Our highly skilled general surgeons perform a wide range of procedures operating on organs such as the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, appendix or gallbladder, as well as dealing with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft tissue, and hernias.
Learn more about some of the General Surgery procedures our expert surgical team performs below.
Fisher-Titus General Surgery performs surgery for cancer or benign disease in the colon or gastrointestinal system.
A common colon issue that can be treated by our general surgeons is colon polyps. These are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon. Most are harmless, but over time they can develop into colon cancer which can be fatal when found in later states. Since colon polyps often do not cause symptoms, it is important to have regular screenings such as a colonoscopy so they can be found early and removed safely. Other related procedures include colectomies or removal of part of the colon due to colon cancer or diverticular disease
General Surgery providers, Dr. Michael Nill and Dr. Eric Schmidt both perform robotic-assisted hernia repairs using The da Vinci Surgical System.
da Vinci surgical technology provides the ability to perform complex surgical procedures with incredible precision and very tiny incisions. This minimally invasive approach allows us to deliver advanced surgical care to our patients with fewer side effects, faster recoveries, and shorter hospital stays.
The da Vinci Surgical System is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced capabilities, including high-definition 3D vision and a magnified view. Though it is often called a “robot,” da Vinci cannot act on its own. The surgery is performed entirely by your doctor. He or she controls the da Vinci System, which translates all hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside your body. Together, da Vinci technology allows your doctor to perform complex procedures through just a few tiny openings. As a result, you can get back to your life without the usual recovery following major surgery.
Patient benefits
A hernia is caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall that progress to a full-thickness hole. This weakness may be present at birth or can be cause by the wear and tear of daily living. Areas such as the belly button or a healed surgical incision are even more prone to weakness. Other risk factors for hernias include obesity, smoking, and diabetes.
Hernia symptoms depend on the size, location, and contents of the hernia, such as fatty tissue verses intestine. Common symptoms include:
The types of hernias include:
Hernias can also appear on both sides of the body (bilateral hernias) and recur in the same spot (recurrent hernias). In some cases, more than one type of hernia can occur at the same time.
While there are several treatment options for hernias your doctor may suggest, surgery is usually necessary to repair the defect in the abdominal wall. Many hernia repairs can be performed with robotic-assisted techniques using the da Vinci surgical system. General Surgeons Dr. Nill and Dr. Schmidt both perform robotic-assisted hernia repairs at Fisher-Titus.
Regular mammograms and self-breast exams are an important component of women’s health. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel helps you and your doctor recognize early when something has changed and may indicate a problem.
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. Usually, a painless, hard mass with irregular edges is more likely to be cancer but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or round and even painful. Because breast cancer can present differently from person to person, it is important to call your doctor so they can examine any new breast mass, lump, or change.
Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:
Fisher-Titus General Surgery offers a few procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer including:
Formally known as cholecystectomy, Fisher-Titus General Surgeons perform gallbladder removals, including laparoscopic procedures.
The gallbladder is a four-inch, pear-shaped organ positioned under your liver in the upper-right section of the abdomen. It stores bile which is a combination of fluids, fat, and cholesterol that helps break down fat from food in your intestine.
There are several symptoms that can indicate a problem with your gallbladder including:
Problems with the gallbladder that may require surgery include, inflamed gallbladder, gallstones, and on rare occasion, cancer.
Gallstones can also cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a disease that cause inflammation and pain in your pancreas, a small organ that makes fluids and enzymes to break down your food. Sometimes, gallstones can block your pancreatic duct and cause pancreatitis.
A neoplasm or tumor is a new and abnormal growth of tissue in the body.
There are three main types of neoplasms:
Skin damage from sun exposure can develop and cause neoplasms. The ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight is absorbed by the skin and can damage the genetic material in skin cells whether you get a sunburn or not. Over time, this damage accumulates and can increase a person’s risk for developing skin cancer. When spending time in the sun, it’s important to take precautions to protect your skin and prevent damage.
Fisher-Titus General Surgeon, Dr. Jayne Minier, offers vein treatment for patients who suffer with the physical and/or social discomfort of spider and varicose veins. These treatments are minimally invasive and highly effective.
Vein treatment options include:
Fisher-Titus General Surgery offers vasectomy procedures for men. A vasectomy is a minor surgery to block sperm from reaching the semen. After the procedure, the patient will still have semen but there will be no sperm in it making it an effective form of birth control for men, preventing pregnancy better than all other forms of birth control except abstinence.
There are two types of vasectomies: