Archive for April, 2008

Retinal Detachment Surgery - The Truth About Retinal Surgery

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Detached retinas can be a huge issue however, before one gets to the stage where they are battling a retina that becomes detached, there are several warning signs which shouldn’t be ignored.

So what is the retina and what does it do? In a nutshell, the retina acts as the go between completing the vision cycle by sending messages to the brain, optic nerve or nervous system. It’s role is priceless.

Problems with retinal detachment occur when the retina separates from the eye surface and when this occurs, retinal surgery is necessary. Many people get a little nervous when retinal surgery is mentioned as the main option but it’s really not as bad as it sounds.

The benefits are huge. For example, surgery to correct a detached retina can minimize vision loss and of course, blindness. Isn’t this worth protecting? If you are experiencing problems then don’t delay any longer.

Retinal detachments occur because of damage to the tissue such as holes forming. This can happen over time and affects people with short sightedness and the elderly. As time progresses, the tissue becomes weaker and tears can develop and if not treated, detachment can be the worse case scenario.

Types Of Retinal Detachment

There are different types of retinal detachment. Let’s take a look at three of them:

- Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment… this happens liquid enters the eye area because of a tear or tears.

- Secondary Retinal Detachment…this applies to eye injuries which can lead to fluid forming under the retina even when there is no hole. An eye injury can cause this or inflammation around the eye.

- Tractional Retinal Detachment…in a word, this refers to the retina being physically pulled from the eye surface. Ouch!

Retinal Surgery

Let’s take a look at the types of retinal surgery.

- Scleral buckle surgery involves the sewing of silicone bands to the outer region of the eyeball. The bands then push the wall of the eye against the hole caused by the detached retina and close it, allowing the retina to reattach using natural procedures.

The bands are not usually removed; however, recently it was discovered that there was a possibility that the band might cause the eye to become elongated or misshapen.

- Pneumatic retinopexy is another type of eye surgery for detached retinas. This involves the usage of a gas or silicone bubble that is literally blown into the eye. The bubble floats to the area in which the retina is detached and pressure is applied to the hole.

The pressure or surface tension combined with the material of the gas bubble cause the hole to seal and the retina to reattach itself. This procedure is normally only used when the retina detachment is located in the upper portion of the eyeball.

Speak to your doctor if you suspect problems. There are also several other retinal surgery types which you can discuss with them.

Wireless Home Theater - The Pitfalls Of Wireless Home Theater

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

There is little doubt the future of home entertainment lies with wirless home entertainment system. However, while technology is rapidly improving “at the rate of knots” many still question the current quality of wireless as opposed to wired systems.

The reality is, this was the case just a few short years ago but the question of quality is almost no longer applicable.

Benefits Of Wireless Home Theater Systems

Obviously, the biggest benefit is the the fact that unsightly wiring is kept to a minimum. Be warned, wireless doesn’t necessarily mean no wiring at all. For starters, the system needs to be plugged into an electric socket.

A wireless home theater system mainly centers around the systems speaker system. Wireless speakers are becoming more and more advanced and for less than $300, there are many adequate models on the market.

The problem with wirless home entertainment system solutions at the moment is the technology is changing so fast that wireless industry is a little “unstable” right now. That is, until a true wireless solution is established without frequent technology upgrades, you may just want to concentrate on speakers for the time being.

No doubt wireless home theater systems will become the future for home entertainment but you risk spending unnecessary dollars for a system right now which may be usurped by more improved models in the short term.

It is a little like plasma and LCD TVs which were extremely expensive when they first hit the market but as technology improved at a rapid rate, there prices have come down significantly.

Wireless Home Theater Systems To Consider

If you cannot wait then a couple of systems on the market right now are definitely worth looking at. Panasonic is certainly at the forefront of wireless technology and they have a system worth considering.

Panasonic’s SC-PT950 is a nice system available in many of the major retail outlets for under $500. It’s within the reach of most and won’t put a dent in your wallet. It comes a 5 DVD changer and wireless rear speaker.

Sony’s Dream System DAV-FX900W 5.1 Channel Home Theater System is a little more expensive at under $700 but has received in the main, some solid reviews. It features wireless speakers and is rear wireless ready.

