Matthew Swenson

Surgeon

5320 South Rainbow Blvd 302 Las Vegas Nevada, 89118 Show map

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About

Dr. Swenson is a board-certified General Surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Swenson joined the U.S. Air Force in 2005 and attended the military’s medical school in Washington D.C. He was then transferred to Las Vegas, where he completed his General Surgery Residency with the University of Nevada. Afterwards he was stationed in Anchorage Alaska, and from there traveled to many countries and performed surgery on our men and women in uniform throughout the world. After separating from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel, he joined the Valley Health System as the Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Residency. His focus includes laparoscopic and robotic repair of hernias, gallbladder removal, pilonidal cyst treatment, anti-reflux procedures, colorectal procedures, and cancer operations.

Education and Training

Uniformed Services University MD 2009

Board Certification

American Board of Surgery

Provider Details

Male English

Matthew Swenson

Matthew Swenson's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How long is the recovery time for abdominal hernia surgery?
The answer to this question depends on the type of hernia. For most abdominal hernias (including umbilical and inguinal herniae) the following postoperative guidelines apply: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS You will find yourself feeling weak and tired for 1-2 weeks after going home (and maybe longer). This will eventually resolve. Listen to your body and rest when you feel you need to. Do not “push through the pain”. Expect some swelling and bruising in the surgical area. This will resolve with time. You may apply an ice pack over the bandage, 30 minutes on then 30 minutes off, for comfort and to reduce swelling. Your belly will feel bloated for about one week; you may not be able to close your pants. This will pass as you heal. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in loose-fitting clothing. ACTIVITIES You will feel easily fatigued for at least one week after discharge; this is normal. Rest as much as you need to. You may take short trips in a car as desired. You should not drive until you have stopped taking your narcotic pain medications. You are encouraged to take short walks two to three times daily. You can also go up and down stairs as desired. Do NOT strain your abdominal muscles for at least two weeks. For most people, this generally means no lifting over 20 lbs. Refrain from sports and exercise during the first two weeks at home. After two weeks, you may return to all normal activities, as you desire (avoid very heavy, sudden lifting that causes increased discomfort). However, it may take a total of 4 weeks after your surgery before you reach your normal fitness level. Depending on the physical activity requirements of your job you will probably be out of work for a minimum of one week but this should be discussed with your surgeon. A work note can be provided for you if needed. DIET You may return to normal food after you get home from your surgery. You may wish to avoid heavy food following your surgery and perhaps just take liquids that day. The day after your surgery you may eat anything you wish. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages for several days. INCISIONS Your incisions are closed with absorbable sutures which will not need to be removed. You will have Steristrips over these incisions. Leave the Steristrips alone for two weeks or until they fall off. An additional bandage will be placed over the wound. This can be removed or replaced after two days, depending on your preference. On the second day after surgery, you may shower. Do not soak your wounds in water (i.e. bathtub, hot tub, swimming pool) for two weeks. MEDICATIONS Use the narcotic pain medication as prescribed. You should switch to Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as soon as possible to reduce side effects from the narcotic. Take stool softeners until you have a bowel movement. If you have not had a bowel movement by the 3rd day after surgery, you may take a gentle laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or Dulcolax as directed. READ MORE
How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery?
Post-Operative Instructions – Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS You will find yourself feeling weak and tired for 1-2 weeks after going home (and maybe longer). This will eventually resolve. Listen to your body and rest when you feel you need to. Do not “push through the pain”. You might experience soreness like a sprain in the right shoulder or back. This is due to the gas that is put into your abdomen during the surgery- it will go away in 2-3 days. Apply heat to your shoulder and back and take your pain medication as prescribed. Try not to lie flat. Elevate your head on several pillows and place a pillow under your knees to promote comfort and decrease the risk of developing shoulder soreness. Your belly will feel bloated for about one week; you may not be able to close your pants. This will pass as the gas in the abdomen is absorbed. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in loose-fitting clothing. You will probably develop bruising around one or more of your incisions ACTIVITIES You will feel easily fatigued for at least one week after discharge; this is normal. Rest as much as you need to. You may take short trips in a car as desired. You should not drive until you have stopped taking your narcotic pain medications. You are encouraged to take short walks two to three times daily. You can also go up and down stairs as desired. Do NOT strain your abdominal muscles for at least two weeks. For most people, this generally means no lifting over 20 lbs. Refrain from sports and exercise during the first two weeks at home. After two weeks, you may return to all normal activities, as you desire (avoid very heavy, sudden lifting that causes increased discomfort). However, it may take a total of 4 weeks after your surgery before you reach your normal fitness level. Depending on the physical activity requirements of your job you will probably be out of work for a minimum of one week but this should be discussed with your surgeon. A work note can be provided for you if needed. DIET You may wish to avoid heavy food following your surgery and perhaps just take liquids that day. The day after your surgery you may eat anything you wish. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages for several days. The gallbladder is part of your digestive system, and so you should expect changes to your normal gut function. Most changes resolve within three months of surgery. There are no diet restrictions after gallbladder removal. However, eating a large meal or a high-fat meal may lead to bloating, indigestion, gas, or diarrhea. Eating small, frequent meals at the same time each day can help control these symptoms. A food journal may help to identify problem foods. INCISIONS Your incisions are closed with absorbable sutures which will not need to be removed. You will have Steristrips over these incisions. Leave the Steristrips alone for two weeks or until they fall off. An additional bandage will be placed over the wound. This can be removed or replaced after two days, depending on your preference. On the second day after surgery, you may shower. Do not soak your wounds in water (i.e. bathtub, hot tub, swimming pool) for two weeks. MEDICATIONS Use the narcotic pain medication as prescribed. You should switch to Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as soon as possible to reduce side effects from the narcotic. Take stool softeners until you have a bowel movement. If you have not had a bowel movement by the third day after surgery, you may take a gentle laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or Dulcolax as directed. READ MORE
What anesthesia is used for gallstones surgery?
Gallstones are located within the gallbladder, which sits underneath the liver. Treatment for gallstones is to remove the gallbladder. This surgery can either be done with a large incision (traditional method) or by several small incisions (laparoscopic and robotic methods). It is necessary to be in a deep state of sleep for this procedure, so General Anesthesia will be used. An Anesthesiologist or Anesthetist will put you to sleep, then insert a tube into your mouth to help you breath and monitor your vital signs during surgery. This tube will be removed as you wake up after your surgery. READ MORE