Dr. Michael McKenna, Do

Dr. Michael McKenna, Do Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Dr. Michael McKenna, Do, Surgeon, 4970 N Expressway Ste A, Brownsville, TX.

04/16/2026

Gallstones 101

Your gallbladder stores bile, but when stones form, they can temporarily block the duct → causing sharp pain that comes and goes (biliary colic). Your body eventually pushes it through… until next time.

12/01/2025

how hard are you willing to work?

11/29/2025

Appendicitis is one of those conditions that can sneak up on you fast. Your appendix is a tiny pouch attached to your colon, and most of the time it minds its own business. The problem starts when the opening gets blocked by stool, inflammation, or swollen lymphoid tissue. That blockage traps bacteria inside, causing the appendix to swell and become irritated. This is what leads to the classic symptoms: pain that often starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right side, nausea, loss of appetite, and sometimes fever.

We take appendicitis seriously because it can worsen quickly. As the pressure builds, the appendix can become so inflamed that it ruptures. When that happens, infected material can spill into the abdomen and cause a much more dangerous infection. The good news is that when we catch it early, treatment is very straightforward and recovery is smooth for most patients.

If you ever have sudden and worsening abdominal pain, especially if it hurts to walk, cough, or jump, do not ignore it. Appendicitis is not something you can tough out. Getting checked early makes a big difference, and surgery when needed is safe, quick, and life-saving. Your body gives you warning signs for a reason. Listen to them.

11/26/2025

A lot of people hear “diverticulitis” and immediately think they need surgery. The truth is… most of the time, you don’t. The majority of diverticulitis cases can be treated with rest, bowel rest, hydration, and sometimes antibiotics. Your colon just needs a chance to calm down.

Surgery is usually reserved for very specific situations: repeated episodes that keep coming back, complications like abscesses or fistulas, severe infections that don’t improve with medical treatment, or emergencies where the colon becomes dangerously inflamed or perforated. Those are not the norm.

For most patients, we focus on symptom control, diet adjustments, and preventing future flare-ups. Many people recover completely without ever stepping foot in the OR.

So if you’ve been told you have diverticulitis, do not panic. It does not automatically mean surgery. Talk to your surgeon, understand your specific case, and make a plan that fits your situation.

11/24/2025

A lot of people are surprised to learn that a hernia does not always cause pain. Some hernias show up as a small bulge that you can push in, others only appear when you cough or lift, and some stay completely silent until they are not. Even without pain, a hernia means there is a weakness in the abdominal wall, and that weakness can change over time. It can trap bowel, cut off blood supply, or suddenly become an emergency. That is why the most important thing you can do is get it evaluated early. A quick exam and sometimes an ultrasound can tell us exactly what it is and whether it needs treatment now or just monitoring. You do not have to wait until it hurts to take it seriously. If you notice a new bulge, pressure, or something that just feels off, check in with a surgeon so we can guide you safely and prevent problems before they start.

11/18/2025

Diverticulosis is something I talk about with patients every single week. It sounds scary, but here is what it actually means. Over time, small pockets can form along the wall of your colon. They are common as we get older and most people never feel them at all. They are usually found on a routine colonoscopy or CT scan and most of the time they cause zero symptoms.

The issue comes when those pockets get inflamed or infected. That is diverticulitis, and that is when you may notice lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or changes in bowel habits. The good news is that diverticulosis itself is usually managed with simple lifestyle steps. Staying hydrated, eating more fiber, and keeping your bowels regular can lower your chances of complications.

If you ever develop severe or persistent pain, fever, or signs of infection, that is when we step in and take a closer look. Most cases can be treated medically, but surgery becomes an option when attacks are repeated or severe.

Bottom line: diverticulosis is common, manageable, and not something to panic about. Know the symptoms, take care of your gut, and reach out early if anything feels off. Your colon will thank you.

11/16/2025

As a general surgeon, one of the most important reminders I can give you is this: everyone needs their first colonoscopy at age 45, even if you feel perfectly healthy. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we see, and catching it early truly saves lives.

During a colonoscopy, we are not just looking around. We carefully examine the entire colon for polyps, which are small growths that can turn into cancer over time. If we find them, we can remove them right then and there before they ever have a chance to become dangerous. We also look for inflammation, bleeding, diverticulosis, and any subtle changes in the lining that could signal early disease.

Most people are surprised by how easy the actual procedure is. You are asleep, comfortable, and it feels like it is over in minutes. The prep is the hardest part, but it is one day of inconvenience for decades of peace of mind.

If you are 45 or older, or you have a family history of colon cancer, please get screened. Preventing a cancer is always easier than treating one.

11/13/2025

As a general surgeon, I get this question almost every single day: “Can my hernia heal on its own?” I wish I could tell you yes… but the honest answer is no. A true hernia doesn’t reverse, shrink, or seal back up with rest, diets, supplements, or exercise. Once there’s a defect in the abdominal wall, the only definitive treatment is surgical repair.

