He was in Britain from 1988-1991, completing his post-fellowship training and specialising in endoscopic surgery.
Gary began his consultant practice in Wellington in 1991 and was the first surgeon in Wellington to perform the majority of the laparoscopic procedures performed today, including appendicectomy. He was also the first surgeon in Wellington to provide a private colonoscopy service.
Dr Stone is a Fellow of Royal Australasian College Surgeons and a Member of Association of General Surgeons.
Gary's primary place of work is Southern Cross Hospital in Wellington City, and he also has clinics in Kapiti Coast and at the Rutherford Clinic in Lower Hutt where he provides his Laparoscopic Surgery Ltd practice.
Laparoscopic surgery is usually associated with less blood loss during surgery and less pain and scarring following surgery. In most cases, time spent in hospital is less and overall recovery time from the operation is less than with conventional open surgery.
Many surgeries are performed laparoscopically these days, particularly hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery and bowel surgery.
Endoscopy
Gastroscopy can usually be arranged the same day or next day. Colonoscopy can be arranged within three days. Screening colonoscopy is advisable for those who have a family history of bowel cancer:
- if a first degree relative (father, mother, brother, sister, child) has had bowel cancer before age 55
- if two first degree relatives have had bowel cancer at any age
- if you have had polyps or cancer previously
- if you have had colitis for many years.
Colonoscopy is also the best screening test for bowel cancer and I recommend it for all, at age 50 -60, even without family history.
