How To Prepare For Surgery

Thank you for choosing Surgery Center of South Bay. To schedule or cancel a procedure, please call (310) 803-9401. To request an appointment online, click here. You may also call your physician’s office to schedule your procedure, cancel your procedure, follow up on results and for any urgent after hours concerns. Our fax number is: (310) 326-9137. We are open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Before Surgery

Laboratory Tests

Lab work, X-Rays and EKGs that may be needed for your surgery must be performed far enough in advance of your procedure that your surgeon has time to obtain the results. Your doctor’s office will provide you with instructions.

Confirmation

A member of our staff will call you prior to your surgery date to confirm your appointment, complete a pre-operative questionnaire and answer any questions. If you are unavailable for our phone call, please call the Center at least one day prior to your procedure.

If the Patient is a child, please remember:

One or both parents or guardians must remain at the center while the child is at our facility.
A parent or guardian must sign the release permits for surgery if the child is under 18.
Guardians must bring written proof of guardianship.

Preparing for Surgery

Please talk to your surgeon about any daily medications you are currently taking, especially for heart, diabetes, blood pressure problems or weight control. Be sure to mention any over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, Bufferin, Nuprin, Advil or Motrin as well as any herbal supplements. The anesthesiologists request that you take your blood pressure medication; however, please call your doctor for instructions regarding any other medication.

The Night Before Surgery

For your safety, you must not eat or drink anything after midnight unless your physician instructs otherwise. This includes gum, candy and prescription medications, unless ordered by your surgeon.
Bathe or shower the night before and the morning of surgery to minimize the chance of infection.
Refrain from smoking after midnight.
Contact your surgeon immediately if you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment or if there are any changes in your health status like a cough, fever or cold.

The Day of Surgery

Arrive promptly 1 1/2 hours prior to your scheduled procedure to complete registration forms and have any questions answered by one of our nurses.
Bring your insurance card(s), claim forms, your co-payment, if any, and a picture ID.
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home. The center is not responsible for lost valuables.
Arrange for cash or a check to be held by friends or family waiting for you in case a prescription needs to be filled before you are discharged.
Please leave children not having surgery at home.
Due to limited space, bring only your driver.
Arrange for the care of your children for 24 hours following surgery as you could feel drowsy for that period of time.
Do not wear make-up or contact lenses.
Please bring a list of medications and doses that you are taking.
Please bring any requested forms from your surgeon.
Please make sure that you wear 100% cotton underwear.
Please bring an interpreter for languages other than English.

The Procedure

Anesthesia

Anesthesia services are provided by physicians highly qualified in all aspects of outpatient anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will evaluate you prior to your procedure and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to tell your anesthesiologist about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter or herbal supplements.

Recovery

Immediately following surgery, you will be taken to our fully-equipped recovery room where your vital signs will be closely monitored by our specially trained nurses. The amount of time you spend in recovery will depend on the type of anesthesia you have had. Patients may spend between 30 minutes to 2 hours in recovery. Your surgeon and your anesthesiologist will answer any questions you may have about your recovery time.

After Surgery

For your safety and well being, you will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle home after your surgery if your procedure involves a general anesthetic or other type of sedation. You must have an adult friend or family member drive you home after surgery. We cannot permit you to leave unescorted. Our medical staff will discharge you when they are assured you are in stable condition, however, you may feel slightly sleepy, dizzy or nauseated. These are all possible but normal side effects of anesthesia and can last for 12-24 hours.

At Home After Surgery

We suggest you eat lightly for the first 24 hours following your procedure. Be sure to closely follow any post-operative instructions that your surgeon gives you regarding diet, rest and medication. You will be provided with a written copy of these instructions to take home. A member of our staff will call you the day after surgery to see how you are recuperating.

Because of the potential after-effects of anesthesia, you should wait 24 hours after returning home before performing any of the following:

Driving or operating equipment
Signing important papers
Making significant decisions
Drinking alcoholic beverages
Taking any medication not prescribed or acknowledged by your surgeon