Surgery Clinic
Expert Surgical Care in Southwest, MT
Our surgical team provides both life-saving trauma care and advanced elective procedures to serve the needs of our community. Our trauma program works tirelessly to ensure rapid, expert care when emergencies arise, conducting extensive simulations with emergency ambulance teams, air ambulance crews, and emergency room staff to prepare for every possible scenario.
For elective surgeries, we utilize the latest technology and surgical techniques to deliver the highest quality care, from minimally invasive procedures to complex operations, helping patients return to their daily lives with the best possible outcomes.
Expert Surgical Care When You Need it Most
Comprehensive Surgical Services
Our board-certified surgeons perform a wide range of general and specialized procedures, including:
- Endocrine and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeries
- Appendiceal and Other Lower Abdominal Emergencies
- Breast Surgeries
- Hernia Repairs
- Gallbladder and Biliary Procedures
- Anal and Rectal Procedures
- Soft Tissue, Skin, and Biopsy Procedures
- Vascular Access and Dialysis Procedures
- Amputation Procedures
- Chest and Airway Procedures
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgeries
Surgery Providers & Patient Resources
David L Parks
MD
General Surgery
Andrew W Grace
MD
General Surgery
Garth A Olds
MD
General Surgery
Jacob R Opfer
MD
General Surgery
Robin T Hape
MD
General Surgery
Abbey D Shirah
PA
General Surgery
Benjamin J Madsen
PA
General Surgery
Jacob T Wheeler
PA
General Surgery
Jessie Pelton
PAC, BS
General Surgery
Victoria Platt
PA
General Surgery
Elective Procedures
Elective surgeries are planned procedures that address medical conditions before they become urgent, helping patients maintain their health and quality of life. While these surgeries may not be emergencies, delaying treatment can lead to complications, prolonged discomfort, and more complex procedures down the road. Our expert surgical team uses the latest technology and minimally invasive techniques to provide safe, effective care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients. Don’t wait, taking action now can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term well-being. Our same-day surgery options include:
- Eye procedures: Cataracts, glaucoma, eyelid surgery
- Gynecologic procedures: NovaSure for heavy periods, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, Dilation and curettage (D&C)
- Hand surgery procedures: carpal tunnel release
- Plastic surgery procedures: Septo-rhinoplasty, eyelid lifts, breast revisions
- General procedures: Hernia repair, biopsies, breast biopsies
These procedures involve organs that secrete hormones or are part of the upper digestive system.
Adrenalectomy
What to Expect: Removal of one or both adrenal glands (small glands above the kidneys) often to treat tumors or hormonal imbalances.
Preparation: May include imaging tests and hormone level evaluations; fasting before surgery.
• Recovery: Typically requires a hospital stay of a few days with several weeks of gradual return to normal activities.
Pyloroplasty
What to Expect: A surgical widening of the pyloric canal (the outlet of the stomach) to improve food passage.
• Preparation: Preoperative tests and fasting; you might receive medication adjustments.
• Recovery: Hospital stay can be brief; full recovery may take several weeks.
Gastrectomy for Cancer
• What to Expect: Removal of part or all of the stomach to treat cancer.
• Preparation: Detailed imaging, nutritional assessment, and sometimes chemotherapy before surgery.
• Recovery: Longer hospital stay (often 5–10 days) with several months of recovery and dietary adjustments.
These procedures treat both benign and malignant conditions of the breast.
Breast Procedures
(Atypia, Cancer, Biopsies, Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Sentinel/Axillary Node Dissections, Gynecomastia)
• What to Expect: Procedures range from tissue sampling (biopsy) to partial (lumpectomy) or complete (mastectomy) removal of breast tissue. For men, surgery for gynecomastia reduces excess tissue.
• Preparation: Preoperative imaging and consultations; discussions about reconstruction may be included for cancer surgeries.
• Recovery: Many are outpatient or require a short hospital stay. Recovery can range from a few weeks (lumpectomy) to several months (mastectomy with reconstruction).
These surgeries correct abnormal openings where internal organs may protrude.
Types of Hernias
• Abdominal Hernias: (e.g., inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, incisional, peri‑umbilical)
• Robotic Repairs: For bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernias and sometimes esophageal or paraoesophageal hernias.
