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Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD

Accepting New Patients

(4 Ratings)

Specializes in: General Surgery

St. George's University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: minimally invasive surgery, abdominal surgery, robotic surgery, and more.

7910 Frost Street Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92123

(858) 565-0104

Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD is a general surgeon in San Diego, CA specializing in general surgery. He graduated from St. George's University School of Medicine. Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD is affiliated with Sharp Memorial Hospital, Sharp HealthCare, Sharp Coronado Hospital and SAN DIEGO GENERAL AND VASCULAR SURGEONS MEDICAL GROUP, INC.

Office Locations

Address:

7910 Frost Street Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92123

Some issues Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD can help you with:

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove a small sample of cells for testing. The cells are examined in a laboratory to check for disease, or sometimes to see how badly a known disease is affecting them. Biopsy can be performed on any part of the body.

Although biopsy is most often associated with cancer, it can also be used to check for other diseases, such as infections. A biopsy sample can be scraped, cut, collected with a needle, taken with a machine that punches out a tiny piece, or removed with the tiny tools in an endoscope.

In most cases, a biopsy is a simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as blood thinners. It is important for patients to tell doctors if they are pregnant, as certain biopsies require the use of x-rays to guide the needle to the right location. There is usually very little pain associated with a biopsy. Patients will have to wait a few days to hear the results.

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:

Reduces the calories the stomach absorbs
Alters gastrointestinal hormones, which help to heal obesity-induced metabolic syndrome
Suppresses appetite
Alleviates conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity, such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
Contributes to mental health by improving self-esteem

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.

abdominal surgery	14
doctor visit	77
gastrointestinal procedures	14
hospital care	94
inpatient care	94
minimally invasive procedures	14

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	64

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	21
Asian	19
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	68
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	17
Less than 65	33

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	34
Dementia	9
Cancer	22

abdominal surgery	12
doctor visit	72
gastrointestinal procedures	12
hospital care	79
inpatient care	79
minimally invasive procedures	12

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	75

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	13
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	61
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	15
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	34
Dementia	9
Cancer	19

abdominal surgery	15
doctor visit	63
gastrointestinal procedures	15
hospital care	41
inpatient care	41
minimally invasive procedures	15

**Gender**
Male	164
Female	96

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	168
Black	0
Hispanic	32
Asian	36
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	24
Less than 65	56

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	42
Dementia	11
Cancer	15

doctor visit	28
hospital care	77
inpatient care	77

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	54

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	86
Black	0
Hispanic	16
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	40
85 and over	14
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	39
Dementia	16
Cancer	15

abdominal surgery	14
doctor visit	41
gastrointestinal procedures	14
hospital care	62
inpatient care	62
minimally invasive procedures	14

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	85
Black	0
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	21
Less than 65	25

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	34
Dementia	16
Cancer	15

abdominal surgery	16
doctor visit	65
gastrointestinal procedures	16
hospital care	101
inpatient care	101
minimally invasive procedures	16

**Gender**
Male	80
Female	65

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	23
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	13
Less than 65	30

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	41
Dementia	10
Cancer	14

abdominal surgery	22
doctor visit	76
gastrointestinal procedures	22
hospital care	20
inpatient care	20
minimally invasive procedures	22

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	0

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	95
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	14
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	72
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	28
Dementia	12
Cancer	13

abdominal surgery	18
doctor visit	64
gastrointestinal procedures	18
hospital care	41
inpatient care	41
minimally invasive procedures	18

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	49

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	86
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	15
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	18
Less than 65	19

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	27
Dementia	12
Cancer	0

abdominal surgery	47
doctor visit	196
gastrointestinal procedures	47
minimally invasive procedures	47

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD treated as a general surgeon in San Diego, CA were hospital care, inpatient care, minimally invasive procedures and abdominal surgery.

abdominal surgery	19
doctor visit	76
gastrointestinal procedures	19
hospital care	64
inpatient care	64
minimally invasive procedures	19

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD.

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	9
Non-Hispanic White	82
Hispanic	12
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	28
85 and over	12
Less than 65	21
65 to 74	53

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	39
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	27
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Cancer	11
Dementia	9

Education & Training

Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD graduated from St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield. He is certified by the General surgery General surgery and has a state license in California.

Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine

Residency: Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield

Board Certification: General surgery General surgery

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Sharp Memorial Hospital

Sharp HealthCare

Sharp Coronado Hospital

SAN DIEGO GENERAL AND VASCULAR SURGEONS MEDICAL GROUP, INC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, 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. Shawn Robert Bench, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Diego, CA.

Overall Rating

(4 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Shawn Robert Bench, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$61,892 Da Vinci Surgical System $59,892	DA VINCI SP $2,000
Davol Inc.	$1,333 DAV-Phasix $462	Phasix Mesh $332	DAV-XenMatrix AB $142	SURGICAL $130	PHASIX $106	Other $161
Ethicon US, LLC	$375 Endoscopy: Endocutters $61	Harmonic $47	LINX Reflux Management System $45	HARMONIC Product Family $35	SURGICEL Family of Absorbable Hemostats $30	Other $157
Covidien Sales LLC	$192 Synthetic Mesh $68	Access $52	Endo Stapling $22	Instruments and Ligation $20	ReliaTack $16	Other $14
Teleflex LLC	$132 QuikClot $69	TITAN SGS STANDARD GASTRIC STAPLER $28	WECK EFx Shield Port Site Closure System $18	KMEDIC $17
Other	$852 GATTEX $111	STRATTICE $76	TEFLARO $46	SUR - SIS $46	ENTEREG $44	Other $529

**Types of Payments**
Education	$46,000
Travel and Lodging	$6,707
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$6,500
Food and Beverage	$5,568