Colorectal surgery, Dubai & Sharjah
Answers about your bowel symptoms, and a clear plan if surgery is needed
A change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, or a lump that will not settle can be frightening, and the hardest part is often not knowing how serious it is. Dr Arindam Ghosh is a consultant gastrointestinal and colorectal surgeon with 25+ years of experience and more than 5000 colorectal surgeries, so you get a straight read on whether your problem is minor, whether it needs treatment, and what that treatment would involve.
Care runs from the first consultation through diagnosis, surgery if it is required, and recovery, all under one specialist across Dubai and Sharjah.
25+
Years in practice
5000+
Colorectal surgeries
12,000+
GI procedures performed
3
Hospitals, Dubai & Sharjah
Start with the symptom
Common symptoms we treat
Most people come in describing a symptom, not a diagnosis. Any of the signs below is worth a professional look, and many turn out to have simple, treatable causes.
- 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 haemorrhoids that 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
Tumours of the colon, from early polyps to established cancer, managed with a clear staging and treatment plan.
Rectal cancer
Cancer of the rectum, where preserving bowel function and continence is a central goal of surgery.
Haemorrhoids (piles)
Swollen veins in the anal canal causing bleeding, pain, or prolapse, with both office and surgical options.
Anal fistula
An abnormal tunnel near the anus, often after an abscess, 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
Inflammation that can affect any part of the gut, where surgery treats strictures, fistulas, and complications.
Ulcerative colitis
Inflammation of the colon and rectum, where surgery to remove the colon can be 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, corrected with surgery 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 will definitely need an operation. 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
- 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, 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 build a new reservoir from the small intestine, shaped like the letter J and connected to the anus. This J-pouch lets you pass stool in the normal way once it has healed. Pouch surgery in ulcerative colitis is usually done in planned stages so the new join can settle safely, and it is one of the more demanding operations in colorectal practice, which is why surgeon experience matters.
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS: what is the difference?
These three are easy to confuse because the names sound similar and the symptoms overlap, but they are treated very differently. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease, where the gut is genuinely inflamed and can be damaged over time. By contrast, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder: it causes real discomfort but does not inflame or scar the bowel, and it is not a surgical condition.
| 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 whole point of a proper assessment. Crohn's disease surgery and ulcerative colitis surgery are reserved for inflammation that medicine cannot control or for complications, while IBS is managed without an operation.
What recovery actually looks like
Patients rarely fear the operation as much as they fear the unknown afterwards: how many nights in hospital, when they can work again, what they can eat, and when they will be seen next. The ranges below are typical guides. Your own plan depends on the procedure, your general health, and how the surgery goes, and you will be given clear, 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 |
Across the board, keyhole and robotic approaches tend to shorten the stay and ease the recovery compared with 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 almost always starts as a small, harmless growth called a polyp. Removing polyps before they turn cancerous is one of the few times in medicine where a routine test 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
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Step 1
Consultation
We listen to your symptoms and history, and examine you, so you understand the likely cause from day one.
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Step 2
Diagnosis
Blood and stool tests, and a clinical examination, narrow things down quickly.
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Step 3
Colonoscopy or imaging
A colonoscopy, CT, or MRI gives a clear picture of what is happening inside and confirms the diagnosis.
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Step 4
Treatment planning
We talk through every option, surgical and non-surgical, and agree a plan that fits your life.
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Step 5
Surgery, if required
When an operation is needed, it is done with the least invasive approach that is safe for your case.
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Step 6
Recovery and follow-up
You leave with a clear recovery plan and scheduled reviews, so nothing is left to chance.
Why patients choose Dr Arindam Ghosh
25+ years of experience
Decades focused on the digestive system, so even unusual or complex cases are familiar ground.
5000+ colorectal surgeries
A high-volume track record in colon, rectal, and anal surgery, where experience is closely tied to outcomes.
DHA licensed specialist
Fully 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 be seen
Consultations and surgery are arranged across three leading hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah, so you can choose what is convenient.
Emirates Hospital Jumeirah
Dubai
Emirates Speciality Hospital, DHCC
Dubai
NMC Royal Hospital
Sharjah
Major UAE insurers are accepted, including DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf, and Oman Insurance, and self-pay is welcome. International and GCC patients travelling for treatment can be supported with medical visa and travel arrangements, so distance does not stand in the way of getting the right surgery.
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.
Surgeries
- Esophagus
- Colorectal
- Gastric & Reflux
- Onco (Cancer)
- Bariatric
- Hepatobiliary
- Pancreas
- Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
- Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
- Liver Transplant
- Proctology
(Fissure, Fistula & Hemorrhoids)