About
Dr. Chaya Ganor Shwaartz is a skilled General Surgeon, specializing in a comprehensive range of surgical treatments. Practicing at a surgical clinic in Toronto and performing surgeries at Sinai Health System Hospital in Toronto, ON, she is a respected member of the surgical community. Dr. Shwaartz adheres to the high standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring safe, effective, and evidence-based care for her patients. She has expertise in diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the abdomen, digestive system, breast, skin, and endocrine system, among others. She performs both elective and emergency surgeries, often utilizing minimally invasive techniques to enhance patient recovery. Her practice is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care, guiding patients from initial consultation through to post-operative recovery, with a compassionate and collaborative approach.
Dr. Shwaartz graduated with a Medical Degree from Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University in Israel. She has been practicing as a General Surgeon since 2021, accumulating over three years of dedicated clinical experience. She is recognized as a CPSO Recognized Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, reflecting her commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development in her field.
Her professional philosophy centers on providing safe, effective, and personalized surgical care. Dr. Shwaartz emphasizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and a patient-centered approach. She utilizes minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate to promote faster recovery and reduced discomfort. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, she ensures comprehensive management tailored to each patient's unique needs. Dedicated to surgical excellence for residents of Toronto, Dr. Shwaartz provides consultations and surgical care in English, with a focus on compassion and professionalism.
Dr. Chaya Shwaartz provides surgical treatment for a diverse range of conditions, including:
Abdominal and Digestive System Conditions
Dr. Shwaartz addresses a range of disorders affecting organs within the abdomen, including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, appendix, and colon.
- Bowel Obstruction (Small or Large Intestine): Often requires urgent surgical intervention to relieve the obstruction.
- Diverticulitis / Diverticular Disease: Inflammation or infection in one or more small pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract, usually the colon.
- Appendicitis: A common cause of acute abdominal pain, especially in the right lower quadrant.
Cancers and Tumors (Surgical Oncology)
Dr. Shwaartz addresses collaborative cancer care where general surgeons work with oncologists to manage solid tumors.
- Pancreatic Cancer (when resectable): Surgery is an option for a subset of patients with localized disease.
- Breast Cancer: Surgical treatment options including lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) and mastectomy (removal of the breast).
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Aim is to achieve wide, clear surgical margins to prevent local recurrence.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your specific condition, a consultation with Dr. Chaya Shwaartz is necessary.
- Breast Surgery (e.g., Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Biopsy): Often involves coordination with oncologists and plastic surgeons for comprehensive breast cancer care.
- Pre-operative Assessment and Planning: Optimizing patient health before elective surgical procedures.
- Hernia Repair (e.g., Inguinal, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional - Open or Laparoscopic): Procedures to alleviate pain and prevent complications associated with hernias.
- Colonoscopy: An important procedure for preventing and detecting colon cancer.
- Thyroidectomy / Parathyroidectomy: Endocrine surgical procedures requiring careful dissection and nerve preservation.
- Upper GI Endoscopy (Gastroscopy / EGD): Used to investigate symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, or bleeding; can include biopsies or minor interventions.
Note: This list provides an overview of common surgical areas. Specific procedures and treatment plans are determined on an individual basis after consultation with Dr. Shwaartz.
All surgical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and relevant surgical best practices. A referral from a physician is typically required for consultation.
Dr. Shwaartz practices primarily at a surgical clinic located in Toronto's Bay Street Corridor (Discovery District) neighborhood. Surgical procedures are typically performed at Sinai Health System Hospital, which is conveniently accessible and close to landmarks such as the CN Tower. The clinic and hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed to prioritize patient comfort and privacy. Patients and visitors can usually find parking in hospital-affiliated lots or nearby public parking facilities. The clinic offers a professional, welcoming environment for consultations, pre-operative assessments, and follow-up surgical care, ensuring a seamless experience for all patients seeking expert surgical management in Toronto.
- What types of surgical procedures does Dr. Shwaartz perform?
- Dr. Shwaartz, a General Surgeon, performs a wide range of surgeries. These frequently involve organs in the abdomen, such as the gallbladder, appendix, stomach, and intestines. They also address hernias, conditions of the breast, thyroid gland, and skin/soft tissue masses. Depending on the condition and patient, Dr. Shwaartz may use traditional open surgery or advanced minimally invasive (laparoscopic) methods.
- Do I always need surgery if I have a consultation with Dr. Shwaartz?
- Not necessarily. A consultation with a General Surgeon like Dr. Shwaartz is an opportunity to evaluate your condition, discuss diagnostic findings, and explore all treatment options. In some cases, surgery may be the recommended course of action, but in others, non-surgical management, observation, or further investigation might be more appropriate. Dr. Shwaartz will provide a comprehensive assessment and recommend the best approach for your specific situation, ensuring you are fully informed to make a decision.
- What is the typical recovery time after a general surgical procedure performed by Dr. Shwaartz?
- Recovery time after surgery performed by Dr. Shwaartz varies greatly depending on the type and complexity of the procedure, whether it was open or laparoscopic, your overall health, and individual healing factors. For minor procedures, recovery might be a few days to a couple of weeks. For more major abdominal surgeries, it could be several weeks to a few months. Dr. Shwaartz will provide you with specific post-operative instructions and an estimated recovery timeline for your particular surgery.
- When would I typically need a referral to see a General Surgeon like Dr. Shwaartz?
- A referral to a General Surgeon like Dr. Shwaartz is usually made by your family doctor or another specialist when a condition is suspected or diagnosed that may require surgical evaluation or treatment. This could include persistent abdominal pain, a new lump or mass (e.g., in the breast or skin), symptoms of gallbladder disease, a hernia, signs of appendicitis, or concerns about colorectal conditions. They also manage conditions initially identified through screening, like colon polyps or early-stage breast cancer.
- What does a General Surgeon like Dr. Shwaartz do?
- A General Surgeon, such as Dr. Shwaartz, is a highly trained physician specializing in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broad range of diseases affecting various parts of the body. Their expertise commonly includes conditions of the abdomen (e.g., appendix, gallbladder, intestines, stomach), breast, skin, soft tissues, and endocrine system (e.g., thyroid). They perform both elective and emergency surgeries and are skilled in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative patient care. As a General Surgeon, Dr. Shwaartz provides comprehensive surgical management.
- Do General Surgeons like Dr. Shwaartz ever specialize further?
- Indeed. After completing general surgery residency, surgeons can opt for further fellowship training to subspecialize. Dr. Shwaartz, as a General Surgeon, has a wide scope of practice, but some general surgeons focus more on specific areas like vascular surgery, pediatric surgery (if they have dual certification or focus), or cancer surgery (surgical oncology). General surgeons perform a wide variety of common surgical procedures and can manage many different types of conditions. This allows them to offer highly specialized care within those fields while maintaining their broad general surgical skills.
- Does Dr. Shwaartz perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery?
- Many General Surgeons like Dr. Shwaartz are trained in and regularly perform laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery. This technique involves making several small incisions instead of one large one, using a camera and specialized instruments to perform the operation. Laparoscopic approaches are common for procedures like gallbladder removal, appendectomy, and hernia repair, often resulting in less post-operative pain, smaller scars, and a faster return to normal activities. You should discuss with Dr. Shwaartz whether this approach is suitable for your specific condition.
585 University Ave
Toronto, ON M5G 2N2
Clinic Phone: (416) 340-4800 | Clinic Fax: (416) 340-3216
The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy.
Dr. Shwaartz is a licensed General Surgeon regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Shwaartz for services covered by the provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)).
Verify Dr. Shwaartz's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Ganor-Shwaartz-Chaya/0327632-119632