Gastroenterology in Chertsey, Surrey

As mentioned above, a gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in the treatment of these closely related organs that play a significant role in your digestive process. There are many issues that can affect your gastroesophageal system, including inflammation, infection, and disease. At The Runnymede Hospital, our network of dedicated consultants offer regular outpatient clinics and a range of specialist diagnostic services for problems with your gastroesophageal system.

You might need to see a gastroenterologist if you're experiencing symptoms such as:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Change in bowel habits
• Rectal bleeding
• Heartburn
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Oesophageal pain
• Excessive gas or belching

The Runnymede Hospital is in the historic town of Chertsey in Surrey. People come to us from all over Surrey, including Addlestone, Weybridge, Byfleet, and West Byfleet. We also welcome patients from further afield and even overseas.

There are many surgical and non-surgical treatment options for gastroesophageal problems. Here at The Runnymede Hospital, we take the time to understand the cause of your condition by getting to know you and your circumstances. No matter how severe your symptoms, your consultant will diagnose your condition and build your tailored treatment plan to suit your needs.

You can usually see a gastroenterologist for your initial consultation within 48 hours of booking your appointment with us.

During this initial appointment, your consultant will ask about your general health and your medical history in more detail. They will want to know about any existing medical conditions, as well as the current symptoms you are experiencing. They'll ask you how these symptoms impact your everyday life, how often they occur, and whether you have had any treatment for them yet.

In order to assess your symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis of your concern, your consultant will next carry out a gentle, but thorough, physical examination of your stomach. They will feel for any masses or tenderness. They might also arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan of your tummy if they feel anything that needs further investigation. They might also perform a rectal examination to check for bulges and inflammation in your rectum.

Once they have identified what's causing your problems, they will share more information about the type of treatment that might help you.

Your initial consultation is an important and positive step in your journey towards improved health and wellbeing. It's where we start to get to know you as an individual and it's from the information, we find out during this session that we will start building a treatment plan, bespoke to your needs. To make the most of the initial consultation, you should feel free to talk as openly and honestly as you like about the symptoms you're experiencing, the way they make you feel, and what you're hoping to get from surgery.

Your surgeon will give you a good idea of timelines during your initial consultation, after which they'll put together a fixed-price treatment package based on everything you have discussed together.

You might need gastroenterology treatment if you have any of the following digestive disorders:

Colon polyps

A colon polyp is a small clump of noncancerous cells that forms on the lining of your colon. Most are harmless, but they can develop into colon cancer if left untreated. They don't usually cause symptoms, so the best prevention for colon polyps is regular screening.

Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is when your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your small intestine, so your body cannot absorb nutrients. Symptoms of coeliac disease include abdominal pain, severe bloating, and diarrhoea.

Colon cancer

This is a type of cancer that begins in your colon (your large intestine). It usually begins as polyps that form on the inside of your colon. Over time, some of these polyps can become colon cancer. Symptoms include blood in your poo, unexplained weight loss, and persistent abdominal pain.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition that causes parts of your digestive system to become inflamed. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms include fatigue, blood in your poo, mouth sores, and weight loss.

Gastritis

This is a common condition with a wide range of causes. It occurs when the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed after it has been damaged. It causes a burning or gnawing pain in your stomach, bloating, and sickness. Treatment for gastritis helps reduce the amount of acid in your stomach, allowing its lining to heal and your symptoms to be alleviated.

There are many other conditions the affect your gastrointestinal system, including:

• Hernias
• Gallstones
• Gastric ulcers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

If you would like to speak to a specialist about any condition concerning your gastrointestinal tract, or any symptoms you're having that might point to one, give us a call today and we'll get you booked into a consultation with a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.

At Circle Health Group, we offer a variety of procedures for issues with your gastroesophageal system, including:

Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy, also known as an upper GI (gastrointestinal tract) or OGD (Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy), is a procedure to look inside your oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine.

During a gastroscopy, your consultant will insert a small, flexible tube with a camera and light attached to it, called an endoscope, into your intestine through your mouth. This endoscope is connected to a monitor that your consultant can refer to as they perform the procedure. A gastroscopy can help diagnose many conditions that affect your stomach, including stomach ulcers, a blockage in your oesophagus, or non-cancerous growths.

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is the name for gallbladder removal surgery, which is a very commonly performed procedure to remove your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is in the upper right of your stomach. It's not a necessary organ, so if you suffer from gallstones or have an infected gallbladder, your consultant might recommend that it is removed to protect your health.

This can be performed through laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, or open surgery, and both are done under a general anaesthetic, meaning you will not be awake during the procedure.

Gastrectomy

This is a procedure to remove all or part of your stomach. It is most often performed to treat stomach cancer. Your consultant will decide how much of your stomach to remove depending on where the cancer is in your stomach and how far it has spread. A gastrectomy is not always a cure for stomach cancer, but it can significantly improve distressing symptoms such as bleeding and chronic pain.

Capsule endoscopy

This is a diagnostic procedure during which you will swallow a pill-sized video camera. This takes thousands of pictures as it travels along your gut, sending these wirelessly to a data recorder worn on your waist to gain a better understanding of your gut health. You pass the capsule naturally when you go to the toilet, so it does not need to be surgically removed from your system after the endoscopy is over.

These are just some of the many gastroenterology diagnostic and treatment options we offer at Circle Health Group. To find out more about services, you can call a friendly member of our advisory team on 0141 300 5009.

When you choose to go private at The Runnymede Hospital in Surrey, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which consultant suits your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to you
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about our procedures at The Runnymede Hospital, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in September 2022. Next review due September 2025.