What to Expect on Day of Outpatient Surgery
Knowing the sequence of a surgery day makes it easier to plan around. This guide covers what to expect on the day of outpatient surgery in Downey, from arrival to the ride home.
Outpatient surgery, also called ambulatory, same-day or day surgery, means you go home the same day instead of staying overnight in a hospital. Downey Outpatient Surgery Center (DOSC) is an ambulatory surgery center at 8207 E 3rd St in Downey, California. This article covers logistics only: how the day generally runs, what to have ready, and how to plan your ride home. It does not replace the written instructions from your surgeon's office, which always come first. For more about the building and its rooms, see the facility page at /facility.html.
Before the day: confirm the details. Your surgeon's office tells you what time to arrive, and that time can be early in the morning. Write down the arrival time, the address, and the main line, (562) 735-0589. The contact page asks patients who need specific accommodations to notify scheduling ahead of time, and scheduling can also be reached at scheduling@downeyoutpatient.com. If you have coverage questions, the insurance page asks you to contact the billing team to confirm current insurance and Medicare participation before scheduling, so it is better to settle that well before the morning of surgery.
Getting there and parking. From the 105 Freeway, exit at Paramount Blvd, head north, and turn east on 3rd St; the center is on the north side of the street. From the 605 Freeway, exit at Firestone Blvd, head west, turn south on Paramount Blvd, then east on 3rd St. On-site parking is available. Surgical centers generally ask you to arrive a little ahead of your scheduled time so check-in and paperwork are finished before the procedure, so build in a cushion for traffic.
Check-in and registration. At most outpatient surgical centers, check-in means confirming who you are, reviewing your medical history, and completing any remaining paperwork. It helps to keep a few things handy: a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of the prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines you take, and the name and phone number of the person driving you home. Requirements differ between facilities, so call the main line and ask what to bring to DOSC rather than guessing.
Pre-op and the waiting period. Before surgery, patients are commonly asked to change into surgical attire and have vital signs checked, then meet the surgeon and the anesthesia provider. MedlinePlus notes that on the day of surgery you can expect the team to ask about your health, go over your history and medicines, discuss the anesthesia, and answer your questions. If you are feeling sick, tell them, because they may wait until you are better. Detailed questions are easier to cover before the day, when there is more time to talk, so bring a pen and paper and write questions down as they come up. Waiting time varies, so bring something to read and keep your support person nearby.
During and just after the procedure. Procedures can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the case. Afterward, patients are monitored for a period while they wake from anesthesia or sedation. The DOSC website lists a dedicated Phase I and Phase II post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), the area associated with that monitoring and early recovery. How long you stay depends on your procedure and your surgeon's plan, so ask the surgeon's office for an expected timeline in advance.
Discharge. Before you leave, an outpatient surgical center typically reviews prescriptions, home care, and follow-up appointments with you and your support person. That is one reason to bring someone: a second person can listen, take notes, and remember details while you are still waking up. Ask for the instructions in writing, and ask who to call with questions once you are home.
Who to bring and the ride home. Depending on the type of surgery, you may need a friend or family member to drive you home. Ask your surgeon's office well in advance whether your procedure requires this, and whether that person should stay at the center or can be reached by phone. Line up a backup in case plans change, and share the person's phone number at check-in. If you plan to use a ride service or public transit instead, confirm with the surgeon's office first that this is acceptable.
After you leave. The contact page states that for post-op concerns, patients are instructed to contact their surgeon's office, and to call 911 for emergencies. Save your surgeon's number in your phone before the day so it is easy to find later. Questions about billing can go to billing@downeyoutpatient.com or the main line.
A quick checklist for the day:
- Arrival time confirmed with your surgeon's office
- Address: 8207 E 3rd St, Downey, CA 90241
- Photo ID and insurance card
- List of current medicines
- A driver or support person, plus a backup
- Questions written down for the surgeon and anesthesia provider
- Surgeon's office number saved in your phone
This article is informational and is not medical advice. Treatment options and specifics should always be made in consultation with a qualified physician.