Amelia HallWould you be surprised if I told you general surgery wasn’t a catch-all term for all surgery? I sure was when I heard about it. It’s a specialty focusing on treating conditions within the abdomen and chest, covering your intestines and gall bladder.
Stomachaches and chest pains can be some of the most common (not to mention annoying) pains we suffer, and that’s because there are tons of conditions that can affect them. Appendicitis is one of the most common conditions under general surgery, for one!
Just as it’s good to see an optometrist if your vision starts acting up, having a general surgeon here in Vancouver to head to is also pretty handy.
After discussing it with my family, here are the top ones we keep in our back pocket for when the aches come calling!
How much does it cost to see a general surgeon in Vancouver?
Seeing a general surgeon in Vancouver can cost you anywhere from $1500 to $12000, depending on the procedure you’re booking and the complexity involved in carrying out the treatment.
1. St. Paul’s Hospital
Address: 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6
Contact Details: +1 604 682 2344, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
If you’ve looked into hospitals at all in Vancouver, there’s a chance you’ve run into St. Paul’s Hospital at some point. As one of the oldest spots in the city, Vancouverites were more than happy to nominate it to us as a spot for general surgery!
The first highlight among patients we spoke to was the intake process. Many were happy to praise how streamlined it was, saving on the hassle of preparing paperwork and explaining their symptoms over and over.
Surgery is always daunting, so we also asked about the comfort levels. Customers reassured us that the team was pretty welcoming of patients, keeping them relaxed throughout the process and before surgery.
Their recovery process and services were also well-handled at the hospital. The hospital had reliable long-term care options for those who need outpatient care or to stay in the hospital for recovery.
That being said, one factor some patients mentioned needing improvement was the scheduling. It can be difficult to book specific time slots, resulting in some being booked for procedures late at night or in the early morning.
Everything went so well
“To be honest, minutes before the surgery I was terrified as it was my first time going under general anesthesia. But thanks to the kindness and care of Dr Anne Marie Madeen (anesthesiologist) everything went so well.”
– Ms. Paola Elizabeth Gutierrez Centurion, Google Review
Everyone was kind and understanding of my needs
“I was always seen within a very reasonable amount of time, taken seriously, and everyone was kind and understanding of my needs (I have pre-existing conditions and disabilities). I also can’t praise the doctor enough.”
– Ms. Lexy Dorflinger, Google Review
2. Dr. Gurpreet Johal MD
Address: The Centre – Offices, 6378 Silver Ave Unit 707, Burnaby, BC V5H 0J2
Contact Details: +1 604 423 3620, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
A big hurdle to getting surgery can be not knowing what exactly you’re going in for. Keeping this in mind, we asked locals for reliable surgeons who can help patients understand their condition and were pointed to Dr. Gurpreet Johal’s clinic!
Right off the jump, we were pleased to see how easy the clinic was to visit. There was ample parking on-site and around the area, whether you need free or paid parking, making it handy for transporting patients over.
We also got ample directions from the team when we reached out, on top of getting to hear about their intake process and scheduling. A few patients we spoke with during our visit also praised the team’s responsiveness.
Finally, most patients were also happy to mention how in-depth the team’s explanations were during procedures. Each step of the procedure was clearly laid out, helping patients understand what must be done and how it’ll be done.
However, one last word of advice customers had was to ask for clear aftercare advice after the surgery. Some mentioned facing longer responses for follow-ups, both for visits and communication.
Things are back to normal because of him
“Dr. Johal is an outstanding physician. He is very personable. It helped me put my mind at ease. He didn’t treat me like “just another patient,” and I appreciate that. Things are back to normal because of him.”
– Mr. Stanley Tsang, Google Review
I felt that I was in very good hands
“The surgery and recovery went very well. The day surgery team at Burnaby Hospital were also very good. I felt that I was in very good hands the moment I registered on the day of surgery.”
– Mr. Alan Lary, Google Review
3. Cambie Surgery Centre
Address: 2836 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3C6
Contact Details: +1 604 874 1349, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Like with all medical procedures, it can be a hassle to have to visit different hospitals and clinics for various procedures. Luckily, Cambie Surgery Centre landed on our radar when locals recommended them as a good source for general surgeries and more!
