It’s time to wave goodbye to those long summer days and balmy, open window nights. Autumn is here whether we like it or not. As we age, the transition between seasons is all too familiar….just don’t jinx it by wishing friends and neighbors a good fall. Wet weather makes it tough enough to stay balanced and upright as it is. If you or someone you love is injured or needs surgery, consider Pacific Surgical Center’s outpatient care to get back on your feet again. Summer seems like it would be the most injury-prone season. We’re outside running, playing, hiking, biking, climbing, gardening, swimming, and exploring long into the night. Behind the wheel, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that […]

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For many people, the thought of surgery causes anxiety. They worry about the associated pain, unexpected complications, and financial sticker shock afterward. But you shouldn’t postpone a much-needed procedure due to worry; consider an outpatient facility instead. These, like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center, provide excellent medical care with upfront pricing and no overnight stays. Officially the deep-seated fear of hospitals is called Nosocomephobia. Anxiety researchers in the U.K. admit that “Most people have experienced a certain level of sensible anxiety when faced with the prospect of medical or dental treatment, especially when it is invasive.” But, they continue, with a medical phobia “we tend to avoid the things we fear…until we find that our ability to live a normal life […]

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Ok, by now we’re all experienced quarantiners. We wear masks, stand 6-feet apart, and work from home via the all-consuming—and mixed blessing—video conference. Don’t just zoom from your desk chair, get moving around the house, neighborhood, park, or trail…all while maintaining a smart social distance. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stresses that we should all stay active. They address ways to stay active while social distancing by reminding us that “physical activity can help to boost your mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, and sharpen your focus—benefits that can be especially important during stressful times. Physical activity can also help you live a longer, healthier life by reducing the risk of many common chronic diseases, like type 2 […]

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The poet Kahlil Gibran once said that “Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.” Situations beyond our control inevitably arise but how we face them determines much about our happiness, outlook, and future. Especially because—as intertwined human beings—our emotions wield influence and can cause physical pain, lingering stiffness, and other anxiety-induced problems. But there are a few simple ways to maintain balance during tempestuous times. Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) explains that “Most people feel anxious or scared sometimes, but if it’s affecting your life there are things you can try that may help…Anxiety can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and how you behave. […]

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Scheduling surgery can be exciting and scary at the same time. We may worry about the operation and recovery process while still feeling excited to finally solve an ongoing, painful problem. As we age, these worries often increase…but they don’t have to. Surgery—especially outpatient orthopedic procedures like those performed at Pacific Surgical Center (PSC)—is nothing to fear no matter how old you are. Don’t postpone it and continue living in pain or with limited mobility. The American Society of Anesthesiologists admits that “While being older makes surgery more likely, it can also increase your potential for risks during procedures. Some common health problems related to aging—increased blood pressure, clogged arteries, and heart and lung disease—may make it more likely that […]

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Save money by paying cash at Pacific Surgical Center We love the thought of ‘New Year, new you’ but sometimes January arrives with a harrumph. The weather isn’t great, our bank account has the post-holiday blues, and getting back into the swing of things—work and exercise top the list—takes time. If you find yourself heading to the doctor, take note that your insurance deductible will likely have re-set as well. But thanks to options like Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), paying cash often saves money all around. HealthCare.gov explains that our deductible is “The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself… Family […]

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In our hustle and bustle lives, it can be tricky to find time for preventive care. We tend to power through until something inevitably—and often avoidably—breaks down. All too often the warning light on your car’s dashboard could have been prevented through regular oil changes. Our bodies give us warning lights as well, but they tend to be much more subtle. Miss the cues and next thing you know you’re stuck in bed with the flu, laid up by surgery or living with chronic pain. Take a few minutes with your doctor to chat about questions, worries, and what’s on the horizon…your health will thank you. Many of us only go to the doctor when there’s a specific reason. Illness […]

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As Heraclitus said more than 2,000 years ago, there is nothing permanent except change. If you’ve been injured, it can change your life. Sometimes the twisting road to recovery includes implanted surgical hardware. Whether screws, plates, or pins, these strengthen the impacted area so your body can heal and mobility is restored. How long they stay is up to the surgeon and your healthcare team but when it’s time to say goodbye, removal is as easy as an outpatient trip to Pacific Surgical Center (PSC). Researchers explain that “Orthopedic implants are categorized into two groups including permanent joint replacements and temporary fracture fixation devices. Permanent orthopedic implants include the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger joints, which are expected to serve in […]

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True friends look beneath our outward persona to know—and love—who we really are. What we present to the world is one part but it’s our thoughts, feelings, and emotions that link us to others. In medicine, too, there are many layers. And sometimes getting to the root of an issue means delving below the surface. At Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), this can be done via outpatient arthroscopy of the affected areas. Arthroscopy uses a small camera to look inside your joints. At PSC they provide arthroscopic services on knees, shoulders, wrists, and ankles. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) explains that “Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that orthopedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a […]

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Times change, trends come and go. For some—especially in fashion—we wave goodbye with a shudder, but other changes benefit daily life. Scientific and technological advancements mean many things are better, faster, cheaper…and that’s definitely win/win. This even applies to health care. Outpatient surgery centers like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center are minimally invasive and require significantly less recovery downtime. This means you’re on your feet and back to normal activities again quickly. But if your feet are what’s causing you pain, let PSC surgeons help. They offer an array of foot and ankle procedures to address bunions, hammertoe, and other problematic issues. Bunions are defined as “A painful enlargement of the joint situated at the base of the big toe. A bunion actually refers to […]

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