Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Bariatric Surgery Washington DC Requires Changes to Eating Habits

Bariatric surgery Washington DC is surgery to help you lose weight, but the procedure alone will not yield results.  Successful results after bariatric surgery DC require a life-long commitment to healthy eating habits.

Portion sizes after bariatric surgery Washington DC

One of the biggest changes that you will have to make after bariatric surgery DC is that your portion sizes will need to be much smaller.  Bariatric surgery procedures DC alter your stomach so that it holds only a small amount of food.  A normal stomach can hold about 6 cups of food, but the capacity of your new stomach will depend on your surgeon and which bariatric surgery options Washington DC you chose.  Laparoscopic banding creates an adjustable pouch that usually has a capacity between ½ cup and 1 cup.  If you chose gastric sleeve bariatric surgery DC, your stomach will hold about 10 ounces of food.  A stomach after gastric bypass may initially only hold about 2 tablespoons of food, but that can change as your stomach heals and stretches.

Eat several small meals a day after bariatric surgery DC

The small portion sizes required following bariatric surgery DC will mean that you can no longer eat the traditional three meals a day.  Instead, your bariatric surgery doctors Washington DC will likely recommend that you eat 5-6 small meals per day.

Monitor your intake of liquids

With or without bariatric surgery procedures DC, staying hydrated is an important part of staying healthy and after bariatric surgery DC you will have to put more thought into how you do so.  Even with a small stomach pouch, if you drink a lot of high-calorie beverages they may go right through your stomach and keep you from losing a significant amount of weight.  Water is the best choice for staying hydrated, and your bariatric surgery doctors Washington DC may recommend that you do not drink during your meals so you do not fill your small stomach with only liquids.

Be aware of nutritional deficiencies

Another change that you will have to make after bariatric surgery DC is that you will have to make sure that you are getting enough nutrients and you may be monitored for nutritional deficiencies.  Some bariatric surgery options Washington DC (specifically gastric bypass) can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies so you will have to read food labels carefully and visit your doctor regularly for checkups.  Visit www.medstarwashington.org to learn more about bariatric surgery options Washington DC.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Total Hip Replacement Washington DC due to Arthritis

Your hips are ball and socket joints on either side of your pelvis.  They allow motion and stability, but because they bear your weight they are susceptible to damage.  The most common cause of a break down of tissue in the hip is arthritis.  Arthritis can be mild, but when it becomes severe a total hip replacement Washington DC is sometimes needed.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic condition that can cause pain and limited movement in joints.  It can affect any joint in the body, but some of the most commonly affected joints are the hands, knees, and hips.  The cause of arthritis depends on the type of arthritis.  The two most common types are called osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis rarely requires hip replacement surgery DC

Rheumatoid arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues.  It causes inflammation of the joints and can affect how they look and function.  Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint, but it is most common in the hands so it is rare that rheumatoid arthritis leads to hip replacement surgery DC.

Total hip replacement Washington DC and osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.  Your joints have cartilage to help them move smoothly, and osteoarthritis is the break down of this cartilage.  It can lead to pain and limited range of motion.  It is one of the most common conditions to lead to hip replacement surgery Washington DC because it is usually worse in weight bearing joints.  It is usually caused by normal wear and tear, so those who are older and who are overweight are more likely to need hip replacement surgery DC due to osteoarthritis.

Hip replacement surgery Washington DC

When your doctor determines that the breakdown of cartilage in your hip is severe enough that medication and other nonsurgical treatments are not enough, he or she may recommend hip replacement surgery Washington DC.  During hip replacement surgery DC, your doctor removes the top of your femur and part of the socket.  Your doctor finishes your hip replacement surgery Washington DC by putting artificial parts in their place. To learn more about hip replacement surgery DC, visit http://www.medstarwashington.org/our-services/orthopaedics/treatments/hip-surgery/.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Diagnosing Pituitary Tumors Washington DC and Choosing a Surgical Treatment

Diagnosing pituitary tumors Washington DC usually includes imaging tests to determine the size and exact location of the tumor.  After diagnosis, treatment often includes surgery and the imaging tests can help your doctor decide what type of surgery is right for you.  The goal of the surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible.  This is usually done using an endoscopic procedure, but sometimes a procedure called a craniotomy is necessary.

Diagnosing pituitary tumors Washington DC and preparing for surgery

Before surgical pituitary treatments Washington DC, sometimes other treatments such as radiation therapy will be needed.  Radiation uses x-rays to kill cancer cells and can be effective before surgery by shrinking the tumor and making it easier to remove.  If the pituitary tumor is functional (meaning that it produces excess hormones) you may be put on medication before your surgery to block hormones and lessen symptoms.

Endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC

Endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC use a long flexible tube called an endoscope.  The endoscope has a light and a camera and sends the image to a screen so your doctor can see.  It is usually inserted through the nose, but sometimes it needs to be inserted through an incision behind your upper lip.  The doctor uses the endoscope and tiny tools to remove the tumor in small pieces.  This is the most common surgical pituitary tumor treatment Washington DC.

Craniotomy for pituitary tumors DC

If the tumor is very large or has affected the brain or nerves, your doctors may need to preform a craniotomy.  During this procedure, your doctor makes two incisions to access the brain through the skull.  Your surgeon uses endoscopic tools to see the tumor and nearby structures and removes the tumor.


After your pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC

After endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC, most people need to spend a few days in the hospital.  After a craniotomy, more recovery time may be needed.  During this time, you will be closely monitored by nurses to track pituitary function.  You can learn more about pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC at www.medstarwashington.org/.