General Surgery Procedures, U First Health

SILS (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery)

Patients can now have their gallbladder or appendix removed with one incision through the navel (belly button). It is known as scar less surgery because the incision is hidden in the navel. Dr Tomas is one of a few surgeons utilizing this technique and he performed the first SILS gallbladder surgery in Cape Coral, Florida. This technique (SILS) can also be used to remove the appendix and repair some abdominal wall hernias. Please make an appointment so Dr. Tomas can explain to you this new exciting surgical technique.

Breast Surgery

Breast masses can be biopsied in many different ways. They can be biopsied in the office or as an outpatient using intravenous with local sedation or general anesthesia. If the mass is palpable Dr. Tomas can have it biopsied with a needle or be removed surgically. If the mass is not palpable then a radiologist must place a needle to identify the mass. Dr Tomas will then remove the mass with the needle and confirm with an X-ray that the mass is within the specimen. If breast cancer is found then Dr Tomas will explain all options of treatment such as lumpectomy alone, lumpectomy with axillary lymph node dissection or mastectomy. If sentinel lymph node sampling is indicated then this also is an option for staging purposes.

Gallbladder Surgery

Patients with problems with their gallbladders complain of  pain in the right upper quadrant below the rib cage. This is a problem from a stone being lodged in the duct and blocking the gallbladder from contracting. This is called biliary colic and the pain usually goes from the right upper quadrant to the back after eating fatty foods. The treatment is removing the gallbladder and you will not have any eating restrictions after surgery.

Hernia Surgery

There are many different types of hernias. The main types are inguinal hernia (groin), umbilical hernia (belly button) and incisional hernia hernias. A patient will first notice a bulge that can increase in size if it is left untreated. The hernia can sometimes cause pain and possibly involve intestines that can twist inside the hernia sac. If left untreated for a long period of time the intestine can become damaged and require cutting out the damaged bowel. The treatment for this is to repair the defect early before further problems arise. This repair usually involves a mesh and this can be done as a laparoscopic verses open technique.

Colon and Rectal Surgery

The national cancer society recommends a colonoscopy after the age of fifty unless there is a strong history in your family. In this case a colonoscopy may be performed at an earlier age. If a lesion is found that is cancerous then it may require a section of the colon to be cut out (resected).

Rectal Bleeding can be caused by many different things so it is important that you be evaluated by a physician in order to find the cause of the blood.

Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the anal region that become inflamed. These become bigger when people strain for long periods of time or sit for long periods of time. The treatment is first with medicines to treat the inflammation, but if this does not help then surgery is recommended. In surgery the hemorrhoidal bundles (veins) are cut away.

Soft Tissue Masses

Soft tissue masses that arise on the back, abdominal wall or extremities can easily be excised (removed) in the office operating room or as outpatient surgery. The most common masses are fatty tumors (lipomas) or hair follicle cysts (sebaceous cysts). These masses are benign tumors, but cancerous tumors must also be ruled out and that it is why a biopsy is essential. Most common cancerous masses are sarcomas that can arise from muscle, fat, joint, nerves or blood vessels. Cancers that arise from lymph nodes (lymphomas) must also be ruled out with biopsy. Please make your reservation to see Dr. Tomas to have these masses evaluated.

Endoscopy

Colonoscopy to evaluate the colon for polyps or tumors that cause bleeding or constipation.

EGD to evaluate polyps or ulcers or tumors in esophagus, stomach and duodenum.