1 Ghrelin is a fast-acting hormone that plays a vital role in meal initiation and contributes to weight gain. 2  Leptin mediates long-term regulation of energy balance and suppresses food intake, thereby inducing weight loss.  Both hormones can be controlled naturally, primarily though exercise and stress management.
Surgical retractors. A retractor is a surgical instrument with which a surgeon can either actively separate the edges of a surgical incision or wound, or can hold back underlying organs and tissues, so that body parts under the incision may be accessed. The two are each available in many shapes, sizes, and styles.
For the surgery, the patient is positioned face-down and a small incision (sometimes less than 1 in.) is made over the location of the herniated disk. The surgeon inserts the retractor and removes a small amount of the lamina bone. This provides the surgeon with a view of the spinal nerve and the disk.