• What to Expect: The surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back and reinforces the area with mesh or sutures.
• Preparation: Pre-op tests, fasting on the day of surgery; often done electively.
• Recovery: Many hernia repairs are outpatient or short-stay procedures, with a recovery period of 2–4 weeks before resuming normal activities.
These procedures treat a range of common anorectal conditions.
Minor Office Procedures:
Anal Fissure (Botox Injections), Anal Skin Tags, Anal Warts (Condyloma):
- What to Expect: Outpatient procedures often done under local anesthesia to relieve pain or remove abnormal tissue.
- Preparation: Little preparation needed; follow any specific instructions given by your provider.
- Recovery: Minimal downtime; most patients resume normal activities within a few days.
Rectal Procedures:
Peri‑rectal Abscess, Anal Fistula/Fissure Repairs, Pilonidal Cyst Removal, Polypectomy, Rectal Prolapse, and Colorectal Surgeries (including for Colon Cancer, Colectomy, Diverticulitis, Stenosis, Rectal Cancer):
- What to Expect: Procedures vary from minor drainage to major resections; some may be minimally invasive while others require open surgery.
- Preparation: May include bowel preparation, fasting, and preoperative imaging.
- Recovery: Recovery times range from a few days for minor procedures to several weeks or months for major colorectal resections.
These involve removal or sampling of abnormal tissue or masses.
Procedures Include:
- Lipomas (Soft Tissue Mass), Sebaceous Cysts, Skin Lesions: Removal is usually done in-office or as a minor outpatient surgery.
- Lymph Node Biopsy (for Lymphadenopathy) and Muscle Biopsy: These are diagnostic procedures to sample tissue for analysis.
- Melanoma Removal: May be done as an outpatient excision or more extensively depending on stage.
- Neuroendocrine Cancer: Treatment varies and may involve resection as part of a broader oncologic plan.
- What to Expect: Procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia (or light sedation for more complex cases).
- Preparation: Minimal; follow any pre-procedure instructions such as fasting if sedation is planned.
- Recovery: Generally quick (a few days to a week) with wound care instructions provided by your care team.
These are typically shorter procedures performed in a clinic setting.
Procedures Include
Port‑a‑Cath, Groshong, and Hickman Removals:
- What to Expect: Removal of these catheters is done in the clinic with a brief procedure (about 45 minutes).
- Preparation: Usually minimal – an appointment is scheduled and you’re given instructions regarding the day of the procedure.
- Recovery: Minimal downtime; you can often return to normal activities soon after.
Dialysis Access:
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters (or AV Fistulas for Hemodialysis):
- What to Expect: Insertion (or revision) of the catheter or fistula creation to allow for dialysis treatments.
- Preparation: Preoperative assessments and sometimes vascular mapping.
- Recovery: Recovery varies but typically involves a period of several weeks before full use of the access is established.
These involve the removal of a limb or part of a limb, usually as a last resort for severe infections, trauma, or circulatory problems.
Procedures Include:
Amputation of Toes, Below‑Knee Amputation (BKA), Above‑Knee Amputation (AKA):
- What to Expect: Surgery to remove non‑viable tissue while preserving as much function as possible.
- Preparation: Preoperative assessments, possibly including imaging and lab tests; psychological counseling may be offered.
- Recovery: Hospital stays vary; rehabilitation and physical therapy are critical and recovery can take several months.
These procedures treat disorders of hormone producing glands in the neck.
Thyroidectomy
- What to Expect: Removal of part or all of the thyroid gland for conditions like cancer or hyperthyroidism.
- Preparation: Pre‑operative blood tests to assess thyroid function; sometimes imaging studies.
- Recovery: Short hospital stay (often outpatient or one night); recovery is usually a few weeks, with hormone replacement therapy if needed.
Parathyroidectomy
- What to Expect: Removal of one or more parathyroid glands to treat overactivity (hyperparathyroidism).
- Preparation: Blood tests (calcium and parathyroid hormone levels) and imaging.
- Recovery: Often outpatient or short‑stay; recovery generally takes a few weeks.
These include specialized surgeries that don’t fit neatly into the above categories.
Laparotomy
- What to Expect: A large abdominal incision to allow the surgeon full access to the organs inside, used in emergencies or when extensive evaluation is needed.
