For general and specialty surgery requests, call 406-329-5866.
Please note, primary care referrals are required.
General and Specialty Surgery - Missoula
General and Specialty Surgery - Missoula
At St. Patrick Hospital, our General and Specialty Surgery team uses the newest, safest technology available, including minimally-invasive and robotic-assisted procedures that reduce pain and recovery time. We create individual plans for each procedure – and patient safety during surgery is always our top priority.
We perform a wide variety of general surgeries, including the following:
- Appendix
- Gallbladder
- GERD
- Hernia
- Spleen
- Colon
- Breast
- Skin
- Anus/Rectum (as well as hemorrhoids)
We also offer specialty surgeries including:
- Bariatric surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Trauma surgery
Most insurance requires a referral from a primary care provider prior to being seen for an initial evaluation. Please reach out to your primary care provider to request your referral, or call our office for further assistance. You can reach us at 406-329-5866.
If you don’t have a primary care provider, we can help you find one using our provider directory.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when stomach acid, bile and enzymes repeatedly flow back up the esophagus. This results in acid reflux, heartburn and often chest pain. GERD is common, affecting about 20% of the US population. Without treatment, it can lead to serious health complications.
We provide EGD diagnostic screening for GERD. EGD (esophagogastric duodenoscopy) is a simple procedure using an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera at the end). The endoscope is placed down your throat to look at your esophagus and identify whether GERD is the cause of your symptoms.
If diagnosed, initial treatments include diet and lifestyle changes and medications, but when these don’t work, surgery is often recommended.
If surgery is needed, our team is prepared to discuss surgical treatment options to find the best procedure for your individual needs.
Tips for Managing Heartburn, Acid Reflux and GERD
Heartburn that happens 2-3 times a week could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a serious form of acid reflux that can damage the lining of the esophagus. If you have chronic heartburn, talk to your health care provider.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
Heartburn is the main symptom of acid reflux and GERD. It feels like a burning sensation in the center of the chest, and sometimes in the throat.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up, or “refluxes,” into the esophagus toward the throat. It can cause symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and a sour, acidic taste in the back of the throat.
GERD is a chronic condition in which acid reflux occurs at least 2-3 times a week. If untreated, GERD can cause inflammation (esophagitis) or changes in the lining of the esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus). Barrett’s esophagus may increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
While chronic heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, it’s not the only one. Less common symptoms can include:
- Non-burning chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia), or food getting stuck in the esophagus
- Painful swallowing (called odynophagia)
- Persistent laryngitis or hoarseness
- Persistent sore throat
- Chronic cough
- Asthma that’s new or occurs only at night
- Regurgitation of foods or fluids, or the taste of acid in the throat
- Feeling as if there’s a lump in the throat
- Worsening dental disease
- Waking up with a choking sensation
If you have persistent acid reflux symptoms two or more times per week, despite taking over-the-counter medication, it may be time to see your primary care provider. In addition, contact your provider for advice if you have any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty swallowing, or pain when swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your vomit, or dark-colored stools
- Symptoms that worsen or interfere with daily activities
Your primary care provider can help you find the right treatment based on your symptoms, and may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a specialist in digestive conditions) if appropriate.* If your condition is serious, you may need to see a surgeon.
*Some PPO insurance plans allow you to go straight to a gastroenterologist without a referral if symptoms are severe. Check with your insurance.
Two treatment approaches can offer effective relief for moderate to severe GERD symptoms:
- Prescription medications: Most people gain good control of their symptoms with medications such as Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. Known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), these drugs reduce acid production by blocking the acid pumps (or proton pumps) in the stomach. More powerful than over-the-counter medicines, PPIs are the most effective medications available for controlling acid reflux.
- Surgery: If PPIs cause side effects or don’t control your symptoms, surgery may be an effective option. It can help strengthen the sphincter between your stomach and your esophagus, making it a better barrier to acid reflux.
Over-the-counter medicines can help treat occasional mild (once a week or less) heartburn:
- Antacids, such as Tums and Mylanta, neutralize the acid in your stomach. They work quickly, but only for a short time.
- H2 blockers, such as Pepcid and Zantac, reduce acid production. They take longer to start working, but provide relief for 6-12 hours.
In addition, these lifestyle changes are known to help prevent or reduce reflux and GERD symptoms:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Losing just a few pounds may reduce your symptoms.
- Avoid trigger foods that promote reflux, such as caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, fatty foods and carbonated beverages.
- Avoid large meals and late-night eating, and don’t lie down after eating.
- Elevate the head of your bed by 6-8 inches to reduce nighttime reflux symptoms.
- Quit smoking. Smoking weakens the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, reduces the production of acid-buffering saliva, and causes coughing, which pushes acid into the esophagus.
Hernias can occur in the abdomen, groin or diaphragm. While most abdominal hernias aren’t considered emergencies, they can be painful and interfere with your quality of life. Based on the severity of the hernia, it may need to be surgically repaired. Many patients undergo elective surgery to prevent the possible complication of a strangulated hernia in the future.
Hernias do not go away on their own. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the signs and symptoms of a hernia:
- Swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum (the pouch that contains the testicles)
- Increased pain at the site of the bulge
- Pain while lifting
- Increase in the bulge size over time
- A dull aching sensation
- A sense of feeling full or signs of bowel obstruction
Hernia types include:
- Inguinal hernia - located in the groin, one of the most common types of hernia
- Femoral hernia - less common groin hernia
- Incisional hernia - hernias that result from a prior incision caused by a previous operation
- Ventral hernia - occurs on your anterior abdominal wall and can be present at birth or developed later
- Spigelian hernia - can be difficult to detect as it is a hernia that does not involve all layers of the abdominal wall so the bulge may not be as obvious
Our surgeons offer minimally invasive hernia procedures and surgeries on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Treatments include:
- Open surgical repair - one incision, usually over the hernia
- Laparoscopic repair - multiple small incisions, usually away from the hernia
Both repairs close the hernia using sutures, mesh, or both. Deciding which option is best is based on multiple factors, is highly individual, and is determined after an in-depth discussion with your surgeon.
It is recommended that colonoscopy screenings begin at the age of 45. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer may be encouraged to begin screenings earlier (your primary care doctor can provide recommendations for your specific situation).
If your colonoscopy results in any concerns, our team will evaluate the results and work with you on necessary next steps. Often, surgery can correct or improve many conditions. And, if colon cancer is found, 90% of cases can be cured when caught early.
Mammograms are recommended annually for women age 45 to 54. Women 55 and older can switch to mammograms every 2 years, or continue yearly screening. Some women are at an increased risk for breast cancer and may be encouraged to begin screenings earlier (your primary care doctor can provide recommendations for your specific situation).
St. Patrick Hospital provides easy scheduling for mammograms. You can schedule a mammogram today by calling 406-329-5757.
If our imaging team finds something that needs a second look, we’ll help you navigate next steps to get immediate care.
If it’s determined breast surgery is needed, our expert general surgery team is here to provide personalized, compassionate care. We treat a variety of breast conditions including:
Breast cancer:
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
Benign breast disease, such as:
- Cysts
- Mastitis
- Benign breast lumps
- Breast pain
- Breast abscess
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Request an appointment
For general and specialty surgery requests, call 406-329-5866.
Please note, primary care referrals are required.
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