Colorectal health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, and when issues arise, expert care is essential. Dr. Albert Chung specializes in using advanced techniques, including robotic-assisted da Vinci technology, to diagnose and treat a wide range of colorectal conditions. If you are experiencing discomfort or have concerns about your colorectal health, call (714) 988-8690 to schedule a consultation at our Santa Margarita, CA office.
The large intestine, also known as the colorectal region, includes the colon and rectum. It plays an essential role in digestion and waste elimination. A wide range of conditions can affect this area, from minor irritation to serious disease. Colorectal cancer alone is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, with thousands of new cases each year. The good news: most colorectal conditions are highly treatable when caught and addressed early.
Many colorectal conditions share overlapping symptoms. If you're experiencing any of the following, it's worth getting checked.
Tap any condition for more detail.
Many colorectal conditions respond well to conservative care: dietary changes, medications, in-office procedures, and lifestyle modifications. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative approaches haven't worked, or where the condition is severe enough to require it from the start.
When surgery is the right answer, modern techniques have made the experience dramatically easier than it used to be. Smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes are now the standard.
Dr. Chung uses the da Vinci surgical system for many colorectal procedures. The technology gives him a level of precision, dexterity, and visualization that traditional approaches simply can't match, particularly for complex anatomy or tight surgical fields.
The result: smaller incisions, reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved surgical accuracy compared to traditional open surgery.
Several colorectal procedures benefit significantly from the precision of robotic-assisted surgery.
Robotic-assisted surgery offers many advantages, but it isn't the right answer for every patient. Dr. Chung will evaluate your specific condition, overall health, and treatment goals before recommending an approach. He's committed to transparent, patient-centered care, which means you'll always be fully informed about the options on the table and the reasoning behind any recommendation.
The names overlap and patients are often sent to the wrong one first. This is how the specialties divide the work.
| Specialist | Training | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Colorectal surgeon (proctologist) | General surgery residency plus a colon and rectal surgery fellowship; board-certified in both. "Proctologist" is the older name for the same specialist. | Anything that may need a procedure: hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, abscesses, rectal bleeding, fecal incontinence, diverticulitis surgery, IBD surgery, colon and rectal cancer surgery. Also performs colonoscopy. |
| Gastroenterologist | Internal medicine residency plus a GI fellowship; a medical rather than surgical specialty. | Colonoscopy and screening, medical management of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, IBS, reflux, liver disease. Refers to a colorectal surgeon when surgery or an anorectal procedure is needed. |
| General surgeon | General surgery residency. | Broad abdominal surgery. Many perform colon surgery; complex rectal, anal, and pelvic work is usually referred to a colorectal specialist. |
| Primary care | Family or internal medicine. | First-line care for constipation, mild hemorrhoids, and screening referrals. Refers on when symptoms persist. |
Dr. Chung is double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, a combination held by a small fraction of practicing surgeons. For anal and rectal problems, that training is the difference between a specialist who offers every option and one who offers the single option they know. Read what to look for in a colorectal surgeon.
Dr. Chung's practice in Rancho Santa Margarita serves as the colorectal specialist for patients from across Orange County who want one surgeon to evaluate, explain, and treat their condition from start to finish.
Dr. Chung sees patients at 30212 Tomas, Suite 365, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, off the 241 toll road in South Orange County. Patients come from Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Santa Ana, and across Orange County. Most new patients are seen within days, and a first visit usually includes the exam, a plain-language explanation, and a treatment plan the same day.
Not ready for an in-person visit? Dr. Chung also offers online video consultations. Read what patients say on the reviews page.
They are the same specialist. Proctologist is the older term; the specialty is now called colon and rectal surgery. A colorectal surgeon completes a general surgery residency and then a dedicated fellowship in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus.
Most PPO plans do not require one. HMO plans generally do. The office can check your plan and tell you what is needed before your visit.
Yes. Colorectal surgeons are trained and credentialed in colonoscopy. Dr. Chung performs screening and diagnostic colonoscopies as well as polyp removal, and can move directly to surgical treatment if something is found, without a second referral.
Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas and abscesses, rectal bleeding, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, pilonidal disease, anal itching, colon polyps, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and anal cancer. Each condition treated here has its own page linked above.
Most patients do not. The majority of colorectal complaints, including most hemorrhoids, fissures, and rectal bleeding, are managed with conservative care and office procedures. Surgery is recommended when it is the treatment that will actually solve the problem, and Dr. Chung explains the reasoning before it is scheduled.
Yes. Dr. Chung performs robotic-assisted colon resection, rectal resection, and rectopexy using the da Vinci system, which allows smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery than open surgery. Read about robotic colorectal surgery.
Whether you're managing a chronic condition, dealing with new symptoms, or seeking a second opinion, Dr. Chung can help you understand what's going on and what to do about it.
Book a consultation Call (714) 988-8690Routine colorectal cancer screenings are recommended for individuals aged 45 and older or those with specific risk factors like family history. Discuss your screening schedule with Dr. Chung.
Depending on your specific case, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery to fully address any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery typically experience shorter recovery times, often resuming normal activities within weeks. Dr. Chung will outline your personalized recovery plan.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment greatly improve colorectal cancer outcomes. Call Dr. Albert Chung’s colorectal clinic in Orange County.
