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I am a surgical gastroenterologist. I operate on hernias, the gallbladder, the stomach and intestine, the colon and rectum, and the anus, most often by keyhole surgery. Because I also treat these conditions without surgery, I advise an operation only when it is the right answer for your problem.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
Operations through a few small cuts, guided by a camera. Read how laparoscopic surgery works and what recovery involves.
- Hernia repair: mesh repair of inguinal, umbilical and incisional hernias.
- Gallbladder removal: for gallstones that cause pain or complications.
- Appendix removal: for appendicitis, usually within 24 hours.
- Anti-reflux surgery: fundoplication for proven reflux.
- Hiatus hernia repair: for large or troublesome hiatus hernias.
Stomach, intestine, liver and pancreas surgery
- Stomach and intestinal surgery: for ulcer complications, gastric outlet obstruction, growths and narrowed segments.
- Liver, bile duct and pancreas surgery: for selected conditions of these organs, planned with scans and a team discussion.
- Surgery for obstruction and perforation: emergency operations for a blocked or perforated bowel.
Colon and rectal surgery
- Colon and rectal cancer surgery: removal of the affected bowel with its lymph nodes, planned with the cancer team.
- Surgery for diverticular disease: for complications and for attacks that keep returning. See diverticulitis.
- Surgery for Crohn’s disease and colitis: for narrowing, fistulas, abscesses and disease that medicines do not control. See inflammatory bowel disease.
Anorectal procedures
- Laser procedures: for selected piles, fistulas and pilonidal sinuses.
- Piles surgery: banding in the clinic, and operations for advanced piles.
- Fissure and fistula surgery: for a fissure that has not healed, and for fistulas, with care to protect bowel control.
- Abscess drainage and pilonidal sinus surgery: see abscess and pilonidal sinus.
How do I decide whether to operate?
Is the diagnosis certain?
I confirm it with the right tests before recommending an operation. Reflux is proved before reflux surgery; a fistula is mapped before fistula surgery.
Has a simpler treatment been given a proper chance?
For many conditions, food changes, medicines or a clinic procedure work. Where they do, you do not need an operation.
Will the operation solve the problem you came with?
I explain what surgery can be expected to change and what it will leave unchanged.
Are you ready for it?
Weight, blood sugar, smoking, nutrition and fitness are improved before a planned operation, because they affect healing.
Preparing and recovering
Before a planned operation, my team gives you a plan for protein, walking, breathing exercises and control of blood sugar. After the operation, you are helped to walk and eat early, pain is controlled with a combination of medicines, and a dietitian guides the return to normal food. The reason the problem arose, whether constipation, weight or reflux, is treated as well.
Where are operations done?
At Arka Anugraha Hospital, JP Nagar, which is NABH-accredited and has operating theatres, endoscopy and critical care on site. I am also a consultant at A V Hospital, Basavanagudi.
Questions patients ask me about surgery
Is keyhole surgery possible for my operation?
For most planned abdominal operations, yes. I tell you at the consultation if open surgery would serve you better, and why.
How long will I be in hospital?
Day-care to one night for most hernia, gallbladder and anorectal operations. Several days for major bowel surgery.
Who will perform my operation?
I will. The surgeon who assesses you in the clinic is the surgeon who operates and who sees you afterward.
Can I get a second opinion on an operation that has been advised elsewhere?
Yes. Bring your reports and scans. I will tell you whether I would advise the same operation, a different one, or none.
What should I bring to a surgical consultation?
Previous reports, scans on film or disc, discharge summaries from earlier operations, and a list of your medicines, including blood thinners.