EXPERT
Dr. Steven Paynter, M.D.
Surgeon
Dr. Steven Paynter is a general surgeon practicing in Dalton, GA. Dr. Paynter has over 30 years of experience and specializes in surgery of the abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, hernias and often thyroid and parathyroid glands. He is currently serving as the Trauma Medical Director, and Chair of the Ethics committee for Hamilton Medical Center. He has served as President of the Medical Staff, Chair of the Dept of Surgery, and on the hospital and system boards. He has led numerous surgical mission trips to the Carribean and to Central and South America. He was the first general surgeon in north Georgia and southeast Tennessee to perform surgery with the DaVinci Robot. He was the first surgeon in the region to offer the new LINX procedure for hiatal hernia and reflux management. General surgeons are able to deal with almost any surgical or critical care emergency, also involving the skin or soft tissue trauma. Dr. Paynter provides quality surgical service for gravely ill or injured patients and is able to respond quickly due to knowledge of various surgical procedures.
41 years
Experience
Dr. Steven Paynter, M.D.
- Dalton, GA
- Med Coll of Ga Sch of Med, Augusta Ga
- Accepting new patients
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Can I eat if I suspect appendicitis?
If you suspect appendicitis it is best not to eat. The main reason is that if you do have appendicitis and you need emergency surgery, having an empty stomach makes the anesthesia READ MORE
If you suspect appendicitis it is best not to eat. The main reason is that if you do have appendicitis and you need emergency surgery, having an empty stomach makes the anesthesia safer. A full stomach at the start of anesthesia could lead to vomiting, and if it gets down into your lungs, you could develop severe and even life threatening pneumonia.
Where do you press to check for appendicitis?
Early on in appendicitis, there is usually a vague abdominal discomfort. As the appendix becomes more inflamed there is usually more tenderness in the right lower abdomen, classically READ MORE
Early on in appendicitis, there is usually a vague abdominal discomfort. As the appendix becomes more inflamed there is usually more tenderness in the right lower abdomen, classically 2/3rds of the way from the umbilicus to the right hip. However, there are many patients who do not have classic symptoms and usually the diagnosis is based on many findings other than just checking for pain.
When should I worry about hernia pain?
Many patients do not have pain with a hernia, and are not aware of a hernia until found on an examination. Severe pain, that is unrelenting could indicate the bowel has become READ MORE
Many patients do not have pain with a hernia, and are not aware of a hernia until found on an examination. Severe pain, that is unrelenting could indicate the bowel has become trapped and requires emergency surgery. Mild pain or discomfort is very common and may be the first hint that there is a hernia, and while that may be a nuisance is not usually a serious problem. There are studies that show that patients that have significant pain before surgery are more likely to have chronic longterm pain even after repair.
