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Hepatologists and Surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Offer Advanced Treatment Options for Liver Disease

Some of the AdventHealth Digestive Institute's surgeons and gastroenterologists have deep experience in treating liver disease. Liver disease is a broad term that refers to anything that interferes with normal liver function. The liver literally does hundreds of things, including producing proteins essential for your blood, making the bile necessary for digestion, and metabolizing cholesterol and medications. The liver is so important to your body that it is the only organ that can regenerate itself.

Unfortunately, the liver can be damaged when it develops cirrhosis.

The three most common causes of cirrhosis are:

  • Alcoholism – excessive alcohol consumption
  • Infection – hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Steatohepatitis – fatty liver caused by long-term obesity or metabolic syndrome

Once cirrhosis has developed, damage to the liver is irreversible. Cirrhosis significantly increases the chances of developing liver cancer. Also, the factor that has been leading to cirrhosis needs to be managed so that patients do not progress to liver failure.

Liver Disease Symptoms

When it is advanced, liver cirrhosis often causes:

  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
  • Jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin)
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements)
  • Visible enlargement of veins in the abdominal wall

Treatment for Liver Disease

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the liver disease you have. There are many types of liver disease, which can also include liver cancers. Some cases of liver disease are detected when they are in early stages and others when they are severe. Because of this, some patients can be treated with medicine or outpatient procedures, while others will require surgery or a liver transplant.

Whatever your particular case of liver disease, there are great benefits to choosing the AdventHealth Digestive Institute for your care. Our gastroenterologists work hand in hand with liver surgeon Dr. Iswanto Sucandy and a hepatologist (liver specialist). This multidisciplinary team can make sure you receive the right level of care for your condition. Should your disease worsen and surgery become necessary, our surgeons are experienced in performing minimally invasive liver surgeries that result in faster recoveries with less pain.

Robotic Surgery for Liver Resection

Dr. Sucandy is one of the world’s only surgeons who currently offers robotic surgery for liver resection. This advanced approach means that liver surgeries that would otherwise require a large open incision can be performed with only a few small cuts the size of keyholes. When performed by an experienced liver surgeon, these minimally invasive operations result in better outcomes for the patient. With a faster recovery from surgery, the next stage of a patient’s treatment can begin sooner.

If you are facing a liver disease diagnosis and want a treatment center with the comprehensive care you need, call AdventHealth Digestive Institute to make an appointment at Call813-615-7030.


Liver Disease and Hepatology

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  • Liver Cancer

    AdventHealth Digestive Institute surgeons offer surgical and non-surgical liver cancer treatments, depending on your specific case. Schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists.

  • Gallbladder Cancer

    Removing the gallbladder with cancer is a very complex surgery that requires highly experienced surgeons like those at AdventHealth Digestive Institute.

  • Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

    Gastroenterologists and surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute are experts in treating liver disease, cirrhosis, fatty liver and hepatitis.

  • Hepatitis

    Our expert medical team can help diagnose, manage and treat hepatitis B and C.

  • Liver Cysts and Tumors (Benign)

    For diagnosis and treatment of benign liver tumors or cysts, our exert medical team can help. Learn more about the causes and symptoms today.

  • Robotic Liver Surgery

    If you need surgery for liver cancer or benign liver tumors, you may qualify for our minimally invasive procedure using a surgical robot.

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Recover Faster With Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

All the surgeons at the Digestive Health Institute (DHI) have a large depth of experience in offering minimally invasive surgery.

Meet The Experts

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Dr. Iswanto Sucandy

Iswanto Sucandy

MD, FACS

Advanced HPB Surgeon

Sandra Freeman

Sandra G. Freeman

ARNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Dana Manzi

Dana Manzi

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Betsy Prator

Betsy Prator

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

A Doctor Speaks to a Patient in the Practice Lobby

Surgical Consultations For Digestive Cancer Without The Wait

Appointments Within Five Days for Patients with Cancer

At AdventHealth Digestive Institute, we know that after being diagnosed with cancer, patients want and often need to begin treatment quickly. So we make it a priority to offer appointments for cancer surgery consultations within five business days, and often earlier.

Patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer, or have just found out they have cancer again, qualify for this priority access. Our surgeons will make themselves available to see you right away, even for a second opinion. We want to help you start your treatment as soon as possible.

News and Info

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