I am a current patient of a colon-rectal surgeon because he removed an hpv lesion a few years ago. About six months ago I went back to that surgeon because I was having symptoms again, but he said it was just hemorrhoids and gave me a cream for it.

Those hemorrhoid symptoms never went away and have changed for the worse lately. I also have some other new symptoms like thin stools, constipation, and I’ve seen mucus a few times in the stool.

I have a long history of digestive problems that I’ve never sought medical help for, and this recent change is troubling to me. I’d like to rule out underlying digestive disorders, or even polyps or cancer.

My actual question is this: can I go back to the surgeon to talk about this? Is it within his scope to diagnose things like IBS, Crohn’s, and that sort of thing? Or would I be better off getting in to a gastroenterologist, which would most likely take a while because I would be a new patient?

I’m going to call around tomorrow, but I expect that both doctors will probably say I can see them. I wonder if any of you know which one would be better, or if it makes a difference at all.