EXPERT
Dr. Atif Iqbal, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgeon
<p><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dr. Atif Iqbal is a colon and rectal surgeon practicing in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Iqbal specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. As a colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Iqbal often treats conditions like rectal cancer, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and diverticulitis. Colon and rectal surgeons may be referred to you by your gastroenterologist if your doctor believes you need a surgical procedure.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Atif Iqbal earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University and completed a surgical internship at Mayo Hospital, Pakistan. He then completed a surgical research fellowship at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Missouri and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He joined the University of Florida (UF) as an assistant professor in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor in 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal leads the Colorectal Surgery team, and specializes in surgical procedures for benign and malignant pathology of the colon, rectum and anus. He has a special interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer, including sphincter saving procedures for low rectal cancer. He is a member of the Baylor Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and offers laparoscopic pouch procedures for ulcerative colitis and minimally invasive surgery for Crohn’s disease. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">H</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #333333; letter-spacing: .3pt;">is clinical interests include robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopy, pelvic surgery and surgical treatment of rectal cancer, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery. His research interests focus on health services and outcome-based translational research in colorectal pathology with a focus on rectal cancer outcomes and institution of enhanced recovery programs after surgery. He has over 130 research publications, presentations and posters. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal has held various leadership positions in the past including, being the Medical Director for the UF outpatient surgical clinics, Program Director for the UF PA residency program, the cancer liaison physician for the UF Health cancer network, and the lead robotic surgeon for his division. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is recognized nationally as a colorectal cancer expert and is currently serving as an elected surgical expert on the NCI Rectal-Anal Task Force and the Colon task force of the GI steering committee. He is actively involved with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and NRG Oncology. He has earned honors for his research presentations to the ACS, SAGES and the Commission on Cancer, as well as a medal of achievement in physiology by the Pakistan Physiological Research Organization. He has earned numerous ‘patient nominations’ and awards for the quality of care provided.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Atif Iqbal earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University and completed a surgical internship at Mayo Hospital, Pakistan. He then completed a surgical research fellowship at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Missouri and a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He joined the University of Florida (UF) as an assistant professor in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor in 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal leads the Colorectal Surgery team, and specializes in surgical procedures for benign and malignant pathology of the colon, rectum and anus. He has a special interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer, including sphincter saving procedures for low rectal cancer. He is a member of the Baylor Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and offers laparoscopic pouch procedures for ulcerative colitis and minimally invasive surgery for Crohn’s disease. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">H</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #333333; letter-spacing: .3pt;">is clinical interests include robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopy, pelvic surgery and surgical treatment of rectal cancer, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery. His research interests focus on health services and outcome-based translational research in colorectal pathology with a focus on rectal cancer outcomes and institution of enhanced recovery programs after surgery. He has over 130 research publications, presentations and posters. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal has held various leadership positions in the past including, being the Medical Director for the UF outpatient surgical clinics, Program Director for the UF PA residency program, the cancer liaison physician for the UF Health cancer network, and the lead robotic surgeon for his division. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Dr. Iqbal is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is recognized nationally as a colorectal cancer expert and is currently serving as an elected surgical expert on the NCI Rectal-Anal Task Force and the Colon task force of the GI steering committee. He is actively involved with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and NRG Oncology. He has earned honors for his research presentations to the ACS, SAGES and the Commission on Cancer, as well as a medal of achievement in physiology by the Pakistan Physiological Research Organization. He has earned numerous ‘patient nominations’ and awards for the quality of care provided.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
22 years
Experience
Dr. Atif Iqbal, MD
- Gainesville, FL
- King Edward Medical University
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Bleeding from rectum?
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if this is serious (like cancer) or just food poisoning without a work up. Your age is such that you should get a colonoscopy anyways. READ MORE
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if this is serious (like cancer) or just food poisoning without a work up. Your age is such that you should get a colonoscopy anyways. Probably best to see a GI physician and let him/her work you up.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
I have a feeling that I need to go to the bathroom, but it doesn’t happen. What is the reason?
There are many reasons for this. You should see a gastroenterologist and possibly get a colonoscopy if you have not recently. It could be hemorrhoids or cancer or something in READ MORE
There are many reasons for this. You should see a gastroenterologist and possibly get a colonoscopy if you have not recently. It could be hemorrhoids or cancer or something in between.
What are the treatment options for colon polyps?
Depends on the size and location. They need to be removed either with a colonoscopy or with surgery (if unable to be removed with a colonoscopy).
What causes chronic hemorrhoids?
It's either from the diet causing bowels not to be 'formed, soft stools' OR behavioral habits of straining too much.
What causes rectal pain at night?
This is not normal and you should see either a colorectal surgeon or a gastroenterologist.
What are the signs of rectal cancer?
This is very worrisome especially if you are older. You should see a gastroenterologist and get a colonoscopy as soon as possible.
Is there a surgery to treat IBD?
According to NIH >70% patients with Crohns disease need surgery in their lifetime. So it depends on whether you have an indication for surgery. Surgery is a good way to treat ulcerative READ MORE
According to NIH >70% patients with Crohns disease need surgery in their lifetime. So it depends on whether you have an indication for surgery. Surgery is a good way to treat ulcerative colitis but for crohns its delayed till you really need it. IBD includes both these diseases
Anal fissure
There are 3 treatments for anal fissure. one is a medication, the other is botox injection and third if cutting a portion of the sphincter. We would move down the list.
Is a colon resection major surgery?
Absolutely. Nowadays, it can be done mostly without a big incision (laparoscopy or robotic surgery) but it is still major surgery and can have major complications.
Is it possible to have colonic polyps when you're young?
It's possible to have familial syndromes that can lead to polyps and cancers early. You should be evaluated.
Having a section of colon removed. What is the recovery time for this?
Firstly, you should not have surgery for IBS. IBD is a different story and can need surgery. Most surgeries are now done with small incisions using laparoscopy or robotics and READ MORE
Firstly, you should not have surgery for IBS. IBD is a different story and can need surgery. Most surgeries are now done with small incisions using laparoscopy or robotics and most people stay in the hospital only for 1-3 days with a quicker recovery.
Is a colonoscopy safe?
The chance of colonoscopy leading to a major complication is rare
Should I stop taking my blood thinners before my anal fissure surgery?
Depends on the type of blood thinners. Most surgeons will allow aspirin but have you stop other medication. Best to ask your own surgeon.
How is colon cancer treated?
A CT scan is needed to rule out distant spread. Then typically surgery is needed to remove that segment and see if chemotherapy is needed or not.
Fissures
You should be seen by a colorectal surgeon to see if the fissure has come back. There are not many causes of anal pain and all 3 can be ruled out with a good exam. If none of those READ MORE
You should be seen by a colorectal surgeon to see if the fissure has come back. There are not many causes of anal pain and all 3 can be ruled out with a good exam. If none of those are seen, then there will be no surgical fix unfortunately. There are still options in terms of physical therapy and pain management.
How long does to recover from colon resection?
It's different for different people. Also, it depends on whether the surgery was done with an open or minimally invasive approach. Some people take 3 months to recover. Others READ MORE
It's different for different people. Also, it depends on whether the surgery was done with an open or minimally invasive approach. Some people take 3 months to recover. Others are back to work in a week.
How would I know if I have a colon polyp?
You won't usually. That is why you need a colonoscopy done for screening polyps starting at a certain age (45 or 50 years, unless there is a family history).
Can family history play a role in hemorrhoids?
It's not a familial issue.
Is a surgery required to treat colonic polyps?
Not necessarily. The polyp needs to be removed. I would prefer doing it without surgery using a colonoscope. If that is not possible then surgery is needed.
Bleeding after a colonoscopy
You should talk to your physician that did the colonoscopy. Some amount of bleeding after a scope is fine but it can also be serious especially if it’s ongoing or you have dizziness READ MORE
You should talk to your physician that did the colonoscopy. Some amount of bleeding after a scope is fine but it can also be serious especially if it’s ongoing or you have dizziness
