Dr. Donald Kim
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Grand Rapids, MI
38 years experience
Locations
Office
Grand Rapids, MI
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
72 Answers
49 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Maybe anal fissure: Pain or burning sensation assoc. W/ bms can be associated with an anal fissure. Typically located posteriorly at the end of the anal canal, they are n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Both: Depends on the experience of the surgeon and their training. Colon and rectal surgeons specialize in disorders of the colon and rectum and have had tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Osis and itis: Diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula, small outpouchings "pockets" typically in the sigmoid colon that develop as people age. This is very co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Fiber: Try a high fiber diet, consider supplementing with a powdered bulk-laxaative such as metamucil.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Other options : There are many preps available. Options will vary with the endoscopist. It is best to discuss this with your doctor as he is the one who will advise y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Severe Constipation: Fecal impaction typically indicates that stool has collected in your rectum and formed a large bolus or ball of stool. This typically requires "disimp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: If you are speaking about abdominal surgery, both are effective, but the epidural should be a thoracic epidural. It really depends on the practice of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Causes depend on the character of the rectal bleeding. Is it associated with bms, between bms, bright red, dark maroon, in the toilet bowel, on the to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Possibly: This can be used as a daily regimen for constipation. Check with your physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Anal fissure: An anal fissure is a good bet. Pain and possibly bleeding that is associated with a bm can be an anal fissure. It typically resolves, only to return a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: Small bowel obstruction is typically the result of a blockage of one's small bowel and presents with symptoms of crampy abdominal pain, nausea, and vo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: General answer. One type is created at the end of the small bowel (the terminal ileum) called and ileostomy and is located in the right lower quadrant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: This is not a primary modality to identify a cancer, especially a colon cancer. It is used to better define metastatic disease in appropriate situatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Call your doctor.: This type of question should be addressed to your surgeon. A proper answer would take more questions/details for a proper response.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Many Sources: A pelvic abscess can be the result of many disease processes. It is typically the result of a diagnosis, typically infectious rather than an actual di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: If you have a rectovaginal fistula or have had one repaired there should be no problems with a colonoscopy. The colonoscope should pass right by the a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Options Available: There are many preps available. Options will vary with the endoscopist. It is best to discuss this with your doctor as he is the one who will advise y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Really?: This is probably not a good idea. Even if you had the appropriate equipment, it would be very difficult to do.
Good luck though.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Not for prime time.: Capsule colonoscopy is not fda approved. It does not seem as accurate as colonoscopy at this time. In one study, 5 cancers were diagnosed with 2 of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: Typically this would mean your whole colon and rectum have been removed and a pouch made from the small bowel (j-pouch) is connected to your anal cana... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: Would depend on the clinical situation, but would be best to check with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Bone Surgeon: An orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon manages and operates on conditions associated with bones. This would include bone fractures, as well as the assoc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Work up of abdominal pain depends on your symptoms. A colonoscopy can be an important part of that workup. Other options to evaluate your abdominal pa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Not necessarily.: You don't need to have any sedation or analgesia for a colonoscopy, but it depends on your response to pain and your colon anatomy. I had my colonosco... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: Propofol can be used, many times this requires an additional physician, an anesthesiologist or anesthetist. Sedation by the endoscopist is also accomp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
See included link.: The normal oral temperature in 98.6 degrees farenheit or 37 degrees centigrade. Rectal temperatures. Rectal temperatures are 0.5 (0.3 c) to 1 degree f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Not related: Hemorrhoids are vascular structures but are not typically associated with thrombophlebitis. Thrombophlebitis certainly does not cause hemorrhoids. The... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Follow-up: If you are having changing symptoms, you should followup with your doctor. Possibly seek out a specialist in colon and rectal surgery to fully evaluat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Many options: There are many preps available. Options will vary with the endoscopist. It is best to discuss this with your doctor as he is the one who will advise y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Varies: Emergency room waits are based on the severity of the condition a patient presents to an emergency room for. If you present to an emergency room for a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Other options : There are many preps available. Options will vary with the endoscopist. It is best to discuss this with your doctor as he is the one who will advise y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Varies: Can be as soon as the following day once a normal diet is resumed, but not unusual to have a "normal" stool in 2-3 days after your bowel prep.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: Both procedure can be performed under an epidural or spinal anesthetic. Options are best discussed with your surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Colostomy : A colostomy is the end of the colon brought through the abdominal wall and attached to the skin. A "bag" is placed over this to collect the stool. It ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Doubtful, : Probably no home remedy to prevent this type of fistula or resolve this problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Several options: Colonoscopy is probably the most common option which evaluates the whole colon and will treat any polyps identified. Other acceptable options: flexibl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: For full-thickness rectal prolapse, surgery is the only option that will correct the problem. There are options available. If not corrected, symptoms ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Possibly: Long-standing colonic inflammation as seen in chronic ulcerative colitis and crohn's colitis can increase your risk for colon cancer and is a known ri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Many options: There are many preps available. Options will vary with the endoscopist. It is best to discuss this with your doctor as he is the one who will advise y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Daily exercise is important in maintaining good health. Your question depends on your goals of your exercise program. Should also include aerobic exer... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: There are many surgical options to manage rectal cancer. If amenable to a transanal approach, there is no risk, if laparoscopic, you have a smaller ri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Answer Varies: An ileostomy is created by bringing the end of the small bowel, the ileum through the abdominal wall & out to the skin. Your waste now exits into a "b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Varies 10-15% for men, 15-18% for women. Lots of factors including distribution of fat, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
More details: Options are available for both conditions and you should see a specialist regarding your symptoms. This may include a colon and rectal surgeon (bowel ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: In mild uncomplicated cases of diverticulitis, oral antibiotics are sufficient treatment for diverticulitis. More severe episodes may require hospital... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Conservative measure: High fiber diet, bulk laxatives and Diltiazem or nitroglycerine ointment. Typically these ointments must be mixed by a compounding pharmacist.
Botuli... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Doubtful: Depends on type of surgery. This is best evaluated by the surgeon who performed your surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Answer Varies: If you are talking about placement of a percutaneous tube into your kidney, you can typically cover them and shower immediately. Some docs will allow ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Possibly: Black stools can indicate bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It may represent blood that has been digested, turning the stool into a chara... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Donald Kimanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Hemorrhoid surgery and rectocele surgery are different surgeries and each have several options available. Would be best to have the specific surgery y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
238
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Kim is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Kim is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you I thought I had a virus with vomiting and black stools - I took pepto bismel so you say that can cause it. Thanks Liz
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thanks! Very stressed about taking Dulcolax as i had severe abdominal pain from taking just 1 pill. Prep dose is 4 pills plus Miralax!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! It was helpful thanks
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Loyola Universtiy Stritch School of Medicine , 1985
Graduated 1985MD
Awards
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