Dr. Olaf Johansen
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Mooresville, IN
38 years experience male
Locations
Office
Mooresville, IN
Insurances accepted
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Medicaid
Office
Indianapolis, IN
About
Bio
I graduated college with a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts, followed by Medical School at the University of Massachusetts, where I received the Top Graduate Award of my graduating class. After completing my five year Surgery training at Harvard's MGH, I went on to spend an additional year at the Cleveland Clinic specializing in Colon and Rectal Surgery. I was recruited to Indiana in 1991 where I established the current Kendrick Center, specializing in Colon and Rectal Surgery. We have now grown to 7 board certified Colon and Rectal Surgeons and have an accredited Fellowship.
I met my wife of 27 years in College and now have five children, three of which are recent College graduates while the youngest two are juniors at IU. My free time is centered around family and golf, and love following politics, hoping our country will work together to take care of each other.
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
General Surgery
Doctor Q&A
196 Answers
124 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Hydrate well: Given your previous issues make sure the indications for your colonoscopy are sound. Hydrate well pre and during prep, use non osmotic prep eg not fle... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Redness and swelling: There would typically be associated redness, swelling and tenderness in a localized area around his rectum.
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Somewhat: Depends, if they were all small polyps with biopsy showing that they were hyperplastic polyps they have little significance, if however they are large... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
See below: Try fiber (25gm/day) fluids(50oz/wk)and exercise if persist try MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) if still persist need to see a physician. Hope this help... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: At age 19 rectal bleeding is almost always due to a benign source such as irritation around the anal canal, or a fissure or a hemorrhoid. If it persi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Small internal hemorrhoids especially if the major symptom is bleeding can be treated with irc (infrared coagulation) which is a form of cauterization... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Likely perirectal ab: If it's only going on a few days and getting worse sounds like a perirectal abscess, if so should be drained sometime over the next 24 hour, can usual... Read More
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5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Usually will resolve: See your OB to assure it's just hemorrhoids (usually is in this situation), most of the time hemorrhoids after delivery these resolve with time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Fistula: Sounds like a fistula in ańo but depending on location could be a pilonidal cyst with abscess.
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5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Needs evaluation: Can be many different things depending in part on associated symptoms (colites, inter spheric abscess, large distal polyp, or a tumor). The type of bl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Need evaluation: If you have persistent or recurrent blood with bowel movements this should be evaluated. Most of the time espiecially in a young person this is due to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Fiber fluid excersis: I always tell my patients to start with the simple things of getting enough fiber (25gm/day, ), fluid (50oz/day) and exercise if persist add miralax (... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Yes: But diverticulosis in and of itself is not a problem(half the people over age 50 have some degree of diverticulosis.) it's only if they become infect... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Non function colon: Toxic megacolon can be the end result of many conditions. Most common would be a severe acute attack of ulcerative colites or c. Diff colites causing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
None: Wish there were some, but good digestive health depends on a balanced diet, getting plenty of fiber, fluids and exercise . Hope this helps.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Evaluation needed: Many times with crohns this represents a high grade partial bowel obstruction which needs evaluation. Initial work up would include a ct scan of the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Umbilical hernia: Most likely you have an umbilical hernia with a loop of small intestines in it which you reduce when pressing. You should see a general surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No...but: There is some radiation with a ct scan but this is relatively minimal and thus the risk of long term stimulation of cancer is very, very tiny. None th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Needs work w/u: Severe and significant constipation can have many etiologies from anatomical obstruction, to colonic inertia, to lack of pelvic relaxation to metaboli... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Sometimes: More worrisome features are darker blood, blood mixed with mucous, chronic bleeding worsening and persistent and recurring bleeding and bleeding asso... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
You can: If diverticulites perforated toward the back and formed an inflammatory mass pressing on the back it will cause back pain, though more commonly it cau... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Er: Sounds like you have a gallbladder attack or acute cholecystites ( stone blocking gallbladder), if persist you need to go to the er or call your doc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Time: Most colds are caused by a viral infection and will get better on their own usually take a week or so and there are no home or doctors remedies which ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: Constipation in and of itself will not cause your baby any harm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Depends on the type of surgery you are having....What are you having done?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
