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Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Outpatient Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, CA: Dr. Bhalla, orthopedic spine surgeon in Long Beach

Care services · Long Beach, CA

Outpatient Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, CA

Advances in minimally invasive technique, anesthesia and pain control mean many spine operations no longer need a hospital stay. Outpatient spinal surgery lets you have the procedure in the morning and sleep in your own bed that night.

Outpatient Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, with patients welcome from across South Bay, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119

Overview

What is outpatient spinal surgery?

Outpatient, or same day, spine surgery is performed in an ambulatory surgery center or a hospital day unit. Procedures such as microdiscectomy, laminectomy, cervical disc replacement and some single level fusions are completed in one to three hours, followed by a short recovery before discharge.

Careful preparation makes it work: a health screening before surgery, a multimodal pain plan that limits opioids, and a clear home plan with direct access to our team.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119
Outpatient Spinal Surgery: patient care
Outpatient Spinal Surgery: recovery

Is it right for you

Who is a candidate?

Most healthy adults having a one or two level procedure are candidates. Dr. Bhalla and the anesthesia team review your medical history to confirm a same day plan is right for you.

Conditions treated

  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal stenosis at one or two levels
  • Cervical disc disease
  • Select single level fusions
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Common symptoms

  • Nerve pain into an arm or leg
  • Numbness or weakness
  • Back or neck pain that has not responded to therapy

Near you

Outpatient Spinal Surgery in Long Beach, CA

Dr. Bhalla provides outpatient spinal surgery for people in Long Beach and the surrounding cities. Dr. Bhalla leads the Spine Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.

If you live in Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Orange County or anywhere nearby, a consultation is a short drive away.

Book a consultation

Patients come to us from

  • Long Beach
  • Signal Hill
  • Lakewood
  • Seal Beach
  • Los Alamitos
  • Cypress
  • Bellflower
  • Torrance
  • Huntington Beach
  • Carson

Not on the list? We see patients from across Southern California.

Benefits

What are the benefits?

Recovering at home is more comfortable, and it is also safer in several measurable ways.

  • Home the same day

    Sleep in your own bed with family support from the first night.

  • Lower infection risk

    Less time in a facility means less exposure.

  • Less opioid use

    Multimodal pain plans and smaller incisions reduce the need for narcotics.

  • Lower cost

    Ambulatory centers avoid the expense of an inpatient stay.

Recovery

How long is the recovery?

Recovery follows the procedure performed, with the first phase at home instead of on a ward. Our team calls you the next morning.

  1. 01/Surgery day

    Home by evening

    Walk in recovery, meet discharge goals and go home with a companion.

  2. 02/First week

    Guided at home

    A follow up call, clear medication plan and a direct line to the office.

  3. 03/Two to six weeks

    Return to routine

    Follow up visit, incision check and a graded return to work and activity.

Safety

Is it safe?

Studies of outpatient spine surgery show complication rates equal to or lower than inpatient surgery for appropriately selected patients. Safety comes from selection, preparation and follow up, all of which are built into how Dr. Bhalla schedules same day procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What if I have a problem at home?

You leave with the direct number for our team, and we call you the morning after surgery. If anything is concerning, you are seen promptly.

Will I need someone with me?

Yes. An adult must drive you home and stay with you the first night.

Which procedures cannot be done outpatient?

Multi level fusions, deformity corrections and surgeries for patients with significant medical conditions are done in the hospital.

Where is the surgery performed?

In an accredited ambulatory surgery center or the day surgery unit at the hospital, depending on the procedure and your insurance.

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