Steps to Speed Up Recovery After Hip Surgery

Written by: Theanna Lynn

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a painful hip joint and replaces it with an artificial joint, often made from metal and plastic components. Hip surgery is often the last option for patients with severe arthritis. A full recovery from hip surgery will take many months, but there are ways to ease the recovery process.

Bank Your Own Blood

Prior to undergoing surgery that may require a transfusion, you can bank your own blood. The likelihood of receiving blood that is the wrong type or contaminated in some way is minimal, but it can still contain foreign pathogens that you have not been exposed to before. The more blood someone receives, the higher the risk of infection. In studies where individuals received transfusions of their own blood, they had the lowest rates of infection.

Reduce Swelling

Swelling is the body's natural response to inflammation and trauma. Lessen swelling through:

• Gentle movement
• Rest
• Icing
• Avoid heat packs on swollen areas
• Swelling will dissipate on its own over time as your body heals

Post Operative Exercises

Regular exercises to restore your normal hip motion and strength and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery. Your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend that you exercise 20 to 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a day during your early recovery. Exercises are important because they:

• Increase circulation to your legs and feet to prevent blood clots (a risk after certain surgical procedures)
• Increase hip mobility and range of motion
• Strengthen muscles
• Speed recovery
• Reduce postoperative pain

You may begin these exercises in the recovery room shortly after surgery. Different exercises may be recommended at different phases of recovery. For example, you may not be able to stand on your own right away after surgery. As your strength and mobility increase, you will be able to graduate to standing with assistance, then without assistance. Over time your mobility will increase to include walking and other movement with increased demands on your replaced hip with less and less assistance. These exercises may push your limits at times but they are important to ensuring you make a full recovery. Please consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Take Your Vitamins

Speak to your physician about adding vitamins or supplements to your routine (before or after surgery) that could improve your health or your recovery time. Research studies have shown that taking as little as 250 mg a day of vitamin C after surgery cuts the healing time in half.

Soak Up Some Rays

After your surgery, try to get a bed next to a window that lets in the most sunlight, aiming for at least 15-20 minutes of sun a day. Moderate exposure to sunlight improves health and boosts vitamin D levels, and research shows that exposure to sunlight after surgery can help make the recovery process less painful.

Recovering from surgery is never fun or pain free, but following these tips can help make the recovery process quicker and smoother.

 

Bariatric Surgery May Reduce Bullying

Written by: Jessica George

Unfortunately, many children and adolescents are all too aware of the effects of bullying due to personal experience. Many instances of bullying tends to stem from an individual's appearances, quite often including weight.

Being Bullied Over Weight

Just a few years ago, roughly 30 percent of sixth grade girls were bullied because of their weight. Though this number was lower for boys, it was only about 6 percent lower. Sadly, weight has become such a controversial topic in society that bullying has become even more prevalent. Society tends to set standards for how we should look, and those who do not conform to such appearances are often put down because of it.

It used to be that children who were bullied at school had a reprieve from their torment when they were at home. However, in today's digital age, bullying tends to follow them wherever they go. Whether through texting or social media, children and adolescents often have a difficult time escaping the never ending nasty comments.

Many children and adolescents who are overweight, even if only slightly, are pushed to the brink through bullying. They often feel helpless to either be confident about their bodies or to get to a healthier weight. Studies have shown that the third most common cause of death among children and adolescents is suicide. Had many of these individuals not been bullied, they may very well still be alive.

Helping a Bullied Child or Adolescent

If you are concerned about a child or adolescent being bullied, there are some things you can do to help.

• Reassure them that there is nothing wrong with them. Compliments can make them feel a lot better when they are down.

• Talk to the child and listen to their fears and feelings. Sometimes talking things out can make a huge difference.

• Take your child to the doctor to determine if he or she really is overweight.

• If your child is clinically overweight, help him or her to make lifestyle changes that will promote weight loss, such as healthier eating or more exercise.

