Have questions?

Phone: 714-369-1100

Fax: 714-464-4645

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to visit the Center before the procedure date?

It is not necessary to visit the center prior to your procedure. Please feel free to contact the center if you have any questions.

May I pre-register for my procedure?
Yes. We strongly encourage you to have completed the online preregistration prior to your procedure. We prefer that you simply walk in the day of your procedure and be shown to your room rather than fill out pages of paperwork. For your convenience, we have provided an online registration feature.

What if I cannot make my appointment?
Please notify the physician and the center as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.

What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. If you wear contact lenses, you will probably have to remove them for the surgery, so consider bringing your glasses. If you have to wear your contacts, please bring contact solution and contacts case. Please do not wear any make-up as this can hide certain clinical signs. Please remove all body piercings.

Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
Each patient should be given his or her own instructions by the physician’s office. Please note that if you eat or drink when you were not supposed to, you could markedly increase the risks of aspiration from anesthesia.

For Children
Children have different fasting schedules than adults – so please check in the Children and Special Needs Adults section.

Should I take my usual daily medication?
We generally request that you take your medication before leaving home. Diabetic medications will be individualized. We will usually hold diabetic medicines and manage your sugar at the Center. You should be contacted before your surgery leaving no doubts in your mind as to which medications you should take. Please bring all your medications with you.

People using inhalers must bring them to the Center on the day of their procedure.

Some medications will be stopped for the procedure, particularly diabetes medication and blood thinners. You should bring these medications with you the day of your procedure. Please call us with any questions you may have.

May I continue my herbal medications?
Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the procedure. Many of these remedies may effect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) We generally request that you stop these medications two weeks before your procedure. Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.

Who may accompany me?
You are welcome to bring one person with you to the Center. That person will be allowed to be in your room with you before the procedure and may sit with you after the procedure if you so choose.

When a patient is a child often two parents and/or guardians will accompany him or her to the Center. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, however, one parent and/or guardian will be permitted into the recovery room at a time.

Please refrain from bringing young children to the Center as guests.

Will I receive sedation before going into the procedure room?
We will individualize each patient’s care.

Will I be contacted before my procedure?
You will NOT receive all call from the surgery center however you will be contacted via text and/or email for the following:

  • A reminder to complete an online Medical Passport-Pre-Registration.
  • Pre procedure instructions-5 days prior to your date of service.
  • A second reminder 2 days prior to your procedure to complete an online Medical Passport-Pre-Registration.
  • An appointment confirmation text 1 day prior to your procedure.

Should I bathe and wash my hair before leaving home?
Yes. You can comfortably take a shower, bathe, brush your teeth, etc. Please do not use make up, hair spray, nail polish or toiletries. These may interfere with the anesthesia monitoring and possibly hide clinical signs from the anesthesiologist.

What should I do if I am not feeling well?
If you are not feeling well, please contact your physician immediately. During normal business hours, you can call the Center for advice. There are some procedures which are safer if delayed when you are sick. We need to know specific details to make the decision. Please do not delay in contacting your physician or the Center.

What should I do if I started my menstrual cycle?
This will not affect most surgical procedures.

What should I do if I believe that I am pregnant?
It is very important for us to be aware of this possibility. Only essential procedures are performed on pregnant patients. If there is any doubt please contact us immediately.

May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home.

We would strongly recommend that all patients have a ride home and will be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk, use taxis, Uber, Lyft, or other public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements. You must plan to have someone drive you home.

May I speak to my anesthesiologist or Sedation RN before the procedure?
All patients will be seen by the anesthesiologist or Sedation RN on the day of the procedure prior to entering the procedure room. Sufficient time should be spent to answer any questions you may have. If you need to speak to the anesthesiologist or Sedation RN before the day of the procedure, you are welcome to call the Center and we will arrange for you speak with an anesthesiologist or Sedation RN.

What if I have special needs?
We will make every effort to accommodate any special need you may have. We strongly encourage you to call the Surgery Center at 714-369-1100 in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.

Should I bring my special needs equipment?
Yes. Please bring any walkers, post-op crutches, hearing aids, etc.

What must I bring with me on the day of the procedure?

  • Bring case for eyeglasses or contacts
  • Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, completed billing forms, copayments
  • Bring all medication
  • Make sure you have a ride home and someone to care for you at home
  • Bring a favorite bottle or “sippy cup” for your child
  • Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing
  • Leave all jewelry and valuables at home

How will my pain be managed?
NOTE: The following information may or may not apply to patients having GI procedures:

The management of your pain is of great importance to us. We will be assessing your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our postoperative call at home. We need to inform and prepare you for each step of the process. This education will begin with our first contact. You will be repeatedly asked to rate your pain from a numerical scale called the Visual Analog Pain Scale, or for children, the Faces Pain Scale. Using the results of our communication we will alter the therapy as needed in order to assure your comfort.

The management of your pain will be taken very seriously. We will often use a combination of different modalities to help make you comfortable, choosing from oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, injection of local anesthetic during the surgery, etc. and prior to the surgery, the management of your pain should be discussed with both your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Please feel free to bring up any concerns or fears you may have. Remember that information on pain management gives you the appropriate expectations and hence a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

May I request what type of anesthesia I will receive?
Some procedures can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference will be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.

Will I receive any sedatives before the procedure?
You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan.

What are the risks of anesthesia?
All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of procedure and the medical condition of the patient. Most patients scheduled for a procedure at the surgery center are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare.

May I go into the procedure room with my child?
Studies and experience show that this decision needs to be individualized and discussed between you and your anesthesiologist.

Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
Each patient should be given his or her own instructions by the physician’s office. Please note that if you eat or drink when you were not supposed to, you could markedly increase the risks of aspiration from anesthesia.

May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home.

  • We would strongly recommend that all patients have a ride home and will be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk, use taxis, Uber, Lyft or other public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements. You must plan to have someone drive you home.