ahead. Generation X and health care challenges require that Gen X members select a primary care physician promptly upon relocating or changing health care plans, or run the possible danger of being with no physician when sickness strikes. Generation X members need to be quite identifying with health care plans, due to rising health care costs and the possible challenge of finding a health care plan to cover specific services.

As increasingly more providers become accessible, health plans decrease to pay for sets from Lasik eye surgery to optional mental wellness services. Due to this difference between providers accessible and providers covered, Generation X members need to shop cautiously for healthcare plans. Challenges faced in Generation X and health include getting a plan that covers the providers that the Generation X member needs, as well as determining when to compromise and once to keep searching for a health plan that covers specific solutions. Health Care reform is just a watchword for every political party in every selection, as well as Gen X members need to be particularly aware of health care reform as it relates to Generation X as well as health concerns. Universal health is just one possibility that Generation X members face, as well as whether that could be an asset or a tragedy depends upon who you ask. Members worried about Generation X and health must write local and state authorities to discuss legislation around improving access, decreasing cost, and increasing the array of healthcare professionals available for services.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

While you might be aware of more traditional saline along with other liquid filled breast implants, you may not have heard about the most recent innovation in breast enlargement which is more commonly known as Gummy bear breast implants. These special high strength silicone gel systems get their name from the fact that whenever they're cut they resemble the popular gummy bear candies in persistence. These devices are manufactured from a particular very dense, high strength silicone. Gummy bear implants are included of a solidified gel. So there are not any chances of leakage in the case of rupture causing connective tissue disorders.

The gummy bear choices are getting increasingly more popular as the choice for females looking for breast augmentation. The explanation for this is the newer improvements are made to maintain their form better than those that use saline. They're not as likely to change, wrinkle, fold or ripple with time that may otherwise occur with saline implants. Gummy Bear breast implants maintain their form a lot better than saline and therefore remain in a more vertical position with time. Which implies that you’ll see much less sag with time? You will not have to cope with any sloshing sound which sometimes happens with the saline choice.

It is indeed a promising option to the conventional silicone and saline filled improvements, but being cohesive in nature you'll find limited incision options connected with the procedure. The likelihood of frightening are greater with the gummy bear choice, but the long term aftereffects of the implant to preserve and keep breasts erect is worth it. The newer gummy bear kind chest implants feel quite natural to the touch. Where saline implants when overfilled may feel hard, the newer gel models do not need this issue. Ladies that had them installed report which they feel quite natural and are much closer in sense to a natural breast.

The maker of those brand new devices, Slimed, holds an ISO 9001 certification which suggests that they meet business requirements for manufacturing these medical devices. They also have an ideal FDA rating for safety to date. The common consensus between cosmetic surgeons is the new devices are effective and safe for breast augmentation. The new improvements are available in all sizes up to a far cup size of DDD. By working with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you may determine the right size for the requirements.

Thinking of getting CoolSculpting? Here's what you should know

Cryolipolis or CoolSculpting is a procedure performed by doctors and aestheticians to freeze fat cells at specific targeted areas in your body from where these frozen and dead cells are removed naturally. This is considered to be a better option than liposuction as it is way cheaper and gives good results without any incisions. It also, has no downtime and you can easily revert back to your office or to physical activities. The results of CoolSculpting can be seen after a few weeks and sometimes they may take up to three months.

Despite regular exercise and eating healthy, we all have the 'troubled areas' on our bodies. In fact, a lot of people have pockets of fat stored in certain regions of their body which is genetically determined.

By body contouring the size and appearance of certain parts of your body will reduce permanently. This is achieved by killing all the fat cells that exist in the problem area. Now, if there are no fat cells, they cannot expand and make the body part look bigger and out of proportion. But, it is important to note that body contouring only reduces about 20 to 25 % of fat cells from that portion of your body and around 70% of the cells are left unaffected. The fat cells that have been treated will not grow back but the remaining fat cells may expand and cause you to gain weight if a good diet and exercise regimen is not followed.

Coolsculpting is considered to be better than ultrasound and other heat-based fat reducing treatments as it explodes the targeted fat cells to remove them permanently without causing any bruising and soreness.

