Elective Procedures + Original Articles

Needles. Bandages. Even diseased organs. What actually happens to them? The answer depends on the rules of your state. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established some general laws governing the proper disposal of medical waste. Beyond this, stricter laws on handling different types of medical waste will vary from state to state. In general terms, most medical waste must be treated in some way to remove any hazards it contains.

Considering weight loss surgery? Read this first. If you think gastric bypass surgery is always more effective than drugs, exercise, and diet for treating overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, think again. Though in recent years bypass surgery (a procedure that reduces stomach size by having your digestive passageway bypass part of the stomach and small intestine) has been held out as a magical cure for the chronic disorder, it now appears this is not always true.

Ever notice that skin issues intensify during times of stress? This innovative approach may help. Ever noticed that breakouts intensify during times of stress? Millions of people suffer from chronic skin ailments that don't respond to traditional treatments. If you have a hard-to-heal skin problem, the emerging field of psychodermatology may be able to help you find relief.

A not-so-new therapy for treating Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may bring relief through a not-so-pleasant-sounding treatment. Fecal microbiota transplants, also called stool transplants, have been around since the late 1950s, but have had a hard time catching on. That may soon change. At the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, researchers reported that the therapy may successfully treat recurring C.

When common treatment methods aren't enough to manage your persistent asthma symptoms, it may be time to consider a new surgical technique. When common treatment methods aren't enough to manage your persistent asthma symptoms, it may be time to consider a new surgical technique. Bronchial thermoplasty was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 for use in people whose asthma doesn't respond to other less invasive measures.

If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to this condition. If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to a condition called dumping syndrome. The problem occurs when the undigested contents of the stomach get "dumped" into the small intestine too quickly, causing excess fluid to build in the small intestine.

Monitoring asthma is very crucial to prevent an asthma attack or worsened symptoms. These different pulmonary function tests provide different ways to control asthma. Doctors rely on periodic pulmonary function tests to monitor asthma. This is because the severity of asthma varies over time. Keeping up with these changes is important to make any necessary modifications to your treatments. Spirometry The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that once a person is diagnosed and her asthma is stabilized, doctors should perform a spirometry test every year or two (or more often if the situation warrants).

If you have stubborn pockets of fat that won't go away even after diet and exercise, you might have considered alternative options. Before you diving in to which one is right for you, see if this procedure can work for you. If you suffer from stubborn pockets of fat that just won't go away no matter how much you diet and exercise, you've probably considered liposuction. In recent years, new liposuction techniques that utilize laser technology are growing more and more popular, but is this relatively new procedure safe? About Laser Liposuction During laser liposuction, small lasers liquefy pockets of unwanted fat before it's vacuumed out of the body through small tubes.

This procedure is an innovative way of detecting stomach conditions that may cause you discomfort. Here's what you need to do to prepare for the test and what happens once the test is over. Capsule endoscopy is a new diagnostic procedure that evaluates three portions of the small intestine including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum-an area that isn't easily reached by more traditional endoscopy methods. The test enables doctors to check for the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.

The latest action by the FDA to phase out seven popular asthma inhalers may seem daunting, but you might understand the reasons why they're discontinued. Thankfully, these alternatives are just as effective. The latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) action to phase out seven popular asthma inhalers may seem daunting. However, keep in mind that alternatives exist that are just as effective. Environmental Damage The seven inhalers discontinued are all metered-dose style and relied on chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants to deliver medication into the patient's lungs.

Considering having a fat melting injection? Find out the facts, the risks, and whether or not this option is right for you. Fat-melting injections, a.k.a lipotherapy or lipodissolve treatments, have become increasingly popular in the beauty and weight-loss world. These injections are reported to be a non-invasive alternative to liposuction and consist of virtually painless injections that dissolve fat.

If you still can't control asthma symptoms, bronchial thermoplasty might be the best treatment option for you. Do you follow your asthma action plan religiously and take your medication exactly as prescribed, yet feel like your asthma still isn't well controlled? If so, you may be interested in learning more about a new drug-free treatment method called bronchial thermoplasty.

