Consultants in General Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a General Surgeon?
What is Minimally Invasive (or Laparoscopic) Surgery?

What do you charge and what is your payment policy?
What insurance plans do you participate in?
What is your privacy policy?

How do I schedule surgery?
What tests do I need before surgery?
Where should I get my pre-operative tests?
What are the general instructions I should follow before my surgery?
Where should I go the day of my surgery?

Where do I recover after outpatient surgery?
Where do I recover after inpatient surgery?
What are the general instructions I should follow after surgery?
How can I contact my surgeon with questions after surgery?
What follow up appointments are necessary?

What are the potential risks and complications of anal surgery?
What preparation is required before anal surgery?
Is hospitalization required for anal surgery?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from anal surgery?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of an appendectomy?
What preparation is required before an appendectomy?
Is hospitalization required after an appendectomy?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from an appendectomy?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of breast surgery?
What preparation is required before breast surgery?
Is hospitalization required for breast surgery?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from breast surgery?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of colon surgery?
What preparation is required before colon surgery?
How long will I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from colon surgery?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of gallbladder surgery?
What preparation is required before gallbladder surgery?
Is hospitalization required for gallbladder surgery?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from gallbladder surgery?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of inguinal hernia repair?
What preparation is required before an inguinal hernia repair?
Is hospitalization required after an inguinal hernia repair?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from an inguinal hernia repair?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
What preparation is required before thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
Is hospitalization required for thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What are the potential risks and complications of ventral hernia repair?
What preparation is required before a ventral hernia repair?
Is hospitalization required after a ventral hernia repair?
What can I expect in terms of recovery from a ventral hernia repair?
What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?

What is a General Surgeon?
A general surgeon is a physician who has completed an internship and residency at a Residency Review Committee approved program. Most of these are University based and offer rotations at busy private and county or VA hospitals. The residency is a minimum of five years.

The last year is spent as Chief resident where one is in charge of a team of junior residents and medical students and performs between 250 and 350 major cases. There are strict criteria for the number and variety of cases that one is exposed to. The residency is considered to be one of the most demanding, both mentally and physically, of all the medical specialties.

A general surgeon is well trained in the diagnosis and management of a wide variety of congenital, infectious, malignant and benign diseases. In addition, he or she has extensive knowledge of postoperative and critical care of patients.

The focus is on the abdominal organs, breast, neck, peripheral arteries and veins, and skin and soft tissue. Separate training is given for those who specialize in the bones (orthopedist), genitourinary system (urologist), brain and spine (neurosurgeon), and ears, nose, and throat (otolaryngologist).

For more details, see the General Surgery page.

What is Minimally Invasive (or Laparoscopic) Surgery?
The term minimally invasive surgery is used to describe abdominal surgery performed without making a large incision through the skin and muscle to open the abdomen. Instead, a scope is inserted through a trochar inserted into the abdomen through a 1/2 inch incision. The abdomen is insufflated with CO2 gas to distend it like a tent, allowing visualization of the abdominal organs.

Long hand-held instruments are inserted through smaller trochars and used to perform the surgery, while the surgeon views the inside of the abdomen on a TV screen. Specialized tools such as scissors, graspers, ultrasonic dissectors and endoscopic staplers facilitate the surgeon's ability to perform complex intraabdominal surgery using advanced laparoscopic techniques.

For more details, see the Minimally Invasive Surgery page.

What do you charge and what is your payment policy?
Details of our charges and our billing process are available on this page: Our Charges and Payment Policy.

What insurance plans do you participate in?
We participate in a wide variety of insurance plans, which are listed on this page: Insurance Plans. This list is subject to change without notice, so please call our office to confirm that we participate in your insurance plan prior to a procedure. We will be happy to answer your questions.

What is your privacy policy?
Our privacy policy is located on this page: Privacy Notice. It describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can gain access to this information. Please review it carefully.

How do I schedule surgery?
Decide on a few dates you would like, then call Lisa, to schedule at 847-433-1060. She will work with you to get a date and time for your surgery.

What tests do I need before surgery?

Blood tests such as complete blood count, electrolytes, liver function tests, and PT, PTT may be necessary, depending on your age and medications.
An EKG within six months of surgery is necessary if you are older than 50.
If you have an abnormal EKG or history of heart disease, you may need a stress test or echocardiogram. Your surgeon will discuss this with you.
A chest X-ray may be necessary if you have a history of lung disease or smoking.

Where should I get my pre-operative tests?
You should be able to obtain your pre-op testing at your primary doctor’s office. If not, the tests may be ordered by the surgeon and performed at the hospital.

