General Surgery

General surgery includes a range of surgical specialties, primarily focusing on the abdominal organs, for example your stomach, colon and biliary system. Consultant general surgeons can also be experts in treating breast problems, head and neck problems, and problems with the skin and soft tissues. They may also be experts in cancer surgery, traumatic injuries or weight loss (bariatric) surgery.

The most common subspecialties of general surgery are:

• Breast surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Endocrine surgery
• Upper gastrointestinal surgery

The most common reason you may need to see a consultant general surgeon is for abdominal (stomach) pain. Usually, mild abdominal pain can be a sign of a number of common, minor conditions. However, if you are experiencing chronic abdominal pain, it could be a sign of a more serious disease and you might consider booking a private appointment with one of our general surgeons.

Our consultant general surgeons at Thornbury Hospital commonly treat the following issues:

• Bowel cancer and polyps
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulitis
• Fissures
• Gallstones
• Haemorrhoids (piles)
• Hernias: inguinal, umbilical, sports, epigastric, femoral, incisional
• Prolapse
• Rectal bleeding
• Stomach ulcers
• Ulcerative colitis

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:

• Epigastric hernias
• Femoral hernias
• Incisional hernias
• Inguinal hernias
• Sports hernias
• Umbilical hernias

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. 

Your consultant will discuss your symptoms, along with suitable diagnostic investigations and treatment options, ensuring you are fully informed about these. They will also discuss your medical history, and any past procedures or investigations to create your tailored treatment plan.

We offer a directly accessible general surgery service for patients with suspected and known abdominal, colorectal, gastrointestinal and endocrine problems. This service is complimented by a range of general surgery investigations. Using the close working relationship of the consultants and staff at Thornbury Hospital, patients with various conditions can be expertly managed.

Depending on the scan or test required, you may be able to have it on the same day as your initial consultation, but we would usually arrange it for a few days after your initial consultation, at a date and time to suit you.

Your health is of utmost importance, and our team are here to support you every step of the way.

Please note that the initial consultation and follow-up consultation fees are additional to any tests or procedures carried out.

We know that choosing to have a procedure is a big decision, which is why our multidisciplinary team are on hand to support you, following a consultant-led treatment plan.

When you choose to go private with Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield, you’ll benefit from:

• Flexible appointment times to suit your lifestyle
• Custom treatment plans tailored to you and your individual needs
• Consultant-led treatment supported by our dedicated team, with *98.6% of patients saying their overall experience of the nursing care was very good, or excellent
• Modern facilities benefitting from free on-site parking, 64 private ensuite rooms, catering from our restaurant and much more
• Fixed-price packages including your aftercare
• Ability to spread the cost of your treatment over a period of up to five years
• Fast access to treatment, usually within 48 hours for a consultation with one of our specialists

To find out more about our general surgery service, give us a call or book online today for your consultation with one of your leading consultant general surgeons.

_{^{*During the period of January to December 2022, Thornbury Hospital received 2,870 completed Inpatient/Day Case patient surveys.}}