General Surgery

What is General Surgery?

it is a surgical specialty focusing on surgical treatment of many areas of the body; the procedures offered should reflect the training and experience of a particular general surgeon.

General surgery involves the surgical treatment of many areas of the body including the aorta, appendix, arteries of the leg, bile duct, breast, carotid artery, chest, colon, esophagus, gallbladder, lung, hernia, rectum, stomach, small bowel, spleen, veins, wounds. General surgery can be performed through a traditional “open” incision or through several small incisions; this is called laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery.

General Surgeons

Geoffrey H. Wilcox, MD, FACS is board certified in general surgery, by the American Board of Surgery. He is the general surgeon of Surgical Associates of Sewickley and have the experience and expertise to offer a wide range of surgical services including general, vascular, advanced laparoscopic, thoracic and bariatric surgery. Their care is exemplified by superior surgical outcomes, a friendly, professional office staff and personal follow-up.

Surgical Associates of Sewickley

Surgical Associates of Sewickley is the general surgery practice of Geoffrey H. Wilcox, MD, FACS. Hope Bariatrics is part of that practice. Surgical Associates of Sewickley/Hope Bariatrics offices are open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. For all your general surgery needs, call for an appointment: 412.741.8862.

Traditional or “Open” approach to Surgery

This means that a patient will usually have a large, single incision. Some types of surgery need to be done this way for safety reasons. Recovery time may be increased after an open surgery.

Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery

This type of surgery, done through small incisions using special instruments, was developed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The first type of surgery done this way was gallbladder and appendix removal. Today, minimally invasive surgery is one of the most important parts of general surgery. Patients should be sure their surgeon has adequate experience performing minimally invasive surgery, before having a procedure.

Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Procedures offered by Dr. Wilcox:

Laparoscopic Gallbladder (Cholecytstectomy)
Laparoscopic Gastrectomy
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Colon Resection
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
Laparoscopic Liver biopsy
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (Reflux Surgery)
Laparoscopic Splenectomy
Lung: Thoracoscopic Lung biopsy or wedge resection

Online Seminar

After you have viewed the seminar, complete the quiz. Be sure to submit it and include your contact information. Once we receive your results someone from our office will call you. We will review the next step and answer all of your questions.

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Patient Testimonials

Kristan - July 2015

I have struggled with obesity for over fourteen years. I tried Weight Watchers, Optimum Weight Loss Center, Weight Loss programs with professionals, exercise programs, being hypnotized, Bible studies wanting to help people lose weight, the whole gamut. I felt like this struggle would never end. I HAVE to eat in order to survive but the feeling of being out of control when it came to food was never ending.

It wasn’t until I walked into an introductory seminar for bariatrics in January 2014 that I truly found HOPE! As I sat and listened to the information being presented, I felt an excitement rising inside of me. HOPE Bariatrics was going to be my lifeline. I started making the appointments necessary to begin this process. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify for this program, but I was going for it. As I began to go through the check list and six months of doctor visits, I grew more and more excited about it. I began going to the support group meetings and hearing the stories of others who had bypass surgery. I knew that this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, but I was ready.

It was at one of the support group meetings that I found out that a friend from church was also on this journey to have surgery. It was wonderful to have someone to go through this with. We found out that we were both approved through our insurance and a date was set. The SAME date, we would have surgery on the same day and share a room in the hospital together. Only God could work out something like that! The surgery went well and recovery was difficult, but every day I felt a little better. I had a whole new way of eating, drinking, taking vitamins and exercising. I needed to set alarms on my phone to remind me to take vitamins. I was now looking at labels to check for the amount of sugar, calories and protein. I needed be eating/drinking 60-80 grams of protein a day to help with the burning of fat.

With the support of those from HOPE Bariatrics, family, friends and those who have had the surgery, I have come a long way. I am one year out from my procedure and have gone down 14 sizes and 90 pounds. I have so much more energy and I feel better. I actually look forward to exercising and showing my kids that I can water/snow ski. I enjoy jumping on the trampoline and being active with them.