Both these systems should give you a good starting point but as mentioned earlier, are not the total wireless solution. Many experts believe you should hold off for the time being in really “going to town” on your finances at the moment and give the wireless boom a little time to settle down.

There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on wirless home entertainment system which is supposed to be the “ants pants” and then discover just a few months down the track there’s something better on the market.

It’s even harder to take when that very same system can be bought for a lot less than you paid for it a few months later. Such is the nature of technology in the 21st century.

Liposuction

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Forbes says:

plastic surgery

Hollywood players seem to be willing to talk about anything, even their sex lives. One thing they are not so open about is who has done their plastic surgery. They hate to admit how dependent they are on their looks.

What about the content of their character?

“It may be good for a character to look a certain way, but when it comes to, say, going to a premiere for a movie, you want to look your best,” says Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov, who frequently treats working actresses. He, like most of the physicians quoted in this piece, would not divulge clients’ names. “On the red carpet, you’re supposed to look glamorous.”

Most celebrities will deny they’ve had work done, but their doctors know the truth–and have the secret back entrances in their offices to prove it.

A lot of celebs are wary of plastic surgery. They hate to admit having it. They fear losing face.

For about $5,000, the procedure lifts loose facial skin and anchors it via one stitch under the hairline on each side of the face. The effect is more subtle than full face lifts and popular among clients in their late 30s, Calabria says. Recovery time is around four days, perfect for the kind of person who doesn’t want to stay out of the limelight for too long.

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Based out of Michigan, Dr. Tony Youn is one of the best plastic surgeons in the country. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and, after graduating with the prestigious Advanced Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship in Beverly Hills, California, paid his dues learning the best techniques of the trade from his colleagues. Today, Dr. Youn prides himself on attention to detail and patient care and believes in the value of less invasive techniques and minimal downtime. He is known also for his work as an author, a lecturer and on the E! show Dr. 90210. More than this, Dr. Youn is famous for his Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery blog, which keeps readers up to date on the stars� plastic surgery comings and goings. Since its inception, the blog has logged more than 1.3 million hits and has covered such celebrities as Britney Spears, Burt Reynolds, David Copperfield, Demi Moore, Beyonce, and Sharon Osbourne.

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If Dr. Tony Youn looks a bit familiar, it may be because he appeared in the first season of E! Entertainment’s Dr. 90210. And if you think you’ve seen or heard the name of this Michigan-based plastic surgeon before, it’s because he writes a popular celebrity plastic surgery blog, and his expertise and opinions on treatments and procedures have been quoted in many national publications. Either way, Youn is no stranger to celebrities, plastic surgery or a combination of the two.

Dr. Tony Youn practices at the Hills Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre in Rochester Hills, Michigan. And while he doesn’t necessarily cater to celebrities, he operated on a few during his fellowship in Beverly Hills, California. Unfortunately, confidentiality laws prohibit Youn from divulging their names. His company Web site, Beverly Hills Beauty, speaks more to his career as a board certified plastic surgeon.

Why did you decide to specialize in plastic surgery?

I�ve always had an interest in both art and surgery. Plastic surgery is a nice combination of both.

Breast Implants

Friday, April 25th, 2008

breast augmentation

On Several noticeable trends were confirmed by the Academy’s annual survey. Two out of five of the surveyed surgeons have seen facial plastic surgery given as a gift in the past year. Forty-one percent of the surgeons reported teens undergoing cosmetic surgery while a couple undergoing cosmetic surgery together continues with 34 percent of surgeons spotting this trend. Nearly equal is the number of mothers and daughters refreshing their looks together and undergoing cosmetic surgery, according to 21 percent of surgeons. Not surprisingly, the majority of surgeons said that patients were not requesting specific celebrity features when they came in for cosmetic surgery, but rather viewed themselves as unique individuals. Only 13 percent of patients requested a celebrity facial feature. Also significant was the fact that this year’s survey showed marked growth in patient education; four in five of the surgeons have seen a significant increase in patient knowledge regarding plastic surgery, including different procedures available and patient safety.

