The Surgery Center

Very impressed with the professionalism and care of this surgery center. This place is far and above the other surgery centers in the area. Patient is given a small, yet private consultation room to go over items with the nurses and attending doctors, the staff are well trained, friendly, and helpful, and after a procedure the patient may recline fully as opposed to sitting in a chair like at other centers. Definitely recommend this place for any outpatient surgeries or injections.

I had a very good experience at thesis facility this week. The waiting room is comfortable and the front admitting people were nice. My preop and postop RN’s were great. I am an RN who works as a preop and Postop nurse and felt that they anticipated my needs before I asked (a good nurse does this). I would come back here if need be for my surgery, replicating the experience would be great. Dr. Glen G. Was my anesthesiologist and I was very happy with the care he gave me– I got a block in my leg prior to surgery so I wouldn’t have pain the first 12 – 16 hours. That was a little nerve wracking as I’d rather be on the other end of needles! He did a great job though and I was pain free until the next day. Nice place without the hustle, bustle, and stressed out nurses that occur in regular hospitals.

My Mother had carpal tunnel surgery at the Surgery Center in 2009. (Drs. Masem and Gormezano) She was left with a totally paralyzed left arm! To this day she has no use of her arm and suffers from severe nerve pain from shoulder to finger tips. Both Drs. offered no explanation or solution, and after a year of patient initiated return visits, they quit returning calls, offered no explanation, and do not follow up on her as a patient who was left with life altering negative post surgical results. She was an OR nurse with a FT career… ended, can’t drive, do anything that requires 2 hands, move her arm, dress herself or preform daily duties without help. Think of everything you do on a daily basis that requires 2 hands… now cut all those things out of your life, and add severe pain. I would think that deserves some follow up, a concerned I’m sorry, or a how can we make it better from here. Not all surgeries are «successful», but how they are handled after the fact says as much about the Drs. and the facility as the pre-​op care and surgery itself. Ignoring it, doe not make it go away. Do your homework, ask questions, and ask why.

I have had surgery at a hospital and two surgeries at The Surgery Center in Oakland. If you have to have surgery have it at The Surgery Center. Having surgery was very scary for me. The surgery center is a much more comfortable atmosphere and doesn’t give you the feeling you are in an assembly line waiting in a hall for the next available room. When you arrive and check in you are taken into a small bedroom like area with a companion if you like. You meet the doctor, anesthetist and your own nurse. When the time comes to go into the operating room you walk there with your nurse. Upon entering the room you sit on table and they proceed to cover you with a wonderful warming blanket that looks like bubble wrap that makes you feel very comforted. My anesthetist, Dr. Woo, was very compatent, If you have the choice go here.

I received Excellent service from registation to rolled out to my car. Nurses and anethisiolgist were very nice Nice accommodating environment. I was nervous about my knee surgery because I had 2 emergency surgeries at hospitals which were not good experiences. A+ thank you

i have had two hand surgeries here a year and a half apart and both times, what is a potentially frightening experience has turned into a positive one by the staff at this facility. From the comfort of the waiting room, the friendly attitude of the front desk, to every nurse, anesthesiologist, everybody. Kind, personable and professional. I hope I never see you guys again, but if I do, I know it is going to be okay.

Do not use this Center. They cram too many people in. I was rushed through, forced out of the recovery room before I could stand. Had to stay in a small room which was a thoroughfare until I was finally able to stand, even though beds were available in the recovery room. I saw unsteady elderly people walking out without assistance of a nurse. Also, their business practices are totally unethical. My injection was pre-​approved by my insurance. Then I got a bill from Vista Imaging for $ 500, which turns out is not a provider with my insurance. When I called the Surgery Center’s business office, their reply was that I signed a form acknowledging that others would be billing me: I should take it up with Vista Imaging and my insurance company. I asked to speak with the Business Office Manager, who has not yet returned my call. My spouse is a physician and says that this is «crap.» If I had known this, I would not have used the Surgery Center. Totally unethical practice.

