- Men's Health, Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogVashti Myers thought she was making the right choice when she decided to undergo cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic. Myers chose a doctor for her tummy tuck and Brazilian butt lift who had operated successfully on her aunt and cousin. Myers, a mom of three from Upper Marlboro, says she researched the doctor for a few years. She saw two negative reviews, but figured there are always disgruntled customers. Most importantly, getting the work done in the Dominican Republic would save her thousands of dollars. But when she flew to the island last September and prepared for the procedure, she felt something wasn’t right. She says the equipment looked outdated, and the doctor performed the operation in an area of the hospital that looked more like a basement. “To be honest, if I hadn’t been slightly sedated, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with it,” Myers says. She returned to the United States with what she says was a botched tummy tuck. She had major scarring, an off-center belly button, and a lot of pain. Myers went to the Emergency Room (ER) at Anne Arundel Medical Center where a doctor diagnosed her with a kidney infection. The ER doctor then referred her to Tripp Holton, MD, a plastic surgeon with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery, to treat the large open wound on her abdomen. “I should have just saved my money and had it here,” Myers says. The risks of medical tourism Medical tourism — the practice of traveling out of the country for discounted medical procedures — may sound tempting. People want to combine an overseas vacation with that plastic surgery they’ve always wanted. Plus they can recover in a beautiful location. But consider the risks before booking those plane tickets, say Dr. Holton, a plastic surgeon with AAMG Plastic Surgery. A 2016 report in the Centers for Disease Control and Population’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal identified 21 people in six states, including Maryland, infected with rapidly growing mycobacteria after traveling to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery. Eight of these people were hospitalized, some more than once, according to the study. In 2014, a Long Island woman died from complications following a liposuction and tummy tuck that she got in the Dominican Republic, according to a news report. AAMG Plastic Surgery sees between five and eight cases of botched plastic surgery each year due to medical tourism. “We see the downside of it very often,” Dr. Holton says. A desire to save money is usually what prompts people to travel outside of the U.S. for plastic surgery. Experts say that plastic surgery has always been a cost-sensitive specialty. But when patients travel to another country for these procedures, they may pay for it in other ways. Dr. Holton says the surgeries patients seek out overseas run the gamut from tummy tucks to breast augmentations and liposuction. But they say patients are gambling with things including a doctor’s medical credentials, the outcome of the surgery, and their own safety. In America, surgeons follow a high standard of care. This includes the “time out” rule, meaning that before any operation, everyone involved must stop and double check that they are working on the right person and the right body part. Dr. Holton says that doesn’t always happen overseas. It’s also highly unlikely you will be able to see your plastic surgeon for regular follow up appointments unless you stay overseas for an extended period of time. The American Board of Plastic Surgery also cautions that patients should avoid typical “vacation activities” after surgery – including sunbathing, swimming and drinking alcohol. The board also says long flights or surgery can increase the risk of developing pulmonary embolism and blood clots. It suggests waiting five to seven days after most procedures before flying. The recommended wait after facial procedures, such as facelifts, eyelid surgery and nose jobs, is longer at seven to 10 days. How to find the right plastic surgeon Dr. Holton has some advice for finding the right plastic surgeon. Check out the doctor’s training and education. Make sure the doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Ask questions about the doctor’s experience. Has he or she done these types of surgeries before? You should be able to see before and after pictures of the doctor’s work. Review the doctor’s licensing history with your state’s medical board and see if he or she has received any disciplinary actions. Myers says people tried to warn her about the dangers of getting plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic, but she didn’t listen. “You are definitely going to get a higher level of care in the United States,” she says.
- News & Press Releases, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe League of American Bicyclists has designated Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) a Bronze Bicycle Friendly BusinessSM (BFBSM). AAMC joins nearly 1,350 visionary businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 BFBs across the country, including 34 new and renewing this spring. AAMC is the first healthcare organization in Maryland, and first business in Anne Arundel County, to receive the BFB designation, and will be recognized at the primary Bike to Work Day event for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County on Friday, May 19, at the Annapolis Market House. “As we celebrate National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week, the League of American Bicyclists is excited to recognize a new class of businesses that are making their communities safer, happier, healthier, and more sustainable through bicycling,” says Amelia Neptune, director of the Bicycle Friendly America program. “We applaud this new round of Bicycle Friendly Businesses, including Anne Arundel Medical Center, for leading the charge in creating a more bicycle-friendly America for everyone.” AAMC encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation, and works in partnership with Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) to bring safe biking to its employees and local community. AAMC provides guests and employees amenities such as secure, convenient, and high-quality bike parking and, in 2014, the medical center designated a portion of its campus to the East Coast Greenway, a nearly 3,000-mile urban trail system linking East Coast cities from Maine to Florida. “We are honored to be the first business in Anne Arundel County to receive the Bicycle Friendly Business designation,” says Victoria Bayless, president and CEO of AAMC. “Promoting active transportation such as biking or walking to work aligns with our mission to improve the health of our community as well as our employees.” Moving forward, AAMC will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League of American Bicyclists to become even more bicycle friendly.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Foundation held its biennial Denim & Diamonds Bash on Saturday, April 29, at AAMC’s South Campus. More than 1,100 people attended the event, raising nearly $1 million to support AAMC’s efforts to increase mental health services. “You don’t often get to host something that can positively impact the lives of thousands of people,” said Jan Wood, Foundation president and chief development officer. “Thanks to strong community and corporate support, the funds generated through this event will help us provide critical funding for mental health care and programs in our region.” Last year, AAMC opened its Psychiatric Day Hospital, an intensive daytime treatment program providing clinical, diagnostic and mental health treatment services for adults and adolescents. The program is designed for patients who are either transitioning from inpatient care or need help stabilizing a condition in order to prevent hospitalization. AAMC also wants to help expand access to mental health services and filed a Certificate of Need (CON) with the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) last year to establish a 16-bed mental health hospital. That decision is pending.
