Leading Medicine Fall 2018, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital edition

LEADING MEDICINE FA LL 2018

Your Journey for

CANCER

CARE Uterine Fibroids: Recognizing Risk Factors Weight-Loss Surgery Options

YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

NEWS & EVENTS EXPERT ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY FOR IMPROVED RECOVERY

When it comes to surgery, experience and trust matters.

At Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, our specially trained, credentialed surgeons use advanced robotic-assisted surgical options to reduce the risk of complications, pain and recovery time for patients.

Robotic-assisted surgery offers a minimally invasive surgical treatment for even the most complex conditions. This technology helps our surgeons create more effective, longterm solutions for patients who require surgery. It can be used for bariatric; cardiac; colon and rectal; gynecologic; thoracic; urologic; and urogynecologic procedures.

For more information, call 281.737.2500.

EVENTS COMPREHENSIVE NEUROSCIENCE SEMINAR

Headaches, stroke, sleep disorders and dementia affect quality of life for people with these common neurological conditions. Houston Methodist Neuroscience Partners at Willowbrook is here to help. Join the comprehensive team of neuroscience specialists to learn about causes, advancements and treatments for headaches, stroke, common sleep issues and dementia, and to get your questions answered. To register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.737.2500.

Date: Thursday, Sept. 13 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: Lindsay Lakes Banquet Center 16536 Mueschke Rd. Cypress, TX 77433

WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY SEMINARS

Weight loss can improve quality of life and relieve chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. At Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, we want to help you reach your goal of a healthier lifestyle.

Our Surgical Weight Loss Center has transformed the lives of thousands of patients with life-changing results. (Read more about weight-loss surgery on pages 8-9.)

RESERVE YOUR OUTPATIENT IMAGING APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital offers boardcertified radiologists, a comfortable, caring environment, and the newest imaging technologies to provide patients the most accurate diagnoses, the best possible treatments and minimally invasive therapies.

Our online scheduling system makes requesting an appointment fast, easy and convenient. Patients can use the tool for imaging services, such as a screening mammogram, bone density test, ultrasound, MRI, X-ray or CT scan. Patients can view available times, select one that fits their schedule and confirm the date in a few clicks.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook to reserve a date for your imaging exam.

For questions about screening mammograms, call 281.737.PINK (7465). For questions about other imaging services, call 281.737.1900.

2  LEADING MEDICINE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

Dr. Todd Worley

Dr. Dexter Turnquest

FREE SEMINARS AT HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPITAL Dr. Todd Worley, Bariatric Surgeon Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 18 and Nov. 13 Time: 6 p.m.

Dr. Dexter Turnquest, Bariatric Surgeon Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 3 and Dec. 5 Time: 6 p.m.

Learn about the benefits of weight-loss surgery and the advantages of a team approach toward reaching your goal. To register, visit houstonmethodist.org/ events or call 281.737.2500.

TEA AND TEAL

Join Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital’s panel of women’s health experts as they discuss the latest in prevention, detection, treatment and research breakthroughs for gynecologic cancer. Participate in a Q&A session with our gynecologic oncologists as they share the signs and symptoms of common gynecologic cancers. Treat yourself and someone you love to an evening all about women’s health, and enjoy giveaways and a complimentary light dinner.

To register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.737.2500.

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 18 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: Lindsay Lakes Banquet Center 16536 Mueschke Rd. Cypress, TX 77433

BEAT THE PACK QUIT SMOKING PROGRAM

Ready to quit smoking? Come find out how we can help you at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Beat the Pack is a free smoking cessation program sponsored by Pfizer, Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Houston Methodist Lung Center. The program consists of four sessions led by a live facilitator. It includes tools and tips to help you create a “quit plan” with the support of smokers like you. Start enjoying life now and the freedom that comes with being free from nicotine. To register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.737.2500.

Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital 18220 State Hwy. 249 Nursing Administration Conference Room, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77070

2018 NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY HEART WALK

PULMONARY REHABILITATION TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

I

f you are one of thousands of Americans with respiratory problems, even the easiest task can leave you breathless and exhausted. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital now offers pulmonary rehabilitation to help decrease the symptoms of your respiratory condition or disease and improve your quality of life.

