Abdominoplasty is plastic surgery a surgeon performs on the abdomen of a patient. Pregnancy or weight loss typically results in extra skin in the stomach area. The loose skin lacks elasticity, stretches out and cannot tighten up. Abdominoplasty procedures improve the contour or shape of the abdomen. A limited abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty removes excess skin along the abdomen via a small incision at the bikini line. Abdominoplasties do not affect the belly button of a patient. In a standard abdominoplasty, the doctor first separates the abdominal skin from the muscular layer. To do so, a surgeon makes an oval incision around the belly button or umbilicus. The doctor tightens the muscles by corset-type sutures. The physician stretches the skin over the new abdominal shape and removes the excess loose skin. A surgeon creates a new hole to serve as the belly button. An abdominoplasty procedure therefore reshapes the abdominal region by tightening the muscles and removing the excess skin. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is a new technical advancement in abdominoplasty procedures. In an endoscopic abdominoplasty, Dr. Sayah makes small hidden incisions at the belly button and the pubic regions. Dr. Sayah then releases the skin from the muscles and tightens the muscles using corset sutures. He re-drapes the skin over the newly tightened abdomen without any skin excision. Not every patient is a qualified candidate for this particular abdominoplasty technique. Patients who have loose muscles caused by pregnancy or weight loss without much loose skin benefit from an endoscopic abdominoplasty because the scars are extremely minimal.

Executive Health

Executive Health Practitioner Associations are coming together to customize health programs for groups of executives and independent businesses with an objective of reducing the lost productivity time. At the core of many Executive Healthcare packages is an Executive Physical. In many instances, the doctor will travel to company facilities in order to perform a basic physical for all executive members. In others, as in the case of Elite IPA (Independent Practitioner Association), the office visit is an option, but executives are given the benefit of in-depth diagnostic treatment, which allows for an even more in-depth analysis of their health than what is typical. This level of the physical exam, given at a time that is convenient for the executive, is to have a positive impact on the bottom line. The average wait to see a physician is 68 minutes. There is no wait with the IPA Health associates for executives. IPA works around the schedule. Nor does IPA rush the visit. The visit is complete only when all of the concerns and questions answered. For those who prefer to communicate in writing, IPA is only an e-mail away. IPA physicians travel with hand-held e-mail devices for quick responses. Furthermore, IPA does not rush the visit. The visit is complete only when all of the concerns and questions are answered. Of course, there are times when one just wants to speak directly with the doctor on the telephone. One of the first things given to a new IPA patient is the doctor’s personal cell phone number. Wherever business or pleasure takes you, IPA is just a phone call away. Turn to IPA’s Executive Health for a complete executive physical that looks at health from all angles. True health and wellness is only achieved when there is a good understanding of the family history and personal medical history. IPA offers the latest in both non-invasive and blood-based cardiovascular screening testing. For early cancer detection, there may be reason to consider modern scanning approaches, including the PET technology. The integration of state-of-the-art cancer detection approach is a major feature of the program, as is ready access to leading specialists for preventive consultations.

Sebaceous Glands

Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum (Latin, meaning fat or tallow) that is made of fat (lipids) and the debris of dead fat-producing cells. In the glands, specialized cells produce sebum and then released it as these cells burst; sebaceous glands are holocrine glands. Sebum itself is odorless, but its bacterial breakdown can produce odors. Sebum is one cause of some people experiencing "oily" hair or skin when not washed for several days. Earwax is partly composed of sebum. Sebum acts to protect and waterproof hair and skin, and keep them from becoming dry, brittle and cracked. Sebum can also inhibit the growth of microorganisms on skin. Sebaceous glands are a branched type of acinar gland. These glands exist throughout the skin except in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sebaceous glands are present in hair-covered areas, where they link to hair follicles. The glands deposit sebum on the hairs, and bring it to the skin surface along the hair shaft. The structure consisting of hair, hair follicle, arrector pili muscle and sebaceous gland is the pilosebaceous unit. Non-haired areas (glabrous skin) of the eyelids, penis, labia minora and nipples also have sebaceous. Here, the sebum traverses ducts that terminate in sweat pores on the surface of the skin. Pores range in size from 50 to 80 nanometers on average. The inner surface of the lip and the buccal surface of the cheek can potentially contain ectopic sebaceous glands commonly known as Fordyce's spots or Fordyce granules. These occur as yellowish circular dots that form clusters. Eighty percent of the population has Fordyce granules and these sebaceous glands are asymptomatic. At the rim of the eyelids, meibomian glands present as a specialized sebaceous gland. They secrete sebum into the tears coating the eye to slow evaporation.

Xeroderma

Xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP, is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting DNA repair in wherein the ability to repair damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light is deficient. This disorder leads to multiple basaliomas and other skin malignancies at a young age. In severe cases, it is necessary to avoid sunlight completely. The two most common causes of death for XP victims are metastatic malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.