How to Shake the Pre-Surgery Jitters

Anytime you have to undergo a surgical procedure it’s completely normal to be nervous. In fact, there are millions of people out there that deal with hospital and surgical anxiety, so know that you’re not alone. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you deal with pre-surgery anxiety and calm your nerves before operation day:

Have faith in your surgical team. Choosing a surgeon can be nerve wracking in itself, since you need to find someone who you trust completely. Do your research and consult with as many surgeons as you have to until you find the right one. Then, allow yourself to trust them. Trust is the number one weapon when dealing with pre-surgery anxiety. You need to remind yourself that your doctor is an expert and be confident in his or her abilities.

Know the details and voice your concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your procedure. Knowing exactly what is going to happen and why will help you cope while you prepare for surgery. Many times the fear of the unknown can cause more stress, so ask and research away. Should you have any outstanding fears or concerns, speaking with your surgeon can be a big help.

Meditate and listen to music. Deep breathing exercises and other meditative activities can help relax the body and put your mind at ease. A daily dose of yoga is a great way to keep your mind and body centered, and out of “fight-or-flight” mode. Music is also incredibly powerful when it comes to calming nerves. In fact, according to FoxNews.com, “a study in the journal Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica found that people who listened to relaxing music right before surgery were more relaxed than those who opted for medication to calm their nerves.”

Plan for pre-and-post-surgery. Who will drive you and pick you up? What will you need to bring for your hospital stay? Who will handle your obligations while you recover? Making a plan puts you in control of the situation, which can help you keep calm. Enlist the support of your family members to help out and support you before, during and after surgery.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand that your nerves can sometimes get the best of your. That’s why we believe in fostering very personal, trusting relationship with all of our patients. Rest assured that when you choose one of our surgeons, you’ll be in the best, most capable and caring hands.

If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

What is Sarcoma & Who is At Risk?

Unfortunately there are a wide variety of cancer types that can occur in the human body. One specifically rare cancer form is sarcoma, which grows in connective tissue unlike the more common carcinoma. There are over 50 different strands of sarcoma that are broken down into two distinct categories: soft tissue sarcoma and osteosarcoma (bone sarcoma). Though they are most commonly detected in the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat and blood vessels of your arms and legs, sarcomas have the ability to affect all parts of the body equally.

So who is at risk for developing sarcoma? Though the specific cause of sarcoma, and cancer in general, remains undiscovered, research has been able to pin down a few things that might increase your risk factor:

• Heredity - Like many health conditions, those that have family members that were affected by sarcoma in the past are more likely to develop the cancer themselves.
• Paget’s Disease - Those who have been diagnosed with Paget’s Disease, a rare chronic bone condition where one’s bones rebuild at a faster pace than normal, are at a higher risk. However, this disease only occurs in about 1% of people in the United States.
• Genetic Disorders - If you’ve been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, Gardner syndrome, retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or any other form of genetic disorder, you may run a high risk of developing sarcoma later in life.
• Radiation - If you’ve had any kind of exposure to radiation or radiation therapy treatment, you may be more likely to fall victim to sarcoma.

Luckily, only about 1 out of 100 adult cancer cases are diagnosed as soft tissue sarcoma, and the odds are even more slim when it comes to osteosarcoma.

Although there are many different treatment options available, like most cancers, the best way to attempt to rid the body of sarcoma is with surgery. That’s where Great South Bay Surgical Associates can help. Our surgeons are the most knowledgeable in the industry, specializing in a wide variety or open and minimally invasive oncological surgery procedures.

For more information, click here or call 631-321-6801 to schedule a consultation.

The Different Types of Abdominal Hernias

A hernia occurs when an organ or piece of tissue protrudes and pushes against or through another organ or part of the body. In the case of an abdominal hernia, a piece of bowel or body tissue pushes up against a weak spot on the abdominal wall, causing it to break through and lead to a feeling of weakness, pressure, burning, or pain in the abdomen, groin, or scrotum. You may also notice a bulge or lump in one of those areas, and can experience pain when having a bowel movement, lifting or coughing. Since hernias come in all shapes and sizes, here is a list of the most common types of abdominal hernias and how they occur:

Hernias of the Abdominal and Pelvic Floor:

• Inguinal Hernias are mostly predominant in men, occurring when the opening to the inguinal canal, the canal that allows the spermatic cord and testicles to descend, does not close up tightly enough after puberty.
• Femoral Hernias are present when a weak spot forms where the femoral artery and vein pass through the abdomen and into the leg. These are more likely to occur in women.
• Obturator Hernias are less common, but are brought on by multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss that weakens the obturator canal.

