Dr Randy Lizardo

07/01/2025

Fibroids suck…not being diagnosed earlier in the disease process sucks even more.

In the US, an estimated 15 million women between the ages of 15 and 50 have fibroids. While some patients have no issues, most will suffer from fibroid symptoms for 4 years on average before seeking treatment.

Pelvic pain, bloating, irregular bleeding, fatigue, low blood levels, painful in*******se, more frequent urination, constipation and difficulty getting pregnant are just some of the signs of fibroid disease.

This patient had a single fibroid that was the sign of a cantaloupe. Her uterus was similar to someone who was 5 months pregnant. Luckily, her fibroid was removed with just 2 small incisions and she kept her uterus. One incision was 5mm and hidden in her belly button and the other was only 3 1/2 cms and also very discreet. Unfortunately, she had already suffered for years and she was being told her only option was a hysterectomy.

Earlier detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes and fewer complications. This also increases the chances of having successful minimally invasive treatment.

Fibroids suck, but treating them earlier in the disease process can help relieve suffering and result in a much improved quality of life.

06/05/2025

Fibroids suck…suffering for years in silence without treatment sucks even more.

This is the case of a patient who was in her 20’s and already developed advanced fibroid disease. Because the fibroids “weren’t causing problems” they were able to progress to where her womb was the same size as someone who was more than 5 months pregnant.

Her MRI stated her uterus was replaced by a fibroid that was 12cms and a “less prominent” fibroid that was 10cms and a 2.1cms fibroid. Collectively, everything extended above her belly button. Her eventual surgery was 6 mos after her scan and there was already more progression.

The 1st picture was taken a few years after the patients original surgery. Can you find her two incisions?

The 2nd picture is her fibroids after they had been removed (for reference there is a 16cms ruler)

The 3rd picture is where her incisions were made in case you weren’t able to find them in the 1st picture.

Luckily, I was still able to treat this patient using minimally invasive techniques where she went home the same day of her surgery and could go back to work within a couple weeks. But in my opinion fibroid disease should never be allowed to progress this far.

Patients shouldn’t have to wait until their bleeding is so severe that they need blood transfusions or until their pain is so unbearable that they can’t go to work.

Treating fibroids earlier in the disease process can lead to better outcomes, less complications, better chances of being able to save the uterus and many more years of improved quality of life.

If you are being told to just watch your fibroids or to just wait and see if they’ll shrink, get a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th opinion. Also consider seeing someone who may be able to offer a more minimally invasive option.

Fibroids suck but dealing with them doesn’t have to.

05/31/2025

The calm before the storm… the path to becoming a Doctor can take you on many twists and turns.

This photo was taken when the 80 hour work week limitation was a brand new concept just being implicated. Residents in training could work that amount per week averaged over a 4 week time period. A full time job is considered anywhere from 30-40hrs a week, so if residents worked 40 hrs in 1 week then working 120 hrs the following week would have been fine.

These changes were considered groundbreaking in terms of resident physician education and were developed out of concerns for patient and medical trainee safety. Generations of physicians before us had no such restrictions and hearing stories of their training, at times, seemed like human torture.

Having a strong support network of peers who can help keep you on track when times get tough is just as important as the training that you can receive. Grateful to have spent 4 years training alongside these Docs!

05/01/2025

Fibroids suck…but a uterus suffering in silence sucks even more.

Painful and heavy periods aren’t normal. These are symptoms that suggest that your uterus isn’t happy and something else might be going on.

May is both Women’s Health Month and Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a time to center conversations around health, equity, and empowerment.

Let’s talk about fibroids—non-cancerous growths in the uterus that affect millions of women, especially women of color. While up to 80% of women may develop fibroids by age 50, symptoms like heavy bleeding, pain, and fatigue are often overlooked or minimized.

AANPHI women may face additional barriers to care, including stigma around reproductive health, cultural silence, and underrepresentation in research and outreach.

This month, let’s shine a light on education, early diagnosis, and access to care.

03/25/2025

Looking forward to being back to Salcedo Doctors' Hospital to provide surgical services and teaching minimally surgical techniques to the local health care providers.

Faith Healers

Screening ongoing. Pa lista na!

03/11/2025

Google informed me I hit 100 five star reviews today. I never looked at it as a goal or a milestone, but I definitely appreciate all the patients who took the time to leave a rating and positive comments.

More importantly, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to take care of you!

- Dr. L

02/21/2025

This weekend I had the privilege of attending The Council of Young Filipinx Americans (CYFAM)’s 5th Annual Conference held at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

It was the first conference I attended of it’s kind where I met individuals ranging from first year undergraduate premed students, to medical students, residents/fellows, young attendings and even physicians who were navigating the thoughts of retirement.

I was truly impressed not just by the high caliber speakers who were present, but by the energy, excitement and genuine interest of the future physicians and leaders that were there.

At a time where the future of medicine is being questioned on a regular basis and the concept of physician burnout is an every day topic, I can honestly say that I left with a feeling of comfort and reassurance that the future of medicine will be in the hands of such bright young minds whose passion and energy could be felt throughout the weekend.

Thank you CYFAM for allowing me to be a part of this weekend and thanks to the attendees for giving me even more inspiration to want to give back to our community.

02/12/2025

Our World Premiere at the is back on and we’re happy to announce that will now be the closing film for the festival!!!

The Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California on Friday March 7th.

The committee also announced that first responders and frontliners of the LA fires and all health care professionals are being provided free admission to the film of their choice. More information here https://form.typeform.com/to/zSwdsbrl?typeform-source=m.facebook.com

Please visit their website to find out more about all the feature films. Salamat!

https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com

01/19/2025

Thanks for the shout out! Feel free to follow my new practice on our FB page!