The CoolSculpting treatment should not be assumed to be a weight loss treatment. It is aimed at people who live an active and healthy lifestyle and require a treatment aiming at certain parts of their body and not the entire body.

Here are some important things you should know about CoolSculpting.

1.       CoolSculpting cannot be used to improve your skin laxity. If you skin is lose, this treatment will not help it, in fact, removing fat cells may cause more sagging of skin.

2.       It is one hour procedure for one part of your body. In case, of fat cells removal from the arms, it will take two hours targeting each arm separately.

3.       This procedure is not pain-free, as marketed and can be very uncomfortable during the first five to fifteen minutes of the procedure when vacuum grabs on to your fat and skin.

4.       The treated area appears to be like a stick of butter or a piece of salmon underneath your skin, right after the treatment. It gets weirder as this can easily be massaged down.

5.       To achieve a reduction of 20-25% fat from a body part only one treatment is required but if you opt for more, an additional 20-25% fat reduction can be observed each time, from that area of your body.

6.       In a number of cases, the first time of CoolSculpting may not give you visible and desired results and you might need to go for the second round of CoolSculpting to get what you want.

7.       Recovery time may vary between a few days to a few weeks depending on the patient and is accompanied with soreness and a little bit of bruising, tingling and swelling.

8.       The complete results may take up to a few months to show up varying between a few days to four to six months. This again depends on from patient to patient.

It is important to keep following a healthy diet and exercise regime even after the treatment. If you gain weight after undergoing CoolSculpting, the fat cells already present in the area where the procedure was performed may swell up and reduce the visibility of the results.

All you need to know about post liposuction care

Liposuction is surgically performed by creating incisions in your body to remove stubborn fat localised at one part of your body, that doesn't go with either diet or exercise. Liposuction incisions are minimally invasive but they still require care post operation for complete and healthy recovery. Liposuction is performed by the insertion of a cannula through an incision. It is then moved around to loosen up the fat localised in that area of the body and then it is sucked out with the help of vacuum created in a syringe.

It is important to note that liposuction cannot be substituted to weight loss through diet and exercise and hence, should not be treated as such. For tightening of loose and sagging skin and the removal of cellulite from the body, there are many other procedures that can be performed, as liposuction is not the best option for these issues.

It is absolutely vital for the patient to take measures to care for the incisions made on their body after the procedure because infection and scarring can easily occur and cause undesirable results.

Things required for the post-op liposuction care:

·         Comfortable and loose clothing

·         Dark towels for the absorption of any leaking fluids

·         Pillows are required to rest the area with incisions to rest upon

·         Bottled water

·         Soda crackers to treat nausea if any

·         Pain medication

What to expect during the first 72 hours after the surgery

1.       Body fluids will flow out on clothes and sheets you sit on or sleep on. This is very normal as this liquid is placed in your body before the procedure is performed for the safe removal of fat.

2.       Physical activities must be avoided on account of the danger of opening of the incisions.

3.       Compression garments help with swelling and also make the recovery process faster. These must be worn at all times except while taking a shower and can be discontinued after being instructed by your doctor to do so.

4.       It is important to keep moving in order to reduce swelling, reduce the formation of blood clots and to help keep bodily fluids to continue moving.

5.       As soon as the anaesthesia wears off, there will be some pain. In case it is unbearable, you must go to your physician who will prescribe some painkillers to combat the pain.

6.       Swelling is very normal and in many cases, the swelling stays on for the next few weeks (two to three weeks).

7.       A number of plastic surgeons suggest avoiding showering for five days after the surgery and wearing compression garments. After five days, you can shower without causing abrasion or scrubbing in the area of the incision. Also, going in still water (swimming pool, baths, lakes, oceans, hot tubs etc.) must be avoided.

8.       Also, be alert for any signs of infection. If they come up, you must go directly to your surgeon without any delay.

9.       Even after complete recovery, there will be scars, usually very small in the place where the incision had been made. For the most part, they are not very visible and will fade even more as time passes.

