Orange County's #1
Bariatric Surgery Center

If you have questions about your procedure, please call your doctor to make sure they are answered to your satisfaction. You will be asked to complete a medical history form, which will be forwarded to South Coast Specialty Surgery Center.

For questions about our center, please ask the nurse from South Coast Specialty Surgery Center who calls before your procedure. Typically, our nurse will call you at least one day prior to your procedure to confirm your scheduled time and finalize your preparations. Our nurse will talk with you about your medical history, anesthesia experiences, and any medications and supplements you may be taking. If you have not heard from us by 2:00 PM the day before your procedure, please call us at (800) 578-8521.

Our insurance specialist also will reach you by phone to talk with you confidentially about your insurance benefits and any financial obligation for which you may be responsible.

Ownership Disclosure, Advance Directives Policy, Grievance Policy and Patient Rights and Responsibilities.

Click here to download and review these notices.

You may also obtain these notices from your doctor’s office. Federal regulations require that you review these notices before the day of your procedure.

Notify your doctor prior to your procedure if you experience any change in your physical condition, such as a cough, cold, or fever.

You must have a family member or friend drive you home after your procedure and remain with you through the night. If this is a problem, please notify your doctor or our nurse when he or she calls.

The night before your surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

If you have been instructed by our nurse to take your morning medications, take them with only a sip of water. Bathe or shower to minimize the risk of infection.

For your comfort, wear loose fitting clothing that is easily removed and foldable, and comfortable, flat shoes. Remove and leave at home all jewelry and body piercings.

Bring your glasses, hearing aids, and dentures with their cases for storage.

Please leave all valuables and money at home.

Arrange to have an adult accompany you to the center and drive you home after the procedure, since you will be unable to drive after the anesthesia.

Bring the following items with you to South Coast Specialty Surgery Center:

Any medications required by our nurse. Your picture ID with proof of address. Your health insurance card. Any co-payment that you are responsible for.

If your procedure requires anesthesia, you will have the opportunity to speak with your anesthesia provider in advance. The anesthesia provider will ask more details about your health history, medications, and personal or family history with anesthesia. Using your doctor’s report, the anesthesia provider will assess your vital signs, any lab results or pre-surgery tests, and the impact your height and weight may have on the anesthesia medications you receive. If there is any possibility you may be pregnant, please state this. You will be able to ask questions and share any concerns. Together you will decide which anesthesia is best for your procedure.

At South Coast Specialty Surgery Center, our anesthesia providers are trained to administer anesthesia on a variety of patients. Our goal is to relieve any apprehensions you may experience, and help you feel as safe and relaxed as possible.

Conscious or moderate sedation Places patient in a relaxed, “twilight” state, as if you are asleep but still able to be aroused.

Regional anesthesia Anesthetizes the part of the body to be treated and is often used in conjunction with conscious sedation or general anesthesia.

General anesthesia Places patient in an unconscious state during the surgery

Monitored anesthesia care Anesthetic medications are administered intravenously, usually in lower doses than with a general anesthetic and without intubating the trachea (windpipe). The recovery period tends to be shorter.

The type of anesthesia you receive will be determined by the procedure, your medical history, and preferences.

You are the most important person in the operating room. Your comfort and safety are our top priority. If you have questions or concerns, please speak with your nurse. When you arrive in the operating room, the lights may seem bright and the temperature cool. If you’d like an additional warm blanket, just ask us.

As part of our operating room routine, the surgery team will conduct a “time out” before beginning your surgery. This is our final confirmation that we are doing the correct procedure on the correct site, and that all the necessary instruments and equipment are ready for your surgery.

From the operating room, you will be moved to our recovery room and monitored by a specially trained post-operative care nurse. Medications for pain relief will be given under the direction of the anesthesiologist. You will remain in recovery until you meet the criteria for discharge.

Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but usually lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour. Some anesthesia can influence your time in recovery; but the primary factor is your medical status.

When you are ready for discharge, you can have your companions rejoin you in our consultation room to review discharge instructions with your doctor.

While we use shorter acting anesthesia medication, there may be some residual effect for the first 24 hours following surgery. That is why it is important for you to rest for the first 24 hours under the observation of a responsible adult who can follow up on the discharge orders and monitor your progress. During that time, do not drive a vehicle, make any important decisions, or drink any alcohol .For the length of time that you take any additional oral, narcotic pain medications, you may continue to feel sedated, even after the anesthesia has worn off. Don’t drink any alcohol as long as you are taking narcotic pain medication.

If you experience any complications or adverse side effects, contact your doctor or call 911. We will call you the next day to check how you are doing. Continue to rest until you are fully recovered, following your doctor’s instructions for return to routines and activities.

We wish you a full and speedy recovery.