Determining that it’s time to have the elective surgery you need to lead a comfortable life is no small undertaking. While you’re ultimately in control of choosing to undergo these procedures, you know your day-to-day experiences will improve following your recovery. Choosing the right general surgeon in Austin to help you realize your desired results is vital in your journey to feeling your best.
The team at B+A Surgeons understands that when you choose to work with our practice, you are placing your trust in our hands. We value you and your time, and we will work to ensure you get the results you desire.
When Dr. Nicole Basa and Dr. Alan Abando founded B+A 17 years ago, they were determined to provide their community with outstanding care. Today, they continue to offer patients compassion and expertise that translates into remarkable medical results.
Dr. Basa is a UCLA fellowship-trained minimally invasive surgeon who has performed over 4,000 general and bariatric surgeries in her career. She is also highly proficient in robotic bariatric surgery. She teaches other surgeons how to use the robotic platform to perform bariatric surgery in the intuitive robotic lab in Houston, TX. Dr. Abando, also an intuitive proctor, finished his general surgery residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California, an acclaimed hospital affiliated with the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why you should work with a general surgeon in Austin at our practice and how B+A’s surgical approach to elective surgery stands out.
Work With a General Surgeon in Austin Experienced in Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando perform the majority of their practice’s bariatric and general surgeries with the robotic da Vinci Surgical System.
The Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery allows our surgeons greater precision and control over their instruments within the abdomen. As a result, B+A Surgeons’ patients experience:
- Shorter recovery times
- Less pain, scarring, and blood loss
- Fewer surgical complications
- Smaller incisions
The system also allows our surgeons to care for patients with a higher BMI.
How Robot-Assisted Surgery Works
Our surgeons use the da Vinci Surgical System to make precise movements in areas that are especially difficult to reach by laparoscopy. While in surgery, Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando will control the robot via the robotic console. The surgical robotic arms hold the surgical instruments and camera, however our surgeons direct its fine movements.
The surgeon performing your procedure will sit at the robotic console with a viewer which enables one to see a 3D image of the surgical site. Using controls mimicking their hands, the surgeon directs the arms of the robot to move the camera and surgical instruments.
General Surgeries at B+A Medical Center
Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando perform all general surgeries at multiple hospitals and surgery centers in the Austin area. Both surgeons continually dedicate themselves to learning the safest, most effective, and most current medical procedures that will positively impact their patients.
Hernia Repair Surgery
A hernia is when tissue or an organ pushes through a patient’s abdominal wall, causing persistent discomfort.
B+A Surgeons have performed over 3,000 hernia procedures.
Common Hernia Repair Surgery Questions
How long are most hernia surgeries?
This minimally invasive surgery can take 1 to 2 hours. The length of the procedure depends on the hernia’s type and severity.
Do I need to stay in the hospital after my procedure?
In most cases, hernia surgery is an outpatient procedure. Patients can return home the same day.
Do I need someone else to drive me home after surgery?
Yes. You will be under general anesthesia for your hernia procedure. Effects from anesthesia can last for 24 hours following the surgery.
Are all hernias done with the da Vinci Surgical System?
Our surgeons may decide to correct small umbilical hernias with a small open incision around the belly button if the defect is small and the patient has a normal BMI. All other hernia procedures are typically performed with our robotic system.
How much downtime is there after hernia surgery?
You should plan for 6 weeks of no heavy lifting greater than 10 lbs. nor abdominal exercises during that time.
Gallbladder Removal Surgery
Gallbladder removal is a permanent solution for painful gallstones.
Our B+A Surgeons, Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando, have performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures like gallbladder surgery to help reduce patients’ pain from the gallbladder and improve their health and well-being.
Common Gallbladder Surgery Questions
How long is gallbladder surgery recovery?
After our gallbladder removal procedure, patients commonly return to regular activities in a week. However one should not engage in heavy lifting for 6 weeks following surgery to decrease the risk of developing a hernia.
Do I need to stay in the hospital after my gallbladder removal?
Typically, gallbladder removal is an outpatient procedure. You will likely go home on the same day as surgery.
