Expert Surgical Care for Colorectal Conditions
My practice philosophy is driven by my own experiences as a patient and as a patient's family member. Regardless of how invincible any of us might seem at times, when we become a patient, we are at our most vulnerable. As I become a part of your healing journey, I become both your guide and your technician. You can trust that I will offer you the most trusted and advanced treatment methods available, with the least invasive approach.
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Below, you can learn about some conditions I treat, as well as some specific treatment approaches.
Colorectal Cancer
Though colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the United States, the diagnosis always catches patients off guard. Along with a multidisciplinary team of other experts, I will equip you with the tools you need to navigate all aspects of treatment, including surgery, through to your cure. I aim to offer cancer surgery with a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease are classified differently from diverticulitis because they have different patterns of behavior. If you are concerned you might have one of these problems, I recommend consulting with a Gastroenterologist. If needed, your Gastroenterologist will refer you for surgical consultation. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Ostomy Closure
Sometimes the colon behaves badly, and an ostomy becomes a necessary, lifesaving procedure. I aim to offer ostomy closure with a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Diverticulitis
This inflammatory problem of the colon can cause mild but significant digestive problems for years before diagnosis. Often surgical treatment is not required, but if you have been treated for diverticulitis more than once, or if you have ever been hospitalized for it, I recommend having a conversation with a Colorectal Surgeon, as you may be able to learn how to manage your lifestyle to avoid recurrent symptoms. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Rectal Prolapse and other problems of Bowel and Pelvic floor Prolapse.
Certain conditions can predispose women, and less commonly children and men, to pelvic floor prolapse disorders, in which case the rectum may telescope out of the anus. Often pelvic floor disorders are multi-system problems additionally affecting the urinary tract and gynecologic organs, in which case a multidisciplinary team of specialists will collaborate in treatment planning. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Anal Cancer and High Risk Populations
Anal cancer is increasingly common. Some conditions and lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing anal cancer. Whether you require evaluation of an anal lump or bump, need preventative evaluation for a high risk condition, or require cancer follow up, I can offer you expertise across this spectrum of problems.
Inherited Colon Cancer Syndromes like Lynch Syndrome and FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)
If you have had 10 or more polyps diagnosed in your life, you qualify for genetic testing for a polyposis syndrome. If you have a polyposis syndrome, you may be a candidate for preventative surgery to decrease the risk of developing colon cancer. These can be tricky decisions, and I will help you make the best decision for you based on your estimated cancer risk and personal preferences. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Bowel blockage
Most commonly, patients with bowel blockages meet their surgeon in the Emergency Department. However, some patients will have intermittent abdominal pain and disruption of bowel function that presents with milder or more chronic symptoms. If your doctor thinks you may have a bowel blockage, he or she may refer you for consultation to discuss options for how we might answer that question and make you feel better. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Accidental Bowel Leakage
Though patients hesitate to discuss this embarrassing and debilitating problem, I encourage you to do so, as it is often manageable with simple interventions. I always aim to make the treatment better than the problem, so let's talk!
Anal fissures and hemorrhoids
Though hemorrhoids and anal fissures (tiny, painful cuts) rarely require surgical treatment, you should talk to your doctor if you have ongoing symptoms. You may benefit from referral to a Gastroenterologist or Colorectal Surgeon.
Tumors of the Appendix
Tumors are sometimes found in the appendix after it is removed for appendicitis. Sometimes additional surgery is required to assure the best outcome. I can help you make this decision and offer you a minimally invasive approach to the surgery.
​Anal abscesses and fistulas
Anal abscesses are pockets of pus that often persist as fistulas, or tunneling infections. While anal abscesses are typically painful, an anal fistula may cause milder symptoms, such as itching or drainage. Surgery is a mainstay of treating both conditions.
Pilonidal Disease
Pilonidal disease describes abscesses and associated tunneling infections which most commonly occur in the gluteal cleft. In World War II, this problem was called "Jeep Disease" because it was so common among Jeep drivers. Though rarely a dangerous condition, symptoms can interfere with quality of life. Every surgeon brings a unique perspective and approach to treatment of pilonidal disease, as no specific approach has proven to be better than others. I am happy to share my approach with you if your pilonidal cyst is bothering you enough that you are considering having surgery.
C. diff colitis
(Clostridium difficile colitis)
Anyone who has been treated with antibiotics may develop c. diff colitis. Diarrhea and other symptoms are caused by the toxin that the c. diff bacterium produces. Most cases are successfully managed with medicine or even fecal transplant by a Gastroenterologist. However, sometimes surgically removing the colon may be considered if other treatments do not work.
Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis (IPAA)
This is a specific reconstructive technique which uses a short piece of your small bowel to replace the rectum, most commonly when the rectum has been removed for a benign condition, such as Ulcerative Colitis or an Inherited Colon Cancer Syndrome. This surgery helps you avoid the need for a permanent ostomy bag. If you need IPAA surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Other Conditions of the Small and Large Bowel
The strangest things happen to the best people. If your Gastroenterologist has recommended you consider surgery for a tumor, ulcer, stricture, narrowing, polyp, mass, or other abnormality of the small or large intestine, let's talk. I will help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options. I always aim to offer surgery with a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Rare Tumors of the Small Bowel and Colon
When something unusual is diagnosed, we often don't have guidelines to tell us exactly what we should do. I can help you with decisions about whether to closely watch a problem versus plan surgery. If you need surgery, I aim to offer a minimally invasive approach, using laparoscopic or robotic technology. Minimally invasive approaches are associated with better outcomes, including shorter hospital stays.
Multidisciplinary Care
Many diseases of the colon require a team approach to give you the best outcome. I commonly collaborate with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Gastroenterology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, and Gynecology to provide patients the most thoughtful and comprehensive care available.