That doesn’t mean every hernia needs surgery right this second. Some are small, minimally symptomatic, and safe to monitor for a period of time. But it’s important to understand that hernias only move in one direction; they get bigger, more uncomfortable, and at higher risk for complications like incarceration or strangulation. Those situations can become emergencies, and they’re what we work so hard to prevent.

If you’ve been feeling a bulge, pressure, or pain that comes and goes, don’t ignore it or hope it will fix itself. Get evaluated early so we can talk about your options, your timing, and the safest plan for you. Knowledge is power, and the sooner you understand what’s going on with your body, the better we can protect your health.

Your body is worth taking seriously. Let’s take care of it the right way.

11/10/2025

Both robotic and laparoscopic surgery are forms of minimally invasive surgery. This means smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring compared to open procedures. The main difference lies in how the surgery is performed.

In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon stands next to the patient and manually controls long instruments while watching a two-dimensional video feed on a screen. It is very effective and has been the standard for many years, but the instruments move in straight lines and the view is limited to a flat image.

In robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console and controls robotic arms that hold wristed instruments capable of rotating more precisely than the human hand. The console provides a three-dimensional, high-definition view, which gives better depth perception and allows extremely fine movements. This can be especially useful for delicate operations such as hernia repairs, gallbladder removals, or weight-loss surgery.

It is important to understand that the robot does not perform the surgery on its own. The surgeon remains in complete control at all times. The robotic system simply enhances precision, vision, and dexterity.

Both approaches are safe and effective. The choice between robotic and laparoscopic surgery depends on the specific procedure, the patient’s anatomy, and the surgeon’s experience. The goal is always to perform the safest, most precise, and least invasive surgery possible for every patient.

11/09/2025

Recovering from gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is usually much smoother than patients expect, especially when it’s done laparoscopically. Most people go home the same day, start walking around within a few hours, and are back to normal light activity in 3 to 5 days. Soreness in the abdomen and shoulders (from the gas we use during surgery) is common, but it improves quickly.

Full internal healing takes a few weeks, which is why we still recommend avoiding heavy lifting (anything over 10 to 15 lbs) for about 2 to 3 weeks. You can shower the next day, you can drive once you’re off pain meds, and most patients are back to work in 1 to 2 weeks depending on the job. Desk work? Usually in a few days. Heavy labor? Your body needs a little more time.

As for eating, most patients tolerate regular food right away, but the key is to reintroduce fatty or greasy foods slowly. Your body will adjust to not having a gallbladder, but it may need a little time to figure out fat digestion without that bile “storage tank.”

Bottom line: it’s a very routine surgery, the recovery is quick, and most patients feel better than before surgery because the gallbladder attacks are gone. If you’re waiting because you’re scared of the downtime, don’t be, you’ll likely be back on your feet faster than you think.

11/04/2025

Gallstones are more common than most people realize and the tricky part is that many people have them without ever knowing. But when they do start causing symptoms, that’s when it’s time to take them seriously.

So when do gallstones require surgery?
- When they cause pain, especially in the upper right abdomen or under the ribs after eating (often worse with greasy or fatty foods).
- When the pain spreads to the back or right shoulder blade.
- When you have nausea/vomiting after meals.
- When you start noticing bloating, indigestion, or feeling “stuck” after eating.
- When there’s fever, chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine, these are red flags and can mean the gallbladder or bile ducts are infected or blocked. This is an emergency.

What do we do about it?
If your gallstones are silent (no symptoms), we usually just monitor them. But if they’re causing pain or complications, the gold standard treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy which is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder. It’s a same-day or overnight procedure for most patients.

No, we don’t “just take the stones out.” We remove the gallbladder because it’s the source of the problem and leaving it in place almost always leads to more attacks. And yes, you can live without a gallbladder just fine. Your liver still makes bile, it just drips directly into the intestine instead of being stored.

Your body is talking to you, don’t wait until it’s screaming.

A surgeon who would rather take your gallbladder out electively than meet you in the emergency room at 2 a.m.

10/30/2025

When it comes to diverticulitis, treatment depends on how severe the flare is. For many patients with mild symptoms, the first step is a course of oral antibiotics, along with rest, hydration, and a modified diet to let the colon heal. Most people improve with this approach, but if symptoms do not resolve or worsen, the next step may be IV antibiotics in the hospital to get the infection under control more quickly. In some cases, when antibiotics are not enough or complications develop such as abscesses, perforation, or repeated infections, surgery can become necessary to remove the diseased portion of the colon.

The good news is that most people do well with medical treatment alone, but it is important to know that surgery is always on the table as a safe and effective option when the condition does not respond to medication. If you are experiencing recurrent or severe episodes, it is worth having a conversation with your doctor about when surgery might be the best long-term solution.

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4970 N Expressway Ste A
Brownsville, TX
78526

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