Colorectal surgery, Dubai & Sharjah
Discover Your Bowel Symptoms and Get a Clear Plan If Surgery is Required
A sudden change in bowel habits can be concerning, like an unsettling lump or blood in the stool, so you should not take these signs lightly. Dr. Ghosh is a trusted colorectal surgeon in Sharjah with over 25 years of experience, and he has already done 5000 colorectal surgeries. This means you will get a quick diagnosis of what treatment you need, how soon you need it, or if you are just having a minor issue.
During the first consultation, you will get a clear idea of whether you need surgery and how long it will take to recover. You get diagnosis and treatment from one colorectal surgeon in the UAE.
25+
Years in practice
5000+
Colorectal surgeries
12,000+
GI procedures performed
3
Hospitals, Dubai & Sharjah
Start with the symptom
Common Symptoms We Treat
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms that are mentioned below, then you must consult a doctor to provide you with valuable insights regarding treatment.
- Blood in the stool
- Rectal bleeding
- Persistent constipation
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Anal pain
- Anal lump or swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
- Change in bowel habits
Do not wait it out
When should you see a Colorectal Surgeon?
- Symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks, especially bleeding or a change in bowel habits that does not return to normal.
- Recurrent haemorrhoidsthat keep coming back after creams, ointments, or earlier procedures.
- A family history of colon cancer, which can mean you should be checked earlier than the general population.
- Persistent rectal bleeding, even when it seems small, or you assume it is piles.
- Failed medical treatment, when tablets and lifestyle changes have not controlled the problem.
Conditions We Treat
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer surgery is managed with a clear plan from diagnosis to the final stages of treatment to handle early polyps and established cancer.
Rectal Cancer
The rectal cancer surgery offers safe treatment while preserving bowel function and continence.
Haemorrhoids (piles)
Swelling in the veins of the anal canal can cause pain, bleeding, and prolapse, so we offer a safe surgical option.
Anal Fistula
An abnormal tunnel near the anus after an abscess is treated to clear infection and protect the sphincter.
Anal Fissure
A small tear in the anal lining that causes sharp pain and bleeding, usually managed without major surgery.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease surgery handles the inflammation, which can affect any part of the gut, and also treats strictures, fistulas, and complications.
Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammation of the colon and rectum is treated with ulcerative colitis surgery to remove the colon, which is a long-term cure.
IBS
A functional bowel disorder with no inflammation, where the priority is an accurate diagnosis before anything else.
Rectal Prolapse
When part of the rectum slips out through the anus, rectal prolapse surgery fixes it to restore support and function.
FAP
Familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited condition with many polyps that needs close surveillance and planned surgery.
Rectovaginal Fistula
An abnormal connection between the rectum and vagina, repaired with careful, often staged, reconstructive surgery.
Conditions of the anus such as recurrent piles, fissures, and fistulas are managed in detail through our dedicated proctology service for haemorrhoids, fissure, and fistula, with comfort and faster recovery in mind.
Treatment Options: Surgery is Not Always the Answer
One of the first questions patients ask is whether they need surgery or not. Often the answer is no. Many colorectal problems respond to medication, dietary changes, or a minor outpatient procedure, and surgery is reserved for when those steps are not enough, or the diagnosis demands it.
Non-surgical Treatments
- Medication to control symptoms and inflammation
- Lifestyle and dietary modification
- Colonoscopy-based interventions, including polyp removal
- Banding for haemorrhoids
- Sclerotherapy
- Surgical treatments
Surgical Treatments
- Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
- Robotic surgery
- Colectomy, removing part or all of the colon
- Fistula surgery
- Haemorrhoid surgery
- J-pouch surgery
Where an operation is needed, the aim is the smallest and most precise approach that does the job. Keyhole and robotic techniques usually mean less pain, smaller scars, and a quicker return home than open surgery, as explained in this patient guide to minimally invasive and robotic surgery in the UAE. For cancer, the principles of a modern colorectal cancer resection are to remove the disease completely while protecting bowel function and quality of life.
Pouch Surgery in Ulcerative Colitis (J-pouch)
For some people with ulcerative colitis, removing the diseased colon is a genuine cure. To avoid a permanent bag, the surgeon can create a new reservoir from the small intestine, shaped like the letter J, which is connected to the anus. This J-pouch lets you easily pass stool without any discomfort until complete healing. The pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis is done in phases to ensure the new pouch can safely settle. For a successful surgery, the surgeon's experience is crucial, so we provide that.
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS: what is the difference?
These three may sound confusing because the names sound similar and the symptoms overlap, but they are treated differently. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases, where the gut is inflamed and can be seriously damaged. By contrast, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder. It causes discomfort but does not inflame or scar the bowel, and it does not require surgery.
| Crohn's disease | Ulcerative colitis | IBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it affects | Any part of the gut, mouth to anus | Colon and rectum only | Whole bowel, function only |
| Inflammation present | ✓ | ✓ | × |
| Role of surgery | For complications and strictures | Can be curative (remove colon, J-pouch) | Not a surgical condition |
| Long-term cancer risk | Raised, needs monitoring | Raised, needs monitoring | Not increased |
Getting this distinction right is the point of a proper assessment. Crohn's disease surgery and ulcerative colitis surgery are reserved for inflammation that medicine cannot control or for complications.
