General Surgery
Specializing in robotic and laparoscopic general surgery procedures
Surgical Procedures
Centerpoint Health offers a variety of general surgery services. General surgery is the specialty that focuses on the abdominal organs as well as some skin and breast conditions. Our general surgery staff consists of expert surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians all dedicated to performing successful operations and promoting comfortable healing and recovery.
Compassion and skill are at the heart of Center Point Health's Surgical Services departments. Skilled general surgeons care for patients with underlying surgical conditions in the Emergency Department, on the medical surgery floor and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Working with a full, dedicated team, we coordinate care and management of each patient's journey every step of the way through screening, surveillance, surgical intervention, rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Next Steps
Types of Surgery
Unless it is an emergency, you and your doctor may discuss surgery as a way to correct your condition on diagnosis. This decision is based on careful evaluation of your personal medical history and subsequent medical tests to determine the exact diagnosis.
Depending on the diagnosis, a patient has several surgery options:
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- Elective surgery: A procedure you choose to have, which may not necessarily be essential to continue a good quality of life. An example would be to have an unsightly mole or wart removed.
- Required surgery: A procedure that needs to be done to ensure a healthy quality of life in the future. An example would be having kidney stones removed if other forms of medication and treatments are not working. Required surgery, unlike emergency surgery, does not usually have to be done immediately.
- Urgent or emergency surgery: This type of surgery is done because of an urgent, possibly life-threatening, medical condition, such as acute appendicitis or trauma.
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Quality Surgical Care
General surgery as a specialty encompasses a wide variety of procedures, many of which occur in the abdomen. Reasons your doctor might refer you for general surgery include:
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- Breast surgery for cancer and benign disease—biopsy, lumpectomy and mastectomy
- Reflux disease and hiatal hernias (endoscopic & surgical treatments)
- Dialysis access (AVF, PermCaths and PD Catheters)
- Colon cancer surgery
- Hernia repair groin/abdominal (open and minimally invasive)
- Thyroid & Parathyroid surgeries
- Gallbladder surgery
- Colon resection (bowel surgery) for cancer/diverticulitis and other benign diseases
- Skin and soft tissue surgeries (skin lumps and bumps)
- Skin cancers
- Swallowing disorders
- Female groin pain and hernias
- Appendectomy (removing your appendix)
- Colonoscopies and Upper Endoscopies
- Rectal procedures (hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, prolapse)
- Hemorrhoidectomy
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Our compassionate teams meet all of these needs and more, using the latest technology. That’s why we take the most minimally invasive approach possible in any procedure, helping you heal and recover faster.
We also offer a variety of other general and specialized procedures, including cataract and orthopedic surgeries.
The Day of Surgery
Having even a minor procedure can cause stress, especially if you don’t often go to the hospital. If you are planning to have surgery at Centerpoint Health, it’s easy to prepare. Keep these steps in mind to make the process go smoothly.
Get your Preadmission Testing (PAT) checkup – Before the surgery, you’ll need to be evaluated by a Centerpoint Health healthcare provider to make sure everything is ready. This evaluation can be conducted either in person or by phone, depending on your health and personal risk factors. You also may need to have certain tests and exams prior to surgery, and some surgical procedures may require special preparation, such as blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, or electrocardiograms. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the provider conducting the checkup.
Bring a list of medications – This helps our team keep you safe while under anesthesia and make sure nothing reacts negatively with your medication during the procedure.
Skip the cigarettes – If you smoke, now is a perfect time to quit. Anesthesia affects the normal function of the lungs, and quitting smoking will help decrease the risk of developing pneumonia and improve healing and recovery. If you can’t kick the habit before surgery, try not to smoke the day of the procedure, at least.
Cut the frills – You don’t have to look your best in the operating room. Come in without jewelry, piercings, makeup and hair care products.
Get a ride – If you’re going in for an outpatient surgery, make sure you have someone who can take you home, as anesthesia may not fully wear off for several hours after surgery.
Leaders in Robotic Surgery
Look for the GOLD! Centerpoint Health - Georgetown is an accredited SRC Center of Excellence recognized for practicing the gold standard of evidenced-based surgical care.
Centerpoint Health - Georgetown is a leader in robotic surgery, pioneering advancements that enhance patient care and surgical precision. Accredited as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation, the hospital is recognized for its exceptional standards in patient safety and quality of care. This accolade underscores the hospital’s commitment to leading-edge surgical techniques and its role as a Mentor Case Observation site, training physicians nationwide in the art and science of robotic surgery.
Centerpoint Health - Winchester is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the gold standard in healthcare. That means they meet industry-leading standards in patient care and safety and take strides to continuously assess and improve the quality of our care, treatment and services.
“We put patients first with a broad range of procedures. The people we care for are our neighbors and friends. Here, care is personal.” — Rebecca D. Bartee, DO, general surgeon at Centerpoint Health - Winchester
Learn More About Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery.
Surgeons