Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS
Surgeon
855 Montgomery Street Fifth Floor Fort Worth Texas, 76107Rating
3/5
About
A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS is a board-certified general surgeon currently serving his patients at The University of North Texas Health Science Center. To begin his career, Dr. Ronaghan graduated in 1977 with his medical degree from Tulane University. From there, he completed his internship with Miami Valley Hospital followed by his general surgery residency from Wright State University in Ohio. Wanting to further his knowledge in the field, Dr. Ronaghan completed a fellowship as a General Medical Officer with the Columbus Air Force Base in Missouri. With over 40 years of experience in the field of medicine, Dr. Ronaghan is certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. To remain up to date in his field, he is a professional member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the American Society of Breast Disease, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Furthermore, he is currently an Associate Professor with the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Ronaghan is also involved in the only research trial in the Fort Worth area designing pacemakers to reduce the symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis. To provide the best care to his patients, Dr. Ronaghan specializes in treating breast disease and cancers, as well as thyroid, hernias, and colorectal cancer. On a more personal note, Dr. Ronaghan attributes his success to the work ethic his parents instilled in him, love of the field that he grew up with as his parents were in the medical field as well. When he is not working he enjoys playing golf, reading, and working with computers.
Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS's Videos
Education and Training
MD--Tulane University
Tulane Univ Sch of Med, New Orleans La 1977
Tulane University School of Medicine 1977
Jehlum Valley College of Medical Sciences
Board Certification
American Board of Surgery- General Surgery
SurgeryAmerican Board of SurgeryABS
Provider Details
Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS's Expert Contributions
Is there a surgery for anal fissures?
The classic treatment for this condition is a surgical procedure called anal sphincterotomy, which splits the internal anal sphincter and relaxes that muscle so the fissure can heal. Recently, Botox injections have been used to accomplish the same effect, which greatly decreases discomfort and healing time. You need to discuss this with a colon/rectal surgeon to get the best recommendation. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
What does a hair transplant procedure involve?
There are many different techniques available for this procedure. All are safe and effective, and vary in price. I suggest you use WebMD.com or google to see pictures and videos of the various techniques, then explore the resources in your community. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
Is diarrhea and pain after a surgery normal?
Loose stools and pain for a few days following gallbladder surgery is not unusual. If the loose stools contain noticeable mucus or bright red blood, you should contact your surgeon or go to the emergency room to be evaluated for possible antibiotic-induced colitis. Otherwise, the loose stools usually resolve with resumption of normal diet. Using a heating pad on you abdomen can help alleviate the pain. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
Can back pain be completely treated with back surgery?
If indeed you have a “slipped disc”, surgery will be the most likely therapy to give you long term relief. I suggest you consult a neurosurgeon and heed his recommendations. Good luck!! Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
Do I need surgery for gallstone removal?
If your gallstones are causing symptoms (pain, nausea, bloating) then the treatment will be laparoscopic removal of the gall bladder. If you have no symptoms, then watchful waiting is acceptable. Symptomatic gallstones in diabetics must always be removed... Good luck!! Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
I have pain in the inguinal hernia surgery wound. Is re-surgery necessary?
You need to discuss this with your surgeon. Chronic postoperative pain could signify nerve entrapment, recurrent hernia, or osteitis pubis. Sometimes surgery is required, and other conditions can be managed with medications and physical therapy. Complications from possible mesh placement should also be considered. Good luck! Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
Parotid seroma keeps coming back after draining
Your problem sounds less like a seroma and more like a fluid collection of salivary fluid due to a leaking salivary duct. Seromas don’t recur within a couple of hours, but a salivary fistula can. I suggest you discuss this possibility with your surgeon, and ask him to test the fluid for amylase content. Salivary fluid will be very high in amylase, and a seroma will not. Your surgeon can then determine the best course of action depending on the results. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
Having my gallbladder removed - will my life be different after?
