Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD is a bariatric surgeon in Fairfield, CT specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. He graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD is affiliated with Hartford Healthcare and HARTFORD HEALTHCARE MEDICAL GROUP SPECIALISTS PLLC.
1262 Post Road Suite 1
Fairfield, CT 06824
15195 Heathcote Boulevard Suite 330
Haymarket, VA 20169
2 Trap Falls Road Suite 100
Shelton, CT 06484
205 Sub Way Suite 200
Milford, CT 06461
2660 Main Street Suite 110
Bridgeport, CT 06606
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.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach and altering how the digestive system absorbs and processes food. The procedure treats morbid obesity, where one's weight impairs day-to-day function or poses serious health risks. Gastric bypass surgery is used only after other weight loss treatments are unsuccessful.
Generally, gastric bypass surgery is performed on patients who have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgeons frequently expect patients to first attempt natural weight loss for about six months to prove to the surgeon that the patient is capable of maintaining a post-surgery diet and exercise regimen.
For obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has many potential health and weight benefits. Gastric bypass surgery restricts the amount of food the stomach contains, as well as:
During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is stapled to reduce its size, and a small hole is created in the stomach and attached to the middle section of the small intestine. This direct connection between the stomach and the middle of the small intestine creates a channel for some food to bypass the normal route. By bypassing the upper small intestine and larger region of the stomach, food is not fully absorbed and patients do not retain the same amount of calories as before. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as "Roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery. Some bariatric surgeons may perform a "laparoscopic bypass" which uses a tiny camera (laparoscope) to guide the procedure.
Gastric bypass surgery is performed with general anesthesia and as preparation, a liquid diet is required for two weeks prior to undergoing the surgery. After the surgery, patients will spend about two days in the hospital and may miss work for two to three weeks. In the first month after the surgery, patients are only able to consume small portions of liquid or soft food. Even after reintroducing solid food, patients feel full quickly, sometimes after eating just two or three tablespoons. Some patients experience "dumping syndrome" (rapid processing of food into the small intestine), which is common during the recovery process. Gastric bypass surgery patients must also make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, gastric bypass patients are required to take vitamins for life after surgery and required to forever avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, sugar, and high fat food.
While the gastric bypass recovery process can be challenging, surgery results are usually swift: most gastric bypass surgery patients lose nearly half to two thirds of their starting weight within two years of surgery.
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. Nicholas Dugan, MD for Medicare patients.
| 31 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension and depression.
| 20 | |
| 20 | |
| 11 | |
Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed residency at University of Connecticut Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in Connecticut.
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Residency: University of Connecticut Affiliated Hospitals
Licensed In: Connecticut
Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CorVel, Great-West Healthcare, WellCare, Evercare, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Oxford Health Plans, Coventry, Cigna, Anthem, ConnectiCare, Focus Health Solutions, Prime Health, First Health, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), CarePartners of Connecticut, Senior Whole Health, Health Direct, HMC/ Northeast Healthcare, Colonial Cooperative Care, BCBS Medicare, Inc., Medspan Commercial, Health Connecticut, Health New England, Healthy Connecticut, Connecticare Commercial, Essence Healthcare, Medspan Medicare, Connecticare Medicare, Community Health Network of Connecticut and Northeast Health Direct.
According to our sources, Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 4 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Fairfield, CT.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Nicholas Dugan, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
|
$4,303
Da Vinci Surgical System $3,303 |
DAVINCI XI $1,000 |
|
|
$1,443
GORE SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforce $1,443 |
||
|
$94
$94 |
||
|
$43
Wegovy $43 |
||
|
$31
TISSEEL $31 |
||
|
$39
SPYGLASS $21 |
LINX Reflux Management System $18 |
| $4,000 | |
| $1,066 | |
| $887 |
Dr. Nicholas Dugan is a specialist in general surgery and bariatric surgery. He graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Dugan is affiliated with Hartford Healthcare.
