Specialized abdominal interventions customized for your condition, delivering effective solutions for digestive disorders, pain relief, and improved quality of life.
Dr. Nguyen specializes in a wide range of advanced abdominal procedures tailored to address various digestive and organ-related conditions. Each surgical approach is designed to effectively treat the underlying problem, minimize recovery time, and restore optimal function while using the least invasive techniques appropriate for your specific situation.
Explore our abdominal procedure options below to discover which approach might be most suitable for your specific condition and personal health needs.
This precision-focused procedure corrects weaknesses in the abdominal wall that have allowed tissue to protrude, addressing inguinal, ventral, umbilical, or incisional hernias through minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
What happens during surgery?
Using small incisions appropriate to the hernia type, your surgeon identifies the weakened area and returns any protruding tissue to its proper position. A specialized mesh is often placed to reinforce the defect, and the area is secured with sutures or surgical adhesives. The approach is customized based on hernia location, size, and patient factors. The entire procedure typically takes 45-90 minutes under general or regional anesthesia.
Benefits:
Complete resolution of hernia bulge and associated discomfort
Prevention of potentially dangerous complications
Minimally invasive options with significantly less post-operative pain
Reduced recovery time compared to traditional open techniques
Same-day discharge for most patients
Low recurrence rates with modern mesh reinforcement methods
Hernia repair offers a definitive solution for these common abdominal wall defects, eliminating pain and protrusion while strengthening the affected area to prevent future problems and allow unrestricted return to normal activities.
This minimally invasive procedure removes the gallbladder through small incisions in the abdomen, eliminating gallstones and preventing future stone formation and associated complications.
What happens during surgery?
Using four tiny incisions (typically 0.5-1.5 cm each), your surgeon inserts a camera and specialized instruments to identify, carefully detach, and remove the entire gallbladder. The bile ducts are inspected to ensure they're clear, and the incisions are closed with small stitches. The entire procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Complete elimination of gallstone pain and associated symptoms
Prevention of serious complications like pancreatitis and cholangitis
No possibility of stone recurrence since the gallbladder is removed
Minimal scarring and reduced post-operative discomfort
Short hospital stay (often same-day discharge)
Quick return to normal diet and activities (typically within 1-2 weeks)
Cholecystectomy offers a permanent solution for symptomatic gallstones and gallbladder disease, allowing patients to live without the recurrent pain and limitations of gallbladder attacks while maintaining normal digestive function.
This focused procedure removes the inflamed appendix through minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, preventing serious complications of appendicitis while minimizing surgical impact.
What happens during surgery?
Using several small incisions (typically 0.5-1 cm each), your surgeon inserts a camera and specialized instruments to locate, carefully detach, and remove the appendix. The area is thoroughly cleaned to remove any infection, and the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches. The entire procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Immediate resolution of appendicitis symptoms and pain
Prevention of life-threatening complications like perforation and peritonitis
Minimal scarring with laparoscopic techniques
Significantly less post-operative discomfort than traditional open surgery
Short hospital stay (often same-day discharge for uncomplicated cases)
Quick return to normal activities (typically within 1-2 weeks)
Appendectomy provides a definitive solution for appendicitis through a well-established, safe procedure that eliminates the source of infection while allowing for rapid healing and minimal disruption to the patient's life.
This precise procedure removes diseased portions of the large intestine while carefully preserving intestinal continuity, addressing conditions like cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or obstruction.
What happens during surgery?
Using several small incisions for minimally invasive approaches when possible, your surgeon accesses the abdominal cavity to identify the affected section of the colon. The diseased segment is carefully separated from surrounding tissues, blood vessels are controlled, and the healthy ends are reconnected to restore intestinal function. The entire procedure typically takes 2-4 hours under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Effective removal of diseased tissue with appropriate margins
Relief from chronic symptoms like pain, bleeding, or obstruction
Minimally invasive options with reduced post-operative discomfort
Preservation of normal bowel function in most cases
Potential cure for conditions like localized cancer or diverticulitis
Improved quality of life compared to managing ongoing disease
Colectomy offers a definitive treatment for serious colon conditions, removing the source of disease while maintaining digestive function and allowing patients to return to a better quality of life free from chronic symptoms.
This critical procedure creates an artificial opening between the colon and the abdominal wall, allowing stool to exit the body into an external collection device when normal intestinal passage is compromised.
What happens during surgery?