What are the general instructions I should follow before my surgery?

You will need to stop taking any medication that will thin the blood, such as Plavix, Ecotrin, Ticlid, Persantine, etc. This includes Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, or any other anti-inflammatory medications except Tylenol. This also includes St. John’s Wort, Ginko, and other herbal medicines. You should stop these medications 10 days prior to surgery.
If you take the blood thinner Coumadin, special arrangements will be made. You will stop this 3 or 4 days prior to surgery.
If you are having colon surgery, you will need to cleanse your bowels starting the day before. We will give you separate instructions for this.
You should take NO FOOD or LIQUIDS by mouth after midnight the night before surgery, if you are to receive any anesthesia other than local.
You may take your high blood pressure medication with a sip of water the morning of surgery. If you are a diabetic, please call your surgeon to find out how much insulin or medication to take the day of surgery.
You should expect a call from the Hospital the day before surgery to confirm the time of the operation, as the schedule will occasionally change.

Where should I go the day of my surgery?
You should report to the admitting desk, near the main entrance of the Hospital two hours before your Surgery (one hour if it starts at 7:30). You will register there, then go to Same Day Surgery, where you will wait until it is your time to go into the operating room.

Where do I recover after outpatient surgery?
After the procedure you will go to the recovery room to wake up. You will return to same day surgery, where you will get some liquids to drink. You will be discharged when they feel you are stable, usually in 2-3 hours. If you will be receiving any IV sedation or anesthesia, you will need someone to give you a ride home.

Where do I recover after inpatient surgery?
For inpatient surgery you will go to the recovery room for up to one hour after the surgery, and then you will be transferred to a hospital room. Your surgeon will talk to your family and friends in the waiting room after the procedure. They will not be able to visit you in the recovery room.

What are the general instructions I should follow after surgery?
A separate set of post-operative instructions will be given to you upon discharge. Many of these are also available on our Patient Forms page.

How can I contact my surgeon with questions after surgery?
If you have any questions after discharge, or if you think there is a problem, call our office number. During the day, Lisa will take your call and contact a doctor, who will call you back. After hours, one of the physicians is always on call and can be paged through our office voice mail system, 847-433-1060.

What follow up appointments are necessary?
Patients generally come in for one or two follow up visits. The first one is 7-10 days after the surgery unless otherwise specified.

What are the potential risks and complications of anal surgery?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Infection, possibly requiring another operation to drain
Bleeding requiring re-operation

Very rare complications include:

Injury to the anal sphincter possibly causing incontinence
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery

What preparation is required before anal surgery?

You may eat solid food for lunch the day before the procedure.
Take only clear liquids after lunch the day before the procedure. This includes soda, juice, Jell-O, broth, and Italian ice.
You should also take one fleets enema at 8 PM the night before the procedure and one at 7 AM the day of the procedure. This may be purchased over the counter.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to call at any time, 847-433-1060.

Is hospitalization required for anal surgery?
No, hospitalization is not usually necessary.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from anal surgery?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 3-5 days.
You should not lift anything heavier than 20lbs for 7 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 7 days.
You will probably need 5-7 days off of work.

What are the post-operative instructions that I should follow?
See the following document for detailed instructions about diet, wound care, activities, medication, your follow-up appointment, and emergency instructions:
Anal Surgery: Post-Op Instructions

What are the potential risks and complications of an appendectomy?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Infection of the skin
Leakage from the bowel causing fistula or abscess, possibly requiring colostomy
Prolonged intestinal ileus (paralysis of intestinal function)

Very rare complications include:

Bleeding requiring transfusion or re-operation
Injury to surrounding structures, including ureter and small intestine
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
Blood clots and pulmonary embolism

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before an appendectomy?
No preparation is necessary.

Is hospitalization required after an appendectomy?
Yes, depending on the extent of infection.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from an appendectomy?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 3-5 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 30 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
You will probably need 2 - 4 weeks off of work.

What are the potential risks and complications of breast surgery?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Bleeding and hematoma formation, occasionally requiring re-operation for drainage
Infection, possibly requiring drainage
Seroma formation, possibly requiring aspiration or drainage
Recurrence of the Cancer
False negative sentinel node biopsy
Numbness of the skin under the arm

Rare complications include:

Nerve injury causing shoulder weakness
Lymphedema of arm
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before breast surgery?
Preoperative injection of radioactive tracer is required for a sentinel node biopsy. This is usually done the day before surgery.

