Surgery
Surgical experts and advanced technology to help you recover faster
Leading expertise meets advanced technology for world-class care, training and research.
Redefining Care
Using a true team-based approach to surgery, UW Medicine leverages its award-winning nursing and social work programs to create an individualized plan for your care within a day of seeing you.
Expertise that Translates
Patients from around the world come to us for advanced surgical techniques that result in less pain, fewer complications and faster recovery times. Many of our surgeons are global leaders in their field.
Immersive Exploration
As part of the University of Washington, our care providers, researchers and faculty elevate surgical care through education, clinical studies and innovations, including virtual reality to study vital organs.
Meet the provider: Judy Chen, M.D.
Dr. Chen is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and expert in the surgical treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases. She is dedicated to treating patients with compassion and respect. View full bio.
Some of our common services:
Our board-certified anesthesiologists work to ensure your comfort during the surgery and recovery process. Because pain effects each person differently, we bring together specialists from across our disciplines — from neurology to physical therapy — along with your primary care provider, to diagnose and design a customized treatment plan.
Nearly all women with breast cancer choose surgery as part of their treatment. The breast surgery you choose in partnership with your care team may be either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. A lumpectomy keeps the breast intact. The tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue is removed. Often, some lymph nodes are also removed to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread. A mastectomy is removal of the breast, and can be the safest option for certain types of cancer and cancers that have progressed beyond a certain point. There are several types of mastectomy. Your care team will carefully explain your options to help you make this important decision.
Since 1974, nearly all burn patients in Washington—along with many from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Montana—have been treated at UW Medicine’s world-class Burn Center at our Harborview Medical Center location. Harborview continues to pioneer lifesaving and quality-of-life treatments that have informed the standard of care worldwide.
Hearing loss, balance problems, dizziness and problems swallowing or speaking are some of the conditions our team of ear, nose and throat surgeons work to improve. Since many of our surgeons are actively working on new interventions and treatments, you may be offered the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial.
Accidents or illnesses that require emergency surgery can be scary and traumatic for patients and their families. Fortunately, Harborview Hospital is nearby—the only Level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center serving Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.
Many pituitary and thyroid problems can be addressed without surgery. However, if these treatments aren’t effective, you and your doctor may decide that surgery is your best option to restore your health. You can rest assured you’ll be treated by the most experienced endocrine surgeons in the region.
Your sight is a vital part of how you interact with the world. If you need eye surgery, you can feel confident knowing your care is backed by the front-line research and practice of the UW Medicine Eye Institute at Harborview, the premier facility for eye surgery in the five-state region. The Eye Institute is transforming eye care locally and globally, by exploring bold new possibilities like using stem cells to restore sight.
UW Medical Center’s Digestive Health Center is a regional resource for gastroenterology care, including surgery. Our multidisciplinary teams serve patients from throughout the United States and offer a full range of procedures for digestive disorders.
The Esophageal and Gastric Diseases Clinic at UW Medical Center evaluates the function of the digestive tract, focusing on the esophagus and the stomach, and provides surgical consultation by specialized surgeons.
Each of our surgeons is fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus and stomach). Our multidisciplinary team evaluates many symptoms, including those related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal and gastric cancer, hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, achalasia, esophageal diverticula and other complex problems.
Your body relies on your liver to help remove waste products and detoxify your system. Surgery may be used to treat a number of conditions including cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. For people in need of transplant, our patients experience less time on the waitlist than the national average, and our surgeons have performed over 2,000 liver transplants.
Your provider may elect for surgery to treat pancreatic cancer along with other disorders of the pancreas, bile duct and intestine. During the surgery, your provider may need to remove the diseased area of the pancreas, re-attaching other digestive organs to restore proper function.
Our care team specializes in the diagnosis and surgical management of disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus with a particular emphasis on the treatment of colorectal cancer, anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and minimally invasive colorectal surgery. We will work with you to discuss your options and maximize your comfort throughout your treatment.
Weight loss can help improve your quality of life, boost your health and even reverse diabetes in some cases. For over 30 years, our nationally recognized Weight Loss Management Center has provided expert care that includes a nonsurgical weight loss program, as well as minimally invasive laparoscopic and open bariatric surgical procedures.
To help patients stay on track and improve their health with a personalized weight loss solution, the center’s multidisciplinary team includes bariatric surgeons, endocrinologists, internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers and registered dietitians.
Patients interested in meeting with one of our surgeons are required to attend or watch our bariatric seminar and take the seminar quiz prior to their appointment. Please contact our clinic to attend in-person, or watch the online version here.