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His signature procedures are the “Brazilian Butt Lift ™,” the rage with those who want to sculpt their figure like Beyonce and J-Lo; the “Six-Pack Tummy Tuck ™,” popular with people who want abs instead of flab; and the “No-Tell Nose Job ™,” nose surgery without a trace. He is author of “Surgery Without Scars: A Worry-Free, Multi-Cultural Guide to Plastic Surgery Today.”

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Though he is getting more attention these days, his real success all stems from a solid practice and years of satisfied patients spreading the word of his skills. Dr. Griffin is a graduate of Brown University and USC. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has more than 10 years of training and experience in plastic surgery. A board-certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, he is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

From NY Post:

Carla Murino, a new bride from Staten Island, has had her new bottom for a year and is loving every curve of it. “I didn’t want to look like J-Lo,” said Murino, a patient of Jacobs. “It’s more like I wanted an athletic butt - nice, little and perky.” And that’s what she said she got over a year ago when she fat removed from her stomach to her bottom. “It’s great,” she said. “I put on yoga pants and its like, I have a butt!”

If you don’t have a bazillion dollars to resculpt your rear, here are some other, cheaper bum optimizers. The squat - The single best exercise for strengthening, toning and shaping the butt. Just stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the knees until you’re parallel to the floor, push through your heels, contracting your bum. Repeat.

Padding - If you lack rear assets, the Better Bottom ($39) is a panty with padding to resemble a realistic round bottom. If you’ve got enough padding of your own, but want a more contoured shape, try the Booty Booster ($16; both available at lovefifi.com). Clarins Total Body Lift - This is the cellulite-reducing cream everyone says actually works. Aromatic plant and caffeine extracts help decrease fat storage, improve circulation and firm the skin. Apply twice a day ($57; available anywhere Clarins is sold).

Lasik Surgery Complication - Two Ways To Prevent Lasik Complication

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Being truthful during pre-screening for lasik treatment will have as much bearing on whether you put yourself at risk of lasik complications.

It seems many people have the opinion it’s just a matter of showing up to a lasik center and simply declaring their intention to have the procedure performed. But the reality is, there is still a lot to be done before you come face-to-face with a laser.

Yes, the procedure can help you view the world in a better light and lasik is relatively safe but there are factors outside the surgeon’s hands such as relying on a prospective patient to be as truthful as possible about whether they have any conditions which will place their health at risk.

Lasik Pre-Screening

The risk of lasik complications are not great yet this doesn’t mean you should be carefree during the pre-screening process.

The facts are that the chances of experiencing serious complications such as vision loss are minor and if any complications do occur, they can usually be rectified or overcome through further follow up work on the eye.

The road to safe lasik starts with the selection of the surgeon. The surgeon should have plenty of experience in performing the procedure and one of the strongest indications of a good specialist is one who puts your safety ahead of any monetary gain.

A quality and experienced surgeon will tell you this for your own safety and of course, any reputable lasik specialist would not jeopardize their own reputation.

Do You Suffer From Any Conditions?

If you keep anything from your surgeon during the pre screening then you’ll only be putting yourself at risk. The surgeon will do his/her bit by thoroughly screening you and if they don’t, then look for one who will.

If you have a condition your surgeon is unaware of and think it won’t affect the final outcome, you’ll only be fooling yourself. You need to basically “spill the beans” on anything that will lead to lasik complications.

A lot of lasik complications occur during the healing process. This is why it’s important to reveal any conditions you may be suffering from during pre screening because it could impact how well you heal.

The healing process in many instances is just as important as the procedure itself. There are certain conditions such as diabetes which can affect how well you handle the healing process.

So be sure to be truthful during the initial screening process and cut down on the chances of suffering lasik complications.

Retina Eye Surgery Healing - How To Avoid Serious Eye Complications

Friday, April 11th, 2008

The longer you ignore surgery for retinal detachment the greater the chances you’ll suffer serious complications. When you eventually have the procedure, retinal surgery recovery will be a lot longer and likely more uncomfortable.

Often the recovery stage is a lot worse than the actual operation but this is only for the patient’s best interest. It’s worse in the respects that as a patient, you’ll be restricted for several days or even weeks. Wearing a patch over the affected area is standard and again, for your own protection.

