General Surgery

Experienced Surgical Care, Leading Treatment Options 

Most people will undergo some type of surgery during their lifetime. In many cases, those surgical procedures fall into the category of “general surgery.” This field of surgery encompasses many procedures to diagnose or treat common medical conditions. 

At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Surgical Associates we provide care for a full spectrum of surgical needs. Our team includes board-certified surgeons with specialized training in performing surgery on certain parts of the body and for specific medical conditions. 

By combining years of experience with advanced technology and a compassionate touch we’re able to provide patients with the surgical care they need to maintain good health—or to achieve it.  

What We Treat

General surgery includes surgical procedures for most parts of the body. The National Cancer Institute notes that “General surgeons treat diseases of the abdomen, breast, head and neck, blood vessels and digestive tract.”  

At NGPG Surgical Associates, we treat many common conditions, including: 

  • Appendicitis  
  • Bowel obstructions 
  • Breast tumors 
  • Colon inflammation 
  • Colorectal cancer 
  • Common skin & soft tissue growths 
  • Diverticulitis  
  • Hemorrhoids 
  • Hernias 
  • Thyroid disease 

In addition to performing surgery to treat medical conditions, we also offer colonoscopy, a general surgery used to diagnose colorectal cancer.  

What We Do

NGPG general surgeons do much more than simply perform surgical procedures. We first meet with patients to confirm a diagnosis using a variety of tests, then determine the best possible treatment option, which may or may not include surgery.  

If surgery is needed, procedures are performed at Northeast Georgia Health System facilities, where our surgeons have access to state-of-the-art surgical equipment and imaging tools. We also perform surgeries on an outpatient basis in outpatient surgery centers across northeast Georgia.  

Procedures we offer include: 

Colonoscopy is unique in that it can be both a diagnostic tool and treatment. During this type of colorectal cancer screening, a general surgeon can identify precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum and remove them. This procedure is an important preventive tool, allowing for the removal of polyps before they become cancer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to make an appointment? 

While NGPG Surgical Associates does not require referrals, your insurance plan might. Check with your insurance carrier to verify your plan’s requirements for being seen by a general surgeon. Depending on your plan, you may need a referral or prior authorization before a general surgery appointment. 

How do I know when it’s time for surgery? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your care team, including a general surgeon, can help you determine when surgery is the best treatment option for your health needs. 

Part of that decision will depend on answers to three basic questions: 

  • Has nonsurgical treatment been ineffective in managing your condition? 
  • Are your symptoms worsening? 
  • Is your medical condition limiting your quality of life? 

Our general surgeons are here to help guide you to a decision. Your surgeon will make recommendations based on a review of your medical record and the results of diagnostic tests, then discuss those options with you. 

Do you offer minimally invasive surgery? 

Whenever possible, we offer our patients minimally invasive surgical procedures. During these procedures, general surgeons access the body through tiny incisions, using specialized equipment that minimizes impact on the body. 

While minimally invasive procedures are not always an option for every patient, they offer many benefits, including reduced pain, less blood loss, a lower risk of complications and a quicker recovery. At NGPG Surgical Associates our surgeons have years of expertise and advanced training in minimally invasive techniques. 

Do you offer robotic surgery? 

Yes, we do. As part of our commitment to providing patients with access to minimally invasive procedures, we now offer robotic surgery in some cases.  

While it may sound like robotic surgery is performed by a robot, that’s not the case. Best described as “robot-assisted” surgery, these procedures are performed by a general surgeon using world-class equipment. We perform these procedures at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, which has been recognized as a Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery.  

Robotic surgery offers patients benefits similar to those of other minimally invasive procedures, including fewer complications, smaller incisions, less blood loss and a faster recovery.  

Why Choose NGPG?

NGPG’s surgeons offer decades of experience paired with leading edge technology. We offer robotic and laparoscopic surgical options for many of our procedures, and several of our physicians are pioneers in their field.

To request an appointment with NGPG Surgical Associates, please call us at 770-219-9200.