Hernias of the Abdominal Wall:

• Epigastric Hernias are characteristic of infants where a weakness of the midline of the abdominal wall exists. Adults who do not catch this hernia at a young age may notice a bulge between their breastbone and belly button.
• Umbilical Hernias occur near the belly button of a newborn, creating an abnormal bulge. Most times these hernias will self-correct and do not require treatment.
• Spigelian Hernias are extremely rare, occurring on the outside edges of the rectus abdominus muscle.
• Incisional Hernias are a result of surgical complications where an abdominal muscle has been cut for a procedure, resulting in a weakened area susceptible to hernias.

Hernias of the Diaphragm:

• Hiatal Hernias can lead to serious complications and occur when a portion of the stomach slides into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
• Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernias are usually a result of major traumatic injury from blunt trauma, stabbing or gunshot wounds.
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia are caused by a rare occurrence where the diaphragm does not completely close during fetal development. This can lead to serious complications within the lungs and their development.

If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous effects of a hernia, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.

How to Prevent Hemorrhoid Complications

Did you know that every single person has hemorrhoids? It’s true, we all have them as a natural part of our anatomy. However, some people’s hemorrhoids become inflamed, causing itching, bleeding and an overall painful experience. Though inflamed hemorrhoids are one of the more prevalent gastrointestinal conditions, no one wants to deal with the discomfort of suffering from them. Luckily there are a few easy ways to help prevent hemorrhoids from becoming a problem in your everyday life.

1. Eat a ton of fiber. Adding an ample amount of fiber -- 25-30 grams a day -- to your diet will help make your bowel movements more frequent and regulated, which reduces your chance of getting hemorrhoids. Legumes, whole grains, artichokes, peas, raspberries, apples and bananas are all great sources of fiber.

2. Drink water regularly. Drinking six-to-eight glasses of water a day helps prevent constipation by promoting healthy bowel movements. But that’s not all! Besides preventing hemorrhoids, drinking water regularly is beneficial for your entire body, so drink up!

3. Keep your body active. Exercise is the key that opens up many healthy lifestyle doors. Keeping active promotes a healthy colon by reducing the amount of time sitting and putting pressure on the veins in your lower rectum. However, certain exercises like lifting weights can actually do the opposite, so exercise wisely!

4. Don’t put up a fight. When you feel the urge to use the restroom, go! Don’t wait for a more convenient time, as waiting can cause for straining later on. Straining or pushing too hard when trying to have a bowel movement is one of the leading causes of inflamed and bleeding hemorrhoids, so avoid it at all costs.

If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable effects of hemorrhoids, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801 and learn how our surgeons can help. Our doctors are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hemorrhoid removal procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.

Top Vitamins That Help Prevent Cancer

What the experts say is true! What you choose to eat has a direct effect on your health. But can a healthy, nutrient-rich diet prevent cancer? Though there are no sure-fire cures or definitive ways to prevent cancer, adopting a healthy diet can be a very beneficial deterrent. Here are some of the most important cancer-fighting vitamins that you should incorporate into your diet:

Beta carotene: Eating plenty of orange and green vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and kale, will ensure a healthy proportion of this nutrient in your daily diet. Research shows that beta carotene is beneficial in protecting the lungs specifically, reducing the risk of lung cancer.

Vitamin B6: Your body needs a hearty immune system to properly defend against disease. Eating a good amount of carrots, apples, bananas and leafy greens will help ensure that you're getting enough of this immuno-health booster.

Vitamin C: We all know how important it is to have a morning dose of fresh squeezed orange juice! That’s because it’s packed with Vitamin C, one of the most promising cancer-fighting vitamins researched thus far.

Folic Acid: This nutrient goes by several names and is especially helpful in protecting against cervical cancer. Also known as folate or vitamin B9, folic acid is found in beets, cabbage, dark leafy greens, eggs, citrus fruits, and many types of fish.

