Colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine), "scoping out cancer"™ for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube as thick as your finger into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon. The Colonoscopy procedure is performed at our surgery center in Beverly Hills.

Colonoscopy is well tolerated and rarely causes much pain.  You might feel pressure, bloating or cramping during the procedure.  Your doctor might give you a sedative to help you relax band better tolerate any discomfort.

You will lie on your side or back while your doctor slowly advances a colonoscope through your large intestine to examine the lining.  Your doctor will examine the lining again as he or she slowly withdraws the colonoscope.  The procedure itself usually takes 15 to 60 minutes, although you should plan on two to three hours for waiting, preparation and recovery.

In some cases, the doctor cannot pass the colonoscopy through the entire colon to where it meets the small intestine.  Although another examination might be needed, your doctor might decide that the limited examination is sufficient.

Upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source and we will view the images on a video monitor. You might hear your doctor or other medical staff refer to upper endoscopy as upper GI endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or panendoscopy.

Upper endoscopy helps your doctor evaluation symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, reflux, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. It’s also the best test for finding the cause of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. It’s also more accurate than x-ray films for detecting inflammation, ulcers and tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Your doctor might use upper endoscopy to obtain a biopsy (small tissue samples). A biopsy helps your doctor distinguish between benign and malignant (cancerous) tissues. Remember, biopsies are taken for many reasons, and your doctor might order one even if he or she does not suspect cancer. For example, your doctor might use a biopsy to test for Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that cause ulcers. Upper endoscopy is also used to treat conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Your doctor can pass instruments through the endoscopy to directly treat many abnormalities with little or no discomfort. For example, your doctor might stretch a narrow area (a stricture that can sometimes cause trouble swallowing), remove polyps (usually benign growths) or treat bleeding.

Esophageal dilatation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus (swallowing tube) which can sometimes cause trouble swallowing. Your doctor can use various techniques for this procedure.

Rubber band ligation is a procedure where the doctor inserts an instrument, an anoscope, and places a rubber band around the hemorrhoid. This will cause the hemorrhoids to lose blood-supply and fall off harmlessly, usually within 1 week after treatment. The procedure is easy, safe and fast. It is done in your physician’s office.

After the procedure, you may feel pain and have a sensation of fullness in the lower abdomen. Or you may feel as if you need to have a bowel movement.

Rubber band ligation is a procedure where the doctor inserts an instrument, an anoscope, and places a rubber band around the hemorrhoid. This will cause the hemorrhoids to lose blood-supply and fall off harmlessly, usually within 1 week after treatment. The procedure is easy, safe and fast. It is done in your physician’s office.

After the procedure, you may feel pain and have a sensation of fullness in the lower abdomen. Or you may feel as if you need to have a bowel movement.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a specialized technique used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver.  Ducts are drainage routes; the drainage channels from the liver are called bile or biliary ducts. During ERCP, your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).  An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that lets your doctor see inside your bowels.  After your doctor sees the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas, your doctor will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts.  Your doctor will inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and will take x-rays.

Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.

Acupuncture is a popular alternative therapy for IBS and other conditions. It's proven effective for treating chronic pain, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Some small studies show that acupuncture may help with abdominal bloating and other IBS symptoms.