Young Shark Blog

Archive for the ‘Surgery’ Category

There are so many options for acne treatment on the market. On one end there are several different types of medication and topical treatments, on the other there are various different natural or organic products. But, do all these products work? Well, most of these products do deliver on their promises. But, the key point being that there is no one size fits all solution in the area of acne treatment. This is understandable because everyone doesn’t have the same skin type either. To address these needs various different laser treatment providers have sprung up all over the place.

A quick recap of how pimples are formed

Our skin has tiny pores connected to oil producing glands underneath the skin. These glands produce oils that moves dead skin cells to the skin surface. The ‘pipe’ that is connecting the pore to the gland clog up due to excess oil production. This results in the formation of pimples. There are different varieties of this problem and each has a different name – blackheads, whiteheads, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea etc. You will definitely want to consult a dermatologist to understand your condition.

Now, coming back to our main discussion. The procedure for the laser treatment is fairly straightforward. A very powerful, high-speed and extremely accurate laser is controlled by the laser technician. So, what does the beam do? The beam destroys the specific excess oil producing glands that are under the skin and destroy any existing bacteria in these areas.

Sounds simple enough. Now, you might be wondering if this is all there is to it. Well of course not. As with any other medical procedure you should be aware of certain drawbacks of laser treatment.

* At times, one treatment isn’t enough. It’s hard to predict whether all the excess oil producing glands and bacteria have been taken care of. So, you might have to go through the procedure a couple of times till you are able to achieve the desired result.

* The other problem is that this treatment is expensive. The cost ranges depending on the experience of the provider, quality of the laser facilities etc. So, bear in mind that this might not be a one-time deal when you are shopping for laser treatment providers.

So, there you have it. Both sides of the story. While it is easy to measure the drawbacks in monetary terms, it is hard to measure how much the self-esteem of the individual is raised once this procedure is completed successfully. That feeling is one word – priceless!

In contemplating surgery as a last resort for tinnitus treatment, you should perhaps think about this option a hundred times over. You should be aware that tinnitus surgery involves cutting the eighth nerve in your auditory system without guarantee that the process will relieve you of your discomfort.

In fact, tinnitus surgery has been criticized by many medical practitioners as a destructive procedure which only has a 40% showing in terms of improvement.

About fifty-five percent of those who resorted to surgery as tinnitus treatment still experience the same symptoms; others claim that it only worsened their uneasiness.

Surgery as tinnitus treatment will also include the placing of cochlear implants after the eighth nerve has been cut. The severance of the nerve will of course cause impairment or partial hearing loss, thus implants have also been recommended to improve the patient’s post surgical conditions.

The argument provided as benefits of tinnitus surgery is that the vestibular nerve in the middle ear will relieve the patient of his dizziness or vertigo. The term vestibular refers to the ear canal in the middle ear section of the human auditory system.

However, the tinnitus treatment involving surgery is said to be in relation to the medical establishment of a tumor in the middle ear area. The hissing and ringing sound is said to stem from a medical condition known as acoustic neuroma or non-malignant tumor of the eighth cranial nerve.

Nevertheless, the possibility of developing acoustic neuroma in one’s lifetime is said to be a 1/1000 and most often occur in adults. Still, there are those who contend that the present medical trend shows that there is a rising prevalence in acoustic neuroma in as much as tinnitus has now afflicted millions in a global scale.

Causes of Acoustic Neuroma

There are those who believe that acoustic tumor leading to tinnitus disorder arises from cell phone radiation. This belief however has had no medical evidences yet as of present.

Medical researches have pinpointed to what is called as Neurofibromatosis II or NF2 as the leading cause of acoustic tumor leading to tinnitus disorder.

This is said to be a genetic disorder where the patient has an innate deficiency in producing a protein called merlin. This substance has a significant role of wrapping insulation in the nerve cells as a way of controlling cell growth and movement.

The long and short of it is that merlin is known in the medical world as a tumor suppressor protein. Mutations in NF2 is said to be inherited from one of two parents. Hence, only those medical practitioners who specialize in ear and hearing disorders may recommend surgery as form of tinnitus treatment.

In case, you are badly bothered by your tinnitus, it would be best to seek consultation from an otologist who will employ the use of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan. This will determine whether acoustic neuroma exists; hence, surgery will be recommended as tinnitus treatment.

One of the manifestations of the lipodystrophy syndrome is the Buffalo Hump deformity. While it occurs mostly in patients with HIV on antiviral medications, it can also be associated with chronic steroid use, such as in asthma patients. Occurring in both men and women, its predominant feature is the fat accumulation at the back of the neck and upper back. Fat accumulation can extend around the neck to the jawline and even around the ears. While unsightly, it also causes functional issues such as neck stiffness and pain and difficulty with the fitting of clothes around the neck.

Why this fat accumulation occurs is not precisely known, but it is a thickening of the subcutaneous fat layer between the skin and the underlying muscle or bone. This fat is unique in that it is very fibrous in quality, meaning it is a mixture of fat and scar tissue that makes it more difficult to remove than many other fat sites in the body.

Liposuction is the preferred method in many cases for removal of the buffalo hump as the scarring is minimal which is an important consideration around the neck and face. Liposuction avoids the need for a long incision on the neck and upper back, has a lower risk of postoperative fluid collections, and does not require the use of drains. This fat is surprisingly gritty and tough to remove and traditional liposuction methods can be quite disappointing. Or at the least, requires a lot of work to get much out. For these reasons, ultrasonic liposuction is my preferred technique. This does better than traditional cannula methods in this type of fat. I have not yet used laser liposuction methods but I would expect them to be effective, but am unsure if they would be more effective than an ultrasonic method.

