Wrong! The internet is the only place you are likely to see these advertisements because they are untrue and print publishers are unlikely to allow false advertising to go to press.

This is a case of if-it-sounds-too-good-it-is. No surgery is risk free just as no surgery is 100% safe. Explore Understanding the Risks of Surgery for more information.

The answer is your surgeon is putting your health first. The recent anti-smoking trend in surgery is based on cold hard facts. Smokers have a much higher risk of becoming ventilator dependent after surgery, unable to breathe without the help of a machine. Smokers have significantly more scarring, heal more slowly and are more likely to have life-threatening complications like blood clots.

Some plastic surgeons even test their patients for nicotine prior to surgery to make sure they really have quit, because the risk of scarring is so high.

The final word on smoking and surgery? The more time between your last cigarette and your surgery, the better your chances of having an excellent outcome.

Treatment for an injured spleen consists of three options: 1) watch the patient closely for bleeding and allow the injury to heal on its own 2) a partial splenectomy, a surgery that removes the damaged portion of the spleen while leaving the uninjured portion and finally 3) a total splenectomy, which removes the whole spleen.

The spleen, like the appendix, is not required by the human body, but does play a role in the creation and storage of red blood cells.

Sean still has his spleen, and is reported to be recovering nicely, but will be out of the game for at least a few weeks.

Choosing the physician who performs your surgery is one of the biggest healthcare decisions you can make. Take the time to choose wisely!

Learn about The Right to Refuse Surgery before you make your final decision and make the choice that is in your best interest.

Explore the resouces available to support patients and their families during a time filled with both physical and emotional challenges.

Unless it is an emergency, you probably have time to sit back and think about your decision to have surgery. You also have time to explore your non-surgical options. You may discover you can avoid surgery all together!

Instead of going to the surgeon's office assuming you will have surgery, read about these alternatives and be ready to ask your doctor about your options.

Surgery is getting safer every year but no surgery is risk free. If you are considering any kind of surgery, even an elective procedure like plastic surgery, consider the risks before you make the leap.

There are many variables in determining your surgical risk, including your age, the type of surgery you are having, your general state of health and the skill of the surgeon.

Read Before You Have Surgery before you decide.

February is American Heart Month and there is no better time to start taking great care of your heart!

What is heart disease and why should you worry about preventing it? Dr. Fogoros explains it here, in his article What Is Heart Disease?.