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Better Hearing and Speech Month. It’s a time when speech-language pathologists (SLPs), like me, help raise awareness about how our profession can help with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders. More than help with stuttering For many years there has been confusion regarding speech therapy. People often only associate it with help for stuttering. When I first became a licensed speech therapist, I assumed the majority of people would know what I could do to help them. However, I quickly found that there was a need to expand our knowledge about speech therapy, even among the medical community. Not just for kids Also, it’s important to realize speech therapy benefits more than just children. SLPs treat patients of all ages, from birth through end-of-life care. In 2014, seniors over 65 represented 14.5 percent of the population. By 2040 their numbers are expected to grow to more than 21 percent of the population. As people age, normal changes occur in their speech, language, memory and swallowing. Plus, their chances of having a communication or swallowing disorder related to a disease increases. Ways adult speech therapy can help Adult speech therapy helps a wide range of conditions that affect speech, language and swallowing. It helps with progressive neurological diseases like primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia and Huntington’s disease, as well as stroke and traumatic brain injury. Speech therapy also helps with a broad range of other diagnoses, from oral and laryngeal cancer to developmental disorders. Here is a breakdown of the many facets of adult speech therapy: Cognitive therapy: memory; attention; executive functioning, including organization, planning, problem solving, etc.; functional/daily living tasks Speech therapy: voice; dysarthria (slow speech, weakness); apraxia (difficulty with executing/planning speech movements); accent reduction; stuttering; voice/communication for transgender clients Language therapy: aphasia, which is a language disorder that can result in difficulties with any combination of word retrieval or verbal expression, understanding what you hear, understanding what you read, and being able to write out your thoughts Swallowing therapy: dysphagia (difficulty swallowing); aspiration pneumonia; mouth, throat, lip, tongue or cheek weakness Communication options: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, tracheostomy/ventilator communication Speech therapists guide you and your family through life changes. We clinically challenge your skills using evidence-based practice techniques and support you through the rehabilitation process. Our goal is to improve your quality of life by helping you reach functional goals. If you think you or a loved one could benefit from a speech therapy consultation, please call 443-481-1140 to schedule an appointment with AAMG Physical Therapy. Our outpatient speech therapists are available in Crofton and Annapolis. Author Anusha Sivalingam, SLP, is a speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. To reach her office, call 443-481-1140.
- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s second annual Denim & Diamonds was a resounding success. Guests dressed in various forms of denim and bling represented the community’s support for one of our most urgent care needs. On April 29, 2017, more than 1,100 people attended this special event under the stars to shed light on the crucial need for mental health services in this region. Thanks to the efforts of a talented committee and under the leadership of co-chairs Al and Cathy Adelman, Jerry and Lori Collier, and Rich and Theresa Gergar, nearly $1 million was raised during this special event. These much needed funds will help to improve the lives of thousands of patients in our community by supporting mental health programs and services. Jerry Collier, Senior Vice President at M&T Bank and AAMC Foundation Board member, shares his passion and commitment to making AAMC’s Denim & Diamonds Bash such an impactful occasion. “I joined AAMC’s Foundation Board in 2013 as I believed then, and know now, that AAMC directly touches more folks and has a larger positive macro impact on our great community as compared to other health, human and social service not for profits,” says Jerry. “When the leadership of AAMC asked my wife Lori and I to chair Denim & Diamonds 2017, we gladly accepted based upon our desire to raise awareness of, and increase funding for, mental health. At each of our monthly Denim & Diamonds Bash Committee meetings our first meeting agenda item was our “mission moment” where clinicians and other caregivers shared the challenge of significant resource constraints to address the overwhelming demand for mental health care in our community,” Jerry says. “With each “mission moment,” the Committee became increasingly resolved to make Denim & Diamonds this region’s biggest and best event so that we could raise the funds so greatly needed to expand mental health care. The outpouring of support from sponsors and guests for the event has been nothing short of extraordinary.” The Denim & Diamonds Bash could not have been a success without our 102 sponsors, including presenting Platinum co-sponsors the Chesapeake Bayhawks and M&T Bank, and Diamond sponsors Aerotek, AAMC Medical Staff, BB&T, Comcast, Homestead Gardens, Ken’s Creative Kitchen, TEKsystems, What’s Up? Magazine and WRNR-103.1. We are also grateful for our media sponsors, Capital Gazette Communications, Inc., Eye on Annapolis, Liquified Creative, LLC, Annapolis Home Magazine, and 1430 WNAV. Don’t miss next year’s party with a purpose! Tickets sold out almost a month before this year’s event, so be sure to save the date for AAMC Foundation’s Denim & Diamonds Spring Bash, Saturday April 28, 2018. For more information about getting involved with AAMC Foundation’s Bash, please contact Kendra Smith Houghton at 443-481-4739 or [email protected].
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