I really am sad to give three stars on this. Everyone was wonderful and friendly on both of my surgeries except for one issue I had. When someone has been awake for 30minutes from anestesia the last thing the staff should do is make a smartass remark.
I woke up, took a bit to really get my body going again, and a nurse brought my clothes so I could change. After I changed I moved the curtains and stepped out. That nurse was fine to be shocked or whatever and say «what did I say?» In a semi-​joking manner. Maybe I missed something afterall. Hearing «Yeah i took care of him last time. He doesn’t listen well.» is absurd. I would leave a comment card but there were none. So I’ll use social media instead. I can go to other places for proceedures. I would prefer not to discount the other amazing staff because of one comment but if I had said «fuck off» I’m sure they would think the same of me.

Waiting area is set up for pre-​op patients, not post-​op… no flat places to lie down (knee surgery… keep the leg elevated… hello?). My friend the patient whom I picked up said flatly, «That waiting room sucks.» That day were three of them, none properly supported. Let’s hope somebody reads these reviews and fixes it.

Life should not be punctuated by surgery, but sadly, sometimes it is. And to those whom have endured multiple episodes, my infinite compassion goes out to you.
I’ve only had surgery 1 other time in my life — a tonsillectomy at aged 19. By that age, your anatomy is fully developed and the procedure takes place just millimeters from the carotid artery. So it is considered major surgery. And it landed me in the hospital for 3 days. My last surgery took place in my impoverished hometown of Greenwich CT… during the dark ages of sodium pentathol, nurses with hats, pagers… and leeches.
But my 1^st surgery prepared me for the wee dark hours of anticipation and moreover what to expect when going under the knife for my knee reconstruction last week. With Foo Fighters cranked at max volume at 5:45 AM; and on a morbidly empty stomach, I sat waiting in the hotel-​like lobby of The Surgery Center’ awaiting the procedure. I was strangely calm, even glib; and no drugs were yet coursing through my veins…
The Surgery Center is an Ambulatory (outpatient) surgery facility; and an extension of Alta Bates Medical Center. It’s just down by the intersection of MacArthur and Telegraph; and as another Unilocaler said, it’s VERY easy to miss this non-​descript brick building. Especially at 5:30 in the morning.
I was their first victim of the day ;), and arrived to a quiet, empty lobby very much resembling a Courtyard Marriott, yet without the coffee, cheapo DIY waffles and stale muffins. Intake was quick as they had already collected most of my information beforehand. Then I signed about 5 different forms that mentioned death and advanced directive no less than 20 times.
Then the magic began. I was whisked up by a kindly Nurse Nancy who took all of my vitals, and took me to a private room (like a teeny hotel room) where she went over everything and asked if I had questions. They she gave me my gowns, TED stockings, and tagged me.
Then Doctor Woo, my Anethesiologist swooped in, and perfunctorily reviewed my chart, went over the meds, and the process. Again, I had studied beforehand, so she kindly confirmed the stages and the drugs… clearly perked by this anal retentive patient who seemed to know about all of the stuff without being told. Doctor Woo was about my age, had on striking dark blue metalflake nail polish and cute clogs, so I sheepishly admit going into flirt mode with her… who knows… maybe these are my last minutes on earth, so why not.
Then Nurse Nancy came back and guided me back through a series of doors that rendered the place like the Tardis of Doctor Who… each area seemingly much larger and busier than the building seemed to be.
Back to OR room 6. It was prepped and ready for me. Doctor Woo was already there, in rather cute scrubs; ready to whack me. She dropped a line in me; almost painless; pumped in 4 CC of Fentanyl, and the room started spinning. Ahh, Doc Woo. Thank you.
Just before I slipped under, Doctor Eppley, my Surgeon magically appeared in my field of vision, patted my chest and said «we’ll take good care of you».
Then I woke up to Nurse Winnie standing my me, asking me if I was in pain, and what level. «Behind my knee…» about a 9″ More Fentanyl. This happened a couple of more times, with me bestowing compliments and flattery on all of the nurses the entire time (I’m a very loving happy drunk)… Finally they said «Max we’ve got to kick you out honey». Wheelchair appeared… wheeled out to the car… whisked home, but not without stopping at Chipotle first (its all that seemed open) for a massive Barbacoa Beef Burrito. Ahhh. Nothing like chowing a big juicy beef burrito when totally high on precrip meds.
The Surgery Center did a tremendous job. Doc Woo, Nurse Nancy, Winnie, Laura and all of the staff were like angels.
Thank you. ;)

