Dr. Sonia Rebeles

Today we lost an American icon, a trailblazer for women and fierce advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. May we honor her enduring legacy by continuing the fight for justice. #rbg #notoriousrbg #ruthbaderginsburg #womensrights #womensrightsarehumanrights #genderequality #vote2020 #vote #riprbg

I’m not one much for social media challenges and selfies, but I felt reinvigorated by John Lewis’ posthumous letter and his echoing of Dr. MLK’s words: He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something... Though I may not be here with you, I u...rge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. This challenge was personal. From my days as a 22 year old Stanford graduate working as a women and children’s counselor at the El Paso Shelter for Battered Women...to now that I have devoted my entire career to the health and well-being of women, I will forever stand in solidarity against femicide and violence against women. #challengeaccepted Thank you to @scervant @dlo32 @petitemlle1 for nominating me and to all the badass women I know. Keep fighting the good fight. #womenempowerment #violenceagainstwomen #femicide #womensupportingwomen #womenshealth #ilooklikeasurgeon #surgeon #thefutureisfemale #badasswomen See more

Many saw the video from America’s Frontline Doctors, and are confused about its claims. These YouTube doctors in white coats may sound credible, but please do not be deceived! There is still no cure for COVID-19. Stay vigilant and think critically about news media, especially propaganda that plays into people’s uncertainty, anxiety, and need for answers. The best methods for dealing with this virus is no different than before: wash your hands, social distance, wear a mask...Continue reading

For my Texas followers, the UT School of Public Health created this COVID-19 dashboard for all counties in Texas, including rural ones. The graphs provide interpretations that most people can understand, not just scientists. I’ve included the link here. Please see my story for an explanation of a couple of those important graphs. Thank you UT School of Public Health for creating this dashboard! www.texaspandemic.org #publichealth #publichealthcrisis #texashealth #covid19texas #covid19resources #covid19 #thisispublichealth #coronavirus #pandemic #texas

When I opened up my practice last year, I intended on creating an environment where all are welcome. It is exemplified by the care and attention we provide. I also made an actual statement about it. At the bottom of my patient history intake form, there is a sentence that reads, Non-Discrimination Policy: Equal care will be provided to all patients, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, physical abilities or attributes, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender e...xpression. I have refrained from posting overtly political topics on my professional social media accounts. But I cannot remain silent about political issues pertaining to healthcare which deny rights to certain individuals, especially already vulnerable and marginalized human beings. Healthcare is a human right. This NPR article references a rule put forth today, one of many rules and regulations put forward by this administration, that rescinded protection of LGBTQ people from healthcare discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that if you are gay or transgender, your doctor can refuse care or your insurance company can charge you higher premiums based solely on your sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. To say that I am disheartened is an understatement. This is unconscionable, immoral, unethical, and frankly, just cruel. Link to article: https://www.npr.org//transgender-health-protections-revers #healthcareisahumanright #lgbtqrights #transgenderrights #humanrightscampaign #voteforchange #pridemonth2020 ##lgbtqpride #sexdiscrimination #affordablecareact #healthcare #womenshealth #civilrights #linkinbio See more

Did you know that before 1976, endometriosis was considered rare in Black women? A higher incidence of endometriosis in white, middle class women was suggested as early as 1941. Can you guess why? RACIAL BIAS The racial and socioeconomic status of patients seen in private practice at the time were white, middle class women. It wasn’t until African American gynecologist Donald L. Chatman noted in 1976 that 1 in 5 of his private practice African American patients had evid...ence of endometriosis. The more appalling finding was that 40% of these women had been misdiagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a disease that also causes pelvic pain as a result of an ascending sexually transmitted disease. Dr. Chatman argued that they were misdiagnosed because of a myth that non-whites were immune to this disease and African American women were more promiscuous. Though there is still much to be learned about the prevalence of endometriosis in specific races/ethnicities, may we learn lessons from history and eliminate old stereotypes of typical endometriosis patients. #racialbiasinmedicine #blacklivesmatter #racismisapublichealthcrisis #endometriosisawareness #endometriosis #endometriosissupport #pelvicpain #pelvicpainawareness #gynecology #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #blackhealthmatters See more