Using either minimally invasive techniques or an open approach depending on the specific situation, your surgeon accesses the large intestine and identifies an appropriate section. This portion of the colon is brought through a carefully created opening in the abdominal wall and secured to form a stoma. The surrounding skin is prepared for appliance attachment. The entire procedure typically takes 1-3 hours under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Life-saving diversion for intestinal obstructions or perforations
Critical bowel rest for inflammatory conditions or after surgical complications
Potential for reversal in many temporary cases
Effective management of fecal incontinence or neurological bowel conditions
Improved quality of life compared to untreated intestinal disease
Colostomy provides an essential alternative pathway for intestinal contents when normal function is impossible, preventing life-threatening complications while allowing patients to maintain nutrition and activity with appropriate ostomy management.
This reconstructive procedure reconnects the previously diverted sections of the intestine, eliminating the need for an external collection device and restoring normal bowel function through the natural pathway.
What happens during surgery?
Using an incision around the stoma site and additional small incisions when possible, your surgeon carefully frees the bowel ends from surrounding tissue adhesions. The stoma is detached from the abdominal wall, and the surgeon precisely reconnects the intestinal sections to reestablish continuity. The entire procedure typically takes 2-3 hours under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Elimination of the external stoma bag and associated care requirements
Return to normal bowel movements through the natural path
Improved body image and quality of life for most patients
Freedom from stoma-related complications and appliance concerns
Enhanced ability to participate in physical activities without restrictions
Reduced long-term healthcare costs associated with ostomy supplies
Colostomy reversal offers eligible patients the opportunity to regain normal bowel function and independence from ostomy management, allowing a return to activities and routines without the physical and psychological impact of a stoma.
This specialized procedure addresses a complex groin injury commonly affecting athletes, repairing torn or damaged soft tissues in the lower abdominal and pelvic region that cause chronic pain during athletic movements.
What happens during surgery?
Using small incisions in the lower abdomen and groin area, your surgeon identifies the specific damaged tissues, which may include torn tendons, muscle tears, or weakened areas of the abdominal wall. These structures are precisely repaired using sutures and sometimes reinforcing mesh. The entire procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes under general anesthesia.
Benefits:
Relief from chronic groin and lower abdominal pain during athletic activities
Repair of muscular and tendon damage not visible on standard imaging
Minimally invasive options with reduced post-operative scarring
Targeted approach addressing the specific injury pattern
Potential for return to pre-injury level of athletic performance
Prevention of further tissue damage and chronic disability
Sports hernia repair provides athletes and active individuals with a pathway to recovery from this often-misdiagnosed condition, addressing the underlying soft tissue damage and allowing for a safe return to sports and physical activities without debilitating pain.
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All our abdominal procedures are performed by our highly trained surgical team using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. We're committed to providing you with the most effective, specialized solutions for abdominal conditions because we believe you deserve:
Precise diagnosis and targeted treatment of complex abdominal disorders
Minimally invasive options when appropriate for faster recovery
Reduced post-operative pain and discomfort
Expert management of both acute and chronic conditions
Personalized care plans tailored to your specific needs
Improved digestive function and overall quality of life
Tailored follow-up care for optimal long-term results
Dr. Richard Nguyen is a board-certified General Surgeon with over 20 years of surgical expertise and fellowship training in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery from Vanderbilt University. Since establishing his practice in San Jose in 2007, he has pioneered innovative surgical techniques, including single-incision laparoscopic procedures and mastery of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. Beyond his acclaimed bariatric surgery practice, he has earned national recognition for his specialized expertise in both non-mesh and advanced mesh hernia repairs, while also serving as a critical approach surgeon for anterior spine access procedures. Dr. Nguyen combines technical precision with personalized care across multiple premier facilities throughout the South Bay Area.
I would refer Doctor Nguyen to anyone, in fact I have and they have all had the same experience as me. He is truly great. I owe all my success to Doctor Nguyen and I thank him for all the work he has done for me and continues to do so. He is extremely amazing, and I am very grateful to him.
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At 50, I now have a life I had only dreamed of a year before. My body tells me if I am done eating. This surgery is a tool that I have used to the fullest. It is not an easy way out. It still took work. But I honestly know that I would not be living this amazing new life if I didn’t step forward to embrace this life-saving surgery.
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Dr. Nguyen has changed my life completely. I feel so much better and I also feel like I’ve got control of my life again…I had high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. I took at least 5 different medications for the past 30 years. NOW, after surgery I take no medications only vitamins!
Wondering which surgical procedure might be right for your condition? We're here to help you understand your treatment options and develop a personalized surgical plan. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Your path to improved health may be more achievable than you think—with advanced surgical techniques leading to faster recovery, reduced complications, and a significantly enhanced quality of life.