Liposuction for better looks

Having a shapely and fit body definitely increases confidence and improves a healthy life style including socializing. This has created a pressure on people to look good and have a great body. And liposuction is becoming one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed worldwide. Other factors contributing are changing lifestyles, fast foods and unhealthy food habits, sedentary lifestyle, etc. Many women, after childbirth also find difficult in losing weight especially in the abdomen and lower abdomen region. Pregnancy stretch marks and loose skin are also a concern with post pregnancy.

Certain fat deposits in abdomen, hips, thighs, chest do not melt away despite following a strict diet and exercise regime. Even if one loses weight, the body proportion may not change significantly in these areas and the bulges continue to be bothersome. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from these areas and the body is sculpted back into shape.

Liposuction is probably one of the solutions to get back the shape of body but care should be taken by the patients who undergo this surgery to have a calorie restricted diet and increased physical activity to burn the intake of calories. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery (although removal of fat may cause little weight loss) but should be treated as a body sculpting one.

Liposuction procedural techniques:

Suction Assisted Lipectomy (SAL)

Suction assisted liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses small tubes of cannulas to remove pockets of fat cells from the body through tiny incisions. These tubes or cannulas are attached to a device that operates like a vacuum. The surgeon uses a push pull motion to break the fat deposits by penetrating fat layers, eventually shattering fat cells, which are drawn out of the body through suction.

SAL is a traditional and time tested method of liposuction with good results.

Ultrasound Assisted Lipectomy (UAL)

In some situations, a special cannula may be used that emits ultrasonic energy to break down fatty deposits and then are drawn out of the body by suction. Advantages include decreased effort for the surgeon and probably less amount of blood loss. However, increased chances of fluid collection and skin damage exist.
Depending on the condition of the patient a surgeon may recommend suction-assisted lipectomy alone, or ultrasound assisted lipectomy or a combination of both.

Post surgery

After the liposuction surgery is done, a custom made pressure garment/corset (made of Lycra and cotton) will be put on immediately. The garment is to be worn for a month after surgery, 24 hours a day. The corset is not to be removed for the first 5 days. This garment helps in control swelling after liposuction and compresses the skin. In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid.

After the liposuction, next few days a patient may finding swelling, bruising, discomfort which are temporary and over a period of time they will disappear and normal activities, barring heavy physical activity can be started in 4-5 days after surgery and heavy physical activity can be started in 4-6 weeks time after the liposuction.

Post surgery complications in liposuction although are rare and unusual, pigmentation, minor irregularities, temporary loss of sensation, blood clots and skin ulcerations may not be ruled out in rare cases. In the event of shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, the person should report immediately and should undertake proper medical care and guidance and if required may have to be hospitalized.

A team of scientists in McGill University in Canada are one step closer to developing a blood test that accurately detects breast cancer at very early stages.  This may be a breakthrough and this new development they say could make mammography screening obsolete.  The team has also mentioned that they have made improvements to the existing technology while discovering a biomarker “signature” for a common subtype of breast cancer – which is estrogen receptor-positive.  The findings are from sampling the blood of a group of healthy people and breast cancer patients.  And the samples were measured for the concentration of 32 proteins in the blood samples. Using the latest in microarray technology the team found that out of the 32 proteins, six could be used to establish a signature for the hormone receptor-positive cancer.

David Juncker, leading the study, said, “Mammography is slow and expensive, and it’s is uncomfortable.  So, here the idea is you could do a test in a droplet of blood, and it could be more accurate than a mammograph.”  “From this small study we cannot really make the claim, but the hope is that this could become more accurate,” Juncker said.  Mammography does not work well for women with dense breasts and thus many young and African-American women are actually not well served by the screening.”  So this test could be complementary and more sensitive,” Juncker said.

Detecting breast cancer through blood test becomes a reality; it may become the best and easily affordable test to detect breast cancer and tests to detect breast cancer may not be uncomfortable to the persons undergoing the test which is so in mammography to detect breast cancer.

Why Coronary Angioplasty Is Required?

