You likely don’t give your thyroid much thought, until something goes wrong and your thyroid hormone levels are out of balance. At this point, you begin to truly appreciate the incredibly large role that your thyroid plays in your overall health and wellness. As part of our educational efforts, the...
You’ve been told that you need to be screened for the presence of potentially problematic polyps in your colon or you’ve already had a colonoscopy during which polyps were found. So you understand that there’s a connection between polyps and colorectal cancer, but what is this link, exactly? To shed...
Each year in the United States, 250,000 people are afflicted with appendicitis. It can be a life-threatening medical problem if it’s not treated promptly. To help you recognize the signs of appendicitis, the surgical team here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists is taking this opportunity to quickly review some of the...
You’re losing sleep, your throat is in constant pain, and medications and management techniques are proving ineffective. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to consider reflux surgery. Even as surgical experts, we understand that not every problem warrants a surgical solution, but we recognize that there are times...
You’ve been experiencing pain due to a hernia — and the discomfort alone should be reason enough to seek treatment. If relief from the pain isn’t enough of a motivator, however, it’s important to understand that there are risks in not treating a hernia. At Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team...
You likely don’t give your colon much thought, but when this organ is in distress, it’s a problem that's impossible to ignore. Inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancers, and diverticulitis are some of the more common issues that directly affect the health of your colon, and these are conditions that you’d...
The statistics surrounding weight in the United States are concerning: One out of three adults is considered overweight, and another one in three is obese. In other words, more than 70% of adults in this country are carrying potentially unhealthy weight. There are several ways in which you can gain...
There’s no such thing as a crystal ball when it comes to your health, but your body is very good about providing clues. As medical providers, our goal is to identify and read those signs so we can take the necessary steps to safeguard your health. A perfect example of...
Your doctor has determined that thyroid surgery is the best course of action for your health, and you’re understandably anxious. To relieve some of your worry, the highly experienced surgical team here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists take this opportunity to provide you with a glimpse of what to expect after...
You watch with envy as your friends or family savor a delicious meal while you cautiously pick at your plate, wondering whether one bite now will mean a world of discomfort later thanks to acid reflux. You're not alone — one in five Americans has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While...
Gallstones are fairly common, affecting 10%-15% of the U.S. population. Of the nearly 1 million diagnoses each year, one-quarter of them require intervention because of symptoms that range from excessive burping to debilitating pain. To help you recognize problematic gallstones, the surgical team here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists pulled together...
You’ve dreamt of the day when you look in the mirror and like what you see or climb up the stairs without panting. Weight loss surgery can certainly help you accomplish these goals, but it’s not a cure-all for everything in your life. Whatever caused your weight gain in the...
There are many different types of hernias, but most have one thing in common — they don’t go away on their own. In brief, a hernia is a condition in which an organ or tissue pushes into an area where it doesn’t belong. This occurs because of a weakening or...
There are times when an organ presents more of a liability than an asset, which is certainly true of your gallbladder. If you need to have gallbladder surgery to remove it because of infection or gallstones, you may have questions about what life will be like immediately after your procedure...
Your thyroid is a very small gland that casts a surprisingly large net over your health. Its primary role is to produce hormones that influence your metabolism, body temperature, and your heart rate, among other things. So when thyroid disease strikes, the effects can be widespread. Our team of experienced...
When it comes to cancer of any kind, early detection and intervention are key. Even better, screening for early, precancerous signs is your best weapon against this insidious disease. Fortunately, we can screen for colorectal cancer through a colonoscopy. While our team here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists excels in handling...
Here at Rockwall Surgical Specialists, as our name implies, our team specializes in surgical solutions for a wide range of problems, from obesity to gallstones. While we can correct some very serious health issues, we also believe that any steps you can take to avoid surgery in the first place...
Gallstones affect 10%-15% of the population in the United States. And of the nearly 1 million people diagnosed with gallstones each year, about a quarter need surgery to remedy the problem. At Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team of surgeons has extensive experience helping our patients with troublesome gallstones, and the...
The prevalence of obesity in the United States is more than 42%, which puts a good portion of the overall population at risk for some very serious health complications, including diabetes and heart disease. If you’re struggling with your weight, to no avail, bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is...
Millions of people in the United States struggle with digestive issues — from inflammatory bowel disease to acid reflux — that can put serious limitations on their lives. Because the problems involve your digestive tract, it makes sense that what you eat has a direct impact. At Rockwall Surgical Specialists,...
Up to 15% of the population in the United States has gallstones, but, thankfully, only one in five experience any symptoms. Better still, of those who are symptomatic, only 1%-4% experience complications that stem from gallstones, often at the hands of cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder. Given that 20...
One in three American adults is obese, which puts them at great risk for some very serious health consequences, ranging from diabetes to heart disease. If you’ve tried to gain the upper hand on your weight problem, only to find yourself back at square one time and again, weight loss...
A hernia is a catchall term for a condition in which an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in your muscles. While many hernias develop without symptoms, some do create problems, depending upon their size, location, and the organs involved. At Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team of highly...
