General Surgery
General Surgery at AIMG
When more advanced care is required, Avenel Iselin Medical Center is pleased to offer general surgery with admissions options to several hospital locations including RWJBH University Hospital Rahway.
Our current surgeons offer experience and compassion specializing in the procedures detailed below.
Appendectomy
Appendicitis is a condition that occurs when your appendix, which is essentially a pouch attached to your large intestine, becomes sore, swollen, and infected.
Symptoms of appendicitis can include pain around the navel that spreads to the lower right section of the abdomen. Symptoms can manifest themselves suddenly and should not be ignored. The remedy for this medical emergency requires prompt removal of the appendix or it becomes at risk for bursting. Fortunately, this is a very common, and generally a low-risk surgery that requires only a short recovery time.
Depending on the severity of your case, our AIMG surgeons may opt to approach the procedure via one of two methods that are both performed under general anesthesia:
- Laparoscopic appendectomy
This minimally invasive procedure is generally the recommended starting point as it is made without a large incision. While you are under anesthesia, a laparoscope equipped with a tiny camera and tools is inserted into a small incision. Guided by a television monitor, the surgeon operates the tools to remove the appendix.
- Open appendectomy
During the laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon may opt for performing an open appendectomy if the appendix has burst or if there are any other complications. During this procedure, an incision of 2-4 inches is created on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen, and the appendix is removed through this incision.
An appendectomy can take as little as one hour and generally requires just a short hospital stay following the surgery.
Gallbladder Surgery
The gallbladder is a small, pouchlike organ that collects and stores bile, a substance created by the liver that helps break down fatty foods. Occasionally, small stones can form in the gallbladder which can block the flow of bile and cause irritation to the gallbladder. Some common symptoms of gallbladder stones can include:
- Sharp pain in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion, such as bloating, gas, and heartburn
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
If you are having severe symptoms, your doctor may advise you to have your gallbladder removed. The good news is that your gallbladder isn’t an essential organ, so it can be safely removed without substantial lifestyle impacts.
Depending on the severity of your case, our AIMG surgeons may opt to approach the procedure via one of two methods that are both performed under general anesthesia:
- Laparoscopic gallbladder removal
This procedure is the most common method for gallbladder removal. It involves a thin, lighted tube (or laparoscope) inserted into small incisions in your abdomen. A tiny camera is inserted, and air is pumped into the region to expand the space for your surgeon to work. The gallbladder is removed via the laparoscope and other tools before your surgeon applies stitches and dressing to allow the incision to heal.
You may be able to go home the same day as your laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, but an overnight stay in the hospital is sometimes recommended.
- Open gallbladder removal
In some situations, a patient may have scar tissue or other issues that require a slightly more advanced procedure known as an open cholecystectomy, or open gallbladder removal.
This procedure involves a larger incision to allow your surgeon to access and remove your gallbladder. The surgeon then closes up the wound with stitches and dressing to allow the incision to heal.
You can expect to spend two or three days in the hospital following the procedure, and approximately four to six weeks to fully recover.
Dedicated Hospitalist
AIMG is now part of RWJBarnabas Health. When you schedule your surgery through AIMG, you have a support system built right in. With over 30 years of experience in the medical field, dedicated Hospitalist Dr. Robert Czyzewski leads the hospital medical team, facilitates your surgery, and coordinates all of your post-operative care. In addition to leading the Nephrology department at AIMG, Dr. Czyzewski acts as Attending Physician for AIMG’s Patient Admissions at several hospital locations including RWJBH University Hospital in Rahway, RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
If you have any questions about our General Surgery services or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our medical group at (732) 404-1580 or submit a request through our Patient Portal.