We usually refer to the abnormal cell growth as dysplasia (from the Greek: “dys” means abnormal or impaired and “plasia” means cell growth). It can also be called SIL (squamous intraepithelial lesion) or CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasm). They are different terms that mean the same thing. It is important to note that most of the time the abnormal cell growth or dysplasia will get better by itself without any treatment.

Just remember to follow up with your doctor if you have been informed that your Pap came back Abnormal.

First, some science. When it comes to weight loss, the human body is naturally inclined to resist change. This isn’t all bad. Otherwise, if you over-indulged for one weekend eating and drinking excessively, you wouldn’t be able to fit into your work clothes Monday morning. Known as your body’s ‘natural resistance to change’, this tendency directly influences the effectiveness of all weight loss programs…whether your plan is designed to trim down rapidly or for slow and steady weight loss.

Before any enduring physical change, and we’re talking about weight loss here, your body requires consistent, ongoing change of diet and energy expenditure. So, what does that mean if you’re trying to lose weight? A weight loss program needs to provide enough stimulus to your body to elicit a change–for, example: a decrease in body fat. That’s the goal, right? But, keep in mind, you don’t want to introduce so much stimulus that your body’s ‘resistance to change’ mechanism kicks in.

Humans naturally make adjustments (read: changes) in order to survive–that’s why starving yourself does not result in sustainable weight loss. In reality, the converse is true. Because your body fears that it is being starved, it works overtime to ensure your survival. Instead of shedding excess fat, your body hangs on for dear life, storing fat to use as fuel in the future.

Quick weight loss programs are hard work and not much fun. They often require extreme sacrifice, displeasure from hunger, mood swings from low blood sugar, and lack of satisfaction at meal time. Choosing slower and more balanced eating plans ensures sustainable results for the long run. When you set realistic weight loss goals that means your chances of meeting them go up and you don’t feel deprived. Once you begin living at your Optimal Personal Fitness levels, you are less likely to retreat to bad eating and drinking habits the minute you reach your goal weight. When you’re in charge of your own body then you can truly revel in the well-earned treat.

There’s no such thing as a quick fix for Optimal Fitness. Crash-dieting for that upcoming social event is, let’s face it, hell on yourself, your family and your friends. Is the deprivation really worth it for the short time you actually get to enjoy a leaner you? Probably not. Do those around you a favor and start your weight loss program earlier rather than later!

Medical Translation brought to you by Amy E. Shoultz, PhD. in concert with Dr. Maryann Prewitt, MD, FACOG

Robotic surgical technology increased survival rates by cutting down on potential complications caused by the time and trauma of transporting soldiers from the battlefield to military hospitals. Plus, robots had the advantage of keeping doctors protected from the line of fire.

Medical professionals quickly recognized that robotics had applications beyond the war zone. The many advantages of Robotics will forever change the direction of modern surgical medicine. The minimally invasive da Vinci® Surgical System is leading the way. Patients undergoing a wide array of surgeries—from hysterectomy and other gynecologic procedures, to cardiothoracic, urological and prostate surgery—are increasingly benefiting from this wartime technology. Dallas-area gynecologic surgeon Dr. Maryann Prewitt, MD, FACOG has performed hundreds of minimally invasive surgeries using da Vinci Surgical robotic technology in the past two years alone. When it comes to robot-assisted gynecologic surgery…Experience counts. Dr. Maryann Prewitt is among an elite group of surgeons holding a Master’s Certification in the robot-assisted da Vinci Surgical System that is revolutionizing surgical care.

There are a number of reasons robotic surgery is becoming preferable to traditional ‘open’ surgery conducted solely by hand. With state-of-the-art physician tools and superior patient outcomes da Vinci Surgical System represents the next generation of surgical care. Enhanced 3-dimensional visualization and precision of movement are two of the most profound advantages of advanced robotic medicine. In tandem with da Vinci technology, Dr. Prewitt can see her patients from angles never before possible with traditional ‘open’ surgery, allowing both greater clarity and magnification. Furthermore, robots are capable of making incisions that are significantly smaller than those made by human hands. This means that the procedure is less invasive, healing and downtime less disruptive, and that scars are virtually nonexistent.

