What is a colon and rectal specialist?
A colon and rectal specialist treats diseases and conditions of the colon (large intestine), rectum and anus. Parkview’s board-certified specialists are all surgeons who have received extra training in these conditions.
Why would I see a colon and rectal specialist?
You may see a colon and rectal specialist if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding from the rectum (either bright red or dark red/black)
- Infections
- Severe constipation
- Rectal pain
- Fecal incontinence (lack of control or leaking of stool)
- Rectal prolapse (bowel protrudes out the anus)
- Hemorrhoids (swelling or inflammation of the veins in the anus and rectum)
- Fissures (tears or cracks in the anus)
- Severe diarrhea
What does a colon and rectal specialist treat?
- Anal abscess
- Anal fissure
- Anal warts
- Bowel incontinence
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Anal cancer
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticular disease
- Fistulas
- Hemorrhoids
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ostomy
- Pilonidal diseases
- Polyps of the colon and rectum
- Rectal prolapse
- Ulcerative colitis
What procedures does a colon and rectal specialist perform?
- Anal manometry
- Colonoscopy
- Hemorrhoidectomy (hemorrhoid removal)
- Hemorrhoid banding
- Fissure repair
- Fistula repair
- Condyloma removal (anal wart removal)
- daVinci© colon resections (minimally invasive surgery that removes part of the colon using a specialized robot)
- Laprascopic colon resections (minimally invasive surgery that removes part of the bowel using small incisions in the abdomen)
- Open colon resections- Surgery that removes part of the bowel through a large incision across the belly
- Sacral nerve stimulator
- Laprascopic rectal prolapse repair
- Open rectal prolapse repair
- Intra-rectal ultrasound
- Colostomy/ileostomy creation
Do I need a referral from a family practice physician to see a colon and rectal specialist?
In Indiana, many insurance companies do not require a referral to see a colon and rectal specialist. If you are seeing a PPG colon rectal specialist in Ohio your insurance will always require that you have a referral from your family practice physician. Before scheduling an appointment, call your insurance company and ask if your appointment and procedures will be covered.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
During your first appointment you will need to bring your:
- Insurance card
- Driver’s license or other state/federally issued identification
- List of medications
- Any paper work that you received
- Medical records from other doctors related to your condition
What can I expect during my first appointment?
You may have a physical to help your specialist gain a better understanding of the problems you have been experiencing. Your specialist will also ask you many questions about:
- Your symptoms
- Past or recent illnesses
- Surgeries that you may have had in the past so that the specialist can better understand your needs.
Find a colon and rectal surgery provider
Parkview Health has colon and rectal surgery providers located throughout the northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. If you're interested in establishing care with one of our providers, call 800-801-9102.
