Welcome to the DCGOGO Health Resource Center. One of the most important issues in our lives is our health. In-order to maintain a health body, one must have a profound knowledge of all of the major health problems surrounding our families, comminutes and our environment. At the DCGOGO Health Resource Center our goal is to provide you with information regarding health concerns in the Afro-American Community.

Liposuction

What Is Liposuction?   Who Performs Liposuction?   How Can I Find The Right Doctor?
         
What Does The FDA Regulate   What Are The Risk Associated With Liposuction?   Liposuction Glossary


What Are The Risk Associated With Liposuction

Risks

Most patients are pleased with the outcome of their liposuction surgery. However, like any other medical procedure, there are risks involved. That's why it is important for you to understand the limitations and possible complications of liposuction surgery. Before you have liposuction, you should be aware of these risks and should weigh the risks and benefits based on your own personal value system. Try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so. Decide for yourself whether you are willing to take the risks involved in liposuction.

Take your time deciding if you are willing to accept the risks inherent in liposuction. Because it is usually a cosmetic procedure, and not medically necessary, there is no reason to rush. Gather as much information as you can so that you make an informed decision about whether liposuction is right for you. Don't believe that complications "only happen to other people." It is important for you to understand what the risks are and decide if you are willing to accept the possibility that it might happen to you.

Complications

  • Infections. Infections may happen after any surgery and may occur after liposuction. Some physicians prescribe an antibiotic to all patients undergoing liposuction but other physicians do not. It is important to keep the wound(s) clean but even if you do, infections may sometimes occur from the surgery. Sometimes, infections may be serious or life threatening such as in cases of necrotizing fasciitis (bacteria eat away at the tissue) or with toxic shock syndrome, a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by a bacteria, that is associated with surgery (you may have heard of toxic shock syndrome occurring in women using tampons, also).
  • Embolism. Embolism may occur when fat is loosened and enters the blood through blood vessels ruptured (broken) during liposuction. Pieces of fat get trapped in the blood vessels, gather in the lungs, or travel to the brain. The signs of pulmonary emboli (fat clots in the lungs) may be shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. If you have the signs or symptoms of fat emboli after liposuction, it is important for you to seek emergency medical care at once. Fat emboli may cause permanent disability or, in some cases, be fatal.
  • Visceral Perforations (puncture wounds in the organs). During liposuction, the physician is unable to see where the canula or probe is. It is possible to puncture or damage internal organs during liposuction. This may happen, for instance, if the intestines are punctured during abdominal liposuction. When organs are damaged, surgery may be required to repair them. Visceral perforations may also be fatal.
  • Seroma. After liposuction, there may be a pooling of serum, the straw colored liquid from your blood, in areas where tissue has been removed.
  • Nerve Compression and Changes in Sensation. You may experience "paresthesias" which is an altered sensation at the site of the liposuction. This may either be in the form of an increased sensitivity (pain) in the area or the loss of any feeling (numbness) in the area. If these changes in sensation persist for a long period of time (weeks or months) you should inform your physician. In some cases, these changes in sensation may be permanent.
  • Swelling. Swelling or edema may occur after liposuction. In some cases, swelling may persist for weeks or months after liposuction.
  • Skin Necrosis (skin death). The skin above the liposuction site may become necrotic or "die." When this happens, skin may change color and be sloughed (fall) off. Large areas of skin necrosis may become infected with bacteria or microorganisms.
  • Burns. During ultrasound assisted liposuction, the ultrasound probe may become very hot and can cause burns.
  • Fluid Imbalance. Fat tissue, which contains a lot of liquid, is removed during liposuction. Also, physicians may inject large amounts of fluids during liposuction. This may result in a fluid imbalance. While you are in the physician's office, surgical center or hospital, the staff will be watching you for signs of fluid imbalance. However, this may happen after you go home and can result in serious conditions such as heart problems, excess fluid collecting in the lungs or kidney problems as your kidneys try to maintain fluid balance.
  • Toxicity from Anesthesia. Lidocaine, a drug that numbs the skin, is frequently used as a local anesthetic during liposuction. You may have had a similar drug, novocaine, to numb your mouth at the dentist. Large volumes of liquid with lidocaine may be injected during liposuction. This may result in very high doses of lidocaine. The signs of this are lightheadedness, restlessness, drowsiness, tinnitis (a ringing in the ears), slurred speech, metallic taste in the mouth, numbness of the lips and tongue, shivering, muscle twitching and convulsions. Lidocaine toxicity may cause the heart to stop. Of course, this can be fatal. In general, any type of anesthesia may cause complications and is always considered a risk during any surgery.
  • Fatalities Related to Liposuction. There are numerous reports of deaths related to the liposuction procedure. Although it is difficult to be sure how often death from liposuction happens, there are several studies that estimate how often patients undergoing liposuction die during the procedure or as a result of it. None of the studies is perfect so the results are just estimates.

