Category: Surgery Blog Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Answers

For Kidney Conditions, When Should You See an Urologist or Nephrologist?

A common question from patients is when do you see an urologist or a nephrologist for kidney problems? This can be somewhat confusing as both doctors treat conditions of the kidneys.

The Answer: It depends on what condition is present.

Urologists treat conditions of the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder and kidneys. However, urologists only treat particular conditions of the kidneys. They can perform surgery, remove cancerous cells, and eliminate kidney stones. However, the internal medicine subspecialty, Nephrology, treats kidney function disorders.

Nephrologists are trained to treat conditions that affect the function of the kidneys. There are many conditions that can affect the kidneys including hypertension, fluid retention, electrolyte imbalance, and lupus or other autoimmune diseases.

The doctors at Comprehensive Urology treat kidney conditions including kidney stones, blockages, kidney cancer, and kidney infections. If you are suffering from any of these kidney conditions, call (310) 278-8330 today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert urologists.

Recent study shows PSA tests have helped decrease prostate cancer deaths

A recent study published what many urologists already know – PSA tests for prostate cancer save lives. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that while the incidence of prostate cancer has not decreased in the past 20 years, the death rate from the disease has decreased a staggering 40%.

PSA, prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced in the prostate. A PSA test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. High levels of PSA may indicate the presence of cancer. If a PSA test comes back high, you will to undergo further evaluation for prostate cancer.

It is important for males to begin prostate cancer screenings at age 40 because many patients don’t experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. If the cancer is detected early, it is much easier to treat.

There is some conflict among organizations as to what screening method is best and whether PSA tests are necessary, but we suggest it is best to utilize the PSA test as it can potentially save your life. At Comprehensive Urology, our doctors will evaluate your family history, age, risk factors, and previous cancer screening results, in addition to screening you to ensure you are taking every preventive measure possible.

If you are over the age of 40, please begin screening for prostate cancer. Call (310)278-8330 today to schedule your PSA test.

New and Innovative Surgical Technique for Minimally Invasive Brow Lifting

Dr. Guy Massry, Beverly Hills Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, has just published results on an innovative surgical technique for minimally invasive brow lifting.

Dr. Guy Massry, Beverly Hills Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, has just published results on a new and innovative surgical technique for minimally invasive brow lifting. Dr. Massry has named the procedure “The External Browpexy.”

The procedure is easy to learn, as it employs standard surgical techniques, with most cosmetic surgeons adapting to the technique quickly after a short period of observation.

Dr. Massry’s goal was to develop a brow lifting procedure which was quick, relatively complication free, can be performed under local anesthesia, and yield excellent results with high patient satisfaction. The “External Browpexy” has done just this.

Dr. Massry first introduced the procedure (with all data and surgical outcomes) at last year’s fall meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryMassry(ASOPRS) in Orlando, Florida. The presentation was well received and adopted by many in the field. Dr. Massry later presented the technique at the Cedars Sinai Annual Multidisciplinary Cosmetic Surgery Scientific Symposium in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Massry then submitted the technique for peer reviewed publication. It was accepted for publication at the end of 2011 and has come to press this month, being published in the journal Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (OPRS), the only scientific peer reviewed journal for ophthalmic plastic surgery. Dr. Massry is proud to present the technique to the general medical and surgical community.

This recent innovation is born out of a continuing effort by DrMassry to improve the field of Ophthalmic Plastic &Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Massry is also active making comprehensive information available to anyone consideringophthalmic plastic surgery (such as brow lift surgery, blepharoplasty surgery, eyelid fat grafting, eyelid fillers and reconstructive eyelid surgery) through his website and social network pages. Please visit www.drmassry.com. Comprehensive information on these subjects are also available in Dr. Massry’s most recent textbook in the field titled “Master Techniques inBlepharoplasty and Periorbital Rejuvenation”
http://www.springer.com/medicine/ophthalmology/book/978-1-4614-0066-0.

Cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery is a practice which requires a specialist to get the best results. Beverly Hills cosmetic eyelid surgeon, Dr. Guy Massry, has years of experience with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty, canthoplasty, ptosis repair, eyelid fat grafting, eyelid fat repositioning, etc.) and would be happy to evaluate your specific needs for enhancing your appearance. He practices reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery, reconstructive ophthalmic plastic surgery, cosmetic wrinkle treatment, and more in Los Angeles, West Hills, and Beverly Hills, California.

Soda: Harming more than just your teeth and waistline

It is well known that the high sugar content in soda can cause cavities in your teeth and expand your waistlines, but did you know that consuming soft drinks might also increase your risk for asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

A recent study examined approximately 17,000 people aged 16 and older in South Australia. Participants were asked about their consumption of soft drinks (such as soda, flavored mineral water, lemonade, Powerade and Gatorade).

