General Surgery
If you need surgery, you want to be sure it’s performed by experienced professionals in a comfortable setting, close to home. At Northwest Specialty Hospital, our board-certified team of surgeons provides many types of general surgery, including minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques designed to help you recover faster and return home sooner.
Our hospital is home to a state-of-the-art Surgery Center in Post Falls, which is filled with advanced technology, a modern design, and an emphasis on patient-centered care. We offer a range of specialized procedures, including hernia repair, gallbladder removal and surgical cancer treatment. Our center includes innovative operating rooms, comfortable patient recovery areas and the latest safety protocols, ensuring you’ll receive top-of-the-line care.
Call us today at 208-262-2300 to schedule a consultation.
Comprehensive general surgery program in Post Falls
Booking an appointment for general surgery may make you nervous, but at Northwest Specialty Hospital, we strive to provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Our professional team and surgeons will put your mind at ease, knowing that your procedure and recovery will be expertly handled.
Why choose Northwest Specialty Hospital for general surgery?
Leading-edge, expert surgical care. We offer minimally invasive approaches that require only tiny incisions. We also perform many surgeries laparoscopically using a thin tube with a camera, allowing us to diagnose and treat many conditions safely. Our surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, meaning they’ve received specialized education in performing multiple types of general surgery.
Exceptional safety. Our new Surgery Center provides you with a safe, clean environment. Our hospital’s infection rate is 13 times better than the national average. We sanitize our surgical suite using a germ-zapping robot (the Xenex LightStrike Robot) equipped with an ultraviolet light that kills pathogens.
Complete care from pre-surgery all the way through to recovery. Our experts will evaluate your condition and determine whether general surgery is the right approach. Then, we’ll be by your side throughout your journey. Our hospitalists will provide high-quality pre-surgery and post-surgery care, and our entire team will support your recovery in the days and weeks following your procedure.
A patients-first experience. Northwest Specialty Hospital is praised by patients for providing compassionate care. We rank 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 my surgery?
Northwest Specialty Hospital 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.
Types of general surgery available in North Idaho
As a specialized Surgery Center in North Idaho, Northwest Specialty Hospital is focused on your health. Our friendly staff will work with you to identify the type of general surgery that will benefit you the most. Common types of general surgery we perform include:
Colonoscopy
With colon cancer rates rising among younger adults, it’s important for all adults to start receiving regular colon cancer screenings at age 45. Colonoscopy remains the preferred method for colorectal screening. It’s unique in that colonoscopy is used for both screening and treatment. During the procedure, a doctor can check for signs of cancer, such as polyps, and also remove any precancerous or cancerous tumors.
Esophagus repair for acid reflux
General surgery can deliver long-term treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD or acid reflux. At Northwest Specialty Hospital, our experts specialize in several treatments for chronic GERD, including laparoscopic fundoplication and transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), which offer long-term symptom relief and a fast recovery. Our team also uses the LINX Reflux Management System, an innovative device that prevents reflux by keeping the lower esophageal sphincter closed.
Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)
If gallstones or recurring gallbladder pain interrupt your life, gallbladder surgery may help. Our general surgeons specialize in laparoscopic gallbladder removal, using just a few small incisions and a thin, lighted tube to perform the procedure. Patients typically need only a short overnight hospital stay afterward and return to their normal activities within a week or two.
Hemorrhoidectomy
Severe hemorrhoids that cause significant pain or bleeding may need surgical treatment, especially if non-surgical options haven’t eased your symptoms. The expert surgeons inside our Surgical Center in Post Falls use the latest techniques to remove hemorrhoids and prevent them from returning.
Hernia repair
Hernias occur when a weakness in the abdominal wall allows the intestines to bulge out of place. They sometimes are genetic, but other hernias develop from strenuous activity like heavy lifting. At Northwest Specialty Hospital, we take a minimally invasive approach to hernia surgery, using techniques that promote faster healing, less blood loss and a rapid recovery.
Laparoscopy (diagnostic and operative)
If you have unexplained abdominal or pelvic pain, laparoscopy can help you find the root cause. Our general surgeons use laparoscopy to see inside the abdomen or pelvis and identify what’s triggering your pain. We also use laparoscopy techniques to perform hernia surgeries, gallbladder removals and other procedures.
Surgical cancer treatment
Surgery helps diagnose cancer and determine the extent of the disease (called staging). Northwest Specialty Hospital’s surgeons use minimally invasive approaches to remove tumors and perform cancer surgeries of the breast and other organs. We also remove non-cancerous breast lumps.
What to expect before, during and after your surgery
Our staff members will walk through all the details of your upcoming operation, including pre-op procedures, what to expect upon arrival, anesthetics and what will happen after your surgery. Here’s what to expect during the general surgery treatment process:
- Evaluation: We’ll review your personal and family history to understand how your symptoms are impacting your quality of life.
- Diagnostics: We’ll use the latest imaging technology to view the esophageal tissue and evaluate the structure and appearance of the GI system or other surgical areas. If you need GI surgery, we can perform a range of tests, including pH testing, esophageal function testing, and an in-depth cancer assessment to help create an individualized treatment plan.
- Non-surgical treatment: If lifestyle alterations, medications and other changes can help you, we will suggest you try them first before having surgery.
- Surgical treatment: If you need Gi surgery, we may run pre-surgery tests, including an upper endoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry and impedance, and ambulatory pH testing. Additionally, some GI patients may require a barium swallow and/or gastric emptying study. These tests will ensure surgery can be performed safely. We also may refer you to our Pre-Surgical Clinic, staffed by hospitalists who will help you prepare for surgery.
Visit Our Surgery Center in Post Falls
Address: 1593 E. Polston Ave.
Post Falls, ID 83854
(Northwest Specialty Hospital)
Phone: 208.262.2300
Fax: 208.262.2390
Administrative Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8AM-5PM
Thursday: 8AM-5PM
Friday: 8AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Northwest Specialty Hospital
Address: 1593 E. Polston Ave. Post Falls, ID 83854
Frequently Asked Questions
What is general surgery?
General surgery treats conditions affecting various body parts, including the digestive system, abdomen, skin and soft tissues.
What types of general surgeries do you perform at the Surgery Center in Post Falls?
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained general surgeons perform many minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures at our brand-new Surgery Center in Post Falls. Among the most common procedures include colonoscopy, esophageal repair for GERD, gallbladder removal, hemorrhoidectomy, hernia repair, and surgical cancer treatment. We also perform diagnostic and curative laparoscopy to find and treat chronic abdominal and pelvic pain.
How do I know whether my general surgeon is well-qualified?
Board certification and fellowship training indicate a surgeon’s commitment to education and excellence. The general surgeons who care for patients at Northwest Specialty Hospital are board-certified and fellowship-trained.
Where can I find outpatient surgery in North Idaho?
Many of the general surgeries performed at Northwest Specialty Hospital are either outpatient procedures or require only an overnight hospital stay. We use minimally invasive techniques that create minimal scarring, less blood loss and less post-surgery pain, allowing many patients to return home safely soon after surgery and recover faster.