Compassionate, experienced care. That's what you’ll get when you visit the Surgery Clinic at University Health. Our team of highly-trained general surgeons are dedicated to delivering the best outcome possible for every patient.
Our approach to surgical care
When you come to our clinic for a consultation you can expect us to listen. We want to really understand your symptoms, your concerns, and your goals.
Even though we are experts in surgery, we may try to find a way to help you without surgery. So, we may refer you to another specialty first, such as physical therapy or University Health Pain Management. If surgery is the best option, your surgeon will explain why and go over what the recommended procedure involves.
Anesthesia: True or false?
Anesthesia, or anesthetics, blocks all feeling and can help you get through medical procedures without pain—and, often, without awareness.
While "going under" may be common, how much do you know about anesthesia?
True or false: Ether was the first anesthetic successfully used to put people under for surgery.
True. In 1846, a dentist demonstrated how ether fumes could be used to knock people out during surgery.
True or false: General anesthetics allow you to become unconscious and can only be delivered by gas.
False. General anesthesia does knock you out so that you have no awareness or sensations during surgery. But these drugs can be injected into your bloodstream or inhaled as a gas.
True or false: Getting anesthesia always means becoming unconscious.
False. Some anesthetics can be given with or without sedation, so you can stay awake. A local anesthetic numbs only a small part of your body, such as a tooth or a finger. A regional anesthetic helps numb larger areas and is delivered through a cluster of nerves.
True or false. General anesthetics that are inhaled wear off faster than those that are injected into veins.
False. Inhaled anesthetics take longer to wear off than those given through the veins. Intravenous anesthetics disappear from the bloodstream quickly, allowing patients to go home sooner after surgery.
True or false: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors.
True. Anesthesiologists have a medical degree. They also have to complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology.
Are you scheduled for a medical procedure or surgery? Ask your doctor what kind of anesthesia you can expect to have.
Surgical procedures
When you're treated at our surgery clinic, we strive to provide the best possible outcome and a return to as normal a life as possible. Some of our surgical procedures include:
- Gallbladder removal.
- Hernia repairs for all types of hernias.
- Stomach and intestinal surgeries.
- Esophagus surgeries.
- Breast cancer surgery.
- Skin and soft-tissue surgery.
- Thyroid surgery.
Highly skilled and trained general surgeons
Our board-certified general surgeons have extensive knowledge and training including extra training in trauma, surgical critical care, oncology, or other surgical subspecialties. Their operating skills are excellent, whether they use laparoscopic, traditional, or robotic surgery techniques. View a list of our general surgeons.
Most patients require a referral to be seen at our surgery clinic. For more information, please call 816.404.0099.