We couldn’t resist a visit of our own, and boy, were we pleased by what we saw. The whole space was kept pretty clean, with a comfortable waiting area. Patients we chatted with mentioned their equipment being similarly well-maintained.
A particular point patients praised was how accommodating the team was during patients’ stays. They were pretty flexible with customer requests, especially regarding their comfort levels and even diets.
This care extended even to the aftercare, which customers praised. The team was reportedly proactive in following up with patients afterward, and visits were similarly easy to schedule to address any extra steps after the surgery.
That being said, we’d definitely recommend consulting with the team on pricing before committing to a treatment. We noted the prices for their services being on the higher side compared to other clinics, so having a budget in mind is also advisable.
I had no nausea or negative side effects
“I had no nausea or negative side effects afterwards. Everything was spotless and clean. I woke up in the recovery room to kind nurses making sure I was comfortable. They even called me the day after to check up on me.”
– Ms. Sydney Graham, Google Review
I was comfy from the moment I walked
“Everyone was super professional and accommodating. Made sure all my questions were answered and I was comfy from the moment I walked in till I left the next day. I had no issues and my pain has all but disappeared.”
– Mr. Bradley Meyer, Google Review
4. Mount Saint Joseph Hospital
Address: 3080 Prince Edward St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3N4
Contact Details: +1 604 874 1141
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Looking to get general surgery, but having trouble getting into some of the larger hospitals? The Mount Saint Joseph Hospital might just be up your alley! This spot landed on our radar after locals brought it up as a particular favorite for quick surgeries.
Anyone who’s ever gone under the knife probably knows that surgeries can take quite a while between the procedure and recovery. To our surprise, patients of the hospital mentioned their procedures being pretty quick, allowing them more time for recovery.
On that note, the spot also got popular among locals as a reliable hospital for those needing to stay long-term. Many mentioned the team being pretty accommodating and welcoming all throughout as well.
This was helped along by the ambiance at the hospital, which we found to be pretty calm and relaxing. This is a plus in our book, whether you’re a nervous new patient or one staying to recover!
However, we did note that the hospital can be on the smaller side compared to others in the area. This can make it pretty tricky to get scheduled quickly and secure long-term stay slots, so we’d recommend consulting with the team on their process here.
Never made you feel as if you were a burden
“I can confidently say this may be the most efficiently run, thorough, and clean hospital in Greater Vancouver. Start to finish, everyone was caring, attentive, and never made you feel as if you were a burden like some others do.”
– Mr. Pooyan Khorsandi, Google Review
Smaller hospital with good working hours
“Hospitals are usually pretty busy and stressful, but considering this is a smaller hospital with good working hours, it looks like a great environment! For reference, I came at around 8am when it opened. Definitely will come back again next time when I need to.”
– Ms. Ashley Omidi, Google Review
5. Langley General Surgery
Address: 5171 221a St #305, Langley Twp, BC V4B 1N1
Contact Details: +1 604 534 9288, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
The name certainly doesn’t get clearer than this! Langley General Surgery was quite the common name among locals looking for a regular spot for general surgery, and that piqued our interest enough to make the drive out!
What immediately jumped out at us was the amount of information and resources available for their various procedures. The team was pretty happy to explain each step as needed to help customers feel more at ease with their procedure.
Their consultations were similarly praised for being pretty in-depth. Patients we got to chat with while we were visiting mentioned the team being pretty thorough with giving a diagnosis and identifying which treatment would be best for it.
Of course, we asked about their experience with the surgeries. Customers were happy to praise these, with the recovery times being a highlight! Many mentioned the recovery process going pretty quickly, letting them get back to their routine without much wait.
On the other hand, a few patients mentioned that their booking and scheduling process was quite a lengthy, with a similar wait. We’d definitely recommend getting your procedure booked as early as possible to help reduce the wait.
These doctors and their supportive team have changed my life
“These doctors and their supportive team have changed my life. Because of their dedication to their craft I have been able to do things in life I could only have dreamed of before.”
– Mr. Philip Fassbender, Google Review
He and his team carry themselves with the utmost professionalism
“Dr. Vu has operated on me twice, 10 years a part, and he was exceptional both times. He and his team carry themselves with the utmost professionalism. His knowledge and skills have changed my life twice over and I’m grateful!”
– Ms. Erika Strelau, Google Review
