Preparing for surgery from the comfort of home

Sometimes it’s difficult getting all your questions answered in the few minutes you have with your doctor. Now, there is a way to get all the information you need in a stress-free environment, your own home.

When William Brick learned he needed coronary bypass surgery, his training as an IBM executive kicked in. From the comfort of his own home and at his own pace, Williams finds the answers to questions he didn’t even know he had.

Emmi, an interactive online program, walks him through coronary bypass surgery from pre-op to recovery. Designed by a surgeon and a computer game designer, Emmi’s animated tour does what a busy physician sometimes can’t.

At any time, William can stop and email questions to his doctor. Physicians can follow up at the next office visit or even answer questions over the phone.

Christopher Ng, a urologist at the Sinai Center says people “seem certainly more prepared, more confident even. They’re more willing to ask questions.”

William Brick says he was much more relaxed after he knew what to expect. He says, “knowledge is power and knowledge and power are peace of mind.”

After a heart and three knee surgeries, William now needs a pacemaker and he knows where to go for answers.

Emmi walks patients through about 70 common medical procedures. Patients can get log-on information from their doctor and use the program from any computer.

New diet might help boost fertility

A diet book says it can boost a woman’s fertility through natural means.

For one in six couples, trying to have a baby is a struggle because of infertility. Many turn to medication or medical procedures for help, but there may be another option.

Some experts says if a woman is having trouble getting pregnant, she may want to change her diet.

Fertility expert Dr. Jorge Chavarro is one of the authors of “The Fertility Diet.” The book is a guide to help women increase their chances of getting pregnancy by following some simple recommendations, like take a multi-vitamin.

Chavarro says, “consuming a pre natal multi-vitamin that not only prevents certain congenital defects like defects of the central nervous system but also it actually improves ovulation and improves the chances of getting pregnant."

The diet also recommends cutting back on red meat, drinking whole milk, and skipping sugared sodas.

The author says a woman should follow the recommendations of the fertility diet as soon as she wants to become pregnant and not wait until there are problems.