General Surgery

Our physicians at Suffolk Surgical Associates are specialists in various areas of General Surgery. Some of the more common conditions we treat are:

Gallstones

The gallbladder is a small sac located under the liver. It’s function is to store bile made by the liver. After eating, the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into the intestine to help digest certain foods. Gallstones form when the various components of the bile are not in the correct concentration. Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Eating the wrong foods can contribute to the formation of gallstones.

People with symptomatic gallstones (called biliary colic) may experience upper abdominal pain. The pain may spread to the back and right shoulder. You may experience nausea, vomiting and bloating especially after meals. If a gallstone passes into a bile duct your skin may turn yellow (jaundice).

Not all people with gallstones need surgery. A discussion with your doctor can determine if surgery is needed, and if so it can usually be done laparoscopically.

Hernias:

Hernias are weak areas in the abdominal wall. They are more likely to occur in certain areas, such as the umbilicus (belly button) and the inguinal area (groin). Hernias can also occur after surgery. This is called an incisional hernia. People with hernias complain of a “lump” which may or may not be painful. Commonly the lump will disappear when you are lying down. If you think you have a hernia, this is best diagnosed by an experienced surgeon

Thyroid Disease:

Patients who develop thyroid problems may present with a painless “lump” in the neck. The majority of these lumps are benign. Your physician may recommend something called a needle biopsy. The physicians at Suffolk Surgical Associates can perform this biopsy using state of the art ultrasound.

Other conditions treated are Ulcers, Chronic Constipation, Varicose Veins, Appendicitis, Anal Fissures, Anal Abscess and Diverticulitis to name a few. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns about the treatments above.

Call Us today to ask our board certified physicians about any of these surgical procedures.