Tips for Preparing for Gynecological Surgery
What you may not know about preparing for gynecological surgery Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns believe that the more you know about preparing for gynecological surgery, the less nervous you will feel on the day of your procedure. You can help our surgeons by complying with all the instructions provided. Everything our physicians and staff advise you to do is for a reason, and following our directions makes the surgery and the recovery a smoother process. Five ways to prepare for gynecological surgery Some of our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns’ directions about preparing for gynecological surgery may surprise you and leave you wondering why you are being asked to do these particular things. Here are five critical steps to take before surgery and the reasons why our physicians ask you to follow these directions. Stop smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Smoking affects your heart and lungs, and so does anesthesia. When you stop smoking, your lungs begin to improve as early as 12 hours after you stop. Do not drink alcohol in the 24 hours before your surgery. Refraining from drinking prior to surgery is an important part of preparing for gynecological surgery. Alcohol affects how your body absorbs anesthesia and your blood’s ability to clot. Provide our obgyns with a complete list of every medication or supplement you take. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know about every prescription and over-the-counter medication, as well as any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take. Different ingredients can affect the medications our doctors need to administer during and after surgery. Remove nail polish and acrylic nails before surgery. This may seem like a small thing to do when preparing for gynecological surgery, but it’s essential. Surgeons and anesthesiologists need to see your natural nail bed to check for circulation problems. Do not shave for a certain amount of time before surgery. Ask our obgyns which areas of the body you should avoid shaving and for what period of time prior to surgery. Hair removal can leave nicks in the skin that increase your risk for an infected wound. Our compassionate staff and experienced Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns make preparing for gynecological surgery as easy as possible. Our goal before and after surgery is a happy, healthy patient. Contact us for an appointment.
Do You Need Gynecological Surgery?
When do women need gynecological surgery? Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns pursue several treatment options before considering gynecological surgery. However, in certain circumstances, surgery may be the best choice. Our experienced, highly trained surgeons perform the most-advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, including da Vinci® robotic surgery. Leading-edge techniques help patients recover faster and with fewer complications than traditional, open surgery. When gynecological surgery is the best option After our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns have tried more-conservative treatment options, they discuss gynecological surgery with patients. Here are some common conditions that may require gynecological surgery to achieve a complete recovery. Endometriosis. Our physicians may perform a minimally invasive procedure called a laparoscopy to diagnose and treat endometriosis by removing endometrial implants. This surgery requires general anesthesia. In severe cases where the patient does not get pain relief from laparoscopic surgery, a hysterectomy may be necessary. Uterine fibroids. Fibroids cause a variety of symptoms, including menstrual problems, vaginal bleeding, cramps and infertility. Gynecological surgery helps women who have not responded to medication. Uterine fibroids may be removed during a myomectomy, a procedure where our surgeons remove the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. Other procedures our obgyns may consider include endometrial ablation, hysteroscopy, uterine artery embolization or MRI-guided ultrasound surgery. In severe cases, hysterectomy may also be an option. Abnormal uterine bleeding. If medication doesn’t reduce heavy bleeding and long menstrual periods, gynecological surgery may be the optimal treatment. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns decide which type of gynecological surgery to perform based on whether the patient wants to have children, her age and her symptoms. Surgery ranges from endometrial ablation to uterine artery embolization. A hysterectomy may be necessary if other methods do not help with the bleeding. Leading-edge surgical techniques provide patients with better outcomes Our obgyns pursue advanced training and educational opportunities to give our patients the best care. Patients who are scheduled for surgery can rely on our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns’ skills and knowledge. Contact us for an appointment.