A few weeks: Assuming you are receiving good wound care, and are healthy your wound should be almost completely healed in 3 weeks or so.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: No real relationship medically between the two conditions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Agree with your doc: On any invasive test especially one where there is a risk of complications the benefits of that procedure must be weighed against the risks...In your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: Most endoscopiests administer their own sedation (at least here in indianapolis) but some places tend to use an anesthesiologist for giving and monito... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Unlikely: Would be very unusual to have those kinds of late complications from coletomy. Late symptoms from abdominal surgery would include incisional hernias ... Read More
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5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Progression: Appendicitis tend to progress becoming more severe over 24 to 48 hours ....Also appendicitis tends to have systemic symptoms such as fever, nausea, an... Read More
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5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Let your system be: At this juncture i would let you system get back on it's own....Stay on a high fiber diet get plenty of fluids, your system should get back to normal ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Go: Get help both for the arm wound but more importantly to get help on why you would hurt yourself...See talk to your family and/or get immediate medical... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Many things: A whole host of things, from certain viral infections, bone marrow problems, drug reactions to auto immune diseases. It needs immediate attention if ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Clipped and cut: Usually done by putting clips on each end and cutting the tube between them.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: It would be very unusual for a simple 3 cm ovarian cyst to cause constipation, so likely this is not the source of your bowel difficulties.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Trust the test: Finger stick for blood sugar is pretty accurate, if you need further confirmation you can get a formal blood test via venus blood draw.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Starts digestion : In short the stomach act to store food, while digestion begins with a combination of acid, digestive enzymes and mechanical grinding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Statistics and logic: Keep in mind it is exceedingly rare for a 25 yr old to get pancreatic, liver, stomach or colon cancer, i've see virtually none in my 25 yr surgical ca... Read More
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5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: Dose fortunately is way to small, don't worry.
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5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Abscess: You don't say how long it been going on , but if this is progressive and worsening over a few days this may be a perirectal abscess...Hope this helps.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Need evaluation ASAP: Many things can cause this but you need to be seen by a doctor asap for a work up which will likely include a ct scan of the abdomen as well as a phys... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Likely fistula: Your symptoms. Sound consistent with a anal fistula ie opening from inside your rectum/anal canal to the skin adjacent to the anal opening. Usual a co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
No: Blood draw utilize superficial veins, even if you developed a blood clot there is no danger of developing a symptomatic pulmonary emboli.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
See below: Constipation in and of it self would not cause you to be anemic...The most common cause of anemia in a women your age would be heavy menstrual bleedi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depend: Depends on your symptoms and the anatomy of your hemorrhoids. In general the standard treatment include dietary modification, infra red coagulation (f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Depends: 8mm is moderately large, if it was an adenoma it should be removed completely...Though if was non specific inflammation or a lipoma excision is not ne... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
See below: Most likely either a perianal abscess or a thromboses external hemorrhoid. The former usually needs incision and drainage, the latter usually resolves... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Very variable: Pain from a fissure can last anywhere from seconds after a bowel movements to all day.
Some fissures heal by themselves in few days other can go year... Read More
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Olaf Johansenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 38 years experience
Removal of polyp: Endoscopy means using instrument to look inside your digestive system (esophagus, stomach, small bowel or colon)
polypectomy is taking out a polyp wh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >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.
3
Recommendations
410
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Dec 16, 2012
Dr. Johansen and his team are absolutely the best of the best! From the greeting on the telephone ... to the welcome in the office ... to the examination and treatment ... Dr. Johansen and his staff ...Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Johansen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Johansen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, Dr. Johansen! I'll go back to hospital to get a CT report (ER won't give non-final report at discharge) tmrw and give you a call.
HealthTap member
Oddly, when I rub my hand over the bulge, it feel like a this bumpy object & occasionally my stool has blood mixed in it. going to Dr soon!
HealthTap member
PTT was elevated before. Glad that it's back to normal on my op day. Will be in OR in 30mins & hope out cancer-free! Thx for your ans & supp
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Graduated 1985MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Massachusetts
Graduated 1985MD
Residency
Massachusetts General Hospital
Residency
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Awards
HealthGrades Honor Roll, Health grades
William C Bernstein Award, Midwest Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Top Graduate Award Class of 1985, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Hewlett-Packard
Affiliations
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Indianapolis Medical Society
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