Liver cancer is a fairly uncommon cancer that affects the liver, which is responsible for but not limited to the following functions, regulating chemical levels, detoxification and digestion.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Patients who have been diagnosed with primary liver cancer.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Along with the general risks associated with surgery, liver failure, bile leakage, rejection of donor liver, liver abscess are some specific risks of liver resection and liver transplant surgery.
Radiotherapy side effects include: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin problems (such as redness, blistering or peeling).
Chemotherapy side effects include: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue.
Microwave or Radiofrequency ablation side effects include: infection, pain, bleed
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a initial consultation with your doctor.
Follow pre-op guidelines if you are undergoing surgery.
Arrange for some help at home whilst you’re undergoing treatment.
DURING TREATMENT
Whilst undergoing surgery, you will be placed under general or local anaesthesia.
If you are undergoing radiotherapy sessions, it may be comforting to have a loved one or caregiver to wait out for you.
AFTER TREATMENT
Adhere to post-op guidelines put forth by your surgeon.
If you are suffering from any strong side effects of a treatment, ask your physician if they can provide any additional support.
Rest as much as possible, and try to keep your stress levels low. These will help speed up your recovery.
Spend time with family and friends. You can also seek out emotional support through professional counsellors or at a support group.
LASIK (acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery intended to correct various kinds of vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It involves the creation of a thin flap on the cornea which is then folded back so that a suitable amount of corneal tissue can be removed using a laser.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals in good health with healthy eyes.
Patients who have had a stable prescription for 12 months.
Patients with up to -11.00 diopters of nearsightedness, up to +5.00 of farsightedness and up to 5.00 of astigmatism.
Persons looking to dispense with the inconvenience and continual cost involved in glasses and contact lens use.
Athletes or other kinds of active professionals who require the freedom offered by refractive surgery.
SUCCESS
A recent case-study of almost 100 peer-reviewed studies on LASIK found that 90.8% of some 28,000 patients reported 20/20 vision or better after the treatment. 99.5% of patients reported 20/40 vision or better without corrective lenses.
RECOVERY TIME
Patients can be released as little as 10 to 15 minutes after surgery although they will need to be transported home by a friend or taxi.
It is possible to return to work in a little as 24 hours or within a few days depending on healing.
Total recovery and full vision stabilization can take between 3 and 6 months.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Irregular astigmatism
Dry eyes
Under or over correction
Eye infections
Vision loss or double vision
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Photorefractive Keratectomy
LASEK
BEFORE TREATMENT
Refrain from the use of contact lens for as much as two weeks before the surgery.
DURING TREATMENT
Many patients experience stress at just the thought of eye-surgery. However, LASIK is now a routine procedure, and surgeons are experienced at both carrying it out and reassuring patients during the process.
The reshaping laser does not cause pain, but you may feel a pressure on the eye during the process.
AFTER TREATMENT
You may experience mild discomfort in the form of itching or burning in the area of the eye directly after the procedure.
You will not be legally allowed to drive yourself until the doctor checks your eyesight the following day and confirms that it meets the minimum requirements to drive.
While you can return to work the following day, a period of rest or lowered activity that last several days is advisable for aiding a fast recovery
Heart bypass is a vascular surgery that is done for fixing blockages in the coronary arteries.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals with coronary artery disease.
In an emergency, in case of a heart attack.
Individuals that have previously had other unsuccessful treatments against blocked arteries.
SUCCESS
Over 95%.
RECOVERY TIME
6-12 weeks.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Bleeding.
Arrhythmias.
Infections.
Possibility of cognitive deficiencies.
Kidney problems.
Stroke.
BEFORE TREATMENT
Have a thorough meeting with your doctor and understand the surgery you will be undergoing.
Adhere to any lifestyle changes that are required before the surgery.
Make arrangements for your care and other chores at home/work after the surgery.
DURING TREATMENT
You will be placed under general anaesthesia.
AFTER TREATMENT
Follow your prescribed medications.
Modify your lifestyle to ensure good long term outcomes.
Make sure to speak to your doctor in case you have unexpected side effects.
Be open about your thoughts or feelings, and always speak to and spend time with your loved ones.
A hair transplant is an outpatient surgical procedure that involves transplanting new hair follicles into balding or thinning areas. This minimally-invasive procedure can permanently restore the hair of men and women who are experiencing partial baldness.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Individuals with partial baldness due to male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia)
A receding hairline
Traction alopecia
Head trauma.
SUCCESS
90-95%
RECOVERY TIME
Light routine activities can be resumed 2 days after surgery.
Back to the office: 3 days.
Back to the gym: 1 month.
Back to swimming and steam baths: 1 month.
Back to wearing hats or hard hats: 4 weeks.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Pain
Bleeding
Infection
Swelling or redness of the scalp and/or forehead
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
FUT Hair Transplant
Beard Transplant
Hairline Lowering Surgery
Hair Pigmentation
BEFORE TREATMENT
Do not smoke 24 hours before the treatment.