Honest Communication with Your Obgyn
What you should know about honest communication with your obgyn Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns want you to know why honest communication with your obgyn is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Our physicians and staff are professionals who deal with women’s health issues every day. Everything you tell your obgyn is kept confidential, so you can be up front with us during your visits. Honest communication with your obgyn begins with these points Honest communication with your obgyn helps our physicians provide you with the best care. Your sexual history provides important information. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know if you are sexually active. If you are, you may need to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and be advised about safe sexual practices. It’s also important to tell us if you have pain or other symptoms during sex. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know if you smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Honest communication with your obgyn about habits like smoking, drinking or drugs may make you feel uncomfortable, but our obgyns are not here to judge you. Knowing about your habits helps us to assess your risk of certain illnesses. Our physicians also need to know about your lifestyle when you are thinking about becoming pregnant or are already pregnant so that we can advise you about protecting your baby. Don’t hesitate to tell us about embarrassing symptoms. You may think it’s awkward to mention things such as leaking urine or a diminished sex drive, but none of this makes our physicians uncomfortable. Honest communication with your obgyn means asking any and all questions. Avoiding scary symptoms will not make a problem go away. Finally, honest communication with your obgyn is crucial if you think you may have a serious problem. For example, if you are hesitant to mention a lump in your breast because you are afraid you have breast cancer, keep in mind that prompt diagnosis and treatment saves lives. When you visit our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns for your annual well-woman exam, gynecological services or obstetrics, talk to us openly and honestly so that we can provide you with the best care possible. Let’s talk. Contact us for an appointment.
Obgyn Care in the DFW Area
High-quality obgyn care in the DFW area that’s convenient and close to home Are you looking for high-quality obgyn care in the DFW area? Our Fort Worth and Southlake obgyns work with women from adolescence to menopause and beyond to provide outstanding obstetrics and gynecology services. As an added bonus, every obgyn in our practice is a woman. Our obgyn care in the DFW area offers user-friendly locations Why fight the Dallas traffic when you can find first-rate obgyn care in the DFW area closer to your neighborhood? Our Fort Worth and Southlake offices are close to several cities and towns in the Metroplex area. The locations are easily accessible with ample parking. State-of-the-art gynecology and gynecological surgery services Good health begins with preventive care. Our physicians form a valuable relationship with patients, especially during the annual well woman exam. When problems occur, and you need obgyn care in the DFW area, there’s no need to venture far from home. With our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns, you’re in experienced, trained hands. From endometriosis and PCOS, to urinary incontinence and recurrent UTIs, our physicians and staff provide thoughtful and thorough treatment and diagnosis. If you need surgery, rest assured that our obgyns are trained in the most up-to-date gynecological surgery techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Our surgeons perform hysterectomies, endometriosis surgery, surgery for urinary incontinence and more. Obstetrics and midwifery services for routine and high-risk pregnancies If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, and considering obgyn care in the DFW area, our offices offer everything you need. Our experienced obstetricians care for high-risk and routine pregnancies. Our midwifery services provide another pregnancy care option for patients. From preconception counseling and fertility testing, to pregnancy office visits and labor management, we’ve got you covered. Patients at our Fort Worth office deliver at Fort Worth Medical Center Fort Worth. These locations offer nearby, expert care, making for a smooth trip to the hospital on the big day. Our Fort Worth and Southlake obgyns prove that excellent obgyn care in the DFW area is not limited to the city of Dallas. Our all-female physicians are close to your neighborhood, ready to provide you with the comprehensive healthcare you need. Contact us for an appointment.
Annual Well Woman Exam
Four reasons why you still need an annual well woman exam Even though you no longer need an annual Pap smear, you still need an annual well woman exam. This yearly appointment with our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns is the best way to prevent problems and stay healthy. An annual well-woman exam provides fundamental preventive care Here are four important reasons why your annual well woman exam is an essential appointment. It’s a vital opportunity for preventive care. Your annual well woman exam is about much more than a Pap smear and a pelvic examination. It’s about your overall health. Screening tests help evaluate your health. During your annual well woman exam, your physician may discuss the need for various types of screening, based on your age, health and risk factors. For example, starting at age 40, our physicians generally recommend a yearly mammogram. Our obgyns also recommend bone density screening for women age 65 and over. Pap guidelines have changed and a Pap smear is no longer needed at every annual well woman exam. Here is a summary of the new requirements. If you are age 21 to 29, you need a Pap test every three years. If you are age 30 to 65, our physicians recommend a Pap smear and an HPV test every five years. You may also opt to have a Pap test every three years. At your annual well woman exam, our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns counsel you about several essential lifestyle and health issues. During your annual well-woman exam, our physicians discuss everything from birth control options and sexual health to depression and weight management. Your yearly appointment is the perfect time to ask questions. Whether you are planning to become pregnant and want to ask about preconception counseling, or you are wondering about changes caused by menopause, your annual well-woman exam is a great time to talk with your physician. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns care about your health and well-being At your annual well-woman exam, you and your physician work together to achieve your best health. Contact us for an appointment with our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns.
