Life is Happening
WHEN ANSWERS ARE HARD TO FIND, WE LOOK OUTSIDE THE BOX
“I’m going to die,” Cindy thought. The pain in her abdomen had grown so severe she could hardly bear it anymore. She’d already visited her primary care physician and a specialist in Fresno, but test after test revealed nothing about her condition.
Besides dealing with debilitating physical pain, the search for an answer was taking its toll on Cindy’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. She felt like no one was listening to her concerns. That is, until she met Dr. Carol Machado, a general surgeon with Kaweah Health Medical Foundation. “Dr. Machado saved my life,” Cindy expressed. “The tests weren’t showing anything but I knew something was wrong. She listened to me and scheduled me for surgery the very next day.”
Dr. Machado performed exploratory laparoscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. She would soon discover exactly why Cindy was suffering. The 53-year-old of Visalia had an incisional hernia and extensive scar tissue from previous abdominal procedures wrapped around her organs. During surgery, Dr. Machado recalled a comment Cindy made about feeling more pain while sitting. Because of her connection with her patient and her thoroughness as a diagnostician, Dr. Machado sat Cindy up on the surgery table and witnessed scar tissue blocking her intestines in an entirely abnormal way. This was the reason for Cindy’s pain.
“If she had not been the one to do this, the outcome would have been different,” Cindy said. “Dr. Machado listened to me. I wasn’t a textbook case and she was able to look outside the box to find an answer. I’m feeling great today.”
When unexplained pain interrupts your life, you can count on the surgery team at Kaweah Health to find the answers you’re looking for and lead you back to better health.
SURGICAL SERVICES - VISALIA, CALIFORNIA
Comprehensive surgical care for general surgery and complex health concerns is offered on an inpatient and outpatient basis at Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia. We understand that general surgery is not routine for our patients, so we work closely with patients, families, and their primary doctors to be sure that every question and concern is addressed.
State-of-the-Art Equipment & An Expert Staff
Kaweah Health strives to bring you the most current technology and surgical procedures including DaVinci Surgery, GreenLight Laser procedures, and more importantly, highly trained professionals. Behind every surgeon, you'll find a skilled team of anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, registered nurses, surgical technologists and other support staff. We surround our patients with specialized, experienced care providers. Our general surgery staff has an unparalleled combination of warm, caring attitudes, and high-tech knowledge.
Our team approach involves collaboration among physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and many others. We work together to develop the best treatment plans and emergency services that cater to a patient's unique needs.
Surgeries performed at Kaweah Health in Visalia include:
- General Surgery (Abdominal, Trauma, Hernia Repair, Lung, Thyroid)
- Orthopedic Surgery (Total Joint Replacement, Fracture Care, Arthroscopy, Hand, Trauma)
- Orthopedic Spine Surgery
- Neurosurgery (Spine)
- Eye Surgery (Cataracts, Retina Repair)
- Vascular Surgery (Circulation, Aneurysms, Veins)
- Cardiac/Thoracic Surgery (Valve Replacement, Lung Surgery, Bypass)
- Robotic & Non-Robotic Urology and Gynecology Surgery (Prostetectomy, Hysterectomy)
- Plastic Surgery (Breast Reconstruction, Nose, Eyes, Body Lift)
- Podiatric Surgery (Foot & Ankle)
- Adult & Pediatric ENT Surgery (Sinus Surgery, Tubes, Tonsils & Adenoids)
- C-Section Surgery
- ENT (Ears, nose and throat surgeries)
- Gynecology (women's health)
- Urological (Cysto, Prostate, Kidney, Kidney stones)
- Robotic surgery- DaVinci Surgery (gynecological and urological)
