General Surgery Services
The Astera Health general surgery team performs a variety of diagnostic and curative procedures to meet the needs of Central Minnesota residents. Whether you come to Astera for an elective or emergency procedure, our locally-based team will provide compassionate, expert care tailored to you.
From preparing for your surgical procedure through recovery, Astera general surgery providers are by your side and available to address your questions and concerns. They’ll also ensure your Astera family medicine provider is informed about your surgical procedure to help make follow-up care seamless.
General surgery, specialized care
General surgeons play a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and managing a diverse range of conditions to help improve the well-being of patients. They are trained extensively to provide essential medical care, making them an essential asset to our healthcare team.
Our general surgeons are knowledgeable and experienced in areas common to all surgical specialties and nine medical specialty areas, including:
- Abdomen and abdominal organs
- Alimentary tract, also called the digestive tract
- Breast, skin, and soft tissue
- Endocrine system
- Head and neck
- Surgical critical care
- Surgical oncology
- Trauma care
- Vascular system
General surgery procedures
The Astera general surgery team performs several minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, including:
- Appendectomy—surgical removal of the appendix
- Cholecystectomy—surgical removal of the gallbladder
- Incisional, inguinal, and umbilical hernia repair
- Small bowel resection—surgery to remove a section of the small intestine
- Splenectomy—surgical removal of the spleen
- Surgery to treat cancer, including breast and skin cancers
- Thyroidectomy—surgery to remove the thyroid
- Trauma-related procedures
- Vascular procedures
Astera ENT specialists, heart surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and radiologists provide additional surgical procedures, including:
- Arthroscopic joint surgeries
- Cardiac procedures
- Ear, nose, and throat procedures
- Robotic-assisted joint replacements
- Vein ablation
Minimally invasive options
Astera general surgery providers offer traditional open surgeries and a range of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical treatments.
Unlike the traditional approach that requires a large surgical incision, minimally invasive procedures involve one or more small incisions. Once the surgeon makes the incisions, they thread a long, thin tube with a tiny camera through a surgical cut into the body. The images from the camera help your provider guide surgical tools to the correct position and allow for surgical precision.
Compared to traditional, open surgeries, people who have minimally invasive procedures typically have:
- Faster recoveries
- Less pain
- Shorter hospital stays
- Smaller scars
Our general surgery providers
Our specially trained, expert team includes certified registered nurse anesthetists, a certified physician assistant, general surgeons, and surgical nurses.
Meet our general surgery providers:
- Travis Swartz, DO, attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Swartz has a particular interest in surgery to treat breast cancer. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association.
We are your trusted partner for life. Find a general surgeon at Astera Health.
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Why choose Astera Health?
When you need medical care, you want to ensure you’re getting the best care possible. Astera strives to ensure that all patients always receive a high level of service. Patients love our clinics for all of the following reasons:
Care for all ages
We provide comprehensive services for all ages, from young children to older adults.
Personalized treatment
We develop customized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of every patient, ensuring they receive the best care.
Compassionate care
Our medical staff takes a personal interest in all our patients, providing compassionate care in your time of need.