Results after complete recovery:

Cosmetic enhancement is the main reason why most people go for this procedure, despite the risks of complications and pain. A lot of patients report positively after the procedure, having obtained the look they've wanted but in a lot of cases, patients remain unsatisfied. The cosmetic result

1.       Scars at the spot where the cut is made to insert the cannula to carry out the liposuction. They are generally very small and will fade away with time but in some cases, these scars may more prominent.

2.       A wavy or bumpy appearance of the liposuction site after the liposuction procedure.

3.       The results after liposuction are very rarely permanent. In case you gain weight after the liposuction surgery and the removal of fat, it may return back to the sites from where it had been removed.

4.       The results after recovery may not be at par with your expectations which can be disappointing.

Menopause: What To Expect When You Stop Expecting

What is menopause?

More than likely, you’ve already heard of menopause, especially if you are female. Menopause is the 12-month period after the end of your final menstrual period. It is the end of the menstrual cycle. After menopause, a woman can no longer get pregnant.

The process of menopause is completely natural. While no longer fertile, women are still healthy post-menopause. Aging changes everyone’s bodies. Women simply have certain health issues specific to them.

What is perimenopause?

Menopause does not happen all at once, except in cases of hysterectomies. Perimenopause is the period of time winding down the menstrual cycle. This period of time can vary wildly between individuals. In some cases, it may begin 8 to 10 years prior to menopause! In other cases, however, women go through perimenopause in a few months.

The best way to gauge what is normal for you is to talk to your family members. Everyone is an individual but the older women in your family will have a unique insight into what you can expect. Genetics make a difference! Your friends may have helpful tips and tricks but relatives know what experiences your genes may predispose you to experiencing.

During perimenopause, your ovaries will produce less and less estrogen until they finally stop releasing eggs. That is when perimenopause changes into menopause.

What is postmenopause?

After a woman has not experienced her period for a year, she is considered postmenopausal. There are positives and negatives to being postmenopausal. The symptoms suffered during menopause will lessen and a woman can no longer get pregnant, which some consider a relief. However, the lower levels of estrogen can result in some health issues for women. Osteoporosis and heart disease are both more likely for woman who have completed menopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

For most women, the major symptoms of menopause are well-known. They include, but are not limited to:

1. ·         Irregular periods
2. ·         Night sweats
3. ·         Hot flashes
4. ·         Mood change
5. ·         Weight gain
6. ·         Slowed metabolism
7. ·         Thinning hair
8. ·         Dry skin
9. ·         Vaginal dryness

Not everyone will experience every symptom. It is similar to menstruation in that, depending on your body, the instance and severity of each symptom will vary. Some women will menstruate every month until perimenopause completes; however, this is rare. It’s far more common for periods to occur sporadically throughout perimenopause. Because of this, it is still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause.

Who experiences menopause?

Everyone who menstruates will eventually go through menopause. While genetics play a large role in determining what is “natural” for your body, the average age for experiencing menopause is 51. If you are under the age of 40 and start going through menopause, this is referred to as premature menopause.

Premature menopause may occur for a number of reasons. The most obvious of which is if a woman has her ovaries removed in a bilateral oophorectomy. The sudden removal of ovaries will result in the immediate loss of the hormones they were producing. Due to the sudden nature of this hormonal change, the symptoms can be severe. It is especially important to keep a doctor up to date on your symptoms if you go through surgical menopause, as opposed to natural menopause.

Premature menopause may also be caused by chromosome defects, autoimmune diseases, and chemotherapy. Women who are receiving radiation treatment for ovarian cancer may stop their periods and experience fertility issues. The damaged caused to the ovaries by chemotherapy or radiation shouldn’t be underestimated so, prior to beginning those treatments, make sure to speak to your oncologist about your women’s health concerns.

Is hormone replacement therapy unhealthy?

Once, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was standard. However, that is no longer the case. Many women have heard that hormone replacement therapy is dangerous for their health. Unfortunately, there is not a simple yes-or-no answer. Every body is different. Not every woman needs hormone replacement therapy. Some research suggests that, if taken early in postmenopause, estrogen can decrease the risk of heart disease.

There are some risks, of course. Estrogen, when not balanced with progesterone or progestrin can cause growth in the lining of the uterus, increasing a woman’s risk of uterine cancer. Other risks include heart disease, stroke, blood clot and breast cancer.

