Colon and rectal surgeons in Manchester, New Hampshire
Colon and rectal surgeons in Manchester, New Hampshire
Most colorectal conditions cause frequent discomfort and can impact your overall quality of life. At Catholic Medical Center, we work to identify the cause of your colorectal symptoms and build a personalized treatment plan to address them.
Colorectal conditions we treat
Our compassionate team members will work with you to address conditions, such as:
- Anal fissures
- Crohn's disease
- Colon cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Fecal incontinence
- Fistulae
- Hemorrhoids
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Polyps
- Rectal cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
Our colorectal services
When you experience concerning symptoms, our colorectal specialists use diagnostic tests and advanced treatments to help improve your health.
Diagnostic tests and screenings
Our dedicated team members will listen to your concerns before ordering a diagnostic test or screening. A few of our testing options include:
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy services
- Imaging tests
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy helps us detects growths, called polyps, in your large intestine. Polyps can sometimes lead to cancer, so they are often removed during a colonoscopy. If you are at average risk of colorectal cancer, we recommend you get your first colonoscopy at 45 years old. From there, it is recommended that you should get a colonoscopy at least once every 10 years. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should begin getting colonoscopies even earlier.
You should not wait for symptoms to occur to get a colonoscopy, as you might not have any. Early detection of polyps during a colonoscopy significantly improves your chances of successful colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.
If you have any questions regarding preparation or scheduling, contact our office at (603) 665-2470. Colonoscopies are covered by most insurance companies, including Medicaid.
Endoscopy
During an endoscopy, your doctor uses a long, thin tube, called an endoscope, to examine specific organs or areas inside your body. A light and camera attached to this tool help us take images or videos that are displayed on a screen, allowing your doctor to review them in real time. By inserting additional instruments into the endoscope, we can remove tissue and perform minimally invasive surgery.
We offer a variety of both inpatient and outpatient endoscopy services to treat conditions associated with your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as well as your respiratory system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
We have compiled answers to the most common questions we receive regarding colonoscopies and endoscopies.
Colonoscopy FAQs
Our team members can answer any of your questions regarding your colonoscopy ahead of the procedure.
How should I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Your doctor will give you instructions, including what foods you can and cannot eat and whether you need to stop taking any medications beforehand. Please read the instructions as soon as you get them. You might need to stop certain medications up to a week before your test.
If you are getting a colonoscopy, you will clean out your colon with a special drink that causes watery diarrhea before the procedure. It’s important to drink all of the liquid to ensure it does its job. A clean colon allows us to get a better look at your inside lining, along with making the colonoscopy easier to complete and more comfortable for you.
What happens during a colonoscopy?
First, we will give you medicine to help you relax. From there, your doctor will insert a thin tube with a camera and light on the end into your anus, then into your rectum and colon. This allows us to examine the inside lining of your entire colon.
Your doctor might also conduct a test called a biopsy. This procedure involves taking a small piece of tissue from your colon and viewing it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer. If we identify growths in your colon, we might also remove them. You will not feel any sensation if our team takes a biopsy or removes a growth.
Will you remove polyps or abnormal tissue during my colonoscopy if you find any?
During the procedure, we work to extract all polyps, in order to prevent colorectal cancer. Large polyps, however, may require surgical removal. With early detection and the polyp removal, colorectal cancer can be highly treatable.
How long does a colonoscopy appointment take, on average?
The average length of your visit depends on individual factors and your recovery time. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes, making the entire appointment around two and a half hours.
Can I drive myself to my colonoscopy appointment?
You can not drive yourself to your colonoscopy appointment. Since you will be under anesthesia during the test, you should not drive until the day after your procedure. Being under anesthesia ensures you will not remember the procedure when you wake up.
What happens after a colonoscopy?
We will give you instructions you should follow after your colonoscopy. Most can eat as usual, but we advise against driving or working for the rest of the day. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume taking your medications.
You should contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Belly pain that is worse than pain caused by gas or cramps
- Bloated, hard belly
- Fever
- Significant bleeding from your anus
- Vomiting
Endoscopy FAQ
When you need an endoscopy, we do everything we can to prepare you ahead of the procedure.
