Our experienced team of consultant general surgeons carry out various different procedures covering a range of subspecialties.
Some of the most common procedures performed at Thornbury Hospital are:
Hernia repair surgery: Hernias are caused by internal organs or tissue pushing through a weakened muscle wall or connective tissue causing a lump. The majority of hernias are not serious, but they can be painful and cause you discomfort. Hernia repair surgery involves pushing the lump back into place and strengthening the surrounding area with stitches or mesh. Hernia repair surgery is normally performed as a day case procedure, meaning you should be able to go home on the same day.
At Thornbury hospital, our consultant general surgeons are experts in removing various types of hernia such as:
Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy): Sometimes, gallstones can develop in your gallbladder which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Gallstones are one of the most common reasons that you may need to have your gallbladder removed. The majority of gallbladder removal operations are performed with keyhole surgery which is minimally invasive (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).
Haemorrhoid removal surgery (haemorrhoidectomy): Haemorrhoids (piles) are lumps that can form around the opening of the anus. They are caused by blood vessels in your anus becoming swollen and irritated and can lead to bleeding when passing a stool. Haemorrhoids aren’t always painful, but they are usually itchy. Haemorrhoids can normally be treated with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications, however, if medication is unsuccessful in treating your haemorrhoids or if left untreated, haemorrhoids can become quite large and cause significant pain and discomfort. In this case, your consultant general surgeon might suggest that you have a haemorrhoid removal surgery (haemorrhoidectomy).
A haemorrhoidectomy is normally performed under general anaesthetic and on average, takes around 20 minutes. Your consultant general surgeon will remove your haemorrhoids by either cutting them away or by using a staple gun. They will also ensure that your blood vessels have stopped bleeding. You might be able to go home the same day, but sometimes you might be required to stay overnight in hospital. This can vary from person to person.
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is one of the most common procedures used to diagnose bowel problems. It can help to identify the causes of a variety of symptoms related to your bowel and digestion. The procedure involves a colonoscope (a flexible tube) with a light and a camera on the end of it moving around your large intestine to identify the cause of your symptoms. A small amount of air will be blown into your bowel to open it up and allow your consultant general surgeon to see things clearer.
A biopsy (a small sample of tissue from your stomach) may be taken to confirm diagnosis of problems such as inflammation, infection and cancer. It ensures that your consultant delivers the correct treatment for you.
Banded sleeve gastrectomy: A banded sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight-loss surgery commonly referred to as gastric sleeve surgery. It can lead to quick and long-term weight loss and is one of the most common types of weight-loss surgery. A banded sleeve gastrectomy works in the same way as a typical gastric sleeve surgery, but a reinforcing ring (band) is added around the upper part of the ‘sleeve’ to further reduce your stomach’s capacity. This surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic, and the majority of gastrectomy surgeries are laparoscopic (minimally invasive). You will usually need to stay in hospital for around a week so that our team can monitor you closely and ensure you are comfortable and recovering well.
Gastric bypass surgery: A gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery that works by minimising the amount of food you can eat as well as reducing the amount of calories you absorb. It helps very overweight people achieve long-term and substantial weight loss but can carry greater risks of complications than gastric banding as it is a major surgical procedure.
Your stomach will be divided into two parts using a stapler, which creates a smaller pouch at the top so you feel full after eating less food. The food bypasses the stomach through a small intestine that has been grafted onto the small stomach pouch.
On average, people lose around 70% of their excess weight within two years of gastric bypass surgery, averaging around one stone per month. These figures vary from person to person, so you should speak to your consultant general surgeon for further information.
You will need to take nutritional supplements permanently after surgery.