Ask a Colorectal Surgeon: Dr Mark Wong from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore

Ask a Doctor Forum › Category: General Surgery › Ask a Colorectal Surgeon: Dr Mark Wong from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore

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Prof Dr. Mark Wong asked 3 years ago

I am Dr Mark Wong, Senior Consultant, General & Colorectal Surgeon practicing at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore and Mount Alvernia Hospital Singapore. My special interests are in minimally invasive (laparoscopic) and robotic surgery for both cancer and benign bowel disorders. Prior to starting my private practice, I practiced at the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Singapore General Hospital, where I pursued my interests in minimally-invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) colorectal cancer surgery and functional disorders (piles, constipation and incontinence). I was the longest-serving Director of the SGH Pelvic Floor Disorders Service. In this position, I led a multidisciplinary team of specialists, comprising colorectal surgeons, gynaecologists and urologists to provide holistic care for patients with pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence, chronic constipation and organ prolapse. In 2016, I was appointed Director of the SGH Gastrointestinal Function Unit, where I led a team of gastroenterologists and surgeons to evaluate patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. I am well-versed in laparoscopic and robotic surgery for both cancer and benign disorders, proctology (piles, abscess, fistula and fissure), advanced therapeutic endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) and functional bowel disorders (constipation and incontinence). I have worked with colorectal surgeons throughout Europe, USA and Asia, gaining a global perspective in treating patients. I am an opinion leader in the field of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) colorectal cancer and pelvic floor surgery, having been invited to lecture at numerous international colorectal meetings. I have also mentored and trained doctors from all across Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam. I am a dedicated educator and was appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS. I was faculty of the Singhealth General Surgery Residency Programme and have contributed to maintaining high standards in surgical education. Learn more about me here: https://patients.smarterhealth.sg/specialist-doctor/mark-wong-te-ching/ Learn more about Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital here: https://patients.smarterhealth.sg/hospital/mount-elizabeth-novena-hospital-singapore/ and Mount Alvernia Hospital here: https://patients.smarterhealth.sg/hospital/mount-alvernia-hospital-singapore/ 'Like' our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/markwongsurgery/ 'Follow' us on Instagram at @markwongsurgery 'Follow' us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/mark-wong-surgery Whether you've got questions about general, stomach, gallbladder, colorectal or anal surgery, feel free to ask me anything. Take care and stay safe! === Want to ask a question? Submit your question at the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to include your name and email address to get notified when the doctor answers your question. Please also include your age and gender in your question to aid the doctor in providing you with an answer.

64 Answers

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Paula answered 3 years ago

Hello doctor. I haven’t defecated for 5 days. The strange thing is I don’t feel pain or heartburn. Is this normal? Some said I need to eat more fiber and eat vegetables. I have to admit I don’t like vegetables. Some suggested I take laxatives, but I am worried about the side effects. What is the best solution, Doc?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

It is ok not to poop everyday. The normal pattern ranges from 3x per day to once in 3 days.
Most importantly, you must ensure you eat a balanced diet, so that you do not feel bloated and you have poop that looks like the shop of sausages/bananas.
If you are already eating fiber then you may have to reduce and not increase the intake.
Laxatives are only to be taken for short periods. Most important is the food we eat and maintaining the balance.

Take care and stay safe!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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prasasti karnia answered 3 years ago

Doctor, I feel pain in my anus when I sit. And I have experienced blood several times in my poop. Is this dangerous? What should I do?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.

Pain and bleeding should not be ignored. I suggest a visit to the doctor who should do a proper examination. If you are above 40ys old or have change in bowel habits or family history of cancer, then I would suggest also a colonoscopy to exclude something more serious.

Piles and cancer can both present in a very similar way.

For more information, you can visit my website and get in touch with me for a Teleconsult.

Take care and stay safe!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Ginanjar answered 3 years ago

Doctor, my son was hospitalized last month due to typhus. But he has been having diarrhea until now. Is this related to his typhus or is this likely another problem? What should I do?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi Thank you for the question.