Our program includes educational information about potential treatment options for your condition (including medications and oxygen therapy), strategies for managing breathing problems and assistance with maintaining healthy behaviors, such as smoking cessation, good nutrition and exercise. We also provide a monitored and supervised physical activity plan tailored to your needs. Exercise will help improve your endurance and muscle strength so that you’re better able to carry out daily activities.

Conditions that benefit from pulmonary rehab include: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Emphysema Chronic bronchitis Pulmonary fibrosis Interstitial lung disease Sarcoidosis Bronchiectasis Pre- and postlung transplant Other lung conditions Talk with your doctor about whether the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is right for you. For more information, call 281.737.5341.

Walk with the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital team at the Northwest Harris County Heart Walk in support of the American Heart Association. For more information, visit nwhcheartwalk.org.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 27 Time: 7:30 a.m.

Location: Lone Star College – University Park Energy and Manufacturing Institute 11521 Compaq Center W. Dr. Houston, TX 77070

CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE AT HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/NEWSROOM/NEWSLETTERS 3

Radioactive seed localization for small breast cancers

Technology Enhances Breast-Conserving Treatments R Dr. Ainel Sewell

Dr. Liza Thalheimer

adioactive seed technology makes it easier to pinpoint and remove small breast cancers with surgical precision.

It also provides a more comfortable experience for patients.

“Some breast cancers are nonpalpable (too small to feel) and need to be marked for removal in surgery,” explained Dr. Liza Thalheimer, breast surgical oncologist at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Willowbrook. The traditional way to do this — called wire localization — involves inserting a wire into the breast on the day of surgery.

“Radioactive seed localization provides a wireless alternative that is safe, effective and more comfortable than wire localization,” said Dr. Ainel Sewell, breast imaging radiologist and medical director of Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Willowbrook. “With radioactive seed localization, you avoid the discomfort of having a wire placed in the breast for several hours.”

A WIRELESS APPROACH

Radioactive seed localization uses a tiny radioactive seed to mark the exact location of the breast cancer. The “seed” is injected into the breast tissue by a radiologist five to seven days before surgery.

“Using image guidance, we use a small needle to place a seed into the tumor or lesion,” Sewell said. “The radioactivity coming out of the seed is negligible when it is implanted, and there’s no radioactivity remaining in the body after the seed is removed.”

“During surgery, we use a handheld radiation detection device to find the location of the cancer, and the radioactive seed is removed along with the cancerous tissue,” Thalheimer said. With radioactive seed localization, the surgeon can enter the breast from any angle instead of having to follow the path of a wire.

“This leads to better cosmetic outcomes, because the scar can often be hidden,” Thalheimer said.

BRINGING YOU THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

“We added radioactive seed technology in order to expand the ways we can identify tissue without the need for wire localization,”

4 LEADING MEDICINE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

Early Detection with Mammograms Getting a mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer early. When breast cancer is found early, you may have more treatment options including breast-conserving treatments.

Please visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care or call 281.737.PINK (7465) to schedule your mammogram.

Thalheimer said. Houston Methodist Willowbrook also offers radar localization, which involves placing a tiny device that can be detected using radar waves.

In some cases, radioactive seed technology may be used along with radar localization for the best results. “When lesions are small or close together, we might use both types of devices to mark the cancer — this avoids interference of signals in a very small area,” Thalheimer said.

“We’re committed to offering patients the newest technologies and the safest, most comfortable options,” Sewell added.

UTERINE FIBROIDS:

Recognizing Risk Factors and Symptoms

U Dr. Stephanie Bruce

terine fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors of the uterus that typically occur during a woman’s childbearing years. They are the most common pelvic tumor in women, with up to 80 percent of women developing fibroids by the time they reach age 50. Here’s what you need to know about uterine fibroids:

RISK FACTORS

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes fibroid tumors, but there are certain risk factors that can make you more likely to develop them.

Dr. Lucho Rossman

Dr. Stephanie Bruce is a gynecologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. “Risk factors include onset of menstruation at an early age, being African-American, having a family history of fibroids, high blood pressure and obesity,” said Bruce.

SYMPTOMS

According to Dr. Lucho Rossman, an interventional radiologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook, most women who have fibroids don’t experience symptoms. Yet if they do, it’s typically increased and prolonged menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain.

“Fibroids are usually detected during a pelvic exam when a woman’s doctor may note an enlarged uterus with an irregular contour — a sign that uterine fibroids are present,” Rossman said.

