Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Surgery involves cutting or otherwise penetrating the body’s tissues to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease. In Grand Rapids, MI, many surgical procedures are performed at leading hospitals and surgical centers, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health, as well as at outpatient clinics throughout Kent County.

Cold West Michigan winters, falls on ice, sports injuries, and chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer all contribute to the need for surgical care in the Grand Rapids area.

Understanding Your Surgical Options

Every type of surgery has potential benefits, risks, and side effects. Before you have any procedure in Grand Rapids:

  • Ask your doctor or surgeon to explain why surgery is recommended
  • Discuss alternatives to surgery, if any
  • Review the possible risks, complications, and expected recovery time

This process is called informed consent. Your Grand Rapids surgeon is required to explain:

  • What the operation involves
  • Why it is being recommended
  • What other options exist (medications, physical therapy, watchful waiting, etc.)
  • The risks, benefits, and likely outcomes

If you are unsure or uncomfortable, you can request a second opinion from another local specialist at a different health system (for example, getting another consult at Spectrum Health if you were first seen at Metro Health, or vice versa).

Types of Surgery by Purpose

Surgeries can be grouped according to their main goal. In Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics, you may hear your care team describe your procedure using one of these categories.

Diagnostic Surgery

Diagnostic surgery helps determine whether you have a particular illness, disease, or condition.

Examples:

  • Breast lump biopsy (often performed at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health breast centers)
  • Lymph node biopsy to check for cancer
  • Exploratory laparoscopy if imaging tests are unclear

Diagnostic surgery is often recommended when you have symptoms or test results that suggest something may be wrong but are not yet conclusive.

Preventive (Prophylactic) Surgery

Preventive or prophylactic surgery removes tissue to reduce or eliminate the risk of disease developing in the future.

Examples:

  • Removal of colon (bowel) polyps that might become cancerous if left untreated
  • Preventive mastectomy in patients with very high genetic risk for breast cancer

With Michigan’s higher-than-average rates of certain cancers, preventive surgery may be part of a long-term strategy to protect your health.

Ablative Surgery

Ablative surgery destroys or removes abnormal tissue that is already causing problems.

Examples:

  • Removal or destruction of abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmias
  • Ablation procedures for certain tumors or precancerous lesions

These procedures may be done in an operating room or specialized procedural suite at a Grand Rapids hospital.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery restores function, improves appearance, or both.

Examples:

  • Knee reconstructive surgery after a sports injury or wear-and-tear arthritis
  • Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
  • Cleft palate repair, which improves appearance and also helps with eating, swallowing, and speaking

Reconstructive surgeries are common in Grand Rapids due to sports injuries (especially winter sports and recreational activities), workplace injuries, and cancer treatments.

Transplant Surgery

Transplant surgery replaces a body part or organ that no longer works properly.

Examples:

  • Hip replacement or knee replacement using artificial joints made from metal, plastic, or ceramic
  • Organ transplants (such as kidney or lung), often coordinated with regional transplant centers in Michigan

Joint replacement surgery is especially common in West Michigan’s aging population and in people whose joints are stressed by winter slips and falls.

Palliative Surgery

Palliative surgery aims to reduce pain, control symptoms, and improve quality of life when a cure is not possible.

Examples:

  • Nerve resection to reduce severe, constant pain
  • Surgery to relieve pressure from a tumor that is causing discomfort or blocking an organ

Palliative procedures are often part of a broader care plan that may include hospice or palliative care services available in the Grand Rapids area.

Emergency vs. Planned (Elective) Surgery

In Grand Rapids, as in the rest of Michigan, surgery is often classified as emergency or planned.

Emergency Surgery

Emergency surgery is done right away to treat life-threatening or urgent conditions.

Examples:

  • Surgery after a serious car crash on I-196 or US-131
  • Emergency appendectomy
  • Surgery for internal bleeding or a ruptured organ

These procedures are typically performed at major hospital emergency departments such as:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Planned (Elective) Surgery

Planned or elective surgery is scheduled in advance. It is medically necessary but does not need to be done immediately.

