Dr. Ian Kenneth Woolfson – General Surgeon | Oshawa, ON

Dr. Ian Kenneth Woolfson is a skilled General Surgeon, specializing in a comprehensive range of surgical treatments. Practicing at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Oshawa, ON, he performs surgeries at the affiliated Lakeridge Health Hospital. His clinic is situated in the Central Oshawa, O'Neill neighborhood, providing accessible and patient-centered care. The facility is conveniently located near Downtown Oshawa and is accessible via Durham Region Transit (DRT). Both the clinic and hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed to prioritize patient comfort and privacy. This setting offers a professional environment for consultations, surgical planning, and follow-up care, ensuring a seamless experience for all patients and their families.

Dr. Woolfson has earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto and has been practicing as a General Surgeon since 1987, accumulating over 37 years of dedicated experience. He is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), holding license number 52037. His extensive training and certification attest to his commitment to maintaining high standards of surgical excellence and patient safety.

His professional philosophy centers on delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based surgical care with a patient-centered approach. Dr. Woolfson emphasizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and the use of minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate to promote quicker recovery. He collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive management tailored to each patient's needs. Dedicated to ongoing professional development, he strives to uphold the highest standards of surgical excellence for the residents of Oshawa, offering surgical consultations and care in English with compassion and expertise.

Dr. Ian Woolfson provides surgical treatment for a diverse range of conditions, including:

Abdominal and Digestive System Conditions

Dr. Woolfson addresses common and complex diseases of the digestive system that may necessitate surgical procedures performed by a general surgeon.

• Hernias (Inguinal, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional, Hiatal): Common types include inguinal (groin), umbilical (belly button), and incisional (at the site of a previous surgery).
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Surgical Aspects (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis): Procedures may include bowel resection, strictureplasty, or colectomy with ostomy or pouch creation.

Cancers and Tumors (Surgical Oncology)

Dr. Woolfson addresses collaborative cancer care where general surgeons work with oncologists to manage solid tumors.

• Skin Cancers (e.g., Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma): Reconstructive techniques may be used for larger excisions.
• Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Often managed in collaboration with sarcoma specialists and oncologists.

This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your specific condition, a consultation with Dr. Ian Woolfson is necessary.

• Breast Surgery (e.g., Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Biopsy): Includes breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), removal of the entire breast (mastectomy), and diagnostic biopsies.
• Sigmoidoscopy: A less extensive examination compared to a full colonoscopy.
• Upper GI Endoscopy (Gastroscopy / EGD): Used to investigate symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, or bleeding; can include biopsies or minor interventions.
• Hernia Repair (e.g., Inguinal, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional - Open or Laparoscopic): Surgical correction of hernias, where an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall or groin.
• Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal - Open or Laparoscopic): Procedure to alleviate symptoms related to gallbladder disease.
• Pre-operative Assessment and Planning: Discussing the surgical plan, expected outcomes, and answering patient questions before surgery.

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. Woolfson.

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. Woolfson's primary practice is located at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Oshawa, ON. Surgical procedures are typically performed at Lakeridge Health Hospital, which is easily accessible from the clinic. The clinic is situated in the Central Oshawa, O'Neill neighborhood, close to Downtown Oshawa, and is well served by Durham Region Transit (DRT). Patients and visitors can find parking in hospital-affiliated lots or nearby public parking facilities. The clinic and hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy. The environment fosters professional and compassionate care, providing a welcoming space for consultations, surgical planning, and follow-up visits.

What does a General Surgeon like Dr. Woolfson do?

Dr. Woolfson, a General Surgeon, is a specialist surgeon who manages a wide variety of common and complex surgical problems. General surgeons are often the primary surgical contact for conditions involving the digestive tract, abdominal organs, hernias, breast diseases, and skin/soft tissue lesions. They are trained in numerous surgical techniques, including minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery, and play a critical role in both planned (elective) operations and emergency surgical situations.

What types of surgical procedures does Dr. Woolfson perform?

As a General Surgeon, Dr. Woolfson is skilled in a variety of surgical procedures. Common operations include appendectomies (appendix removal), cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal), hernia repairs, bowel resections (for conditions like cancer or diverticulitis), thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and surgeries for breast conditions. Many of these can be performed using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques, which often lead to quicker recovery. The specific procedures offered depend on Dr. Woolfson's areas of focus within general surgery.

What is the typical recovery time after a general surgical procedure performed by Dr. Woolfson?

Recovery time after surgery performed by Dr. Woolfson 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. Woolfson will provide you with specific post-operative instructions and an estimated recovery timeline for your particular surgery.

Do General Surgeons like Dr. Woolfson ever specialize further?

Indeed. After completing general surgery residency, surgeons can opt for further fellowship training to subspecialize. Dr. Woolfson, 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. Woolfson perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery?

It's common for General Surgeons such as Dr. Woolfson to offer minimally invasive surgical options, including laparoscopic procedures. This approach can lead to benefits like reduced pain and quicker recovery times for many common surgeries. The suitability of laparoscopic surgery depends on the specific medical condition and individual patient factors, which Dr. Woolfson would evaluate and discuss with you during your consultation.

Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario
1300 Keith Ross Drive
Oshawa, ON L1J 0C7

Clinic Phone: (905) 721-4332 | Clinic Fax: (905) 721-6665

The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy.

Dr. Woolfson 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. Woolfson for services covered by the provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)).

Verify Dr. Woolfson's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Woolfson-Ian-Kenneth/0038061-52037