Gastrointestinal Surgery Specialist
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M. Shane Dawson, MD, FACS
General Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery & Robotic Surgery located in Upper East Side, New York, NY
While lifestyle modifications or conservative treatments can resolve many digestive issues, gastrointestinal surgery is sometimes the best approach. M. Shane Dawson, MD, FACS, has a great deal of experience in gastrointestinal surgery and has helped many in New York’s Upper East Side find lasting relief from a wide range of digestive issues. If you have questions or concerns about what gastrointestinal surgery can do for you, call the New York City office or use the online tool to request a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Dawson.
Gastrointestinal Surgery Q & A
What is the role of the digestive system?
The primary function of your digestive system is to break down food and enable the absorption of nutrients. Your digestive organs operate in an assembly-line fashion, and your digestive tract is the term for what connects them.
Your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus comprise your digestive tract. Along that path, small glands produce fluids that assist in breaking down food.
Because there are many components involved in your digestive system, there are also numerous potential problems. Digestive diseases are common and range in severity from mildly uncomfortable to incredibly painful and disruptive.
What is gastrointestinal surgery?
Gastrointestinal surgery includes all procedures that alter the structure of one or more digestive organs. Some surgeries seek to repair damage, while others are performed to remove the entire organ.
Dr. Dawson works with you to determine the best possible treatment approach and provides all the details you need to make an informed decision about your health care.
What are some common digestive issues?
Appendicitis is a common condition in which your appendix becomes infected. The exact role of the appendix is unknown, but surgically removing this organ does not seem to impede normal bodily function in any way. If you develop appendicitis, the primary treatment is an appendectomy or surgical removal.
Diverticulitis is another common digestive problem and involves infection or inflammation of small pouches that can develop in the walls of your intestines. Those pouches aren’t usually a problem unless they become inflamed and lead to cramping or bloody stool.
Surgical treatment can include removing a portion of your intestine along with dietary changes to reduce the risk of ongoing problems.
What are GI malignancies?
Gastrointestinal malignancy is the term used to describe digestive system cancers. There are various types of cancer that can occur in your digestive organs, including cancer of the:
- Stomach
- Gallbladder
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Bowel
Treating these types of cancer often requires precise surgical procedures to remove all or a portion of the affected organs. Your treatment path may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or drug therapy to further reduce the risk of recurrence.
Dr. Dawson has expertise in all types of gastrointestinal surgeries and can often complete these procedures using laparoscopic or robotic technologies.
Request a consultation today at the office of M. Shane Dawson, MD, FACS, to learn more. You can do so online or over the phone.
