Bariatric surgery is commonly referred to as weight-loss surgery. It is one of the options for people living with morbid obesity. Learn more about Island Health's Bariatric Program.
Cardiovascular surgery is the surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Examples of cardiovascular surgery include open heart surgery such as coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve replacements and vascular surgery such as abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs and femoral-tibial bypass grafting.
General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs including. intestines including esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland, breast surgery and hernias.
Getting ready and recovering from colon (bowel) resection surgery
Getting ready for breast surgery
Getting ready for and recovering from breast surgery
Gynaecology refers to the surgical specialty dealing with the health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina and ovaries).
Learn more on the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada website.
Getting ready for and recovering from gynecological surgery
The surgical specialty involved in the treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
A medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye. Conditions include cataracts, glaucoma, and conjunctivitis, among others.
A dental specialty focusing on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, teeth and gums. Examples of oral surgery include removal of wisdom teeth, facial injury repair, cleft lip and palate repair, and repair of uneven jaws.
Learn more on the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website.
The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries of the musculoskeletal system including the muscles, bones, spine, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
Learn more on the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation's Patient/Public Information web pages.
Otolaryngology is the medical and surgical treatment of the head and neck, including ears, nose and throat.
Learn more on The Canadian Otolaryngological Society's website.
Getting ready for and recovering from laryngectomy surgery
A surgical specialty that focuses on the repair, restoration or improvement of conditions or injuries to the skin and external features resulting from disease, injury or birth defects.
Learn more on the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeon website.
Learn more about breast reconstruction in Island Health.
A surgical specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the chest, including the ribs and lungs.
A surgical specialty that deals with problems affecting the urinary tract including kidneys, bladder, and prostate.
Learn more on the Canadian Urological Association
Learn more on The Prostate Centre website
Getting Ready and Recovering from Cystectomy Surgery
An “ostomy” or “stoma” is a surgically-created opening in your abdomen that allows waste or urine to leave your body. There are many medical conditions that require ostomy surgery. That is why there are different types of ostomy surgery including colostomy, ileostomy and ileal conduit (urostomy). Surgeons inform patients what type of ostomy they require and then refer patients to a Nurse Specialized in Wounds, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) at an ostomy care clinic. Patients may require access to a NSWOC throughout the duration they have their ostomy.
An NSWOC is a registered nurse who has specialized training in caring for patients with ostomies. We understand that every client and family has unique care needs.
Prior to a planned surgery, the NSWOC meets with the patient and family to review information, demonstrate the equipment, and answer questions. The NSWOC also plays a major role in patient rehabilitation after surgery.
The services that an NSWOC provides include:
Your physician may send us a referral or you may self refer for NSWOC services.
The following documents provide information for families and friends to help support patients before, during and after surgery. Each document provides a section on troubleshooting and a listing of helpful resource.
