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Why Are Women More Likely to Get Gallstones?

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Women between 20 and 60 years old are three times more likely to get gallstones than men. That means, over 25 million individuals across the nation experience gallstones, with 65 to 75% being women. It doesn’t seem fair, but there it is. Here’s some information from the team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, about why women more likely to get gallstones.

Why Does Anyone Get Gallstones?

Gallstones start with bile which is a substance which assists in digesting fats and other nutrients. It is produced in the liver and transported to the gallbladder where it is stored. The presence of fat in our diet prompts the gallbladder to undergo contractions and sends the bile to the intestines.

A gallstone is solid crystallized bile. It can be tiny like the tip of a ballpoint pen or much larger. A gallstone is comprised of mostly cholesterol, and it forms when the liquid bile is more substantial than the bile salts can break down. They also form when the gallbladder doesn’t undergo contractions and release its contents.

The problem arises when gallstones block any of the ducts carrying bile to the small intestine.

What Are Common Symptoms of Gallstones?woman with gallstone symptoms.

Most people have no symptoms, and these are known as “silent” gallstones. when someone does have symptoms it is usually after a particularly fatty meal.

Symptoms can be any of the following:

  • Pain in the upper right region of the abdomen
  • Sometimes the pain may be in the right shoulder
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain becomes severe within an hour

If a stone becomes stuck in a duct, it can lead to more serious complications like jaundice, high fever, and chills. You should seek immediate medical attention if this occurs.

Why Are Women More Likely to Get Gallstones?

Women are more at risk due to female hormones. Estrogen elevates cholesterol levels in the bile, while progesterone decelerates the emptying process of the gallbladder.

Estrogen therapy raises the risk, and oral contraceptives elevate the risk in the first ten years of use.

Other risks that increase the risk of gallstones include:

  • Obesity, since those with more fat create more estrogen
  • Prompt weight loss like after bariatric surgery
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Family history
  • Native Americans seem to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile
  • Cholesterol lowering drugs
  • People over age 60

Treatment Options?

Removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy, is the way gallbladder disease is usually treated. It may be removed using open surgery, or laparoscopically with just a few incisions and a small camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States.

Contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group for surgical treatment in Johnson City, TN if you experience any of the symptoms of gallstones. Call (423) 975-5650 today to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: (27) Gallstones in Women: Understanding the Higher Risk and How to Minimise It | LinkedIn

What to do about gallstones – Harvard Health

Gallstones | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Umbilical Hernia In Adults: Should I Have Surgery?

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Umbilical hernia in adults: should I have surgery? That’s a question with several answers that may depend on the options you have available to you. It’s a little confusing, and there are factors to consider. Keep reading and find out the choices you have.

General Facts About Hernias

Hernias do not go away on their own. Some hernias stay small and never produce noticeable symptoms. With an asymptomatic hernia, our team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, may watch and wait before recommending surgery. As long as the hernia remains small, you might not need to undergo surgery.

If the hernia grows larger and you begin to have uncomfortable, painful symptoms, it may be time to have it repaired.

Umbilical Hernias

This is a hernia that develops at the area of your belly button. You can have one from birth if your umbilical cord didn’t close properly. It can be an issue while you are a child, or you may not have symptoms until you reach adulthood.

A weak spot in your stomach muscles can allow the hernia to bulge out filled with fat, intestine and even fluid. Once you have symptoms and discomfort, it is time to discuss a repair with the surgeons of Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN.

It is better to have umbilical hernia repaired before it could potentially become strangulated or incarcerated. In this case, a part of the intestine gets trapped in the hernia and the blood supply is cut off. Although the chance of an umbilical hernia becoming incarcerated is 1 to 3 percent, if it occurs, it is dangerous and can become life threatening.

Two Types of Umbilical Hernia Surgery

There are two ways to repair an umbilical hernia.

  • Open repair involves a large incision near the navel to make the repair. Although this type of surgery takes up to 4 weeks before the patient can return to normal activities, open hernia repair has been used for many years with great success.
  • The other type is a laparoscopic repair. This is performed by making a few tiny incisions in the abdomen. One is used to send a lighted camera into the area and other incisions or ports are used for the instruments. There seems to be less pain after laparoscopic surgery and the recovery is faster.