When fatty substance build up in arteries, causing them to harden and narrow reducing the free flow of blood.  These fatty substances are called plaque.  When plaque blocks free flow of blood, such a condition is called atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body.  When atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, the condition is called coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease.  Coronary angioplasty is required to restore blood flow to the heart if the coronary arteries have become narrowed or blocked.  The procedure usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, and it may vary and can take longer time depending on how many sections of artery need treatment.  Usually, once the coronary angioplasty is done, the patient will be able to go home in 3 days after the surgery is done and should rest for about a week or ten days.  It is also advisable not to drive or do strenuous physical activity during recuperating period.

Angioplasty is required to;

• Improve the condition of patient suffering from coronary heart disease, such as angina, difficult in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, discomfort while doing physical activity.

• To reduce damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack.  When plaque blocks blood flow and blood clots on the surface of plaque blocking blood flow through a coronary artery, risk of heart attack is even greater.  In such a condition, coronary angioplasty is required to relieve the blockage for free flow of blood.

• Angioplasty reduces the risk of death in some patients who suffer from heart attacks.

How safe is a coronary angioplasty?

Coronary angioplasty being a non-invasive form of surgery does not involve making major incisions in the body. Therefore, coronary angioplasty can be performed safely.  However, patients having other health issues such as cancer, liver failure etc. the risk of treatment may be more.  Complications are seldom in coronary angioplasty and it depends on individual cases with age and other health factors.

Many hospitals in Asia offer coronary angioplasty at affordable rates. To find best hospitals for coronary angioplasty click here and submit your contact details.

Liposuction

Liposuction improves the body’s shape as it removes excess fat deposits between the skin and muscle. Liposuction is one of the common aesthetic surgery procedures and is popular globally. The popularity of liposuction is on the rise as more and more people are becoming health and socially conscious. To lead a good and healthy life style, it has become the need of the day to be trim, slim, fit and perfect. The need to look good while socializing is also a contributing factor for the rise in liposuction.

The fat may accumulate for various reasons of dietary indiscretion, sedentary lifestyle, limited physical activity, consumption of fatty foods, junk food etc. Women after child delivery may also find themselves in such a situation where post pregnancies stretch marks, loose skin in addition to fat deposits in the lower abdomen region. Liposuction being a elective surgery, it is the patient’s decision after discussing with the surgeon/physician to undergo the surgery. Removing too much of fat through liposuction may leave unusual lumpiness and/or dents in the skin. Body contouring through liposuction may cause weight loss if too much of fat than the actual required amount of fat removed and also may create surgical problems.

Liposuction may be performed under general, regional or local anesthesia. In general, fat is removed through a hollow tube (cannula) and a suction device (aspirator). Liposuction can be categorized based on the type of mechanism of the cannula and the amount of fluid injection used.

Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)

This is one of the standard methods, in which a small cannula which looks like a straw is inserted through a small incision attached to a vacuum device. The cannula is pushed and pulled carefully through the fat layer to break up the fat cells and then it is drawn out of the body by suction.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)

In this method, a specialized cannula is used which transmits ultrasound vibrations within the body which bursts the walls of the fat cells and liquefying it which is drawn out by the suction. This method is a better choice for working on more fibrous areas, like the upper back or male breast area. Blood loss is lesser than the traditional method of liposuction.

Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)

This method of liposuction is similar to that of suction-assisted liposuction with only difference being use of a specialized cannula with mechanized movement in this so that the surgeon need not do manual movements.

Twin-cannula assisted liposuction (TCAL or TCL)

Twin cannula (assisted) liposuction uses a tube-within-a-tube specialized cannula pair, so that the cannula which aspirates fat, the mechanically reciprocated inner cannula, does not impact the patient’s tissue or the surgeon’s joints with each and every forward stroke. The aspirating inner cannula reciprocates within the slotted outer cannula to simulate a surgeon’s stroke of up to 5 cm (2 in) rather than merely vibrating 1–2 mm (1/4 in) as other power assisted devices, removing most of the labor from the procedure. Superficial or subdermal liposuction is facilitated by the spacing effect of the outer cannula and the fact that the cannulas do not get hot, eliminating the potential for friction burns.