Bonding with Your Baby in the NICU
Five tips for bonding with your baby in the NICU Our Grapevine obgyns want you to know more about bonding with your baby in the NICU. After your delivery, your baby may need to go to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for reasons that include preterm birth or problems that occur in the hours or days after your baby is born. Five ideas for bonding with your baby in the NICU When you’re pregnant, you envision bonding with your baby in your hospital room. Bonding with your baby in the NICU may not be what you hoped for, but it can be a special time for both you and your baby. Here are five tips from our Grapevine obgyns to help you bond with your baby if a NICU stay is required. 1. Visit the NICU and get to know the staff. The NICU staff members are knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions about equipment and treatment plans. The more you visit, the more comfortable you will be in the NICU. 2. Hold or touch your baby if possible. Holding your baby is one way of bonding with your baby in the NICU, but there are other ways. Gently stroke your baby’s skin, maintain eye contact and sing or talk to your baby. It may be possible for you to engage in kangaroo care by maintaining skin-to-skin contact with your baby. 3. Feed your baby. Some babies in the NICU can be breastfed and others can be bottle-fed with your pumped breast milk. You can also pump breast milk and save it for your baby. Talk to the NICU staff about feeding and bonding with your baby in the NICU. 4. Bring some personal items in for your baby. You may be able to place a picture or stuffed animal outside of your baby’s incubator. Some mothers wear an item of clothing so that it bears their unique scent, and then they place it near the baby. 5. Take care of yourself. It’s easy to forget about self-care when you are concerned about your baby, but bonding with your baby in the NICU is best when you are healthy and rested. Our Grapevine obgyns care for mothers. We know that part of that process includes reassuring and advising mothers about their babies. For compassionate, expert care, contact us.
Finding Your Target BMI
Determining and reaching your target BMI You’ve probably heard our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns mention that it is important to reach and maintain a healthy body mass index, or BMI. In order to do this, you need to know your target BMI. To help you on your journey to health and wellness, our obgyns have some information about how to determine your target BMI and how to reach it. How to calculate your target BMI The easiest way to determine your target BMI is to use an online BMI calculator. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a helpful calculator online. The normal BMI range for adults is 18.5 to 24.9. Anything under that range is considered underweight, while anything over it is considered overweight or obese. Health risks are associated with BMIs that are outside of the normal range. Individuals with high BMIs are more likely to develop health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea and pregnancy complications. In contrast, people with low BMIs have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, iron deficiency, anemia, infection, hair loss, lung disease and muscle wasting. Both low and high BMIs can also cause infertility. For these reasons, our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns stress the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet. Food plays a huge role in health and weight. Strive to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, strive to incorporate other sources of protein, such as beans and nuts. Stay active. Balance the time that you sit every day with hikes, bike rides, yoga and other activities that get you moving. You can start slow by exercising for a few minutes at a time and moving up to longer increments as you gain strength and endurance. Get help. You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re struggling to lose or gain weight, partnering with our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns or a nutritionist will improve your chances of success. Your partners in health Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns are your partners in health. From well-woman appointments to information about how to find your target BMI, our obgyns offer a full range of services to help you live a happy and healthy life. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take control of your health.
Your Health and Fitness
Five health and fitness tips for a healthier 2018 Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns are here to help you achieve optimal health. In 2018, our physicians urge you to take control of your health and fitness. Follow our health and fitness tips in 2018 for a healthy year and life Healthy habits pay dividends in the present and the future for women of all ages. If you adopt these five health and fitness practices, you will reduce your risk of developing health problems, including certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. You will also improve your general and reproductive health. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A healthy diet should include the following. Lean proteins, including grilled, broiled or baked fish, meat, poultry and legumes Fruits and vegetables Whole grains Foods rich in calcium, including dairy products, kale and broccoli In addition, limit sugar and saturated fats. Track your food intake and practice portion control. Part of improving your health and fitness is weight management. Keep track of what and how much you eat with a mobile app. Educate yourself about portion sizes and practice portion control. Get 60 to 90 minutes of moderate to intense exercise each week. If exercise hasn’t been a part of your life, start slowly. Move more and exercise in 10 minute increments. Address stress and mental health issues in your life. For better health and fitness, it’s important to address stress, depression and other mental health issues that can affect your daily life. Yoga, meditation or counseling can help. If you are planning to get pregnant, focus on preconception health. A preconception counseling appointment with our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns can help you plan for a healthy pregnancy. Important goals for preconception health include getting to and maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise and reducing stress. You should also begin taking folic acid supplements. Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns can help you get healthy Our physicians can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Contact us to schedule an annual wellness or preconception counseling appointment.