I know that I still have to follow the program and watch what and how much I eat. This will have to continue for the rest of my life, but it’s worth it. I don’t ever want to be obese again! If you are reading this and wondering if this is something you should do, I say, YES, DO IT! The only regret that I have is that I didn’t do it years ago.

Joanie - August 2008

Webster's definition of JOURNEY--a trip, to travel. Joanie's definition est. 7/6/05--much improved health, a new excitement for life, learning and practicing good habits, reaching for new goals. Meeting and sharing with new friends, a new understanding of commitment. My HEARTFELT THANKS to Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Felix and the wonderful staff and friends at HOPE BARIATRICS.

Kristyn - April 2009

I can not even BEGIN to thank Hope Bariatrics for truly changing my life. I could not be doing ANY of what I am doing had it not been for my gastric bypass. I must admit, that for the first couple of months I actually wished I hadn't gone through with it. It was definitely a struggle but now I am SO thankful for everything! My energy level is higher than it has been in 20 years! My pain levels have significantly decreased. My self esteem is positive for the first time in years!!! I never feel like I'm going to a doctor's office when I come in for an appointment, but instead feel like I'm going for coffee with my extended family! You all have been wonderful to me. I don't even have words to describe the incredible support you have all shown me throughout this past 6 months. Thank you from the bottom of my much healthier heart!!!! God Bless! (office note: Kristyn lost 88 lbs in 8 months!)

Cleva - December 2009

What a journey it has been! About a year ago, on my 39th birthday, I had an epiphany. I realized that I had a wonderful life. I was married to an amazing man; I had a great job, and was surrounded by lots of people who loved me. So why was I slowly killing myself? I had never had a weight problem...up until the age of 14 or so. From then on, it was all downhill, or in my case up on the scale. I graduated from high school at around 180 pounds. In college, while they talk about the freshman 10, I put on the freshman 40. Every year I'd put on a few more. But it's not like I didn't try to stop it. Over the years, I tried Weight Watchers countless times, Jenny Craig, Atkins, grapefruit, cabbage soup, and all the other fad diets out there. I don't think there is one I didn't try.. and fail at. So, as my confidence in myself went down, my weight went up until that 39th birthday when I weighed in at whopping 250. That is the day that I called my doctor who I'd seen for more than a decade for an appointment. When I finally got in to see her, she asked me if I was finally ready, as if she had been waiting for me to make this decision all along! She taled to me about Hope Bariatrics, and I was on my way to changing my life...at last. On the day of my surgery, I weighed 278 pounds, thanks to a few months of ice cream for dinner. I was very nervous, but I had my wonderfully supportive husband by my side. He kept telling me that he married me when I was a positively svelte 230 pounds and that no matter what happened, he would be with me. With those words, I went peacefully to sleep. The initial surgery went well, an I was home within a few days. I was incredibly nervous, but I had all the literature that Hope Bariatrics had given me to refer to. I followed the instructions to the letter, felt really good, and ready to go back to work. At that point I had dropped 10 pounds, and was feeling great. As the weeks went by, I began to notie that my clothes were fitting a little looser, and that people were beginning to say things about my weight loss. A few months in, and I ha to give all of my old clothes to charity. I also had to buy a belt, which I had never needed before. These days, I'm about 165 pounds, an even though I don't feel like I look that much different, to everyone else the change is dramatic. Recently, I had to give a presentation to a group of people at work that I had not seen since before my surgery. As I introduced myself, I heard a few gasps from the audience. Afterwards, at least a half a dozen people said they did not recognize me. So, that's my journey, and I have to say that even though there have been moments along the way where I questioned by decision, now that I've arrive at this wonderful place, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you to Hope Bariatrics for all the support and encouragement you have provided along the way.

Debbie - March 2009

It is hard to believe that it has been a year and that I went from 316 lbs. to 165 lbs. I never thought that would happen: a size 28 to 12! I never thought I would see a size 12, I thought I would be a 16 or 18. I can walk with my grandchildren without being out of breath, tired or my feet hurting! It is a blessing, thank you to all of you who have helped me to reach this place in my life. Each of you have been a blessing to me and such a help anytime I called. Thank you again for everything!

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