External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL or EUAL)

Liposuction in this method, ultrasonic energy is applied from outside the body, through the skin. This method was developed as in ultrasound assisted liposuction in some cases caused skin necrosis (death) and seromas, which are pockets of a pale yellowish fluid from the body. Liposuctions through XUAL or EUAL avoid such complications as the ultrasound is applied externally. This procedure potentially cause less discomfort for the patient, both during the procedure and afterwards; reduce blood loss; allow better access through scar tissue; and treat larger areas.

Water-assisted liposuction (WAL)

Liposuction in this method is done by using a thin fan-shaped water beam that loosens the structure of the fat tissue, so that it can be removed by a special cannula. During the process of liposuction the water is continually added and almost immediately aspirated via the same cannula.

Recovery

Liposuction patients after the surgery are generally able to return to work between two days and two weeks.  A compression garment having elasticity to enable the patient for use of bandages is worn for two to four weeks.  Post surgery pain is controlled by medication which may be needed for about two weeks depending on procedure adopted.  Bruises, swelling and numbness will fade over a period of time and the normal activity can be resumed.

Diet, Exercise and Upkeep:

Post surgery, patients need to be diet conscious and have an exercise regimen, as the remaining fat cell may still enlarge and create problems.  Keeping a tab on body weight and BMI with healthy eating habits combined with regular exercise is the one of the best way and natural process to retain the contoured body shape.  Weight loss via exercise and healthy eating carries little risk compared to liposuction.

Click here to find hospital for your liposuction/body contouring requirement.

The gastric/lap band for weight loss performed through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery helps patients in faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.  Being minimally invasive, the lap band surgery scars are small and less painful than open surgical procedures.  Unlike stomach stapling or removing or by passing or re-routing patient’s intestine, in the lap band surgery the patient continues to absorb nutrients from food normally.

Gastric bands are made of biocompatible materials, thus post surgery they stay in the patient’s body without causing harm.  Laparoscopic gastric banding may not be suitable for all patients, patients who are extremely obese or who have had previous abdominal surgery, or have medical complications need to look at alternative methods.

How Gastric/Lap Band Works: 

The gastric band placed creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach and the pouch approximately holds about one sixth of the total food intake which is normally consumed.  The food in the pouch fills up with just one sixth of the food and the band slows the passage of food from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach.  Once the upper part of the stomach fills up, the message sent to the brain is that the entire stomach is full, and naturally this helps the person feel not hungry anymore.  Thus, the person feels full more quickly, eat smaller portions, and lose weight over time.

After few weeks, as patients lose weight, the gastric band needs adjustment or fills for it to be effective. The gastric band is adjusted by introducing saline solution into a small access port.  The lap band inflated with saline solution, places pressure around the outside of the stomach thus, reducing the size of the passage between the pouch created from the upper part of the stomach and the lower stomach.  This further restricts the movement of food.  Further, the filling of the band continues over several visits to achieve maximum restriction.  This is done carefully so that it is neither too loose that hunger is not controlled, nor so tight that food cannot move through the digestive system.  This way the gastric/lap band regulates the intake of food and the patient sheds weight.

Gastric banding or lap band surgery is performed in many hospitals across Asia, and patients can opt getting this treatment in India, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia at much lower cost and made affordable for many who find it expensive in their resident country.  Patients seeking lap band surgery can look forward for this option and include a healthcare vacation to save cost and get quality treatment for weight loss.  To find hospitals providing this treatment click here.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) one of the major cardiac disorder that is affecting many. Coronary artery disease is narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.  This is caused when fat is built up and plaque is formed together with other substances on the vessel walls making it difficult for a free flow of oxygen and blood to the heart.  The building of plaque in the vessel is also called hardening of arteries.  Coronary artery disease is a risk factor for heart disease for both men and women.

