General Surgery

General Surgery At Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Boasting two of the newest and one of the largest Operating Suites in the Upper Peninsula, Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Gregory Bambach & Dr. Fanous provide a full-spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures. 

What Types of General Surgery Do We Offer?

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is proud to offer an extensive range of minimally invasive general surgery options to the residents of Manistique. Some of the procedures we offer include:

• Colonoscopy
• EGD (Upper Scope)
• Breast Biopsy
• Breast Cancer (mastectomy, lumpectomy, biopsy)
• Colon Operations
• Lesion removal
• Mediport placement
• PEG tube placement
• Hernia repair (including inguinal, umbilical & ventral)
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder) & Appendectomy
• General Abdominal Surgeries
• Salpingectomy (Female Sterilization Procedure)

How to Prepare For General Surgery

The spectrum of general surgery is pretty wide, ranging from minimally invasive colonoscopies to more major abdominal surgeries. Subsequently, the specific preparations that patients should make before their surgery will be unique to their situation. However, here are some commonly suggested things to do before a general surgery.

Make Sure You

• Bring a responsible adult with you to the hospital to assist with transportation and check in
• Have a responsible adult available to pick you up after your surgery and who can stay with you for 24 hours after your surgery
• Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes that are easy to change in and out of
• Get enough rest before your surgery date
• If you regularly take any medication, ensure you bring it with you so you can continue to take it in hospital

Make Sure You Do Not

• Eat after midnight the night before your surgery. Any undigested food can cause complications during surgery and could result in your surgery being rescheduled.
• Drink any liquids (except for water) after midnight before your surgery. You may drink water up until 2 hours prior to your surgery.
• Do not smoke for 24 hours prior to your surgery
• Wear any makeup to the hospital. The colour of your skin and fingernails can assist the medical staff with certain medical conditions

Anesthesiology

Many surgeries will involve some level of anesthesia to aid in patient comfort and ensure surgeons can operate freely. A CRNA is a highly trained provider that will determine the exact ratios of anesthetic required to render a patient unconscious and monitor their breathing throughout the surgery. Your doctor will ask whether you have experienced any adverse reactions to anesthesia in the past so that the CRNA will be able to find an alternative medicine for your surgery. It is normal to feel disoriented and confused following the initial waking from anesthesia, but this will wear off quickly following your procedure.

How to aid recovery after general surgery

Just like preparation will depend on the specific type of surgery you are getting done, the recovery process will differ based on the procedure as well. There are some general suggestions for speeding your recovery from any kind of surgery, which include:

Ensure you get adequate rest and nutrition with plenty of sleep and regular meals.
Try to keep the surgical site as still as possible during the initial healing stage to limit the possibility of aggravating the wound or dislodging stitches.
Complete any course of antibiotics you have been prescribed in its entirety.
If you have been prescribed pain medication post surgery, try to limit its use unless you are actually in pain to avoid developing a dependence.
If you experience high levels of pain or swelling following your surgery, be sure to contact your doctor immediately

General Surgery
GREGORY BAMBACH, M.D

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A life long Michigan resident, Dr. Bambach received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University, East Lansing and his Medical Degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Bambach also completed his residency at Wayne State University.

Dr. Bambach is board certified in General Surgery.

Registration Location

Specialty Clinic

Phone

906-341-2153

General Surgery
Fanous Medhat, MD

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Dr. Medhat Fanous is a highly skilled general surgeon with a specialized focus on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias. With expertise in both diagnostic evaluation and advanced antireflux procedures, he has established a comprehensive antireflux program that integrates state-of-the-art diagnostics—such as EGD, pH studies, EndoFLIP, and Manometry—with cutting-edge therapeutic interventions.

 

With a wealth of experience, Dr. Fanous has performed hundreds of endoluminal, laparoendoscopic, and laparoscopic antireflux procedures, including transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) and Stretta therapy. He also specializes in ablation therapy for Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by prolonged acid exposure in the esophagus.

 

A dedicated resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Dr. Fanous is deeply committed to serving rural communities. His leadership extends to the Advisory Rural Council of the American College of Surgeons, where he advocates for advancing surgical care in underserved areas.

 

Dr. Fanous is a true pioneer in his field, making medical history through groundbreaking advancements. He was the first in the world to visualize and describe an endoscopic reconstructed valve between the stomach and esophagus in an awake patient using Navicam technology. Additionally, he was the first surgeon in Michigan to utilize MiVu technology, a revolutionary approach for assessing esophageal mucosal integrity and detecting GERD with immediate precision.

 

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Fanous is a passionate educator. He trains fellow surgeons in GERD management at the American College of Surgeons Annual Conference, sharing his expertise from hundreds of successful procedures. His commitment to academic excellence is evident through his numerous publications, peer-reviewed journal contributions, and national and international speaking engagements on GERD-related procedures.

 

Dr. Fanous continues to shape the future of GERD management, combining innovative techniques, research, and education to improve patient outcomes.

Registration Location

Specialty Clinic

Phone

906-341-2153