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He is board certified in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. After graduating from
Duke University School of Medicine, he completed his Surgery residency at
Brigham and Women's Hospital. He then went to the University of Pittsburgh for
training in cardiothoracic surgery under Dr. James Luketich. While in
Pittsburgh, he was also a visiting fellow at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center in New York City where he worked with Dr. Valerie Rusch and Dr. Manjit
Baines.
His clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery for thoracic and
esophageal diseases. Some of his particular interests include the following:
<em>Minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer</em>. Using thoracoscopic and
laparoscopic techniques, the diseased esophagus is mobilized, resected, and
reconstructed with minimal trauma. The goal is improved recovery and return to
activity with less pain and a complete oncologic resection.
<em>Video assisted lobectomy</em>. Lung resection for cancer often requires a
large thoracotomy incision with spreading of the ribs. VATS lobectomy uses three
small incisions without any spreading of the ribs. A camera is used to assist
the dissection of sensitive blood vessels and lung structures. Less pain and
quicker recovery are the goals. If chemotherapy is deemed necessary after
surgery, patients are healthier and can more reliably begin their adjuvant
therapy.
<em>GERD, Giant Paraesophageal Hernias, Achalasia, Diverticulum</em>. A
variety of benign esophageal diseases can be treated through laparoscopic or
thoracoscopic techniques.
<em>Video assisted Thymectomy</em>. Whether for myasthenia gravis or thymic
tumor, a VATS thymectomy can help avoid large sternotomy incisions by
approaching the tumor though 3 mm incisions in the chest.
<em>Hyperhydrosis</em>. VATS sympathectomy can reduce or alleviate excessive
sweating from the face, axilla, and hands by disrupting the sympathetic nerve
conduction through small 3 mm incisions.
<em>Radiofrequency ablation and cyberknife therapy for tumors</em>. Patients
who are too high risk for conventional surgery can still have options for
treatment of their tumors. RFA and cyberknife provide low risk options for local
tumor control.
<em>Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF).</em> The TIF procedure uses
endoscopy to address moderate-to-severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
It has been shown to be effective in patients with severe reflux esophagitis,
chronic regurgitation, recurrent aspiration, chronic vocal cord edema, or for
those who simply wish to stop taking chronic antireflux medication.
Approximately 80% of patients get relief of symptoms and stop taking medication.
Most patients have minimal pain and experience few, if any, symptoms of
dysphagia after the procedure. Patients who undergo TIF are not precluded from
future laparoscopic surgery, if it becomes necessary. Patient selection is an
important factor, as patients with large hiatal hernia are not candidates for
this approach.
<em>Robotic thoracic surgery.</em> Robotic surgery, using the DaVinci
Surgical Robot system, is another minimally invasive approach that can be used
for a variety of thoracic conditions including but not limited to lung cancer,
complex mediastinal disease, esophageal cancer, thymic resection, and benign
esophageal diseases such as achalasia and paraesophageal hernias. Although many
of these complex procedures are routinely performed laparoscopically and
thoracoscopically, the robotic approach is ideal in situations where the
additional level of dexterity and control provided by the robotic
instrumentation permits improved visualization and better dissection. The
robotic approach, for example, can facilitate operation in an obese patient
undergoing a complex operation, who might otherwise be precluded from minimally
invasive surgery.
Dr. Wee's research interest is in studying the effects of minimally invasive
surgery on patient outcomes, developing new techniques and technology for
minimal access surgery, lung and esophageal cancer, and pathogenesis of reflux,
hernias, and cancer.
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.
Thoracic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
11 Answers
5 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 39-year-old male asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Acid is not the issu: Reflux is a disease that is more than just acid. We reflux bile, enzymes, fluid and other gastric components, and they all reflux. The anti-acid med... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
It depends: It depends on the type of cancer, stage of disease, and the result of surgery. There is no one answer for this question.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath and hemoptysis are common. Often they are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic until you have extensive disease. Depending on t... Read More
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Multiple risks: Risks can be extensive, but when you are a candidate for a lung transplant, it means your lung function is quite poor and your long term chances of su... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old male asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Spasms and reflux: You may also want to explore esophageal spasm and acid reflux causes.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
It depends: It depends where it has recurred. Re-operative surgery for esopahgeal cancer is very complex with a lot of risk. It is not common, so if it is to be... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
No: There is no cure for lung cancer that has spread to the hip. Once you have lung cancer outside of the chest, you have metastatic disease, stage iv, w... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Imaging: The only way to know if you have a thymoma is to get tissue. There are often detected on imaging like a ct scan. When found, they are often resected... Read More
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Usually none: They are often asymtpomatic. When they get large, you can get pain and some shortness of breath if they involve the phrenic nerves.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath and pain are the most common symptoms. This requires urgent evaluation.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Jon Weeanswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
About 85 to 90% firs: About 85 to 90% first year survival at busy elite centers.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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.
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Recommendations
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Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Wee is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Wee is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Your answer was very helpful! Thanks :)
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank u
HealthTap member
Now I'm In ER one
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Duke University School of Medicine, NC
Graduated 1997MD
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