Learn how this innovative tool called the electric nose can identify and diagnose respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung cancer and pneumonia. You've probably heard the saying, "The nose knows." This is especially true when it comes to a diagnostic tool called the electric nose, which researchers now believe can effectively identify asthma patients by smell. Intrigued? Read on to find out how this innovative machine works and what it might do for you.

Find out if you could be a candidate for hip replacement surgery, and learn more about the procedure. Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery can be beneficial to those with severe hip pain, helping to relieve symptoms and provide greater range of movement. However, the procedure isn't without its risks. Prospective patients should talk to their doctors and do their own research before deciding to proceed.

Eight Celebrities Who've Turned Flaws Into Trademarks Hollywood has always had its quirky-looking stars. And although their ranks may be thinning in this age of nose jobs and Photoshop, we've rounded up eight celebs who've stuck to their guns — and refuse to shy away from their individuality. Tyra Banks.

Have you ever fantasized about getting liposuction to eliminate that belly fat for good? Find out if you could be a candidate. Flabby underarms, stubborn love handles, and back fat that just won't budge. If any of this sounds familiar, you're in good company. Millions of Americans are frustrated by excess fat they can't seem to shed, no matter how hard they try. For this reason, liposuction is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries in the country.

Find out why more and more women are turning to cosmetic surgery to regain their pre-pregnancy figures. For many women, there's no greater thrill than having a baby. The act of childbirth signifies a new stage in their lives, and the arrival of their little one is a source of great joy. But some new moms find that pregnancy affects their bodies in unexpected, and unwanted, ways.

Where you live has an impact on the type of procedure you're most likely to have.  Say you know two women with identical figures and facial features. One lives in New York, the other in Texas. Image-conscious, both are planning on having plastic surgery. It only makes sense that they might choose similar procedures, right? Wrong.

For many patients, LASIK offers a welcome alternative to glasses and contact lenses. Find out if you could be a candidate. Not too long ago, patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism basically had two options: eyeglasses or contact lenses. Although these methods provided temporary vision correction, each could be a hassle. Glasses weren't especially suitable to an active lifestyle, while contacts had to be put in, taken out, and cleaned.

Thinking about getting a nose job? Here's what you need to know. Maybe you have a bump that makes you feel self-conscious about getting your picture taken. Or perhaps it's a deviated septum that's causing you to have breathing problems. Whether it's for cosmetic purposes, health reasons, or a combination of factors, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the United States.

One in five orthodontic patients is an adult, proving you're never too old for braces. Learn more about the latest teeth-straightening options. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and nothing is quite as attractive as a confident smile. But millions of adults have dental problems that weren't addressed during their childhood--something that can make them self-conscious and reluctant to smile.

It's America's most popular cosmetic surgery, but how much do you really know about breast enlargement? Learn more now. Throughout history, breasts have always been associated with femininity and sex appeal. And over the years, women have tried various techniques to enhance their curves. Back in 1885, Austrian-German surgeon Vincenz Czerny made the first recorded attempt at breast augmentation using a patient's own adipose (or fatty) tissue.

More than 240,000 Americans opted for eyelid surgery in 2007. Learn about the risks and rewards of this popular procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately 241,000 Americans opted for cosmetic eyelid surgery in 2007--making the procedure, also known as blepharoplasty, the fourth most common cosmetic surgery in the United States. What's fueling its popularity? As the ASPS explains, blepharoplasty can enhance the appearance of the eyelids, making patients look younger, more rested, and more alert.

Tired of flabby abs or love handles? If diet and exercise haven't worked for you, abdominoplasty may be the solution. Who doesn't want a trim, flat stomach? Millions strive for tighter tummies, usually starting by improving their diet and exercise routines. However, these changes often aren't enough to achieve desired results. While body fat can be reduced through a healthy diet and workout plan, the loose muscles and skin that frequently result from extreme weight loss, pregnancy, and even aging and heredity aren't as easily eliminated.

