Alvin News

Alvin schoolteacher Ollie Haavikko spends hours of his free time planning future vacations so his flights will hit as many countries as possible.

Worried about your child's health? Get answers directly from the director of emergency services at the Children’s Emergency Centers at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. Dr. Michelle McKane has special knowledge and training in treatment and medications for infants, children and adolescents who are critically ill because of injury or disease.

Bariatric Medicine: Part 1 At 535 pounds, Rex Adams felt like a prisoner, not just because of his weight, but because he was taking as many as a dozen pills a day to help manage complications of obesity. “When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and had to go on oral medication, that’s when it really hit me,” Adams says. “I had done this to myself. I knew I had to do something to lose the weight and free myself from all the pills I was taking.” Adams sought a surgical solution – a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – to control the weight and his blood sugar. He took one last pill the day before the surgery. Since then, he hasn’t required any medication to manage type 2 diabetes. He is no longer considered diabetic. “It was like a complete release,” Adams says. “I had the surgery, and I never looked back.” Weight-loss surgery, including gastric bypass and the lap band, can have a dramatic impact on morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by high levels of blood sugar as a result of defects in insulin production and resistance to insulin’s actions. Some are able to go off diabetes medications entirely. Others may be able to significantly reduce the amount of insulin or other medication they require to keep their blood sugar in check. Patients who are classified as “pre-diabetic” may be able to avoid the disease all together. “Patients with diabetes often see immediate improvements in their blood-sugar levels after weight-loss surgery, especially those who have gastric bypass,” says weight-loss surgeon Erik B. Wilson, MD, chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive and General Elective Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “The surgery appears to facilitate hormonal changes that help resolve diabetes, and we’re beginning to research why this occurs.” In his practice at The University of Texas Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center, Wilson says, 75 percent of patients who are morbidly obese are “cured” of type 2 diabetes in the weeks and months following their weight-loss surgery. For the other 25 percent with diabetes, the disease usually becomes more easily managed.

Bariatric Medicine: Part II When Abby Erias had gastric bypass surgery, she remembered the physicians telling her that one of the side effects to her rapid weight loss could be increased fertility. She already had two daughters and wasn’t planning to have any more children, so she went on birth control. She didn’t want to take any chances. “I couldn’t find the right birth control for me, so my plan was to go off birth control for 30 days and then go a different route with something new,” Erias says. “In less than 30 days, I didn’t think I could get pregnant, but I went a different route all right. I had a baby!” When bariatric surgeons at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston host informational sessions about gastric bypass and lap-band procedures, they emphasize that as the unwanted pounds come off, pregnancy may become a very real possibility.

Bariatric Medicine: Part II When Abby Erias had gastric bypass surgery, she remembered the physicians telling her that one of the side effects to her rapid weight loss could be increased fertility. She already had two daughters and wasn’t planning to have any more children, so she went on birth control. She didn’t want to take any chances. “I couldn’t find the right birth control for me, so my plan was to go off birth control for 30 days and then go a different route with something new,” Erias says. “In less than 30 days, I didn’t think I could get pregnant, but I went a different route all right. I had a baby!” When bariatric surgeons at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston host informational sessions about gastric bypass and lap-band procedures, they emphasize that as the unwanted pounds come off, pregnancy may become a very real possibility. This discussion often produces some chuckles and a few “yeah, right” comments from women in the audience.

STORY BY Camille Webb Few patients look forward to going under the knife. For Ouida Gernentz, however, abdominal surgery turned out to be a much better experience than she ever could have imagined. Abdominal surgeries typically require large incisions that leave physical—and sometimes emotional marks—including scars at the wound site, pain, lengthy recoveries and a delayed return to normal, everyday activities. Gernentz did not experience the usual, postoperative pain, thanks to a pioneering surgical technique performed by The University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST).

Lafitte beat: Downtown dwellers report promising cleanup activity at the long vacant and neglected Jean Lafitte Hotel, 2101 Church St., on the island.

News of a hospital coming to Alvin cured what ailed Pete Nash. The physical therapist and Alvin Community College regent chair remembered the years he and other residents fought to bring a hospital to town.

Saturday, November 21, 2009 9 a.m. – Noon Cullen’s Upscale American Grille 11500 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77059 Information, inspiration and insights for teen girls and their moms

Register using the link to chat at noon on Nov. 24 with Stacy Lewis and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Gary T. Brock, M.D., the physician who treated her when she was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11. Lewis went on to become the 2007 NCAA champion and the 2008 LPGA qualifying tournament winner. Earlier this year she became the celebrity spokesperson for the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Brock has special interest and training in the treatment of pediatric spinal disorders, including scoliosis, and in pediatric Sports Medicine.Dr. Brock is affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, as well as other hospitals in the Houston area.

