Skip to main content
Two people smiling and laughing outdoors, with one riding piggyback on the other.

Colorectal Surgery

Baptist Health South Florida offers advanced evaluation and treatment for conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and anorectal disorders. Our colorectal surgeons provide nonsurgical treatments as well as minimally invasive, robotic-assisted and open surgical options based on your individual needs.

Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties
Palm Beach County

What Is Colorectal Surgery?

Our board-certified colorectal surgeons diagnose and treat conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and anorectal disorders. At Baptist Health, we use nonsurgical treatments, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures, and open surgery when appropriate to personalize care based on your condition and overall health.

What Is Colorectal Surgery?

About Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal conditions can affect the colon, rectum or anus and may cause symptoms such as pain, bleeding or changes in bowel habits. Some conditions can be managed without surgery, while others may require a procedure based on the diagnosis, symptom severity, risk of complications and how much the condition affects your quality of life.

Your colorectal specialist will review your symptoms, medical history and any changes in bowel habits, pain or bleeding. Depending on your condition, evaluation may include a physical exam, colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI or other specialized testing to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Surgery may be recommended for colorectal cancer, repeated diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, perforation, abscesses, persistent symptoms or when nonsurgical treatments do not provide enough relief. Your care team will consider your diagnosis, overall health and treatment goals before recommending surgery.

Symptoms

Colorectal conditions can cause symptoms that affect digestion, bowel habits and daily life. Some symptoms develop gradually, while others may appear suddenly. Because benign and cancerous conditions can cause similar symptoms, ongoing or worsening changes should be evaluated by a specialist.

Common Symptoms

  • Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating
  • A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
  • Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Persistent discomfort in the rectal or anal area
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
  • Unexplained weight loss

When to Seek Immediate Care

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Heavy or continuous rectal bleeding
  • Inability to pass stool or gas
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Severe abdominal pain that does not go away
  • Fever with abdominal pain
  • Sudden swelling or protrusion from the rectum that you cannot push back in

These symptoms may indicate a serious complication, such as a bowel obstruction, perforation or another condition that requires urgent treatment.

Conditions We Treat

Baptist Health colorectal surgeons treat cancerous and noncancerous conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus, from common anorectal concerns to complex colorectal diseases.

Common Colorectal Conditions
  • Anal fissures
  • Anal fistulas
  • Colon polyps
  • Diverticulitis
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Rectal prolapse
Colorectal Cancers
  • Anal cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal cancer
Urgent and Complex Conditions
  • Bowel obstructions
  • Other colorectal conditions requiring urgent surgical care

Treatment Options

Colorectal treatment depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, overall health and whether the condition can be managed without surgery. Your care team may recommend nonsurgical treatment, minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgery, open surgery when a minimally invasive approach is not appropriate, or coordinated cancer care based on your individual needs.

  • Many colorectal conditions can be treated without surgery using medications, monitoring or in-office procedures. These approaches may help relieve symptoms, reduce inflammation and prevent complications. For some conditions, such as hemorrhoids, office-based treatments like rubber band ligation may be appropriate.

    Surgery may be considered when symptoms continue despite treatment or when complications develop.

  • Our surgeons perform many colorectal procedures using minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. Depending on your condition, your surgeon may use a single-port or multi-port robotic approach. For selected conditions, an incisionless approach may also allow surgeons to remove tissue through a natural opening, avoiding the additional abdominal incision that is sometimes needed to remove tissue during colorectal surgery. These approaches may help reduce pain and support a faster recovery.

  • For colorectal cancer, your treatment may involve a multidisciplinary team that includes colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Your case may also be reviewed with other specialists as needed. The team works together to determine the most appropriate sequence of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation based on your diagnosis, stage of disease, overall health and treatment goals.

Benefits & Risks

Colorectal surgery can help treat disease, relieve symptoms and address complications that may not improve with nonsurgical care. Depending on the procedure, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches may also help reduce pain and support a faster recovery.

Potential Benefits
  • Treating cancerous or noncancerous colorectal disease
  • Relieving pain, bleeding or bowel-related symptoms
  • Treating complications such as bowel obstruction, perforation or abscess
  • Supporting recovery with minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques when appropriate
Possible Risks

All surgery carries some risk. Possible complications can include bleeding, infection and other procedure-specific issues. Your surgeon will review the potential risks and answer your questions before surgery.

What to Expect Before, During and After Surgery

Your colorectal surgery experience will depend on your diagnosis, the procedure you need and your overall health. Your colorectal surgery team will explain the recommended approach and what you can expect throughout treatment and recovery.

For general information about preparing for your procedure, surgery day, discharge and recovery at home, visit Baptist Health’s Preparing for Surgery resource.

  • Evaluation and surgical planning: Your colorectal surgeon will review your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history and overall health to determine whether surgery is appropriate. Surgery may be recommended for colorectal cancer, repeated diverticulitis, complications such as a perforation, abscess or bowel obstruction, symptoms that significantly affect daily life, or when nonsurgical treatments do not provide enough relief.

    Coordinating cancer care: If you are having surgery for colorectal cancer, your surgeon may coordinate with medical oncology, radiation oncology and other specialists before treatment begins to determine whether surgery or another treatment should come first.