The Decision

To have or not to have umbilical surgery should be based on a specialist’s recommendation and the status of your hernia. If it’s hurting, interfering with activities, bulging and you’re not able to push it back in, the answer is yes. If it is not hurting or giving you any problems, the common decision is to “watch and wait.”

If you have additional questions and concerns about an umbilical hernia as an adult, contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City for an evaluation. Give us a call at (423) 975-5650 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: Umbilical Hernia | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Umbilical Hernia Surgery | Penn Medicine

Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery (healthline.com)

Drs. Cutshall and Robertson Earn SRC’s Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery Accreditation

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Premier Surgical Lawson Group General Surgeons Dr. Kenneth Cutshall and Dr. John (Trey) Robertson, III, have achieved accreditation as Master Surgeons in Robotic Surgery from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC).

SRC is an independent, nonprofit patient safety organization that has accredited top healthcare providers worldwide including hospitals, freestanding outpatient facilities, surgeons and medical professionals since 2003. SRC accreditations are unique as they acknowledge both the facility and physicians who deliver exceptional patient care. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care to our patients.

This accomplishment is a testament to Dr. Cutshall and Dr. Robertson’s steadfast commitment to not only ensuring optimal outcomes and safety, but also delivering an unrivaled patient experience.

Kenneth Cutshall, MD, FACS

What are the requirements of accreditation?

Master Surgeon in Robotic Surgery is evaluated based on rigorous and proven standards set by SRC. Accreditation requirements encompass physicians’ surgical expertise and experience, the standardization of clinical pathways, consultative services, equipment and instruments, and patient education.

What should patients know about this accreditation?

Patients can take comfort in knowing that Dr. Cutshall and Dr. Robertson have has received third-party verification for their patient care efforts. SRC’s strict evaluation guidelines prioritize patient safety and continuous quality improvement.

Why would patients prefer an accredited provider over one without accreditation?

John (Trey) Robertson, III, MD, FACS

SRC accreditation is a clear indicator to patients that Dr. Cutshall and Dr. Robertson are is committed to a higher standard of care. Studies have shown that SRC-accredited providers achieve reduced risk of complications, faster recovery times and better outcomes.

Dr. Kenneth Cutshall and Dr. John (Trey) Robertson, III, are with Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN. They perform procedures at Franklin Woods Hospital, a SRC-accredited Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. They also do surgeries at East Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center and Johnson City Medical Center.  

General Surgery: A Cutshall Family Affair

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During his five years of training of as a General Surgery Resident, Dr. Michael Cutshall encountered many difficult and nerve-wracking surgical cases, but none of those situations made him as nervous as performing a simple hernia repair with longtime General Surgeon Dr. Ken Cutshall.

“The first time I ever scrubbed in with him was the most nervous I’ve ever been while operating. My hands were shaking,” Michael remembers. ”I wanted Dad to be proud.”

Father and son enjoy teaming up on surgery cases.

Father That simple hernia repair marked the first time Michael and his father Kenneth shared an operating room together. It was the culmination of the young Dr. Cutshall’s dream.

“When I decided to become a general surgeon, my dream was to move back home and work with my father.”

Dr. Michael Cutshall recently returned to his hometown of Johnson City, TN, to join Premier Surgical Lawson Group, his father, Dr. Ken Cutshall’s medical practice.

While the senior Cutshall is delighted to have Michael follow in his footsteps, he didn’t want him to feel obligated to become a surgeon.

“When he said he was going into surgery, I said ‘Are you sure?”, explains Ken. “I told him, make sure you pick something that makes it fun going to work every day. Don’t pick a career for any other reason than you enjoy doing it.”

Michael says seeing his father’s love of medicine influenced his own decision to go into medicine.  “It was definitely a driving factor. I would visit my dad’s office as a kid and remember him genuinely enjoying his work.”

The father and son’s personal and professional lives share several parallels.

“We’ve had a similar path,” says Michael. “I went to the same medical school as my father, my wife is a nurse and worked at the same children’s hospital that my mother did while I was in medical school, and our two sons were born while I was in residency like my brother and I were when Dad was a resident.”

