Depressed diabetic

I am a newly diagnosed diabetic and feel depressed. Is there a medication I can take which is safe.?

The latest SSRIs are relatively safe. No matter what antidepressant you take, you will need to frequently monitor your blood sugars initially to ensure that there are no drug interactions. Go and see a psychiatrist who deals with these medications on a regular basis. I should warn you that almost all antidepressants will cause a slight increase in weight gain, so incorporate exercise and eat healthy. St John wort is another option, but i think you should first speak to the psychiatrist.

Stents for erectile failure

Recently my doctor recommended that I have stents placed to reverse my erectile dysfunction. Does this work?

Stents are the latest fad for the treatment of ED, but there is ZERO guarantee that they will work. If you have no blocked blood vessels, then putting stents is a complete waste of money. The radiologists recommend this because they make money. There are 1000s of diabetics with normal blood vessels in their pelvis and yet have erectile failure. So placing a stent is useless. Even if you have a blocked blood vessel, placing a stent may not reverse the erectile failure. Surgery procedures to correct erectile failure were done in the 80s and 90s-the results were abysmal.

Remember, in medicine there are some doctors who make a living scamming patients by doing unnecessary procedures. The procedure will cost you a minimum of $7,000-$10,000 with ZERO guarantee of success. So buyer beware. Please change your doctor.

Diabetic who can't get it up

I have been diabetic for 4 years and already I have erectile difficulties. Is this related?

Most likely, it is well known that diabetes causes erectile dysfunction. This disorder can occur at any age and often bears no correlation to levels of glucose. Many diabetics with well-controlled sugars also have the same problem. Once ED occurs in diabetics, there is no cure. The only solution is to use Viagra and keep the levels of stress at a low level. Try to maintain your blood sugars under good control as you do not want to develop any more complications.

Traveling as a diabetic

I am traveling outside the country and am a type 1 diabetic. I am on an insulin pump. What supplies do I need?

Well, it depends where you are traveling. In most of Europe, you can get all the supplies but if you travel to Africa or some parts of Central America, you will be out of luck. My best advice for diabetics who travel is to carry their own syringes and your own supplies. You never know the status of the healthcare facilities outside the USA. If you are on an insulin pump, my advice is buy an insulin pen, which is easier to use and associated with fewer hassles. Going with an insulin pump overseas can be tricky, because the supplies may not match what your are using. Rest assured, vacation resorts will bring in their own doctors who will sell you insulin/syringes at exorbitant prices.

Carbs in diabetes

I am a newly diagnosed diabetic and want to know how much carbohydrate I should consume on a daily basis.

In general, it is recommended that you get 60% of your calories from carbohydrates. If you ingest a 2000 calorie diet, this means about 1200 calories should be from carbohydrates. That is about 300 grams of carbohydrates/day. If you are a diabetic, I recommend you learn to read labels and understand calories.

Sweating in a diabetic

I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes and noticed that I sweat profusely at night. I take insulin and metformin. Is this related?

Most likely, Yes. It may be other things, but first i would rule out hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemic attacks can cause sweating, I suggest you see your doctor and you may need adjustment of your medications. I also recommend you measure your blood sugars when the sweating occurs to ensure that there is no concurrent hypoglycemia. It may be that you are taking too much insulin in the evening or not eating enough in the evening. Do not worry about things like the somogi or the dawn phenomenon; let your doctor sort that out.

Blisters in a diabetic

I am a diabetic female and recently while attending a social event, developed blisters on my feet because I was wearing tight shoes. Should I break them?

No, leave them alone. Since you are a diabetic, the best advice I can give is pay attention to your feet. Maintain good hygiene do not cut or do any thing that traumatizes your feet. Never ever go to a podiatrist because these professionals almost never check the pulses and start cutting-which eventually leads to amputations. For blisters that are intact, just wear comfortable shoes and leave them alone. For broken blisters, there is no need to apply any antibiotic, unless they are infected.

Diabetic and losing hair

I am a 24 year old and am losing my hair. I am also a diabetic. Is there any way to prevent it?

Since you are a diabetic, I would recommend getting your thyroid hormone checked- it is one cause of hair loss. If that is okay, then you have very few choices. None of the drugs for hair loss work and are a complete waste of money. You may wear a wig or a hat.

Alternatively, you can apply black shoe polish to cover the bald patches. If you are very distressed take some Prozac and learn to love your scalp. There is no good treatment of hair loss except for a hair transplant, which costs 1000s of dollars and may or may not work.

Natural thyroid hormone

I have an under functioning thyroid gland and do not want to take the synthetic thyroid hormone. Is there something natural I can take?

Sure go to a doctor and ask for extracts of thyroid hormone. These have been derived from pigs or cows. The desiccated powder dose is 30-60 mg a day. 

The main reason many doctors do not recommend extracts from cows is because of the risk of contracting mad cow disease- which is universally fatal. So the ultimate choice is yours.

Type 2 diabetes Cure

Is it possible to reverse type 2 diabetes?

Sure. Many people have had cure of their type 2 diabetes. The only way to do it is by losing weight. Losing weight enhances the sensitivity of insulin and makes it easier to control blood sugars. If you remain motivated and dedicated to exercise, you can be diabetes free. This only applies to type 2 diabetes. By losing weight, you also lower your blood pressure and lipids. Good luck.

