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. Sophia Fu!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we believe in serving our patients with the highest level of consideration and professionalism, which is our surgical team is made up of only the best and most skilled doctors in the field. Undergoing any sort of medical procedure, no matter the size, can be nerve-wracking.

To help settle those pre-procedure butterflies, we’ve developed a way for our patients to get to know our doctors a bit better - through our “meet the doctors” blog series!

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sophia Fu, one of our top-notch surgical professionals!

Originally from right here on Long Island, Dr. Fu began her educational career at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University. At Barnard, Dr. Fu earned a degree in biochemistry with a concentration in pre-medical studies, graduating with prestigious cum laude honors.

As her concentration and current position as a member of the Great South Bay Surgical Associates team allude, Dr. Fu went on to pursue a degree in medicine after receiving her Bachelor of Science, studying at New York Medical College of Valhalla NY and SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn NY.

But that’s not all! During her time in medical school, Dr. Fu was very also actively researching pancreatic diseases, pursuing and earning a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University

Today, Dr. Fu is just one of our many experienced professional surgeons, specializing in general surgery with a focus in breast and laparoscopic procedures.

To learn more about how Dr. Fu 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.

How to Treat Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus that can potentially cause extensive pain, bleeding and discomfort. Although many cases of hemorrhoids are treatable with topical medications and a change in diet, it is recommended that large hemorrhoids be treated with surgery. In addition to the traditional methods of surgical hemorrhoidectomy, our surgeons also practice laser, rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy procedures. Here’s what you need to know about each procedure:

A hemorrhoidectomy is the most common procedure for relieving hemorrhoids. This procedure involves several incisions to be made around the anus in order to cut away the hemorrhoids present. Depending on the severity of the surgery, the recommendations of the anesthesiologist and the preference of the patient, this can be done with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the area, allowing the patient to remain alert, relaxed and pain-free throughout the procedure, while general anesthesia will put the patient to sleep. Although this is an outpatient procedure that is very beneficial in relieving pain, swelling, bleeding and itching associated with hemorrhoids, the incision sites are in a sensitive area which could cause mild pain and discomfort during healing.

The following three treatment options are minimally invasive, and work to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids:

Laser Treatment - During this procedure, a special, precise laser beam is used to burn away hemorrhoidal tissues in the anus. Since this is done with a laser, no incisions are necessary.

Rubber Band Ligation - In order to cut off the hemorrhoid’s blood supply and kill the tissue, a rubber band is placed around its base. Rest assured that this will be done as painlessly as possible, attaching the rubber bands to the areas that have the least pain receptors.

Sclerotherapy - This procedure uses a chemical solution that is injected into the blood vessel that fuels each hemorrhoid. The solution will work to shrink and destroy the supplying blood vessel, which will in turn kill the hemorrhoid or hemorrhoids that it perpetuates.

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.

All About Breast Reconstruction Surgery

In honor of National Cancer Survivor Day yesterday, we’d like to tip our hats to cancer survivors everywhere, and shed some light on the breast reconstruction procedures that can benefit breast cancer survivors specifically.

Who is Eligible for Breast Reconstruction?
Many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are candidates for a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy surgery. As part of the procedure, the surgeon will remove the tumor and reshape the remaining breast to preserve its aesthetics. However, in some cases women are not eligible for a lumpectomy, and instead require a full mastectomy to be performed, which is the removal of the entire breast tissue. Although it is not necessary, many women opt to receive breast reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy to rebuild breast tissue.

Types of Breast Reconstruction
There are three methods that can be performed to achieve breast reconstruction: Breast implants, natural tissue flaps or a combination of the two. When choosing a method you’ll want to take into account that each procedure produces different results, some feeling more natural than others. Body type and size also have an impact on the recommended method of reconstruction. Your surgeon will recommend the best options for you during your consultation.

Breast Implants vs. Natural Tissue Flaps
According to the Susan G. Komen Organization, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to the two methods of procedure.