Is hospitalization required for breast surgery?
One night of hospitalization is required for a mastectomy. Lumpectomy and axillary dissection is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from breast surgery?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 5 - 7 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 7 days.
Specific arm exercises will be given at your first post-op visit.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
The recovery time varies widely depending on the extent of the procedure performed. Usually not more than a week for breast conservation surgery and two weeks for a mastectomy.

What are the potential risks and complications of colon surgery?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Infection of the skin
Leakage from the bowel causing fistula or abscess, possible requiring colostomy
Prolonged intestinal ileus (paralysis of intestinal function)
Pneumonia, urinary tract infection

Very rare complications include:

Bleeding requiring transfusion or re-operation
Injury to surrounding structures, including ureter, spleen, and small intestine
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
Blood clots and pulmonary embolism

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery

What preparation is required before colon surgery?

You may eat solid food for dinner two days before the day of surgery.
Take only clear liquids the day before surgery. This includes soda, juice, Jell-O, broth, and Italian ice.
You will be prescribed Fleets Phosphosoda as a laxative. Take 1 ½ ounces by mouth, followed by two 8 oz. glasses of water or ginger ale at 8 AM and again at noon the day before surgery.
You will also be prescribed two oral antibiotics, Neomycin and Flagyl, to help eradicate the bacteria in the colon. Take them at 1 PM, 3 PM, and 11 PM the day before surgery.
If you do not have clear, watery diarrhea by the end of the day before surgery, call our office, you may need enemas to further cleanse your colon.
If you experience cramping or vomiting, please call to let us know, we may need to alter the preparation.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to call at any time, 847-433-1060.

How long will I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?
The average hospital stay is from 3 to 7 days.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from colon surgery?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 7 - 10 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for 30 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
You will probably need 2 - 4 weeks off of work.

What are the potential risks and complications of gallbladder surgery?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Conversion to an open procedure
Infection of the skin
Recurrent upper abdominal pain

Rare complications include:

Bleeding requiring re-operation or transfusion
Bile leakage requiring re-operation or drainage
Infection in the abdomen, occasionally requiring drainage
Injury to surrounding structures, including the intestine or bile duct
Chronic fatty food intolerance or diarrhea
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before gallbladder surgery?
No preparation is necessary.

Is hospitalization required for gallbladder surgery?
Nearly all patients stay one night in the hospital.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from gallbladder surgery?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 4 - 7 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 20lbs for 21 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
You will probably need 1 - 2 weeks off of work.

What are the potential risks and complications of inguinal hernia repair?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Bleeding and bruising of the abdominal wall
Seroma (fluid collection under skin, occasionally requiring aspiration)
Temporary nerve injury causing groin pain, or numbness

Rare complications include:

Recurrence of the hernia
Chronic groin pain
Infection of the skin or mesh
Injury to surrounding structures, such as testicular vessels or vas deferens, possibly leading to the need for removal of the testicle
Adverse reaction to the antibiotics or the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before an inguinal hernia repair?
No preparation is necessary.

Is hospitalization required after an inguinal hernia repair?
No, hospitalization is not usually necessary.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from an inguinal hernia repair?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 1 - 2 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 30 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 days.
You will probably need 5 - 7 days off of work.

What are the potential risks and complications of thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Bleeding and hematoma formation
Skin infection

Rare complications include:

Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve causing hoarseness or possible vocal cord paralysis
Injury to the superior laryngeal nerve affecting singing and voice
Injury to the parathyroid glands causing hypocalcemia
Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
No preparation is necessary.

Is hospitalization required for thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
Usually a one night stay is necessary.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from thyroid or parathyroid surgery?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 2 - 5 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 7 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
You will probably need 1 - 3 weeks off of work.

What are the potential risks and complications of ventral hernia repair?
Some possible complications of this procedure include:

Bleeding and bruising of the abdominal wall
Recurrence of the hernia
Seroma (fluid collection under skin, occasionally requiring aspiration)
Temporary nerve injury causing abdominal pain, or numbness

Rare complications include:

Chronic abdominal wall pain
Infection of the skin or mesh, requiring removal of the mesh
Injury to intestine or surrounding structures, requiring re-operation
Bowel obstruction
Bleeding requiring a transfusion
Adverse reaction to the antibiotics or the anesthesia

Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-operation and prolonged recovery.

What preparation is required before a ventral hernia repair?
No preparation is necessary.

Is hospitalization required after a ventral hernia repair?
Yes, patients usually stay 2 to 4 days in the hospital.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from a ventral hernia repair?
Every case is different, but the following are averages:

Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 7- 14 days after discharge.
You should not lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for 30 - 45 days.
You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days.
You will probably need 2 - 4 weeks off of work.