UW Medical Center's gynecological surgery program offers comprehensive, personalized care for women throughout Washington and neighboring states. Whether it’s a minimally invasive hysterectomy aided by the most advanced da Vinci robotic technology, or major surgery, you can depend on your entire team to offer holistic care that addresses both your physical and emotional needs.
The UW Medicine Heart Institute is a national leader in innovative procedures like implantable cardiac defibrillators, circulatory support devices and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our care providers bring world-class expertise in everything from minimally invasive cardiac procedures to complete heart transplants.
A hernia is a very common injury that occurs when an internal organ or other structure protrudes through the body cavity in which it is normally contained. Holes develop in surrounding tissue for three basic reasons: genetic weakness, a failure of tissue to fully knit during a baby’s development before birth, and failure of the body to heal adequately after surgery. Most hernias occur in the abdominal region, and while they are not usually life-threatening, they can be tremendously painful.
Hernias are very common, and one in four men will develop a hernia in his lifetime. Frequently hernias are repaired via surgery, and hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures undertaken. Most surgeries are very straightforward, but some can be more complex and challenging.
The designated specialists working out of the Surgical Services and Hernia Center at UW Medical Center - Northwest are some of the most experienced hernia surgeons in the area. Our surgeons are experts in the most advanced and least invasive hernia repair techniques available. They have acquired significant experience in hernia repair, both open and laparoscopic, and perform hundreds of procedures per year.
The Surgical Services and Hernia Center at UW Medical Center - Northwest offers the following procedures to repair hernias:
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Hiatal hernia
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Inguinal hernia
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Femoral hernia
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Umbilical hernia
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Ventral-incisional hernia
When you come to UW Medical Center, you’re being treated at a world-class hospital and kidney center — whether it’s a minimally invasive procedure for kidney stones, robot-assisted surgery for kidney cancer or a full transplant.
In 1960, UW Medicine’s Dr. Belding Scribner created a blood-access device that literally turned kidney failure from a death sentence to the treatable condition it is now.
Today, UW Medicine is holding the first clinical trials in the world on a “wearable” artificial kidney that promises to revolutionize quality of life for dialysis patients.
UW Medicine neurosurgeons are international leaders and pioneers in treating complex conditions like stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, spinal abnormalities, chronic pain, pediatric conditions and tumors. Our neurosurgeons perform more traumatic brain and spine injury repairs, brain tumor surgeries and skull and aneurysm operations than any other medical system in the Pacific Northwest.
Many conditions, from impacted wisdom teeth to sleep apnea to cleft palate, can be corrected by oral and maxillofacial surgery, which is performed by specially trained, board certified dentists. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at Harborview provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of mouth, teeth and facial problems. The clinic’s general focus is on adult patients, although patients of any age are treated for injuries sustained from trauma or for emergency care. The clinic also has the ability to treat conditions that were untreatable until recently, like a complex, innovative surgery to rebuild a patient’s entire upper jaw and palate.
UW Medical Center’s team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons provide expert joint care - from minor repairs to total joint replacement. Our team works with colleagues from rehabilitation medicine, neurosciences, rheumatology and related areas.
Have a question? We’re here. Collaborative care starts with a doctor who listens to you—and what you need to reach your goals for your own health. You can count on your entire team to listen carefully and empathetically and give you leading edge, personalized information.
From interpreter services to health education and support groups, our team has created a network of resources to help make your care at UW Medicine more comfortable and inclusive.
For more than 25 consecutive years, UW Medicine affiliate Seattle Children’s Hospital has been ranked No. 1 in the Northwest and among the top children’s hospitals in the U.S. Our partnership with Seattle Children’s allows us to collaborate to provide the highest level of specialized care for the youngest members of your family.
In many ways, when your surgery is complete, your healing is just beginning. Post-operative care starts once your procedure is finished. It may include things like occupational or physical therapy, wound care, pain management, psychological support or complementary medicine. Your care team will work with you to create a plan to make sure you get the best possible healing benefits from your surgery and enjoy a speedy and gentle recovery.
For patients recovering from serious conditions or trauma, our internationally recognized team works with you from consult to recovery to repair damaged tissue, restore function and restore your identity. Our surgeons perform unique treatments and procedures for patients from across the U.S. that are not offered anywhere else.
One of the best ways you can be a strong partner with your surgical care team is by carefully following the guidelines you’ll be given to prepare for surgery—and by promptly letting your doctor know if there’s some reason you can’t follow them. You should also make sure your doctor knows about every medication or supplement you’re taking, including over-the-counter medicines.
University of Washington Medical Center – Montlake is the first major academic medical center on the West Coast accredited as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.
