DRLUGO BLOG

Many people ask me what are the things that a person should do when they know that they are having surgery. How to prepare for such an event. My answer can be very technical or complex, but I try to simplify it. Just imagine that you are about to compete in the Olimpics. You have to prepare your body for a very demanding event. You should try to be in the best conditions possible from the nutrition stand point, rest and psychologically. The individual should start by placing positive thoughts in their mind. It is important that the person visualizes the surgey going well and a positive outcome. There should be minimal or no negative thoughts in the mind. Not to say that there will be no fear. It is expected certain degree of fear of the unknown, but we need to counteract this with positive thoughts and visualization. this is very powerful and very important. The pt should also try to rest the days before surgery and try to have good nights of sleep. this will normalize the cortisol levels. this is a very important hormone in the healing process and for the utilization of sugars and nutrients during moments of stress The pt should try to eat healthy and balanced food. This stimulates also the growth and replication of healthy cells. IT is never too late to start a healthy diet and then maintain it during the healing process. Excercise also helps tone the muscles and build some muscle mass to weather the tough times. Everytime we even think of exercise the body releases hormones that help us deal with pain and stress. these are called endorphins. IF the pt starts an exercise program and sticks to it, they can stimulate the release of endorphins and help with pain control and coping with the surgical stress. By this I do not mean a strenuous exercise for someone that has never done exercise. IT could be as simple as starting a walking program and build on it. Each person needs to start at a comfortable level and slowly build on it. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided as many days before surgery as possible. Both of these toxic substances can weaken the immune system and the power of the body to heal and recover. Finally make sure that there is a good support and planning for the recovery time. We should have a plan for the first few days after surgery and then the weeks following. Do not wait for after surgery to plan the recovery. It helps to have a realistic image and mental plan of the series of events and the duration. IT helps to communicate with your doctor who can give you realistic expectations on the timing and what to expect. He/She probably has done this many times and has a pretty good idea of the expected time for full recovery. These are simplified steps, but I think that are essential and very easy to follow. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me or visit my website drlugo.com.

HELLO

Gallbladder disease can be tricky and go unnoticed for a log time before the pt ends up in the ER with severe abdominal pain.  Now a days with the internet and all of the over the counter remedies the patients tend to wait sometimes too long to get help.  

I have found that many patients tend to wai until it is obvious, that they are having a gallbladder attack or a complication of gallstones to seek help.  Gallbladder disease can present itself as a sudden upper abdominal pain with other gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea and vomiting or simply pain.  The classic symptoms are R upper abdominal pain that sometimes moves along the R rib cage and into the back.  On occasions the pain is sever and moves into the L chest making the pt think he/she is having a heart attack.  This is the classic presentation.  As the reader can imagine, this is not always the way it presents and there is a broad range of ways that the disease can present.  Most of the time is a repeated bouts of what people call indigestion.  This is usually noticed after eating rich or fatty food.  

Because we have so many over the counter anti acid medications, people tend to self prescribe and treat their symptoms.  The problem with this is that the gallbladder disease progresses and can even be deadly.  IF the pt ignores the symptoms and the gallstones move out of the gallbladder, then the pt is up for a tough time.  The complications of this can be, gallbladder infection(cholecystitis), pancreatic inflammation(pancreatitis), and or jaundice.  These are serious problems and can be prevented by removing the gallbladder early on.

As of today the only know solution for gallstones is removal of the gallbladder.  This is done laparoscopically most of the time and the pt is home the same day.  This changes if we wait until one of the above complications sets in.  IF you have any questions, please contact me or come to my office and we can discuss further.  For more information go to my website, www.drlugo.com

There are some things that a pt can do t make the doctor office wait well worth it.  First, bring a book, laptop, crossword puzzle, or some kind of entertainment.  Also have a lot of patience, since you will likely need it.  Remember that there are sick people and different conditions that sometimes require more time than the allocated time.  Being a surgeon, I know my schedule will most likely be messed up by a sick patient, needy patient, or a patient with a complicated disease that requires a lot of explaining and discussion.  There are few and between the days that I can come in and leave the office at the planned time.  There is also the unexpected emergency the usually happens first thing in the morning and that sets the rest of the day into a spin.  

When you get to the doctors office, ask how behind the doctor is.  If you have a errand to run then ask if they can call you when you are about to be called back.  Most offices would do this without a problem.  You can also spend the time writting down any questions that you may have ad did not think about before.  Catch up on postpone reading or work.  Take time to read the news and/or browse the internet.  Always keep in mind that the doctor is doing the best he can to get you in and out.  He also wants to go home and enjoy.  

I know it is easier said than done, but I have been a patient and I understand how frustrating it can be.  No one likes to be i a waitting area, or just wait at all, in the fast infromation technology era.  All is fast and instant gratification.  WEll unfortunately in doctors offices we are dealing with unpredictable circumstances.  Remember that behind the doors the doctor is probably giving bad news to smeone or comforting someone.  It is hard to hurry up when this is going on.  We appreciate your patience and understanding and when it is your time to see the doctor, you can rest assure others will be outside wanting it to be over.  

Plnning ahead what to do and preparing mentally will help endure the wait.  

Any questions or suggestions, please let us know

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most studied cancers. Currently we know a lot of information regarding this disease. Despite all that the public still has many misconceptions and wrong ideas regarding treatment options and results. The treatment of breast cancer is done with a multisprcialty approach. Please visit DRLUGO.com if you have any questions or just ask here.

This is a hernia that is acquired or just a defect from birth. The acquired are usually from previous surgery and are in the site of a previous incision. Either way they are repaired using the same technique. After 11 years repairing these defects I believe that there is a benefit doing it the laparoscopic way if feasible. This is different from the inguinal hernias though. Come to my website for more information or ask questions. DRLUGO.com

THIS IS A VENTRAL HERNIA FROM THE INSIDE

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in this country. Everyone should be aware that there are ways to prevent being a victim of colon cancer. A simple test called colonoscopy can prevent and at times cure colon cancer. The standard of care is for a 50 year old person to do their first screening colonoscopy. After this, there is controversy of when to continue the screening. IT is said in most literature that eery ten years is enough, but evidence shows that every 5 years is probably safer. Please come to my website or ask any questions, if you want more information DRLUGO.com

PLEASE BE ADVISED: This video is taken from a live operation performed by Dr. Lugo and may contain scenes of a graphic nature that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Hemorrhoid treatment has many facets.  The treatment should be well thought and a plan to modify habits should be implemented in order to be able to have long term results.  Sometimes the treatment of hemorrhoids is a multi-modality one and it is important that the patient is well informed.  come to my website and lets talk about the different options.  visit DRLUGO.com

Now a days people want the latest and the best. Well these two words are not synonymous.  We have to be careful and make sure that recommend to our patients the best procedure and not just the newest.  Laparoscopic inguinal hernia is an example of this dilemma.  If you have questions please visit my website DRLUGO.com