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In following conditions you should visit a General Surgeon:

• Abdominal pain: Persistent or severe abdominal pain could indicate a condition requiring surgical evaluation, such as appendicitis, gallstones, or bowel obstruction.
• Digestive issues: Problems like persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or changes in bowel habits might necessitate a surgical consultation if other treatments are ineffective or if a structural issue is suspected.
• Gallbladder problems: Symptoms like pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods, nausea, and vomiting, could indicate gallstones or gallbladder inflammation requiring surgical removal (cholecystectomy).
• Hernias: A noticeable bulge in the abdomen, groin, or other areas, often accompanied by pain or discomfort, could be a hernia that might need surgical repair.
• Trauma: General surgeons often play a crucial role in managing injuries resulting from accidents.

General surgeons perform a wide array of surgical procedures, both open and minimally invasive (including endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques). Some common examples include:

• Appendectomy: Removal of the appendix, typically for appendicitis.
• Cholecystectomy: Removal of the gallbladder, usually for gallstones or gallbladder disease.
• Hernia repair: Surgical correction of various types of hernias (inguinal, umbilical, incisional, etc.).
• Bowel resection: Removal of a portion of the small or large intestine for conditions like cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Stomach surgery: Procedures such as gastrectomy (partial or total removal of the stomach) for cancer or ulcers.
• Breast surgery: Lumpectomy, mastectomy, and lymph node biopsies for breast cancer and other breast conditions.
• Thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: Removal of all or part of the thyroid or parathyroid glands for tumors or hyperfunction.
• Skin and soft tissue surgery: Removal of moles, cysts, lipomas, and treatment of skin cancers.
• Trauma surgery: Repair of injuries to various organs and tissues.

There are various types of endoscopic procedures, depending on the area of the body being examined or treated. Some common examples include:

• Upper endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy – EGD): An endoscope is inserted through the mouth to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It can be used to diagnose conditions like ulcers, gastritis, acid reflux, and cancer, as well as to perform biopsies, remove polyps, and stop bleeding.
• Colonoscopy: An endoscope is inserted through the anus to visualize the entire colon and rectum. It’s used for colorectal cancer screening, diagnosing causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits, and for performing polypectomies (removal of polyps).
• Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to colonoscopy but examines only the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon and rectum).
• Bronchoscopy: An endoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the airways (trachea and bronchi) to diagnose and treat lung conditions. It can be used to visualize the airways, take biopsies, remove foreign objects, and clear mucus plugs.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): A specialized endoscopic procedure used to diagnose and treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts.
• Cystoscopy: An endoscope is inserted through the urethra to visualize the bladder and urethra.
• Laparoscopy: While technically minimally invasive surgery through small incisions, laparoscopy often utilizes endoscopic cameras and instruments to visualize and operate within the abdominal cavity. This is sometimes considered a form of endoscopic surgery in a broader sense.