- Cancer Care, Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you or someone you know is considering breast reconstruction surgery following a lumpectomy or mastectomy, it’s important to know what options are available. While silicone and saline breast implants are an option, breast reconstruction surgery has advanced tremendously in recent years to include natural ways to rebuild the shape and look of the breast. Oncoplastic breast surgery This is a combination of operations performed by a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. At the same time a patient is undergoing a lumpectomy, where a breast surgeon removes a cancerous tumor, a plastic surgeon will use remaining tissue, the nipple and areola to immediately reshape and restore the natural appearance of the breast. The plastic surgeon will also modify the opposite breast to create an even look. This procedure could be a good option for women who are also candidates for a breast reduction or breast lift. Microvascular free flap options Following a mastectomy, a patient can choose to have an entire breast reconstructed with their natural tissue. Plastic surgeons can transfer tissue from other areas of the body to the breast. Historically, surgeons would take skin, fat and muscle from the upper back to reconstruct the breast. This is known as latissimus flap reconstruction surgery. Alternately, plastic surgeons can transfer skin, fat and muscle from the rectus, or ‘six pack’ muscle, from the lower belly to reconstruct the breast. This is TRAM flap reconstruction surgery. However, surgeons now use the latissimus and TRAM flaps surgeries less in favor of more modern reconstructive options. These more advanced options keep the muscles associated with those two procedures intact. One such option is the deep inferior epigastric perforator artery, or DIEP, flap technique. Plastic surgeons transfer the necessary skin, tissue (no muscle) and tiny blood vessels from a patient’s abdomen to form a new breast. Many women choose this option because of the tummy tuck benefit since excess skin and fat from the belly is removed. Fat grafting Liposuction can remove excess fat deposits from areas like a patient’s flanks (the area between your ribs and hip) or thighs. In the operating room, plastic surgeons purify the fat and carefully inject it into the breast to enhance the appearance of a reconstruction or in some cases to make an entire breast. As we discuss your options, it’s also important to shed light on the “Go Flat” movement. Women eligible for reconstruction but disinterested in additional surgeries, or the idea of reconstruction in general, embrace the idea of wearing their mastectomy scars with pride. Your surgeon should review your medical history and overall health, and explain which reconstructive options might be best for you based on your age, health, body type, lifestyle and other factors. Your surgeon should explain the limits, risks, and benefits of each option. Deciding whether or not to have breast reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment is a very personal choice. Find a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and talk openly about any concerns and preferences you may have. Author Drs. Devinder Singh and Tripp Holton are plastic surgeons at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery and specialize in breast reconstruction including microvascular surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center. You can reach their office at 443-481-3400 or AAMGPlasticSurgery.com.
- Men's Health, News & Press Releases, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) on Wednesday announced the opening of its new primary care practice, AAMG Chesapeake Family Medicine. The practice is accepting new patients and is located at 2002 Medical Parkway, Sajak Pavilion, Suite 460, in Annapolis, Md. AAMG Chesapeake Family Medicine provides primary health care services to patients age 10 and up. The practice has three full-time providers: Scott Eden, MD, attended medical school at Duke University. Dr. Eden graduated from the Duke-Watts Family Medicine Residency Program in 1983, where he served as chief resident. After serving on the clinical faculty at Duke University, Dr. Eden moved to Annapolis, Md., where he has practiced family medicine since 1984. Tammy Jones, MD, attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed her residency at Forbes Regional Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., and relocated to Maryland after 18 years of practicing medicine in Charlotte, NC. Patricia Valentino, CRNP, attended the University of Virginia School of Nursing. Patricia has practiced family medicine for 25 years, and has been practicing in the Baltimore/Annapolis region since 1992. “Choosing a primary care provider is one of the most important health care decisions you can make,” says Dr. Eden. “At AAMG Chesapeake Family Medicine we provide our patients with quality care that is personal, compassionate and convenient. We are proud to serve this community.” Research shows that patients with a primary care provider have better management of chronic disease, lower overall health care costs and a higher level of satisfaction with their care. As a part of AAMG, the practice is affiliated with Anne Arundel Medical Center specialists and facilities. Patients in the AAMG network have one seamless medical record shared between all their AAMG providers. Patients also have access to MyChart, a free, personalized online resource to view their medical records, send a message to their doctor, view lab results, and request an appointment or prescription refills. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an AAMG Chesapeake Family Medicine provider, call 443-481-4080.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMost of us are not aware of simple things we do every day that affect our health, good or bad. I am a firm believer that being healthy is a direct reflection of what you put into your body, mind and spirit. You are made to live in harmony with nature, which means everything you put into your body is designed to become a part of you. I have some very simple recommendations which, if you practice regularly, can prevent many of the illnesses that may bring you into the doctor’s office. The goal is staying healthy and living a long life, with the added benefit of feeling well and energetic. 1. Remember that food is intended to become a part of your DNA. When you eat organic, whole foods as close to the way they appear in nature — untouched by pesticides, genetic modification, or general processing — it is the healthiest for you. Highly processed foods often have excess fats and sugar, which can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke or kidney disease). 2. Exercise is essential to stay healthy. Exercise induces your endorphins which are natural hormones that counterbalance stress. Exercise also increases your good cholesterol called HDL and decreases bad cholesterol called LDL. It also increases your body’s efficiency of using glucose for energy and decreases your insulin levels. As you might guess, these things decrease your risk of heart disease and diabetes. 3. Minimize refined sugar, carbohydrates and some dairy products. These are inflammatory and inflammation leads to cell damage. Inflammation leads to plaque buildup in your blood vessels, also called atherosclerosis. Plaque can break off and cause heart attack and stroke. Inflammation is also a huge contributor to arthritis and related diseases. Using natural spices such as turmeric can help you reduce and eliminate inflammation. 4. Adequate sleep is extremely important Your body repairs itself during sleep. But not all sleep is equal. You need deep sleep, or eight hours, to allow the most efficient cell repair. Decreased sleep equals decreased repair. Your vitamin D levels also affect your sleep. When you get direct sunlight to the skin, your body will metabolize and increase your vitamin D levels naturally. 5. Minimize stress. There are multiple ways to accomplish this. Exercise is often helpful. If you cannot run on a treadmill or spend an hour in the gym then try Tai Chi or Yoga, which are both low impact and work well for improving balance, increasing muscle tone, and calming your mind. To minimize stress, I also highly recommend mindfulness — some may call it meditation. Studies have proven that mindfulness reduces stress considerably. You can try sitting or lying still without stimulation from electronics or other devices. Practice deep breathing and perhaps have soft, instrumental music in the background. Try five minutes at a time until you find the right combination and time frame that works for you. Prevention of disease is the framework for a long life, and a healthy mind, body and spirit. As you work to improve one area, the others are sure to follow. Author Tammy Jones, MD, is a primary care doctor with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Chesapeake Family Medicine, a new practice opening in Annapolis, Md., on April 18. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 443-481-4080.
- Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“It felt so normal. It was truly the best experience of my life,” says mom of four Carly Glover as she recounts the birth of her first child. It was a birth that happened outside the walls of the hospital and inside the home-like environment of Anne Arundel Medical Group Bay Area Midwifery’s birth center. The practice operates a nationally accredited birth center — one of only two in Maryland. And like Carly, one in four of their clients decide the birth center is the right place for them to have their baby. “Birth choices are so personal,” says Carly. “When I was pregnant, my mother was sick, and I was spending a lot of time in the hospital. I knew I wanted a completely different environment when I had my baby. So I switched to a birth center halfway through my pregnancy.” While 98 percent of all births in the United States still happen in the hospital, the percentage of birth center births has been on the rise since 2004. How is a birth center different than a hospital? “A birth center is like a home away from home, or home with the extra safety net,” says Anne Seifert, one of seven certified nurse midwives at AAMG Bay Area Midwifery. “We have the same basic emergency medications and equipment that the hospital has, but in a home-like setting. We safely monitor mom and baby, and allow families to give birth in a comfortable, non-medical setting.” Midwives are experts in supporting women with low-risk pregnancies give birth without pain medications. Still, the idea of a birth center can be confusing or overwhelming for some. “My husband was hesitant about a birth center. I think his exact words were, ‘Are you crazy?’” says Carly. “He was worried about risks. What if something goes wrong? What if you need a doctor? What if you want an epidural?” A tour and consult at the birth center put his mind at ease. “We get those questions all the time,” says Shaina French, certified nurse midwife with AAMG Bay Area Midwifery, who says there’s a misconception that birth centers are unsafe or that midwives don’t have enough training. As birth centers rise in popularity, studies continue to show they provide a safe alternative to hospitals for women with low-risk pregnancies. “As certified nurse midwives, we are all master’s-degree-trained nurses who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology,” says Shaina. “We are board-certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and licensed by the State of Maryland. We also collaborate with doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals, such as doulas.” Preparing for a Birth Center Birth Whether women choose a birth center or hospital birth, prenatal care is the same. “The best part was arriving at the birth center in labor,” says Carly. “My husband said, ‘What do we do now?’ The midwife replied, ‘Whatever you want!’ It was magic to my ears — no needles, no monitors, no being stuck in bed.” Pain management options in the birth center include verbal coaching, position changes, breathing techniques, methods like hypnobirthing or Bradley, massage and water therapy. “We’re one of the few places in Maryland that offers water births,” says Anne. “Moms can labor and deliver in our tubs. It’s a big reason many women choose us.” “There was a moment where I started to doubt myself,” says Carly. “But my midwife was right by my side reminding me of my strength, and providing kind and gentle support. It was just what I needed in that moment.” Homeward Bound Women and their families typically stay in the birth center three to four hours after giving birth, and then it’s time to go home. Parents must take the new baby to a pediatrician one to two days after birth. “We call families a few days following the birth to answer questions and see if an in-person check is needed,” says Shaina. “Typically we see moms back in the office two and six weeks after birth.” Is a Birth Center Right for You? Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re considering a birth center: Are you generally healthy with either no chronic health problems or well-controlled health problems? Do you have the interest, time and energy to invest in learning about and preparing for a pain-medication-free birth? Will you feel comfortable going home with a four-hour-old newborn? Do you have a support system to enlist? Have you handled physical pain well in the past? The birth center is not an option for high-risk pregnancies, women expecting multiples, women who want a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) or women who want an epidural. These women, however, can still choose a midwife at AAMG Bay Area Midwifery and have their baby at Anne Arundel Medical Center. For a free tour and consultation with a midwife, call AAMG Bay Area Midwifery at 443-481-4400.
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, News & Press Releases, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLung cancer is the deadliest cancer, claiming more lives in Maryland yearly than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. Only about 15 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed in the early stages when lung cancer is more likely to be cured with surgical treatment. Early detection is key to effective treatment. Thanks to a grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) will expand lung cancer prevention and screening services within high-risk populations in Maryland counties including Prince George’s County. The foundation awarded the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute at AAMC a three-year, $1.25 million grant to replicate and expand the medical center’s award-winning Rapid Access Chest and Lung Assessment Program (RACLAP). RACLAP is designed to quickly identify, evaluate and manage early stage lung cancer. “The grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation will allow us to better reach and inform at-risk patients in our service area about the need for lung cancer screening, while providing desperately needed education and resources to help people quit smoking,” says Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of Thoracic Oncology at AAMC.
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