Acton, MA – Middlesex Endoscopy Center invites you to experience the exceptional care and inviting atmosphere of our entire facility. Known for excellence in healthcare, our center’s clean and welcoming environment underscores our dedication to patient comfort and care.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Discover the comprehensive care we offer through an immersive 360 virtual tour, meticulously captured by a certified Google 360 photographer. From the welcoming reception area to our state-of-the-art procedure rooms and tranquil recovery spaces, every detail is designed with your well-being in mind. Transparency is one of our core values, and we want you to see the quality-of-care patients receive every day. This virtual experience exemplifies our commitment to transparency, allowing you to explore our entire facility, reducing pre-visit anxiety and fostering trust.

Why Middlesex Endoscopy Center?

• Comprehensive and Inviting Facilities: Experience healthcare in an environment where cleanliness and comfort are paramount, from the lobby to the procedure rooms.
• Personalized Care: Our skilled professionals are dedicated to your unique health needs, ensuring a patient-centered approach throughout your visit.
• Informed Decisions: The virtual tour and detailed photography gallery offer insights into our center, promoting transparency and confidence in your healthcare choices.

At Middlesex Endoscopy Center, we blend unparalleled medical care with an environment that prioritizes your comfort and peace of mind. We invite you to discover the difference at our meticulously maintained facility.

Wayne, NJ – North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center invites you to experience the exceptional care and inviting atmosphere of our entire facility. Known for excellence in healthcare, our center’s clean and welcoming environment underscores our dedication to patient comfort and care.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Discover the comprehensive care we offer through an immersive 360 virtual tour, meticulously captured by a certified Google 360 photographer. From the welcoming reception area to our state-of-the-art procedure rooms and tranquil recovery spaces, every detail is designed with your well-being in mind. Transparency is one of our core values, and we want you to see the quality-of-care patients receive every day. This virtual experience exemplifies our commitment to transparency, allowing you to explore our entire facility, reducing pre-visit anxiety and fostering trust.

Why North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center?

• Comprehensive and Inviting Facilities: Experience healthcare in an environment where cleanliness and comfort are paramount, from the lobby to the procedure rooms.
• Personalized Care: Our skilled professionals are dedicated to your unique health needs, ensuring a patient-centered approach throughout your visit.
• Informed Decisions: The virtual tour and detailed photography gallery offer insights into our center, promoting transparency and confidence in your healthcare choices.

At North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center, we blend unparalleled medical care with an environment that prioritizes your comfort and peace of mind. We invite you to discover the difference at our meticulously maintained facility.

If you’re turning 45 and haven’t thought about colon cancer screening yet, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your first colonoscopy could be the most important appointment you ever make. (Do you know the 5 Reasons Why You Need a Colonoscopy?)

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.—yet it’s one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when caught early.

Why 45? New Guidelines Reflect a Changing Reality

For years, the standard age to begin screening was 50. But recent research shows that colon cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults. That’s why the American Cancer Society now recommends starting routine colon cancer screening at age 45, even if you have no symptoms or family history.

Screening earlier saves lives by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous—and a colonoscopy is the best way to determine if you have polyps or other concerns. Our team of experts at Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., can talk to you about if you need a colonoscopy and when.

You Might Not Have Symptoms

One of the reasons colon cancer can be so dangerous is because it often develops silently.

Common symptoms, which often don’t appear until later stages, include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain or fatigue

That’s why a colonoscopy is your best tool for early detection. It’s not just diagnostic—it’s preventive.

Why Choose an On-Site Procedure at Our Surgical Center?

Many people delay screenings because they associate them with hospital visits, long waits, or high costs. But at our on-site surgical center at Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., your colonoscopy is:

• More convenient and streamlined
• Performed in a lower-cost, outpatient setting
• Scheduled quickly, with personalized care from your trusted GI team

What to Expect from Your First Colonoscopy

It’s not as bad as you might think. You’ll be comfortably sedated, and most patients don’t remember the procedure at all. The preparation (yes, the bowel cleanse) is often the toughest part—but our team will walk you through every step of your first colonoscopy to make it as easy and smooth as possible.

Schedule your Colonoscopy Now

If you’re 45 or older, or are younger and have risk factors like a family history of colon cancer, now is the time to have a colonoscopy. Contact Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., to schedule your appointment today. Our compassionate team is here to make the process smooth, supportive, and stress-free.

Please be advised that while our surgery center is committed to providing high-quality care, some services you receive during your procedure may be provided by independent practitioners (such as anesthesia, pathology or radiology providers) who may not participate in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida network. As a result, you may receive a separate bill from an out-of-network provider.

Our center and AMSURG comply with the No Surprises Act. For Anesthesia Services performed by an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility, your plan should provide in-network coverage. You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (including co-payment, deductible and co-insurance which would be required if the provider was in-network).

We encourage you to contact your insurance plan directly to understand your out-of-network benefits and potential financial responsibility. If you have questions about which providers may be involved in your care, please speak with our staff.

Thank you for choosing our center for your care.