Recent research has show that women, with extensive coronary artery plaque, are at a greater risk than men for heart attack or other major cardiac event.  The findings on coronary CT angiography (CTA), a non-invasive test to assess the coronary arteries for blockages, done on patients showed different risk scenarios for men and women.   The research was done and conducted by Radiological Society of North America.  The result of the researchers at Medical University of South Carolina who had analyzed the results of coronary CTA conducted on 480 patients with a mean age 55 and who were suffering with acute chest pain.   Of the 480 patients, 65% were women patients.  The possibility of acute coronary syndrome was ruled out for each of the patients.  The researchers used coronary CTA to determine the number of vessel segments with plaque, the severity of the blockage and the composition of the plaque. John W Nance from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore said “The latest CT scanners are able to produce images that allow us to determine whether the plaque is calcified, non-calcified or mixed”.

The data collected by comparing the coronary CTA results over a 12.8-month follow-up period, the researchers were able to correlate the extent, severity and type of plaque build-up with the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events such as a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery.  The statistical analysis tested all plaques combined (calcified, non-calcified and mixed), and each individual type of plaque separately.

Dr. Nance said “We found that the risks for cardiovascular events associated with plaque were significantly different between women and men,” and had observed that 70 of the patients experienced major adverse cardiac events such as death, heart attack and unstable angina in the follow up period.  When the data was compared and analysis was done, results showed that women, with a large amount of plaque build-up, were at a significantly greater cardiovascular risk than men.  ”This research tells us that extensive coronary plaque is more worrisome in women than the equivalent amount in men,” Dr. Nance said.  However, when analyzing risk factors associated with the presence of individual types of plaque, the risk for major adverse cardiac events was greater in men when their artery segments contained non-calcified plaque.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Although many symptoms are noticeable, it is also possible that a person may have the disease but does not have any symptoms of coronary heart disease.  The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina (also called angina pectoris). Angina is often referred to as chest pain and felt through various related symptoms such as chest discomfort, heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, feeling as though heart is squeezed.  Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, back or jaw.

Some other symptoms of coronary artery disease include difficulty in breathing, fatigue, weakness, heavy pain in the chest while lifting objects, difficulty during climbing stairs, walking long distances, jogging short distances, faster heartbeat, dizziness and sweating, nausea, extreme weakness.

Coronary artery disease if treated in the beginning when symptom shows up, it may save one from chances of getting heart attack.  If a person has pain in the chest, left arm or back pain that lasts more than 5 minutes, with one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, quick treatment is very important to reduce the amount of damage to your heart.  Click here to find treatment.

Stem cells

Stem cells are biological cells found in all multi-cellular organisms.  These cells divide themselves and differentiate into specialized cells types and further can produce more stem cells and also self-renew. The stem cells can be classified into two main categories; they are Embryonic Stem Cells and Adult Stem Cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells:

Embryonic stem cells are those cells which are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts.  Blastocyst is a structure found in mammals and is formed in the early embryogenesis.  These consists of inner cell mass called embryoblast, which later on forms the embryo.  The outer layer of cells called trophoblast forms the placenta.  The trophoblast surrounds the inner cell mass and a fluid-filled blastocyst cavity known as the blastocoele or the blastocystic cavity. The human blastocyst comprises 70-100 embryonic stem cells which are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts.

Adult Stem Cells:

Adult stem cells are found in various tissues of the body.  In the adult body, stem cells and progenitor cells (a progenitor cell is a biological cell that, like a stem cell, has a tendency to differentiate into a specific type of cell, but is already more specific than a stem cell and is pushed to differentiate into its “target” cell) act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues.  In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells, but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.

Stem cells preserved can later be used for cell culture (to grow or multiply) through artificial cell culture and transformed into specialized cell types with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture.  Stem cells can be sourced from various parts of the body of the individual.  The most prominent sources are the umbilical cord, blood and bone marrow.  The three sources of adult stem cells are bone marrow, adipose tissue and blood.  Stem cells from bone marrow are collected by drilling into the bone, usually the femur (thigh bone) or iliac crest.  Stem cells are extracted from adipose tissue by way of liposuction.  Stem cells from blood require extraction through pheresis, wherein blood is drawn from the donor and passed through a machine that extracts the stem cells and returns other portions of the blood to the donor.