Bruce added that in some cases, uterine fibroids are diagnosed when a woman has an ultrasound performed for another medical condition.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may suggest a wait-and-see approach, since fibroids grow slowly — or not at all — and tend to shrink after menopause.

The first course of treatment to ease mild to moderate symptoms is medication.

Medication options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antifibrinolytics (a medication prescribed for heavy menstrual bleeding) and hormonal therapies.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist for women who can’t tolerate medications. Small particles are injected into the arteries supplying the uterus, cutting off blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die.

Within two to four months, there is usually a 40 to 60 percent reduction in fibroid size. “This procedure is an alternative to open surgery or laparoscopic surgery for fibroids,” Rossman said. “UFE is performed while the patient is sedated and feeling no pain. It does not require general anesthesia.”

Minimally invasive myomectomy

involves various procedures to remove fibroids while leaving the uterus in place.

During a myomectomy, thin instruments are inserted through small incisions in your abdomen. With robotic myomectomy, a tiny camera attached to one of the instruments gives your surgeon a 3-D view of your uterus, offering greater precision and flexibility than other techniques.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy involves removal of the fibroids through the cervix, leaving no incision.

Hysterectomy is a major surgery in which the uterus is removed. While a hysterectomy is the only proven permanent solution for fibroids, it ends your ability to bear children.

“When I started practicing 20 years ago, hysterectomy was a common procedure for fibroids,” Bruce said. “With advances in technology, many of my patients are happy with minimally invasive treatments.”

Request an Appointment

You don’t have to live with uterine fibroids. The specialists at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital can help with a treatment option that is right for you. Call 281.737.2500 for an appointment.

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/WILLOWBROOK 5

Compassionate Support

from Diagnosis to Survivorship Choosing a hospital for cancer care

H

1

START YOUR SEARCH

Choosing where to go for cancer treatment is a big decision, and you want to feel secure about your choice.

Most of all, you’re focused on finding the best path to treatment — as quickly as possible.

If you live in the Houston area, you have choices about where to go for cancer care, with convenient access to top-ranked physicians and cancer specialists, advanced treatments and research, and comprehensive services and support. Within Houston Methodist Cancer Center, our specialists are renowned for their research and treatment of cancer, and we are dedicated to providing each patient with the most advanced and collaborative care, all in a compassionate environment. In 2017, more than 2,000 patients from all over the United States and 37 countries traveled from outside of the Greater Houston area to Houston Methodist for their cancer treatment.

“Patients come from all over the world because we have leading cancer experts integrating the latest research and treatments on the forefront of the battle against cancer. Our commitment to providing high-quality and compassionate care comes through in everything we do,” said Dr. Anna Belcheva, medical director

6 LEADING MEDICINE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

of the Houston Methodist Infusion Center at Willowbrook and chair of the cancer committee.

Belcheva is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medical oncology. She sees patients at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.

2

STEP

STEP

earing the news that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer can turn life upside down. A thousand questions, worries and what-ifs may come to mind. Knowing where to turn for support after a cancer diagnosis can help you move forward with confidence. This may involve reaching out to your support network, including the following: Dr. Anna M eet with your doctor to ask questions about Belcheva your diagnosis and make sure you understand his or her recommendations for treatment.

C onsider getting a second opinion so you can feel wellinformed and confident with your treatment decisions.

T alk to family and friends about your diagnosis and how this may affect family life and work or school schedules.

F ind support to help you navigate next steps. Before you even begin treatment, a support group can help you learn how to share the news with your children or give you an idea of what to expect throughout treatment.

CONNECT WITH YOUR CARE TEAM

The doctor who diagnosed your cancer might refer you to a medical oncologist or surgeon who specializes in treating certain cancers. Before you visit a specialist, write out a list of questions. Bring a friend or loved one who can help you take notes on the doctor’s advice. If there’s something you don’t understand, make sure to ask. It’s important that you feel comfortable communicating with the doctors and nurses involved in your care.

There’s no question you want the best team on your side when fighting cancer. Top-ranked physicians and cancer specialists have a high level of expertise and input on your treatment plan. Whether your cancer diagnosis is common or rare, or in an early or advanced stage, you can benefit from the leadingedge research, knowledge and experience of an academic medical center. “If you have multiple health complications or conditions, it is even more critical to have a team of specialists working together on a treatment plan for your unique needs,” Belcheva said.

