Flagstaff Surgical Associates

11/18/2025

Digestive symptoms can affect daily life — from meals and sleep to energy and comfort. Whether your symptoms are new, ongoing, or difficult to pinpoint, a thorough evaluation can help identify the cause and guide the right treatment.

Our team provides care for conditions such as:
• Chronic acid reflux or heartburn
• IBS, IBD, and SIBO
• Abdominal pain, bloating, or irregular bowel habits
• Gallbladder disease
• Colon health concerns and routine screenings

If you’ve been living with digestive discomfort or have questions about your GI health, we’re here to help.
New patients are welcome.

11/14/2025

Hearing changes happen gradually, and it’s common not to notice the difference right away. Regular hearing screenings help detect early changes before they begin to affect communication, work, or relationships.

Signs it may be time for a hearing evaluation:
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
• Difficulty following conversations in background noise
• Turning the TV or phone volume up higher than usual
• Ringing or humming in the ears (tinnitus)
• Feeling like voices sound muffled or unclear

A hearing screening is quick, non-invasive, and can provide clarity and peace of mind. If hearing loss is present, early treatment can help preserve hearing and improve daily quality of life.

If you’ve noticed even subtle changes, we're here to help.

11/12/2025

Sleep apnea in children can look very different than it does in adults. While snoring is a common sign, many children show daytime behavioral symptoms instead. Because symptoms may be subtle, sleep apnea can be mistaken for ADHD, anxiety, or “restlessness.”

Possible signs of pediatric sleep apnea include:
• Snoring or gasping during sleep
• Restless or noisy sleep
• Mouth breathing
• Morning headaches
• Daytime irritability or mood swings
• Trouble focusing or hyperactivity
• Bedwetting past typical age

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common cause — and treatment can significantly improve sleep, behavior, and daytime energy.

If you’ve noticed changes in your child’s sleep, breathing, or behavior, our ENT team can evaluate their airway and guide next steps. Most children experience meaningful improvement with appropriate care.

We’re here to help your child sleep — and feel — better.

11/10/2025

A hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Hernias are common, and they don’t always cause sharp pain — which is why many people don’t realize they have one until it starts affecting daily activities.

Common signs you may have a hernia include:
• A noticeable bulge in the abdomen or groin
• Pain, pressure, or a “pulling” sensation when lifting, coughing, or standing
• Discomfort that improves when lying down
• A feeling of heaviness or aching in the affected area
• A bulge that becomes more visible at the end of the day

Hernias do not go away on their own.
Over time, they can become larger or more uncomfortable. In some cases, tissue can become trapped, which requires urgent medical attention.

If you’ve noticed a bulge or discomfort that comes and goes, especially with activity or strain, an evaluation can help confirm what’s going on and discuss treatment options. Surgical repair is often straightforward and highly effective.

We’re here to help you get answers and feel better.

11/08/2025

Thyroid disorders are common, especially in women, and symptoms can be easy to overlook because they often develop gradually. The thyroid helps regulate metabolism, energy, mood, heart rate, and temperature — so when thyroid hormone levels are either too high or too low, the effects can be wide-ranging.

Common symptoms may include:
• Fatigue or low energy
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Feeling unusually cold or warm
• Hair thinning or dry skin
• Mood changes, such as anxiety or depression
• Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
• Changes in heart rate

If you’ve noticed changes in your energy, mood, or metabolism that don’t feel typical for you, a simple blood test can help evaluate thyroid function. Diagnosis and treatment are highly manageable, and many patients feel improvement soon after starting therapy.

If you have questions about thyroid symptoms or testing, our team is here to help.

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

Chronic kidney disease often develops slowly, and many people don’t notice symptoms until kidney function has already decreased. This is why screening is so important, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, or swelling in the legs or around the eyes.

Early detection allows your care team to monitor kidney function, adjust medications if needed, and support long-term health. Screening is simple and non-invasive, and can be done through routine lab work and blood pressure evaluation.

What to watch for:
• Fatigue or low energy
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, or around the eyes
• Changes in urination frequency
• Persistent high blood pressure
• Loss of appetite or nausea

Even subtle changes may be worth discussing with your provider. If you have risk factors or ongoing symptoms, consider asking about a kidney function check. Early awareness can make a meaningful difference.

11/05/2025

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver conditions in the United States, and many people don’t realize they have it because early stages often cause little to no symptoms. The condition occurs when fat builds up in the liver over time, which can lead to inflammation, scarring, and reduced liver function if left untreated.

You may be at higher risk if you have:
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Obesity or weight that tends to be carried in the abdomen
• High blood pressure
• A family history of liver disease

Because symptoms are subtle, diagnosis often comes from routine bloodwork or imaging. If NAFLD is identified early, lifestyle changes and medical guidance can help prevent progression and protect liver health.

If you have ongoing fatigue, abdominal fullness, or changes in lab results, or if you have risk factors listed above, talk with your provider about whether liver function screening is appropriate for you.

Early awareness and monitoring matter.

11/03/2025

Recovering from an appendectomy is usually straightforward, but it’s normal to have questions about what you’re feeling in the first few days. Mild bloating and soreness are expected as your abdomen heals, and many patients notice shoulder or chest discomfort caused by the surgical gas used during laparoscopy. This is temporary, but it can feel more noticeable when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or taking deep breaths.

You should begin to feel gradual improvement each day. If your pain is getting worse instead of better, or if you develop fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or increased redness or drainage around your incisions, contact your care team. These symptoms may require evaluation.

To support healing:

• Avoid heavy lifting for 2–4 weeks
• Stay hydrated and eat light, balanced meals
• Walk short distances to promote circulation and reduce bloating
• Take pain medication only as prescribed
• Keep all follow-up appointments

Every recovery is unique. If something doesn’t feel right, we’re here to help.

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween from your crew at FSA! 🎃

10/25/2025

Our ENT specialists care for the conditions that impact daily life — from hearing loss and sinus problems to thyroid disease and voice concerns. Whether you need testing, medical treatment, or surgery, our team provides comprehensive care with a personal approach.

👉 Schedule your ENT consultation today at flagstaffsurgical.com

10/24/2025

An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) is very common as men age, but the symptoms can look similar to those of prostate cancer — which is why evaluation is so important.

Dr. William Badger, urologist at Flagstaff Surgical Associates, explains the signs to watch for:

- Weak or slow urine stream
- Trouble starting urination or dribbling afterward
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Urgency or inability to fully empty the bladder

While these symptoms are often caused by BPH, they can sometimes signal prostate cancer. The best way to know the difference is through a prostate health evaluation, which may include a physical exam, imaging, or a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

Prostate cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Don’t ignore changes in your urinary health — they’re worth getting checked.

👉 Schedule a prostate screening with our urology team at flagstaffsurgical.com