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
General surgery Manistique

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

GREGORY BAMBACH, M.D
General Surgery
GREGORY BAMBACH, M.D

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.

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Specialty Clinic

General Surgery
Fanous Medhat, MD

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.

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Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
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Read what Patients have to say about Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Everyone in the ambulatory care/outpatient surgery were great!! They all made me feel very comfortable and did a great job!!! thank you to the whole outpatient staff and Doctor Rayner..I would recommend Schoolcraft or patient to anyone in need of surgery

Reviewer: Jeremy Sitkoski

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5 out of 5 stars

The care that was provided by The nurses (Cindy, Felicia Ruth) and staff was exceptional. The entire staff was very friendly and made you feel welcome. We received a call from Felicia the next day to check on my husband to check his pain level and do a follow up. The surgery area from check in to check out was well organized, clean, and up to date. Thank you to all of you for what you do so well and everything beyond your normal duties.

Reviewer: Maureen DesChamps

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5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Ranier did a tonsilectomy for our daughter. He and his staff were so kind and caring that our daughter fell in love with them all
I met Dr. Vix in the Emergency Room and he is the best doctor I've ever seen. His bedside manner is so kind, gentle, amd reassuring. He took his time and really made me feel listened to. He explained his treatment decisions and logic clearly, and left room to ask questions. He made sure that I understood and agreed with it before doing anything. He was very kind, and he and all the staff were very caring about my comfort while waiting.
I've been very pleased so far working with Dr Bambach, and really the whole staff at Schoolcraft.
Dr houve is great so is his nurse Cleo
Doctor Hoeve is very compassionate and very thorough. He listens and answers all of your questions. Never rushes through the appointments. We are fortunate to have him here in Manistique.
Very professional,friendly and caring. Made my stay very comfortable.
Excellent Doctor
Listened to my concerns and gave me options to help with my problems
Simply the best!!
I had my first visit with Andrew Anderson. He was very knowledgeable and took time to answer all my questions. He was up on all new meds for my condition and side effects. Definitely a good experience.
Dr. Rayner explained everything very well and the procedure was painless.
Wonderful very understanding
All went well with the visit.
After 5 years of suffering this serious buzzing inside my head...from a severe case of covid in 2019...the same covid the ceo of Texas roadhouse caught also...he had buzzing in his head so bad it was tinnitus....well look the story up c how the outcome was for him.....now for myself I've been suffering for so long with no answers also....its ruining my life....so I heard Dr.Raynor has years of experience and practiced at mayo clinic and I felt with those credentials I could finally get some answers...I did get some...he gave me a hearing test...and like I've been saying for years ,I'm not hearing it...it's inside my head....I've been laughed at...made fun of in my home town from friends and family saying I'm crazy....so now because of Dr Raynor I at least know now I'm not hearing it....so Dr Raynor is suggesting the next step taking a brain scan...mri...and I'm so excited finally someone is taking me seriously and taking steps to get to the bottom of it! And that's all I want is it to go away....I didn't ask for this...I didn't ask for 2 bouts of covid where I was brought to the brink of death both times...fired from my job by the same clueless foreman...that also thought I was crazy and it was just me being useless on the job...when I was struggling and fighting to hold on to my morgage...my livelihood...only to be fired and refusing to believe that covid was even real....it's real....so Dr Raynor is the first Dr to take me seriously....he also recommended acupuncture!... I'll try anything at this point...so you asked me how my experience was at school craft memorial hospital...is I rate it as a 10.....and want to thank Dr Raynor and his staff...they where very welcoming and nurse Kelly was the first person I talked to and she was compassionate and understanding the suffering I was going threw after I told her this big long debacle of a story...she encouraged me to get services to help me cause I had no where to turn after being fired 2 times....I have a hard time focusing and thinking just to get threw every day...trying to ignore this stupid buzzing....so yes after getting off the phone with nurse Kelly and she told me thar Dr Rayner was the best I finally after 5 years had some hope and she said they would get to the bottom of this problem and after visiting the facilities and taking seriously for once...I feel there is hope now....Thankyou!
They did amazing and gave me answers really fast
Was very comfortable with Jen Casey. Very personable and she explained things so thoroughly. I feel confident in her dealing withy heart issues! Thank you, Jen!
Dr. Rayner and his team were fantastic with my surgery!!
It was wonderful. She took time to listen and answered all my questions. Made me feel very good to be treated so well.
Smooth visit. Great care as always.
Dr Raynor was thorough, explained things regarding my treatment in an unhurried manner. Dr Raynor answered all my questions completely and treated me with respect and concern. I feel I will be well cared for and am confident that I’ve chosen an excellent surgeon.
Doc has an awesome bedside manner and quickly diagnosed my issue