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A gastrointestinal surgeon specializes in the surgical procedures of the digestive system and related organs. He aims to find the cause of a digestive system problem and provide the best treatment and cure for it. Additionally, a gastrointestinal surgeon also guides a patient regarding pre-operative and post-operative care.

To become a Gastrointestinal surgeon one must go through an extensive process.

It involves:

• A minimum MBBS undergraduate qualification
• It has to be followed by an MD/MS degree of two years.
• Furthermore, a person aspiring to become a gastrointestinal surgeon has to complete three years of DM in gastroenterology.
• Additionally, they must know about nutrition, anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology to give a round treatment.
• They are also experienced with hands-on practice in symptoms of GI tract-related diseases and their treatment.

The gastrointestinal surgeon is already a highly specialized physician who deals with the management of diseases related to the human gastrointestinal tract.

They can gain some special training in problems of the following organs of the GI tract:

• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Biliary tract’
• The small and large intestine
• rectum
• Anus

A gastrointestinal surgeon can treat any diseases that are associated with the digestive tract. They can deal with inflammatory disorders, upper tract gastrointestinal infections, neoplastic diseases, or functional disorders.

They can also deal with problems of the colon, intestine, colon, and rectum. These include acid reflux, intestinal polyposis syndrome, diverticulitis, hiatal hernia, abdominal adhesions, etc.

Some other problems and disorders that GI surgery treats include:

• Esophageal disorders
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• GI bleeding
• Pancreaticobiliary disorders
• Liver disorders
• Colorectal cancer

A gastrointestinal surgeon can order a variety of tests to diagnose the actual cause behind the patient’s suffering and treat it accurately. Some of the tests include:

Imaging Tests

• Barium beefsteak meal.
• The lower GI series is also called a ofbarium enema.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Colorectal transit study.
• Computed tomography scan.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
• Oropharyngeal motility study.
• Defecography.
• Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan.
• Ultrasound.
• Upper GI series

Lab Tests

• Fecal occult blood test.
• Stool culture.

Endoscopic Procedures

• Colonoscopy.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
• Sigmoidoscopy.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Other Procedures

• Anorectal manometry.
• Gastric manometry.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
• Capsule endoscopy.
• Esophageal manometry.
• Esophageal pH monitoring.

Extreme pain in the stomach region and finding serious illnesses in diagnostics may demand surgery. A person can visit the gastrointestinal surgeon in case the general physician guides them to get a surgical procedure done. They might also need the advice of a GI surgeon to monitor the recovery after the surgical process.

• Your gastroenterologist will ask you about your medical history, symptoms, and any recent treatments you've received at your first session.
• They may offer some treatments, such as a colonoscopy, to help prevent colorectal cancer, depending on your age.
• They will ask you further questions and, if necessary, propose tests or procedures, depending on the cause for your appointment.
• An endoscopy, a colonoscopy, or a barium swallow are some examples of these tests.
• It is suggested to make notes of your symptoms before your appointment and a list of questions so you don't forget anything.
• All these factors will help the doctor to determine the type of treatment for you and hence, promote fast and better recovery.