Colonoscopy is advised for all average-risk patients, age 45 and older, for routine colon cancer screening, whereby a careful examination is performed to discover and remove polyps. This procedure, which is performed under monitored anesthesia care, has many indications, including unexplained diarrhea, rectal bleeding, a family history of colon cancer, and constipation. This procedure is performed at Southwest Endoscopy.

Gastroenterologists are experts in diagnosing and treating patients for symptoms that arise from the intestinal tract organs, the esophagus, stomach, large and small bowels, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. They also perform screening or surveillance colonoscopies for patients with a family history of colon cancer or a personal history of colon polyps.

Patients with a narrowed portion of the esophagus often have trouble swallowing, causing discomfort or pain. This procedure allows your physician to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus, usually performed as part of a sedated endoscopy performed at Southwest Endoscopy.

This procedure is performed at the hospital to examine your bile ducts (drainage tubes from the liver/gallbladder) and the pancreas. Tissue can be sampled during this examination if needed.

Upper endoscopy is performed to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel for abnormalities. This includes problems related to disorders of swallowing, black stools, ulcer disease, and abdominal pain. This is performed at Southwest Endoscopy.

At Southwest Gastroenterology, we use the patented CRH O’Regan System ™, considered the “gold standard treatment” This highly effective, minimally invasive procedure is performed in our office. The procedure lasts less than 10 minutes. If there are multiple hemorrhoids, we treat them one at a time in separate visits.

An exam used to evaluate the lower part of the large intestine (colon). A flexible sigmoidoscopy exam can help your doctor explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, chronic diarrhea, and other intestinal problems. This procedure is performed at Southwest Endoscopy.

This procedure allows your physician to examine your esophageal and stomach linings, and the walls of your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. With the help of an endoscope and an ultrasound probe, we will use sound waves to create visual images of your digestive tract. EUS can be used to diagnose conditions that may cause abdominal pain or abnormal weight loss, as well as examine known lumps or lesions. This procedure is performed at the hospital.