GENERAL SURGERY
- What is a general surgeon?
- What can I expect during my first appointment?
- What is minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery?
- What is gallbladder disease?
- How is a hernia diagnosed?
- Don’t people need there gallbladders?
A general surgeon is a physician who has been trained to understand diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, skin and breast. They are trained in the use of surgery as a course of treatment.
The surgeon will ask you many questions about symptoms, past or recent illnesses and past surgeries.
The surgeon may do a physical exam, depending on your symptoms and illness.
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems of the abdominal and pelvic areas. During this procedure, an endoscope (tube) with a camera on the end is inserted through a tiny incision to allow your doctor to closely examine the organs of the area.
Usually, gallbladder disease happens when gallstones block the exit of the gallbladder. If the gallbladder is blocked and has trouble draining, over time, the bile that sits inside will cause the gallbladder to swell, become inflamed, and cause pain.
A hernia is usually diagnosed by your doctor after an exam and sometimes some additional testing. Tests that might be used to diagnose a hernia include:
Barium X-ray
CT scan
Endoscopy
Ultrasound
Talk to your doctor for more information about how a hernia can be diagnosed.
Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ that people can live without. Losing it won’t even require a change in diet. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile flows out of the liver through the hepatic ducts into the common bile duct and goes directly into the small intestine, instead of being stored in the gallbladder.
