Hospital Care & Surgery
Mission
To provide patients with the highest quality health care, maximize the medical deployability of the force, ensure the readiness of Tripler personnel, and sustain exceptional educations and training programs.
Vision
To be the premier healthcare system of choice, harmonizing readiness and healthcare across the INDOPACOM region.
About Us
The Department of Surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center consists of specialty clinics/services and the anesthesia/operative services. Most of our clinics are accessed by referral only from either a Primary Care Provider (PCM), or by a provider from another specialty clinic.
General Surgery list of services provided
Active duty service members, Retirees, and their Families are all welcome for care by our service.
- Bariatric Surgery: Comprehensive surgical weight-loss program
- Endocrine Surgery
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Neurological-Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Oncology Surgery
- Breast Surgery
- Surgical-Sub-Specialties
- Trauma Surgery
- Urology-Surgery
- Treatment of Acute Intraabdominal Processes: Relating to the gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, small and large intestine
- Foregut surgery: Surgical treatment of reflux disease
- Hernia and Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Wound Care: Treatment of complex and chronic wounds
- Minor Surgical Procedures: Treatment of skin biopsies, boils, abscesses, and warts are examples of just a few minor surgical procedures available
- Laparoscopic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive surgical techniques
How to make an appointment
All appointments are referral based. Please contact your Primary Care for an appointment to discuss the possibility for surgery and referral A Referral is needed for new patients. If not contacted within 3 days, please call (808) 433-5312.
Other pertinent information you would like to include
Millions of patients undergo surgery each year. It is important for patients to be informed about the surgery being recommended, particularly if it is elective surgery (an operation you choose to have performed), rather than an emergency surgery (also called an urgent surgery). All surgeries have risks and benefits which you should familiarize yourself with before deciding whether the procedure is appropriate for you.
Ask your physician to explain the answers clearly and ask for further clarification if you are having trouble understanding an explanation and/or any medical terms. Some patients find it helpful to write their questions down ahead of time and write notes during their appointment to help them review the information discussed before making a final decision. It is important to remember a well-informed patient tends to be more satisfied with the outcome or results of a procedure.
FAQ's:
Q: Am I going to have surgery the day of my initial visit?
A: No, all new patients require an initial evaluation and workup to determine if surgery is indicated. In some cases, medication or non-surgical treatments, such as lifestyle changes, may be as helpful in improving a condition as surgery. Your physician should clearly explain the benefits and risks of these options so you can make an informed decision about whether or not surgery is necessary. Sometimes “watchful waiting” is indicated, in which the physician will monitor your condition over a period of time to observe changes and the progression of the disease. You may still need surgery, or if your condition improves or stabilizes, you may be able to postpone surgery. After a period of “watchful waiting,” it may be determined that surgery is still the best option.
Q: If I have surgery, how long will I have to take off work?
A: Every surgery is different, ask your physician what to expect in the first few days following surgery, as well as in the weeks and months to follow. In general, patients receive 2 weeks of convalescent leave and will be seen in clinic for follow up during that time. Most patients also have weightlifting restrictions of no more than 10-15 pounds for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Knowing ahead of time what to expect and what limitations will be placed on you will help you cope and recover more quickly following surgery.
Q: What should I be concerned about after surgery?
A: If you have fevers greater than 101 degrees F, chills, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe pain not responding to pain medications, inability to urinate, signs of wound infection (increasing redness, warmth, pain, and/or drainage), or other concerning symptoms.
You should call/come to the General Surgery clinic during the weekday business hours. At all other times, go to the Emergency Room. As always, call 911 for emergencies. If you have an urgent question for your surgeon, call the Patient line at (808) 433-9798 and asked them to connect you to the General Surgeon. For non-urgent questions/concerns, please call (808) 433-5312 and leave a message for your doctor. It may take up to 72 hours to return your phone call, however the majority of calls are returned within 24hrs.
Q: Can I have my surgery scheduled earlier?
A: We do our best to accommodate everyone based on the acuity of your disease process and our operating room and staff availability.
Q: Is my surgery covered by my insurance?
A: Because health plans vary in their coverage of different procedures, there may be costs you will be responsible for. Please contact (808) 433-3422 and ask for Teri Cloud for more information.
Q: Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
A: If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 40. If your BMI is greater than 35 with significant co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. If you meet these criteria or think you might be a candidate, please contact your Primary Care for an appointment to discuss the possibility for surgery and referral. In accordance with HA Policy 07-006, active duty service members are not eligible for bariatric surgery.
Forms:
Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information:
DD2870
New Patient Form
We accept customer satisfaction feedback through our FOCUS "For Our Customer's Ultimate Satisfaction" Cards (located throughout the hospital) and through our Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) site located on the Internet at
http://ice.disa.mil. If you have any questions, you may contact our
Customer Relations office.