Initial consultation
Depending on your symptoms, our administrative team will book you an appointment with the most suitable general surgeon.
At your initial consultation they will aim to get an in-depth understanding of your specific symptoms, enabling them to request the most appropriate diagnostics. This will involve a lengthy interview and a physical examination relevant to the specific body area of pain and your symptoms.
When suffering abdominal pain, a physical examination may involve a manual examination of the structures of the abdomen in which our consultants will observe areas of swelling or tenderness.
For examination of abdominal pain and any possible colorectal disorders, our surgeons may also conduct an examination of the rectum and lower part of the colon using a device known as a rigid sigmoidoscopy. This is a small device that is inserted in to the colon and uses a light to allow a colorectal surgeon to examine the area.
For individuals suffering with obesity and looking for a surgical solution, our unit will look to get baseline measures of general health such as height, weight and some cardiovascular tests.
Vascular examinations may involve an observation of the skin condition, including colour changes, temperature changes and any areas of skin breakdown. There will also be an examination of the strength of the pulses. Our experts may also conduct a series of blood pressure tests in the limbs.
State-of-the-art diagnostics available for you
Our consultants will request a range of different tests to plan the most effective treatment options for you. Depending on your exact symptoms diagnostics tests may include:
- Imaging such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans or ultrasound scans
- Blood tests to assess blood cell count, levels of inflammation, genetic markers or certain tumour marker tests.
- Endoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
The right treatment for you, always
Our consultants will clearly explain possible non-surgical as well as surgical treatment options to you. Non-surgical options involve disease monitoring with lifestyle changes and pharmacological management.
Surgical management will be supported by a thorough pre-operative assessment clinic in which our anaesthetists and specialist nurses monitor an individual’s general health status to undergo surgery.
Your general surgeon will explain the expected outcomes versus any risks attached to the surgery and you will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you have.