What happens during an endoscopy?
We will insert an IV needle in your arm or hand to administer medication that will relax you. Our team will also give you a mouth spray or gargle to numb your mouth. Additionally, you'll receive a plastic mouth guard to protect your teeth.
Once the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will place a thin tube with a camera and light at the end into your mouth and down into your esophagus, stomach and duodenum. We use this tool to look for irritation, bleeding, ulcers and growths.
Will you conduct other tests during my endoscopy?
We might do a biopsy or treat issues we identify while you are under anesthesia. Examples include stopping blood loss, removing growths and widening narrow areas in your esophagus. It is important to address these narrow areas, because they can make it hard for to swallow.
What happens after an endoscopy?
Our team will monitor you for one to two hours, until the anesthesia fully wears off. We strongly advise against driving or returning to work that day. You should be able to do both the next day.
Do I need a referral from my primary care provider?
If your health insurance coverage is a health maintenance organization (HMO), you might need a referral from your primary care provider. You can get confirmation from your health insurance company or call us for guidance.
Our team members can answer any of your questions regarding your colonoscopy ahead of the procedure.
How should I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Your doctor will give you instructions, including what foods you can and cannot eat and whether you need to stop taking any medications beforehand. Please read the instructions as soon as you get them. You might need to stop certain medications up to a week before your test.
If you are getting a colonoscopy, you will clean out your colon with a special drink that causes watery diarrhea before the procedure. It’s important to drink all of the liquid to ensure it does its job. A clean colon allows us to get a better look at your inside lining, along with making the colonoscopy easier to complete and more comfortable for you.
What happens during a colonoscopy?
First, we will give you medicine to help you relax. From there, your doctor will insert a thin tube with a camera and light on the end into your anus, then into your rectum and colon. This allows us to examine the inside lining of your entire colon.
Your doctor might also conduct a test called a biopsy. This procedure involves taking a small piece of tissue from your colon and viewing it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer. If we identify growths in your colon, we might also remove them. You will not feel any sensation if our team takes a biopsy or removes a growth.
Will you remove polyps or abnormal tissue during my colonoscopy if you find any?
During the procedure, we work to extract all polyps, in order to prevent colorectal cancer. Large polyps, however, may require surgical removal. With early detection and the polyp removal, colorectal cancer can be highly treatable.
How long does a colonoscopy appointment take, on average?
The average length of your visit depends on individual factors and your recovery time. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes, making the entire appointment around two and a half hours.
Can I drive myself to my colonoscopy appointment?
You can not drive yourself to your colonoscopy appointment. Since you will be under anesthesia during the test, you should not drive until the day after your procedure. Being under anesthesia ensures you will not remember the procedure when you wake up.
What happens after a colonoscopy?
We will give you instructions you should follow after your colonoscopy. Most can eat as usual, but we advise against driving or working for the rest of the day. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume taking your medications.
You should contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Belly pain that is worse than pain caused by gas or cramps
- Bloated, hard belly
- Fever
- Significant bleeding from your anus
- Vomiting
When you need an endoscopy, we do everything we can to prepare you ahead of the procedure.
What happens during an endoscopy?
We will insert an IV needle in your arm or hand to administer medication that will relax you. Our team will also give you a mouth spray or gargle to numb your mouth. Additionally, you'll receive a plastic mouth guard to protect your teeth.
Once the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will place a thin tube with a camera and light at the end into your mouth and down into your esophagus, stomach and duodenum. We use this tool to look for irritation, bleeding, ulcers and growths.
Will you conduct other tests during my endoscopy?
We might do a biopsy or treat issues we identify while you are under anesthesia. Examples include stopping blood loss, removing growths and widening narrow areas in your esophagus. It is important to address these narrow areas, because they can make it hard for to swallow.
What happens after an endoscopy?
Our team will monitor you for one to two hours, until the anesthesia fully wears off. We strongly advise against driving or returning to work that day. You should be able to do both the next day.
Do I need a referral from my primary care provider?
If your health insurance coverage is a health maintenance organization (HMO), you might need a referral from your primary care provider. You can get confirmation from your health insurance company or call us for guidance.