How to Prepare for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder removal (or “laparoscopic cholecystectomy”) is one of the many commonly performed surgical procedures that patients undergo. Even though gallbladder removal is a minimally invasive type of surgery, there are still a few ways you will need to prepare:

Step 1. The first step involves blood work and a medical evaluation. Getting your blood drawn is necessary prior to surgery, as this can indicate to your surgeon that you may require special attention.

Step 2. Once your surgeon reviews your blood work and other medical documents, and goes over any risks and benefits, they will need to provide you with a letter of written consent for the procedure.

Step 3. Have a conversation with your doctor before the surgery. During this conversation, bring up any questions or concerns, as this can help to ease any anxiety you might have about the procedure.

Step 4. It’s important to stop any medications or blood thinners, such as Advil, the night before the operation unless your doctor suggests otherwise. The same also goes for food and water. However, if you must take medications, be sure to only swallow with a sip of water. 

Step 5. Learn about recovery. Although laparoscopic gallbladder removal is a minimally invasive procedure, it still helps to know what to expect after the operation. Not only is it important to know what steps you can take to feel 100 percent recovered, but it’s also essential to know what you can and cannot do afterwards.

If you have more questions about gallbladder removal, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide the best minimally invasive surgical solution for gallbladder removal. 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.

Exercises to Keep Your Heart Healthy

According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes of exercise at least three days a week can reduce your risk of heart disease. But if you can’t find the time in your schedule, aerobic exercise routines as quick at 10 to 15 minutes can also help. With that being said, here are a few easy workouts that will help you exercise your way to a healthy heart:

Walking. The number one aerobic exercise is walking - a safe and relaxing workout that you can try almost anywhere. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invest in a gym membership or a treadmill. You can get a sufficient amount of exercise just by taking the stairs to work, parking on the opposite side of a parking lot, or strolling through your neighborhood.

Biking. Another popular type of aerobic exercise that is good for the heart is bike riding. The pumping motion you get in your legs from riding your bicycle is excellent for your heart muscle, as this helps to increase blood circulation throughout the body. Too cold out for bike riding? Try a stationary bike instead!

Swimming. One of the greatest aerobic activities is swimming. Swimming at least two hours a week can significantly strengthen your heart without putting too much stress on your bones and joints - especially beneficial if you suffer from moderate to severe arthritis.

Dancing. Not only is dancing a great aerobic exercise, but it’s also a fun pastime that many people enjoy. All you need is some comfy footwear, a dancefloor, and music that moves you. Depending on your pace and preference, dancing can range from high to low impact and can make your heart beat about 120 to 135 times per minute.

For more heart-healthy tips, connect with Great South Bay Surgical Associates on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 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, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

When to Get Help for Constipation

Although constipation is uncomfortable, it usually goes away on its own after a few days. But what if you’ve been suffering with symptoms for a while? How do you know when to seek help from a doctor? At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we know how important it is to have peace of mind about matters like these. That is why we have compiled the following symptoms to help you know when you should seek medical assistance:

This is your first experience - Almost everyone experiences uncomfortable bowel movements at some point. So if you’ve never been constipated before now, you might want to ask your doctor for help. Depending on your age and medical history, irregular bowel movements can be concerning if it hasn’t occurred in the past.

You experience stomach pain - If you’re having stomach pains, your situation could be a sign of a more serious complication, especially if it is accompanied by abdominal swelling. Mild discomfort is normal, but pain can be dangerous for your body.

There is blood in your stool - Blood in your stool could be from severe constipation. However, this can be a cause for concern if you let it go on for more than a few days. Letting your doctor know about this side effect can help them determine if there is a deeper issue going on.

You’re losing weight - If you’re not trying to lose weight but see that the numbers on the scale are dropping, it’s probably a good idea to seek medical help. If you can’t find another explanation for your unexpected weight loss, constipation might be to blame, and it’s essential to find the underlying reason.

It’s important not to let constipation persist for too long, as it can lead to other complications like hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse. If you suspect that your situation is irregular or has gone on too long, your safest best is to ask for assistance.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat gastrointestinal and colorectal disorders with advanced technology. If you or someone you know suffers from severe, ongoing constipation and suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.

Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

Reducing your risk of cancer goes far beyond eating healthy foods. Turns out there are many steps you can take to have a positive impact on your lifestyle. Below are just a few starters:

Stay away from tobacco. Most of us are well aware that tobacco is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, but did you know it can also lead to cancers of the throat, mouth, esophagus, as well as heart disease? If you or someone you know suffers from a nicotine addiction, now is the time to take small steps to quit. 

Set goals for sleeping right. The average person should get about 7 hours of sleep each night. Not only does a lack of sleep make your body work harder the next day and slow down your immune system, but it also induces unhealthy, sugary cravings.

Exercise often. Research shows that working out at least three days a week can lower your risk of colon cancer by about 50 percent, so make sure you dedicate at least 30 minutes to walking or biking. And don’t forget that even the small steps count, like taking the stairs or parking a few blocks from your destination.

Go for a screening. One of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer is to get screened, especially if the disease runs in your family. The earlier you know what’s going on inside your body, the better chance you have at fighting potential precancerous growths.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 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, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Best Foods to Eat for Healthy Bowel Movements

Part of keeping your digestive tract healthy and your bowel movements regular is about eating the right foods. Most of us hear that vegetables are beneficial to our bodies, but do we know why?

Turns out that these types of foods are perfect examples of high-fiber foods, which is what helps you get rid of waste more easily. But the list doesn’t stop there! Below are four of the best fiber-rich foods to start adding to your diet today:

Whole Grains. Toss away those snacks filled with refined grains and replace them with whole-wheat alternatives, like bran cereal, whole-wheat flour, and whole-wheat bread. Wheat makes an excellent source of fiber that you should slowly incorporate into your diet - just be careful not to add too much too quickly, as you could wind up upsetting your digestive tract.

Fruit and vegetables. Top your morning bran cereal with blackberries or pair a steak with carrots and bell peppers. Both are great options to boost your digestive system and promote healthy bowel movements. Even a ½ cup serving of broccoli or pears can contain up to 3 grams of fiber, and even more if you avoid removing the skin off certain fruits.

Beans. Whether it be dried beans, lentils, or peas, adding beans to your pasta dish or salad bowl can help you eat your way to a healthier diet filled with fiber. Not to mention, there are plenty of options and tons of different flavors to choose from!

Water. While eating more fiber is good for healthy bowel movements, it can also cause possible gas and bloating. This is why drinking several glasses of water a day can help you minimize side effects. Plus, water is a beneficial fluid that promotes healthy digestion and softens your stools.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat colon disorders with advanced technology. If you or someone you know suffers from unhealthy and irregular bowel movements and suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.

Top Ways to Maintain a Healthy Colon

Keeping your colon healthy is one way to prevent diseases and live a good life. If you want to keep health problems at bay and need a little piece of advice, consider the following tips:

Drink lots of water. Drinking water is good for many things, but did you know it also works wonders for your digestive system? In fact, not drinking enough water can lead to constipation, bloating, possible IBS, and a buildup of toxins. Not to mention, when your body feels dehydrated it slows you down. So make sure you’re drinking an adequate amount of fluids each day to cleanse your body and keep toxins out of your colon.

Add fiber to your diet. Eat your way to a healthy lifestyle by slowly introducing fiber into your diet. You may not realize it, but you’re probably already eating fiber-rich foods already. Fruits such as bananas, raspberries, prunes, as well as certain vegetables and whole-wheat cereals are all beneficial for your colon. Just be sure not to eat too much fiber too quickly, as this can have a reverse effect on your body.

Listen to your body. Don’t make it a habit of holding it in. Regular bowel movements is the most natural way to cleanse your colon and keep it healthy. On the other side of that, holding in a bowel movement can put pressure on your insides and potentially lead to diverticulosis and IBS.

Make time for exercise. Increasing your blood circulation through means of exercise is one of the most ideal ways of making sure your colon gets the oxygen it needs to function properly. Even if you’ve checked the above three tips off your list, it’s also important to take preventative measures by exercising. You’d be surprised how much working out just 10 to 15 minutes a day can help you maintain a healthy colon.