Oncologists, surgeons, pulmonologists, pathologists, radiologists, internal medicine doctors and other specialists at Houston Methodist collaborate and consult on treatment plans for patients, and this team aspect is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.

STEP

3

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT A full spectrum of programs and support is available to help patients through their treatment path, including: A high-risk program is available for patients with a higher-than-average chance of developing breast, gastrointestinal, ovarian or uterine cancer.

G enetic counseling is offered for patients at higher risk for developing hereditary cancers.

O ncology nurse navigators guide patients through every step of the process from diagnosis to survivorship.

S ocial workers are here to support individuals and families with counseling and assisting with the transition to home.

P atient assistance for financial needs is available, including help with questions about health care coverage.

S upport groups provide a network of support for patients and their families coping with cancer.

“We are fighting the cancer with you, and we have a complete team of people to cover every aspect of life that can be affected by cancer,” Belcheva said. “We’re here to make sure you get the most comprehensive care possible.”

LEARN ABOUT TREATMENT OPTIONS

With an experienced team on your side, you’re ready to review your treatment options. “We treat common and complex cases of cancer that touch every organ of the body — and every aspect of your life. Our specialists customize treatment plans to fight your cancer so we can achieve the best outcomes possible; that’s part of being a No. 1 hospital in Texas,” Belcheva said. Treatment options may include: A dvanced treatments in I maging technology immunotherapy advancements B one marrow transplantation L atest radiation techniques C hemotherapy L eading surgical techniques C linical trials T argeted therapies

STEP

4

START YOUR TREATMENT PLAN

Moving into the treatment phase of your journey takes courage, stamina and patience. The various components of a treatment plan may be spread out over weeks or months — and timing is key. That’s why it helps to choose a hospital system with convenient access to appointments for radiation therapy, infusion therapy and other treatments you may need.

“The specialists at all of our cancer center locations are connected with the same research, treatments and technology available throughout Houston Methodist, which means every patient benefits from seeing a doctor who is part of this larger system,” Belcheva shared. You keep your physician throughout your journey and receive treatments at the location that’s most convenient for you.

When you receive care locally, you benefit in many ways — being close to work, home, family and friends can minimize the interruption to your life. The goal is to be able to get you back to yourself so you can focus on your life. Your cancer should not be the center of your life; that’s what we’re trying to accomplish, according to Belcheva.

5

STEP

Choosing a research-focused hospital system opens the door to new therapies that are not available outside a research setting. For example, you may decide that you want to participate in clinical trials that involve medications as well as gene and cell therapy.

“We offer immunotherapy clinical trials to stimulate a stronger immune response to kill cancer cells in lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer and brain tumors. We also have a triple-negative breast cancer clinic, sarcoma of the heart program and other programs designed for specific types of cancer,” Belcheva explained.

“In addition to the research and clinical trials offered at our campus in the Texas Medical Center,® we have research programs at our community cancer center locations, and we are dedicated to bringing research and clinical trials closer to home. Our researchers are actively working on every aspect of the treatment of cancer and bringing that integration to the communities across Houston,” Belcheva said.

BEYOND CANCER TREATMENT

Care for cancer patients doesn’t end when treatment does. At the end of treatment, you’ll have a survivorship care plan to help continue your ongoing care and help you follow your doctor’s recommendations. The Houston Methodist Cancer Survivorship Program addresses common quality-of-life issues related to cancer treatment so you can focus on surviving, thriving and living your best life.

Your Journey Begins Here To schedule an appointment with an oncologist with Houston Methodist Oncology Partners, please call 281.737.2500.

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/WILLOWBROOK 7

BARIATRIC

Weight-Loss Surgery Finding your path to long-term weight loss

A Dr. Dexter Turnquest

Dr. Todd Worley

re you ready to make significant changes in your life to lose weight?

The goal of weight-loss surgery is to reduce the size of the stomach or make it feel smaller so that you feel fuller faster and eat less. But weightloss surgery is not a quick fix, and your long-term success requires adopting new habits when it comes to diet and exercise.

Here’s what you need to know about four types of weight-loss surgery:

Adjustable gastric banding involves placing a band over

the upper part of the stomach to separate it from the lower portion. The band restricts how much food you can eat at one time. “This is the least complex of the surgical weight-loss options, but it’s also the least effective when it comes to long-term weight loss because it doesn’t change the way you perceive hunger and fullness,” said Dr. Dexter Turnquest, general surgeon at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.