Don’t drink alcohol 3 days before the treatment.
Don’t use aspirin or vitamins B and E one week before the treatment.
Do not use any gel or sprays before the treatment.
Bring a button-down shirt and wear it on the day of surgery as you won’t be able to pull anything over your head.
Inform your doctor if you have allergies to medications, had abnormal blood test results recently, have a chronic illness, or take medications regularly.
DURING TREATMENT
You will receive local anesthesia during your treatment, so you will be awake and able to read, watch television, or take a nap.
AFTER TREATMENT
Do not smoke for the first 3 days after surgery.
If you’re staying at a hotel, bring your favourite snacks to eat in your room, as surgery may last till late with no option to buy food before going back to your accommodation.
Sleep lying on your back during the first week after surgery. Many patients use a v-shaped pillow for better sleep, as it keeps your head high.
Avoid alcohol and sexual intercourse for the first 7 days after surgery. Also avoid dusty environments.
Cut your hair with scissors only for the first 6 months. Hair clippers may damage your hair. You can dye your hair after 6 months.
Gynecomastia surgery (also known as male breast reduction) works by removing the excess tissue comprising the breasts and creating the more desired contours for the chest wall.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Men with stable breast size and development
Men who feel their breasts are too large
Men who cannot be treated with non-surgical options
Non-smokers and non-drug users
Men who are healthy and of stable weight
Men with realistic expectations, a positive outlook and specific goals
SUCCESS
Most men who undergo gynecomastia surgery report that they are either “satisfied” or “extremely satisfied” with their results.
RECOVERY TIME
Back to the office: 2, 3 days
Back to physical work: 10-14 days
Back to the gym: 2 weeks for non-chest workouts and 6 weeks for chest and high-impact cardio workouts
Hospital stay: 1 night
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Anesthesia reactions
Bleeding or blood clots
Infection
Breast asymmetry
Shape or contour irregularities
Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation
Damage to nerves, blood vessels, muscles or lungs
Fat necrosis
Unfavorable scarring
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Liposuction
BEFORE TREATMENT
Avoid smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Quit using any herbal supplements, aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs before surgery.
Review your surgeon’s instructions about eating and drinking before surgery and taking your prescription medications.
Pick up your post-surgery medications from the pharmacy, if necessary, so that you will be able to go home and rest immediately after your procedure.
DURING TREATMENT
Do not use any deodorant, lotions, gels, cologne or other products, which could increase the risk of infection.
AFTER TREATMENT
Keep your head and chest elevated at a 45-degree angle until you are comfortable enough to sleep flat.
If you are wearing a binder, adjust it regularly, but maintain a gentle pressure to ensure adequate circulation.
Avoid heavy lifting and sexual activity for two weeks after surgery.
You will also need to wait about two weeks or as long as the incisions are in place before taking a bath or swimming.
You can shower 24 hours after surgery.
Do not smoke for a week after surgery, and take your medications as prescribed. You may need to continue to wear a compression garment for several weeks after your procedure.
Gastric balloon surgery is an alternative and temporary weight loss procedure, involving the use of a saline-filled silicone balloon to fill the stomach. This limits the intake of food and make the patient feel fuller for longer.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People within the BMI range of 30-40
SUCCESS
Success rates vary by age. Women under the age of 34 have a 40% success rate, followed by 31% for those aged 35-37, 21% from 38-40, 11% for women aged 41-42, and 5% for women older than 43 years of age.
RECOVERY TIME
You can expect some nausea during the week after insertion.
The balloon usually empties gradually and must be removed through a second endoscopic procedure.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Sore throat
Reflux
Abdominal pain
Abdominal cramping
Nausea and vomiting
Bad breath
Some of the rarer side-effects include bleeding, chest infection and breathing complications.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Gastric Sleeve
Adjustable Gastric Band
Gastric Bypass Surgery
BEFORE TREATMENT
You will be advised to refrain from eating and drinking during the hours before the procedure. Make sure you follow the surgeon’s guidelines.
You’ll probably be a little shaken and drowsy after the procedure, so arrange a lift home from the hospital in advance.
Arrange a few days off work to recuperate after the insertion process. You may feel nauseous and experience stomach pain for several days afterwards.
DURING TREATMENT
You’ll be given a local anaesthetic and hence you’ll be awake throughout the procedure, so try to stay as calm as possible. Your doctor should be able to help you do this, so don’t hesitate to convey how you are feeling throughout the procedure.
AFTER TREATMENT
In many ways, the actual process of inserting a gastric balloon is only the beginning of the treatment. You’ll need to take acid-suppressant medication (lansoprazole or omeprazole) while the balloon remains in your stomach.
You may need to take medication to control nausea and cramping.
Follow a liquid-only diet for the first five days after the procedure.
Slowly re-introduce solid foods.
Eat at regular intervals throughout the day.
Refrain from drinking alcohol or excessive amounts of caffeine.
Get regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day).
Make permanent lifestyle changes – a gastric balloon is a short-term fix to give your weight-loss efforts a kick-start.
