How Bariatric Surgery Can Improve Type 2 Diabetes—Even Before Significant Weight Loss

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. However, when found in its earliest stages, breast cancer can be stopped from spreading, is more treatable and nearly 100% curable. Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early. Let’s talk about mammograms as well as the right way to perform a self breast exam.

Mammograms

When should I start getting mammograms?

Unless you have a new breast problem or need to start screenings earlier because of risk, most guidelines recommend starting screening mammography at age 40.
How often should I get a mammogram?

Guidelines differ somewhat but are consistent that if you are of average risk, you should have them at least every other year.  If you are at increased risk, including having dense breast tissue or a family history of breast cancer,  it is recommended that you get an annual mammography screening and possibly enhanced screenings with MRI, ultrasound or contrast enhanced mammography.

Is getting a mammogram dangerous to my health?

While there is a small radiation exposure with every mammogram, the benefit of early detection of small, curable cancers almost always outweighs that risk of exposure.

Does it hurt to get a mammogram?

Some women do find mammograms uncomfortable.  This is more common when having imaging just before your menstrual period when breast tissue can be swollen and more sensitive.  If you do have extra sensitivity, scheduling the exam after your cycle starts or taking an over-the-counter NSAID pain reliever* a few hours before the exam may minimize the discomfort.  Because positioning of the breast and taking each mammogram image is typically less than 30 seconds, the extent of discomfort during the exam is short-lived.

*NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and aspirin.

Breast self-exam options

What is the correct technique for a breast self-exam?

Any pattern for feeling all of your breast tissue is acceptable. The goal is to make sure you are feeling with varying pressure from your collar bone to cleavage, to the bottom of the breast out to past where your breast meets your chest wall, including your armpit.

How often should I do a breast self-exam?

Self-exams should not be done too often because it can make it difficult to tell if a lump is evolving over time. Think of how hard it is to tell if your appearance changes gradually as you get older because you see yourself every day, compared to more easily seeing changes in someone’s appearance after not seeing them for a long time. Typically, once a month is enough.

Is there a best time to do a breast self-exam?

 It is important to do your breast self-exam in approximately the same time in your cycle rather than a specific interval—especially since not all menstrual cycles are exactly 28 days apart.  Doing the exam at the same place in your cycle will give you consistency in how the tissue should feel in terms of lumpiness, texture and density. 
I encourage my patients to do their exam the day after their cycle starts as a consistent point in their hormonal cycle fluctuations.

What am I actually looking for during a breast self-exam?

Your breast self-exam should be a tool to familiarize yourself with the general “normal texture” of the tissue in each of your breasts so if you detect something that is different, you will be able to identify it as new or changed. 

Can a breast self-exam replace a mammogram?

Self-breast exams cannot replace mammograms because mammograms can detect subtle changes like densities or calcifications that are too small to feel. The goal with screening mammograms is to detect breast cancer before you can feel it because early detection leads to better overall outcomes.
Learn more about breast cancer screening and treatment at Wellstar. 

If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, you’re not alone—and effective treatment is available. At Wellstar, patients have access to advanced urology care close by, including personalized treatment options designed to improve comfort and quality of life.

What is an enlarged prostate?

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, is one of the most common conditions affecting men over 50.

The prostate is a gland located below the bladder that helps produce semen. As men age, the prostate naturally grows larger. For some men, the enlarged prostate can press against the urethra and block the flow of urine, leading to bothersome urinary symptoms.

What symptoms should I be aware of?

Common symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urinary stream, waking up at night to urinate and feeling like the bladder is not fully empty.

In severe cases, some men may have difficulty urinating at all. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your primary care physician may recommend seeing a urologist.

Should I worry about prostate cancer?

Not necessarily. BPH is a non-cancerous condition and is separate from prostate cancer. However, a urologist may recommend routine prostate cancer screening based on your age, symptoms and overall risk factors.

What should I expect during a urology visit?

Your first visit will include a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and overall health. Additional testing—such as lab work, a physical exam or specialized imaging—may also be recommended to better evaluate the prostate and bladder.

What treatments are available for BPH?

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and how much they are affecting daily life. For some men, simple lifestyle changes—such as limiting caffeine and alcohol, reducing fluids before bedtime and following a regular bathroom schedule—may help relieve symptoms.

Medications are often the next step and can help improve urine flow, relax muscles around the bladder and prostate, or shrink the prostate over time. If symptoms continue or become more severe, minimally invasive procedures or surgery may be recommended. Today, many treatments use advanced technology designed to reduce recovery time and improve comfort. Options may include laser therapies, water-vapor treatments, image-guided procedures that remove excess prostate tissue, procedures that gently widen the urinary channel, or robotic-assisted surgery for larger prostates. At Wellstar, urologists use advanced robotic technology, including the da Vinci surgical system, to provide precise treatment through small incisions. This helps many patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.

The good news is that men have more treatment options than ever before. Your urologist can help create a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.

Learn more about prostate care and other urology services at Wellstar.

Robotic surgery has transformed how surgeons care for patients with new innovations yet again. At Wellstar, continued investment in advanced technology is helping elevate surgical care across specialties—giving patients the option to have more precise and less invasive procedures that are easier to recover from.

“Technology continues to advance to provide newer and safer alternatives to treat our patients,” said Dr. Aaron Bolduc, a general surgeon at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. “As we adopt this new technology, we are able to lead the way in patient care with excellent outcomes.

Wellstar has expanded its robotic surgery program with the addition of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system—also known as the DV5—at most locations, along with new applications for single-port surgery. These innovations build on years of robotic experience while helping clinicians deliver world-class care and train the physicians of the future.

Fast recoveries

The latest technologies continue to redefine what’s possible in surgery, including even shorter hospital stays and faster recovery timelines.

Dr. Jay Singh, Wellstar chief surgical officer and a colon and rectal surgeon, said significantly smaller incisions make a big impact: “That is potentially huge from the standpoint of patient satisfaction, decreased pain, quicker recovery time, a decrease in narcotics used and a quicker return to work.”

The impact is so great that some robotic procedures that previously required a few nights in the hospital are now being done as outpatient procedures, allowing patients to recover in the comfort of their homes.

DV5: A new level of precision

The DV5 represents a significant step forward in robotic surgery—notably for surgeon awareness and control. One of its most notable advancements is force feedback: “The ability to sense hard and soft tissue during robotic surgeries is a game changer,” said Dr. Julie Chang, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist. She was the first surgeon to use the DV5 system at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center.

“Surgeries will be even more precise and efficient with this tool, which will further reduce post-operative pain and make recovery time faster,” said Dr. Chang.

The machine’s sensory feedback means surgeons can apply the exact amount of pressure needed.

“The DV5 allows the surgeon to sense how much push-or-pull force they apply to delicate structures in the body,” said Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre, a bariatric surgeon at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “Less strain means less trauma and potential injury, leading to faster patient recovery.”

Wellstar’s robotic program is grounded in decades of experience, combined with a commitment to adopt best‑in‑class technology.

“Having performed robotic surgery for well over 20 years, I started with the very first Da Vinci surgical robot,” said Dr. Scott Miller, Wellstar director of robotic surgical services and a urologist at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “I was amazed when that came around, but I never cease to be amazed by every advancement. Now we have introduced the DV5 model to most Wellstar locations with 10,000 times processing power.”

With that comes enhanced visualization, instrument responsiveness and precision across a wide range of procedures.

“The DV5 is ideal for many urologic procedures, such as prostate and kidney removal, bladder surgery and urinary tract reconstruction,” Dr. Miller said. “The improved range-of-motion and visualization features help us protect healthy tissues and nerves.”