Dr. Amir Bastawrous
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Seattle, WA
35 years experience male
Locations
Office
Seattle, WA
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
America's Health Plan
Washington Basic Health
BCE Emergis
Beech Street
Capp Care
Cigna
CNN Managed Care
Community Health Network of Washington
Community Health Plan of Washington
CorVel Corporation
First Choice Health
Group Health
Guardian Health Insurance
No Value
Interplan Health Group
KPS Health Plans
Medicare
Molina Healthcare
MultiPlan
National Preferred Provider Network
PacifiCare
Premera Blue Cross
Private Health Care System
ProAmerica
Regence
SecureHorizons
Sterling Health Insurance
Tricare
Uniform Medical Plan
United Payors and United Providers
UnitedHealthcare
USA Health Network
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Office
Issaquah, WA
Office
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
My hobbies include road bicycling, travel and photography. Find some of my work on smugmug.com.
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
Languages spoken
Arabic
Doctor Q&A
39 Answers
1 Agree
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Straining: Several things can influence hemorrhoids.
Straining at stools with constipation and diarrhea, pregnancy, delivery, weight lifting.
One other cause c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Inadequate fiber: Increase your fiber and water in your diet.
Most people have symptoms of constipation, infrequent bowel movements, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, divert... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Fiber: Start with fiber and water. Then add each one if the first doesn't work
1. Fiber
2. Magnesium
3. Mineral oil
4. Miralax
see your doctor if th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Sounds like fissure: I would recommend fiber supplementation to bulk and soften stools, sits water baths. If continues, see your doctor. Some medications can help but avo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Can happen: This is not common, but can happen. Make sure your keep a high fiber diet. Warm tub baths will help. Most of the time these resolve quickly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Colon near bladder: It is not uncommon for diverticulitis to be adjacent to the bladder and cause some irritation. Occasionally the inflammation will actually result in a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Not painful: Most patients report improvement of pain with first bm. Depends on if the pile is removed and specifics of surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Crohn's: Multiple fistulas at the anus can be a sign of several problems, but the most common may be crohn's disease.
See your colorectal surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Yes: Hemorrhoids are anal cushions (blood vessels). Many of my patients complain of pressure from internal hemorrhoids. The lining of the anus inside does... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
No: Diverticulitis is caused by hard small stools from low fiber diet.
Anxiety can cause constipation and medications which are used to treat constipatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
While : While the likely cause of bloody bowel movements is usually benign, i want to stress that blood in the stool is never normal. Luckily, the cause can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Can happen: If you don't have pain or bleeding, it is less worrisome. This may be either pelvic floor muscle spasm (levatorspasm) or early anal fissure (which is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Constipation: This is a common complaint. Typically, it is related to dehydration with breast feeding, narcotic pain medications and inadequate soluble fiber. Drin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
See your doctor: While the likely cause of bloody bowel movements is usually benign, i want to stress that blood in the stool is never normal. Luckily, the cause can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Complicated: Solitary rectal ulcer is in the spectrum of rectal prolapse. Most surgical therapy is first directed at ensuring that any abnormality is not a cancer,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Take Fiber and water: Congratulations.
But constipation is a consequence of pregnancy, delivery, breast feeding and pain medications at delivery. Make sure you are gettin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Absolutely: Rectal prolapse is a mechanical problem in which the rectum turns out at the anus. There is no medical reason one can not get pregnant. Having said th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Problem w/test?: Blood in stool should betaken seriously. Usually benign cause but sometimes can be worse. Stool test, even if done properly, will only show blood if ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Hemorrhoid treatment: See your colorectal surgeon. This can be taken care of with simple office procedures. Rubber band ligation can help, i think.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Yes: Large hemorrhoids or skin tags can cause an odor from two sources:
1. Difficulty with hygiene after bm
2. Anal glands at the anus which can make muc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Fever?: Appendicitis usually starts as vague pain near umbilicus the migrates to right lower quadrant. Usually associated with fever and nausea. Muscle strain... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
No: Any irritation at the anus can cause some itching as a symptom. However, the irritation of pinworms is usually of different character and timing.
A... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Examination: Rectal prolapse can be internal and not visible or external and visible. If external, it is usually obvious. You can see and feel a round lump of tiss... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Yes: Half your stool volume is bacteria and sloughed cells. Bowel obstruction is serious. Be sure your doctor is following you. Don't become malnourished... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Start with fiber: Fiber supplements will bulk the stool which can stretch the spastic internal sphincter that is the cause of fissure pan. Sitz baths also sooth the mus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Anal Fissure common: From this limited detail, i suspect anal fissure.
This is the most common cause for this combination of problems, however it is worthwhile to see you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
The : The recovery time will vary from person to person and doctor to doctor. Typically, you can expect a hospital stay of 2-4 days and recovery at home fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
May need surgery: Recurrent diverticulitis occurs 10-20% of the time after good operation. Not every bout needs surgery, though. If several recurrent documented bouts (... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Pruritus ani: Pruritus ani is common. This just means "itchy butt". Key treatment is to take care of the skin:
1. Don't use medicated creams or wipes
2. Use warm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Dehydration and meds: This is a common complaint. Typically, it is related to dehydration with breast feeding, narcotic pain medications and inadequate soluble fiber. Drin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Probably persistence: It is not normal if the fistula is cured. I suspect persistence or recurrence. It really depends on the anatomy of ur fistula and what procedure was d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
4 Ms: Metamucil, miralax, (polyethylene glycol) mineral oil, magnesium....If approved by your doctor.
Exercise helps too.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Most don't need surg: Most people don't need surgery.
Many can be treated with simple office procedures. In the meantime, increase the fiber and water in your diet. Avoid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Depends on reason: We sometimes will perform procedures like colonoscopy on women who are or might be pregnant. Obviously, if it can be postponed that would be ideal. Bu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Fistula or pruritus: This is unusual. What i don't connect is the temperature. If that is the case, might be just a skin reaction.
Anal fistula does not relate to temp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Constipation: This is a common complaint. Typically, it is related to dehydration with breast feeding, narcotic pain medications and inadequate soluble fiber. Drin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
See your doctor: Luckily most hemorrhoids don't need surgery. Often times, they can be treated in the office with simple procedures very effectively and without pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Lots of options: Fish oil, mineral oil, magnesium (if ok with your doctor), chia seeds, flax meal, psyllium
all of these are helpful.. Experiment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Amir Bastawrousanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 35 years experience
Thrombosed hemorrhoi: It sounds like a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. If painful see your surgeon if not it will go away in time. Anal fissure may also give you pain. War... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k 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.
4
Recommendations
75
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Dec 16, 2012
Dr. Bastawrous is by far the best doctor I have ever met. He performed my major surgery couple years ago. He could not have been more caring, knowleadgable and compassionate. It was obvious that he tr...Read More
HealthTap member
Dec 16, 2012
I had a magor surgery and felt well taken care of and knew that he had my best interest at heart. He has wonderful bedside manner too.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Bastawrous is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! how long does a hemroid take to heal with good treatment?
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thanks. .. I will make am appointment tomorrow
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Graduated 1992MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Chicago
Graduated 1988MD
Awards
Top Doctor, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
General Honors, University of Chicago
Garber Research Fellowship, University of Chicago
Affiliations
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
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