General surgery

General surgery is often thought of as focusing on the abdominal organs - that is, the organs inside your abdomen, for example your stomach, colon and biliary system. But the scope of general surgery goes far beyond this. Our consultant general surgeons also treat problems of the head and neck, the skin and soft tissues, and the breasts. They might specialise in surgery for cancer or certain traumatic injuries, for problems with glands or hormones (your endocrine system), for weight-loss (bariatric surgery) , or even vascular or heart surgery.

Some general surgeons will offer treatment for a wide variety of conditions, while others like to specialise in one area of general surgery - for example, some will specialise in breast surgery as it relates to breast cancer. Others will focus on the digestive tract, a field of medicine known as gastroenterology. The most common subspecialties of general surgery are:

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

To find the right general surgeon for you, take a look at our specialists profiles, where you can learn about their particular interests and the procedures they perform most commonly. Alternatively, give us a call and our advisors can help you to find an appropriate consultant general surgeon near you.

Although general surgeons are involved in a lot of emergency operations, at Circle Health Group our specialists work only on elective surgery. Typically, you will be referred to a general surgeon by your GP or consultant as they believe you need a certain type of surgery.

However, it is possible to refer yourself to a general surgeon if you have certain symptoms or know you have a particular condition. Some of the most common symptoms and problems people come to see us about include:

• Abdominal pain
• Gallstones
• Haemorrhoids (piles)
• Hernias
• Bowel polyps

Hernia repair

A hernia happens when one part of your muscle or tissue is weakened and a nearby body part (usually an organ) pushes through. Typically, the only corrective treatment for hernias is

hernia repair surgery.

Our general surgeons treat different types of hernias including:

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

Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy)

Cholecystectomy is the medical term for the removal of your gallbladder, which is a very common procedure. The gallbladder is found in the upper right of your stomach, and stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver which aids in the digestion of food.

It's not a necessary organ, so if you suffer from chronic gallstones or have an infection of the gallbladder, your consultant may recommend that it is removed. This can be done through laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, or open surgery, and both are done under a general anaesthetic.

Haemorrhoidectomy

Haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove haemorrhoids (piles). Your surgeon will remove your haemorrhoids by the cutting them out. You will receive stitches to prevent bleeding, and the procedure typically takes twenty minutes.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is one of the most common procedures used to diagnose bowel problems. It is a successful procedure that can help to identify the causes of a wide range of distressing symptoms related to your bowel and digestion.

Gastrectomy

A gastrectomy is when some (or sometimes all) of your stomach is removed. It is most often performed due to stomach cancer, but can sometimes be used to treat other gastrointestinal issues like stomach ulcers, obesity and non-cancerous tumours. You'll be under a general anaesthetic, and it can be done through laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, or open surgery.

Weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery)

For people who are obese, weight loss surgeries such as a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy may be a way to lower your BMI and reduce related conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. These two procedures involve reducing the size of your stomach so that you can't eat as much and you feel fuller more quickly.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

Often general surgery procedures will be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy.

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your surgery. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests won't be included, but the cost of any procedures and hospital fees are, and so is your aftercare programme. There are no hidden costs down the line.

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
• 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 the treatments our general surgeons can offer, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in May 2023. Next review due May 2026.

1. General surgery, NHS
2. General surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England
3. What is a general surgeon?, WebMD