I wish I could give more stars to this place, because they were prompt and efficient when I was being processed in, and the place is very attractive, clean and so on. But the anesthesiologist had attitude, was snotty and arrogant, didn’t want to answer my informed questions about Propofol, and this was before M. Jackson’s death so it wasn’t that media hype affected me or anything.
In after care the nurse was terrible — I was supposed to be out in two hours, but she left me for three hours virtually unattended, and made jokes about me that I could hear after I woke up, to the effect that they should ignore me because ‘I had started talking before I woke up and wouldn’t remember anything.’ The truth was, I asked a question right after I woke up about my daughter in the waiting room, which she ignored, so that I had to ask the secretary nearby the same question, which she answered. The nurse never knew anyone had helped me, and she herself proceeded to call to me once in awhile to tell me again ‘I would just have to wait.’ The extra time I was there resulted in super swelling that caused the bandage to be too tight, and that caused bleeding, which caused complications. Thanks a lot Surgery Center.

Please note that I just came here for surgery about two weeks ago. I haven’t gotten the bill yet, which explains the five-​star rating!
I recently fractured my right scaphoid in my wrist from boxing. (Yeah, don’t get me started on how much of a stupid idea that was.) My hand and wrist specialist decided that it would be best if I got a screw placed in the bone to make sure it heals properly and is correctly aligned. I soon found myself here at the Surgery Center!
Everyone was so kind. The waiting room looks like my living room. There is wi-​fi, a flat screen TV, lots of couches, and everyone is so friendly, conversational, and kind! The surgery went well by the way and they allowed me to watch satellite TV in each of the waiting/​changing rooms. Amazing!
Although I would not like to come back for obvious reasons, this place is great. Just don’t forget that you can take the BART here quite easily and there’s plenty parking.

Just like Tracy A says…“if you must have surgery… have it here.” Professional, clean, quick. This was my second time here. My doc — Dr. Masem (btw — if you ever have any hand/​arm issues — he is the doc to see) performed surgery quickly and I have to say 2^nd day I was off pain meds and feel like I’m already healing (5 days in). Hand is itching and desperate to get this cast-​like contraption off my hand. Anesthesiologist — Dr. Armbruster — ask for him — painless and actually pleasureable!
Thank you surgery center and Drs Masem and Armbruster. Happy Hols!

If you have to have surgery, or wait for a loved one to get a procedure, this place has a pretty comfortable waiting room and free Wifi. I brought my laptop and my iPhone and was sufficiently occupied doing a little work, answering emails, and listening to music while I waited. When your loved one is ready for you to go back, they call you by name, a nice touch.
The only thing about the 4 stars instead of 5 is that the Wifi did flake out on me at 2 points and I was unable to deploy my perfectly crafted and thoroughly tested Vertical Response email. The network came back but then failed again so I had to ask a colleague to execute the final step for me back at the office while I turned to my iPhone and listened to my iTunes for awhile waiting for my named to be called.

Miserable RN. I was in significant pain after the cervical steroid epidural. First she lied and said the doctor was «gone», so I was just going to have to deal with the pain. She called my husband, (with a very snooty attitude according to him), and told him he better hurry because I was in a lot of pain and that I «forgot my pain meds».
First off, I was never told I had to provide my own pain control. Second, the doctor was NOT gone, he was in another procedure. Thanks to ANOTHER nurse, the one supposedly taking care of me had to get off her lazy butt and do the «extra» work of taking care of her patient.
Very frustrating! A rotten apple really CAN spoil the bunch. Everything else about my experience was perfect, but because this woman made me feel so bad about being in pain, and clearly putting her out by it, I will never recommend The Surgery Center.