If you’re having trouble seeing at night or if your vision has become cloudy or blurry, it may be time to talk with your eye doctor. June is Cataract Awareness Month, an opportunity to focus on protecting your vision.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 20.5 million people in the U.S. aged 40 and older have cataracts. Early detection and treatment of cataracts can maintain and even improve your quality of life.

“Talk with your optometrist or ophthalmologist about seeing better!” said George Wandling, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist. “Cataract surgery is an amazing procedure with millions of happy experiences every year.”

Having performed hundreds of cataract surgeries each year, Dr. Wandling shared his knowledge about cataracts, the importance of treatment and the benefits of choosing an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) for cataract procedures.

Q. What Are Cataracts, And Why Do They Happen?

A. Cataracts are a hardening, yellowing and opacification of your natural crystalline lens in your eye. They happen to everyone in time. Sometimes medications, trauma or medical conditions make cataracts happen earlier. Cataracts are live cells, meaning they continue to grow and divide. Eventually, they become too clouded or hardened over the course of our life. Nowadays, the average age for people needing cataract intervention is about 70, because the vision has been affected to such a level that the patient is bothered.

Q. What Are Some of the Most Common Signs or Symptoms of Cataracts?

A. Usually, the first thing people notice is nighttime driving symptoms, such as halos or glare around light, or the general diminishing of their vision at night.

It’s time to have surgery when we are no longer able to fix bothersome symptoms from cataracts by changing your glasses prescription. At that point, glasses can’t help any longer, and we have to take the cataract out and put in a new lens.

Q. How Do Cataracts Impact Daily Life if Left Untreated?

A. If untreated, cataracts can make us completely blind. They can wholly opacify and turn into a white cataract. Most people have seen a dog with a white cataract where you look at their eye and see that it’s completely white centrally. At that point, color and objects can’t be seen; nothing other than light can be seen. Usually, patients pursue treatment well before they get to that point.

Q. At What Point Should Someone Consider Seeing an Eye Doctor about Their Vision Changes?

A. If you feel like your vision is affecting your daily life, you should see an eye doctor, whether that be driving, seeing the crawl on the TV screen or seeing your grandkid’s baseball game.

Q. Is Cataract Surgery the Only Treatment Option, or Are There Alternatives?

A. Typically, our first step is to try the patient in glasses or contacts. If that is insufficient and we determine that cataracts are the source of vision changes and are worsening, then we need to perform cataract surgery. There are no eye drops, homeopathic remedies or exercises that can reduce cataracts.

Q. What Would You Say to Patients Who Are Hesitant or Anxious about Cataract Surgery?

A. Cataract surgery is as straightforward and non-invasive as surgeries come. We are confident that we can get anyone through cataract surgery. We have anesthesia in most cases to help the patient with any anxiety they may have. The success rate of cataract surgery is phenomenal, and the complication rate is very low.

Q. How Has Cataract Surgery Evolved in Recent Years, Especially with the Use of Laser-assisted Technology?

A. Cataract surgery in its current form started about 40 years ago. Laser-assisted technology started about 15 years ago. The laser has really helped us with precision and fixing astigmatism, which has held people back from obtaining their best possible vision. The laser has really helped us to get people out of glasses and made more complicated surgeries easier.

Further, over the past few years, the biggest evolution has been the variety of different lenses (trifocal, light adjustable lens, etc.). The depth of focus and the ability to be glasses-free after cataract surgery continues to evolve and is available for more and more patients with any eye health and with many different conditions.

Q. Can You Explain the Different Lenses and How the Right Lens Is Chosen for Each Patient?

A. There are many different types of lens implants. There are standard lens implants that serve patients very well; however, the patient may need to be in contacts or glasses after the procedure.

Within the last five or six years, the variety of different lenses has grown.

There are monofocal lenses that give a little more arm’s length vision, but you’re still expected to need readers for fine print.

Multifocal lenses or trifocal lenses give great distance, intermediate and up-close vision. Many patients who choose these lenses are able to get out of glasses entirely.

There’s something called a light adjustable lens (LAL) that gives you contiguous vision and a lot of depth of field, and often, those patients are able to be glasses free as well.

The correct choice is ultimately up to the patient and a discussion with the patient’s ophthalmologist as to which may be the best option. Sometimes different lens implants have costs associated, as often insurance doesn’t cover all lens options.

NOTE: Patients should consult with their healthcare provider about coverage.

Q. What Are the Benefits of Having Cataract Surgery at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Rather Than a Hospital?

A. ASCs have shown to be better than hospitals when it comes to patient experience, and the overall time in the facility is less at an ASC. Additionally, patients have lower complication rates, the staff are specialized and are very familiar with cataract procedures and the recovery time is faster at ASCs.

Q. How Do ASCs Support a More Comfortable or Convenient Experience for Patients?

A. Because outpatient surgery is the sole purpose, it is easier for ASCs to make each patient feel valued. We are able to give the proper attention to the patient, and each staff member is empowered to help and well-versed with all of the procedures that come through our ASCs.