The patient’s pelvic MRI shows a unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn (refer to my prior post). The blue outline shows the uterus. The white area inside the uterus is the endometrial cavity. It did not connect with the rudimentary horn (red outline). Congenital uterine anomalies occur as a result of abnormal fetal development of the female reproductive tract, which begins to develop in the fetus at six weeks. Basically, structures called Müllerian ducts start as two s...eparate entities, meet in the midline, and then fuse. Usually, by about 20 weeks gestation, the middle structures are completely absorbed and develop into ONE uterus, cervix, and vagina. When this process fails, this can result in a spectrum of anomalies: from complete absence of the vagina and/or uterus (Mayer-Rokitanski-Küster-Hauser Syndrome) to duplications of the uterus, cervix, and vagina (uterus didelphys). Sometimes, duplication of the vulva, bladder, urethra and anus may also occur! Unicornuate uterus occurs when one Müllerian duct is underdeveloped, or fails to develop, so a banana-shaped half uterus forms. In this patient, the remnant of the other half (also called a rudimentary horn) of the uterus remained. Because many congenital uterine anomalies have been associated with renal abnormalities, most commonly, complete absence of a kidney, it is important to ascertain that normal kidneys and ureters are present, especially if major surgery like hysterectomy is planned. A missing kidney or other kidney problems accompany unicornuate uterus more commonly than other Müllerian anomalies. A renal ultrasound confirmed presence of both kidneys. Highlights of an upcoming YouTube video of this patient’s surgery demonstrate careful identification and dissection of the ureters, and associated endometriotic implants. Check out my story! #uterus #chronicpelvicpain #pelvicpain #pelvicpainawareness #dysmenorrhea #periodcramps #periodssuck #periodsolutions #gynecology #ilooklikeasurgeon #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #roboticsurgery #davincisurgery #womeninmedicine #womensurgeons #uterus #angryuterus #diagnosis #unicornuateuterus #obgyn #obgynresident See more

What’s the diagnosis This 37 year old woman had a long history of chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain and severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods). A prior ultrasound had shown a normal uterus and ovaries, and a thickened endometrial lining. She underwent a hysteroscopy with removal of a polyp, but during this procedure, I noticed a very narrow, irregular endometrial canal and her uterus was deviated to one side. I decided to order an MRI (next photo). What’s your diagnosi...s? Would you order any further studies? Stay tuned for the answer in an upcoming post and surgical video! #chronicpain #chronicpelvicpain #chronicpelvicpainsyndrome #pelvicpain #pelvicpainawareness #dysmenorrhea #periodcramps #periodssuck #periodsolutions #gynecology #ilooklikeasurgeon #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #roboticsurgery #davincisurgery #figure1 #womenmedicine #womensurgeons #uterus #angryuterus #diagnosis #whatsthediagnosis #obgyn #obgynresident @ Torrance, California See more

Local artist and friend @dirtcobain, created this piece for The Art Clinic NYC. It’s a coloring page to help people’s mental health during the quarantine in NYC. Several artists have contributed to this project. Dirt Cobain recreated one of his favorite scenes from Peanuts, incorporating his signature pill bottle. He’ll repost your color rendition of his work on his story. I took a screenshot and colored. It was so therapeutic! Swipe left to see my artistry. #caniretir...enow His piece spoke to me because, as a doctor, there were so many words I wanted to fill the blank in with. I have been feeling a hundred emotions lately. Somber. Anxious. Hopeful. Cautiously optimistic. Energized. Heavy-hearted. I decided on not immune. Doctors and health professionals are not immune to the struggles of mental illness. We also suffer depression and anxiety, especially during times where the enormous weight of responsibility for people’s health and lives falls heavily upon us. As a specialist who is not on the front lines of this pandemic, I feel superfluous at times. But I deeply empathize with what our doctor infantry on the frontlines of this pandemic is facing currently. I am grateful for them all. Take a screenshot, color and tag @dirtcobain !!! #artclinicNYC #NYCstrong #staydirty #butwashyourhands #notimmune #nami #staysafe #staysane #saferathome #covid19nyc #thedoctorisin #snoopygram #peanutsgang #gynecology #womenshealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth See more

Ready for Telehealth! We are excited to implement Doxy Telemedicine starting today to meet with and continue care with our patients. It’s a very simple, web-based, HIPAA compliant telemedicine platform that allows us to provide continuation of your care during this COVID19 pandemic. We have converted many appointments already and appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition. Our goal is to keep everyone safe!... Please note that we are still here for any urgent and acute issues that absolutely require an in-person visit. My amazing staff is available to answer any and all questions and more information will be available on my website later today. #ilooklikeasurgeon #butintheoffice #telehealth #doxyme #gynecologist #womenshealth #womenoperatingwednesday #womennotoperatingtuesday #notduringcovid19 #surgeonslife #notnormal #saferathome #staysafestayhome #wearfigs #coronaviiiruscardib #covid19california #telemedicine #torrance #southbayla #womeninmedicine #healthcareworkers #healthcareprovider #supportourdoctorsandnurses See more

Please read and share - this is excellent information obtained from a fellow colleague. Not everybody who gets COVID-19 needs to seek emergency care. Shared from an Emergency Department physician. Fantastic advice for all... It's taken me a long time to figure out exactly what to say about the coronavirus situation. As a veteran emergency physician, it's arguably the most complex, multi-faceted challenge I've ever faced in medicine, and it's seriousness cannot be underestim...Continue reading