Examples:

  • Joint replacement (hip, knee)
  • Hernia repair
  • Some cancer surgeries

In Grand Rapids, your surgeon will help you:

  • Schedule the procedure at a hospital or outpatient surgical center
  • Plan for time off work and recovery (especially important during icy winters when mobility may be limited)
  • Coordinate pre-operative testing and post-operative follow-up

How Serious Is the Surgery? Major vs. Minor Procedures

All surgery carries some risk. The level of risk depends on:

  • The part of the body involved
  • The seriousness of the condition
  • How extensive and complex the surgery is
  • Your overall health, age, and other medical conditions
  • How long recovery is expected to take

Major Surgery

Major surgery usually involves important organs in the head, chest, or abdomen and often requires a hospital stay in a Grand Rapids facility.

Examples:

  • Organ transplant
  • Removal of a brain tumor
  • Removal of a damaged kidney
  • Open-heart surgery (such as coronary artery bypass)

Characteristics of major surgery:

  • Higher risk of complications
  • Requires anesthesia
  • Longer recovery time
  • Often needs intensive monitoring after surgery

Minor Surgery

Minor surgery typically has a lower risk of complications and a faster recovery. Many minor procedures are done in outpatient clinics or ambulatory surgery centers in the Grand Rapids area.

Examples:

  • Sewing up a cut or laceration
  • Small skin lesion removal
  • Biopsy of a breast lump or skin lesion

Most patients go home the same day and recover quickly, though you should still follow all instructions from your care team.

Surgical Techniques: How the Surgery Is Performed

Surgeries can also be categorized by the technique or approach your surgeon uses.

Open Surgery

Open surgery is the traditional approach. The surgeon makes one larger incision to directly view and access the internal organs.

Examples:

  • Open-heart surgery
  • Open abdominal surgery (laparotomy) for certain cancers or emergencies

Open surgery may be necessary for complex cases or emergencies treated in Grand Rapids hospitals.

Keyhole (Laparoscopic) Surgery

Keyhole or laparoscopic surgery uses several small incisions instead of one large one. Through these small cuts, the surgeon inserts:

  • A laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light)
  • Long, slender surgical instruments

The camera sends images to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see inside your body and operate with precision.

Benefits often include:

  • Smaller scars
  • Less pain after surgery
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Faster return to daily activities

Many procedures in Grand Rapids, including gallbladder removal, some hernia repairs, and some gynecologic and urologic surgeries, are now done laparoscopically when appropriate.

Local Considerations for Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI

Living in West Michigan can affect your surgical planning and recovery:

  • Winter weather: Ice and snow increase fall risk. If you’re having joint, back, or heart surgery, plan for safe transportation and home access (cleared walkways, help with errands).
  • Respiratory health: Cold, dry air can worsen asthma and COPD. Discuss any breathing issues with your surgeon and anesthesiologist before surgery.
  • Chronic disease rates: Like much of Michigan, Grand Rapids sees significant rates of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, which can affect surgical risk and healing.

Your surgical team will review your full medical history and help you prepare for a safe procedure and recovery.

Key Safety Points About Surgery

  • Every surgery has benefits, risks, and possible side effects
  • Your surgeon must clearly explain the procedure, alternatives, and risks
  • Palliative surgery is sometimes used to reduce pain and improve quality of life when cure is not possible
  • All surgery, whether major or minor, carries some level of risk

Never hesitate to ask questions or request more information from your Grand Rapids healthcare team.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you are considering surgery or have questions about a recommended procedure, you can start with:

  • Your primary care doctor (GP) – often your first point of contact
  • Your surgeon – to discuss details of the specific operation
  • Local hospitals and surgical centers, including:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities

Public Health and Community Resources

  • Kent County Health Department – Information on local health programs, vaccinations, and chronic disease support
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – Education and community health programs that may support pre- and post-surgical wellness

In an Emergency

  • Go to your nearest hospital emergency department
  • Call 911 immediately for life-threatening conditions (severe chest pain, major injury, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, etc.)

Always follow the advice of your Grand Rapids healthcare providers, and make sure you fully understand your options before agreeing to any surgical procedure.