The issue though, is delaying the surgery. If you know you have a retinal detachment issue then you really shouldn’t delay. Remember, complications will only be exacerbated and if left untreated then blindness is a real issue.

The Recovery Phase

The recovery period will see you have restrictions on some of the activities you can do. For example, any lifting will be prevented during retinal eye surgery recovery and in fact, be prepared for long periods of confinement to bed. The idea here is to keep you still a possible while the healing process takes place.

Vision isn’t improved instantly either. This process can take several weeks or even several months in more extreme cases. You may also need to switch your eye wear following the surgery.

This article is not meant to alarm you about retinal surgery recovery but only to make you aware that unlike lasik procedures, it’s not a simple recovery process. That’s why it’s so important to have it repaired sooner rather than later.

What Are The Risks?

Retina is vital to vision; it is the “place” where the image is “developed” after the images go through the cornea and through the lens. Retina eye surgery solves problems as interocular infection and retinal detachment. Vitreous and retinal problems can cause blindness or severe loss of vision. Most of the times when surgery is required the problems are caused by the vitreous.

Retina eye surgery is used to secure the vitreous to the eye wall so for several days you may be required to maintain a specific head position.

Any surgery has some risk but if you do not treat a retinal detachment you risk blindness or permanent severe vision loss. Cataract, high pressure inside, infection and bleeding are some of the surgical risks, but most of the procedures are successful even if sometimes a second operation is needed.

Maintain Good Eye Health

Keeping your eyes in a good health through proper nutrition and exercises it is very important and you should not neglect it. Protecting your eyes when you are engaged in activities that could harm them, avoiding irritants like smoke or chemical fumes, wearing corrective lenses can help your eyes to remain healthy.

It’s true retinal surgery recovery and the procedure itself may not be pleasant at all but comparing the risks of not doing the operation and doing it there is no doubt you have nothing to lose.

Surgery For Retinal Detachment - What Everbody Ought To Know About Retinal Surgery

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

The term retinal detachment surgery could cause a patient some angst simply because it sounds like a drastic procedure but in reality, it’s routine and performed with great precision.

On a more serious note though, if it’s not treated then complications can arise with the most serious being blindness. Deficiencies or even holes within the retina will overtime weaken the retina’s attachment from the eye and treatment is a must. A retinal detachment surgery involves re-attaching the retina and correcting any holes or deficiencies.

Who Needs Retinal Detachment Surgery

Obviously people experiencing the issues mentioned above but there is a strong correlation between age and problem. Failing eyesight is associated with age in many instances while people with nearsightedness who have undergone cataract surgery or people who have suffered eye injuries of a severe nature are likely candidates.

With the issue of age, the contents within the eyeball suffer shrinkage which in turn can cause damage to the retina such as creating holes which in turn can lead to detachment.

The Retina

The retina is delicate within the eye structure and it’s role involves alerting the brain via the conversion of light into signals. Action particles are the end product of the retina which are sent to the brain and nervous system and are created by the retina’s photoreceptor cells as it receives light energy passing through it.

This is just a vague explanation of what the retina’s role is and you could imagine that any holes appearing within it’s three layers of nerve cell tissue or to it’s synapses layers can have an impact on the quality of information sent to the brain and consequently, the overall vision output.

Retinal Detachment Surgery Procedure

The retinal detachment surgery is generally routine and can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The process of “pneumatic retinopexy” is one such surgical option. This involves a gas bubble being injected into the eye by the surgeon which presses the retina flat against the wall of the eye.

Natural healing takes over from there and the body naturally reattaches the retina over time. A laser is used to seal the holes and to hold the retina to the back of the eyeball.

“Scleral buckling” is a surgical process which involves the laser reattachment of the retina as with pneumatic retinopexy, but also includes the use of a silicone band that holds the retina in place. This adds pressure and in theory quickens the process of healing.

Finally, “vitrectomy surgery” replaces the eye fluid with air, gas, or silicone oil. This temporarily replaces the natural fluids until the retina reattaches, then the body’s natural fluids are replaced by normal biological process.

Don’t be put off and frightened by the term retinal detachment surgery. The procedure isn’t frightening and could very well save your eye sight.