Under normal circumstances, your thyroid quietly does it job, sending out hormones that regulate everything from your body temperature to your metabolism. But when something goes awry, the effects can be widespread, disturbing both your physical and mental health. At Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team of highly trained surgeons understands...
The statistics surrounding chronic acid reflux — also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — are certainly eye-opening. To start, between 15% and 30% of the US population has GERD, including babies, children, and adults. And the condition led to almost 5 million hospitalizations as recently as 10 years ago. In...
The human body relies on hormones to regulate every function, from your sleep cycles to your reproductive system. Most of the time, people take for granted that their hormones are getting the job done; it’s not until there’s an imbalance that they become aware of the critical role hormones play....
With about 45% of the population in the United States reporting a chronic disease — and a third reporting multiple chronic conditions — the overall health of the nation is on a downward trend. While there are some diseases patients have no control over, such as congenital conditions, there are...
The gallbladder is rarely on anyone’s radar until something goes amiss with it. This small but mighty organ can cause some major digestive issues when it fails to function properly. Receiving a diagnosis of gallbladder disease can leave you wondering just what is the gallbladder? Read on to learn how...
Men are significantly more likely than women to develop a hernia, specifically inguinal hernias, which occur in your inner groin. The disparity comes down to a small difference in anatomy that finds 25% of men developing an inguinal hernia at some point in their lifetime, while only 2% of women...
A thyroidectomy is a surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland to treat various thyroid conditions. Nodules or cysts located on your thyroid are the most common reason for surgery. Other reasons include thyroid cancer and Graves’ disease. What is the thyroid? Your thyroid is a small...
A colonoscopy is one of the most effective tools to prevent, diagnose and treat colon cancer. Each year, roughly one in 20 Americans receive a colon cancer diagnosis, but the rates of death from colon cancer have declined for several decades. Colonoscopy — screening capable of detecting abnormal colon growths...
Diet and exercise alone aren’t always enough to lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off long term. When other methods fail, weight loss surgery offers an effective solution to lose weight and control weight-related chronic conditions. Patients recommended for weight loss surgery typically have substantial excess weight...
Gallstone attacks can bring you to your knees. The sharp radiating pain that commonly strikes after a fatty meal is unmistakable for those who suffer repeat gallstone attacks. Each year, surgeons across America perform more than 700,000 gallbladder removal surgeries — known as cholecystectomies — to treat gallstones and other...
Hernias are a common work-related injury, especially in jobs that require a lot of lifting and physical activity. Before the advent of modern surgery, doctors advised at-risk patients to avoid extensive physical activity to prevent or treat hernias. Today, there’s no need to hang up your hat or change careers...
If you’re like most people, your gallbladder is unlikely to cross your mind until it begins causing problems. Gallbladder issues can cause pain and other prominent symptoms as well as vague symptoms that you’re less likely to realize are caused by gallbladder disease. Learn how gallbladder issues affect your body,...
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical approach that has many advantages over traditional open surgery. The surgeons at Rockwall Surgical Specialists are experts in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and offer patients the latest advancements in this technique. Learn the benefits of laparoscopic surgery and why it’s a great option...
More than 60 million adults are living with acid reflux, a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and roughly 25 million experience symptoms daily. This can range from a mild uncomfortable sensation to severe burning accompanied by problems swallowing, coughing, or wheezing. While medications are available to address acid reflux,...
Like mammograms, prostate exams, and other health screening procedures, a colonoscopy probably doesn’t rate high on your list of favorite things. However, this relatively quick study, during which you’re sedated, provides invaluable insight regarding the health of your colon and rectal (colorectal) region. It’s probably most familiar as a cancer...
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that’s about 4 inches long. It sits just below your liver in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen. Your gallbladder is not a vital organ, meaning you can live well without it. It does serve a purpose, though: to concentrate, store, and release...
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland near the base of your neck in front of your windpipe. It produces hormones that help control metabolism and other vital functions you count on every day for good health. Thyroid hormones, for instance, help regulate your blood pressure, digestive processes, and muscle...
When it comes to surgery, there are two words you want to hear: minimally invasive. Under this heading are a number of procedures — endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and robot-assisted surgery — which are all the result of innovative equipment that allows us to perform incredibly complex procedures in small spaces...
1. Establish Realistic ExpectationsBariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure for countless individuals, but it’s important to understand that the surgery isn’t an immediate solution for weight loss. The surgery is intended to shrink your stomach to help you lose weight throughout your journey, but this means you still need to...
Heartburn strikes many people from time to time. Occasional overindulgence causes the condition to flare up, then it could be months or years before it returns. Over-the-counter antacids are often the only treatment needed.However, there are some who suffer from heartburn due to acid reflux on a chronic basis, perhaps...
Colorectal cancer, also known as CRC, is cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Sometimes this cancer is referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer first develops. Although colon cancer is a slow-growing cancer with a five-year survival rate of 92% if...
Over 90% of the nearly 25 million people living with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Being overweight makes it difficult for your body to control blood sugar by making your cells more resistant to insulin and impacting how well your pancreas functions.Overweight patients with diabetes are finding out...