(1) Vastly Superior Outcomes
(2) Less Invasive
(3) Shorter Hospital Stays
(4) Minimal Discomfort
(5) Dramatically Decreased Down Time
(6) Virtually Scar-less

Medical Translation by Amy E. Shoultz, PhD. in concert with Dr. Maryann Prewitt, MD, FACOG

Some women don’t feel any symptoms with uterine fibroids, while others experience excessive menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia, abnormal periods, uterine bleeding, pain, discomfort, frequent urination, and infertility.

Dr. Maryann Prewitt is a Master’s Certified da Vinci® Surgeon with privileges at two of North Texas’ most advanced surgical facilities.  Dr. Prewitt performs gynecologic procedures using the da Vinci® Surgical System – robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and Baylor Hospital Frisco.

Thanks to the latest evolution in surgical and robotics technologies, there is now an effective alternative to traditional open surgery and laparoscopy that allows physicians to provide patients with the best of both approaches. Robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System allows surgeons to operate using only 1- to 2-centimeter incisions, but with greater precision and control than ever before, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.

da Vinci Surgery, performed by independently practicing physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff, is available at Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Methodist Richardson Medical Center for:

• Prostatectomy
• Gynecologic surgery
  • Hysterectomy
  • Myomectomy for uterine fibroids
  • Sacrocolpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse and pelvic floor disorders
• Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for head and neck cancer (Methodist Dallas)

Skin care tips for healthy skin;

Protect yourself from the sun. The best way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. It will cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots and can cause skin cancer.

*Avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm. This is when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

*Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long sleeved shirts, long pants and wide brimmed hats. Sun Soul is a special brand of sun protective clothing which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.

* Use pharmaceutical grade broad spectrum sunscreen. There are two types of UV light that can harm your skin: UVA and UVB. UVA rays can cause wrinkles and age spots while UVB rays can burn your skin. Apply the sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours after sweating or being in the water.

*Don’t Smoke- Smoking makes your skin look older and causes wrinkles . Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outer most layers of skin which decreases blood flow. It depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. The repeat facial expressions made when smoking can cause wrinkles around your mouth from pursing your lips and squinting your eyes to keep out the smoke.

*Limit your shower time- Hot water and long showers can dry your skin. Use warm water rather than hot water.

* Avoid Soap- Soaps can strip the oil from your skin. Use Derma MD Enzymatic cleanser with Pineapple & Papaya
.
*Pat Dry- After you shower blot dry your skin so that moisture remains on your skin.

*Apply body lotion

*Eat a healthy diet- A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

HYSTEROSCOPY:

What Is Hysteroscopy?

A hysteroscope is a thin, lighted telescope-like device. It is inserted through your vagina into your uterus. The hysteroscope transmits the image of your uterus onto a screen. This allows the doctor to see the inside of the uterus during the procedure. Hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose or treat a problem. Other instruments are used along with the hysteroscope for treatment. Some conditions can be treated right away.

Why Is It Done?

One of the most common uses for hysteroscopy is to find the cause of irregular or post-menopausal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding can mean that a woman’s periods are heavier or longer than usual or occur less or more frequently than normal. Bleeding between periods also is abnormal.  In some cases, abnormal bleeding may be caused by benign (not cancer) growths in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps. Hysteroscopy allows your doctor to look for fibroids or polyps.

If fibroids or polyps are found, a special instrument passed through the hysteroscope can be used to remove them. If no growths are found, a tissue sample can be obtained for biopsy. If the sample of tissue does not reveal cancer but the bleeding persists, a hysteroscope with a heated instrument can stop the bleeding by destroying the lining of the uterus.

Doctors also use hysteroscopy in the following situations:

You should not have hysteroscopy if you are pregnant, have a vaginal or urinary tract infection, or if you have known cancer of the uterus. You and your doctor will discuss your options and why hysteroscopy may be needed.

