General Surgery

General Surgery services offered in Gulfport, MS

When you need surgery, it’s important to have a surgeon you can trust to prioritize your safety and comfort. Experienced surgeon Donald Balder, MD, proudly provides personalized care at Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery in Gulfport, MS and Slidell, LA.

Dr Balder has maintained Board Certification by American Board of Surgery throughout his career, helping to ensure you receive the highest standard of medical and surgical care. Call the clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about general surgery.

What is general surgery?

General surgery is any procedure that requires incisions to the body's internal organs and structures for diagnosis, treatment, or repair. Surgeries can range from simple to complex. Simplier procedures often can be done with local anesthetics such as lidocaine in the office, while complex procedures may demand general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

At Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery, Dr. Balder performs general surgery using traditional and minimally invasive techniques, like laparoscopic surgery. He works with you to design a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your specific medical needs and goals, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to your circumstances.

Why might I need general surgery?

General surgery can address many conditions involving the abdomen, digestive tract, skin, soft tissues, and other areas. Dr. Balder may recommend surgery if you experience:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Peptic ulcers
Barrett's esophagus
Esophageal strictures
Hiatal hernia
Esophageal tumors or polyps
Gastritis
Celiac disease
Colorectal polyps or tumors
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Internal, external, or thrombosed hemorrhoids
Lipomas (benign fatty tumors)
Cysts

Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery specializes in many general procedures to diagnose and treat these conditions.

Are there different types of general surgery?

Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery offers several diagnostic and reparative surgical procedures, including:

Upper endoscopy

An upper endoscopy is a diagnostic test to identify potential causes of gastrointestinal symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. An upper endoscope uses a long, flexible tube equipped with a camera known as an endoscope to view the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a routine diagnostic exam that can look for abnormalities within the colon, remove polyps, take biopsy samples, and screen for colon cancer. During this procedure, Dr. Balder inserts a colonoscope, a flexible tube equipped with a camera, through the rectum into the large intestine to gain a detailed view of the colon.

Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoids are swollen or bulging veins that cause pain, discomfort, or bleeding. If lifestyle changes like diet and exercise don’t resolve your hemorrhoids, Dr. Balder can perform minimally invasive surgery to remove them.