Park Surgical Specialists, 4255 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite D, Suwanee, GA 30024
Appointments: (678) 894-2151
Hernia Surgery
Hernia surgery can be performed in a number of ways. The hernia can be repaired using a mesh patch that is surgically placed over the tear and supported by nearby tissue. Additionally, a mesh plug can be used to reinforce a tissue defect that has formed in the abdominal wall. A combination device uses a mesh patch on both sides (front and back) of the abdominal wall, supported in the middle by a mesh bridge that rests inside the abdominal wall defect.
After Surgery
Most hernia surgery patients are able to leave the hospital within couple of hours after completion of the surgery.
Gallbladder Surgery (CHOLECYSTECTOMY)
Our general surgeons use minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery when possible, so you heal faster and get back to your normal lifestyle. This procedure is one of the most common procedures performed by a general surgeon. Surgery is necessary when gallstones or dysfunctional gallbladder cause abdominal symptoms usually associated with eating. If your gallstones are causing minimal symptoms, you may be able to manage your symptoms for a period of time by making changes to your diet. This includes cutting back on fatty foods. However, dietary changes do not always help prevent gallbladder attacks.
What to expect after surgery
Most patients are discharged from the hospital on the day of surgery. Some will require overnight observation in the hospital for further monitoring.
Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
Thyroid surgery
There are generally three reasons that all or part of your thyroid will need to be surgically removed:
- You have a large goiter or multiple nodules causing symptoms
- You have one or more cancerous nodules
- You have hyperthyroidism that does not respond to hormone or iodine therapy
Procedure Details
During surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision along the base of the neck, and remove half, most, or all of the thyroid gland. Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures and or surgical glue.
After Surgery
Most thyroid surgeries are done as an outpatient procedure. Pain medication need is usually minimal. You may be recommended to take other medications for a short period of time after the surgery.
- You will usually be able to eat and walk around the evening of surgery, but you may experience nausea from the anesthesia.
- You may experience a sore throat and hoarseness for about a week after surgery, but discomfort is usually minimal.
- Your doctor may ask you not to get your incision wet for 24 hours following surgery, and you should avoid any strenuous activity for 1-3 weeks.
Parathyroid surgery
If your parathyroid glands produce too much or too little hormone, it disrupts the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which can cause non-cancerous, hyperactive conditions including hyperparathyroidism.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is caused by your body producing too much parathyroid hormone. Symptoms of the condition include thirst kidney stone formation, loss of appetite, constipation, joint pain and depression.
Procedure Details
During surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision along the base of the neck and usually removes one but sometimes, multiple abnormally functioning parathyroid glands. Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures and or surgical glue.
After Surgery
Most parathyroid surgeries are done as an outpatient procedure.
- You will usually be able to eat and walk around the evening of surgery, but you may experience nausea from the anesthesia.
- You may experience a sore throat and hoarseness for about a week after surgery, but discomfort is usually minimal.
- Your doctor may ask you not to get your incision wet for 24 hours following surgery, and you should avoid any strenuous activity for several days.
Reflux Surgery
Reflux Surgery and Esophageal Surgery
This procedure is used for people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or who have a hiatal hernia, which is a hernia that occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes upward through the diaphragm causing acid reflux.
What are the symptoms?
- Frequent heartburn and acid regurgitation
- Chest pain, especially when bending over or lying down
- Trouble swallowing comfortably
- Hoarseness, wheezing, or other asthma-like symptoms
- Chronic coughing
- Sour or bitter taste in the mouth or back of throat
If gastroesophageal reflux disease is left untreated for a long period of time, the sensitive tissue in the esophagus can become inflamed, causing pain, pressure, and a burning sensation in the chest and throat. Extended exposure to stomach acid can cause sores, or ulcers in the esophagus, which are very painful and can lead to esophageal bleeding. You may also develop scar tissue along the lining of your esophagus, which narrows the tube and makes it more difficult to swallow.
