A gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon—also known as a surgical gastroenterologist—diagnoses and performs operations on the organs of the digestive system.
Organs They TreatA GI surgeon specializes in conditions affecting:
- Upper GI tract: Esophagus and stomach
- Lower GI tract: Small and large intestines, rectum, and anus
- Biliary and digestive organs: Liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts (known as hepatopancreatobiliary or HPB surgery)Key Procedures They Perform
- Appendectomy: Removing an inflamed or infected appendix.
- Cholecystectomy: Removing the gallbladder (often for gallstones).
- Hernia repair: Fixing weaknesses or holes in the abdominal wall.
- Bowel or colon resection: Removing damaged or diseased parts of the intestine and reconnecting the healthy tissue.
- Cancer surgeries: Removing tumors from the stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, or esophagus (such as a Whipple procedure).
- Reflux and bariatric surgeries: Performing procedures for severe acid reflux (GERD) or weight loss (gastric bypass/sleeve gastrectomy).