General surgery in Hendon

Consultant General Surgeons are highly experienced in treating a wide range of conditions. Primarily focused on abdominal issues, subspecialities also focus on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lower GI tract.

When any part of your digestive system stops working properly it can cause a number of symptoms, some of which may be quite concerning to experience.

Common reasons you may wish to see a General Surgery Consultant include: 

• Abdominal pain 
• Change in bowel habits 
• Reflux symptoms
• Gallbladder issues 
• Liver conditions (e.g. jaundice, alcohol-related liver disease) 
• Post-operative problems 

Colorectal specialists focusing on the lower GI tract, and help with symptoms and conditions like: 

• Haemorrhoids 
• Proctology (involving the rectum and anus) 
• Rectal bleeding 
• Change in bowel habits 
• Underlying cancer issues 
• Benign conditions such as Colitis, Crohn’s Disease and Diverticulitis  

Other conditions commonly seen and treated by a Consultant General Surgeon are: 

• Hernias - inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, epigastric, hiatus 
• Skin lesions 
• Abdominal ‘lumps and bumps’ 

Whether you have a pre-existing condition that needs review, or have new symptoms that are concerning you, why not book an appointment with one of our Consultant General Surgeons? Rapid assessment and fast, accurate diagnosis mean you will be able to receive any treatment needed at an earlier stage.  

General Surgery covers such a varied range of conditions and diseases, the treatments available are also quite varied and may involve: 

• Watchful waiting
• Medication
• Surgery

Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) can be used for many General Surgery conditions. Very small incisions are made in the abdomen, and a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light at one end) inserted. Small surgical instruments are then used to carry out a range of operations, including bowel resection, gall bladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), all types of hernia repair or removal of an inflamed appendix. 

Laparoscopic surgery has a number of benefits over traditional “open” surgery, including: 

• Less pain and bleeding 
• Less visible scarring 
• Promotes a faster recovery & return to work 

For some conditions, open surgery may be required. During your private appointment, your Consultant will be very happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

If you are diagnosed with a long-term (chronic)) condition, such as IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome) or Diverticular disease, your Consultant will tailor a management plan to your specific needs, to help manage symptoms as well as possible and to help you deal with any flare-ups should they occur. Treatment within your management plan may include dietary advice, as well as prescription medication such as an anti-spasmodic, probiotics, or laxatives, depending on your specific symptoms. 

Haemorrhoids and other proctology conditions may be best treated with:  

• Chemical Injections (directly into the haemorrhoid to cause it to shrink)  
• Haemorrhoidal artery ligation – a stitch is placed around each affected blood vessel. This causes it to shrivel and fall off over the following few days. 
• Surgical removal of haemorrhoids (haemorrhoidectomy) 

Some hernias can be safely left alone, while others will require surgery to prevent them from growing and causing more pain. Hernia repair is often able to be carried out by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Should cancer be diagnosed, you will be referred to the appropriate Oncology team for treatment. 

Your first visit to Hendon Hospital will be focused on getting an accurate diagnosis.

Your Consultant will take a detailed medical history and will ask you about the symptoms you’re having. They will want to know things like: 

• What symptoms have you been experiencing? 
• When did they first start / become noticeable?
• Do you have any pain? If so, can you describe it?
• Have your symptoms been getting worse?
• Have you had any previous treatment? Was it effective?
• Are you currently taking any prescription medication?

Depending on your symptoms, they may carry out a physical examination of your abdomen. 

Occasionally a Faecal Immunochemical Test (‘FIT’ stool test) will be arranged. This is used to looks for blood in the stool that cannot be seen by the eye (this is known as ‘occult’ blood). If blood is present, your Consultant will normally arrange for you to have a colonoscopy.

For a bowel cancer screening, your Consultant will arrange an investigative colonoscopy. A colonoscopy cannot be carried out on the same day as your first appointment, as the bowels need to be emptied and completely clear beforehand. This is done using a special preparation  

If your consultant suspects gallstones, an abdominal ultrasound may be arranged. 

Many GI tract symptoms are best investigated by endoscopy. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end. When moved through different sections of the GI tract, your Consultant can check for any abnormalities or areas of possible concern. It is an exceptionally valuable diagnostic tool for Gi issues. 

Depending on where you are experiencing your symptoms, you may require a:  

• Gastroscopy – used to investigate symptoms in the upper part of the GI tract. The endoscope is introduced into the body through the mouth and moved down the oesophagus, then into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
• Colonoscopy – used to investigate symptoms affecting the lower part of the GI tract. The endoscope is inserted into the rectum and moved along the large intestine, into the terminal end of the small intestine.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy – this is a much quicker examination, and only looks at the lower part of the large bowel (rectum and distal colon).  

With any of these investigations, a biopsy may be taken for further analysis if anything unusual or uncertain is seen. A tiny sample of tissue is taken from the area in question and sent away for analysis under a microscope. 

Further tests, including blood tests, liver function tests, MRI, CT, and ultrasound can all be easily arranged if needed. (N.B. CT scans are normally carried out at our sister hospital, The Kings Oak Hospital.) 

Once a diagnosis has been made, your consultant will meet with you to discuss treatment options. 

Many of our General Surgery patients are local to the hospital, although excellent road links makes it easy to travel from further afield, such as Hertfordshire. The nearest underground station (Hendon Central) is approximately a 20-minute walk from the hospital. 

When you choose to visit Hendon Hospital in London, you will benefit from: 

• Fast access to an expert – with the NHS under increased strain, waiting times for many people continue to go up. We can arrange a private appointment for you with an experienced Consultant General Surgeon without weeks (or months!) of delay, meaning you will receive any treatment you need sooner. 
• Consultant-led care, always – You will always see the same Consultant, and they will oversee your care at every stage. This ensures excellent continuity of care and gives peace of mind to you. 
• Recommended by patients – In an independent survey, 99.8% of patients said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend us to family and friends.   
• A wider team – Your Consultant works closely with specialists in other fields, including dermatology, oncology, plastic surgery, radiology, and physiotherapy. Fast, easy access to any member of this wider team means you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your needs. 
• A friendly welcome – the hospital is easy to find and not overwhelming in its size. Unlike many much larger hospitals in and around London, you won’t get lost in the corridors! 

For peace of mind and known expert care, why not contact us today to book your private General Surgery appointment? We look forward to welcoming you to Hendon Hospital and helping you to get the support you need without delay.