When you need the superior skills of a highly capable surgeon, you can trust University Health for expert care.
Our surgery centers
To better serve your needs, we offer surgical services at a variety of locations:
University Health Lakewood Medical Center Surgery Center. We perform both inpatient and outpatient surgeries. We're pleased to offer advanced technologies, like the da Vinci Surgical System, along with lots of personal attention for you and your family in a quiet, healing environment.
University Health Surgery Center UH1. Our surgery center has four state-of-the-art surgical suites, as well as private preoperative rooms for patients and their family members to be together.
University Health Truman Medical Center. We offer a wide range of inpatient and outpatient surgeries. Whether you need brain surgery, trauma surgery or chest surgery, we have you covered.
Surgical procedures we perform
We provide a full range of surgical options at our state-of-the-art facilities. This includes elective procedures that can improve your quality of life as well as operations that can save your life.
Getting ready for surgery
The business of getting ready for surgery doesn't lie only on the shoulders of your healthcare team. Whether you're having a simple procedure or a more complicated surgery, a big part of the prep should be on your own to-do list.
At home or at the doctor's office, use this checklist to be sure you have your bases covered.
Tasks for you
1. Manage your medicines. Some medications need to be adjusted or stopped altogether before surgery happens. Talk to your doctor about all the medications (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, herbs and supplements you take.
Let your doctor know if you drink alcohol or use recreational drugs too. It's all part of the information that your healthcare team needs to help ensure a successful surgery.
2. Quit smoking. Cigarette use can raise the risk of complications both during and after surgery, according to the American College of Surgeons. Plan to quit at least four to six weeks before surgery and continue the hiatus for at least a month afterward (or forever, if you can manage it—the health benefits will be tremendous).
Your doctor can help you make a quit plan and may suggest some aids such as nicotine patches, gum or pills.
Learn more about quitting in the Smoking health topic center.
3. Get insurance answers. If you're wondering what your expenses will be, you'll need to do some legwork, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Find out where your surgery is taking place (outpatient center, doctor's office, hospital, etc.) and who will be involved (doctor, anesthetist, etc.). Get in touch with your insurance to find out what's covered.
4. Recruit some help. A spouse, friend or other loved one can help in many ways as you prepare for surgery and deal with its aftermath. He or she can:
- Go to doctor appointments with you and help you keep track of the information and instructions you get.
- Drive you home after surgery.
- Provide help as you recover.
Questions for your doctor
Be sure you understand all the ins and outs before you have any surgery. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and other experts suggest you ask your doctor these questions.
- Why do I need surgery?
- What kind of procedure are you suggesting?
- Are there alternatives to having surgery?
- How much will it cost?
- What are the benefits and risks?
- How much experience do you have with this procedure?
- Who else will be involved in my care?
- How long will it take to recover?
Understanding is key
Be sure you understand everything you discuss with your doctor and have your questions answered before you head into surgery. Being informed and involved in your own care is a very important part of ensuring it's a success.
Reviewed 11/8/2022
Some of our specialties are:
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Heart procedures performed in our cardiac catheterization lab
- Gallbladder surgery
- General surgery
- Gynecologic surgery
- Hernia surgery
- Joint replacement surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Trauma surgery for serious and life-threatening injuries seen in the Emergency Department
- Urogynecology surgery
We also offer advanced procedures you won't find just anywhere. One example is hepatobiliary and pancreas surgeries (HPB) for pancreatic and other cancers.
Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries
Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to perform many types of procedures. These surgeries use very small incisions compared to traditional surgery. This technique may allow for a faster recovery and less pain after your procedure.
In some cases, our surgeons perform robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. When guided by our skilled surgeons, robotic surgery tools can make surgeries more precise. The da Vinci Surgical System is available at University Health Lakewood Medical Center.
Our board-certified surgeons and skilled team
We have highly skilled, board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists. Many of our surgeons have fellowship training in spine or trauma surgery. Our surgery staff also includes registered nurses and technicians with special training in surgical and recovery care.
Many of our surgeons are faculty members of the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine. They are researchers and experts who are training tomorrow's top surgeons.