Sleeve gastrectomy is the most popular option for weight-loss surgery.

The surgeon removes approximately 75 percent of the stomach to create a long vertical tube. “In addition to decreasing the size of the stomach, it removes the portion of stomach where hormones that stimulate appetite are produced, giving you more

8 LEADING MEDICINE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

appetite control,” said Dr. Todd Worley, general surgeon at Houston Methodist Willowbrook. “With sleeve gastrectomy, the food you eat continues down the same path. There’s just less stomach.”

Gastric bypass makes the stomach smaller and changes the pathways of the intestines. A portion of the intestine is bypassed so you can’t absorb as much food during digestion. “This is the gold standard operation for weight loss. Like gastric sleeve, it will control appetite by reducing hormones,” Turnquest said.

Duodenal switch involves bypassing a larger portion of the intestine so you absorb fewer calories. This type of surgery is harder to maintain and has a higher risk when it comes to nutrient deficiencies and malabsorption.

Choosing a procedure that’s the best option for you may depend on the amount of weight you need to lose, your motivation, medical conditions

and general health status. Your surgeon will help you decide which procedure or treatment might work best for you and what your responsibilities are as the patient.

GAINING BETTER HEALTH

“We expect to see a range of weight loss from 60 to 70 percent of excess weight on average. People who learn to eat well and build exercise into their daily routine have the opportunity to beat the average,” Worley said. “We certainly want to achieve the cosmetic results of losing weight and looking better, but the ultimate goal is to achieve better health and live a longer, healthier life.”

Losing excess weight can help your health in many ways, including improvement of diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and cardiac function, as well as decreased joint pain, better selfesteem and a new outlook on life.

ACHIEVING LONG-TERM RESULTS

Weight-loss surgery is a tool to help you lose weight, but the actions you take when it comes to diet and exercise are key to your long-term success. “As a center of excellence in bariatric surgery, our program includes a full spectrum of support for patients before and after surgery,” Worley said. The team includes registered dietitians, an exercise physiologist, psychologist and a bariatric coordinator who helps people navigate their care.

“Weight-loss surgery is not simply having an operation and riding off into the sunset. It’s a long-term commitment for our patients. They are part of our program for a long time, and we are committed to our patients for the long term,” Turnquest said.

Change Your Story

If you want to learn more about weight-loss surgery, please join us for a weight-loss seminar at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Visit houstonmethodist.org/ events or call 281.737.2500 to get started.

Tanya McElhannon, with her husband John, two months before surgery.

TANYA’S STORY

Life-changing results with gastric bypass Tanya McElhannon had been struggling with her weight for most of her life.

But after her son passed away in 2015, her weight spiraled out of control.

As the office manager for Dr. Turnquest, Tanya had seen others transform their lives with surgery, and at 310 pounds, she decided it was time to turn things around. Tanya had gastric bypass surgery with Dr. Turnquest in 2016 and has lost 165 pounds since then.

“It has been such a life-changer. I only wish I had done it sooner,” Tanya said. “I feel wonderful, and I have so much more energy to go and do things — and I no longer have to worry about finding a place to sit down and rest every five minutes.”

Being able to bend and kneel has made it possible to keep up with her grandkids, mow the lawn and even start a garden. “After I lost the weight, my knee pain and back pain went away,” she said.

Tanya’s husband, John, had gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Turnquest one year later, and the couple has been working together to make healthy lifestyle choices. John lost 95 pounds and no longer has to take medications for high blood pressure and diabetes. “The positive support we’ve had from family and friends has made all the difference,” Tanya said.

HOUSTONMETHODIST.ORG/WILLOWBROOK 9

Getting Relief from

HEARTBURN A

pproximately 20 percent of Americans suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sometimes called heartburn, which is an often-painful condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and stomach). Most cases of GERD can be resolved with lifestyle changes, such as Dr. Jorge Leiva losing weight and avoiding coffee and alcohol.

Medications that reduce or block acid production can also be very effective. For the most severe cases that don’t respond to these treatments, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital offers a new, minimally invasive procedure.

“The majority of patients I see will get better with lifestyle changes and medication,” said Dr. Jorge Leiva, a general surgeon at Houston Methodist Willowbrook. “Yet, out of the 21 million Americans who take medication for GERD, nearly 40 percent still have symptoms — those are the ones who will benefit from surgical intervention.”