What Recovery Actually Looks Like
Patients do not fear the operation as much as they fear the unknown threats. Questions like how many nights in hospital, when they can work again, and what they can eat builds anxiety. The ranges below are typical guides. Your own plan depends on the procedure, your general health, and how the surgery goes. You will also be given written instructions.
| Procedure | Hospital stay | Back to work | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy with polyp removal | Day case, no overnight | 1 to 2 days | Results review in 1 to 2 weeks |
| Laparoscopic colectomy | Typically 3 to 5 nights | About 4 to 6 weeks | Staged checks, then surveillance |
| Haemorrhoid surgery | Day case or 1 night | About 1 to 2 weeks | Single review at 4 to 6 weeks |
| J-pouch surgery | Planned in stages | Several weeks per stage | Ongoing pouch monitoring |
Keyhole and robotic procedures make the recovery easier than open surgery, while a light, gradually expanding diet and early gentle walking help the bowel wake up sooner.
Prevention
Colon Cancer Screening: Catching it Early
Colon cancer starts as a harmless growth called a polyp. Removing polyps before they turn cancerous is one of the methods to treat it, while routine tests can genuinely prevent a serious disease.
- Screening Age: Most adults start at 45, and earlier if you have a strong family history.
- Warning Signs: Blood in the stool, a lasting change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.
- Early Detection: Cancer found early is far more treatable, and screening can stop it before it begins.
If you are weighing up when to be checked, this surgeon's guide to colonoscopy screening in Dubai walks through who is at risk and what the test involves.
Concerned?
Persistent bleeding or a change in bowel habits is always worth checking. Speak to a specialist this week.
Your Patient Journey, Step by Step
- Step 1
Consultation
We review your symptoms and history, and examine you to determine the root cause.
- Step 2
Diagnosis
Blood and stool tests are taken to gain clarity regarding the issue.
- Step 3
Colonoscopy or Imaging
A colonoscopy, CT, or MRI helps to determine the actual cause of issue and confirms the diagnosis.
- Step 4
Treatment Planning
We explain every treatment option, including surgical and non-surgical, and also provide our recommendations that suit you.
- Step 5
Surgery, if Required
If an operation is needed, it is done with the least invasive approach to ensure safety.
- Step 6
Recovery and Follow-up
We provide a clear recovery plan and scheduled reviews, so nothing is left at risk.
Why Patients Choose Dr Arindam Ghosh
25+ Years of Experience
Decades of experience focused on the digestive system, so even complex cases are familiar ground.
5000+ Colorectal Surgeries
A proven track record in colon, rectal, and anal surgery, where experience is closely tied to outcomes.
DHA-licensed Specialist
Licensed to practise in the UAE, with fellowship credentials including Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic Expertise
A strong minimally invasive focus, aiming for smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster recovery.
Dubai and Sharjah Consultations
Appointments across leading hospitals in both emirates, so care stays close to where you live.
Multilingual Consultations
Conversations in a language you are comfortable with, so you can ask everything you need to.
Locations & cover
Where You Can Come for Consultation
For consultations and surgery, you can consdier three leading hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah and choose what is convenient.
Emirates Hospital Jumeirah
Dubai
Emirates Speciality Hospital, DHCC
Dubai
NMC Royal Hospital
Sharjah
Primary UAE insurers are accepted like DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf, and Oman Insurance. Self-pay is also accepted. International and GCC patients travelling are supported who travels for treatment for travel arrangements and medical visa, so they do not have to bear extra stress.
Frequently asked questions
Is rectal bleeding always serious?
No. Most rectal bleeding comes from harmless causes such as haemorrhoids or a small fissure. The problem is that bleeding can also be an early sign of something more serious, and the two can feel identical. That is why any bleeding that lasts beyond a couple of weeks, or comes with a change in bowel habits or weight loss, should be checked rather than assumed.
Will I definitely need surgery?
Often not. A large share of colorectal complaints are managed with medication, diet, or a minor outpatient procedure. Surgery is recommended when the diagnosis requires it, such as cancer, or when other treatments have not controlled the problem. You will always be told why an operation is being suggested and what the alternatives are.
How is colon cancer treated?
If colon cancer is confirmed, treatment is planned around its stage. Early cancers and many polyps can be removed during or shortly after colonoscopy. Established cancer usually needs surgery to remove the affected segment of bowel along with nearby lymph nodes, often by keyhole or robotic technique, and some patients also need chemotherapy. The aim is complete removal while protecting bowel function.
What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Both are forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and tends to appear in patches, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum. Surgery for Crohn's disease usually treats complications, whereas for ulcerative colitis, removing the colon can be a long-term cure, sometimes with a J-pouch so you avoid a permanent bag.
Is a J-pouch the same as a permanent stoma?
No. A J-pouch is built from your own small intestine to act as a new reservoir and is connected to the anus, which lets you pass stool in the usual way once it has healed. It is offered as an alternative to a permanent stoma for suitable patients, usually after the colon has been removed for ulcerative colitis, and it is normally done in planned stages.
When should I start colon cancer screening?
Most adults are advised to begin screening at 45, and earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, or symptoms such as persistent bleeding. Screening matters because it can find and remove polyps before they ever become cancer, so it is one of the most effective preventive tests available.
Do you see patients in both Dubai and Sharjah, and in different languages?
Yes. Consultations and surgery are arranged across hospitals in both Dubai and Sharjah, and consultations are offered in more than one language so you can discuss your care comfortably. With 25+ years of experience and major UAE insurers accepted, the goal is to make getting expert colorectal care straightforward wherever you are based.
Get a clear answer about your symptoms
Book a consultation with Dr Arindam Ghosh in Dubai or Sharjah, and leave knowing exactly what is going on and what to do next.
We bring the years, global experience, and stamina to guide our clients through new and often disruptive realities.