Procedure Details
If your doctor has ruled out any other medical problems, you may be a candidate for laparoscopic fundoplication surgery for GERD. During this esophageal surgery, your doctor will wrap the upper-portion of your stomach around the lower portion of your esophagus to reinforce the esophageal sphincter. The surgery takes less than two hours, and is performed using the laparoscopic technique. This allows for less pain, a shorter recovery period, and a lower risk of infection.
After Surgery
Most patients leave the hospital within several hours after completion of surgery, and are allowed to return to work within several days.
After surgery, your doctor will prescribe a specified diet for a set amount of time, after which you can start eating normal foods. You will still need to chew slowly and thoroughly, avoid gulping, and avoid carbonated beverages for three to four weeks.
It is important to avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for 1-3 weeks. Once you have fully recovered, you will be able to eat, exercise, and engage in all the activities you normally enjoy without the pain and inconvenience that your esophageal disorder once caused.
Colon Surgery
Your colon, also known as your large bowel or large intestine, is the last portion of your gastrointestinal tract. It functions to remove water from our stool before we eliminate it from our body. It is where the appendix is located and where other problems can occur.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an infection of the colon due to diverticula, which are abnormal pouches within your colon. They usually form over many decades due to poor dietary habits. Diverticula are more likely found in patients with a diet that is low in fiber (fruits and vegetables).
Symptoms are related to the infection of the colon, most often episodes will cause pain in the abdomen.
- Sharp pain, typically on the lower left side of the abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fevers
Diverticulitis is usually treated with IV antibiotics, IV fluids and bowel rest for 2-3 days, with surgery usually being the last consideration for treatment of diverticulitis. An abscess or rupture may require more specialized care.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. It's usually found in older patients (>50 years old) and due to genetics and lifestyle factors. It can start as a polyp.
Symptoms of colon cancer can vary but typically affect those over the age of 50. Symptoms include:
- Bleeding from your rectum
- Changes in the size or color of your stool
- Worsening constipation
Breast Surgery
Breast health continues to be one area of focus at our practice. Our approach is to facilitate an appropriate evaluation, prompt results and coordinated treatment and follow-up.
We offer comprehensive evaluation of breast masses, abnormal breast discharges, breast pain, and abnormal mammograms. We have an outstanding reputation in the treatment of benign and malignant breast disease. We work in collaboration with medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and plastic surgeons to ensure the highest standard of care for our patients.
Treatments
Park Surgical Specialists has experience providing consultations for and treating the following diseases:
- Breast masses
- Breast abscesses
- Breast cancer
- Abnormal mammogram
- Second opinion
- Evaluation prior to plastic surgery
Procedures performed
- Ultrasound guided biopsy
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Axillary Lymph Dissection
Melanoma Surgery
If your Physician thinks you may have skin cancer, a skin biopsy will be performed. The sample will be sent off to a lab for testing. If your physician believes that you may have melanoma, further testing, such as a sentinel lymph node biopsy, may be performed to see if it has spread.
Procedure Details
Surgery will be performed on the cancer and surrounding area. The depth of skin removed will be determined by the size of the melanoma. Sometimes the cancer may spread to the lymph nodes, causing them to be removed as well.
After Surgery
After melanoma surgery, you may experience nausea, fatigue and pain. Factors such as diagnosing the cancer early and areas affected determine the patient’s outcome.
Minor Office Procedures
Lipoma Excision
A lipoma is a collection of fatty deposits. It is usually soft, lumpy, and sometimes cause discomfort, but are not cancerous. They can recur and can be found on other fatty areas of the body. Typical characteristics of a lipoma include:
- Soft mass that is easily movable
- Sometimes painful with pressure
- Smooth mass
- Slowly grows over time
Treatment
Treatment of a lipoma requires surgical removal, which can oftentimes be performed using local anesthesia in our office.
Sebaceous Cyst
Removal of sebaceous cysts can be done in our office using local anesthesia. Normally, there is little to no recuperation time after cyst removal.