Colon and rectal surgery

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.

PPG - Colon and Rectal Surgery locations