Surgeons In the News

"Second Opinion with Dr. Oz" Premieres on Discovery Channel

Video: "Second Opinion with Dr. Oz"  (Real Media Required)

Touchy Subject of Sex

Open Your Eyes

The doctor explains the how and why of vision, linking eye health to other medical conditions. Topics covered include laser surgery, macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss in adults), under-eye circles and more, culminating in a look at futuristic eye-replacement computer chips. Dr. Oz also reassures viewers that low light, "too much" reading, or watching TV (even too close) doesn't hurt the eyes.

Edward Harkness Eye Institute

Forever Young

Live longer, live better, as Dr. Oz reviews the many ways people can hang on to their sense of vitality and purpose. Flexibility and strength can be gained well into the senior years, and people can take simple precautions (that are a lot cheaper and less painful than cosmetic surgery) to minimize the onslaught of time – from wearing sun block to drinking lots of water. Guest Charlie Sheen explains what he does to try and stay young.

The Heart of the Matter

Cardiologist/healthy diet guru Dr. Dean Ornish joins Dr. Oz as they dive into their specialty—heart health. Dr. Oz. describes how medical advances in repairing and replacing hearts are still outstripped by the sedentary modern lifestyle—and heart disease remains our biggest killer. Computer images show what happens during a heart attack. Bio-chemical prevention remains our best hope—and part of that means weight control, cholesterol management and serenity. Dr. Oz explains simple ways to understand and foster all three.

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Weight Matters

Oprah Winfrey joins Dr. Oz to discuss her up-and-down battles with weight. Obesity is America's biggest obstacle to good health, dwarfing even smoking and drinking. Dr. Oz lays out sensible ways to set up customized programs to cut calories and increase activity. Urging people to be honest with themselves about their weight, he removes the judgment and gets on with solutions. And he helps a father and son get into shape.

Columbia University Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery

Healthy Joints

Olympic gold-medal skier Picabo Street describes how she recovered from a knee injury in this profile of the human skeleton. Dr. Oz gives the facts on injury to bone and muscle, with good advice about lifting weights, sparing shoulders and preserving knees. William Levine, M.D., who cares for to Columbia University athletes, discusses the important role of recovery. There's a peek at tomorrow's bionic limbs and insight into acupuncture.

Mind Games

Renowned musician/producer Quincy Jones recalls the surgery that removed a tumor from his brain. Dr. Oz journeys down the brain's amazing electrical and chemical pathways, exploring new possibilities for treating once-incurable ailments such as epilepsy. The brain connects mind and body, so Dr. Oz offers easy tips for keeping the mind healthy and sharp. He also shows how new approaches to rehab help brain-injured people recover functionality.

Alternative Medicine

We don't just want to avoid illness; we also want to feel well. Dr. Oz explores new and unconventional approaches, both high and low tech – including yoga (even for kids), massage and meditation and aromatherapy (lavender relaxes; grapefruit energizes). Dr. Mitch Gaynor , Cornell University cancer specialist, describes new insight into prevention and treatment. And Dr. Oz shows how emotion is now known to affect the body.

Put Your Health Where Your Mouth Is

Dr. Oz stresses why gum disease is more destructive than cavities in terms of causing tooth loss. Learn to brush right (and ALWAYS before bed), floss right and reduce bad breath to keep things healthy in the mysterious cavern of the mouth. Other topics include tooth-whitening techniques and jaw and implant surgery.

School of Dental and Oral Surgery

Cancer

New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre describes his most important victory—beating prostate cancer. Dr. Oz reassures patients that cancer is not a death sentence, explaining the power of the human immune system. Observing, "A complex enemy needs complex solutions," he reviews common therapies plus simple preventive steps (stop smoking, lose weight, eat healthy) along with coping mechanisms for patients and their loved ones. Patients/survivors talk about breast cancer, leukemia and more.

Take a Breather

Amani Toomer, New York Giants wide receiver, tells how he hasn't let asthma slow him down. Dr. Oz shows why we shouldn't take breathing so much for granted, and explores problems such as allergies, snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Oz offers recommendations for healthful, soothing breathing to re-oxygenate the body and soul.

Section of General Thoracic Surgery

Waste Management

Mehmet C. Oz, MD Director, Cardiovascular Institute

Singer Patti LaBelle talks about living with diabetes. Dr. Oz describes how efficiently the body takes in and uses fuel and gets rid of what we don't need – from digestion to defecation. A primer in sweat, urine and hormones, this episode offers homespun wisdom on keeping things running smoothly – from ways to boost fiber intake, to the valuable role played by water, to reducing indigestion. He also removes the fear factor from basic diagnostic tests such as the colonoscopy. Dr. Oz even tells what healthy stools should look like!

Division of General Surgery, The Colorectal Care Program

Invisible Warfare

Basketball great Magic Johnson, who has AIDS, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a former transplant surgeon, discuss the risks and management of infectious diseases – which were the leading cause of death until 50 years ago. Dr. Oz reviews the battle against bacteria and viruses and what we know about immunity today. He gives tips for keeping clean, from the obvious (wash your hands!) to avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and treating depression, which can hinder the immune system and slow recovery.

Watch the premiere of "Second Opinion with Doctor Oz," Monday, October 20 at 5pm E/P on the Discovery Channel.

Dr. Oz Said It…

• Make a choice to bring health into your life. Eat foods that nourish, choose activities that stimulate, and spend time with individuals who fill your life rather than drain it.
• Burning 200 calories daily, for example by taking a brisk 2 mile walk, reduces impotence.
• Get an air filter—improve the quality of the air you breathe.
• Increase your fiber intake—switch to a high fiber cereal for breakfast, or eat a salad daily.
• Depression can hinder your immune system and slow recovery to health. Be aware of you mental and emotional states.
• Get your heart rate up. You don't have to run a marathon—you just need to raise your heart-rate 10 beats from resting (a brisk walking pace will do this) for 30 minutes. And you've got to do it every day.
• Start lifting weights to strengthen both bones and muscles.
• Make sure that your urine is not dark by drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. You need it to process the food you eat.
• Your spiritual wellness is intricately linked to your heart health. We know that living alone is an independent risk factor for death after heart surgery. Give your life a purpose and your heart a reason to keep beating.
• Find what you love and do it. Give yourself a reason to get up in the morning.