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Home / Areas of Care/ Surgical

As a leader in the provision of adult surgery in Waterloo Region, St. Mary’s focus on providing a first class surgical program has become critically important in ensuring patients have access to the most advanced care in their own back yard.

Each year, our expert surgical team provides compassionate care to more than 15,000 people and the use of minimally-invasive surgical techniques is essential to the program’s continuing success.

St. Mary’s has produced a helpful guide called Preparing for Your Surgery. Please read this booklet and bring it with you to your Pre-Surgical clinic appointment and the day of your surgery.

St. Mary’s surgical program is centrally located on the second floor of the hospital. Eight state-of-the-art operating rooms are equipped with ceiling-mounted equipment, supported by articulating arms, allowing the surgical team the best use of space in which to care for their patients. The inpatient surgical program is located on the third floor of the hospital.

Patients have a much better and quicker recovery if they are well-prepared prior to their surgery and know what to expect. St. Mary’s Pre-Surgical Clinic, located on the first floor of the hospital, is responsible for assessing patients’ readiness for surgery.

If you are asked to visit our Clinic at the hospital, you will undergo pre-operative testing which may include blood work, an electrocardiogram or x-rays as ordered. You will be assessed by one of the Pre-Surgical Clinic nurses who will review your upcoming surgery, your medications and your post-operative care. You may also see an anesthetist and/or other specialists, as you require.

If you do not have to come to the hospital to attend our Clinic, a Registered Nurse will call you and will review your upcoming surgery, your medications and your post-operative care with you over the telephone.

Booklet for Patients: Preparing for Your Surgery

Elective surgical patients report to the Day Surgery Unit on the second floor the day of their surgery. Day Surgery staff work closely with patients to ensure they are well prepared for their surgery.

Occasionally, day surgery patients may require a longer recovery period than expected. In these cases, the patient will remain in the hospital overnight, monitored by surgery staff, before being discharged at 6:00 am the following day.

St. Mary’s is home to the Waterloo Regional Eye Program that provides medical and surgical eye care to patients in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding areas. Specializing in cataract surgery, our surgical team works with patients to restore vision and prevent blindness. Learn more.