Surgeons at the UW Dermatologic Surgery Center all have specialized training in managing skin cancers, cosmetic enhancement and use of high-tech tools like lasers to treat diseases of the skin and dermabrasion to renew scar damage.
UW’s Sleep Medicine Center is one of the largest multidisciplinary sleep centers in the nation, with roots that go back to the 1970s when UW’s Dr. Elizabeth Giblin established the first sleep lab in a nursing school in the U.S. Whenever possible, non-surgical treatments are used for sleep disorders like sleep apnea. But when surgery seems like the best option, you’ll be treated by a team backed by many years of experience in helping patients enjoy all the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
Our adult cancer care program at UW Medical Center is recognized every year by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, an independent organization that also serves as the cancer program for UW Medicine.
Our surgical oncology team evaluates and treats a wide range of cancerous growths, tumors and neoplasms, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Surgical services are performed at UW Medical Center’s Montlake and Northwest campuses and Harborview Medical Center.
Our surgeons provide the most comprehensive care in the region, drawing on advances in medical technology and research continuously being pioneered at the University of Washington. By continuing to evolve our experience, we offer care helping to reimagine the patient experience nationwide. Below are some of the more common types of surgeries performed by UW Medicine.
Our surgical teams will always choose the least invasive surgical option that can effectively treat your condition. Minimally invasive surgery aims to use the smallest possible incision, or even natural openings in the body, to access and treat whatever is wrong. This means recovery time is greatly reduced, while maintaining and often increasing the benefits of traditional surgery and reducing the risk of infection.
While minimally invasive surgery is used whenever appropriate, certain conditions are best treated with traditional surgery, using a larger incision so your surgeon has the best possible visibility and access to the afflicted area. If open surgery is recommended for your condition, your doctor will carefully explain why they believe it will be the most safe and effective option for you. And our pre- and post-operative care team will be with you every step of the way to make your recovery as smooth, rapid and pain-free as possible.
For more than 10 years, UW Medicine has been the Puget Sound region’s leader in advanced robotic-assisted surgery programs. Compared to traditional open surgery, robotic surgery is less invasive. That means less pain, less blood lost, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and less scarring.
Minimally invasive, robotic surgery is used to treat a number of conditions, including:
- Many types of cancer, such as bladder, colorectal, gynecologic, kidney, liver, lung, pancreatic, penile, prostate, throat and tongue and thyroid
- Endometriosis
- Heavy uterine bleeding
- Kidney disorders
- Liver tumors
- Obesity
- Ovarian cysts/tumors
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine/vaginal prolapse
Microsurgery is a term for any surgery on a scale so small that it requires the aid of a microscope. Often, this technique is used for brain surgery for conditions like aneurism, or for treatment of complex injuries of the hand and wrist. Microsurgery at UW Medicine is done by teams of multidisciplinary specialists using the latest high-tech microsurgical tools and techniques.
UW Medical Center’s thoracic surgeons treat lung, esophageal and other chest cancers and lung conditions. Thoracic surgeons and medical and radiation specialists focus on advanced surgical techniques using the latest research and procedures, including minimally invasive approaches.
UW surgeons recently made history by giving a woman a new heart—a woman who had her first heart transplant 27 years earlier. They are the first in the U.S. to use a high-tech “heart in a box” to greatly extend the time a donor heart can stay healthy outside a body. In addition, UW Medicine has the most experienced teams in the region for multi-organ transplant, pancreas transplant, intestinal transplant, abdominal wall transplant, liver transplant, lung transplant, kidney transplant, face transplant and hand transplant.
Urological surgery, also known as genitourinary surgery, focuses on issues impacting the urinary tract in men and women and in men’s reproductive organs. The Urology Clinic at UW Medical Center offers complete urology care and includes two multidisciplinary clinics—the Prostate Oncology Center and the Urogynecology Clinic, which can help you determine if urologic surgery is right for you.
Vascular surgery addresses issues with the veins, arteries and lymphatic system, often using minimally invasive techniques. UW Medicine created its Vascular Surgery Service in 1983—the very first year that board certification in Vascular Surgery became available. Today, our Regional Vascular Center is internationally recognized for its leadership in treatment and research, and for pioneering techniques that have become the standard of care worldwide.
Convenient care, in your neighborhood.
General Surgery Clinic at Harborview
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General Surgery Clinic at UW Medical Center - Montlake
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Transplant Services at UW Medical Center - Montlake
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Center for Reconstructive Surgery at UW Medical Center - Montlake
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Burn and Plastic Surgery Clinics at Harborview
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