General Surgery

Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C.

Mikhail A Botvinov, DO, MD

Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery located in Bergen county, Westwood, NJ

If you have intestinal or abdominal problems relating to your digestive system, Mikhail Botvinov, DO, MD, at Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C. can help. Dr. Botvinov is a highly qualified expert in general surgery who uses state-of-the-art laparoscopic techniques to perform minimally invasive procedures. Call the office in Westwood, New Jersey, today to find out more, or book an appointment using the online tool.

General Surgery Q & A

What is general surgery?

General surgery — despite its name — is actually one of the surgical specialties in medicine. General surgeons follow an extensive training program that provides them with expertise in the:

  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Abdominal organs
  • Breast, skin, and soft tissues
  • Endocrine system

Certified general surgeons need to have a broad understanding and experience of surgical critical care, surgical oncology, and trauma. General surgeons also take responsibility for patient care before and after surgery, as well as during the operation.

All surgeons complete general surgery training before they specialize in a particular field. Many general surgeons, like Dr. Botvinov, go on to specialize in the digestive system and internal organs.

What conditions come under general surgery?

Many conditions come under the broad umbrella of general surgery. However, a general surgeon who specializes in abdominal conditions would treat problems such as:

  • Appendicitis
  • Hernias
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Colorectal conditions
  • Ruptured or enlarged spleen
  • Thyroid and parathyroid disease

Dr. Botvinov also specializes in performing bariatric surgery for weight loss.

What happens during general surgery procedures?

The method Dr. Botvinov uses to carry out your surgery depends on the aim of the procedure and factors like your general health, age, and anatomy. Wherever possible, Dr. Botvinov uses minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques to perform general surgery procedures.

Examples of common surgeries include:

Hernia repair

A hernia occurs when the muscle wall in your abdomen gets damaged or weakened. This allows parts of your intestines or abdominal organs to protrude through the weak spot or hole, causing a bulge that can become painful. Dr. Botvinov repairs several types of hernia, including umbilical hernias and ventral hernias.

To repair umbilical and ventral hernias, Dr. Botvinov uses a laparoscopic approach where possible, inserting a piece of surgical mesh to repair the muscle wall and sewing the tissues back into place.

Lipoma and cyst removal

Lipomas are benign, fatty lumps that appear under your skin. They aren’t usually harmful, but can be unsightly and may get quite large if left untreated. Cysts are fluid-filled lumps that also develop under your skin. They can get infected and be quite painful.

Dr. Botvinov can remove most soft tissue masses under local anesthetic. He carefully extracts the unwanted tissues using techniques that minimize scarring.

To find out more about these procedures and the other types of general surgery available, call Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions P.C. today or book an appointment online.