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Brian Louie

Bio

Dr. Brian Louie is a board-certified thoracic surgeon who serves as the Director of Research and Education for the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Swedish.  He is also the Co-director of the Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery program and a clinical instructor in the general surgery residency program.   Dr. Louie strives to restore his patients' health level and to help them improve their quality of life and possible lifespan. Dr. Louie believes that each patient’s situation is unique. He treats each of his patients as individuals, helping them make good decisions based on their treatment options and developing treatment plans specific for each individual.



Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Swedish

Location:

Group Memberships:

Activity

  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What does a biopsy for Barrett's esophagus involve?
    If you are diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus, it is important for your doctor to monitor your condition through endoscopy to take biopsies or tissue samples. Because it is difficult to biopsy an entire segment of Barrett's esophagus, a regular and thorough method of taking samples is used...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What are my options if my Barrett's esophagus has turned into cancer?
    If your Barrett's esophagus has turned into cancer, your options for treatment depend on the cancer stage that your Barrett's esophagus is in. Ideally, since you're likely in a program, in a registry, and under medical surveillance, cancer will likely be caught early. In this case, you might...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What happens if my doctor suspects Barrett's esophagus?
    If your doctor performs an upper GI endoscopy and sees an abnormality that might be Barrett's esophagus, either in the esophageal lining or in the folds at the bottom of your esophagus, then a biopsy of the tissue is taken. The tissue will then be examined under a microscope to determine...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    Is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) a serious condition?
    Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not considered a serious condition, its impact on one's quality of life is quite detrimental. GERD can affect many areas of life, including sleeping habits, social life, enjoyment of foods, and a person's overall sense of well-being. GERD...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What are the symptoms of GERD?
    The most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are heartburn, a painful burning sensation behind the breastbone that radiates up toward the neck, as well as regurgitation, which is the sensation of stomach contents coming back up into the throat or the mouth. Less common...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    Why shouldn't I treat my GERD with medication alone?
    The long-term safety profile of medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is generally good, but they do suppress a normal bodily function -- the production of stomach acid - and a number of problems have been identified. The most notable concerns have been with the decrease...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What will happen if I don't treat my GERD?
    For most people failing to treat GERD will result in a worsening of the symptoms and potentially to complications from the constant burning of the esophagus with acid.  Most patients over time will develop a hiatal hernia or stomach herniation in which the stomach slips up through the diaphragm into...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    How should I manage my GERD?
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be managed in many different ways, depending on a patient's preference and the seriousness of the condition. Possible management methods include treatment with a variety of medications, experimental endoscopic treatment, or surgery. The list of m...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What is endoscopic testing for GERD?
    Endoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been an option for treatment, but at this time it is deemed as experimental. It entails special instruments being put through or on an endoscope, which is then inserted into the esophagus down into the stomach to treat the GERD. Unf...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    Why shouldn't I treat my GERD with medication alone?
    The long-term safety profile of medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is generally good, but they do suppress a normal bodily function -- the production of stomach acid - and a number of problems have been identified. The most notable concerns have been with the decrease...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    Should I have surgery to treat my GERD?
    Surgery is a well-established treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that has been shown in research trials to be as good as twice-daily medical therapy, if not better for long-term GERD management. Surgery may be the best option for those who don't want to take medications...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What is endoscopic testing for GERD?
    Endoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been an option for treatment, but at this time it is deemed as experimental. It entails special instruments being put through or on an endoscope, which is then inserted into the esophagus down into the stomach to treat the GERD. Unf...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    Should I have surgery to treat my GERD?
    Surgery is a well-established treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that has been shown in research trials to be as good as twice-daily medical therapy, if not better for long-term GERD management. Surgery may be the best option for those who don't want to take medications...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What are the side effects of esophageal surgery?
    The biggest side effect of esophageal surgery is difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. Therefore, it is recommended to stay on a liquid and soft-food diet during recovery. Swallowing gradually improves, and a normal diet can be restored at about six weeks after surgery. Other long-term side...  Full Post
  • Brian Louie
    Brian Louie of Swedish answered:
    What are the different kinds of surgery for acid reflux?
    Antireflux surgery can either be performed laparoscopically or via an open incision. Today the vast majority of this type of operation are performed laparoscopically with small incisions, resulting in a shorter recovery. There are several different types of antireflux surgeries that include...  Full Post