STOMACH
AND INTESTINES
We offer a wide range of progressive surgical approaches to stomach and intestinal problems in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. We are dedicated to providing the best possible diagnoses and outcomes for our patients. Diseases of the stomach and intestine are serious matters; however, symptoms can often conflict with other diseases. Dr. Bello's expert will meet with you and plan the necessary path to recovery from whatever may be causing your discomfort.
What are the symptoms of stomach and intestinal diseases?
The symptoms of stomach and intestinal diseases are easily confused with those of different diseases. They may include rectal bleeding, cramping, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, early satiety, and weight loss, among others. Because of the severity of these symptoms, contact your physician immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
How is a diagnosis made?
Similarities in symptoms can lead to incorrect or non-diagnoses. This difficulty means that we must forge a complete and thorough diagnostic process. Your physician will begin with a detailed medical history and physical examination. If the diagnosis is undecided, alternative methods such as a CT scan, upper GI series with small bowel follow-through (x-rays, etc.) or endoscopy may be pursued.
What are my treatment options?
Treatment options depend on the diagnosis of each individual patient. Some intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease can be treated initially with medications. Other problems/diseases, such as obstructions and tumors, require immediate surgery.
Traditionally, operations performed on the stomach and intestinal tract require a large and uncomfortable abdominal and/or pelvic incision. The incisions leave the patient with a prolonged recovery time and an intensive recovery process. However, new advances in medical technology allow physicians access to tools that facilitate minimally invasive, less painful and faster procedures performed in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.
Description of the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure
Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is a procedure that requires the placement of thin tubes through 3-5 small incisions in the abdomen. These incisions are usually less than 0.5 centimeters. A thin telescope is placed through one of the tubes, which projects images from inside the patient to a television for the surgeon to view. Specialized instruments are placed through the remaining tubes to perform the operation. The patient is under general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure.
Advantages of the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure over open surgery
There are many reasons why a minimally invasive procedure is preferable to open surgery. Here are some of the common advantages experienced by our patients who opt for minimally invasive surgery:
- Less time in the hospital
- Shorter recovery time
- Less pain at the site of the incisions
- Faster recovery and return to normal diet.
- Faster return to work or normal activity.
- Better cosmetic healing at the incision site.
Before the procedure
Before surgery, each patient should undergo a thorough evaluation by a primary care physician and the surgeon. Patients may need additional tests before surgery, such as an endoscopy, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, CT scan or blood tests. Your surgeon or physician will order these as needed.
Small bowel surgery may require some type of bowel preparation as decided by your surgeon. You must notify your surgeon of ALL medications you are currently taking during your evaluation.
Day of the procedure
On the day of surgery, you will meet with an anesthesiologist and an IV will be placed in your arm to administer medications and fluids during surgery. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means you will be completely asleep during the procedure and will not experience or remember it.
Postoperative activity
On the afternoon of your surgery or in special circumstances on the first day after surgery, you will be helped to get out of bed and sit upright. Depending on the surgery performed, you will be up, walking around and on your way home without spending a night in the hospital. Due to the effects of anesthesia, you will not be able to drive home. Make arrangements with friends or family to return home, as we will not discharge you on your own.
Nutritional concerns (patient dependent)
Your diet will change every day. The doctors will let you know what needs to be adjusted at each point as you progress.
Complications of the procedure
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with stomach and bowel operations. The following list is a compilation of the most likely complications associated with laparoscopic stomach and bowel surgery:
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Abdominal bleeding
- Abdominal or wound infection
- Intestinal obstruction by scar tissue
- Intestinal leakage
- Heart attack or pneumonia
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs.
- Injury to other organs.
MIB Surgery, a leading medical institution, is passionately committed to offering state-of-the-art procedures aimed at promoting the maximum well-being of our esteemed patients.