Adopting a few lifestyle tips can help significantly lower your risk of developing colon cancer or other complications, so keep track of the foods you’re eating and listen to what your body is telling you.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat colon disorders with laparoscopic or open techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.

Most Common Health Concerns in Elderly

National Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13th. In recognition of this important holiday, Great South Bay Surgical Associates would like to stress how important it is to care for our elderly loved ones. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with signs of some of the most common health concerns out there. 

Arthritis. One of the most widely recognized illnesses in the elderly is Arthritis, which involves damaged joints in the body. Even though there are many different forms of this condition, perhaps the most commonly known form is Osteoarthritis, often caused by infection or injury. Take notice if a loved one complains of chronic pain and suffering in a general area of the body, as this could be an indication of damage joints.

Heart Failure. Another complication that affects many seniors is heart failure. This condition is due to a lack of blood being pumped through the heart, enough to satisfy the body’s needs. Look for signs of obesity, valve problems, and heart attacks, which all have the ability to weaken the effectiveness of the heart muscle. If a senior complains of coughing, shortness of breath, or even swelling of the ankles, make sure you seek a doctor’s help.

Cancer. While cancer affects people of all ages, it is another common problem often seen in the elderly. As you age, it gets easier for cells to become invaded and infections to spread throughout the body. If you know someone who smokes or has been exposed to excess amounts of radiation, it is possible that they can be more susceptible to cancer.

Parkinson’s Disease. Many cases of Parkinson’s disease can affect people who are at least sixty years of age. So, if you find that your loved one suffers from fatigue, tremors, troubles with balance, and joint stiffness, you might be looking at some signs of this disease.

While some health complications are easy to recognize, others are not. With that being said, your best bet is to consult a doctor to make sure that none of the above illnesses are of concern.

Established in 1909, Great South Bay Surgical Associates has been serving the community with the tradition of caring and quality for over 100 years. Every one of our surgeons has countless years of experience in the industry, performing open and minimally invasive general and oncological surgeries with precision.

For more information about our practice and the procedures that we offer, click here or call 631-321-6801.

7 Need-to-Know Facts About Varicose Veins

According to WomensHealth.gov, varicose veins have the potential to affect approximately 50% of people in the United States age 50 and over. With those odds, it’s important to make sure that you familiarize yourself with this common condition, it’s causes and methods of prevention. That being said, here are seven facts that you absolutely must know about varicose veins:

1. Crossing your legs is not as bad as it seems. Though sitting with your legs crossed or wearing high heels can somewhat increase the pressure put on your legs, and therefore increase your risk of developing varicose veins, there is no direct negative result of doing so.

2. Sitting or standing for long periods of time is risky. When you sit or stand for hours at a time each day, the blood in your leg veins begins to pool, weakening the vein valves and walls. In addition, family history, obesity, smoking, lack of regular exercise and hormonal birth control, are all factors that can increase your risk for this vascular condition.

3. Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue. In fact, ignoring varicose veins and forgoing treatment could lead to fatigue and restlessness in the legs, swelling and and overall feeling of discomfort. Long term effects can include deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, and poor circulation.

4. Though similar, varicose veins and spider veins are not the same. Spider veins are thin, blue blood vessels that are visible through the skin and are generally harmless, while varicose veins are raised, rope-like veins that are visible protruding above the skin. To learn more about the differences between the two, see our past blog post here.

5. Men can develop varicose veins too. Though records show that 70-80% of patients treated are female, a small percentage of men can suffer from varicose veins as well. Overall, “about 50-55% percent of women and 40-45% percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem.”

6. Pregnancy can cause or worsen varicose veins. While carrying, the inferior vena cava can be subjected to increased pressure caused by a blood flow blockage. Pregnancy hormones can also weaken the vein walls.

7. Exercise is the best way to prevent varicose veins. Physical activity that boost circulation, like swimming, walking and climbing stairs, can help to reduce your chances of developing these unsightly veins.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand our patients’ needs for varicose vein removal, which is why we offer three types of treatments: Laser, sclerotherapy injections and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement.

To learn more about our vascular surgery options, call 631-321-6801 to schedule a consultation today.