Locations
Mark E. Dickson, MD, PA
Sherman, TX
My office hours
Friday: Closed
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Cigna
Medicare
About
Bio
I am a board-certified general surgeon and have been in private practice since 1993. I have a wide-ranging practice that includes many areas of surgery, including surgery of the abdominal organs, breast, thyroid, hernias, skin and soft tissue cancers, complex wounds, as well as trauma surgery and critical care.
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.
General Surgery
Breast Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Licenses
United States: Oklahoma, Texas
Doctor Q&A
352 Answers
226 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Sort of: There are certain genes that tend to run in families that can significantly increase your risk of breast cancer. That's why your hear about some fami... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
It can be: Anything that penetrates the abdomen, by definition, is penetrating abdominal trauma. It can be caused by a knife, a bullet, an arrow, shrapnel, an i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Probably not related: Unless you've also had other symptoms since your operation, a fever 5 wks post-op is likely due to a different cause than your operation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Many possibilities: It could be due to many things, from pregnancy to bowel obstruction to medications to gallbladder disease (even though you were told it wasn't). The ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Not urgent : With a hernia, we worry about the possibility of a loop of bowel becoming stuck, causing an obstruction or gangrene. This is unpredictable but when i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Need monitoring: Generally, only 6 a day is not usually a problem, but potential complications include stomach ulcers that may bleed or perforate, kidney problems and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Yes: I tell my patients that nuts are ok. In the past it was thought that nuts caused problems for people with diverticuli, but I've seen at least one stu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Call your surgeon: An infection could cause the fever. If so, you need antibiotics. Call your surgeon tonight to start that evaluation and treatment if necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
No strict formula: If you are thirsty, drink water. If your bleeding has stopped, your blood count will rise over time. You still need to see your doctor about the his... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Certainly: See a podiatrist as soon as possible. He or she may be able to help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Sometimes: If your CEA was elevated at the time of diagnosis, then came down to normal postoperatively, a second rise can be due to recurrence of disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Yes: To my knowledge, spironolactone has no effect on the risk of getting breast cancer. None of your stated conditions does either.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Normal: That sounds like a normal reaction to mild trauma. If it worsens, however, you need to see a doctor because it might be getting infected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Bulge: The cardinal sign of a hernia is a bulge in the soft tissue, usually in the groin or around the belly button or along an incision. It may or may not ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
No: Short answer, no. Bleeding can have many causes, but gallbladder is not one of them. However, outside of normal menses, bleeding is not normal. If ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
It can: Yes, it can, but so can a blockage of the colon. I assume that has already been ruled out?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Yes: Your chance of having a colon cancer is higher since your mother had it. The cost of dealing with a colon cancer is much more expensive if it is caug... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Either one: Either one can do it. Usually the urologist is the one who decides when is the proper time for removal, so he or she usually does it. It usually jus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Usually none: Long term side effects are non-existent.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Today: I have been taking out appendices for over 25 yrs and I've never had a patient have a problem eating salads or any other raw foods afterwards.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Surgery : Typically with an operation to widely excise the primary site and remove the lymph nodes in the basin where it has spread to.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Just the opposite: Aortic aneurysms have a higher risk of rupture with increasing diameter. Generally they are treated expectantly with observation and antihypertensive... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Either is ok: Just keep the stockings on and your legs elevated above the level of your heart whenever you are not walking for the next 2-3 wks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Could be gallbladder: Among other things, it could be your gallbladder causing that pain. If so, you may need to have it removed. Call your doctor to start the workup for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Not usually, but...: Painful breasts require a physician's evaluation, because the evaluation and treatment can be complex. It is rare, but possible for cancer to present... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Ductal stone?: You can get stones in the salivary duct that drains your parotid gland which can cause the gland to swell and hurt. You need to see your doctor. If ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
It depends: Some people get better within a few days, others take a few weeks. Everyone is different.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Sometimes: Small microperforations of the colon can heal with bowel rest and ANTIBIOTICS, but you need to be prepared for operation in case that doesn't work.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Many things: Many things can cause rectal bleeding. The one we worry about most is cancer. Anyone with rectal bleeding needs to see a doctor to evaluate it furth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Nonspecific: I actually had to look this up because I had never heard of it before--and I've been in medicine over 30 yrs now. The symptoms are very non-specific ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Structural only: The difference is structural only, how the melanoma cells rise up above the level of the surrounding skin or not. The causes are no different. Nor ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Many things: It's easy to think you haven't done much physical activity, but forget about one thing that you've done differently recently. Other potential causes ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Blockage?: A blockage of the bile duct, from a stone or mass or injury to the bile duct, can cause dark urine. If your duct has already been cleared at operatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Big subject: A liver transplant is a huge lifestyle change for the patient and his family. It is usually a welcome change because the prior liver disease is awful... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Unknown: This is an impossible question to answer for an individual. Clearly, it is less for someone with the above findings than it is for someone who doesn'... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Depends: Gangrene is dead tissue. It can be painless, as in dry gangrene of a toe in a person with diabetes or vascular disease. Or it can be very painful, i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Typically not: There are many more causes of breast pain that are more common than cancer. Having said that, cancer can cause breast pain in certain circumstances. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Usually nothing: Rarely it could cause complications such as infection if it is loculated off.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
See a doctor: You have several things going on that could be either all related or completely different. Your best bet would be to have your doctor evaluate it per... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Yes, but...: That would be a truly last ditch effort to treat an otherwise benign problem. In addition to the potential complications of the operation itself, the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
No: However, gallbladder disease can cause pain after eating.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Yes: Yes it can. It will usually worsen the first 2 days after the trauma, then start to improve. Scrotal support, ice and NSAID's such as ibuprofen can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Re-routing: A gastroenterostomy is a fashioning of a connection between the stomach and the jejunum, (the second section of the small bowel). It can be done to b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
It depends: Swelling is common after surgery. The amount of swelling is based on the extensiveness of the operation, your body size, the location of the incision,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Go back to the Doc: If you think you have another UTI, you need to see your doctor again. Sometimes a different antibiotic is needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
No: Loss of appetite during chemotherapy is very common, and can last for days to weeks. There are some medicines that can help sometimes with that, but ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Unknown: If you are having a different reaction than before, talk to your doctor who did the scope. One thing we all worry about is an undiagnosed perforation... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Unknown: Unfortunately, no one can predict what will happen. A lot will depend on the cause of your dysphagia. I know it is a royal pain--I've had it. Good l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Go to ER: A chemical burn on the hands requires an ER visit immediately. Sometimes these are bad enough, they need to be treated at a dedicated burn unit to mi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mark Dicksonanswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Possibly: One of the adverse reactions that some people get from Lipitor (atorvastatin) is urticaria, a fancy name for the hives. Typically, urticaria is assoc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k 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.
238
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thanks. I'd already stopped it, but worry re why effectiveness would go from 100% to 0. What if someday if I am, say, in the ER and given something like this & it does...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you! It happened at work so now I have to wait for a "workers comp" physician to contact me to be seen. Bought a neck brace b/c it hurts constantly. It has helped ...Read More
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! No matter what the outcome, thanks for helping me breathe a little bit easier for the time being.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Texas Tech University School of Medicine, TX
Graduated 1988MD
Residency
Texas Tech
Completed 1993
Awards
Thought Leader, Third Place, Dallas Region - Spring
2015
Top General Surgeon, Second Place, Texas - Spring
2015
Top General Surgeon , Second Place, Texas - Spring
2016
Affiliations
Fellow American College Of Surgeons
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less