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Dr Michael JJ Chu - General, Gallbladder, Hernia, HPB and Laparoscopic Surgeon

Private Service, General Surgery

Today

Description

Dr Michael Chu is a New Zealand and internationally trained general surgeon with a special focus on the liver, pancreas, and bile duct. His expertise in various surgical approaches includes open and laparoscopic (key-hole) procedures.
With a holistic, patient-centred and compassionate approach, Dr Chu provides tailored surgical solutions to achieve the best outcome for his patients' needs and enhance their lives.

Services provided include:

Liver Surgery

  • Liver tumours
  • Colorectal liver metastases
  • Benign liver tumours
  • Liver cysts

Pancreatic Surgery

  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Pancreatic cyst​
  • Neuroendocrine tumours

Gallbladder/Biliary disease

  • Gallstones
  • Bile duct cancer
  • Gallbladder polyps or cancer

Hernia

  • Inguinal/femoral hernia
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Incisional hernia
  • Ventral/Spigellian hernia

Consultants

Ages

Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Contact us, Referral, Make an appointment

Referral Expectations

When you come to your appointment, your surgeon will ask questions about your illness and examine you to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays, scans etc). Sometimes this can all be done during one visit, but for some conditions this will take several follow-up appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before your appointment to try to speed up the process.
 
Once a diagnosis has been made, your surgeon will discuss treatment with you. In some instances this will mean surgery, while other cases can be managed with medication and advice. If surgery is advised, the steps involved in the surgical process and the likely outcome are usually discussed with you at this time.

Fees and Charges Description

Dr. Michael Chu is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider and NIB First Choice Network member

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Languages Spoken

Cantonese Chinese, English, Mandarin Chinese

Procedures / Treatments

Gallstones

Sometimes, some of the watery fluid (bile) stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material known as gallstones. Gallstones may vary from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball and there may be one or hundreds of stones. Gallstones can cause abdominal pain, fever and vomiting if they block the movement of bile into or out of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. A laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity at the level of the tummy button. Surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions and the gallbladder removed.

Sometimes, some of the watery fluid (bile) stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material known as gallstones. Gallstones may vary from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball and there may be one or hundreds of stones.
Gallstones can cause abdominal pain, fever and vomiting if they block the movement of bile into or out of the gallbladder. 

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. A laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity at the level of the tummy button. Surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions and the gallbladder removed.

Hernias

A hernia exists where part of the abdominal wall is weakened and the contents of the abdomen push through to the outside. An inguinal hernia forms when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall, causing a bulge in the groin. A hiatus hernia is caused by part of the stomach and lower oesophagus bulging through the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle between the chest and the stomach) into the chest. A hiatus hernia can cause a burning feeling in the upper abdomen and chest (heartburn). Laparoscopic Hernia Repair involves using surgical instruments to push the hernia back into its original position and repairing the weakness in the abdominal wall (or diaphragm in the case of a hiatus hernia).

A hernia exists where part of the abdominal wall is weakened and the contents of the abdomen push through to the outside.

An inguinal hernia forms when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall, causing a bulge in the groin.

A hiatus hernia is caused by part of the stomach and lower oesophagus bulging through the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle between the chest and the stomach) into the chest. A hiatus hernia can cause a burning feeling in the upper abdomen and chest (heartburn).

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair involves using surgical instruments to push the hernia back into its original position and repairing the weakness in the abdominal wall (or diaphragm in the case of a hiatus hernia).
Liver biopsy

The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy. It is usually performed by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin and taking a small sample of liver tissue. Examination of the sample under the microscope can demonstrate what damage or what type of disease is present. Before your doctor does this procedure, they will check whether or not you are at increased risk of bleeding by doing blood tests. Following the procedure, you will need to be monitored for several hours before you are discharged to go home.

The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy. It is usually performed by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin and taking a small sample of liver tissue. Examination of the sample under the microscope can demonstrate what damage or what type of disease is present. Before your doctor does this procedure, they will check whether or not you are at increased risk of bleeding by doing blood tests. Following the procedure, you will need to be monitored for several hours before you are discharged to go home.

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access, Wheelchair accessible toilet, Mobility parking space

Public Transport

The Auckland Transport Journey Planner will help you to plan your journey.

Parking

Off street patient parking is available at both clinics.

Pharmacy

Find your nearest pharmacy here

Contact Details

148 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland

Central Auckland

More details…

This page was last updated at 2:14PM on August 14, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Dr Michael JJ Chu - General, Gallbladder, Hernia, HPB and Laparoscopic Surgeon.