Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD is a general surgeon in Milwaukee, WI specializing in general surgery. She graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 2011 and has 14 years of experience. Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD is affiliated with Froedtert Hospital, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Regional Health Network and THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN INC.
900 N. 92nd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the upper abdomen, underneath the liver. Its purpose is to store bile, which is used to digest fat. Occasionally, the gallbladder can develop mineral stones, called gallstones. If they are large enough, gallstones can block the ducts in the gallbladder and cause swelling and infection. Gallstones can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, it is best to remove the gallbladder before it can cause more serious problems. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.
Today, most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically. Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and small tools are inserted through these tiny incisions to perform the surgery. Because the incisions are much smaller, recovery time is much faster with this type of surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital the same day. Sometimes, open surgery is used to remove a gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a cut about six inches long is made in the upper right abdomen. After the gallbladder is removed, it is sutured or stapled closed. With open surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover before they are discharged.
Gallbladder removal, like any surgery, carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the development of blood clots. Doctors will tell patients how to minimize their risk for complications. After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for several days. They should not soak in a bath until their sutures or staples have been removed. Patients should wash hands before touching the area around the incision. It will take a couple of days until patients feel like themselves again and a few weeks until their scar has healed and faded.
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.
By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.
Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.
Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD for Medicare patients.
| 50 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD.
| 13 | |
| 8 |
| 10 | |
| 4 | |
| 8 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD treated were hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and chronic kidney disease.
| 31 | |
| 22 | |
| 7 | |
| 27 | |
| 11 | |
| 4 | |
| 7 | |
| 1 | |
| 10 | |
Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD graduated from Medical College of Wisconsin in 2011. She completed residency at Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Surgery and has a state license in Wisconsin.
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin (2011)
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (2016)
Board Certification: Surgery
Licensed In: Wisconsin
Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Milwaukee, WI.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Kathleen Lynn Lak, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
|
$4,727
Da Vinci Surgical System $4,727 |
||||||
|
$2,433
SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement $2,137 |
SYNECOR Biomaterial $185 |
BIO-A Tissue Reinforcement $96 |
GORE SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforce $15 |
|||
|
$287
1588 HD 3 Chip Camera $287 |
||||||
|
$272
LINX $272 |
||||||
|
$127
GENERAL THERAPIES $103 |
SPYGLASS $24 |
|||||
|
$569
STRATTICE $126 |
Sonicision $121 |
LINX Reflux Management System $89 |
Echelon; Endopath $84 |
TISSEEL $65 |
Other $85 |
| $4,000 | |
| $2,602 | |
| $1,813 |
Dr. Kathleen Lak is a specialist in general surgery. She attended Medical College of Wisconsin for medical school and subsequently trained at a hospital affiliated with Medical College of Wisconsin for residency. Dr. Lak's clinical interests include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, incisional hernia, and inguinal hernia repair. She is professionally affiliated with Froedtert Hospital. According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact her office in Milwaukee, WI.
