General surgery doctors in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are specialists who diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that affect the breast, skin, and soft tissue, alimentary tract, endocrine system, as well as the abdomen and its contents. General surgeons must also have competent knowledge of metabolism, anatomy, pathology, physiology, immunology, nutrition, shock and resuscitation, wound healing, neoplasia, and intensive care.

Additionally, general surgeons often have a broad knowledge of surgical oncology, trauma, and critical surgical care. We really provide a comprehensive healing experience.

Not only do general surgeons perform surgery, they care for patients before and after their surgeries as well. All surgeons must train in general surgery first, and many further specialize after general training. While “general” sounds very simple, these surgeons are incredibly skilled in many techniques.

In some situations, general surgeons may provide care in pediatric surgery, burns, solid organ transplantation, vascular surgery, and thoracic surgery. These areas require in-depth knowledge obtained through additional training. Very rarely, general surgeons may care for patients in obstetrics and gynecology, hand surgery, and urology.

Recommended Dallas-Fort Worth General Surgery Doctors

Why Do Some Physicians Decide to be General Surgeons?

While some surgeons choose specialties, many surgeons like the broad range of surgeries that the general surgeon performs. A day for a general surgeon is never the same as their procedures and patients vary. Many also like the flexibility of a variety of work settings and diverse medical teams to work with.

General surgeons must also have skills and knowledge of diseases and conditions that require collaborative interdisciplinary care that include team leadership skills. They must also understand the unique clinical needs of specialty patients including:

  • Morbidly obese patients-non-surgical and surgical interventions, metabolic derangements, and patient and family counseling
  • Terminally ill patients-including pain management and palliative care, cachexia in those patients with chronic and malignant diseases, nutritional deficiency, and all support and counseling for continuing care and end-of-life decisions
  • Vulnerable patients and culturally diverse patients
  • Geriatric surgical patients-including managing comorbid chronic conditions

General surgery constantly evolves because of advancements in technology and is always reinventing itself. Surgical research on areas such as genetics and immunology has reevaluated and redefined patient treatment. It has also provided a more thorough understanding of the pathology of disease and how it progresses.

As general surgeons, we put the patients first and strive to provide as much value as possible. We want our patients to understand the process and feel confident and comfortable about their care.

Education and Training for Surgeons

Medical students must first apply for admittance into a surgical residency program after they complete medical school. While considered official surgeons once medical school is completed, their education is only partially complete at this time. Surgical residencies begin within the first year of a doctor’s residency program. This is known as the intern year and is followed by four more years of training in surgery. The residency program represents the general training path that all surgeons progress through to their final career in surgery whether that is general or specialization later on.

Training is intensive and consists of 48 full-time weeks of clinical activity. While some may take training on other specialties, only 12 months are allowed for training in a surgical specialty beyond general surgery during their residency. If a surgeon wants to further specialize in an area such as neurological surgery, for instance, they start that additional training with their five years in general surgery.

Common Conditions and Treatments General Surgeons Treat and Perform

There are several common problems and procedures that general surgeons treat. Here are a few examples.

Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease describes several conditions that affect the gallbladder. A small sac-shaped like a pear, the gallbladder is located beneath your liver. It stores bile that is produced by the liver and passes it through a duct that travels to the small intestine. Bile helps your body digest fats inside the small intestine. Most gallbladder diseases are the result of inflammation caused by irritation of the walls of the gallbladder.

Hernia (Inguinal and Hiatal)

Muscles not only make body movement possible, but they also hold the body’s organs in their proper place. Hernias are the result of weak spots in the walls of a muscle that is usually tight. The weaker a spot gets, the more likely that an organ can squeeze through the opening that the weak spot creates.

There are several different hernias, but most occur in the groin. Inguinal hernias occur when your intestines push through a weak spot in the lower abdomen and affect the inguinal canal area of the groin.

Hiatal hernias form when there is a weakness in the sheet of muscle that divides your abdomen from your chest and involves the diaphragm. Part of the stomach bulges into the chest through the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through.

Acid Reflux and GERD

Acid reflux occurs as the result of a malfunction or issue with the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES is supposed to close as soon as food passes through it but if it opens too frequently or does not close completely stomach acid can travel into the esophagus.

GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a disorder where the contents in the stomach move up into the esophagus.

Hemorrhoid

The condition known as Hemorrhoids develops when the pillow-like vein clusters (or piles) that are located just under the mucous membranes that line the lowest section of the anus and rectum become distended and swollen. This is similar to varicose veins that are found in the legs.

Traumatic Injuries

General surgeons are often in charge of the comprehensive care of trauma patients. Trauma surgery is the division of surgical medicine that usually treats injuries resulting from some type of impact or blunt force trauma. These injuries may come from stabbings, gunshot wounds, car crashes, falls, and more. Trauma injuries affect any part of the body.

Robotic Surgery-Da Vinci

Technology advancements like the Da Vinci robotic system now turn complicated open surgery into minimally invasive procedures. This system is safe and precise. It expands the general surgeon’s options and capabilities.