The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile to help digest fats. Gallbladder disease—most commonly caused by gallstones—can lead to pain, nausea, bloating, and digestive issues, especially after eating fatty foods. If left untreated, it can cause infection, inflammation, or blockages in the bile ducts.

How It’s Treated

• If gallbladder problems are affecting your quality of life or causing complications, the most effective treatment is gallbladder removal surgery, called a cholecystectomy. Dr. Elliott performs this procedure using minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) techniques, which result in smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery. Most patients go home the same day and are back to normal activity within a few days to a week.

A hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ pushes through a defect in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue—often appearing as a bulge under the skin. Hernias can develop in different areas of the abdomen, including:

• Inguinal (groin)

• Umbilical (belly button)

• Ventral (abdominal wall, often at a previous incision site)

  Hernias can cause discomfort, pain when lifting or straining, and may worsen over time. While not all hernias are emergencies, they don’t heal on their own—and surgery is often the best long-term solution.

  How It’s Treated

  Dr. Elliott repairs hernias using minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery when appropriate. This allows for smaller incisions, quicker healing, and less post-op discomfort. In most cases, a surgical mesh is used to strengthen the area and prevent recurrence—an approach that is both safe and widely used when done properly.

  Every hernia is different. Dr. Elliott will evaluate your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and help determine the best treatment plan for your needs and lifestyle. Most hernia surgeries are outpatient, with patients returning to light activity within days.

A colon mass is an abnormal growth found in the large intestine. These masses can range from noncancerous (benign) polyps or growths to precancerous or cancerous tumors. Many colon masses are discovered during routine screenings or imaging studies done for other reasons.

Symptoms may include:

• Changes in bowel habits

• Blood in the stool

• Abdominal pain or cramping

• Unexplained weight loss

  However, some colon masses cause no symptoms at all—making early detection and evaluation especially important.

  How It’s Treated

  Treatment depends on the size, location, and nature of the mass. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be used to biopsy or remove smaller polyps. If surgical removal is recommended, Dr. Elliott performs minimally invasive colon surgery when appropriate, using laparoscopic or robotic techniques to reduce pain and recovery time.

  Colon surgery typically requires a short hospital stay and a careful recovery plan, which Dr. Elliott will walk through with you in detail. She will also collaborate with your referring provider and, if needed, a cancer care team to ensure you receive comprehensive support and follow-up.

Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when small pouches in the colon wall—called diverticula—become inflamed or infected. This can cause lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, changes in bowel habits, and sometimes more serious complications like abscesses or blockages.

• Mild cases of diverticulitis can often be managed without surgery. However, repeated episodes or complications may require surgical treatment to remove the affected portion of the colon.

  How It’s Treated

  • Treatment depends on the size, location, and nature of the mass. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be used to biopsy or remove smaller polyps. If surgical removal is recommended, Dr. Elliott performs minimally invasive colon surgery when appropriate, using laparoscopic or robotic techniques to reduce pain and recovery time.

    Colon surgery typically requires a short hospital stay and a careful recovery plan, which Dr. Elliott will walk through with you in detail. She will also collaborate with your referring provider and, if needed, a cancer care team to ensure you receive comprehensive support and follow-up.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or around the anus. They’re actually a part of normal anatomy, but when they cause problems it can create symptoms such as: itching, pain, swelling, and bleeding—especially during bowel movements. Some hemorrhoids are internal (inside the rectum), while others are external and may form tender lumps.

• While many mild cases improve with over-the-counter treatments, diet changes, and lifestyle adjustments, more persistent or painful hemorrhoids may benefit from medical or surgical treatment.

Pilonidal disease occurs when hair and debris become trapped under the skin near the tailbone, leading to a painful infection or cyst around the buttocks. It most commonly affects young adults and can cause swelling, tenderness, drainage, and recurrent abscesses.

How It’s Treated

Mild or first-time infections may be managed with incision and drainage or antibiotics. For recurring or chronic cases, surgical removal of the cyst and infected tissue is often the best long-term solution.

Dr. Elliott offers procedures tailored to the severity of the condition—focusing on removing the problem area while minimizing discomfort and downtime.

Pilonidal surgery is usually an outpatient procedure with a recovery plan that includes good hygiene, wound care, and guidance on when to resume normal activity.

Skin and soft tissue masses—such as lipomas (fatty tumors), cysts, or other benign growths—are common and usually noncancerous. They may appear as painless lumps under the skin or cause discomfort, especially if they grow larger or become irritated.

While many soft tissue masses are harmless, some may need to be removed if they’re painful, growing, or affecting your quality of life. Surgical removal is the most effective and permanent solution.

How It’s Treated

For smaller or superficial growths, these typically can be removed in the office under local anesthesia. For larger or deeper growths, you may require an outpatient procedure. And you can take out maybe done for pathology testing, change that to “pathology testing will be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Dr. Elliott will evaluate the mass, discuss whether removal is recommended, and walk you through the procedure, what to expect during healing, and how to care for the incision site for the best possible results.

For patients with kidney disease who are starting peritoneal dialysis, a soft, flexible catheter needs to be placed in the abdomen to allow for fluid exchange. This procedure is typically outpatient and done under anesthesia.

How It’s Treated

Dr. Elliott performs PD catheter placement with careful attention to positioning and healing to support long-term dialysis success. She’ll walk you through how to prepare, what to expect during the procedure, and how to care for the site afterward to minimize the risk of infection. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed, comfortable, and supported as you begin your dialysis journey.