Tired of wearing contacts or glasses? Set your sights on CRT, a non-surgical way to improve your vision. If you rely on glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision, you're already familiar with the expense, inconvenience, and other drawbacks they present. For these reasons, millions of people have turned to elective procedures such as corneal refractive therapy (CRT) to restore their vision.

Every year, more than 100,000 people undergo this popular weight-loss procedure. Is it right for you? Over the past decade, a slew of celebrities including singer Carnie Wilson, talk-show personality Star Jones, and NBC weatherman Al Roker have elected to undergo gastric bypass surgery to help manage their weight. The procedure, which involves stapling...

Working with your doctor to choose the appropriate treatments may help increase your chances of long-term survival. One of the most frightening diagnoses a woman can receive is that of breast cancer-not only because of the grave medical implications, but also because of the potential to lose all or part of her breasts. However, thanks to heightened public awareness and numerous breakthroughs over the past few decades, breast cancer is often survivable, and even if a mastectomy is necessary, plastic surgery can often correct irregularities or scars.

You've decided to get an elective procedure but still face the daunting task of finding a doctor. Here, a guide to help you get started. You've contemplated getting breast augmentation, a nose job, or a tummy tuck for years. You've done your research, weighed the pros and cons, and decided to move ahead. But you still have another important decision to make: choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

Today's high-tech reproductive options help couples achieve their dreams of having a baby. For many couples, having a baby is the ultimate act of emotional fulfillment. Their little bundle of joy is an affirmation of life, and their new role as parents is the beginning of a uniquely rewarding journey. Even the physical pain associated with childbirth is usually viewed as a labor of love.

From chronic back pain to poor self-esteem, large breasts can present a host of health problems. Find out whether surgery could ease your discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, large breasts aren't always what they're cracked up to be. For many women, overly large, pendulous breasts can result in chronic neck and back pain, poor posture, breathing problems, rashes, and deep skin grooves resulting from bra strap pressure.

Can elective procedures boost your confidence and enhance your self-esteem? Over the past decade, television has been infiltrated by shows about elective surgery. Whether it's fictional dramas like Nip/Tuck or reality shows like Dr. 90210, cosmetic surgery seems to be everywhere. In fact, these shows' popularity has risen about as quickly as the popularity of plastic surgery itself.

The rising costs of health care may seem daunting, but understanding your options doesn't have to be. Here, an explanation of common, but confusing, terms. For many people, attempting to understand health care can feel like trying to find their way through a maze. All of the confusing the costs, terms, conditions, and stipulations can start to sound like a foreign language. Here, we set the facts straight.

More and more people are turning to elective options, such as plastic surgery and fertility treatments, to improve their confidence and enhance the quality of their lives. If you've fantasized about making alterations to your appearance at one time or another, you're not alone. More than 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2006, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the number is growing.

The latest dental advances are enabling more people to achieve their dream of a flawless smile. Here, a guide to some of the most popular procedures. Your smile can indicate a great deal about you, revealing whether you're happy, surprised, excited, or confident. In fact, 99 percent of people believe a smile is an important social asset, and nearly 75 percent say an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success, according to a study conducted on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

From nose and eye jobs to breast enlargement and liposuction, cosmetic surgery is on the rise. Here, a guide to some of the nation's most popular procedures. For some people, cosmetic surgery represents the chance to change a physical feature they've never really liked. For others, it represents an exciting option to turn back the clock a little. For others, it's an opportunity to boost their body image and enhance their self-esteem.

There's more to Botox than just a pretty face. Doctors are now using the injectable to treat a variety of serious medical conditions. By now, you've probably seen advertisements for Botox—a popular injectable that relaxes targeted muscles to reduce or eliminate surface wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. But in recent years, scientists have found that there's much more to the drug than meets the eye.