New Mexico's premier digestive health clinic
Patient Resources
Access to Medical Care
Dear SWGA patients,
As you probably know from your own experience, New Mexico needs more physicians, and it is very difficult to access medical care, ranging from primary care to specialty care.
Our legislators are meeting now to formulate legislation that impacts your access to medical care to present for a vote during the current legislative session meeting from Tuesday, January 17, 2023, through Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Please reach out to your legislator at nmlegis.gov to request that they pass legislation that helps to recruit and retain physicians in New Mexico. Share your stories regarding your own difficulties accessing medical care in New Mexico. Your health and the health of our state depend on it!
Thank you,
SWGA
About Us
SWGA
Southwest Gastroenterology Associates (SWGA) is an independently owned and operated facility that has been serving Albuquerque and New Mexico for over 40 years.
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SWE
Southwest Endoscopy, conveniently housed under the same roof as our medical offices and is New Mexico’s only freestanding endoscopy center. Endoscopic procedures are performed in a safe, convenient, non-threatening environment, eliminating the need for a hospital stay.
Southwest Endoscopy (SWE) is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. and is Medicare Certified. Southwest Endoscopy is owned and operated by Southwest Gastroenterology.
Make an appointment (505) 999-1600
Services
We provide complete specialty care for a wide range of digestive disorders such as GERD, peptic ulcer disease, liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and more.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy
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.
Hemorrhoid Banding
Hemorrhoid Banding
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.
Esophageal Dilation
Esophageal Dilation
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.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
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.
Office Examination
Office Examination
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.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
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.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
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.
24 hour pH monitoring
24 hour pH monitoring
Esophageal pH monitoring is used to check how much stomach acid is entering the esophagus. It also checks how well the acid is cleared downward into the stomach. It is a test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This procedure is performed at the hospital.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal Manometry
This test is performed at the hospital to measure exactly how the esophagus swallows. This allows your physician to diagnose and treat any underlying esophageal disorders.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
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.
Our Providers
Farewell Dr. Bay
With mixed emotions, we announce the retirement of Dr. Michael Bay from Southwest Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Bay's last day with us will be January 31, 2023. While Dr. Bay will be greatly missed, we wish him the best in his retirement. We are grateful for the outstanding care he has provided to our patients. We hope you will join us in wishing him the best in his retirement.
Our staff is ready to answer your questions and help you make your next appointment.
Sincerely,
The Physicians and Staff at Southwest Gastroenterology and Southwest Endoscopy.