

Your Ambulatory Surgery
What is ambulatory surgery?
Ambulatory surgery is also called outpatient surgery. It is designed as a service in which a patient arrives at the hospital or surgical center, has surgery, recovers, and usually goes home all in one day, without an overnight stay.
Anesthesiology
The anesthesiologists at the HSS West Side ASC will play a vital role in your upcoming surgery, administering anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety during your surgical procedure and entire stay. Your anesthesiologist will discuss with you your medical history and the anesthetic plan for your operation and recovery. After your surgery, your anesthesiologist will care for you in the recovery room and, in addition, your surgeon may consult an anesthesiologist from our acute pain team to treat your post-surgical pain.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding anesthesiology. If you still have questions, your anesthesiologist will be happy to answer them before your surgery begins.
Most of the surgical procedures at the HSS West Side ASC are performed using regional anesthesia (spinal, epidural or nerve block are all types of regional anesthesia). Regional anesthesia numbs the nerves around the part of the body being operated on, producing partial or total temporary loss of sensation in that area. Most patients undergoing regional anesthesia also chose to receive intravenous sedation, which allows them to sleep during the operation. In some cases you may be able to stay awake during your procedure. Patients who undergo regional anesthesia generally have better pain control and are less likely to report feelings of nausea or vomiting following surgery.
While regional anesthesia is the most common anesthetic technique at the HSS West Side ASC, general anesthesia is preferable in some cases. General anesthesia numbs the entire body and makes patients unaware of everything occurring in the operating room. Patients undergoing general anesthesia return to consciousness after the surgery is complete.
You and your anesthesiologist will discuss what type of anesthesia is best for you before your procedure, with the goal of keeping you safe and comfortable.
HSS West Side ASC anesthesiologists regularly employ techniques (such as regional anesthesia) to reduce the risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting, and routinely give anti-nausea medications as part of your anesthetic care.
If you have a history of nausea and vomiting following surgery, please inform your anesthesiologist before surgery. He or she will make necessary adjustments to the anesthetic plan to ensure the best approach to prevent or minimize these side effects.
Orthopedic surgery is often associated with post-operative pain, and pain control is one of our top priorities. At the HSS West Side ASC we have a variety of proven methods to keep you comfortable and safe. If you are scheduled for an outpatient procedure, your anesthesiologist will make sure that your pain is manageable before you are discharged.