General surgery in Great Missenden

Led by a team of expert Consultants and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, The Chiltern Hospital’s general surgery unit delivers exceptional care for patients with conditions relating to the abdomen and pelvis.

Our first-class diagnostic equipment enables our team to provide a fast and accurate diagnosis with no waiting lists, allowing your treatment and recovery to begin without delay. We offer a full range of treatment in this area, from minimally invasive procedures, such as gallbladder removal and hernia repair, to cross-speciality care, such as treatment of endometriosis in consultation with our Gynaecology unit.

The atmosphere at The Chiltern Hospital is curated to provide a private, calm and peaceful experience throughout your time with us. The fantastic facilities are matched by our staff’s commitment to your peace of mind and comfort while your Consultant oversees and delivers your care. 

A General Surgery unit is concerned with patients experiencing an issue with their abdomen or pelvic area. The most common reason for patients to book an appointment with a General Surgery Consultant is abdominal pain. However, other symptoms, such as lumps and bumps, diarrhoea, and nausea, should prompt a consultation.

Hernias are a common condition in this field and can be found in several places such as the thigh, groin, abdominal wall and belly button. Symptoms include sickness and sometimes severe pain and a physical protrusion that is often sensitive and cannot be pushed back into place. This can mean an internal body part has pushed through a weak muscle or tissue wall, and treatment will be required. Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is an effective and minimally invasive solution for hernias, as well as for gallstones, which are a build-up of cholesterol in the gallbladder, which can also cause abdominal pain.

Other causes of discomfort in this area can include appendicitis, for which you will likely need surgery to remove your appendix as soon as possible, and stomach ulcers, which are often treatable with antibiotics or other non-surgical solutions.

A General Surgery unit also manages cases of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease, which can present symptoms including bloody diarrhoea, weight loss, stomach cramps and extreme tiredness. Management of IBD is a long term process that may include different surgical and non-surgical solutions depending on the patient and their symptoms.

A Consultant General Surgeon will often work closely with Consultants from other specialities, such as Gastroenterologists, for IBD and gallstones, Gynaecologists, for endometriosis, Orthopaedic Consultants, and Colorectal Surgeons. 

To book an appointment with a General Surgeon at The Chiltern Hospital, contact our friendly and welcoming enquiry team. If you have been referred to a specific Consultant, then our team will book you in with them at a convenient time for you. If not, they can help identify the most appropriate Consultant for you and book an appointment with them on your behalf. The enquiry team are also on hand to answer any initial questions you have at this stage.

After you arrive for your initial appointment at our main reception, your Consultant will meet you and escort you to the consultation room. There, they will take all the time they need to gain a thorough understanding of your symptoms and medical history while considering any information passed onto them from your referrer. After this, they will complete a physical examination of the affected area and any other relevant body part.

For certain conditions, such as hernias, the discussion and physical examination may be enough for an accurate diagnosis. In most other conditions, though, further diagnostic procedures will be required to confirm and clarify the issue. These tests can include ultrasounds, MRI scans, and CT scans. We will book the tests you need for a time that suits you within the next two weeks. The advanced equipment available at The Chiltern Hospital ensures fast and accurate diagnosis, with no waiting lists.

When the results are ready, you will meet your Consultant again to discuss your diagnosis and treatment, including surgical or medical solutions. For example, hernia repair may be treated with keyhole surgery, while stomach ulcers can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Whatever your next step, your Consultant will talk you through everything to come and answer any questions you have.

If the treatment your Consultant suggests involves a surgical procedure, they will offer you a fixed quote, which will later be sent to you in writing, with no further hidden costs.

From the moment you check in with us for any surgical procedure, rest assured you are under the expert care and attention of our committed and supportive team. Our operating theatres are all state-of-the-art, while the technology and techniques we use are among the very best in the field. General Surgery patients will always enjoy a clean and peaceful private room to recover in. Patients will usually be able to go home the same day as their procedure. Before this, though, your Consultant will check in on you, and the nursing team will ensure you are safe and happy to leave.

In the weeks following your surgery, your Consultant may wish to see you for a follow-up appointment, as is necessary. Of course, you are always encouraged to get in touch at any stage of your recovery if you have further concerns or questions. 

The Consultants we work with understand that any surgery can cause anxiety and that your peace of mind is a fundamental part of your treatment with us. Rest assured that your Consultant will lead your care from start to finish.

Your Consultant Surgeon will be performing your procedure themselves. Their commitment to your care ensures the highest quality treatment and aftercare. Your Consultant will be with you throughout your recovery too, and if you need to come back to the hospital for any reason, you’ll be cared for by the same consultant throughout.  

Conditions in this field can often be painful and, in some cases, urgent, so it is essential to begin your diagnosis and treatment process as soon as possible.

At The Chiltern Hospital, we have onsite access to advanced diagnostic technology and highly qualified Consultants, all of which are made available to you promptly, with no waiting lists. Moreover, our team can book you in for a surgical procedure immediately following diagnosis, fast-tracking you to a pain-free and healthy recovery. 

Conditions within General Surgery can often relate to other specialities such as Gastroenterology, Gynaecology, and Orthopaedics.

At The Chiltern Hospital, the need for an expert Consultant in a different field will never slow down your diagnosis or treatment as we work closely with these departments onsite. As well as this, many General Surgeons are also trained as Colorectal Surgeons. 

Speak with our friendly enquiry team today to book your initial consultation with an expert General Surgeon.