Private colorectal surgery in Inverness

Colorectal surgery is a branch of general surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting your colon, rectum, and anus. This includes a range of conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, haemorrhoids, and other issues related to your lower gastrointestinal tract. Colorectal surgery may also be necessary where there is an obstruction, blockage or injury to your bowel that is causing pain or preventing normal bowel movements.

At the respective hospitals, Mr Mackay and Mr Oliphant will provide treatment and quality care tailored to your exact needs.

We understand living with symptoms of a colorectal problem can be both mentally and physically challenging – so we’re here to help with a holistic approach to your private healthcare plan.

There are some common symptoms associated with issues in your bowel and rectum, which can vary depending on the type of condition you have and your individual circumstances. They often include:

• Changes in your bowel habits: Including diarrhoea and constipation
• Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort: Cramping, bloating, or a feeling of fullnes
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool: May appear as bright red or darker, tar-like stools
• Unexplained weight loss: A sudden drop in weight without a change in your diet or exercise
• Fatigue or weakness: Caused by blood loss or anaemia related to colorectal issues
• Incomplete evacuation: The feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels after using the toilet.
• Mucus in the stool: A sign of inflammation or other conditions affecting the colon
• A pain or mass that can be felt in your abdomen 

These symptoms can be caused by a range of conditions that can be difficult to distinguish one from the other. It is important to remember that having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean that you have bowel cancer, but it’s vital that you don’t put off seeing a specialist. 

There are several types of colorectal conditions that can cause distressing colorectal symptoms, which include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

 
This is a common condition that affects your digestive system, especially your large intestine. If you have IBS, you might experience symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, gas, and changes in your bowel habits. While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, it is thought to involve factors such as how your brain and gut communicate, changes in your gut bacteria, and extra sensitivity in your digestive tract. You might find that certain factors trigger your symptoms, such as specific foods, stress, and hormonal shifts.
 

Haemorrhoids

 
These are swollen veins in your lower rectum or around your anus, like varicose veins. They develop when these veins become stretched under pressure, which can happen from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, prolonged sitting, and several other causes. Common symptoms include itching, discomfort, pain, and sometimes bleeding, especially during or after a bowel movement. Although haemorrhoids can be uncomfortable, they usually are not serious and can often be managed with lifestyle changes like eating more fibre, staying hydrated, and avoiding straining. In other instances, you might need surgery to remove them. 

Crohn’s disease

Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in parts of your digestive tract, usually in your small intestine and the start of your colon. If you have Crohn’s, you might experience symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes fever. The exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be a mix of genetics, an overactive immune response, and certain environmental factors. Although there is no cure, many people manage their symptoms with a combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes surgery, which can dramatically improve your overall physical and emotional wellbeing. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms mentioned or have returned of a positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) test, you are likely to need further investigations, such as a colonoscopy. A positive faecal immunochemical test means that traces of blood were detected in your screened stool sample. This blood isn’t usually visible to the naked eye, which is why the test is helpful for spotting early signs of issues in your bowel. While a positive result doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, it does indicate that further investigation is needed to find out what is causing the bleeding. Common causes can include non-cancerous polyps, inflammation, and other conditions like haemorrhoids. 

Typically, a colonoscopy is recommended after a positive FIT to examine the bowel more closely and, if needed, remove any polyps, to get a clearer understanding of your overall bowel health. During a colonoscopy, your dedicated healthcare team will begin by helping you get comfortable. They will usually give you a mild sedative to help you relax.

Then, you will lie on your side and your consultant will gently insert a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end of it (called a colonoscope) into your rectum. This allows your consultant to look closely at your colon on a screen to spot any issues, like polyps or inflammation, in your bowels. If they see anything unusual, they can take a small tissue sample, otherwise known as a biopsy, or even remove the polyps right then and there. The procedure usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes, and afterward. You can return home on the same day, but you will need somebody to drive you while the sedative wears off. 

At our private outpatient centre in Inverness, you can have a colonoscopy with one of our colorectal and general surgeons at either Albyn Hospital or Ross Hall Hospital. Should you need further treatment, they will build your tailored treatment plan for you, ensuring you feel better as quickly as possible. 

Colorectal procedures are carried out at Albyn Hospital, here are some of the common procedures: 

Haemorrhoidectomy (piles) surgery

A haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove haemorrhoids. This type of surgery is typically considered when haemorrhoids cause significant pain, bleeding, or discomfort and when other non-surgical treatments, such as dietary changes, medications, or minimally invasive procedures, have not been effective. The aim of the surgery is to remove the problematic tissue to provide relief from symptoms and vastly improve your quality of life.

Perianal fistula (anal fistula)

This is a chronic condition when an abnormal tunnel or passage forms between the skin near your anus and the inside of your anal canal, often due to an infection in the anal glands. This infection leads to the formation of an abscess, often resulting in a fistula. Surgery is needed to treat this condition by either draining or removing the fistula to begin the healing process and relieve your symptoms, preventing infection and minimising complications.

Pilonidal sinus surgery

Pilonidal sinus surgery is a procedure used to treat pilonidal disease, a condition where a small, infected tunnel (or sinus) forms in the skin near your tailbone (coccyx), often filled with hair, debris, and skin cells. This condition is most common in young adults and typically occurs in the cleft between the buttocks. When infected, it can cause pain, swelling, and discharge of pus. Different types of surgery are available to drain the pus and relieve the pain and pressure in your tailbone.

You will get an expert assessment with an experienced surgeon at the outpatient clinic in Inverness. We offer:

• Consultants are local to Scotland
• Seamless referral to either Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen or Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow for further treatment
• Treatment plans tailored to meet your individual health needs
• A multidisciplinary team of highly skilled healthcare professionals working at either hospitals to provide the expert support and care

If you would like to make an appointment with one of our weight loss surgeons, you can arrange one at a time that suits you via our online booking system. or contact our friendly team on 01463 213227