In most cases your life improves significantly after gall bladder surgery. Very few people have any digestive issues, and unless they have a diet restriction due to some other medical condition, most patients can resume a normal, unrestricted diet without difficulty. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
Quitting smoking before surgery?
If general anesthesia is planned for elective surgery, you should quit smoking for at least 6 weeks prior to the procedure. Abruptly quitting smoking causes an increase in mucus secretion by the lungs and trachea, and this process needs time to subside before anesthesia. Make sure you discuss this issue with both your surgeon and anesthesia provider before surgery. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS READ MORE
I had back surgery. Should I see a chiropractor or avoid it?
If you are having back pain I would recommend you return to the physician who performed your surgery. He is most familiar with your back issues, and would likely be more efficient in identifying your problem. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
Off and on lower right abdominal pain
You don’t say if you’re male or female and how old you are, so that really opens up the possibilities. Appendicitis is usually associated with pain starting by the belly button and moving to the right lower quadrant where it becomes constant and increasing. It may be associated with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Intermittent pain in a pre-menopausal female could be related to mid-cycle ovulation pain or an ovarian cyst. It would be best to see a gynecologist or primary care physician for a thorough evaluation, which may include sonograms and/or CT scans. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
Nausea after surgery
Your problem is not unusual. There are multiple sites in the brain called "trigger zones" that control nausea. Anesthesia specialists need to block all of these zones to prevent excess postop nausea, and this requires giving you 4-6 different medications before you go sleep. Discuss this problem with your anesthesia provider before your next surgery, and you should have a better result. Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
I have chronic knee pain
You should consult an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in total joint replacement surgery and have him perform a complete evaluation. I would suggest a surgeon who is part of a medical school faculty, and would rely on his expertise. Good luck!! Joseph E. Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS Associate Professor, Dept. of Surgery READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Associate Professor of Surgery, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center -
Awards
- America's Top Surgeons, Consumer Research Council, 2007-2010
- American Society of General Surgeons
- Society for Surgery of the Alimnetary Tract
- American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
- American Medical Association
- Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
- Fellow, International College of Surgeons
Treatments
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Hernia
- Goiter
Treatments
- General, Breast and Cancer Surgery
Fellowships
- Columbus Airforce Base
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Breast Disease, American Society of Clinical Oncology
Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, MD, FACS, FICS's Practice location
University of North Texas Health Science Center
855 Montgomery Street Fifth Floor -Fort Worth, Texas 76107Get Direction
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Media Releases
Get to know Surgical Oncologist Dr. Joseph Edward Ronaghan, who serves the Fort Worth, TX area with the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Ronaghan graduated in 1977 with his Medical Degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been practicing medicine for over four decades. After obtaining his Medical Degree Dr. Ronaghan completed his internship with Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Following his internship he completed his General Surgery Residency with Wright State University in Ohio. Furthering his training he completed a fellowship as a General Medical Officer with the Columbus Air Force Base in Missouri. He is also the former Chief of Surgery at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. He is certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. To remain up to date in his field, he is a professional member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Breast Disease, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and the International College of Surgeons. Dr. Ronaghan is currently an Associate Professor with the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Ronaghan is also involved in the only research trial in the Fort Worth area designing pacemakers to reduce the symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis. He has co-author the section on office surgery in Rakel’s Textbook of Family Medicine, as well as being on the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Surgery Promotion & Tenure Committee as Chair. Surgical oncology is the use of surgery to treat cancer. Surgery is done to remove tumors that are cancer. Surgery can be used by itself to treat the cancer or it can be done with other treatments. Surgery in cancer care is used to, diagnose and stage a cancer, remove the whole cancer tumor or mass, ease symptoms caused by the cancer, to return or change the body’s condition after a surgery. Dr. Ronaghan specializes in treating breast disease and cancers, as well as thyroid, hernias, and colorectal cancer. Dr. Ronaghan attributes his success to the work ethic his parents instilled in him, love of the field that he grew up with as his parents were in the medical field as well. When he is not working he enjoys playing golf, reading, and working with computers.
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