Surgery
Every year more than 15 million people in the U.S. have surgery. There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. Some surgeries, like heart surgery , can save your life.
In recent years there have been many advances in surgery. Not long ago, all surgeries involved cutting with a scalpel. Today, some surgeries are done with lasers. Some operations that once needed large incisions – cuts in the body – can now be done using much smaller incisions.
Any surgery carries the risk of complications, including infection, too much bleeding, reaction to anesthesia , or accidental injury. There is almost always some pain with surgery.
Plastic & Cosmetic
Cosmetic breast, face, and body surgeries strive to minimize the amount of visible scarring while maximizing the positive benefits. From breast implants to tummy tucks to nose jobs, cosmetic surgeons add to, remove, or adjust existing physical structures to achieve the look that the patient wants. Key factors to keep in mind include cost, physical feasibility, and longevity of results.
Orthopedic
Orthopedic surgery spans a wide range of procedures that correct problems that affect the musculoskeletal system. Aches, stiffness, and discomfort are common afflictions, but the more severe cases might have a surgical solutioin. Muscles, tendons, joints, and bones can all be worked on to erase the effects of traumatic injury, disease, aging, or a combination of the three
Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery procedures attack the problem of obesity by rearranging the fundamental structure of the digestive system. From gastric bypass procedures to the LAP-BAND system, weight loss surgery uses techniques such as restricting the stomach to induce feelings of fullness more quickly or rerouting the path of digestion so that less of the calories eaten are absorbed.
Neurosurgery
Beyond brain tumor removal, neurosurgery branches out into a multitude of other diverse areas. Neurosurgery refers to any number of surgical procedures performed on not only the central nervous system, but even the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Neurosurgery encompasses surgeries for trauma, surgical clipping for brain aneurysms, and even certain operations to help mitigate psychiatric diseases.
Heart
Cardiac surgery may be performed “open heart,” with the heart exposed and bloodstream diverted around the crucial organ while it’s being operated upon. Other popular options include performing operations with the heart still beating, and, increasingly using a number of orthoscopic methods. The appropriate type of cardiac surgery depends on the heart condition that you need addressed.
Cancer
Surgical oncology is one important part in the process of removing cancer cells from your body. Many cancer patients benefit from careful excision of tumors, though surgical oncology is often combined with chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy. The nature of your tumor and its response o these various treatments options will determine how much assistance surgical oncology can lend.
Podiatry
Podiatric surgery is designed to ensure continued functionality of the foot and ankle areas. Patients who complain of joint and ligament problems, as well as those with congenital deformities, are offered a plethora of surgical solutions that fix bones, muscles, and joints. Certain podiatric surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgery, while others perform full reconstructions.
Ear, Nose & Throat
Various surgeries for the ear, nose, and throat are available to improve health and functionality. Airway reconstruction is an option for patients with breathing difficulties such as constriction and noisy breathing, while vocal cord surgery addresses similar problems with sound and articulation. In many cases, surgeons operate on delicate structures such as minute blood vessels.
Urology
Urology addresses everything from reproductive problems in male patients to urinary issues in either sex; surgeons may operate on the bladder, kidneys, ureter, or genitals. At one extreme, full reconstruction of urinary or reproductive systems is an option. At the other, urology boasts a number of less nvasive, technologically sophisticated methods to deal with delicate structures.
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics and gynaecology are two surgical specialties, often abbreviated OB/GYN, that deal with female reproductive organs. The field of obstetrics specifically focuses on pregnancy and child delivery, whereas gynaecology takes a broader stance and is concerned with general female reproductive health. Surgeons in these two areas operate on a myriad of sensitive structures.
Gastroenterology
Surgeries related to gasteroenterology mainly deal with disorders of the digestive system. Structures that may be operated on include the stomach, esophagus, and intestines, as well as less directly related structures such as the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Procedures such as appendectomies and operations that correct stomach issues are among the most common.