Ultrasonic liposuction can provide significant improvement but can not get all of the excessive fatty tissue. Expect improvement but not a complete cure of the problem. No long-term studies have ever been done that can substantiate how permanent the results from liposuction reduction of the buffalo hump are.

Fat around the front part of neck up into the face can be part of the buffalo hump or can also occur in Madelung’s disease. Open excisions of fatty tissue around the face, jawline, and ears works better than liposuction in my experience. The facial areas and front part of the neck are more difficult to treat with liposuction and usually less satisfying. Unlike liposuction, however, open excisions are associated with postoperative fluid collections (seromas) and the use of drains is needed. Open excision is done through a facelift type approach, placing the scars in the most favorable location.

Before you undergo any plastic surgery treatment, there are plenty of questions you need to have answered. It is customary to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon as you start to consider a particular procedure.

This is a great time to ask lots of questions to make sure this is the right treatment for your wants and needs. Here are some of the important things you should ask your doctor at your consultation:

* Is your physician board certified?

Specifically you should ask if she has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, as this is a sign that the surgeon has been required to obtain special training and complete so many hours in that specialty. There are other certifying boards as well, but the ABSP is the most commonly known and trusted authority.

* Does your surgeon have hospital privileges?

While you may have your procedure done in an outpatient facility, most highly skilled and qualified surgeons will have privileges with a nearby hospital that allow them to perform work there and to transport patients there if the need arises.

* How often has the surgeon performed the plastic surgery you want?

The more times the better, usually. More times means more experience and more practice to get it just right. A new surgeon can be very good as well, but you may want to ask him for as many before and after pictures of his procedures as possible to make sure you trust his work.

* What type of anesthesia will be necessary?

There are generally two options, general or local. General is the kind that makes you unconscious of the entire procedure but it is also riskier than local anesthetic. Local means only the area to be operated on will be numbed and you will be awake for the procedure.

While this is the safer option, some surgeries cannot be performed without general anesthesia. Just make sure you are okay with the type to be used and that you are not a high risk patient for that type.

* Can your surgeon refer you to some former patients for testimonials?

Most surgeons are willing to do this. It is nice to talk to previous patients to get their perspective on this procedure and how it went for them. They can also be a great source of answers to many of your questions.

You will certainly have many more questions, and you should choose a plastic surgeon that you feel comfortable enough with to continue to ask questions throughout the entire process.

If you have moderate to severe acne, chances are that you will experience some scarring once the blemishes heal. Acne scars can leave your skin looking and feeling rough, making you appear older than your true age. Fortunately, with all of the advances in dermatology, you do not have to endure severe acne scarring forever. Depending on the severity of your scars and your personal preference, we can help you decide whether to opt for cosmetic surgery or a more natural acne scar treatment.

What are the options for natural acne scar treatment?

For mild acne scarring, topical medications containing all-natural ingredients are a good place to start. You can purchase natural exfoliating cleansers from your local pharmacy or discount store to gently scrub away the outer layers of skin, leaving you with a smoother, more even complexion.

You can also create your own natural acne scar treatment from household items; apple cider vinegar, for example, is an excellent exfoliant. Try diluting vinegar with water and dab the solution on the affected area with a cotton ball; a poultice made from a combination of fresh lavender and chamomile can also reduce the appearance of scarring.

How can surgery help eliminate the appearance of acne scars?

There are a number of different options for treating scars using a cosmetic procedure:

With filler injections, your dermatologist can insert a collagen-like substance under your scars, plumping out the skin and giving it a more even appearance; Laser resurfacing can remove the damaged skin and stimulate the growth of healthy tissue; Dermabrasion uses a special machine to shear away the affected tissue, allowing new, healthy skin to grow in its place.

How do I know which option is best for me?

If you have severe scarring, or you have tried natural treatments without success, you may want to consider a cosmetic procedure. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist; he or she can help you determine which procedure is best for your condition. Keep in mind that surgery can be somewhat expensive; it can also entail a moderate amount of down time while you recover, and you may need to schedule several sessions to achieve the desired results.

Where can I learn more about treating my acne scars?

Also referred as plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery is more of a surgical beauty treatment for men and women. Cosmetic surgery is a vast array of surgeries and procedures that rectify abnormalities in the features of human beings. There could abnormalities in body parts as well as obesity and scars that are rectified by plastic surgeries. plastic surgery is often availed for beauty treatment. Basically it is beautification physical features like ear, nose and face etc.

The types of procedures offered by cosmetic surgery clinic are as follows:
o Liposculpture
o Breast Reduction & Lift
o Breast Implant & Augmentation
o Tummy Tuck Operation
o Nose Surgery
o Face Lift Surgery
o Eyelid Surgery
o Brow lift
o Facial Implants
o Scar Revision
o Scar Revision
o RF Surgery
o Gynecomastia
o Arm Lift Surgery
o Ear Flap Surgery

The surgeries for cosmetic changes are often costly and are performed by expert plastic surgeon with years of experience. The procedure are minimal usually performed under local anesthesia but sometimes they can be lengthy and with post operative risks. Most opted for surgeries for cosmetic changes is tummy tuck operation or abdominoplasty and Breast augmentation. The tummy tuck operation is an instance of a major surgery in order to reduce protruding abdomen. Breast augmentation is a procedure to enlarge small breast usually with silicon gel implants.

Another form of plastic surgery is reconstructive which deals with physical flaws such as misshaped lips, breast, nose or ear flaps. Reconstructive surgery is performed by an expert plastic surgeon. It is carried out in order to make corrective changes on misshapen and outgrown body parts.

Cosmetic plastic is often costly and sometimes fraught with risks. The procedures can be short and quick else lengthy. The cost of plastic surgery is less in countries like India and the expertise is of World standard. There are many clinics and medical centers that offers this surgery and they are popular for medical tourists that come for operations from many countries.