Can anyone recomend a gastric surgeon for a colonectomy?

I have been told I need to have my entire large intestine removed. I live in a medium size community whidh has surgeons who occasionally do such surgery. However, I also have a bleeding disorder and I have had major abdominal surgery before - horrible!!!  I would like someone who can do this surgery laproscopically and who does it often. I am willing to travel if need be. Please, has anyone had a "good" experience? Can anyone help me find a good surgeon - soon!   Thanks.

[Morecambe]

I don't live in America so I can't recommend a specific surgeon - but, having previously undergone a total colectomy, I strongly suggest:-

- go to a specialist hospital where they perform total colectomies all day/every day.  I believe that you have such specialist hospitals in America such as the Mayo Clinics or similar.

- do engage a specialist G.I. surgeon - and not a "general surgeon" who may be relatively inexperienced in this type of surgery and who only performs hernias, ingrowing toenails and other less relevant operations.

- although a laparoscopic procedure may seem attractive compared to the total invasive method - do ask the surgeon whether there are increased risks of overlooking a minor leak/pinhole which will subsequently require a further (totally invasive) follow-up surgery.

regards
Morecambe

[mammo]

MD Anderson Hospital in Texas is tops in this field!  Emory in Atlanta is excellent as well.