Frequently Asked Questions

1) How soon can I get in?
First you must have an examination at our hospital or we must have received and reviewed your completed medical questionnaire. Your admission date depends upon your medical criteria (health status, weight and or status of your hernia) and availability of space. Admission dates may be scheduled anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks in advance.

2) How soon can you send the information?
You have three options. a)We can put it in today's mail and you can expect to receive it in 7 to 10 days. b) If you have a fax machine, we can fax it to you. c) Print off the medical questionnaire on the web site. Complete the document and either fax or mail it to us.

3) Do you have accommodation for my spouse?
We can provide you with an accommodation brochure, which lists a number of local hotels and bed and breakfasts.

4) How much does the surgery cost?
The accounting staff will provide an estimate of charges, once you have either been examined at the hospital, or we have received your completed medical questionnaire. Residents of Ontario who have a valid health card are covered by the provincial health care system for the cost of surgery.

5) Do you take XYZ insurance?
We deal with many insurance companies. While many companies will pay us directly, some will only reimburse the patient. In that case, the hospital would complete all paper work and have it ready for you on discharge from the hospital. You could pay for your medical services by cash, personal cheque or credit card.

6) How do I get there?
It really depends on your method of transportation. If you are flying into Pearson International airport in Toronto for example, you can take a taxi or limo for the half hour ride to the hospital. The cost from the airport ranges from about $30.00 to $50.00. If you are driving, we can provide you with directions, based on your location. Shouldice Hospital is located at 7750 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill, Ontario 8 kilometres (5miles) north of highway 401.

7) Can I drive home?
Yes. Many of our patients do drive home. If you are driving any distance, you may wish to pull over and stretch every so often.

8) Can I bring our motorhome?
Yes, however we do not have hook-ups.

9) How soon can I return to work?
An average return to work is about 8 to 10 days.

10) When can I resume normal activity?
Many of our patients are back to normal activities within a week to ten days. In fact, we have a putting green, shuffle board and pool tables for you to use while you are our guest.

11) Do I need a referral?
No, just drop in for an examination, or if you live more than an hours drive from the hospital (50 miles / 80 km) complete the medical questionnaire and fax, mail or email it to us to assess.

12) My doctor says he does the "Shouldice Method" or the "Canadian Method".
Many doctors claim to do our technique, but we have no way of knowing what they do; we have doctors from around the world come to observe surgery in our operating rooms for two to three days, but they have not actually been trained.

13) How long does the surgery take?
Most primary hernia repairs take an average of 45 minutes.

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