  • Your colorectal procedure: The surgical approach depends on your condition and the procedure being performed. Baptist Health colorectal surgeons use minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques when appropriate, including single-port and multi-port robotic approaches.

    For selected conditions, an incisionless technique may allow surgeons to remove tissue through a natural opening and avoid an additional abdominal incision. For more complex disease or deeper tumors, your surgeon may use a multi-port robotic approach. Open surgery may be necessary when a minimally invasive approach is not the safest option.

  • Recovery after colorectal surgery: Baptist Health uses an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for colorectal procedures to help reduce pain and complications, limit narcotic medications and support a faster return of bowel function. Your care team will monitor your recovery and explain what to expect based on your procedure and individual needs.

Recovery and Follow-Up

Recovery varies based on the procedure, your diagnosis and your overall health. Your care team will let you know when it is safe to return to normal activities and will schedule follow-up visits based on your individual needs.

Why Choose Baptist Health for Colorectal Surgery?

Baptist Health’s board-certified colorectal surgeons have advanced expertise in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for routine and complex colorectal conditions.

Patients benefit from a coordinated, team-based approach, with gastroenterology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and other specialists involved when needed. For colorectal cancer, this collaboration helps guide the right sequence of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for each patient.

Throughout your care, our team focuses on clear communication, thoughtful coordination and helping you feel informed and supported in every treatment decision.

Why Choose Baptist Health for Colorectal Surgery?
Nationally Recognized Colorectal Surgery Care

Nationally Recognized Colorectal Surgery Care

Baptist Hospital is one of only 10 hospitals nationwide accredited as a Center of Excellence in Colorectal Surgery. Boca Raton Regional Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as High Performing in Colon Cancer Surgery.

Meet Our Colorectal Surgery Team

Our colorectal surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus, from common anorectal concerns to complex colorectal disease and cancer. They use nonsurgical, minimally invasive, robotic-assisted and open approaches when appropriate and work with other specialists to coordinate care for more complex conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do not assume rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids. Polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and other conditions can also cause bleeding. Schedule an evaluation with a specialist to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

  • Most people should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend that you begin screening earlier.

  • No. Many hemorrhoids improve with nonsurgical treatment. Specialists may use medications, lifestyle changes or in-office procedures such as rubber band ligation. Surgery may be recommended when other treatments do not provide enough relief or the condition is more severe.

  • Not everyone with diverticulitis needs surgery. Many cases can be managed without an operation. Surgery may be considered if you have recurring symptoms, complications such as a perforation, abscess, fistula or obstruction, or symptoms that significantly affect your quality of life. Your surgeon will recommend treatment based on your individual condition and health.

  • Referral requirements may depend on the surgeon, location and your insurance plan. Contact the Baptist Health Colorectal Surgery team or your insurance provider before scheduling to confirm whether a referral or prior authorization is required.

  • Colorectal surgeons diagnose and treat cancerous and noncancerous conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus. These may include colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and fistulas, colon polyps, rectal prolapse and bowel obstructions.

  • Consider seeing a colorectal surgeon if you have persistent rectal bleeding, ongoing changes in bowel habits, abdominal or rectal pain, recurrent diverticulitis, hemorrhoids or other colorectal symptoms that do not improve. You may also be referred to a colorectal surgeon after testing identifies a condition that may require specialized treatment or surgery.

  • Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted colorectal surgery uses small incisions and specialized instruments to perform selected procedures. When appropriate, these approaches may help reduce pain and support a faster return to normal activities. Your surgeon will determine whether a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted or open approach is most appropriate for your condition.

  • Recovery depends on the type of procedure, your diagnosis and your overall health. Baptist Health uses an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for colorectal procedures to help manage pain, limit narcotic medications and support the return of bowel function. Your care team will provide personalized instructions about diet, activity and follow-up care.

Have Questions? Lets Talk.

Our Colorectal Surgery team can help you understand your treatment options, find a surgeon and schedule care.

News & Podcasts

News

View All
Study Links Hidden Virus in Gut Bacteria to Colorectal Cancer Risk March 12, 2026

The recent deaths of actors Catherine O’Hara and James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer have put the disease squarely in the spotlight. Experts with Baptist Health Cancer Care say they’ve seen a...

Making Gallbladder Surgery Safer Via Minimally Invasive Surgery February 26, 2026

Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. Each year, more than 750,000 people undergo a procedure called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally...

Weight-Loss Medication vs. Surgery: What Works Best for Long-Term Success January 16, 2026

In the current health landscape regarding obesity, the conversation around weight loss has shifted dramatically toward a sophisticated medical dialogue. In a new episode of the Baptist HealthTalk...

Podcasts

View All
Scared of Surgery? How Modern Surgery Has Changed Everything April 29, 2026
Breast Cancer Survivorship: What Life After Treatment Really Looks Like October 5, 2026
Heart Disease in Women: Signs, Risks and Prevention September 21, 2026

Language Preference / Preferencia de idioma

I want to see the site in English

Continue In English

Quiero ver el sitio en Español

Continuar en español