The Importance of Physical Activity
Understanding the importance of physical activity Want to feel your best? Physical activity can help. Women of all ages should add physical activity to their daily routine to improve and maintain good health. Most women, including pregnant women, can exercise safely. Anyone who has concerns should talk with our Grapevine and Alliance obgyns before beginning an exercise regimen. Physical activity provides many health benefits For many years, women have been told that they need physical activity, but they may not know why it’s important. Exercise benefits women in several ways. Muscle strength Flexibility Weight control Increased energy Stronger bones Stress relief Better sleep quality Exercise also reduces the risk of several diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Three types of physical activity women should add to their weekly schedule Our Grapevine and Alliance obgyns suggest that women try to get three different types of physical activity each week, including aerobic exercise, strengthening and stretching. Aerobic exercise involves large body muscles in the arms, hips and legs. It raises a woman’s heart rate. Most women should try to get 150 minutes of moderate-level activity per week. Good activities include walking, jogging, swimming, dancing or biking. Exercise doesn’t have to occur in long increments. It’s fine to exercise for 30 minutes, five days a week or to exercise for ten or fifteen minutes at a time that adds up to 150 minutes per week. Strengthening is another important type of physical activity women need at least two days a week. Strengthening activities help build stronger muscles and reduce the risk of bone loss. Our physicians suggest resistance training with weights or resistance bands, or push-ups and other exercises that provide strengthening benefits. Stretching after exercise or performing simple stretches during the day not only helps boost circulation, but also helps achieve optimal range of motion. Women who have chronic health problems, who are pregnant or who have a physical issue that prevents exercise should consult our physicians before beginning an exercise regimen. Our physicians urge women to pursue physical activity to achieve better health and fitness. For more advice, women should contact our Grapevine and Alliance obgyns. We’re conveniently located in Grapevine to serve women in Southlake, Grapevine, Alliance and the surrounding area.
Food Safety During Pregnancy
5 important tips about food safety during pregnancy Our Southlake obgyns want you to know about food safety during pregnancy. You may not be aware that you are more susceptible during pregnancy to foodborne illnesses caused by parasites, bacteria and viruses. If you contract a foodborne illness while you’re pregnant, it can lead to complications for both you and your baby, so it’s important for you to learn all you can about food safety. Food safety during pregnancy begins with these five steps 1. Know which fish are safe to eat The FDA and EPA have issued specific advice about food safety during pregnancy. They recommend that women eat two to three servings of fish per week from their “best choices” list. These fish include cod, salmon and whitefish. If you want to eat fish on their “good choices” list, limit consumption to once a week. These choices include albacore tuna, snapper and halibut. Due to high mercury levels, women should avoid king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tile fish and bigeye tuna. For more information about eating fish while pregnant, go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/09/2019-14524/advice-about-eating-fish-for-women-who-are-or-might-become-pregnant-breastfeeding-mothers-and-young For more information about minimum safe internal temperatures for meat, go to: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/safe-minimum-internal-temperature-chart 2. Don’t drink unpasteurized milk, juice or cider You should never drink unpasteurized juice or cider because they have been linked to E. coli infections. Unpasteurized milk contains several dangerous bacteria, including listeria and salmonella. 3. Don’t eat raw or undercooked eggs Eggs must be cooked until the yolks are firm, and egg dishes should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 160° F. In addition, avoid eating or drinking anything that may contain raw eggs such as eggnog or raw cookie dough. 4. Be certain that your meat, poultry and seafood are cooked thoroughly You should ensure that any meat, poultry and seafood you eat is cooked to the proper minimum internal temperature to avoid dangerous contamination from E. coli, salmonella and toxoplasma gondii. 5. Don’t consume raw sprouts of any kind The only safe way to eat sprouts during pregnancy is thoroughly cooked. This includes clover, radish, mung bean and alfalfa sprouts. If you are looking for advice about food safety during pregnancy, our Southlake obgyns, right here in Grapevine, are happy to work with you. We provide expert, compassionate prenatal care. Contact us for an appointment.