Yes typhus can cause diarrhea, in the form of salmonella typhi. Or he could be suffering side effects of antibiotics given in the hospital.
Pls test the poop for infection.

Take care and stay safe!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Arinda C answered 3 years ago

Hello, Doctor. My mother is 55 years old and she complains about pain in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes there is blood in her stool. She had an endoscopy. It turns out there is a polyp in her colon. Can you give any suggestions on what she should do?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.

The endoscopy should have included a gastroscopy for stomach and colonoscopy (for the colon and rectum), to rule out problems in the stomach (like gastritis) or colon (cancer or piles). It also depends on what the polyp that was removed…. is it cancerous or benign?

If she continues to feel unwell, she should get a CT scan of the abdomen.

It would be good to do a Teleconsult with me to share the results you have so far.

Take care and stay safe!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Fauzi Ramadhan answered 3 years ago

Doctor, my uncle is 70 years old and he has nodules in his anus. It makes him feel pain and there is blood in his stool. It has been around 6 months. I have a problem bringing him to hospital, is it possible for him to be cured? What treatment works best for him?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.

You have to bring him to the hospital and be seen by a colorectal specialist like myself. Most important is to make sure this is not a cancer or anything life threatening, especially in his age group.

I cannot recommend treatment unless we have a diagnosis. For his own safety, bring him to the hospital or clinic early.

Take care and stay safe!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Tiara Dewinta answered 3 years ago

Doctor, my stools have been round and small for this past week. My stomach aches but I feel my bowel movement is not totally finished. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits because some people say this is due to lack of fiber in my meals. But the condition persists. Please give me your opinion, Doc

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question. What you are experiencing may be due to TOO MUCH fiber. People do not realise that taking too much of any food, even fiber, is not good for them. Our body cannot handle too much fiber and we have to eat everything in moderation. Taking too much fiber will cause constipation, and classically patients will have round stool (like goat shit) and bloating, like yourself. This is because all the excess fiber is choked up and not digested and starts to ferment inside your body. The solution is easy. Reduce your finer and take more healthy meat (lean red meat or white meat)!

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Bram answered 3 years ago

Good afternoon, Doctor. These 3 days, after a cup of morning coffee, a yellow oily liquid is discharged from my anus when I defecate. But I don’t feel any pain in my stomach. What condition is this? Is it normal?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.This is not normal. Are you taking a lot of oily food or possibly any weight loss supplements? If this continues, you should be examined by a specialist to make sure there is no infection or growth in the colon, rectum or anus. A colonoscopy and stool test for infection is also useful.

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Viktor Maleda answered 3 years ago

Doctor, please give me advice on how to treat a lump in my anus. It disturbs my activity.

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.
I have to know what this lump is before I can give you advice.
Lumps at the anus can be due to many causes, ranging from piles to abscess to cancer.
We can do a tele consultation as it will better allow me to advise you.

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Drv Maryono answered 3 years ago

What is the medicine for year-long hemorrhoids?

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for your question.
The longer the piles have been there, the more difficult it will be to treat with medication.
You may need surgery for the best result.
But make sure it really is piles so see a doctor or we can do a tele consultation so that I can better guide you.

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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Porodisanti answered 3 years ago

Good evening doctor, my husband suffers from anal fistula. He has had surgery, but until now he is still bleeding and sometimes he bleeds when he defecates. Please help give me some advice. Thank you.

Prof Dr. Mark Wong replied 3 years ago

Hi, thank you for the question.

Bleeding after fistula surgery is common but should only be in small amounts and only for a short time (less than a week). If the bleeding is still happening in large amounts or even after 1 week, he should see his surgeon to make sure there is no infection or other wound complications.

I hope he gets well soon.

Feel free to reach out to me on email at drmark@markwongsurgery.com
Visit my website at http://www.markwongsurgery.com/id
Follow me on Facebook, instagram and Linkedin.

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