Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s surgical team offers a variety of surgical procedures performed close to home with a personal touch. Our highly skilled, compassionate team is committed to providing safe, quality care and the best possible outcome for every patient.
Types of Surgical Procedures Performed:
- Breast procedures (lumpectomy, biopsies, mastectomies)
- C-section
- Carpal Tunnel
- Colon Resection
- Emergency Surgery
- Endoscopy (Upper GI and colonoscopy)
- Gallbladder
- Gastric Surgery
- Hernia (open and laparoscopic)
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopic appendectomy
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Lipoma
- Lymph node biopsies
- Pilonidal cystectomy
- Port placement (procedure in New Ulm), port removal (Sleepy Eye)
- Orthopedic/Arthroscopic
- Podiatry
- Tubal Ligation
- Tonsillectomy
- Urology
- Vasectomy
In addition, we offer all surgical patients preoperative teaching and postoperative call backs.
Same Day Surgery
Same Day Surgery
It’s normal to be nervous and have several questions before your procedure. Know that our clinic and hospital staff will help you feel more prepared by explaining your plan of care in detail and addressing your questions or concerns.
As you review your preparation instructions, remember that your safety is our number one priority.
Preparing for the Procedure
- The name, date and time of your procedure will be given, and you will be asked to sign permission for the physician to perform the procedure.
- Inform your doctor if you have any allergies to medicine or food, or if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Bring in all your medication bottles, including supplements, to review them with a nurse.
- Alert staff if you have any health issues we are unaware of and if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator.
- You will be asked to be at the hospital by a certain time; typically 2 hours preparation time is needed.
- You may be given a special soap to shower with, along with instructions to follow prior to your procedure.
- Refrain from taking any aspirin, products with aspirin, blood thinners, antiplatelet medicines or anticoagulants (Plavix or Coumadin, for example). If you take any of the above, talk to your doctor about when you should discontinue them.
- Refrain from smoking and chewing tobacco or gum. In addition, do not eat or drink 8 hours prior to your procedure—unless advised for a colon prep.
- Have someone available to drive you home after your procedure. You will not be able to drive yourself, and the procedure will be cancelled if driving arrangements aren’t made.
- Notify surgery staff if you develop a cold, flu or fever before your procedure.
- If you have additional questions, please call our surgery staff at 794-3571 ext. 3878.
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
Endoscopic exams look at the inside of the gastrointestinal tract by use of a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached. The upper GI includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine. During a colonoscopy, the entire colon is examined. In both procedures, the camera allows the physician to identify any irritations, thickenings, polyps, ulcers, tumors or other precancerous growths. Occasionally, the physician may perform a biopsy or remove growths during the procedure.
If further care is needed or complications arise, you may be admitted to the hospital for continued nursing care or observation.
Preparing for the Procedure
- You will likely be instructed to complete a bowel preparation. Follow the directions closely; accurate preparation helps the physician visualize the colon adequately.
- You will need to follow a low fiber diet several days prior to your exam.
- You may be instructed to have nothing but clear liquids one to two days before your exam.
- The procedure, itself, takes approximately one hour or less.
Following the Procedure
The physician will review your images, explain the results and discuss a plan of care. After you have a light meal and present stable vital signs, you may be allowed to return home. We advise that a responsible adult stays with you for 24 hours following your procedure.
When to call your physician:
- Severe abdominal pain
- A firm, bloated abdomen not relieved by passing gas
- Vomiting
- Dizziness or weakness
- A fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Passing more than a tablespoon of blood
Pre-Op / Post-Op
Preoperative Teaching
The SEMC surgery team offers preoperative teaching in a separate visit for inpatient and laparoscopic surgeries. Preoperative visits help reduce anxiety or fears you may have by explaining your plan of care in detail. In addition, a surgical RN will help you prepare for surgery and collaborate with clinic staff, lab, radiology and the surgeon to maintain ongoing communication leading up to your procedure.
In most cases, a member of the surgery department will call you the day before your surgery to review all preparations. Any last-minute questions you have will be answered at this time.
Postoperative Phone Call
A member of the surgery department will call you within a week of leaving the hospital to check on your progress and recovery. This helps identity any potential problems early, address your questions or concerns and assess the effectiveness of your pain management. During this call, your satisfaction will be assessed to help us identify opportunities for improvement.