However, women who experience early menopause and do not take hormone replacement therapy are at risk for anxiety, depression, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, parkinsonism, and decreased lifespan.

You should consider hormone replacement therapy if you are healthy and experience moderate to severe menopause symptom or have experienced bone loss.

Do I need a doctor?

While menopause is a natural process, that doesn’t mean it should go unmonitored. As your body changes, you need to make adjustments for your new hormonal reality. Additionally, your healthcare provider can help ease your symptoms to help menopause hit you a little less hard. For some women, menopause isn’t a big deal but, for others, it can be rough. Do not hesitate to ask for help! Places like the Institute for Women’s Health in San Antonio, Texas can help.

Tummy Tuck

Are sit-ups not giving you the flat stomach you want? If you've got too much excess skin in your abdomen that is not responding to diet or exercise, you may need to start considering  a tummy tuck, or what doctors call abdominoplasty.

A Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that helps flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess fat and skin and then tightening the underlying muscles. This procedure it's not the same as liposuction (the cosmetic surgery that is used to remove fat deposits). A tummy tuck is very useful for women who have stretched abdominal skin and muscles as a result of pregnancy. It is also a great option for men and women who were once obese and lost a lot of weight. As a result, they may have excess fat deposits or loose skin around the belly. To be a candidate for the tummy tuck procedure, you should be in good physical condition, following a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

If you're a somebody who plans to get pregnant, the best thing to do is postpone the tummy tuck until you're done having children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened, and future pregnancies can separate those muscles. If you are planning on losing a lot of weight, a tummy tuck is also not a great solution for you. This procedure should be a last resort after you've tried everything else. It should not be used as an alternative to weight loss.

The recommendation is that you wait until after any planned pregnancies and have reached your goal weight before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. This is because further pregnancies or weight loss can undo the results of your tummy tuck by stretching the skin. Another recommendation is that your BMI (Body Mass Index) should be less than 30 to decrease your risk of complications.

During your initial consultation, you should will your cosmetic goals in detail, so the surgeon can tailor your tummy tuck operation accordingly.

Prior to the surgery if you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. It is not enough just to cut down on smoking; you must stop completely for at least two weeks before the surgery and for two weeks after the procedure. Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

The surgery takes approximately 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia which will put you to sleep during the whole procedure. It is important to have someone who can drive you home once the operation is over and at least during the first night you will need somebody to stay with you. The surgeon will make an incision from hip to hip, and then cut out all the skin between your belly button and pubis. During your tummy tuck, there will be a separation of the skin from the rectus muscles, and then the surgeon will pull and stitch the muscle together, for a firmer abdomen and a narrower waist. After that the surgeon will stretch the skin flap down and over the newly tightened muscles, cut out the extra skin, and reconnect the belly button. There will usually be a couple drains in place to drain any extra fluid once the procedure is done.

Full recovery from a tummy tuck operation usually takes a period of four to six weeks, although you may be able to return to your daily activities in as little as two weeks.  After the procedure is useful if the patients walk for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 hours after the procedure.

Life after the surgery should be really good. With a good diet and being active by regularly exercising, results from your tummy tuck should be long-lasting. While the full tummy tuck will naturally leave a hip-to-hip scar across the lower abdomen, you can always talk about scar placement and length with the doctor before the surgery.

Post-operative complications from any surgery are possible. This may include infection, blood clots, and poor healing which may require further surgery. You can minimize these risks by choosing an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Koneru in San Antonio, who can handle any complications and will give you the attention you need.

If you have had previous abdominal surgery, your old scars could be moved, stretched, or generally more noticeable after the procedure. However, if your scar is below the belly button, it will probably be removed during the tummy tuck operation.

If what you are looking for is just the removal of skin excess and fat, a mini tummy tuck is a good choice for patients. The mini tummy tuck is similar to the full surgical procedure, except that it uses a shorter incision, usually only about 15 cm in length (which is similar to a C-section scar). With this short scar, much less skin can be removed, and the skin is only lifted to the belly button. The mini tummy tuck usually doesn’t remove many stretch marks and can’t correct muscles that have become separated above the belly button.