- Q: WHEN CAN I SCHEDULE MY SURGERY?
A: Doctor Balourdas has time set aside for surgery every Tuesday so surgery can usually be scheduled within 1 or 2 weeks once we’ve obtained authorization from your workers compensation carrier.
- Q: HOW DO I GO ABOUT SCHEDULING MY SURGERY?
A: I will call you when your surgery has been authorized and we will decide on a date for surgery. We will also schedule an appointment for your pre-operative exam. This exam is usually within a week prior to your surgery date and takes approximately 1 hour.
- Q: IS DR. BALOURDAS THE DOCTOR WHO WILL PERFORM MY SURGERY?
A:Yes.
- Q: WHERE WILL I HAVE MY SURGERY?
A: Coast Surgery Center in Kearny Mesa is our main facility for outpatient surgery. Occasionally another facility is used.
- Q: WILL I GO HOME THE SAME DAY?
A: Yes, unless you are told specifically otherwise. Fortunately most hand and upper extremity surgery can be done “out patient” which means, you get to go home about one hour after your surgery. However, you will need a ride home by a “responsible adult” AND someone to stay home with you for the rest of the day and over night, OR for 24 hours if possible.
- Q: WILL I BE AWAKE DURING MY SURGERY?
A: Probably not. Most of the time we use general anesthesia during hand or arm surgery. Not always though, this depends on many factors. You and your anesthesiologist will make the final determination on the day of surgery. If you have special concerns regarding anesthesia a meeting can usually be arranged ahead of time to discuss these issues.
- Q: HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO BE OFF OF WORK?
A: Usually a person can expect to be off of work until their first or second post-op appointment, which is between 2 & 9 days after surgery, and then be able to return to modified duty. This depends however, on several factors, like what procedure you had done, the type of work that you do and your employer’s ability to provide you with appropriate light duty following your surgery.
- Q: WILL I NEED PHYSICAL/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AFTER SURGERY, AND IF SO WHEN?
A: Often times patients do need to attend Occupational Therapy after surgery to aid in the rehabilitative process. When you will start therapy, how often and for how long you go is different for each patient.
If you have questions that are not answered here please feel free to call me at 619-291-2430, just ask for Christina.
As part of our commitment to assure that you are fully informed, and in accordance with the office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health &Human Services, we are required to inform you that Dr. Balourdas maintains an investment in the Coast Surgery Center Facility.
