General Surgery

General Surgery

An operation, no matter how routine, can be extremely stressful for both the patient and the family. No one understands this better than the surgical team at Weeks Medical Center. Matthew Jones, MD the surgical team prides itself in its compassion for their patients, and taking the time to educate patients face-to-face about their surgical options, preparation for surgery, recovery and rehabilitation after surgery.

The surgical team is able to meet patient needs for both elective and emergency surgeries. Elective surgery involves a combination of diagnostic and interventional procedures. Generally these patients are referred to the surgical team by their primary care provider. Emergency surgery is most often the result of a medical emergency, such as appendicitis. These patients are often referred to the surgeons by an Emergency Room physician. In both cases, WMC surgeons are available 24 hours a day to make sure patients receive the most immediate and advanced treatment available.

Many of the procedures are done using advanced laparoscopic equipment. The surgeons operate through a small incision using slender instruments and a laparoscope that is connected to a tiny video camera, allowing them to perform the surgery with the use of a monitor. These procedures are much less invasive than traditional surgery, resulting in less pain and scaring, as well as a shorter stay in the hospital and speedier recovery.

Some of the more common general surgeries at WMC include, but are not limited to:

• Laparoscopic appendectomies
• Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder
• Breast biopsies and related procedures
• Stereotactic breast biopsies
• Colonoscopies
• Colon resections
• Hernia repairs
• Medi-port insertions
• Removal of skin lesions and biopsies
• Upper GI endoscopies

Many of the procedures are performed in the Same Day Surgery Unit at WMC, with patients returning home on the day of their procedure.

For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 603-788-5292.