Colon Surgery in Athens, GA
Colon conditions can affect digestive health, comfort, nutrition, and overall quality of life. For some patients, surgery may become an important part of treatment for colon disease, chronic inflammation, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, or colorectal cancer. At St. Mary’s Health Care System, our surgical teams provide advanced colon surgery with compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals throughout Athens, Greensboro, Lavonia, and Northeast Georgia.
Advanced colorectal and colon surgery with compassionate digestive care across Northeast Georgia
Athens Office Lavonia Office Greensboro Office
What Is Colon Surgery?
Colon surgery refers to procedures performed on the large intestine, also called the colon, to treat a variety of digestive and colorectal conditions.
Surgery may involve removing damaged or diseased portions of the colon, repairing blockages, treating inflammation, removing tumors, or restoring healthy digestive function.
Colon surgery may be recommended for conditions such as:
- Diverticulitis
- Colon cancer
- Colon polyps
- Bowel obstruction
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Perforation or infection
- Chronic digestive symptoms
Depending on the condition being treated, surgery may be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques designed to support faster healing and recovery.
Learn More About: Colorectal Surgery Surgical Services Laparoscopic Surgery
How does Colon Surgery Support Long-Term Health?
Some colon conditions may improve with medication or dietary changes, while others require surgery to prevent complications, remove diseased tissue, or improve quality of life.
Colon surgery may help:
- Relieve chronic abdominal pain and digestive symptoms
- Treat infection or inflammation
- Remove cancerous or precancerous tissue
- Restore bowel function
- Prevent bowel obstruction or perforation
- Improve long-term digestive health and comfort
At St. Mary’s, every treatment plan is personalized to the patient’s condition, symptoms, imaging results, and overall health needs.
Conditions Evaluated and Treated
Diverticulitis
Repeated or severe diverticulitis flare-ups may require surgery to remove inflamed portions of the colon and reduce the risk of future complications.
Learn More about Diverticulitis Surgery & Treatment
Colon Cancer
Colon surgery is one of the most common treatments for colon cancer and may involve removing cancerous tissue and nearby lymph nodes.
Colon Polyps
Some large or abnormal polyps may require surgical removal if they cannot be safely removed during colonoscopy procedures.
Bowel Obstruction
Blockages within the colon may interfere with digestion and bowel function, requiring prompt surgical treatment to restore normal intestinal movement.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Certain patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease may require colon surgery to manage chronic inflammation, bleeding, or complications.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Persistent bleeding within the colon may require surgical evaluation and treatment, depending on the source and severity of symptoms.
Colon Surgery Procedures and Treatment Options
Minimally Invasive Colon Surgery
Whenever appropriate, colon surgery may be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques involving small incisions and specialized surgical instruments.
Benefits may include:
- Smaller incisions
- Faster recovery times
- Reduced discomfort after surgery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Reduced scarring
Learn More about Laparoscopic Surgery
Robotic-Assisted Colon Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery provides enhanced visualization and precision during complex colorectal procedures.
Robotic-assisted techniques may help support:
- Greater surgical accuracy
- Improved access during delicate procedures
- Reduced tissue disruption
- Smoother recovery experiences
Learn More about Robotic Surgery
Colon Resection Surgery
A colon resection removes the diseased or damaged portion of the colon while reconnecting healthy sections whenever possible.
The extent of surgery depends on:
- The location of the condition
- Disease severity
- Presence of infection or cancer
- Overall digestive health
Emergency Colon Surgery
Some conditions, such as perforation, severe infection, or bowel obstruction, may require emergency surgery to prevent serious complications.
What to Expect before, during, and after Colon Surgery
Your care begins with a surgical consultation focused on understanding your symptoms, digestive health history, imaging results, and treatment goals.
Evaluation may include:
- Physical examination
- Laboratory testing
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging
- Colon evaluation and digestive review
- Surgical planning discussions
Explore our Medical Imaging Department
If surgery is recommended, your care team will explain:
- Your diagnosis and treatment options
- The planned procedure
- Recovery expectations
- Dietary and activity guidance
- Follow-up care recommendations
Our team understands that colon surgery can feel overwhelming. We prioritize compassionate communication and patient education to help patients feel informed and supported throughout the process.
Learn More about Rehabilitation after Surgery
Read our Surgery Preparation Guide for more information about what to expect, and directions on who to call if you have questions.
Expert Colon Surgery & Care at St. Mary’s Healthcare System
Patients throughout Northeast Georgia trust St. Mary’s for advanced colon surgery delivered with compassion, expertise, and personalized care.
Our colorectal surgery services are available across multiple communities, helping patients access coordinated digestive and surgical care closer to home.
Associated surgical locations include:
- Athens General & Colorectal Surgeons, Athens
- Athens General & Colorectal Surgeons, Greensboro
- Athens General & Colorectal Surgeons, Lavonia
At St. Mary’s, patients benefit from:
- Advanced minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques
- Personalized digestive care planning
- Coordinated imaging and diagnostic support
- Compassionate patient education and communication
- Rehabilitation Services
- System-wide specialty care coordination
We are committed to helping patients feel supported, informed, and confident throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
A Connected Approach to Colon Surgery
Colon surgery at St. Mary’s is part of a coordinated colorectal and digestive care network that brings together surgeons, imaging specialists, rehabilitation professionals, hospital care teams, oncology specialists, and primary care providers.
This integrated approach allows patients to receive seamless support from diagnosis through surgery, recovery, and long-term digestive health management.
By combining advanced surgical technology with compassionate care, St. Mary’s helps patients throughout Northeast Georgia access expert colon surgery close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colon Surgery
Colon surgery refers to procedures performed on the large intestine to treat digestive conditions, inflammation, infection, blockages, or colorectal cancer.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bowel changes, bleeding, digestive problems, infection, obstruction, or recurrent diverticulitis.
CT stands for computed tomography. CT imaging creates detailed internal images that help physicians evaluate colon conditions and plan treatment.
No. Many colon procedures may be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgical techniques.
A colon resection removes the diseased portion of the colon while reconnecting healthy sections whenever possible.
Yes. Robotic-assisted techniques may be used for certain colon procedures to enhance surgical precision and visualization.
Recovery varies depending on the condition treated and the procedure performed. Minimally invasive surgery may support faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Some patients may need temporary dietary adjustments during recovery. Your care team will provide personalized nutritional guidance.
Some procedures require a hospital stay, particularly more complex colorectal surgeries. Your surgical team will discuss recovery expectations with you beforehand.
Yes. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for colon cancer and may involve removing cancerous tissue and nearby lymph nodes.
Your provider will review your symptoms, digestive history, imaging studies, and treatment goals while discussing whether surgery may be appropriate for your condition.
Schedule Your Consultation
Digestive conditions affecting the colon can interfere with comfort, health, and daily life, but you do not have to navigate treatment alone. Our compassionate colorectal surgery team is here to help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
Connect with St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, Greensboro, Lavonia, and Northeast Georgia to learn more about advanced colon surgery and colorectal care today.
Related Locations
St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital
5401 Lake Oconee Parkway
Greensboro, GA 30642-4232
Athens General & Colorectal Surgeons Greensboro
1110 Commerce Drive Suite 108
Greensboro, GA 30642
St. Mary's Breast Health Center
1500 Oglethorpe Ave Ste 2100
Athens, GA 30606
Athens General & Colorectal Surgeons PC
1500 Oglethorpe Ave Ste 2000
Athens, GA 30606
St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital
367 Clear Creek Pkwy
Lavonia, GA 30553