• If your child continuously works toward losing weight but is making little to no progress, you may consider bariatric surgery later on. While bariatric surgery Washington DC may not be a good option for young children or adolescents, it may help as they begin to become young adults in leading a healthier lifestyle and reducing the bullying they receive.

Who Needs Vascular Surgery?

Written by: Allison Zahorcak

The term vascular surgery covers a wide variety of illnesses and related conditions that affect the veins, arteries, and capillaries throughout the human body.  From rare conditions to more common occurrences, the vascular system has a multitude of reasons why one may need vascular surgery Washington DC.   Typically, your doctor will try to address vascular conditions with changes in lifestyle.  This may include diet, exercise, or physical therapy.  However, a doctor may insist upon Vascular Surgery Washington DC if your veins or arteries are blocked or swollen to the point of restricting blood and oxygen.

Though there are many more conditions that could lead to vascular surgery DC, the following conditions represent the majority of vascular conditions reported:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Carotid artery disease
• Claudication
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Diabetic foot
• Lymphedema
• Mesenteric ischemia
• Peripheral aneurysm
• Peripheral artery disease
• Renal artery disease
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Varicose veins
• Venous insufficiency

If you or a loved one is looking for a Vascular Surgery Center Washington DC, make sure you look for doctors that can offer a multidisciplinary approach to your treatment plan.   In addition to modern technology and various treatment plans, these doctors should be people you can trust to oversee your health pre and post surgery.   Those undergoing treatment will need to arrange for transportation as well as time off work.

Vascular Surgery for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a fairly common condition where veins become twisted and swollen just underneath the surface of the skin.   Referred to widely as spider veins, these swollen veins rarely cause major health problems for patients.  Though ulcers and blockages are possible, your doctor will typically recommend a lifestyle change such as diet or exercise before recommending a procedure.   The majority of patients will seek vascular surgery DC to improve the look of their legs or prevent future agitations or issues from occurring.  In many ways, treatment for varicose veins is the most common vascular surgery Washington DC.  Talk to your doctor if you or a loved is looking to treat spider veins.

Remember, vascular surgery DC is still a serious procedure.  Make sure you find a Vascular Surgery Center Washington DC you can trust with your health.  To learn more about surgery centers in your area, visit: http://www.medstarwashington.org/

Exercise and Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss

Written by: Jessica George

Are you ready to lose weight but aren't sure exactly how to go about doing so? Along with a healthier diet, exercise can be very beneficial in helping you to lose weight. However, some types of exercise are much more efficient than others.

Best Types of Exercise for Weight Loss

Some of the best exercises for weight loss may seem so simple, yet they are often effective. If you haven't tried any of the following, give them a chance!

• Walking - What could be easier than walking? While many other exercises may leave you with injuries such as a pulled muscle, walking tends to put a little less stress on your ligaments. You can walk anywhere you want, without worrying about a gym membership or buying equipment.

• Running - While it may not be as easy as walking, running is also a great way to burn off some of those unwanted calories. Not only does running burn fat, but it also works to make your bones stronger and keeps your heart in shape to help prevent certain heart conditions.

• Swimming - Without being too hard on your body, swimming helps to strengthen and tone those muscles, effectively working all or most of your body. Plus, it may be great way to enjoy the sun but also cool off on a hot day!

• Bicycling - Riding your bike can be a great way to pedal off some stress or enjoy fresh air and sunshine. However, it is also a great way to burn fat. Bicycling tends to be a bit easier on your body than exercises like running because your feet and knees are not stressed due to impact with the ground.

• Jumping rope - While it may sound like a game enjoyed by kids, jumping rope can help you get in shape, too! Not only does it help to burn calories, but it also helps to strengthen and tone muscles and bones.

These exercises can be employed in an attempt to lose weight or to keep weight off. If you are having difficulty losing weight in the first place, you may want to consider bariatric surgery. You can then utilize these exercises after bariatric surgery Washington DC to keep the weight off.