Dr. Michael McKenna, Do

Dr. Michael McKenna, Do Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Dr. Michael McKenna, Do, Surgeon, 4970 N Expressway Ste A, Brownsville, TX.

08/07/2026

If a surgeon needed surgery, these are the questions they would ask their own surgeon:

“How many of these procedures have you done?” Experience helps you know how familiar your surgeon is with the procedure.

“What have your outcomes been like?” Because experience matters, but results matter too.

“Have you seen a case like mine?” Every patient is different, and you want to know your surgeon is comfortable with your specific situation.

“Will I see you for my follow-up care?” Surgery doesn’t end when you leave the operating room. Knowing who will be there afterward matters too.

Asking questions is part of being an informed patient. Never be afraid to ask your surgeon what you want to know before surgery.

08/06/2026

Every career in medicine comes with challenges, and some parts of the job stay with you long after you leave the operating room.

What do you think is the hardest part of being a surgeon?

08/03/2026

What should we answer next? Let us know below.

07/31/2026

Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s one of the most important things you can do for your health.

As a general surgeon, I see firsthand how sleep affects every system in the body. During sleep, your brain consolidates memories, your immune system strengthens, your muscles and tissues repair, and hormones that regulate appetite, blood sugar, and stress are restored.

Chronic sleep deprivation doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It increases your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, weakened immunity, and even slower wound healing after surgery. It also impairs judgment, reaction time, focus, and decision-making, which is why adequate sleep is essential for both patients and healthcare professionals.

If you’re constantly sacrificing sleep to get more done, you may actually be making it harder for your body and brain to perform at their best.

Protect your sleep the same way you protect your diet and exercise. Your future self will thank you.

07/31/2026

When a new patient comes to see me, the first thing I want to know is not what a scan shows or what another doctor told them. I want to hear their story.

I want to understand what brought them into my office, when their symptoms began, how they have changed over time, what makes them better or worse, and how they are affecting their daily life. I also want to know about any previous treatments, surgeries, medications, and medical conditions that could be be related.

This conversation, known as the patient’s medical history, is one of the most important parts of any visit. A detailed history often provides the clues needed to reach the correct diagnosis before we even perform a physical exam or review imaging. It also helps me determine which tests are truly necessary and develop a treatment plan that is personalized to each patient.

Medicine is about more than treating symptoms. It starts with listening, understanding, and seeing the whole person behind the condition.

07/19/2026

Wondering if you need an endoscopy? It may be recommended if you’re having persistent heartburn, trouble swallowing, unexplained stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, anemia, or unintended weight loss. An endoscopy allows your doctor to look inside your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine to help find the cause and, in some cases, treat it at the same time.

07/18/2026

What is GERD?

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is more than occasional heartburn. It happens when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, chronic cough, hoarseness, or even trouble swallowing.

If left untreated, GERD can lead to inflammation, ulcers, narrowing of the esophagus, or changes in the lining of the esophagus known as Barrett’s esophagus.

If you’re experiencing frequent reflux, don’t ignore it. There are effective treatments that can help protect your esophagus and improve your quality of life.

07/16/2026

Diverticulitis is more than just a stomach ache.

It happens when one of the small pouches in the colon, called diverticula, becomes inflamed or infected. Common symptoms include left lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.

Some cases can be treated with rest and medication, while others may require hospitalization or even surgery if complications like an abscess, perforation, or obstruction develop.

If you’re having severe abdominal pain, especially with fever, don’t ignore it. Getting evaluated early can make a big difference.

07/16/2026

There are several reasons a surgeon may recommend removing part of the colon, and it’s not always because of cancer.

Some of the most common reasons include colon cancer, recurrent or complicated diverticulitis, large polyps that can’t be removed during a colonoscopy, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, bowel obstruction, severe injury to the colon, or a loss of blood supply to part of the colon.

The goal of surgery is to remove the unhealthy section while preserving as much healthy colon as possible. The type of operation depends on the underlying condition and your overall health.

07/16/2026

One of the best things you can do after surgery is get up and walk.

Walking the same day after surgery helps wake up your intestines, improves blood flow, lowers the risk of blood clots and pneumonia, and can even help reduce pain and speed up your recovery.

You don’t need to walk miles. Even a few short walks throughout the day can make a big difference.

Of course, always follow your surgeon’s specific instructions, but in most cases, early movement is an important part of healing.

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4970 N Expressway Ste A
Brownsville, TX
78526

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