What To Expect

Hysteroscopy can be done in a doctor’s office or at the hospital. It will be scheduled when you are not having your period. To make the procedure easier, your doctor may dilate (open) your cervix before your hysteroscopy. You may be given medication that is inserted into the cervix, or special dilators may be used. Before the doctor begins, you may be given a medication to help you relax, or a general or local anesthetic may be used to block the pain. If you have general anesthesia, you will not be awake during the procedure. A speculum is first inserted into the vagina. The hysteroscope is then inserted and gently moved through the cervix into your uterus. Carbon dioxide gas or a fluid, such as glycine, will be put through the hysteroscope into your uterus to expand it. The gas or fluid helps your doctor see the lining more clearly. The amount of fluid used is carefully checked throughout the procedure. Your doctor can see the lining of your uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes by looking through the hysteroscope. If a biopsy or other procedure is done, your doctor will use small tools through the hysteroscope, such as small scissors or a wire loop.

Your Recovery

You should be able to go home shortly after the procedure. If you were given general anesthesia, you may need to wait until its effects have worn off. It is normal to have some mild cramping or a little bloody discharge for a few days after the procedure. Your doctor may give you a medication to help ease the pain. If you have a fever, chills, or heavy bleeding, call your doctor’s office right away. Talk to your doctor about when you can get back to your normal activities at work or home. For most women, it is the next day. You may be given instructions about when you can resume sex or use tampons.

Risks

Hysteroscopy is a very safe procedure. However, there is a small risk of problems. The uterus or cervix can be punctured by the hysteroscope, bleeding may occur, or excess fluid may build up in your system. In very rare cases, hysteroscopy can cause life-threatening problems. If a problem occurs during the procedure, it will be treated. Make sure to talk with your doctor if you have any questions about the risks of hysteroscopy. He or she will be able to explain how hysteroscopy is being used to find or treat your condition and what risks you may face.

Finally…

Hysteroscopy allows your doctor to see the inside of the uterus. It can be used to diagnose some medical problems. Some of these conditions can be treated during hysteroscopy. The procedure and recovery time are brief in most cases. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about what will happen during a hysteroscopy.

Dr. Prewitt utilizes the da Vinci Surgical System to remove uterine fibroids through small incisions with unmatched precision and control.

Dr. Prewitt utilizes the da Vinci Surgical System to remove uterine fibroids through small incisions with unmatched precision and control.

While hysterectomy is a proven way to resolve fibroids, it may not be the best surgical treatment for every woman. If, for example, you hope to later become pregnant, you may want to consider alternatives to hysterectomy such as myomectomy. Myomectomy is a uterine-preserving procedure performed to remove uterine fibroids.
The conventional approach to myomectomy is open surgery through a large abdominal incision. After cutting around and removing each uterine fibroid, the surgeon must carefully repair the uterine wall to minimize potential uterine bleeding, infection and scarring. Proper repair is also critical to reducing the risk of uterine rupture during future pregnancies.
While myomectomy is also performed laparoscopically, this approach can be challenging for the surgeon, and it may compromise results compared to open surgery. Laparoscopic myomectomies often take longer than open abdominal myomectomies, and up to 28% are converted to an open abdominal incision during surgery.

da Vinci myomectomy

A new category of minimally invasive myomectomy, da Vinci® myomectomy, combines the best of open and laparoscopic surgeries. With the assistance of the da Vinci Surgical System – the latest evolution in robotics technology — surgeons may remove uterine fibroids through small incisions with unmatched precision and control.

A clinical breast examination is done by a health professional. You will need to take off your clothes above the waist. You will be given a gown to wear during the examination.
First, your health professional will ask you questions about any problems you may have, your medical history, and your risk factors for breast cancer. Talk to your health professional about any areas of your breasts you may be concerned about.
Your health professional will then examine each breast, underarm, and collarbone area for changes in breast size, skin changes, or signs of injury or infection, such as bruising or redness. You may be asked to lift your arms over your head, put your hands on your hips, or lean forward and press your hands together to tighten the muscle beneath each breast during this part of the examination. You may also lie flat on the table and put your arm behind your head while your health professional checks your breast tissue.