The best of stem cells are of one’s own.  Stem cell which are autologous (i.e. one’s own stem cells) harvested involves very least risk.  It is one of the primary reasons for preserving stem cells from umbilical cord just as one may bank his or her own blood for elective surgical procedures.

Potential uses of Stem Cell in treatment:

Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Traumatic brain injury
Stroke
Baldness
Blindness
Deafness
Missing teeth
Bone marrow transplantation
Spinal cord injury
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Learning defects
Myocardial infarction
Muscular dystrophy
Diabetes
Various types of cancer
Crohn’s disease and many more diseases.

The possibilities of healthcare with stem cell therapy and treatment seems to be expanding with the medical fraternity and researchers.  Although, the acceptability is yet to gain proportions but it sure is becoming more popular in many countries across the globe.  And there are few stem cell labs set up to preserve and grow them whenever required.  It may soon be the most popular treatment option for many diseases for the coming generation.

Can a drug kill cancer cells and give relief to cancer patients?  

The international team of scientists felt that the radical drug will bring fresh hope to patients with aggressive and deadly tumors and the drug KG5 could be made available in as little as five years in pill form.  Lead scientist Prof. David Cheresh says that the drug “blocks the function of proliferation” and the malignant cells commit suicide when they can’t multiply. Proved effective in tests against pancreatic, breast and kidney cancers, it could well have a positive effect on a broad range of other tumours.

The cancer treatment drug KG5 has been found to work in a different way compared to traditional therapies which works by altering the structure of a cancer growth protein, an enzyme known as RAF.  The protein has been long studied, but its role in cell division – critical to cell proliferation and tumour growth – came as a surprise.  The cancer treatments existing currently and are used to treat cancer patients normally block RAF’s activity, but KG5 changes the entire shape of the protein and neutralizes it without leading to unwanted side-effects. As to clinical trials, KG5 has so far, only been tested in animals and tissue samples taken from patients.

Further, the team has developed variants of KG5 supposed to be 100 times more powerful than the original cancer treatment drug.  And the team hopes that these powerful compounds will enter clinical trials on humans at Moores Cancer Center in San Diego within 18 months.  Cancer treatment for various types may, in the next few years, be through pills and the cancer patients may find this alternative to be the best.

A visit to orthodontist helps the patient make a treatment plan according to the stages and growth pattern of teeth and jaw size.   Listed below are top 7 reasons why you must visit an orthodontist.

Timely screening: When the jaw is growing and the teeth begin to show up, several transitional stages have to be witnessed between the growth of primary teeth and their replacement by permanent teeth.  Therefore, it is advisable to visit an orthodontist periodically between the age of 6-12 years, so as to monitor the growth and development of teeth. Visiting orthodontist or dentist during this time, can improve results and reduce the need for extractions if treatment for orthodontic teeth is required.

Premature loss of deciduous teeth:   The deciduous or milk teeth start to exfoliate by the age of 6 years, starting with the lower Central Incisor. By the age of 12 years, all the teeth in the jaw are mostly permanent.  If the deciduous teeth falls off prematurely that a visit to the dentist is a must.  And once permanent teeth is formed, i.e. around the age of 12 to 13 years, and if the teeth are grown and seated properly there wont be much of a problem in the coming years.  But, if the teeth overlap, or gaps are seen between teeth then orthodontics can help to fix this problem.

Crowding of teeth: Crowding is a dental problem, wherein teeth are crookedly arranged as there isn’t enough space for the teeth to seat evenly without overlapping one another on the jaw.  This also makes it difficult while brushing or flossing in these clustered areas,  resulting in gum problems and calculus deposition.