Q. What Does a Typical Cataract Procedure Look Like — from Arrival to Discharge?

A. The patient checks in at the front desk with a family member or friend and waits to be called back into the pre-operative area. Once they are called back to pre-op, the nursing team preps the patient for the procedure. The patient will get eye drops instilled and an IV so anesthesia can be delivered just before the procedure. When it’s time for the procedure, the patient is brought back to the operating room, where the patient receives anesthesia medications to keep them comfortable. The time in the OR is typically 15 to 30 minutes.

The patient is then taken to the post-operative area, where the patient is given a light snack and something to drink. Just before discharge, the nurse reviews the post-operative eye drops and discharge instructions with the patient before helping them out to their car to be driven home by a family member or friend. The patient should take it easy on the day of the procedure. The next day, they can typically resume most activities.

Q. How Quickly Can Most Patients Expect to Recover And See Improvement in Their Vision?

A. We tell patients to expect vision to be blurry for a week following the procedure but be happy when it’s less. Some patients do see great on day one, but it’s more common to be blurry for a few days after. Typically, there’s no pain, you don’t look any different, and no one can tell you’ve had cataract surgery.

Q. What Kind of Results Can Patients Realistically Expect after Cataract Surgery?

A. I would expect improvement of halos and glare, and improvement in overall vision. Every patient is going to be different in terms of how sharp their vision will be after cataract surgery based upon other conditions. The satisfaction rate of cataract surgery is very high.

Q. Who Is a Good Candidate for Cataract Surgery at an ASC?

A. The vast majority of people are great candidates for cataract surgery at an ASC. The exceptions are those who are very sick, those who have had recent heart procedures (including stents), those who are at risk for difficulty breathing or those who have a very high BMI. Overall, over 99 percent of patients are appropriate for cataract surgery at an ASC.

Q. What Do You Wish More People Knew about Cataracts And Cataract Surgery?

A. Your vision in the office may be 20/20, but that doesn’t tell the whole story because that is an idealized situation.

A common example I use for patients is my aunt. Her vision was 20/20 and she saw well with her contacts. She was 80 years old, so I knew she had cataracts, and she really didn’t have too many complaints about her vision except for night traveling. One night, driving behind an ambulance, she was panicked because she couldn’t see anything with the severe glare.

If you’re having difficulty with your vision, insurance always pays for cataract surgery if the ophthalmologist agrees that’s the reason your vision has declined. You can have 20/20 vision and still have the need for cataract surgery.

Schedule Your Cataract Surgery at Our ASC

During Cataract Awareness Month, take steps to preserve your vision. If you and your eye doctor determine you need cataract surgery, our ASC is convenient, efficient and focused on patient comfort and personalized care.

Your out-of-pocket costs for cataract surgery may be lower if you have met your health insurance deductible. Make the most of your health plan benefits by scheduling your procedure before the end of the year.

This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider. 

Specialty Surgical Center of North Brunswick proudly recognizes Dr. Ritu Nahar, board-certified gastroenterologist, for her recent role as a panel expert at the New Jersey State Chapter of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) networking event, held on May 20.

The event brought together Indian-origin physicians from across the state for a meaningful evening that blended cultural connection with clinical education. Hosted by AAPI NJ President Dr. Sudha Nahar, the gathering focused on mentorship, medical collaboration, and community engagement.

As a panelist, Dr. Nahar shared her expertise in gastroenterology during thoughtful discussions on topics such as gastrointestinal bleeding and its management. The event also featured sessions on atrial fibrillation treatment options and anticoagulation strategies, underscoring the value of cross-specialty dialogue in improving patient outcomes.

Events like these highlight the essential role physician leaders play in advancing medical education, strengthening professional relationships, and promoting culturally inclusive care.

We commend Dr. Nahar for her dedication to clinical excellence and her continued contributions to both patient care and the broader medical community.

Endo-Surgi Center proudly celebrated its 30-year anniversary with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by Mayor Bowser and Senator Cryan. During the event, the center was honored with a formal proclamation declaring it Endo-Surgi Center’s 30th Anniversary Day, recognizing its longstanding service and impact on the community.

Guests had the opportunity to tour the facility, and members of the Township Committee interviewed Dr. Samiappan Muthusamy and Dr. Pradeep Mahal to commemorate the milestone.

The celebration was a heartfelt tribute to the physicians, nurses, and staff whose unwavering dedication and compassionate care have served patients for three decades.

Congratulations to the entire Endo-Surgi Center team on this incredible milestone! Here’s to many more years of exceptional care and continued excellence.

On Saturday, June 1, team members from Hudson Crossing Surgery Center proudly participated in the Walk to Cure Arthritis at South Mountain Recreation Complex. The event brought together healthcare professionals, patients, families, and supporters to raise awareness and funding for arthritis research and joint health initiatives.

By hosting a booth and joining the walk, our team helped support the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to find a cure and improve the lives of those affected by arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability.

We thank everyone who stopped by our booth, walked alongside us, or supported the cause from afar. At Hudson Crossing Surgery Center, we are dedicated to helping patients get back to the things they love by improving joint health and mobility.

Learn more about how Hudson Crossing can help you return to an active, pain-free life.