General Surgeons Drs. Ken and Michael Cutshall

The pair has enjoyed teaming up on cases and sharing surgical techniques. Michael says he’s also learned some important life skills from his dad.  “He raised me to treat everyone with respect, and now I’m seeing firsthand how he works with the OR team and how much they enjoy working with him.”

The senior Dr. Cutshall says he’s also learning new surgery methods from Michael. The  first time operating with his son was an exciting milestone. “It was awesome! It was the first time I’ve ever had anyone in the OR say, ‘Hey, Dad!’ That was pretty cool.”

Drs. Ken and Michael Cutshall are general surgeons with Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Cutshall or one of their partners, please call (423) 975-5650.

Questions To Ask Your Hernia Surgeon Before Hernia Surgery

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Whether you already know you need hernia surgery or you suspect you may need one, knowledge is power, and it can help to reduce anxiety. Knowing what to expect is one way to put your mind at ease, so the team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City urges you to be ready with lots of questions to ask your hernia surgeon before hernia surgery. Continue reading “Questions To Ask Your Hernia Surgeon Before Hernia Surgery” →

What’s the Difference Between Endoscopy and Colonoscopy?

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What’s the difference between endoscopy and colonoscopy? Number one, a colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy, but the similarity really stops there. There are many kinds of endoscopies to detect disease and for treatment purposes. A colonoscopy is just one. Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between Endoscopy and Colonoscopy?” →

Meet Dr. Michael Cutshall

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After spending years learning and training far away from home, Michael Cutshall, MD, is thrilled to be back in his hometown of Johnson City, TN, starting his dream job with his father.

“When I decided to become a general surgeon, my dream was to move back home and work with my father,” smiles Cutshall. “I’m excited to finally be here.”

His father, Kenneth Cutshall, MD, FACS, has been a general surgeon in Johnson City for nearly 3 decades. He also teaches young surgical residents and medical students as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Quillen College of Medicine.

Cutshall says growing up with a surgeon dad influenced him to pursue a career in medicine.  “It was definitely a driving factor. I would visit my dad’s office as a kid and remember him genuinely enjoying his work. In college I studied biology on a pre-med track and really found an interest in it.”

During medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Cutshall was drawn to surgery. “I enjoy being hands on and love anatomy. During my surgical rotations, no matter how tired I was, I always looked forward to getting in the operating room and learning how to care for surgical patients.”   

Throughout residency, Cutshall broached the subject of joining his father’s practice and decided to join the Premier Surgical Lawson Group office with his father after graduating.

“He was ecstatic!” says Cutshall. “He never pressured me to make any career choices I didn’t want, and he was very excited I decided to come back to join his practice.”

As young Dr. Cutshall settles into his new practice in Johnson City, he wants patients to know that his goal is always to be honest with his patients.

“My philosophy is to be completely honest and transparent with patient care, so my patients can understand their illness and the available treatment options well enough to guide their own care. Although there are no guarantees in medicine, I want to provide the best care possible for my patients, and I want them to feel good about their care.

Cutshall, who is fluent in Spanish, hopes to eventually share his medical knowledge and skills with underserved patients in other parts of the world. “My goal is to get involved with global outreach and partner with surgeons in underdeveloped countries to provide equipment and transfer knowledge about the newest techniques and treatments.”

In his rare spare time, Cutshall enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two young children visiting parks, lakes, and hiking.

General Surgeon Dr. Michael Cutshall is now accepting new patients at the Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City. To request an appointment with Dr. Cutshall, please call (423) 975-5650.

Premier Surgical Lawson Group is a division of Premier Surgical Associates.

What To Do When Heartburn Meds Stop Working

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Got GERD? Many of us do and we don’t realize it. You know, it’s that terrible tasting acid that comes back into your throat when you are trying to sleep. It’s not just a typical heartburn that you can relieve with an antacid. GERD is something that occurs several times a week and nothing you take seems to work. Let’s find out what to do when heartburn meds stop working. Continue reading “What To Do When Heartburn Meds Stop Working” →

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