Gastrointestinal surgery FAQs

Gastrointestinal surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures that treat benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancer) conditions that affect the body’s digestive system.

The GI tract is another name for your body’s digestive tract. It consists of several tube-like organs joined together - starting at the esophagus in the mouth and ending at your anus. Each piece of the GI tract plays a role in how your body digests (breaks down) food and nutrients.

Organs that make up the GI tract include:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine (small bowel)
• Large intestine (colon)
• Rectum
• Anus

The digestive system also includes organs that aren’t part of the GI tract. These organs include:

• Gallbladder
• Liver
• Pancreas

Both gastroenterologists and GI surgeons diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system. Gastroenterologists are trained in internal medicine and receive additional training in problems of the digestive system. They treat GI conditions medically (such as with medicines) and perform nonsurgical procedures, such as colonoscopies.

GI surgeons perform surgeries on the abdomen (belly) area, including on organs of the digestive tract.

Upset stomach, nausea (feeling queasy) and diarrhea (loose stools) are all common GI symptoms most people experience at some point in life. Often, these symptoms of the GI tract can be resolved or managed with medical treatments and don’t require surgery. You should always see a doctor if you have GI symptoms that concern you, won’t go away or significantly affect your quality of life.

Conditions that our GI surgeons commonly treat include:

• Acid reflux and heartburn due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hernia
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Pancreatitis

Minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery uses surgical techniques on the GI tract that are performed using smaller incisions. This approach may also use robotic-assisted technology to make precise movements.

Minimally invasive techniques offer multiple advantages, including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Fewer complications, such as blood loss, from surgery
• Less pain after surgery
• Faster recovery
• Less obvious scar

The recovery time for gastrointestinal surgery varies widely based on the details of your surgery. Individual factors, such as your overall health, also play a role.

Routine procedures, such as hernia repair surgery, can often be performed as outpatient surgery (you go home the same day). More involved surgeries, such as pancreas or liver surgery, require a hospital stay.

Our goal is to have you recovering comfortably at home as soon as it’s safe after your surgery. We follow specific protocols, such as encouraging you to move soon after surgery, to help you heal and feel better faster.

At Penn Medicine, you’re under the care of experienced surgeons who have received regional and national accolades for their uncommon skill. Our experience and expertise mean we regularly handle the most complex cases affecting the digestive system.

Our GI surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive GI surgery techniques. Many members of our team have completed fellowship training — an in-depth study of a specific area, such as hepatobiliary (liver, pancreas, and gallbladder) surgery. Our care team guides patients through the entire journey, so you know what to expect from gastrointestinal surgery at Penn Medicine.

Surgeons with different types (and levels) of training can perform GI surgeries. Our GI surgery team includes board-certified general surgeons trained in treating a wide variety of problems. Many of our surgeons have received fellowship training, an intensive process that provides an extra layer of expertise. Learn about the different types of GI surgeries we perform.

Penn’s GI surgeons have decades of practice performing surgeries using less-invasive techniques, including:

• Laparoscopic surgery: A surgeon guides sophisticated tools (with a magnified camera at the tip) through tiny incisions. Surgeons view a magnified picture of the affected area on a computer screen.
• Robotic surgery: During gastrointestinal robotic surgery, a surgeon sits near the operating table and views a magnified, real-time video of the surgery site on a computer. The surgeon directs high-tech robotic arms to make highly precise movements.

Minimally invasive surgery isn’t right for every situation. We consider several factors (such as your overall health and the details of your problem) before planning the best approach to your procedure. We appropriately choose the least invasive approach that fits your needs.

Our GI surgeons are based in downtown Philadelphia and other locations throughout the region so you can get the care you need close to home.