Civic leaders have spent years trying to lure a hospital to Alvin, and on Wednesday developers and Christus Health announced they plan to build an 86,000-square-foot facility off Highway 35, starting in 2010.

An affiliate of Rowland Cos. plans to build a $50 million Christus Health hospital and $10 million medical office building in City of Alvin.

An Alvin woman died Tuesday morning after police said the car she was driving was hit by a pickup after it tried to pass a dump truck off FM 2403.

City Council voted last week to purchase 33 acres off Highway 35 for a convention center, allocating $1.6 million in tax notes that includes money to buy land and pay for an environmental study for the site.

The Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force issued a warning to thieves this week: The next truck, car, four-wheeler or golf cart they swipe may very well be a bait vehicle.

Children's Memorial Hermann presents LEGO MANIA!

WHO: Kids of all ages!

WHAT: FREE EVENT! Children's Memorial Hermann and Women's Memorial Hermann are expanding! Children and adults are invited to a day of fun children’s activities and attractions to celebrate!

Professional Lego artists will display their unique Lego creations - from incredible ships to cool trains! They will even build a one-of-a-kind Lego replica of the new Memorial Hermann Tower that stands more than four feet tall!

Kids will have an opportunity to build their own fun creations in the Lego build area! We'll even take a picture with you and your cool creation and display it on Flickr.com, where friends and family can vote for the best project.

Parents will get a chance to visit with medical experts from Children’s Memorial Hermann Memorial City at our “Ask the Pediatrician” and our “Ask the Ob/Gyn” tables.

There will also be an area for kids to color cardboard versions of the Memorial Hermann Tower. Free stuffed animal versions of the Children’s Memorial Hermann mascot, Topper will also be given out while supplies last. There will also be a Teddy Bear ER for your Topper dolls to visit.

WHEN: Saturday, November 14th , 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial City Mall, near the skating rink

Electrophysiology is used to diagnose, treat and often cure heart rhythm abnormality, known as arrhythmia. It has also been shown to dramatically improve the quality of life for patients with heart failure. This innovative program is just one aspect of the cardiovascular care available at Memorial Hermann. Arrhythmia may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death. An arrhythmia can be silent and may not cause any symptoms. Register today for a potentially life-saving screening to look for atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia, at Memorial Hermann Hear t & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center. The cost for this test, combined with three other screenings for dif ferent hear t and vascular conditions, is $139. The complete package will screen for: Atrial fibrillation • (arrhythmia) • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) • Carotid artery disease Screenings are available December 8th To schedule your appointment, call 1.800.690.0289. For a referral to an electrophysiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center, call 713.7CARDIO (722.7346). Screenings performed by Life Line Screening.

: Memorial Hermann Memorial City Mall. If you are familiar with the mall, the event will be in the area between the skating rink and the fireplace/seating area. FYI - the Pictures with Santa area will be right next to us so hopefully we will have high kid/parent traffic. The event is very kid/family oriented so there will be several activities/attractions: 1. the Lego models display area (including the Lego model of the MH Tower model) 2. an area for kids to build-their-own creations using foam Lego-style bricks. 3. an area for kids to take pictures with their "Lego" creations. Pictures will be posted on Flickr.

Register and join us Nov. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. for a live chat about this season's flu outbreak. Bring your questions and concerns about the flu vaccine and the spread of the new swine flu virus (H1N1) to board-certified pediatrician and family practitioner Dr. Subodh Bhuchar. Whether you are healthy and aren't sure if you should get the vaccine, or if you just want to be prepared for how to treat an illness in your family, this event can help you decide on a plan of action.

It is estimated that Heart Disease kills one person every 34 seconds. To better educate the public about our country’s number one killer, prevent the disease in those who don’t have it and better treat those who do, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital has renewed its commitment to make Heart Disease education, prevention and treatment a top priority by taking a leadership role in heart-related community education events and expanding the heart services available at the hospital. The hospital’s renewed Heart Health campaign commenced with the 2009 Bay Area Start! Heart Walk on October 17, where Memorial Hermann Southeast donated $25,000 and raised an additional $17,000 in donations from physicians, employees and their friends and families. According to the American Heart Association, the proceeds from the walk, totaling approximately $170,000 and counting, will fund lifesaving research, as well as public and professional education programs in the community and across America. Memorial Hermann Southeast not only utilized its presence at the Bay Area Start! Heart Walk to educate participants and their families about heart disease from A to Z, but Memorial Hermann Southeast volunteers also shared the exciting news about the hospital’s expanded heart program and new treatments available for patients. This fall, the cardiac catheterization lab at Memorial Hermann Southeast is expanding and will offer additional services to meet heart patients’ needs, whether it is treatment for a blocked artery, an irregular heartbeat or heart attack. For more information about Memorial Hermann Southeast’s heart program, as well as upcoming heart-related events, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 281.929.6100.