Northwest General
and Breast Surgery
With advanced surgical technology and techniques, patients today can recover from GI surgery, hernia repairs, and breast health procedures faster than ever before. At Northwest General and Breast Surgery, we use the latest innovations to perform an array of procedures, including cancer surgeries and endoscopies.
Our team provides services in the beautiful Northwest Specialty Hospital in Post Falls, which boasts top grades for surgical excellence and patient satisfaction. We also provide surgical services at Kootenai Medical Center, along with diagnostic GI tests and colonoscopy procedures at Shoshone Medical Center.
Call us today at 208-415-0151 to schedule a consultation.
Top-rated general and breast surgeons in Post Falls
Northwest General and Breast Surgery offers advanced surgical techniques in a compassionate, professional environment. Count on us to care for you before, during, and after your surgical procedure. We are committed to educating you about your health condition, providing you with understanding, comfort, and care.
Why choose Northwest General and Breast Surgery?
Board-certified surgeons. Antoine Sarkis, MD, leads our practice and has treated local people in North Idaho since 1987. He’s board-certified by the American College of Surgeons and is committed to serve patients seeking state-of-the-art management and diagnosis of conditions affecting the breasts and digestive gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Leading-edge surgical techniques. Many of our surgeries can be performed via laparoscopy, using miniature cameras with microscopes, tiny fiber-optic flashlights, and high-definition monitors. These types of minimally invasive procedures mean less scarring, less blood loss, and a faster return to normal activities.
A patients-first experience. We perform many procedures at Northwest Specialty Hospital, which ranks in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here, you’ll feel at home and get treated with respect. We’re also recognized as one of the top hospitals in Idaho — and the recipient of the Patient Satisfaction Award — by Newsweek.
Will insurance cover general surgery or breast surgery?
Northwest General and Breast Surgery is contracted with most major insurance providers. Your eligibility for general surgery will depend upon your individual insurance plan. We offer some of the most competitive prices in the Pacific Northwest. You can choose from several financing options designed to meet your budget and needs.
Breast disease management and breast surgery in North Idaho
Dr. Sarkis and his staff specialize in the management of benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast disease. Because early detection is important, we routinely follow patients with a history of breast cancer or other pre-cancerous breast conditions. This helps ensure prompt evaluation and diagnosis of any breast changes that may concern you.
The team at Northwest General and Breast Surgery manages these breast health conditions:
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia occurs when breast tissues in men become enlarged. It typically presents as tender or firm swelling in one or both breasts and is usually benign.
Mastitis
An infection of breast tissue, mastitis happens most often in women who are breastfeeding. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and sometimes fever.
Papilloma-fibrocystic breast disease
Non-cancerous changes in the breast, such as small growths in the milk ducts and lumps or cysts, can cause discomfort and may require monitoring or biopsy.
Breast cysts
These fluid-filled sacs feel like round, movable lumps. They’re most often benign and may resolve on their own.
Postoperative seromas
Postoperative seromas are collections of fluid that may develop under the skin after breast surgery or a biopsy. They’re often harmless but may require drainage.
Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)
ADH occurs when abnormal cells develop in the breast ducts. While ADH may indicate an elevated risk of breast cancer, ADH itself is a non-cancerous condition.
Prophylactic treatment for patients with BRCA1/BRCA2-positive genetic findings
Women who test positive for certain genetic mutations associated with breast cancer may choose to have a mastectomy (breast removal) or oophorectomy (ovary removal) to reduce their chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Partial mastectomies (lumpectomies)
Considered a breast-conserving surgery, a lumpectomy removes the cancerous tissue along with a small margin of healthy tissue.
Total mastectomies
A mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast to treat or prevent breast cancer. Your doctor will recommend whether a partial or total mastectomy is best based on your specific condition.
General surgeries and endoscopy services in the Inland Northwest
Northwest General and Breast Surgery offers procedures to treat conditions of the GI tract, along with hernia surgeries and endoscopy. Treatments include:
Cholecystectomy
A type of treatment for gallstones or gallbladder inflammation, cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, often done laparoscopically.
Appendectomy
The team at Northwest General and Breast Surgery specializes in laparoscopic appendix removal procedures to treat appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix).