Over 10% of participants reported on average the drink more than half a liter of soft drinks per day.

Researchers found that 13.3% of the participants with asthma and 15.6% of those with COPD consumed more than half a liter of soft drinks per day. This showed that people who consumed at least a half a liter of soft drinks a day were 1.2 times more likely to have asthma and 1.7 times more likely to have COPD than those who did not consume soft drinks.

The researchers concluded that the risk was dose-related, meaning the more soft drinks consumed, the greater the odds of having COPD or asthma. However, this study merely points out an associate, but does not establish a cause and effect relationship.

This study emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet to prevent chronic diseases like asthma and COPD.

Artificial hips don’t slow this doctor down

Despite a double hip replacement surgery six years ago, La Peer Health Systems anesthesiologist, Dr. Calvin Johnson, is just as mobile as he was in his prime.

Dr. Johnson spent his Super Bowl XLVI morning running his first race with his two artificial hips. He had a great time at the 10k race and finished in under an hour!

Like many, Dr. Johsnon was very active in his youth and continued to stay active into his 40s. At 40 he started experiencing hip pain and by 46 the pain was there 24/7. Not only did this threaten his active lifestyle, but it also had an impact on his career.

In 2006, he decided to undergo a double hip replacement, which substituted his arthritic joints with manmade joints.

Dr. Johnson returned to work 9 days after surgery and returned to his active lifestyle and works out 4 months later.

Today his hips are still pain free and allow him to live life as actively as he wants!

Anesthesia Options

There are various different types of anesthesia that can be used, but do you know exactly what each option means for you?

Topical anesthesia generally refers to eye drops that numb the eye for cataract surgery. It generally takes 20 minutes for the area to become numb after applying the eye drops. Patients may potentially experience some irritation or dryness afterwards.

Local anesthesia can be utilized with or without anesthesia sedation.  If used while the patient is awake, he or she may experience some pain during the injection itself, but within minutes the affected site will be numb. However, if anesthesia sedation is given, patients will be unaware of the injection. When the anesthesia is injected into the area that will be treated, it temporarily blocks the transmission of nerve impulses and motor functions in that specific area. Potential side effects include some swelling from the injections.

Local anesthesia while the patient is awake commonly includes pain blocks and certain podiatry cases.  While procedures such as hernia repair, colorectal procedures, and some orthopedic surgeries require sedation.

Regional anesthesia is a safe method of anesthesia, which, in some cases, may be used as an alternative to general anesthesia, but more often is used in conjunction with general anesthesia for excellent post-operative pain management. Regional anesthesia involves the injection of local anesthetics around nerve groups, which correspond to the area of surgical concern. It thenblocks a group of nerves so that pain cannot reach the brain. This is generally used in large areas like the arms and legs. A potential side effect is not being able to move normally until the anesthesia has completely worn off.

Regional anesthesia is mainly used in orthopedic surgeries involving shoulder and upper extremities, hip and lower extremities.

General anesthesia has been administered safely to millions of patients over the past century.  Although alternatives exist to general anesthesia, in many cases general anesthesia remains the most commonly used form of anesthesia in modern medicine, and can be safely given to the vast majority of patients in an outpatient setting. General anesthesia is either administered via inhalation through a breathing tube, or an IV and causes the patient to be unconscious during surgery to inhibit pain throughout the entire body. Each patient’s experience with anesthesia is unique and depends on the patient’s health and the type of anesthesia used. Potential side effects can include a sore or irritated throat and nausea when you wake up.

General anesthesia is used in most major surgeries.

If you have any questions about the type of anesthesia that will be used prior to your procedure and La Peer, do not hesitate to call us at 855.360.9119. We will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you feel comfortable with your anesthesia plan.

Is cell phone radiation actually dangerous?

Most of us have our cell phones within arms length at all hours of the day. And at one time, we have all heard that the radiation from cell phones could cause tumors, but we continue to use our phones non-stop anyway. So what does the research actually say about this?

Despite years of studies, the answer to this question is still unclear.

The majority of the research has shown no clear relationship between a cell phones’ weak radiation and tumors. However, some experts recommend using a headset or Bluetooth device when possible because it can greatly reduce radiation exposure.

Despite no evidence of a link between cell phones and tumors, you might as well get yourself a Bluetooth because the jury is still out on this one. Researchers plan to continue studying the effects of cell phone radiation on the body until they can come to more conclusive results.

Cancer Rates in the United States are Decreasing

According to a new study released by the American Cancer Society, cancer death rates have been decreasing between 2004 and 2008. The study found that cancer rates have dropped 1.8% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women.

The report attributes advances in cancer screenings and treatment to the prevention of more than a million deaths from cancer since the early 1990s.