What are the benefits I’ll experience after having this procedure?
Gallbladder removal is the most effective treatment option for painful gallstones. B+A Surgeons gallbladder procedure also benefits patients with other gallbladder conditions, such as:
- Biliary dyskinesia
- Gallbladder polyps
Lipoma Removal
Lipomas are common lumps of tissue that grow beneath the skin.
While most lipomas aren’t a cause for concern, they sometimes can grow large or cause some discomfort. If your lipoma is causing you pain or has gotten bigger over a short period of time, surgical removal can relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Lipoma Surgery Questions
How do I know if I should get my lipoma removed?
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may benefit from working with a general surgeon in Austin at B+A Surgeons for your lipoma removal procedure:
- Your lipoma is painful
- The lipoma is growing in size
- Your lipoma feels uncomfortable, or you think it’s infected
- The lipoma is bothering you from a cosmetic standpoint
Do I need to stay in the hospital after my lipoma removal?
No. Lipoma removal is an outpatient procedure. Patients typically recover very quickly and can return to regular activities the following day.
Are lipomas removed with the robotic system?
Lipoma and skin lesion procedures are not done with the robotic da Vinci Surgical System.
What are the signs that I have a lipoma?
Most commonly, lipomas are soft, painless lumps that move easily under the skin. Most lipomas are found in the following areas:
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Arms
- Torso
- Thighs
If you suspect you have a lipoma, it’s important to get it checked by a physician to ensure a correct diagnosis. If you have any questions, contact B+A Surgeons.
Bariatric Surgical Options
B+A Surgeons also perform four different kinds of elective bariatric procedures designed to help patients lose weight.
Gastric Bypass
A gastric bypass entails re-routing part of your digestive system and reducing your stomach’s size.
Gastric Sleeve
During our gastric sleeve procedure, we remove almost 85% of the stomach. This helps restrict your food intake and reduces hunger signals sent to your brain.
Modified Duodenal Switch (SADI)
Our modified duodenal switch is a combination of our gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries.
Gastric Band Removal
B+A Surgeons doesn’t perform gastric band surgeries because studies have shown that the procedure is ineffective for long-term weight loss. However, our doctors will remove your band and, if you’d like, revise it with a more effective solution.
Other Common General Surgery Questions
What can I expect during my general surgery consultation?
During your initial consultation, we will take time to discuss all the questions you may have about your desired elective general surgery.
We’ll review your case by:
- Looking at any previous medical images and scans you have
- Consulting your other doctors’ notes
After consulting all the necessary documents, we’ll discuss your desired outcome and if our team can help you achieve your goal. Next, we’ll schedule your surgery.
Dr. Basa and Dr. Abando are dedicated to ensuring you have all the information you need prior to making a decision to have surgery. We want to make sure you are comfortable and that we are the right general surgeons in Austin for your medical needs.
Does B+A Surgeons handle emergency procedures?
B+A Surgeons takes care of emergency procedures on a case by case basis. The majority of their surgeries are elective and require a consultation in the office first.
I need more information. Will you answer my questions?
Yes! The team at B+A Surgeons commits themselves to serving as an educational resource on what we do.
Feel free to browse our blog to discover what procedures we provide and why our practice is different. We also welcome our patients to ask any questions they have during their consultation.
We want you to feel comfortable and prepared for your procedure. If you want to learn more about why working with a general surgeon in Austin for your medical needs benefits your health, reach out to us today.
Why Choose B+A Medical Center as Your Robotic and General Surgeon in Austin
When you partner with B+A Surgeons for your general elective surgery needs, you will experience expert care.
Both doctors at B+A Surgeons are board-certified general surgeons with years of experience. Their compassionate approach, extensive knowledge, and skill set make them the perfect providers for your general surgery needs in Cedar Park.
Our surgeons care about their patients’ goals and will be with you during every step of your medical journey. We tailor each procedure to each patient’s needs and always have your best interest in mind.
Ready to get started? Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced providers today, or use our virtual treatment builder to get personalized treatment recommendations sent directly to you.
