Marcus Free, MD, board-certified general surgeon, will offer the community a seminar on an advanced procedure called transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 7, at the Cass County Council on Aging office, 227 S. Front St.

Dr. Free is the only surgeon in the Cass County area who performs this minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

“With THD, patients usually resume normal activities within a few days,” Dr. Free said. “With traditional hemorrhoid surgery, patients typically need two or three weeks off, and there is much more pain involved during recovery.”

More than 50 percent of adults will suffer from hemorrhoids during their lifetime.

If not properly treated, this painful condition can recur or worsen.

THD surgery is used primarily on internal hemorrhoids and is performed slightly higher in the anal canal than traditional surgery, where there are fewer pain receptors.

Clinical results have shown that patients who have THD often experience less pain, have a lower risk of complications and return faster to normal activities (less than four days).

Dr. Free received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, where he also completed his residency in general surgery.

Prior to joining Borgess Lee Medical Group, Dr. Free operated a general and advanced laparoscopic surgery practice in Sandusky, Mich.

In addition to THD, he has experience performing a broad range of procedures, including laparoscopic bariatric surgery, advanced laparoscopy of the esophagus and colon, hernia repair, thoracic, vascular, abdominal and pediatric trauma surgery, endocrine surgery and endoscopy.

Dr. Free is an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and Michigan State Medical Society.

There is no cost and no appointment needed to attend Dr. Free’s seminar: “THD Spells Relief.”

For more information on Dr. Free, call Borgess Lee Medical Group-Surgical Services at (269) 782-2273.