Archive for August, 2009

Are You Worried that your Hemorrhoid Symptoms Could be Something Else?

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Hemorrhoids are a very common problem that many people deal with, but there are times when everyone should be checked. Simple, hemorrhoid-like symptoms may be something else entirely, and early detection of  a medical problem can make a world of difference in the long run.

What Are Symptoms That Need Medical Attention?

There are a few symptoms that should alert you to the possibility of something more than just a simple hemorrhoid flair-up. Some of these include rectal bleeding and distinct changes in bowl movements. There may also be constipation and diarrhea that can coincide with the bleeding, or appear as a symptom on its own. These are common symptoms of many different illnesses so it is important to take note of odd symptoms as they occur.

Keeping a personal medical diary is a good idea for any recurring symptom. By writing down the time, place, duration and degree that a symptom occurs, you can help make the diagnosis process much easier.

Who Is At Risk?

Anyone can be at risk for colon and rectal cancer. There are some factors that do increase the possibility that a person could face this issue. Some of these factors include family history, particularly parents or siblings. Age can also play a role in whether or not a person could be at risk. Most people that are diagnosed with rectal or colon cancer will be forty years old or more, so it’s important that anyone over this age is checked at least once a year. Cancer of other organs may also play a role in individuals who may be at risk– particularly with breast and uterine cancers.

Minimally Invasive Procedures FL Can Help

Minimally Invasive Procedures, or MIP, can be used to find polyps that could be cancerous before they become a real threat. Minimally Invasive Surgery can be used to remove the polyps with a quick and efficient method that allows the patient to recover and return to normal activities in a matter of days. Either procedure is done with a small camera that provides a picture of the colon and can detect polyps before they become too large to easily remove. During minimally invasive surgery, cameras are inserted by making small incisions and then inserting them through small tubes that are inserted into the skin to provide a passage way for the camera. Everything is seen on a monitor and small instruments are inserted into the body to perform the surgical procedure. Samples of tissue can be taken or small polyps can be removed altogether.

The recovery time for this procedure is less than half of the time it takes to heal from traditional surgery. Smaller incisions mean less chance of infection, less blood loss, and minimal scarring.  If the patient is in the Florida area, Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery of South Florida is the best place to ask any questions that they may have about this kind of surgery. If you have any concerns or have been experiencing symptoms, call our offices today.

Some individuals are constantly looking for symptoms, while others would rather ignore them. Neither one is the correct approach. Develop a sensible balance and be proactive about your health. Farrah Fawcett had a long and trying battle with anal cancer and revealed to the world the battle she went through. Keeping this in mind, be sure to take proper preventive measures and schedule regular examinations.

Go to www.floridacolonandrectaldoctors.com for more information and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Belizon.

Posted in Colon Surgery South Florida, Diverticulitis Facts, Hemorrhoid Symptoms, Minimally Invasive Florida Doctors | 2 Comments »

Minimally Invasive Gall Bladder Surgery: Important Facts

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Removal of the gallbladder, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is the most common major surgery performed in the United States today. The minimally invasive surgical method, which became widely accepted in the medical community in the late 1980′s, evolved from a desire to perform the surgery in a way that was much easier on the patient. This newer, more efficient method is now the most trusted procedure. Involving only four small incisions, minimally invasive gall bladder surgery is the least scarring and is generally performed as outpatient surgery.

If you are in Florida and in need of gall bladder removal surgery, rest assured that the procedure has been perfected by our highly trained medical staff.  More information is available at http://www.floridacolonandrectaldoctors.com

What You Can Expect from Your Surgical Procedure

Unnecessary anxiety can be dispelled by having the proper information. Once a diagnosis has been made and it has been determined that laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder is the best option, you can expect the following events to take place:

  • You will be treated as an outpatient and will most likely return home the same day as your surgery
  • General anesthesia will be used for this surgery, which lasts about two hours
  • Four small abdominal incisions will be made to allow insertion of the necessary instruments to remove the gallbladder
  • The incisions will be covered with a small band-aid after the procedure and you should only experience minimal bleeding
  • You will experience minimal pain, minimal scarring, and should be able to resume normal activities within a few days

Gallbladder Surgery Diet

Following the surgery, patients can expect to follow a low-fat diet for a period of time. The body needs time to recover from the organ loss. Foods to avoid after gallbladder surgery include fried and spicy foods, red meat and pork, dairy products, any juices that are acidic, and all beverages that are caffeinated or contain alcohol.

Fats will gradually be allowed back into the diet, and eventually, no severe dietary restrictions should be necessary.  Of course it is always wise to choose a well balanced diet, high in fiber, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Once the gallbladder has been removed, the bile duct slowly enlarges and eventually assumes the bile-storage role that was once the job of the gallbladder. Once this process is complete, the body returns to operating normally.

Gallbladder Surgery Recovery

The main benefit of minimally invasive laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is the reduced recovery time involved. When the traditional surgery was still the norm, a hospital stay of several days and pain management was required. A large incision needed weeks to heal and had to be watched closely to avoid infection.

With today’s methods, you’ll be back to your normal routine within a few days and lingering pain should not be a concern. This is primarily due to the fact that the abdominal muscles are not cut through, as they once were during the traditional procedure.

Directly following the surgery, some patients may experience abdominal pain, muscle aches from the anesthesia, minor inflammation at the incision areas, and possible nausea.

Overall, your gallbladder surgery recovery time shouldn’t last more than a week to ten days.

Posted in Colon Surgery South Florida, Gall Bladder Surgery, Minimally Invasive Florida Doctors | 2 Comments »