• Look and Feel: With breast implants you’ll have less of a natural outcome than you would with natural tissue flaps.
• Surgery and Hospital Stay: Breast implants require a less extensive surgery than natural tissue flaps, but both require a hospital stay for the initial procedure. However, after receiving breast implant surgery you’ll only need to stay 1-2 nights in the hospital, whereas with the natural tissue flap procedure, you’ll need to be hospitalized for 3-4 nights.
• Repeated Surgery: Breast implants will likely need to be redone over time, while tissue flaps will not.
• Recovery Time: Breast implant surgery requires a 3-4 week recovery time, while tissue flap surgery requires 4-6 weeks. The likelihood of scarring is also significantly lower in breast implant procedures.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors specialize in a variety of oncological and reconstructive procedures. If you need breast cancer surgery, or desire breast reconstruction, our highly skilled surgeons are here to help. To learn more about our practice and procedures or to schedule a consultation call 631-321-6801 today!

Meet Dr. Michael Sacca!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we take pride in our exceptional level of quality healthcare services, provided by the best and most knowledgeable surgeons in the field. Our extraordinary team of doctors perform a multitude of open and minimally invasive procedures in general and vascular surgery. We understand the fear and discomfort that might result from learning that you have to have a procedure done, which is why we’ve developed our “Meet the Doctors” blog series. We want 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.

So, today we’d like to introduce you to another one of our expert surgeons, Dr. Michael Sacca!

Dr. Sacca studied as an undergraduate student at Brown University before completing his medical school training at Albany Medical College. After receiving his degree from medical school in Albany, he returned home to Long Island to complete training in vascular surgery at Stony Brook University.

In 1998, Dr. Sacca became a valued member of the Great South Bay Surgical Associates team, where he has performed hundreds of surgeries over the past 17 years. The doctor’s training and dual board certification in both general and vascular surgery allows him to perform a variety of complex surgeries with ease and precision, including laparoscopic and open GI surgery as well as endovascular and open arterial reconstruction procedures. Dr. Sacca has also performed a number of minimally invasive varicose vein procedures in-office.

In addition to his role as a surgeon at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, the doctor is also the current Chairman of the Surgical Peer Review Committee at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, and holds a position as Associate Director of Vascular Surgery at Southside Hospital.

To learn more about how Dr. Sacca 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.

Varicose Veins: Causes and Risks

Varicose veins are unfortunately something that many of us face as our bodies age, and can be unsightly if left unmanaged. So what exactly are they? Varicose, or spider veins, form when veins become swollen and twisted, making them visible underneath the skin. Typically these veins form in the legs, but other parts of your body are susceptible as well.

What causes varicose veins to form?
Your veins work to pump blood throughout the body and back to the heart. When blood is pumped from your legs specifically, the veins must work double-time against the force of gravity to send the blood all the way up to your heart. Veins are made up of one-way valves that open to let blood flow through, but if these valves are weak or damaged, blood can pool in the veins causing them to swell and create spider veins. Damaged or deformed valves can cause blood to flow backward as well, which causes the veins to bulge and swell.

Who is at risk for developing varicose veins?
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “many factors may raise your risk for varicose veins.” Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind and watch out for when it comes to varicose veins:

• Family History: If this condition runs in your family you’re more likely to develop varicose veins.
• Age: Since veins tend to weaken with age, the older you become, the more susceptible you are to having vein complications.
• Gender: Due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, menopause and the like, women are generally more likely to develop spider veins than men.
• Weight: Obesity is a huge factor in vein related conditions because being overweight can cause extra strain on your veins.
• Physical Activity: As for most health conditions, a proven record of physical activity can help prevent this condition. Sitting or standing for a long time, especially with legs crossed or bent, can cause spider veins to form more rapidly.
• Leg Trauma: Blood clots or severe damage to your veins can cause weakening and make you more at risk for blood pooling and vein swelling.

How can Great South Bay Surgical Associates help?
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, click here to view our past blog post, or click here to visit us on the web.

Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgeries We Perform

Your digestive tract is a complex system that can easily be disrupted by a number of diseases, a poor or insufficient diet, and even the presence of emotional stress. While some digestive problems can be remedied by taking prescription medicine and employing lifestyle changes, others require a surgical procedure to get things back on track. At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we perform procedures to treat many types of stomach, small intestine and appendix disorders, using both open and laparoscopic techniques.

