Rest Assured, Recover at Ease

Community Healthcare System hospitals are established leaders in surgical innovation. St. Catherine Hospital was among the first in the nation to perform successful open heart surgery. Community Hospital surgeons were among the first in the nation to use da Vinci robotic, single-incision surgery. And St. Mary Medical Center is a designated Center of Excellence in bariatric as well as minimally-invasive gynecologic surgeries, all performed in a modern, new $40 million surgical pavilion.

Our inpatient surgical treatment options include:

• Anesthesiology
• Cancer surgery
• Cosmetic/plastic surgery
• Digestive surgery
• Endoscopic surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Hand surgery
• Laser procedures
• Lithotripsy
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmologic surgery
• Pain management
• Plastic surgery
• Podiatry
• Spinal surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Urological surgery
• Vascular surgery  

Contact our inpatient surgical departments to learn more:

Community Hospital
St. Catherine Hospital
St. Mary Medical Center

What to Expect

Before Surgery

Our surgery admission nurse will call you before surgery to gather your medical history and other important details. This information will help us develop the optimal treatment plan for you, including surgical procedures, anesthesia and pain management. 

Preparing for your pre-surgery interview

Before the call, it may be helpful to write some notes or gather a few details so you are ready to review:

• Past surgeries, hospitalizations or other significant medical problems past or present
• All medications you will be taking 10 days prior to your surgery day, including all prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamins and herbal or dietary supplements
• Medication and food allergies or any other allergies you have, including latex, tape or dyes and how you react to them

Day of Surgery

When you arrive, you will check in with our Admissions department. Please bring photo identification and your insurance card. You will be asked to sign consent forms, be given your identification bracelets and escorted to the surgery waiting room.

While you are having inpatient surgery, your family will be able to track your status by referring to the tracking board located in the surgery family lounge. The monitor indicates whether you are in the pre-operative area, operating room, surgery recovery or if you have been brought to your hospital room. Often, an operating room nurse will call the surgery family lounge 60 minutes into the procedure to update your family on your status. 

Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

After inpatient surgery, you will be taken to our Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The PACU staff cares for patients recovering from general, local or regional anesthesia. You will remain in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit depending upon the type of anesthesia you have had, along with how quickly your body and mind become alert as the medication wears off. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible.

Find a Surgeon

To find a surgeon on staff at our hospitals, call our physician directory at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. We offer assistance in English and Spanish.