Protrusion of teeth: Abnormal protrusion of teeth is not only aesthetically undesirable; it makes the exposed front teeth increasingly prone to trauma and accidental chipping.  It may also be an indication of abnormal and unsynchronized growth of the jaws.  Such jaw discrepancy can be corrected through orthodontic  and it is best if treatment for the same begins during the growth spurt period, usually during 14-16 years in males and during 11-13 years for females.

Improper bite:  When the upper teeth overlap lower teeth vertically and horizontally and the biting pattern is abnormal,  it is advisable to visit an orthodontist.  If the vertical overlap is excessive, it is called a deep bite.  If there is no overlap, it is called an open bite.  If the lower teeth overlap any of the upper teeth, this relation is known as a cross bite.

Para-functional habits: During the initial years of teeth growth, if the child has habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting between upper and lower teeth, this can lead to an open bite.  And the child may find it difficult to  speak fluently.  Also, on the other hand, bruxism or grinding of teeth at night can cause attrition and a deep bite.  These habits can be controlled using habit breaking appliances which are a part of preventive orthodontics and visiting orthodontist will make things better.

The ugly duckling stage:   This is a transient self-correcting malocclusion which appears as a broad space or flaring between the upper two central incisors. This occurs due to pressure from the erupting canines. This condition is common in ages 8-9 years old and does not require any orthodontic treatment.

Whatever the reason may be out of the above reasons, do not ignore visiting an orthodontist either for you or your dear ones, as it may help gain a nice smile curvature and re-align teeth.  If you need help to find an orthodontist, click here and fill in the online form with minimum details.  You will be contacted by some of the best dentists across the globe.

Breast cancer if detected early, enhances chances for complete recovery.  And women must know if they are susceptible to breast cancer by checking themselves periodically.  The estimate of women afflicted with breast cancer is one in seven.  During the initial stages, breast cancer shows no symptoms and goes undetected.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer to watch out are;

• A lump in the breast or in the underarm region that persists after menstrual cycle.  Since, lumps are usually painless, don’t ignore – consult a doctor.
• Pain or tenderness in the breast.
• Itching or prickly sensation in the breast region.
• Swelling in the armpit.
• Difference in size of breasts which was not there earlier.
• Change in texture of breast skin – such as roughness, puckering or dimpling.
• Appearance of hardened tissue.
• Discharge of blood.

Simply Check Yourself:

-    When in Shower:

During your bath time, spare few minutes and examine yourself by raising your right arm over your head and check right breast by running your left hand finger pads.   Gently press all over and see if you find any lump or hardened tissue.  Similarly, repeat for the left breast with your right hand.

-   Mirror Check:

Stand in front of a mirror, and check for visible changes such as roughness, puckering or dimpling.  Check for any size difference or any discharge on breast.  Also, raise both arms alternatively over your head and check each side by running finger pads on the breasts.

-  Rest and Check:

Lie down on your back and place one hand behind your head and check the breast with other hand using circular, up and down movements covering entire breast area including underarm and shoulder bone.  Do the same for the other breast using opposite hand.

Detecting breast cancer early and prevention of its growth is one of the best ways for a total recovery.  Stages of breast cancer are

Stage 1 – Beginning of cancer, unsuspected by the patient, where only few cells begin multiplying.

Stage 2 – Lump can be found under observation.  Lump will be no larger than 1 cm. and will be inside basement membrane.

Stage 3 – Lump begins to grow and will be between 1 to 2 cm. and spreads to the lymph nodes.  Or the lump is larger than 2 cm. but has not spread to lymph nodes.

Stage 4 – Lump is larger than 2 cm. and has spread to lymph nodes as well.

Stage 5 – Spreads to skin, chest wall, ribs, muscles, inner lymph nodes.

Stage 6 – Breast cancer lump spreads to other parts of the body – such as the other breast, bone, lungs, liver etc.

It is important that any sign or stage of breast cancer, the patient needs medical care and consulting with a specialist who deals with breast cancer or an oncologist.  If you have any queries or need expert’s advice or if you think you need help click here fill in the form, specialists will get back to you.