FINDING A LESS-INVASIVE OPTION

For a long time, GERD sufferers who didn’t find relief from lifestyle changes or medication had only one other option: fundoplication, in which surgeons wrap the top half of the stomach partially or fully around the esophagus to block acid reflux. This procedure usually takes an hour and requires an overnight stay in a hospital. With the LINX Reflux Management System, patients now have an alternative.

The LINX procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient laparoscopic procedure that involves implanting a ring of tiny magnetic beads between the stomach and the bottom of the esophagus. The magnetic attraction of the beads is strong enough to keep the valve closed to refluxing acid while still allowing food to pass through. Once implanted, the device begins working immediately.

“We’ve seen very good results with this procedure,” Leiva said.

“Approximately 95 percent of patients see a complete resolution of GERD and no longer need to take medication, which can often have unpleasant side effects.”

The LINX procedure, done under general anesthesia, takes just under an hour. No surgical modification of the stomach or the esophagus is needed. Full recovery from the procedure can take up to two weeks, Leiva said, but most people recover sooner.

“Recovery times can vary, but the majority of my patients are able to resume their regular diets immediately after surgery and go back to work on day 10,” Leiva said. “If other therapies have failed and GERD symptoms are impacting your daily activities or sleep, the LINX procedure should be considered.”

10 LEADING MEDICINE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON

Request an Appointment

If GERD is impacting the quality of your life, it’s time to act. The GERD specialists at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital can help. Call 281.737.GERD (4373) to identify a GERD specialist near you.

RECOVERING FROM SURGERY BECOMES EASIER AND FASTER

N

o one looks forward to having surgery, but when hospitals use enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) practices, patients can have better Dr. Diego C. surgical experiences that Marines get them back to their normal activities as soon as possible.

ERAS refers to a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team approach to surgery that reduces stress, minimizes discomfort and facilitates a faster recovery.

This innovative method optimizes preoperative counseling, hydration, nutrition and pain control to provide an exceptional surgical experience.

Dr. Diego C. Marines, colon and rectal surgeon at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, specializes in minimally invasive surgical options for his patients. “With enhanced recovery after surgery, the patient is at the center of everything and therefore better prepared for surgery and more likely to make a speedy and complication-free recovery,” he said.

PROVEN BENEFITS

“When you visit Houston Methodist Willowbrook for a surgical procedure, you’re more than just a patient,” Marines said. “You are a valued and an active member of your care team.”

Before surgery, your surgeon will work with you and a team of specialists to assess your condition and prepare you for the best possible result. During and after surgery, medications can alleviate discomfort, prevent infection and help you recover quickly. Your team may include specialists in: Anesthesiology Diet and nutrition Nursing Pain management Physical therapy Respiratory therapy

Your surgeon will work with your team to design a customized plan just for you that: Evaluates and prepares your body for surgery Gets you out of bed soon after surgery Has you eating and drinking just before and right after your procedure Helps you experience less discomfort and manage any pain with nonnarcotic medications

AN UNCOMPLICATED RECOVERY

Daniel Kinshella, a 63-year-old vice president of an oil field service company, suffered from periodic bouts of diverticulosis over a 13-year period.

When his condition became debilitating, Kinshella was referred to Marines.

After evaluating Kinshella, Marines believed he was an ideal candidate for the ERAS protocol. Marines removed about 10 inches of Kinshella’s bowel via minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery.

With the help of the ERAS protocol, Kinshella was up and walking two hours after the surgery and home 30 hours later.

“This was probably the easiest recovery from any kind of surgery I’ve ever had — and I’ve had quite a few,” Kinshella said.

“After returning home, I could get up, walk and sit at the table with my wife.

Two days later I could walk the dogs.”

“Enhanced recovery after surgery really improves the whole surgical experience,” Marines said. “It’s proven to result in fewer complications, less pain and a faster return to normal activities. Since I’ve been practicing enhanced recovery, I’ve seen a significant decrease in the length of my patients’ hospital stays and an increase in patients’ satisfaction.”

Learn More To set up an appointment with a surgeon at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, call 281.737.2500.

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KEEPING YOU AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME When an injury has you sidelined, the world-class team of specialists at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine will help you get back out there faster, with: • Expertise to treat common to complex injuries

• Minimally invasive procedures • State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

• Latest imaging and technology • Advanced nonsurgical treatments

Schedule an appointment with a doctor at one of our three convenient locations.

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