Here are some of the gastrointestinal and colorectal procedures that we provide:

Colorectal Surgery: Colorectal Surgery is performed to treat disorders pertaining to the rectum, anus and colon. It can be performed using either laparoscopic or robotic da Vinci techniques. The da Vinci technique is similar to the traditional laparoscopic procedure and “features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and special wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist.” Some of the more common colorectal surgeries include laparoscopic colectomies, proctocolectomy and bowel diversion surgery.

Hemorrhoid Surgery and Laser Treatments: Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus that can potentially cause extensive pain and bleeding. Although many cases of hemorrhoids are treatable with topical medications, it is recommended that large hemorrhoids be treated with surgery. In addition to the traditional methods of surgical hemorrhoidectomy, we also practice laser, rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy procedures.

Pelvic Floor Procedures: Your pelvic floor is a very complex layer and usually functions very well, but it can be damaged if too much stress is placed upon it. If damage does occur, these procedures can be done to treat pelvic and rectal prolapse, fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and anal or rectal pain complications.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any colorectal or gastrointestinal issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are having complications with your digestive tract that require surgery click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Meet Dr. John Simon!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we believe in serving our patients with the highest level of consideration and professionalism. That’s why we hire only the best and most skilled surgeons in the field to perform our procedures. We know that it’s difficult to undergo any sort of medical procedure, big or small, which is why we want our patients to feel calm and comfortable with their doctor before, during and after the surgery.

With that in mind, today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. John Simon!

As a board certified surgeon, Dr. John Simon has been serving the community for over 25 years. He joined us at Great South Bay Surgical Associates in 1988, where he has practiced our tradition of care and precision for the past 27 years and counting. He is extremely skilled and committed to providing top notch surgical services to all of his patients.

In his time as a surgeon, Dr. Simon has performed thousands of procedures. He has successfully executed over 1000 colon surgeries, 1800 hernia repair procedures, and 1000 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. He has also performed a wide range of a open and minimally invasive abdominal procedures.

In addition to his position as a surgical doctor, he has also held many highly esteemed positions within the surgical field. Most notably, Dr. Simon served as a Department Chair in Surgery and a past President of the Suffolk County Medical Society. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is held in high regards as the president and founder of the Long Island Laparoscopy Society. Aside from his prestigious positions and demanding work schedule, Dr. Simon also finds time to serve as an adjunct clinical professor at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) and a clinical assistant professor at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

To learn more about how Dr. Simon 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.

Our Vascular Surgery Procedures

The surgeons at Great South Bay Surgical Associates specialize in a variety of vascular surgery procedures. Our goal is to provide quality care for all of our patients' vascular health needs, performing both cosmetic and medical procedures as necessary. Here’s a list detailing some of the vascular surgeries that we provide:

Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins helps to minimize the appearance of varicose and spider veins. It is a simple procedure that uses laser heat to produce scar tissue that inevitably causes the unsightly vein to close and lose it’s blood source, disappearing over time.

Sclerotherapy Injection Treatments have been practiced since the 1930s, and involve injecting a salt solution directly into the veins, causing the lining of the blood vessels to swell and stick together. This will eventually cause a clot that will turn to scar tissue, eliminating unwanted varicose and spider veins.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Placements work to stop blood clots from traveling from your leg or pelvis area to your lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Our surgeons will successfully place the filter into your IVC using a topical anesthetic and a delivery catheter.

Endovascular Arterial Surgery is used specifically to treat Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a disease of the arteries which causes narrowing and poor circulation. Patients who suffer from PAD often experience muscle pain and cramping. Our surgeons perform three types of endovascular arterial procedures: Angioplasty, stent placement and atherectomy.

A Carotid Endarterectomy works to combat Carotid Artery Disease by removing plaque buildup in the carotid arteries that can cause abnormal blood flow and in some cases strokes.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Surgery repairs weakened areas within the aorta wall. Since the aorta is the largest artery in the body, delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, it is very important that you keep yours healthy. This surgery is performed by placing stents into the aorta through small incisions

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide surgical solutions for all of your cosmetic and medical vascular needs. Serving patients in Nassau, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, our team of leading surgeons is committed to providing exceptional services with state of the art technologies. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Meet Dr. John Francfort!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are leading doctors in their respective fields, hailing from prestigious colleges, universities and surgical training programs country-wide. We want our patients to be calm and comfortable when undergoing any type of procedure, which is why we’ve decided to bring the doctors to you in our “Meet the Doctors” blog series.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. John Francfort!

