Frequently asked questions.

Recovery periods vary from person to person and from procedure to procedure due to the length of each surgery. As a rule of thumb, longer procedures require longer recovery periods, and shorter procedures require shorter ones. For a half-hour procedure, you might have a half-hour recovery period; for a one-hour procedure, a one-hour recovery period. The average recovery is between half an hour and an hour and a half.

Family members may join patients up until the time of their procedure. At that time, we ask that family members remain in the waiting room until the procedure is complete. When you return to the recovery room and awaken, your family may once again join you.

Parents will be asked to remain at the center for the entire time of any pediatric procedures so they can be present as the child awakens. Your child's comfort is an important part of recovery.

Many people behind the scenes perform at an exemplary level to make your time at our center special. Instrument technicians process equipment, OR technicians pull, prepare, and assist in your case, and office staff collect information. Prior to your procedure, your insurance benefits are verified by office staff; your chart is reviewed by nurses and anesthesia; and your case is prepared by OR technicians. The entire team at West Bay Surgery Center works toward the same goal: to exceed your expectations.

Questions related to surgery itself or preparation should be directed to West Bay Surgery Center at (727) 585-9500. Questions about your specific case, or problems afterward, should be directed to the surgeon's office. In the case of an emergency, call the physician's office for the on-call physician or report directly to the emergency room. You are always welcome to call our center for direction in a non-emergent situation.

There are two reasons. First, sometimes physicians get ahead of schedule, and it's important that the next patient be available and ready. Second, patients go through an assessment phase by nurses and anesthesiologists in preparation for their procedure. This takes time, and so that no patient feels rushed, it's important everyone involved has time to make their contribution to your care.

The policy of this center — as with many healthcare facilities — is that patients pay their portion of co-insurance and any remaining deductible at the time of their procedure. This helps keep collection costs down, and thus the cost of doing business at a minimum. Ambulatory surgery centers are paid, on average, 46% less than hospitals for procedures, so efficiency of care — including collections — is extremely important.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers, including West Bay Surgery Center, are known for their efficiency of care, quality outcomes, and low cost of care in comparison to a hospital. Ambulatory surgery is our specialty, and we have established a reputation for excellence in what we do. We aim to exceed your expectations — we have succeeded with over 90% of patients before you, and we have confidence we will do that for you.

Sometimes patients owe more after the procedure because the physician performed more than was anticipated at registration, or because implants and supplies that were unknown at the time of registration were used during surgery.