Vitamin E: This handy gastrointestinal defender works wonders to help protect against bowel cancer. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting skin cells from damage caused by pollutants. Eggs, wheat germ, liver, unrefined vegetable oils, and dark green vegetables are high in this trusty vitamin.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates we are committed to helping you and your family live healthy and happy lifestyles through the implementation of both educational and surgical procedures. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 631-321-6801.

Meet Dr. John W. Hsu!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates your health is our number one priority. That’s why we strive to hire only the best and most skilled surgeons in the field to provide an array of high quality healthcare services, using both open and minimally invasive techniques. We know how scary it can be to find out that you need to have a procedure done, but getting to know your doctor prior to your surgery can help ease those fears. Through the implementation of our “Meet the Doctors” blog series, our goal is to help our patients feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands!

With that said, and without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to one of our own, Dr. John W. Hsu!

Originally from way out west, Dr. Hsu studied medicine and received his degree close to home at the University of Kansas. Upon receiving his medical degree the doctor went on to complete his surgical training at Truman Medical Center, a level I trauma center in Kansas City, Missouri..

But that’s not all! Dr. Hsu developed his education and medical career even further by pursuing specialty training in transplant surgery under a fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia PA. Upon completing his training, Dr. Hsu began practicing a wide variety of general surgery procedures, including: gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, dialysis access surgery and treatment of varicose veins.

In addition to his many prestigious medical degrees and credentials, he is also an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and the Vascular Access Society of the Americas.

To learn more about how Dr. Hsu can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Signs & Symptoms of Skin Cancer - The ABCDE Rule!

It’s no secret that too much fun in the sun can sometimes have some pretty serious consequences. With beach weather upon us, and summer camp trips on the horizon, it’s important to not only protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays, but to be able to keep an eye out for potential signs and symptoms of skin cancer. To help you stay informed, here are a few things you should know in order to accurately identify potentially dangerous abnormalities on the skin:

As a general rule, you’ll want to keep an eye out for odd-looking moles, sores, lumps, or blemishes on the skin’s surface. However, in order to identify anything unusual, you first have to know what a normal, healthy mole looks like. A normal mole is typically about a quarter of an inch in diameter, can be flat or raised and is brown, tan or black in color. Whether present at birth, or developed over one’s lifetime, once a mole has developed it should stay the same size, shape and color, but can potentially fade away as well.

Now that you’ve got a handle on what a healthy mole will look like you will be able to identify any abnormalities more easily. Let's take a look at the ABCDE rule, a guide used by the American Cancer Society to identify signs of melanoma.

• Asymmetry: Is the birthmark or mole symmetrical all the way around, or does one half not match the other?
• Border: Take a look at the edges of your mole or birthmark. Are they smooth or are they irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred?
• Color: A healthy mole will have similar coloring throughout. Do you notice that coloring is not the same all over, including shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue?
• Diameter: How large is your birthmark? Since a normal birthmark is about ¼ of an inch in diameter, you’ll want to check out any moles that are larger or smaller than the norm.
• Evolving: Has your mole changed in size, shape, or color? This can be an indicator that there may be something malignant present.

If you recognize abnormalities and think that you may be showing symptoms of skin cancer or melanoma, alert your doctor right away!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

Meet Dr. Erica Sneider!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we’re committed to offering high quality healthcare solutions for all of our patients’ needs. We’ve found that the best way to achieve this goal is by hiring only the best and most knowledgeable surgeons in the field. Our highly skilled team of doctors perform a wide variety of open and minimally invasive procedures in general and vascular surgery.

We know that learning you’re in need of a surgical procedure can cause fear and discomfort, but the best way to feel confident going into an operation is by knowing and trusting your doctor inside and out. That’s why we’ve developed our “Meet the Doctors” blog series, to allow our patients to get to know our doctors before their surgery so that they can feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Erica Sneider, another one of our expert surgeons!

Dr. Sneider grew up on Long Island, where she still resides today. Knowing she was interested in a career in medicine, following her bachelor’s degree she went on to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. The doctor completed her general surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts, as well as a fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at the same institution.

As you might have guessed, Dr. Sneider’s professional expertise lies in colon and rectal procedures, working with diverticular and malignant disease, hemorrhoid treatment and laser surgery, anal fistulas, inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor procedures.

To learn more about how Dr. Sneider can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.