As a woman with early-stage breast cancer (DCIS or Stage I, IIA, IIB, or IIIA breast cancer), you may be able to choose which type of breast surgery to have. Often, your choice is between breast-sparing surgery (surgery that takes out the cancer and leaves most of the breast) and a mastectomy (surgery that... »

Heart surgery is done to correct problems with the heart. More than half a million heart surgeries are done each year in the United States for a variety of heart problems. Heart surgery is used to correct heart problems in children and adults. This article discusses heart surgeries for adults. For more information about heart surgeries for children, see... »

If you need surgery, there’s a better-than-average chance that you’ll have it and go home the same day. That’s good news for several reasons, but same-day surgery does require some planning on your part. Thanks to advances in technology and anesthesia, nearly 6 of every 10 surgeries performed at hospitals are done as “outpatient”... »

If you’re very overweight and can’t lose pounds with a healthy diet and exercise, surgery (known as Bariatric surgery, Bypass surgery, Gastric banding,  or Obesity surgery) might be an option for you. The surgery is usually for men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and women who are at least 80 pounds overweight.... »

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorder. Nicholas Andry coined the word “orthopaedics”, derived from Greek words for orthos (“correct”, “straight”) and paideion (“child”), when he... »

This article is for patients who are facing surgery that is not an emergency. Some of the questions in this document may help you and your family understand more about your surgery, whether it has to be done right away or can be done later. Your doctor or nurse also can help you understand... »