- Preparation: Typically requires fasting and preoperative stabilization; done when minimally invasive options aren’t feasible.
• Recovery: Longer hospital stay compared to laparoscopic surgery; recovery may take several weeks to months depending on the underlying condition.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Our general surgery options for colorectal and urologic cancers provide effective treatment tailored to your specific needs. For colorectal cancers, procedures focus on removing tumors while preserving bowel function, often using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery to enhance recovery. For urologic cancers, surgeries target conditions such as bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers, utilizing advanced approaches to remove cancerous tissue while prioritizing organ preservation and functionality.
Robotic-assisted surgery, utilizing the advanced da Vinci® Surgical System, enhances precision, control, and flexibility in complex procedures. The system’s 3D high-definition imagery provides surgeons with a detailed, magnified view of the surgical area, almost placing them inside the body. This allows for precise, guided movements, improving accuracy while reducing the risk of complications.
Because robotic-assisted surgery is minimally invasive, it requires only small incisions, leading to quicker recovery times, less pain, and reduced scarring compared to traditional surgery.
The da Vinci robot consists of three main components:
- The Surgeon’s Console: This is where the surgeon sits and controls the robotic arms, viewing the surgical site in 3D while making real-time adjustments.
- The Patient-Side Cart: Positioned near the patient, this cart holds robotic arms that perform the surgery with extraordinary precision.
- The Endoscope: A high-definition camera that provides the surgeon with a magnified view of the surgical area, allowing for greater accuracy during the procedure.
This combination of advanced technology and human expertise allows for a higher level of precision, contributing to better outcomes and faster healing.
Robotic Surgery Team
For my patients needing a hernia repair or gastrointestinal procedures, using robotic-assisted surgery allows me greater precision with smaller incisions. The technology helps decrease the risk of infection, pain, and scarring.
– Dr. Garth Olds, General Surgeon
Robotic-assisted technology allows me to safely and precisely extend my surgical expertise. This is accomplished with smaller incisions leading to less pain, thus getting you home, faster.
– Dr. Jacob Opfer, General Surgeon
Davinci V – The Best in Surgical Robotics: Bozeman Health’s own, Dr. Robin Hape sits down with us to give some insight into the latest addition to the surgical team.
Surgery Tours
We understand that preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming. To help parents and their children, we offer surgery tours for kids! You and your child can follow Dox the Fox on a fun, virtual tour to help create a feeling of comfort and ease before your child’s procedure.
All patients will also receive personalized, pre-surgical education. Here you will learn what to expect before, during and after your procedure to ensure a smooth recovery.
Surgery Tours
Anesthesia and Children: Information for Parents (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Surgery Tours
Personalized Care from the Start: Perioperative & Surgical Services
At Bozeman health, we’re committed to providing a streamlined and supportive surgical experience. We know that patients needing surgery have questions, concerns and, as is natural, some level of anxiety leading up to their procedure. That’s why we have combined our perioperative and surgical services to better serve you.
If you are scheduled to undergo inpatient surgery, outpatient surgery or pain management, your first stop will be to our Perioperative Services Center. This state-of the-art facility is located on the second floor of the Copper building and brings together all of our essential pre-surgical services in one convenient location.
Some of these services include:
- Pre-anesthesia Clinic to ensure you’re ready for your procedure.
- Anesthesia consultations to tailor pain management to your needs.
Our Perioperative Services and Surgical Services departments provide the highest level of surgical care in a comfortable, patient-centered environment. Features include:
- Nine additional operating rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology.
- Two DaVinici Robots
- 18 Pre-surgery bays for seamless preparation and monitoring.
- A modern post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) with nine PACU bays and two isolation rooms.
- Three private family consultation rooms for post-surgical discussions with your care team.
- A dedicated surgical family waiting area for loved ones.
Expert Anesthesia Care & Pain Management
Our experienced anesthesiologists in Bozeman provide a full range of anesthesia services to ensure a safe, comfortable experience for patients of all ages. We offer:
- Personalized pre-surgical evaluations
- Regional and general anesthesia options
- Labor epidurals for expectant mothers
- Post-surgical pain management to support recovery
The health of our community is our top priority, and it is our privilege to provide emergency services to thousands of patients each year.
