Minnesota Valley Surgery Center

Review update after 1-year from total knee replacement (TKR): My TKR scar is nearly gone. I am so pleased I have No knee pain. I am very grateful I went ahead with the surgery! Review 1-week after TKR surgery: I can strongly recommend the Minnesota Valley Surgery Center (MVSC) for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. I had my TKR surgery performed by Dr. Eric Busse. My pre-surgery nurse, Janelle, and post-surgery nurse, Keely, each did an excellent job answering my questions, responding to my needs, and caring for me. MVSC provided an optional “RecoveryCOACH” (RC) app, for my iPhone, to help me navigate the pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery phases of my TKR. The RC app provided an excellent and prompt means to connect with my MVSC Care Coordinator, Susan. If I should need another TKR, I will definitely plan to have Dr. Eric Busse do the surgery at the Burnsville, Minnesota Valley Surgery Center.

I checked the website for information about the waiting room. None found. Called and they do have one. No water or coffee. Arrived and found the waiting area to be like a freezer! So cold in there that I had to go to a nearby store to get a jacket! I am not a cold person, but WHY!!! Here's some advice, if someone calls to ask, then tell them to bring their winter coat! By the way, this was August!!

This was my first surgery and the first time I’d ever been put under. I know it’s routine for them, but it sure as hell wasn’t for me. I was nervous. To be clear, this is NOT a review of my surgeon or TCO—just the surgery center. My dad asked to be notified along with my companion. I had confirmed with Kami that this wouldn’t be an issue, but when I arrived, the nurse told me that’s not something they do. Off to a great start. Then, I was told my IV had to go in my foot—despite already discussing that I have a disease affecting my hands and feet. No one bothered to check my chart. Paperwork was rushed. The nurse scrolled through, asking me to sign without pausing. When I asked what I was signing, she brushed it off as “just standard stuff.” I said I wanted to read it. Then their system crashed, and I half-joked that maybe this was a sign I shouldn’t do this. Suddenly, her supervisor came in asking if I was canceling. I said no, I just wanted to read before signing. Her response? “Well, only the first one really matters.” Which, ironically, was the one I was just told to sign without reading. By then, I was already uncomfortable, but I just wanted to get it over with. More delays, more signing. Then the supervisor came back, pushing anxiety meds on me. I told her I wasn’t anxious until they made this whole process feel off. I said no. She kept pushing, and I had to repeat myself. Then the nurse put her hand on my shoulder like I was some fragile child. I pulled away and told her not to coddle me. Then another woman walked in mid-sentence, giving orders without introducing herself. When I asked her to repeat herself, she snapped, “The doctor says you have to have the IV in your foot.” No choice, so fine. She numbed it, missed the stick, and had to try again. I told her to forget the lidocaine and just do it. She got it the second time—I never flinched. The anesthesiologist came in, actually professional, explained everything, and answered my questions. Finally, someone who treated me like a person. Then two nurses came in to take me to the OR. I told them it was my first surgery and asked them to be gentle. They were short, curt, and treated me like a child. One said she was giving me something to relax. I asked what it was. She just repeated, “It’s something to relax you.” I had to ask again before she finally said, “It’s Versed.” I asked if this was what the anesthesiologist mentioned—she said no and immediately injected it anyway. I get that they do this every day, but I don’t. Surgery isn’t routine for me. I was being put in an incredibly vulnerable position, and instead of feeling reassured, I felt like I was just another name on their list to push through. Would I recommend this surgery center? No—except for the receptionist and anesthesiologist, who were the only ones who actually treated me like a human being. That’s the only reason this isn’t a one-star review. They’ve done this so many times they’ve forgotten what it’s like for the patient. This is my body. You’re cutting me open, injecting things into me, putting me under. The least you could do is answer my questions and treat me with basic respect. And if this is how they acted when I was awake, I can only imagine how I was treated once I was unconscious.

I had surgery on both feet. Dr Fjelstad had operated on me 29 years ago and did an excellent job, so I had complete trust in him. Once again he did a superb job. The staff are professional, competent, warm and caring. It is a streamlined operation. The calm atmosphere and friendly chatter among staff reflect a very positive work environment and put me at ease. Though they take their work seriously, they all had a good sense of humor. I highly recommend Minnesota Valley Surgery Center.

Exceptional experience, my daughter had knee surgery last week and we were super impressed with the staff and her surgeon. Covid sucks, but the staff did not ram it down our throats and they took awesome care of our daughter. Annie, Annie and Carol were outstanding and I feel bad I could not remember all their names, but they were all great. Carol was super comforting to our daughter as she was wheeled into surgery. My daughter loved the cookies too in her recovery. We would Highly recommend this surgery center and Dr Johnson from Twin cities orthopedic were A+!!!!! Only negative was having to watch terrible CNN in lobby, what a terrible “so-called” News source!!!