Nestled against a blacktop parking lot adjacent to the Telegraph Avenue exit of the MacArthur BART station, you just might miss the Alta Bates Surgery Center if you aren’t paying attention. A low, unassuming brick building, as you enter, the first thing you notice is the distinctly un-​waiting room like sofas, arm chairs, easy chairs, ottomans and padded window seat. It’s furnished a bit like several Pottery Barn in-​store displays packed in together — in a good way! The receptionist was with a patient but greeted me and told me she’d be with me quickly.
The nurses were fantastic — friendly & conversational, professional & efficient. The pre-​op changing room was pretty comfortable — though the lights were a bit bright, and everyone there was just so nice. My post-​op was very short — and I was up and off to my own home, 1 mile away — to recuperate. My anaesthesiologist was also a really nice guy who easily established rapport & provided information in a respectful, collaborative way.

I just had ACL reconstructive surgery here, and it was a very positive experience. From the moment we arrived at 5:59AM, to the time I left 5 ½ hours later, the staff was amazingly efficient, attentive, and pleasant. Granted, I was asleep for 3 of those hours in surgery and recovery, but, my conscious time was incredibly relaxing. The waiting room is comfortable and spacious, the changing room had Direct TV and a room enough for consultation with my nurse and anesthesiologist, and, eventually, my doctor. Everyone was so nice, so accommodating, and they explained everything well. No complications, they followed up with me the next day to make sure I was okay, and, God, forbid, if I have to have some kind of surgery again, I would ask to go back here.

I went to the surgery center with my husband yesterday, who had to have his thumb pinned back together (ick) after a bad break, and the people at the surgery center were AMAZING. The waiting room has big squishy comfortable sofas and chairs, and I was actually able to nap while he was in surgery. No awful plastic chairs here! Christa, the receptionist, was the nicest and most helpful medical receptionist I’ve ever encountered, smiling warmly and answering my questions even though she was clearly busy and the phones were ringing a lot. She made us feel like we were checking in for a cruise, not a surgery. The nurses were incredibly kind, and the intake nurse Joyce made us feel completely at ease. Nobody talked down to us or treated us like they were doing us a huge favor by being there – everyone was respectful, warm, and helpful. If you have to have surgery, this is the place to do it.

I had a very comfortable and good experience here at the Surgery Center. I went in for cortisone shots in my spine and I was surprised at how fast everything went… the waiting area is very comfortable, and very welcome since I got there at 6am in the morning and needed to snooze again… I couldn’t give 5 stars because though I was the first patient to arrive, my nurse and doctor were late… the recovery room staff were very attentive and nice, and I was out within 2 hours of my procedure.
FYI: if you are arriving in the wee morning hours like I did, you may have to do a double take because the place looks like it’s closed or like a house with night light on… lol…

I’ve been lucky enough to spend some quality time at the surgery center on 4 separate occasions over the last couple of years. First, about 2 years ago, I had an infected salivary gland removed, then in October of last year I had a benign tumor removed from my thumb (apparently I am prone to odd growths). Most recently, I’ve had a couple epidural injections for back pain caused by some damaged discs.
While I wouldn’t exactly say I’ve *enjoyed* my time at the Surgery Center (what with the pain and all), but they’ve always been efficent, pleasant, and proffessional. They’ve always been on time, and as Sharon mentions, they have a comfy waiting room with TV as well as pretty comfortable surgery rooms and a decent recovery room.
5 stars for doing their job as well as it can be done.

The Surgery Center for Alta Bates has left me laid up for a week while my wrist gets used to having a pin holding it together, pecking out reviews with one hand. But they made my surgery about as seamless as I could expect. They have a big comfy waiting room with HDTV and good magazines and a quick check-​in process. Then they moved me to my own little living room where J and I curled up and watched –24 Hour Party People– on VH1 until the anesthesiologist was ready to knock me out.
The whole thing necessarily sucked, but when I come to a place like this, I’m reminded to be thankful for my good health insurance — I wish everyone had it.
(And the intake nurse really made my day when she told who told me my fiancé was a «score» :))