Various abdominal hernia repairs (umbilical, ventral, inguinal, inguinoscrotal)
Weakened areas of the abdominal wall can produce several types of hernias, including those near the belly button (umbilical), in the abdomen (ventral), in the groin (inguinal), or in the scrotum (inguinoscrotal). These all require surgical care for immediate treatment and long-term prevention.
Colectomy
Colectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the colon. It’s most often used to treat colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Colostomy revision or takedown
Colostomy revision (modifying a prior colostomy) or takedown (colostomy reversal) can help improve the function of a colostomy or reconnect the bowel for normal intestine function.
Wound debridement
Our team carefully removes dead or infected tissue to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds.
Excision of skin cancer
During an excision procedure, doctors remove various skin cancers, such as melanoma or basal cell carcinomas, along with a margin of healthy tissue.
Subclavian port placement
Depending on your treatment recommendations, we can implant a tiny port under the skin near the collarbone to provide access for medications, chemotherapy, or blood draws.
Sentinel node management for cancer staging purposes
Sentinel node management examines and sometimes removes lymph nodes closest to a cancer site to detect whether cancer has spread.
Diagnostic GI tests (EGD, upper GIs)
During an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a doctor examines the upper GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, using an endoscope (a long, thin, lighted tube). An EGD helps to identify ulcers, inflammation, tumors, or bleeding.
Colonoscopy (with or without hemorrhoid management)
Colonoscopy is the preferred method of colorectal cancer screening for everyone age 45 and older. It is the only test that both identifies and treats colon cancer. In certain cases, it can be combined with hemorrhoid removal.
In-office Procedures at Northwest General and Breast Surgery
While many of our surgeries are performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis at Northwest Specialty Hospital and other area facilities, some procedures are available right here in our office at Northwest General and Breast Surgery. You’ll go home the same day. Our in-office procedures include:
Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a permanent form of male birth control, performed through tiny incisions.
Seroma aspiration
An aspiration removes excess fluid that may form under the skin following surgery and trauma. It is performed with a needle and syringe.
Certain lipoma and cyst removals
Some types of fatty tumors (lipomas) and cysts can be excised during a simple in-office procedure.
Excisions of skin lesions
Moles or warts can be removed under local anesthesia for either cosmetic reasons or to examine them for potential malignancy.
Some incision and drainage (I&D) procedures
I&D procedures help to drain abscesses or other collections of infected fluids, reducing pain and swelling.
Surgical drain removals
Once your post-surgery drainage has subsided, our team can safely remove the drains during a quick in-office procedure.
Subclavian port removals
If you complete chemotherapy or no longer need a subclavian port, our team can remove it safely.
Certain biopsies
Our physicians are skilled at removing small tissue samples for biopsy, helping to identify or rule out the presence of cancer.
Visit Our General and Breast Surgery Center in Post Falls
Northwest General and Breast Surgery
Address:
750 N Syringa St, Suite 103
Post Falls, ID 83854
Phone: (208) 415-0151
Fax: (208) 777-1591
Hours:
8am-5pm Monday-Thursday
8am-2pm Friday
Closed Saturday-Sunday
Northwest General and Breast Surgery
Address: 750 N Syringa St, Suite 103, Post Falls, ID 83854
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of procedures does Northwest General and Breast Surgery offer?
We offer procedures to treat conditions of the GI tract and help manage breast disease. Our board-certified surgeons in Post Falls also perform hernia repair surgeries, cancer surgeries, and endoscopy procedures.
Do I need a referral for general surgery or breast surgery in the Inland Northwest?
In most cases, you will need a referral from your primary care doctor or specialist to see the team at Northwest General and Breast Surgery in Post Falls. If you have any questions, call us directly at 208-415-0151 and our friendly staff will make sure you get the answers you need.
What is laparoscopic surgery and where can I find it in Kootenai County?
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach to general surgery and breast surgery. It uses small incisions and a small, flexible tube with a camera and light, along with special instruments, to assist the surgeon during a procedure. The use of laparoscopy is associated with less pain, faster recovery, smaller scars, and shorter hospital stays. Many of the procedures offered at Northwest General and Breast Surgery in Post Falls use laparoscopic or minimally invasive techniques.