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Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. Solon Gray Hughes, MD)

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Specializes in: Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery

Duke University School of Medicine (1999)

Professional interests include: inguinal hernia repair, excision, open gallbladder removal, and more.

146 East Hospital Drive Suite 400
West Columbia, SC 29169

(803) 936-3300

Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS is a bariatric surgeon in West Columbia, SC specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1999 and has 25 years of experience. Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS is affiliated with LEXINGTON HEALTH INC.

Office Locations

Address:

146 East Hospital Drive Suite 400
West Columbia, SC 29169

Address:

3016 Longtown Commons Drive Suite 210
Columbia, SC 29229

Some issues Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS can help you with:

Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is collected from the breast for testing. A physician may prescribe a breast biopsy for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently prescribed for a lump found in the breast. Biopsy samples extracted are examined by pathologists in a laboratory setting and are tested to determine if they are cancerous or benign, or indicative of some other condition. Depending on the lab results, physicians may prescribe additional treatment. Other circumstances which may prompt a breast biopsy include:

Mammograms that detect other unusual features in the chest, such as a cyst or calcium deposit
Breast scans or ultrasounds that display abnormalities
Nipple changes, such as scaling, crusting, or bloody discharge

Breast biopsies are collected through several different procedures and the specific type of biopsy that a patient receives depends on the size, location, and features of a breast lump or irregularity. The three main methods of collecting a breast biopsy include:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA biopsy), where a thin needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting a small sample of tissue or liquid
Core needle biopsy (CNB biopsy), where a hollow needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting cylinders of tissue called "cores"
Open (surgical) biopsy, where a breast lump is removed through an incision in the breast

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are sometimes image-guided, where a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI helps direct the physician performing the needle extraction.

Fine needle aspiration, the most common biopsy method, generally requires few patient preparations. It is recommended patients avoid using lotion, deodorant, and perfume prior to their biopsy procedure. FNA biopsy is performed with local anesthesia (topical numbing cream) and typically has a quick recovery, but patients may experience soreness for a few days. Core needle biopsy extracts slightly more tissue than an FNA biopsy.

Open (surgical) biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia, where patients are put to sleep during the procedure. Patients must fast prior to the surgery. After the biopsy is performed, patients are monitored in a recovery room for a time before being discharged, when they will need someone else to provide transportation.

Although some may consider breast biopsy to be a simple procedure, it can catch critical issues - particularly breast cancer - that impact wellness. If a breast biopsy reveals an underlying condition like life-threatening cancer, patients can receive the diagnosis and medical treatment that is necessary for their long-term health.

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

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.

blood draw	64
bypass surgery	16
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	373
gastrointestinal procedures	79
hospital care	184
inpatient care	184
minimally invasive procedures	78
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	17
weight management	32

**Gender**
Male	126
Female	173

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	215
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	116
From 75 to 84	47
85 and over	12
Less than 65	124

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	44
Dementia	5
Cancer	10

blood draw	99
diagnostic procedures	40
doctor visit	354
gastrointestinal procedures	91
hospital care	235
inpatient care	235
minimally invasive procedures	101
minor procedures	10
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	30
weight management	27

**Gender**
Male	111
Female	162

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	202
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	103
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	13
Less than 65	113

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	4
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	44
Dementia	9
Cancer	12

blood draw	87
diagnostic procedures	26
doctor visit	355
gastrointestinal procedures	30
hospital care	244
inpatient care	244
minimally invasive procedures	41
minor procedures	11
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15
weight management	17

**Gender**
Male	210
Female	312

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	376
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	208
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	44
Less than 65	194

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	46
Dementia	10
Cancer	11

blood draw	97
diagnostic procedures	37
doctor visit	371
gastrointestinal procedures	60
hospital care	212
inpatient care	212
minimally invasive procedures	73
minor procedures	13
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	24
weight management	26

**Gender**
Male	112
Female	149

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	182
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	99
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	15
Less than 65	109

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	24
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	45
Dementia	8
Cancer	12

blood draw	97
diagnostic procedures	12
doctor visit	356
gastrointestinal procedures	44
hospital care	131
inpatient care	131
minimally invasive procedures	43
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	13
weight management	16

**Gender**
Male	90
Female	157

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	175
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	13
Less than 65	93

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	45
Dementia	13
Cancer	9

blood draw	99
diagnostic procedures	14
doctor visit	341
gastrointestinal procedures	43
hospital care	107
inpatient care	107
minimally invasive procedures	42
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15
weight management	12

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	162

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	159
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	87
From 75 to 84	43
85 and over	14
Less than 65	100

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	45
Dementia	14
Cancer	8

blood draw	97
diagnostic procedures	14
doctor visit	320
gastrointestinal procedures	50
hospital care	159
inpatient care	159
minimally invasive procedures	49
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15
weight management	14

**Gender**
Male	98
Female	174

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	188
Black	73
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	53
85 and over	22
Less than 65	95

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	46
Dementia	14
Cancer	9

blood draw	58
doctor visit	241
hospital care	130
inpatient care	130

**Gender**
Male	101
Female	141

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	182
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	17
Less than 65	66

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	42
Dementia	10
Cancer	14

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS treated as a bariatric surgeon in West Columbia, SC were hospital care, inpatient care, blood draw and minimally invasive procedures.

abdominal surgery	11
blood draw	87
bypass surgery	16
diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	377
gastrointestinal procedures	52
hospital care	162
inpatient care	162
minimally invasive procedures	57
minor procedures	11
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	18
weight management	21

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS.

**Gender**
Male	93
Female	143

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	7
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	167
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	39
85 and over	15
Less than 65	89
65 to 74	91

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	11
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	35
Atrial Fibrillation	9
Cancer	8
Dementia	8

Education & Training

Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1999. He has a state license in South Carolina.

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine (1999)

Licensed In: South Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

LEXINGTON HEALTH INC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. S. Gray Gray Hughes, MD, FACS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$18,877 Da Vinci Surgical System $14,877	DAVINCI XI $4,000
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.	$1,845 SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple $1,173	GORE SYNECOR Biomaterial $544	SYNECOR Biomaterial $117	BIO A Tissue Reinforcement $11
Apollo Endosurgery US Inc	$765 Orbera $765
Covidien LP	$415 Sonicision $402	LigaSure $12
ACell, Inc.	$382 $382
Other	$1,459 ENTEREG $150	Soft Tissue Mechanical $141	Contrave $131	EsophyX $125	Synthetic Mesh $106	Other $807

**Types of Payments**
Education	$17,065
Food and Beverage	$3,471
Travel and Lodging	$2,946
Consulting Fee	$150
Gift	$110

Biography

Dr. S. Hughes is a general surgery and bariatric surgery specialist in West Columbia, SC and Columbia, SC. Areas of expertise for Dr. Hughes include gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders), surgical repair, and open inguinal hernia repair. He has an open panel in West Columbia, SC according to Doctor.com. Dr. Hughes graduated from Duke University School of Medicine.