Our surgeons help our patients and improve their quality of life with a wide range of surgical services. We are widely known for our expertise in general, peripheral vascular, and non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

Listed below are our areas of expertise with brief descriptions of the type of surgery entailed. Within each area, we’ve included links to more detailed information about some of the surgical procedures we are asked about most often. Because so many procedures exist for each type of surgery, it is impossible to show them all here.

Please contact us if you have any questions about whether we perform the surgery you are considering.
 
     
General Surgery   
General Surgery includes many types of surgery. At Surgical Consultants this includes, but is not limited to:             

Gall bladder surgery  

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery  

Hernia repair surgery  

Intestinal surgery 

Breast cancer surgery  

Colon surgery 

Endocrine (thyroid) surgery  

Appendix surgery 

Acid reflux surgery      

Many of our general surgeries make use of laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows for quicker patient recovery. Our close association with the Fairview Southdale Breast Center bolsters our breast cancer surgery capabilities. 
   
     
Peripheral Vascular Surgery   
Peripheral Vascular surgery occupies itself with surgical interventions of arteries and veins, as well as conservative therapies for disease of the peripheral vascular system. Surgical Consultants boasts the largest group of board certified vascular surgeons in the Twin Cities performing a wide variety of Peripheral Vascular procedures. Some of our most regularly requested surgeries include:

Arterial occlusive disease surgery  

Carotid endarterectomy surgery    

 Aortic aneurysm surgery   

When appropriate for its patients, Surgical Consultants uses minimally invasive surgical techniques including the VNUS® Closure Procedure for the treatment of varicose veins.    
     
Thoracic Surgery
   
Thoracic Surgery includes most non-cardiac chest procedures. Among the many types of surgery we routinely provide for our thoracic patients are those listed below.     

 Lung disease surgery, including cancer 

 Esophageal disease surgery, including cancer 

Laparoscopy / Minimally Invasive Surgery
Laparoscopy is surgery performed using a tiny video camera inserted into the body through a thin tube, requiring only a small incision. The camera provides a magnified view of the inside of a patient's body. Physicians can then make other tiny incisions to insert miniature instruments that allow them to perform surgery without the need for a large incision. Although laparoscopic surgery may cause less pain and leave smaller scars than traditional surgery, it's not always the best procedure for every patient. At Surgical Consultants  we recommend laparoscopy only when it is in a patient’s best interest.
 
 
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery
Bariatric or weight loss surgery is an option for patients who suffer from morbid obesity. Our surgeons offer a variety of treatments including the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding. These procedures can be performed either through open surgery or laparoscopically. As an American Society of Bariatric Surgeons Center of Excellence, we at Surgical Consultants are committed to providing our weight loss patients with individualized surgical solutions. 

Acid Reflux Surgery
Nearly one in every three persons suffers from acid reflux in the esophagus. Medication and lifestyle changes can often reduce the problem – but not always – and young people may prefer to avoid long-term use of prescription medicines. For such patients, surgery may be a better alternative.
 
 
VNUS® Closure® Procedure

VNUS® Closure® is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and their underlying cause, venous reflux, with little or no pain. Closure patients can walk away from the procedure and be back to everyday activities – either at home or at work – typically within a day.

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

   
 
 

Click on listings below
for complete information.

May 7, 2010
Surgical Consultants physicians present at the 4th Annual Vascular Nursing Conference

May 26-27, 2010
Drs. Benn, Pierce and Laguna will attend Bariatric Education Day at University of Minnesota

November 20, 2009
Drs. Benn and Laguna participate in the Upper Midewest Bariatric Forum at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

November 2009
Dr. Nowak attends a Mayo Clinic course on Radioactive Seed Implantation for Localization of Breast Lesions

October 11-14, 2009
Drs. Benn, Pierce and Laguna attend the American College of Surgeons Convention 

October 5, 2009
Dr. Benn presents at Fairivew Red Wing Medical Center on Weight Loss Surgery

September 24, 2009
Dr. Nicholson presents "Causes and Treatment of Varicose and Spider Veins" at Fairview Southdale Hospital 

June 2009
Dr. Laguna and Dr. Pierce now offer Single Port Laparoscopy

May 23, 2009
Dr. Nicholson presents "Causes and Treatment of Varicose and Spider Veins" at the Third annual Women’s Health Luncheon Series presented by Fairview Southdale Hospital and Galleria,

Sept. 24, 2009
Dr. Nicholson presents at Fairview Southdale Hospital 

April 23, 2009
Dr. Nicholson presents at Third annual Women’s Health Luncheon Series presented by Fairview Southdale Hospital and Galleria

November 7, 2008
Dr. Nicholson and the Vein Solutions staff attend the Women Venture Conference.

October 20, 2008 –
Dr. HL Saylor presents “Hernias: Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments” to the Meadowbrook Insurance Company in Bloomington on Monday October 20

October 12 - 16, 2008
Dr. Christopher Roland and Dr. William Omlie attend the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in San Francisco

October 1, 2008
Surgical Consultants and Fairview join together as one organization, expanding Fairview’s surgical service options and benefiting patients in many ways.

We are now seeing vascular patients on Tuesdays at our Burnsville office