General Surgery

What Is Considered General Surgery?

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, some of the most common general surgery procedures performed in the United States include:

• Hernia repair surgery
• Gallstones/gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
• Appendix removal (appendectomy)
• Breast surgery
• Thyroidectomy (surgical removal of thyroid tissue)
• Pancreatectomy (surgical removal of the pancreas)
• Intestinal obstruction repair
• Proctocolectomy (surgical removal of the inflamed colon)
• Colectomy (surgical removal of the large intestine or colon)
• Colorectal surgery

Robotic Surgery

We offer minimally invasive robotic surgery using the da Vinci™ Surgical System. With this instrument, our surgeons are able to make minute incisions and perform surgery with pinpoint accuracy. Robotic-assisted surgery offers the potential for:

• Less bleeding
• Smaller scars
• Less pain
• Faster healing

Robotic surgery is currently performed by our dedicated robotics team at Valley Baptist in Harlingen and Brownsville for gynecological, urologic, gallbladder and colorectal procedures. For more information, call (855) 720-7448.

Learn about the difference between robotic and traditional surgery.

Less Invasive Procedures for Possible Quicker Recovery

Learning you need surgery can be stressful, so our teams at Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Baptist Physician Network work hard to keep you informed and make your experience as convenient as possible. Our surgeons and nurses listen to your concerns and take the time to make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

Day Surgery

Many surgical procedures may be performed without you having to stay overnight in the hospital. In fact, thanks to advances in technology and procedures, day surgeries are becoming increasingly common. The Day Surgery Center advantage:

• Quality surgical procedures at a lower cost than conventional hospitalization
• Fully staffed by surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists

Let our 30-bed Day Surgery Center in Harlingen or our 20-bed Day Surgery Center in Brownsville be your destination for outpatient surgery. Your physician can contact us to set a time and date for your surgery and pre-operative visit.

If you have any questions, or cannot make your pre-operative appointment, please call Pre-Admitting Services at (956) 389-1862 (Harlingen) or (956) 698-5474 (Brownsville).

What Is a General Surgeon?

A general surgeon possesses broad experience and offers thoughtful care. They are skilled in diagnosing, managing and treating patients throughout the surgical process, including preoperative assessments, surgical procedures and postoperative care. The key components that are essential to a general surgeon’s education are:

• Alimentary Tract: Involves the digestive system.
• Abdomen and Its Contents: Covers abdominal organs and structures.
• Breast, Skin and Soft Tissue: Addresses conditions related to these areas.
• Head and Neck: Includes trauma, vascular issues, endocrine disorders, congenital anomalies and oncologic conditions (particularly tumors of the skin, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid and oral cavity).
• Vascular System: Excludes intracranial vessels and the heart.
• Endocrine System: Includes thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and endocrine pancreas.

What Does a General Surgeon Do?

General surgeons are also expected to have additional knowledge and experience in:

• Surgical oncology, including coordinated multimodality management of the cancer patient by screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up
• Comprehensive management of trauma, including musculoskeletal, hand and head injuries. The responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient is an essential component of general surgery
• Comprehensive care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions in the emergency room, intensive care unit and trauma/burn units, which includes palliative care and pain management; nutritional deficiency; cachexia in patients with malignant and chronic conditions; and counseling and support for end-of-life decisions and care
• Morbidly obese patients, including metabolic derangements; surgical and nonsurgical interventions for weight loss (bariatrics); and counseling of patients and families
• Geriatric surgical patients, to include management of comorbid chronic diseases
• Culturally diverse and vulnerable patient populations

Despite the term “general,” these surgeons play a crucial role in various aspects of surgical care, from routine procedures to complex cases.