According to both his agent and team officials on Thursday night, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard will miss the remainder of the regular season, the entire post-season, and also, the 2012 Summer Olympics because of surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back, scheduled for Friday. Back issues had been nagging Howard, dating back to early March, but the herniated disk was not discovered until last week by Los Angeles spinal surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins.

“Dwight went in for an MRI Thursday morning,” said Howard’s agent, Dan Fegan. “When the results of that MRI came back, it appeared from that MRI that the problem had worsened the tear. The doctors got on the phone. They consulted together, and they both reached the same conclusion: that he was no longer a candidate for rehab, that surgery was required.”

Howard had been absent from the Magic line-up for the past six consecutive games with the injury and a total of eight this season. Without his presence, the Magic has gone just 3-5, and opponents have taken advantage on the offensive end, shooting 50 percent from the floor in 6 of the 8 contests.

“It hurts (emotionally),” said Howard. “That’s the first thing — it hurts. And then with people saying and thinking I’m quitting on my team. This is a real issue. I tried to play through it and it just made my back worse.”

In a season where Howard made almost non-stop headlines for all of the wrong reasons and had his mental commitment to the organization vigorously questioned, he now finds himself missing in action and in the news for health issues – something that, ironically enough, is completely out of his control this time around.

Howard’s indecisiveness concerning his future with the Magic was one of the major storylines around the entire league until he decided to waive his early termination option on the day of the trade deadline. Although an extension was not signed, waiving the option meant that Howard would remain under contract with Orlando through next season. However, this would only bring a temporary end to the drama surrounding the Magic big man.

On April 5, only hours before a game with the New York Knicks, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters that he had been informed by the team’s front office that Howard asked them to fire him. Moments later, Howard put his arm around Van Gundy and insisted that this was not their main concern. He has denied the reports ever since, and many believe that Van Gundy is nothing more than a dead man walking.

It was also reported just days ago by WKMG in Orlando that Howard personally called Magic owner Rich DeVos during an April 13game against the Atlanta Hawks and told him he would not play for Van Gundy anymore. Sources told WKMG that Howard’s reasoning behind this was that he was still upset about Van Gundy’s comments to the media concerning his desire for a coaching change. However, other sources claim that no such phone call was ever made.

Nonetheless, the Magic is left with two options – either lay down in the post-season because their star will not be out there to lead them, or fight through it, and make a run that no one will see coming. Howard has faith in the latter.

“If the guys come together, we still have a chance,” Howard said. “I know what we have in that locker room. I’ve seen it in spurts this season. I’ve told them, ‘We don’t have to be the biggest or the strongest; we just have to believe.’”

Image Courtesy of   Keith Allison

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Teenage rhinoplasty is by far the most common plastic surgery procedure performed on young patients around the world. Some people argue that teenagers are too young for such procedures. Nevertheless, there are many health-related reasons for teenage rhinoplasty, and even a purely cosmetic approach can do wonders for self-esteem.

So long as there is a good support system, and the teenage patient is psychologically stable and mature, with a solid understanding of the risks and benefits, then teenage rhinoplasty can be very rewarding.

Dr. Ashkan Ghavami states, “Teenage rhinoplasty is actually one of my favorite procedures. I love seeing the smile on a young person’s face from something I was able to provide for them, as they go on to live the rest of their lives and conquer their dreams!”

Dr. Ghavami has been offering rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills for many years, including ethnic rhinoplasty (as both primary and revision rhinoplasty). While he doesn’t believe that teenage rhinoplasty should serve as a replacement for the development of lifelong skills for building self esteem, he recognizes that young people can face criticism and abuse or bullying for their appearance.

Damage to a young person’s self-esteem can haunt them for the rest of their lives. Dr. Ghavami emphasizes the importance of identifying the motivations of a prospective patient before rushing to judgment or formulating the plan. In many cases, the decision about whether or not to proceed with teenage rhinoplasty can sometimes be made in collaboration with a therapist, if any doubts exist on the maturity level.

It is important for the young patient to have support from his or her family. It is also essential for young people to have realistic expectations about results, to understand the risks involved, and to not make an impulsive decision. Dr. Ghavami adds, “I often see teenage patients that are more well-informed and knowledgeable about the risks and benefits than their parents, thanks perhaps to the Internet.”

From a medical perspective, rhinoplasty can actually heal much easier if it is done at a younger age. A teenager’s skin is stronger and more elastic than an adult’s, and will accept the alterations to the nose more readily. The average age for which Dr. Ghavami performs teenage rhinoplasty is between 16 and 17.

It is often advantageous to return after a summer in high school and start senior year or the first year of college with the rhinoplasty out of the way, so the nose is no longer a concern. “Many of these patients are young and beautiful, but the nose is just way out of proportion and it detracts from the rest of their features,” says Dr. Ghavami. When the nose is in balance, the rest of facial beauty can shine.

The article Plastic Surgeon: In Support of Teenage Rhinoplasty appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Dr. Feiz & Associates supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to investigate and take action against misleading advertising for the LAP BAND , an FDA-approved medical implant used for weight loss. The FDA issued warning letters to several southern California entities that have allegedly misled the public regarding the possible risks of the LAP BAND procedure.

The LAP BAND is an adjustable gastric restrictive device that has been proven to be an effective tool in aiding weight loss. However, the LAP BAND should be viewed as one of many components that comprise a broader, comprehensive treatment plan , like the one offered by Dr. Feiz & Associates. A safe and successful treatment plan for morbid obesity requires meticulous patient selection (as not all surgical procedures are suitable for all patients), as well as life-long follow-up of the patients health and success.

Surgeons have an obligation to consult with patients and inform them about possible side-effects and contraindications associated with LAP BAND surgery. Moreover, it is the duty of the program to inform patients not just about the risks and benefits of the LAP BAND, but also about all possible treatments.

These include non-surgical and behavioral treatments, as well as surgical treatments such as the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastric bypass , in addition to the LAP BAND. This is in keeping with the fundamental guiding philosophy of Dr. Feiz & Associates. Without a thorough education about all the various options, a patient cannot possibly make an informed decision on the safest and healthiest course of action.

The FDA’s commendable decision to take action underscores the need for patients to seek LAP BAND surgery and other treatment options only with well trained and qualified surgeons who are Fellowship trained in the field of Bariatric Surgery and accredited by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The simple truth is this: LAP BAND surgery can be a safe procedure, but only when performed by qualified and responsible medical professionals.

The article FDA Investigations on LAP BAND’s Risks Supported by Medical Center appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.