American College of Surgeons - Patient Education

The American College of Surgeons “Patients as Partners in Surgical Care” site contains educational information to help you and your family become informed about your operation and surgical care. We are working to provide you with the most current information about surgical procedures, diseases, tests, medications and pain management from government and professional sources to support you in participating in your surgical care. In viewing our patient education site, you will:

1. Become informed about your operation.
2. Find information to help you make decisions about your treatment.
3. Become empowered with knowledge and skills to participate in your surgical care.

Lantus Insulin: Link to Cancer Shaky

Experts say patients should not worry about shaky data suggesting a possible slight cancer risk in people with type 2 diabetes who take Lantus, a long-acting insulin.

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How Safe and Effective Are Sunscreens?

Sunscreens are improving but are still inadequate, says the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

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Stopping PPI Drugs Causes Acid Reflux Symptoms

Healthy people who take acid-blocking proton pump inhibitors for just a few months experienced reflux-related symptoms when they stopped taking them.

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Fattest State Weighs Its Options

It's official, again. For the fifth year in a row, Mississippi is still the nation's heaviest state -- ground zero for obesity in the U.S.

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Celiac Disease Cases Are on the Rise

Celiac disease -- the digestive disorder treated by banning wheat and other grains containing gluten from the diet -- is four times more common in the U.S. today than it was 50 years ago, a study shows.

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Baby Born After Ovarian Transplant

French doctors report that a woman who banked her ovarian tissue before sickle cell anemia treatment had a baby girl after getting her ovarian tissue transplanted back into her.

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Genetic Pattern Found in Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

A vast number of common gene variants come together in a perfect storm to increase risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new studies reveal.

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Cholesterol OK? Statins Still Help Heart

Millions of people without established heart disease could benefit from cholesterol-lowering statin therapy even if they don't have high cholesterol, a new analysis suggests.

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FDA May Restrict Acetaminophen

The FDA should put new restrictions on the common painkiller acetaminophen, an advisory committee recommended Tuesday, saying the move would protect people from potential toxicity that can cause liver failure and even death.

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Who Marries and When

Only 17% of American women haven’t married by age 35, compared to 25% of men, new research indicates.

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New!

I Need an Operation...Now What? A Patient's Guide to a Safe and Successful Outcome

Learn about Appendectomy
(surgical removal of the appendix)

Learn about Cholecystectomy
(surgical removal of gallbladder)

Learn about Colonoscopy
(examination of the colon)

En Español
Apendectomía, Colecistectomía, Colonoscopía

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As the largest international organization of surgeons, The American College of Surgeons is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient.

Revised May 27, 2009