After undergoing a weight-loss procedure that removed 80% of her stomach, Linda Nelson was free of diabetes symptoms 5 days after her surgery. Nelson is part of an increasing number of very overweight individuals who are having operations to both lose weight and rid themselves of type 2 diabetes symptoms. Not everyone who has the surgery becomes symptom-free, and for some, the effect fades after some years. However, successful candidates see an immediate loss of their symptoms.

Dr. Jennifer Tittensor has developed a new technique called radioactive seed localization (RSL) that pinpoints breast cancer more quickly. By utilizing a radioactive seed device roughly a quarter-of-an-inch, surgeons can localize small breast cancers and remove them. RSL is more favorable than needle wire localization because it does not remove extra tissue and gives a better idea as to where the trouble spot is. The amount of radiation in RSL is barely measurable and is not harmful to patients.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is a lifesaving surgery that takes patients off of life support. Patient Jeff Eckhoff (57) underwent the surgery to remove blood clots from his lungs. His body temperature was lowered to 65 degrees, allowing his organs to require less oxygen when not active. To remove the clots, the bypass machine was turned off twice for twenty minutes – providing no blood circulation – meaning the patient was technically dead at these times. Surgeons then successfully removed blood clots and scar tissue.

According to an international survey, the United States is ranked number one in the world for plastic surgery procedures followed by Brazil in second place. However, this is not the case when broken down by population, as South Korea, Greece, and Italy have 10 procedures for every 1,000 citizens. Of the 6.3 million surgeries and 8.3 million non-surgical procedures (Botox, laser hair removal, and chemical peels) performed throughout the world in 2011, the U.S. was accountable for only 21 % of them (3.1 million).

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