July 4th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Tips, News, True Stories
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Time for a reminder about safe fireworks use. This Daily News article by Lauren Johnston — Doctors replace woman’s missing thumb with big toe transplant –- shows and tells you why. An excerpt:
A Long Island woman’s big toe will adapt to function as a thumb after doctors performed a rare transplant operation to replace the vital missing digit.
Shannon Elliott, 25, lost the thumb and two fingers from her left hand in November when a firework exploded in her palm…
Have a safe and happy July 4th — and stay out of the ER. Please follow these fireworks safety tips:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Fireworks should be unpacked from any paper packing out-of-doors and away from any open flames.
- Be sure other people are out-of-range before lighting fireworks. Small children should be kept a safe distance from the fireworks; older children that use fireworks need to be carefully supervised.
- Do not smoke when handling any type of “live” firecracker, rocket, or aerial display.
- Keep all fireworks away from any flammable liquids, dry grassy areas, or open bonfires.
- Keep a bucket of water or working garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
- Take note of any sudden wind change that could cause sparks or debris to fall on a car, house, or person.
- Never attempt to pick up and relight a “fizzled” firework device that has failed to light or “go off”
- Do not use any aluminum or metal soda/beer can or glass bottle to stage or hold fireworks before lighting.
- Do not use any tightly closed container for these lighted devices to add to the exploding effect or to increase noise.
- Never attempt to make your own exploding device from raw gunpowder or similar flammable substance. The results are too unpredictable.
- Never use mail-order fireworks kits. These do-it-yourself kits are simply unsafe.
For more information on injuries that can occur from unsafe use of fireworks, see:
Fireworks-Related Injuries (CDC)
Facts About Fireworks Injuries (Prevent Blindness America)
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 24th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion, Research
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I seem to be asked more often these days if I do vulva reduction surgery. I’ve even been asked if I “refresh” vaginas (in which I refer them to their gynecologist.) I’m happy it’s a extremely small part of my practice.
I’m also happy to see that the current issue of Reproductive Health Matters is taking a close look at cosmetic surgery, especially female cosmetic genital surgery. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 19th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Humor, True Stories
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I finished a post-abdominoplasty check, with drains and sutures removed. I then began to tell the patient how to slowly increase her activities and exercise.
She smiled and said: “I have to tell you. I got back on the Wii just to walk yesterday. It told me I had lost weight too quickly and that I need to slow down.”
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 15th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Research
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I “preach” sunscreen use to my family, friends, and patients. I do this because sunscreen helps prevent skin cancers, but in light of the recent President’s Cancer Panel report on Cancers from Environment ‘Grossly Underestimated’ and concerns by the group Friends of the Environment, I thought perhaps I should look at the safety of the active chemicals/nanoparticles in sunscreens.
You need both UVA and UVB protection. It is the UVA rays that are most responsible for wrinkling and aging the skin. It is the UVB rays that are the most responsible for the sunburn and skin cancer formation.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), sunscreens should ideally be water-resistant, so they cannot be easily removed by sweating or swimming, and should have an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light. I think it is not worthwhile to purchase any sunscreen with an SPF higher than 55. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 9th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion, Research, True Stories
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Dr. Wes and Kevin, M.D. have both written reviews of the documentary film “The Vanishing Oath.” I started the process rolling of trying to get the film shown locally. No date yet, but looks like it will happen before the year is out.
This is not a new phenomenon in medicine (or any profession). Dr. Robert Goldwyn wrote a nice essay on the some of the issues that can lead to burnout, though not once did he mention burnout specifically. The title says much:
“I Bargained on Working Hard as a Surgeon, Not Working Hard to Be Able to Work Hard as a Surgeon”
The preceding title is a quote from a letter written by a resident in the last year of his training (S. A. Teitlebaum, August 20, 1994). It reflects the gloom besetting the young in particular but certainly not them exclusively. We all are uneasy about our futures, professionally and economically. Bandied in the corridors at a national meeting was a dismal figure: 1:100,000, the presumed proper ratio, as determined by Health Maintenance Organizations, of plastic surgeons to population. That 1 million Americans need only 10 plastic surgeons seems wrong and idiotic to me, but it makes good economic sense to health providers and insurance companies. Their coffers swell as they collect the same or higher premiums while curtailing what they provide. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
