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.
