That's Fit

Join me as I search my soul for direction regarding my latest pursuit: A tummy tuck. Will I go through with it? Will I "Tuck It In?" Keep reading. Keep coming back. And you'll find out.

March 29, 2008

Florida high school senior Stephanie Kuleba just died after a fatal reaction to general anesthesia during breast augmentation surgery. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) appears to be the cause. It's a genetic metabolic condition triggered by some inhaled anesthetics and the depolarizing muscle relaxant Succinylcholine.

For a short time, before I dug into the nitty gritty of this condition, I couldn't help but worry that I'd die from this very same problem should I submit to the general anesthesia required for a tummy tuck surgery. My mom was worried too. We both feel better now -- now that it seems not very likely this will be issue for me.

I've had several uneventful surgeries involving general anesthesia in my life, which predicts I am mostly not at risk for MH. It's not for certain. It would just be pretty surprising if it did happen. I'm also not all that young -- young adults and children are most at risk -- and I plan to add this subject to my pre-op question list so I can make sure I don't receive the anesthetics that trigger this life-threatening illness.

There is always something to worry about when it comes to surgery -- any surgery -- which makes it clear I still have some thinking to do.

NOTE: Abdominoplasty is recommended for those whose skin and muscle cannot recover on their own as a result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, heredity, or prior surgery. It is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. For more information about this surgery, click here.

Join me as I search my soul for direction regarding my latest pursuit: A tummy tuck. Will I go through with it? Will I "Tuck It In?" Keep reading. Keep coming back. And you'll find out.

March 18, 2008

If I go through with my tummy tuck surgery as planned on April 23, I'll be put to sleep with a general anesthesia. There's some risk involved in this sleep business. One such risk is that I'll wake up while my surgeon is still working. Ouch.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists estimates that this wake-up phenomenon affects one in 14,560 patients. They also say it's possible to lower the risk.

A few days before surgery, patients can talk with their anesthesiologist about brain-wave or level-of-consciousness monitors. These record brain activity and alert doctors in cases when more anesthesia is needed. The machines are widely used but controversial because all doctors don't believe in their effectiveness.

As an alternative to brain-wave monitoring, patients should mention any personal or family history of surgery wakening as well as any past or current use of alcohol or drugs. These may affect how anesthesia works.

I should be OK if I choose to go under the knife in April. I have no worrisome surgery history, don't drink, don't use drugs, and am not taking any medications. Still, I think I'll put this wake-up topic on my question list.

NOTE: Abdominoplasty is recommended for those whose skin and muscle cannot recover on their own as a result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, heredity, or prior surgery. It is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. For more information about this surgery, click here.

If your state hasn't instituted smoke-free environments yet, then most everyone who doesn't smoke knows the restaurant drill. You walk in, put your name on the list and wait. At that point during the dining experience, you're probably going to make a pivotal decision about something other than what to order: "Smoking or non-smoking."

But have you ever really stopped to think about what's going on here? Just because you're sitting at a table untouched by tar-inflicted fingers and carcinogen fumes doesn't mean you're not getting the blunt end of a bad deal. It's like having a dedicated urination area in a swimming pool. Are you really going to feel that much better about the "cleaner" spots?

The debate about harmful secondhand smokers is officially over according to the Surgeon General: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. With a huge study citing that tens of thousands of nonsmokers die each year due to this wafting irritation, the call for smoke-free environments has never been louder. What about the options for the rest of us? Unless you want to raise your chances of getting heart disease or cancer by 30% and be one of the 35,000 nonsmokers who die from it every year, stay away from smokers.

There's something you can do about it though. Feel free to lobby your local government for smoke-free environments. Many are coordinated on a municipal level, so it wouldn't be like trying to change the world (yet). For a list of the states who have this sort of legislation, check out Smoke Free USA.