Many of the La Peer physicians specialize in various cancer screenings and treatments. If you have a history of cancer in your family, you should begin screenings at an early age in order to increase the odds of detecting cancer at an early, treatable stage.

La Peer surgeons are all experts in their given fields and use the most advanced cancer treatment solutions available.

Guide to Cancer Screenings

Most women know to get a pap smear once a year.  Some people know they are supposed to get a mole check yearly, but did you know there also several other cancer screenings you should have done?

Regular cancer screenings are vital to protecting your health. The doctors at La Peer Health Systems recommend preventative screenings because finding cancer early greatly increases the chance for successful treatment.

While each patient has individual cancer screening needs, based on the family history of cancer, here is a general guide to when and how often you should be seeing your doctor for screenings:

Type of Cancer Who needs to be screened? When do I need to be screened?
Breast All women
  • Start self breast examinations at the age of 20 and repeat them monthly
  • Clinical breast exam should occur every 3 years
  • Schedule your first mammogram around the age of 40 and repeat the breast cancer screening every 1-2 years
Cervical All women aged 18 and over
  • Schedule annual pap smears to check for cervical cancer. After 3 normal tests, you can be screened every 1-3 years
Colorectal Men and women 50 years old and over.

African American men and women should start screenings at age 45.

  • Fecal occult blood test once a year
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
  • Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
  • Schedule a colonoscopy every 10 years to be screened for colorectal cancer
Prostate Men 40 years old and over
  • Schedule a prostate cancer screening every year
Skin Men and women 20 years old and over
  • Self skin checks once a month
  • Skin exams with a dermatologist annually

Can circumcision prevent STDs later in life?

Deciding whether or not to circumcise an infant can be a difficult decision for new parents.

Research shows that having your baby boy circumcised, the surgical removal of the penis foreskin, has health benefits. The risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, such as genital herpes or HPV, is reduced in men who are circumcised.

How does circumcision prevent STDs?

  1. By removing the foreskin, the skin covering the head of the penis becomes tougher. This may protect against “microtears” during sex that con provide a point of entry for germs.
  2. The mucosal lining of the penile foreskin may provide a moist environment for herpes and HPV to survive and penetrate cells on the skin’s surface.
  3. After sex, the foreskin may prolong the time that skin is exposed to germs.

Some argue against circumcision, stating that it is an unnecessary surgical procedure that may pose risks, including reduce sexual sensitivity in adulthood. However, with today’s advanced medical technology, the risks of circumcision are minimal.

Circumcision remains a personal decision, whether it is the parents of a newborn or an adult male himself, and prior to the procedure the benefits vs. the risks should be examined.

Please remember that circumcision alone is not a way to prevent STDs, safe sex practices, such as condoms, are still necessary to provide protection.

Biological Age vs. Chronological Age

Scientifically, humans should be able to live to the age of 120 years. But how many people do you know that lived to see 120 or, for that matter, even 90 years old? Studies have found that Humans are not living as long as we possibly could because of poor diet and over-exposure to excessive toxins, carcinogens and stress.

Biologists are able to determine “biological” results from looking at an individual’s telomere. The telomere acts as a cap that holds the DNA strands together in our cells. Each time a cell reproduces, the telomere gets shorter, and when it gets too short, the DNA strands fall apart and the cell dies.  By measuring the length of the telomere, doctors can figure out how much time the cells have left before they die, and thus how much you have aged.

While looking at the telomere of a specific cell cannot accurately determine the precise age of all cells in your body, it does provide a relative indication of how fast you are aging overall. If your telomeres are shorter than the average length for your age group, you are more pre-disposed toward age-related illness, like cancer or heart disease. The presence of short telomeres should act as a warning sign, prompting you to make some lifestyle changes, including a better diet, more exercise, more sleep and an increase of vitamin supplements.

Do you think your biological age matches your chronological age? If not, you should consider making some lifestyle changes to prevent pre-mature aging and lower your risk of age-related disease.

3D Imaging Allows Patients to View Potential Post-Surgery Results

Wondering what you will look like after reconstructive surgery? With the help of advanced 3D imaging technology you can see the potential outcome during your consultation with your surgeon.

Whether you are undergoing plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons or for facial reconstruction purposes, including facial paralysis and facial trauma surgery, 3D modeling technology can be used to show you your post-surgery appearance.

The doctor will take your picture and then use the 3D imaging software to simulate a variety of surgical results. The 3D model can be viewed from all angles and allows for side-by-side comparisons and translucent overlays. Together, you and your doctor can look over the images, discuss which results you prefer and address any concerns you may have about the outcome.

3D imaging is truly a break through in the field of plastic surgery. If you are considering reconstructive surgery, you should contact La Peer to learn more about the benefits of 3D imaging.