General Surgery

At the General Surgery Clinic, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, our team of board-certified surgeons is committed to providing exceptional surgical care to active duty service members, their families, and retired veterans across the Fort Hood community.
We offer a range of surgical services — from routine procedures to minimally invasive procedures and bariatric surgery — using the latest technology, including the da Vinci robotic surgical system.

Your health and your mission readiness matter to us. Whether you are coming in for a consultation, a minor in-clinic procedure, or a surgical operation, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Services We Offer

Abdominal & Digestive Surgery

• Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) for gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Appendix removal (appendectomy) for appendicitis
• Colon and rectal surgery, including surgery for diverticulitis and colorectal cancer
• Hernia repair — including inguinal, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias
• Stomach and small intestine surgery
• Anti-reflux surgery

Hernia Repair

• Inguinal (groin) hernia — open and laparoscopic repair
• Umbilical (belly button) hernia repair
• Ventral and incisional hernia repair
• Recurrent or complex hernia repair
• Hernia repair with mesh reinforcement when indicated

Breast & Endocrine Surgery

• Breast biopsy and lumpectomy for lumps, cysts, or suspicious lesions
• Mastectomy (partial or total) for breast cancer treatment (no reconstruction)
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection
• Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy) for thyroid nodules, goiter, or thyroid cancer
• Parathyroid surgery for hyperparathyroidism and calcium disorders

Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

• Sleeve gastrectomy — stomach is resized to reduce food intake
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — stomach and intestines are rerouted
• Pre-surgical bariatric evaluation and counseling
• Post-operative follow-up and nutrition guidance

Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Minimally invasive surgery via laparoscopic or robot-assisted approaches
• Smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery compared to open surgery

Trauma & Critical Care

• Emergency surgical management of traumatic injuries
• Damage control surgery for life-threatening trauma

Minor Procedures (Performed In-Clinic)

The following procedures are performed directly in our clinic — no operating room visit required:

• Skin lesion removal (cysts, lipomas, moles, benign growths)
• Wound evaluation and debridement
• Abscess drainage
• Pilonidal cyst evaluation and treatment
• Suture and staple removal
• Negative pressure wound therapy (Wound Vac)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I get a referral to see a General Surgery specialist?
You must first contact your Primary Care Manager (PCM) — the doctor or provider who manages your routine healthcare. Your PCM will evaluate your condition and, if appropriate, submit a referral to the General Surgery Clinic. You will be contacted to schedule your appointment. You do not need to call the clinic directly to start this process — begin with your PCM.
Q2. Will my TRICARE insurance cover this surgery?
For TRICARE-enrolled patients seen at a military treatment facility (MTF) like CRDAMC, most surgical procedures performed on-post are covered with no out-of-pocket cost. Coverage depends on your specific TRICARE plan (e.g., TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE for Life), your beneficiary category (active duty, dependent, or retiree), and whether the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Your PCM and the clinic administrative staff can help you understand your specific coverage before any procedure is scheduled. For complex coverage questions, contact the TRICARE regional contractor directly.
Q3. How do I schedule an appointment?
After your PCM submits a referral, the General Surgery Clinic will reach out to schedule your first appointment. If you have already received a referral and need to schedule or reschedule, call the clinic directly:

• Appointments: (254) 553-3944 or (254) 288-8048
• Clinic Triage (urgent questions): (254) 553-9337
• Clinic Administrator: (254) 553-6289

Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Please have your referral number and military ID available when you call.
Q4. What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring the following to your initial consultation:

• Valid military ID (CAC card or dependent ID)
• A list of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
• Any prior documentation and imaging results (X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI reports) related to your condition
• Relevant lab results ordered by your PCM
• A list of your questions or concerns
• Your referral or authorization number if applicable

Arriving 10 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork is recommended.
Q5. How long is the wait time for surgery?
Wait times vary depending on the type of procedure, clinical urgency, and current clinic scheduling. Emergency or urgent surgical conditions are addressed promptly — contact the clinic triage line at (254) 553-9337 if you believe your condition requires urgent attention. For elective (non-emergency) procedures, your surgeon will discuss an estimated timeline at your consultation. Active duty patients with mission-readiness concerns are encouraged to communicate this to their surgeon, as deployability requirements may affect scheduling priority.
Q6. What is robotic surgery, and is it safe?
Robotic surgery uses a computer-assisted system — the da Vinci Surgical System — that allows the surgeon to perform complex operations through very small incisions using tiny instruments and a high-definition camera. The surgeon controls the robotic arms from a console in the same operating room. Robotic surgery does not mean the robot operates on you independently — the surgeon is in complete control at all times. Benefits often include less pain, less blood loss, smaller scars, and a faster return to normal activity. Not every patient or procedure is suited for robotic surgery; your surgeon will evaluate whether it is the right approach for your specific condition.
Q7. Will I need to be admitted to the hospital, or is this an outpatient procedure?
It depends on the type of surgery. Many procedures — including laparoscopic hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and most minimally invasive surgeries — are performed as outpatient (same-day) surgeries, meaning you go home the same day. More complex procedures, such as colon surgery, bariatric surgery, or operations involving extensive tissue work, may require a hospital stay of one to several days. Your surgeon will explain in detail what to expect at your pre-operative appointment, including whether you will need an overnight stay and how to arrange transportation home.
Q8. How do I prepare for surgery?
Your surgeon and the nursing staff will give you specific instructions based on your procedure. In general:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery (unless told otherwise)
• Inform your surgical team of all medications you are taking — some may need to be stopped or adjusted before surgery
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after outpatient surgery
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products at least 8 weeks weeks before surgery, as smoking significantly increases surgical complications
• Follow any bowel preparation or dietary instructions specific to your procedure
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of surgery

Q9. What happens at my pre-operative (pre-op) appointment?
Your pre-op appointment typically occurs within 30 days of your scheduled surgery. During this visit you can expect:

• A review of your medical history and current medications
• A physical examination focused on the surgical site
• Lab work (blood tests, urinalysis) and possibly an EKG or chest X-ray depending on your age and health history
• Anesthesia evaluation — the anesthesia team will review your health history to plan the safest anesthetic approach
• Detailed written instructions for the day of surgery, including when to stop eating and drinking
• An opportunity to ask any remaining questions about the procedure, recovery, and what to expect
• Consent forms to review and sign

Please bring your list of current medications and any completed pre-op paperwork to this appointment.
Q10. What do I do if I have an urgent surgical concern after hours?
If you are experiencing a medical emergency — such as severe abdominal pain, signs of infection (fever, redness, swelling at a wound site), or heavy bleeding — go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately or call 911. For urgent non-emergency questions during regular clinic hours, call the Clinic Triage Line at (254) 553-9337. After hours, contact the CRDAMC on-call provider through the hospital operator.