California Colorectal Surgeons

Smoking causes complications with anesthesia. Anesthesiologists have to work harder to do to keep smokers breathing with lungs that have been compromised by cigarette smoke. Smoking also compromises normal heart function. This puts smokers at higher risk for heart problems during, and after surgery.

Both men and women (at average risk of developing colorectal cancer) should start getting a screening colonoscopy at the age of 50, because that is when most people start developing polyps. However, African Americans should have screening colonoscopies starting at the age of 45 not 50, because of a higher incidence of colon cancer, as well as developing cancer at a younger age. Likewise, both men and women who have a family history of colorectal cancer should get an initial screening 10 years younger than the age any first-degree relatives were when they received a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

There are many causes of rectal bleeding, including hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, infection, diverticulosis, an ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. The color of the blood may indicate the origination of the bleeding. For example, bright red blood may mean the source is low in the rectum or colon and dark red blood may indicate the bleeding is higher in the colon or small bowel. Regardless of the color of the blood, you should go to the doctor.

While robotic surgery systems may be expensive, there are numerous benefits to patients including, smaller incision sites, reduced scarring, less blood loss, faster recovery time, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays. In addition, many colorectal operations are performed near nerves that control the bladder and sexual function of patients

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. It has greater maneuverability with 7-degrees of motion, so physicians can reach areas of the pelvis that have tight angles.