Liposuction on the breast

My surgeon performed liposuction on my breasts which were heavy. Now I have intense pain at the site. Is this normal?

First, I am not sure why the surgeon elected to do liposuction to remove fat from the breasts. This is not the right procedure to reduce breast size. It can cause asymmetry between the breast and often excess dimpling of skin will occur. What surgeons never tell you is that surgery on the breast is painful, especially when done with a scope or a suction cannula. I think you will need prescription strength pain pills for sometime. The abnormal sensations will stay for a long time. Change your surgeon-please.

Gallbladder surgery

How long is recovery after removal of the gallbladder?

In most cases 4-6 weeks. Despite what surgeons claim, many patients continue to have moderate pain at the port sites. A few patients may recover faster. If you have been told that you have gallstones, the surgery is never urgent and you should take your time. If the gallstones do not bother you, just move on with your life.

botched hernia surgery

I had inguinal hernia surgery and now have severe burning pain into my groin and thigh. Is this normal part of recovery?

Inguinal hernia surgery is very painful but burning pain that radiates to the groin and thigh is not part of recovery. I think your surgeon damaged one of the two nerves that run next to the hernia. The treatment for this pain is very difficult and I think you should speak to the surgeon first. Do not jump in for a second surgery to correct the nerve damage, but speak to a malpractice lawyer first. The pain is lifelong and so your damages are high.

Breast augmentation in males

Can a male undergo breast enhancement surgery?

Sure, why not. But I think before you do that, you should see a psychiatrist and explain why you want boobs. Unlike females, breast enlargement in males is a long drawn out process because males do not have adequate skin or tissue to cover the implant. Good luck. I seriously recommend Prozac first before surgery. Speak to men who have undergone sex gender change surgery and they will explain the hassles and the costs.

Breast growth in a man

I have been diagnosed with gynecomastia. Am a 24 year old male. What are my options?

First, if the breast growth is miniscule and does not bother you, leave it alone. If you are not the type of person who is always without a shirt , then again leave the disorder alone. The major reason for treatment is cosmesis. Most men do not like breast buds sticking out of their shirt. If you hate the breasts, then the best option I suggest is liposuction. A needle can be used to remove the fat and you go home the same day. Mind you, it is painful and you will be sore for many days. In addition, it will cost you several thousand dollars.

If you have the money, go for it. If you do not have the money, just take a prozac. Gynecomastia is harmless and many men have breast buds, especially alcoholics. In young men, I recommend waiting because in many cases, the breast growth will regress.

Wound infection in diabetic

I am a diabetic and recently had surgery to remove my appendix. After surgery, the wound has become infected. Will antibiotics help?

Wow, if you are a diabetic, I suggest you go back to the surgeon and let him/her assess the wound. After an appendectomy, wound infections are quite common depending on the surgeon’s technical performance. You may need antibiotics but I would go back today. In diabetics, any small infection can quickly spread.

Achilles tendon surgery screwed up

Recently I had repair of my Achilles tendon for the 2nd time. The surgery was complicated and now I have numbness and tingling on the lateral aspect of my foot. Is this related?

Most likely. Achilles tendon surgery when done for the 2nd time is usually associated with scars and adhesions. There is a small nerve which runs alongside the tendon which can easily be damaged if the surgeon did not take any precautions. I suggest you get a nerve study and confirm that. If the nerve is damaged, not much can be done now-but I would definitely recommend you consult a malpractice lawyer. In second time surgery, the surgeon should have monitored the course of the nerve. You may need to take medications like lyrica to stop the numbness and tingling.

Bad bunion surgery

I recently had bunion surgery on my right toe. Now I have developed severe pain in the toe.  Is this part of recovery?

Bunion surgery is fraught with complications. The majority of patients do not achieve a satisfactory result. The surgery is done by both orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists. In my opinion the surgical skills of these professionals sucks. If you have pain after bunion surgery, then more likely the surgeon has cut or damaged a branch of the peroneal nerve in the toe. This nerve runs along the lateral aspect of the toe and is often stretched during the procedure. The pain can be burning and intense. The only remedy now is to take a pill that can diminish neuropathic pain. I would highly recommend that you see a malpractice lawyer, as the damages in your case are life long.

Back surgery and recovery

After back surgery for a compressed nerve, will I be back to normal?

Are you joking? Most patients are many times worse. So if you have not had surgery, think again and still, I would not recommend back surgery. The majority of patients who undergo back surgery are disabled for life. Of course, you will always meet one patient, who is ok, but that is rare. My best advice is do some type of exercise, lose weight and take painkillers. Unless the back surgery is for a life threatening condition, I would not advise.

I am a surgeon and have seen these orthopedic and neurosurgeons operate. Most are very poor technical surgeons and complications are common. You will a lot longer and have a better quality of life if you keep away from neck and back surgeons.

Recovery after Neck surgery

How long is recovery after neck surgery on my spine?

At least 6-8 weeks and longer if the surgeon has screwed up. Most people never recover. I think you should enroll in an exercise program and do some home exercises. There are lots of videos on YouTube about neck exercises. I do not recommend you waste money joining a physical therapy program. Many physical therapists all over the country have built exclusive spa like facilities; scamming insurance companies and self pay patients by recommending unnecessary exercises that never end.