Dr. John Francfort first received his surgical training in Philadelphia, PA at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his training and earning his degree at UPenn, he went on to specialize in vascular surgery through a training program at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. As such, he currently holds a dual board certification in both general and vascular surgery.

But that’s not all! Dr. Francfort continued to further his studies while giving back to the education system as an assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA for quite some time. Since then, he has moved on to become a clinical assistant professor of surgery at both Stony Brook University and NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) on Long Island, where he still teaches today.

Like all of the doctors at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, Dr. Francfort has held many prestigious positions in the past, including acting as a former president of the eastern Long Island chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Currently, he is chairman of the Department of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.

As for surgical procedures, Dr. Francfort does it all! He’s highly skilled in performing a high volume of surgical cases including laparoscopic procedures, surgical oncology, breast, GI and colorectal care, gallbladder surgery, venous laser surgery and endovascular arterial surgery.

To learn more about how Dr. Francfort 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.

Surgical Oncology Procedures

What is surgical oncology, and how did it begin?

Surgical oncology is a specialized surgical field that focuses on the treatment and removal of a variety of types of tumors. The first known instance of an oncological procedure was reported in 1809, when Ephraim McDowell operated on an ovarian tumor. Although this is the first reported instance of oncology, it is said that ancient Egyptians left evidence describing procedures used to remove breast tumors that were performed during the 7th century.

What is the goal of surgical oncology?

As in all surgeries, oncological surgery is meant to help curative efforts, specifically for a variety of types of cancer.  Prior to recommending a surgical procedure, the surgeon must first facilitate a consultation with the patient where diagnostic and staging studies are performed.  This will help the surgeon determine whether the tumor is operable or not as is, and the results will assist in developing a curative and surgical plan for the patient.  The ultimate goal of a surgical oncologist is to extract the entirety of the cancer and clear margin, hopefully leading the patient down the road to a cancer-free recovery.

What surgical oncology procedures do we specialize in?

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we provide a wide variety of surgical oncology procedures such as:

• Breast Cancer Surgery (lumpectomy) - Including nipple sparing and skin sparing cancer procedures, lymph node preserving procedures to prevent lymphedema, and breast reconstruction
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery - Including stomach (gastric), small bowel, colon and rectal surgery (available using both laparoscopic and open techniques)
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer Surgery with sentinel node techniques
• Sarcoma Treatment (tumors of muscle)

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.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Here at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we specialize in several types of laparoscopic surgery. So, what does that mean? Commonly called minimally invasive or keyhole surgery, laparoscopy is type of surgical procedure where the surgeon is able to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis through small incisions.

But, what if the surgical site is not directly in your belly? The beauty of a minimally invasive laparoscopy is that the surgeon will be able to feed small surgical instruments through the existing incision to reach the operational site. If you’re wondering how in the world surgeons are able to operate without being able to see the surgical site, the credit is due to a handy tool called a laparoscope. This is a small tube, equipped with a light source and camera, that’s weaved through the body displaying images of the patient’s insides on a television monitor for the surgeon to view. Amazing isn’t it?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of a laparoscopic procedure:

1. The patient receives a general anesthetic, which will allow them to sleep peacefully and painlessly through the procedure.

2. The surgeon makes small incisions around the patient’s belly button.

3. Carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdomen through the incision to allow for more room to work, and more visibility during the procedure. At this point, the laparoscope is inserted through the small tube as well.

4. The surgeon inserts the necessary instruments and carries out the operation.

5. After the procedure has been completed, the abdomen is relieved of excess gas and the small incisions are stitched up.

And there you have it! Just like that, the procedure is finished. The advantages of having a laparoscopic surgery include a shorter anticipated hospital stay, less postoperative pain and discomfort, minimal scarring and an expedited recovery time.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we want our patients to be completely comfortable knowing that they are in only the best, most knowledgeable hands of leading surgeons in the field. Hernia repairs, appendectomies and gallbladder surgeries are some of the many laparoscopic procedures that our doctors specialize in. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.