Western Wisconsin Health provides safe, convenient, high-quality surgical services for patients of all ages, including children over six months old.
The surgical service providers include Dr. Peter Dahlberg, General Surgeon and Dr. Dennis Hartung, OB-GYN. Our surgical services department also partners with specialty providers to bring expert surgical specialty services to our community.
The surgical services department has private pre-op rooms, two state-of-the-art operating suites including a da Vinci Surgical System, a designated c-birth room, a gastroenterology suite, and private post-surgical recovery bays with windows to bring in natural sunlight and a comforting view of the prairie. Great care is only a few miles away.
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Surgical Services Information
Our General Surgery care includes:
- Thoracic Surgery: Benign and malignant lung and esophageal disease
- Digestive Tract: Esophagus, stomach, small and large bowel and rectum
- Abdomen: Stomach diaphragm, liver, gallbladder, and appendix
- Acid Reflux Disease: Hiatal hernia repair, endoscopies, Nissen procedure
- Breast: All types of benign and malignant disease
- Skin and Underlying Tissues: All types of benign and malignant disease
- Endocrine System: Thyroid and parathyroid glands, pancreas and adrenal glands
- Surgical Oncology: Surgical management of cancer and coordination of cancer care
- Simple and complex hernia repair
- Vasectomy
- Rotator cuff repair
- Total knee and hip replacement surgery
- Knee, hip, and shoulder surgery
- Fracture care
- Non surgical treatment of arthritis
- A variety of hand procedures including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and ganglion cysts
- Sports Medicine
Our OB/GYN Surgery care includes:
- Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery
- Hysterectomy
- Urinary Incontinence (bladder repair)
- Pelvic Prolapse Repair
- Laparoscopic Sterilization
- Ovarian Surgery
- Endometrial Ablation
- Vaginal Reconstruction
- Surgery for Endometriosis
- Cesarean Section
- Dr. Peter Dahlberg, our experienced General Surgeon, offers a variety of options utilizing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. If you’ve been told you may need surgery, you are likely considering several options. A minimally invasive option may be robotic-assisted surgery with da Vinci®. Compared to traditional open procedures that require large incisions, robotic surgery uses a few small incisions.
Benefits include:
- Less Risk
- Less Pain
- Faster Recovery
How does it work?
The surgeon sits at a console next to you and operated through small incisions using tiny instruments. Your surgeons hand movements are translated by the da Vinci system in real-time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. They also control a camera for viewing the surgical area in magnified, high-definition 3D.
Surgical procedures currently offered include:
- Hernia Repair
- Gallbladder Removal
- GERD Management/LINX procedure
The Week Before Surgery
- You will meet with your primary doctor or the surgeon to complete a physical to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo surgery and anesthesia. If you have diabetes, please ask your provider for specific instructions about your diabetic medications on your surgery day. If your primary physician is at another facility, please have them fax the completed paperwork to us at 715-684-1349.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Motrin, Nuprin or Advil), Coumadin, and other medications may cause excessive bleeding. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking these drugs or other medicines before your surgery.
- You must have someone drive you to the facility and pick you up after your surgery. You may also need extra help when you get home. Plan for this ahead of time. If you are having outpatient surgery, you must have a family member or friend with you after surgery to review your instructions, drive you home, and stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure.
- If you develop a fever, cold or rash, or suspect that you are pregnant, please inform your surgeon and/or contact us at 715-684-8684. It may be necessary to postpone your surgery.
- Contact your insurance company to make sure you are approved and covered for surgery. Make sure you understand your coverage. Any co-pays or percentages not covered by insurance will be your responsibility. You may be asked to provide partial payment for your surgery before it can be scheduled.
- Remove nail polish and jewelry prior to surgery.
- Do not shave your surgical site for at least one week prior to surgery.
- Stop smoking as soon as you can before surgery. It is important that you not smoke at least the evening before and the morning of surgery. Your lungs will work better and your blood stream will improve, helping you heal more quickly. An event like surgery is a great time to quit smoking permanently.
The Day Before Surgery
- We will call you 2-3 days prior to surgery to let you know what time you should arrive for your procedure.
- Please do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time. This includes gum, mints, coffee and water. Babies and people with diabetes may receive special instructions tailored to their individual needs.
- Please bathe or shower with an antibacterial soap, either the night before or the morning of surgery. Do not apply lotions, creams, powders or deodorant after bathing.
The Day of Surgery
When coming for surgery, please enter through the emergency department entrance. Please check-in at the reception desk. Our staff will keep friends and family members informed throughout their visit. Family-friendly waiting areas are available for visitors.
- Please wear comfortable and loose clothing that will be easy to put on and take off.
- Please do not wear any makeup, jewelry or fingernail polish.
- Bring all insurance cards, picture ID and any credit cards needed for payment with you on the day of surgery.
- Remember not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time.
- Bring a complete list of your medications including: name, dose, and reason you take it.
What Happens After The Procedure?
After your surgical procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be under observation until you are awake and prepared for discharge or brought to your hospital room to continue recovery.
Waiting Amenities
Surgeries can last from 30 minutes to several hours. We provide several amenities to help make your wait time pass more quickly.
Amenities includes:
- Comfortable and spacious waiting spaces
- Free public Wi-Fi
- Retail Pharmacy & Health Shop
- The Eatery (Pulic Cafe’ and Vending)
- Meditation Room
After Discharge at Home
When you return home, you should follow your physician’s instructions on diet, activity, and medications. It is common to feel dizzy or sleepy for several hours and you should feel more like yourself in 24-48 hours.
It is suggested that you rest the remainder of the day and do not drink alcoholic beverages for the rest of the day or night. We also recommend that you do not operate any motor vehicles or heavy machinery for 24 hours.
If you have any questions or are concerned about your progress, you should not hesitate to contact your physician. If you are unable to locate your physician, please feel free to contact the surgical services department for assistance at 715-684-1313.
Providers
General and Thoracic Surgeon
Western Wisconsin Health Main Campus
Western Wisconsin Health Main Campus
What People Are Saying
I’m so glad to be a part of the Western WI Health community. Truly lifesaving for me.
“Dr. Clemma Nash and her functional medicine expertise is outstanding. I’ve seen her a few times for exposure to toxic mold and her knowledge has given me my life back. Not only has the functional medicine saved me, but Dr. Nash’s compassion, listening skills and gentle way has been such a gift for my health. I’m so glad to be a part of the Western WI Health community. Truly lifesaving for me.”
I am thankful that there are such good care providers so close to home!
“Just brought my daughter in to see Sara Atteberry, NP, and wow!!! She was thorough, kind, gentle, and smart! What a great addition to WWH. I was very comforted in the care and compassion she showed to my daughter. I am thankful that there are such good care providers so close to home!”
We are SO blessed to have Western Wisconsin Health in our community.
“We had a long, tough labor, but we couldn’t be happier! The entire staff was so incredibly amazing. They made a very exhausting two days much better with their warm support, encouraging words, and wonderful knowledge. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are SO blessed to have Western Wisconsin Health in our community.”