Some of the studies indicate that the risk of death due to liposuction is as low as 3 deaths for every 100,000 liposuction operations performed. However, other studies indicate that the risk of death is between 20 and 100 deaths per 100,000 liposuction procedures. One study suggests that the death rate is higher in liposuction surgeries in which other surgical procedures are also performed at the same time. In order to understand the size of the risk, one paper compares the deaths from liposuction to that for deaths from car accidents (16 per 100,000). It is important to remember that liposuction is a surgical procedure and that there may be serious complications, including death.

 


AIDS/HIV   HERPES   GONORRHEA
 
BREAST CANCER   PROSTATE CANCER   DIABETES   CIGARETTE SMOKING

 

Influenza Symptoms/The Flu

Influenza Symptoms Be Aware of Common Flu Symptoms Diagnosing The Flu
Know The Risk From The Flu People May Have Different Reactions from the Flu Know How The Flu Spreads
Best Protection Against The Flu The Flu Shot The Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
Related Information What Is The Flu Shot Who Should Get The Flu Shot
People At High Risk From Complications from the Flu People Who Live With Or Care For Those At High Risk From Complications From Flu Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
Who Should Get The Flu Shot How Effective Is The Flu Shot What Are The Risk From Getting The Flu Shot


 HIV / AIDS

What Is Aids   How long does it take for HIV to become Aids
     
How can I tell if I am infected with Aids   How does HIV make someone sick
     
Where can I get tested for HIV   Can pre-cum and semen fluid contain HIV
     
How long after possible exposure should I get tested for HIV   If I am HIV negative does that mean that my partner is HIV negative
     
What if I test HIV positive   I'm HIV positive.. Where can I go for treatment
     
How many people have HIV and Aids   How safe is the United States Blood Supply
     
Where did HIV come from   Why is CDC recommending that all pregnant women be tested for HIV
     
Can a women give HIV to a man during Intercourse   Can I get HIV from Oral Sex
     
How effective is Latex Condoms in preventing HIV   Can Oil be used as a lubricant with Condoms
     
What's the connection between HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases   Can I get HIV from Kissing
     
Should I be concerned about getting infected while playing sports   Can I get HIV from shaking hands, hugging, using a toilet
     
Can I get infected with HIV from Mosquitoes   What does CDC recommend for prevention of transmission of HIV through Intra-venous drugs

 

 

Prostate Cancer

What is the Prostate   What test will my Doctor order
     
What are Prostate problems   How is BPH treated
     
What is Prostatitis   Is TURP the same as removing the Prostate
     
What is Prostate enlargement or BPH   What is the side effects of Prostate treatment
     
Is BPH a serious diseases   Hope through research
     
Is BPH a sign of cancer   Prostate problem glossary
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

Breast Cancer

 Breast Cancer

Breast is the most common type of cancer among women in this country (other than skin cancer). The number of new cases of breast cancer in women was estimated to be about 212,600 in 2003.

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication Number is 03-1556) has important information about breast cancer. It discusses possible causes, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. It also has information to help women with breast cancer cope with the disease.

Breast Cancer in Men

Each year, about 1,300 men in this country learn they have breast cancer. Much of the information in this booklet applies to men with breast cancer.

More information about breast cancer in men is available on NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/ and from NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER

The Breasts

The breasts are glands that can make milk. Each breast sits on chest muscles that cover the ribs.

Each breast is divided into 15 to 20 sections called lobes. Lobes contain many smaller lobules. Lobules contain groups of tiny glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts.

 

 

METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

SUPER BUG

What Is MRSA   Who Is Susceptible To MRSA Infection   What Are The Symptoms of MRSA
Can MRSA Be Treated   How Long Does MRSA Infections Last   Where Is MRSA Found and How Does It Spread
How Is The Transmission of MRSA Prevented   Hand Washing   Masking
Gowning   Patient Care Equipment   Handling of Laundry

What Is Mesothelioma

What Is Mesothelioma Plearul Mesothelioma Peritoneal Mesothelioma Benign Mesothelioma

 


Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.

The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, calling 911 right away, and getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have had a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of future events.