Outpatient Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What is outpatient surgery?

Outpatient surgery, also called “rapid recovery surgery,” “same day surgery,” or “ambulatory surgery,” is a procedure that allows eligible patients to return home on the same day of their operation, rather than stay overnight.

What are the potential benefits of outpatient surgery?

Outpatient surgery has many potential benefits, including:

• Lower risk of hospital-acquired infection.
• Quicker perception of return to normal activities (the feeling by a patient that they can return to normal activities sooner by going home can boost confidence and contribute to a more positive recovery experience).
• More comfortable recovery at home.
• Greater patient control over pain treatments.
• Lower cost, since it does not include an overnight stay in the hospital.

What types of facilities offer outpatient surgery?

Highly qualified institutions, including hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) with expertise in the latest medical technology, techniques, and pain management – like HSS and its affiliated ASCs – offer outpatient surgery. Patient volume is also extremely important. We are proud to report that HSS performs more hip and knee replacements and more outpatient orthopedic procedures than any other hospital system in the world.

What is an example of an outpatient surgery?

Advancements in surgery have made it possible for us to perform many surgeries on an outpatient basis, including:

• Knee surgery, including partial and total knee replacement surgery.
• Hip surgery, including hip replacement surgery.
• Shoulder surgery, including shoulder replacement surgery.
• Hand surgery.
• Foot and ankle surgery.
• Some forms of spine surgery, including discectomies and laminectomies.

Will I be asleep for outpatient surgery?

This very much depends on which type of orthopedic surgery you are having. At HSS, most patients having outpatient surgery receive intravenous sedation, which allows them to sleep during the operation. It is used with regional anesthesia, which numbs the nerves around the part of the body being operated on, so you feel no pain. For hip and knee replacement patients, for example, the vast majority receive some kind of sedation, and they are frequently not under general anesthesia.

On the other hand, for surgeries of the extremities (hand, foot and ankle), it has become more common for the patient to be fully awake but numbed completely with regional anesthesia. This has been extremely popular and successful.

Some examples of regional anesthesia include spinal, epidural, and nerve blocks. Patients who undergo regional anesthesia generally have faster recoveries and better pain control, and they are less likely to report feelings of nausea or lightheadedness after surgery.

Can I drive myself home after outpatient surgery?

No. You must arrange for a responsible adult over the age of 18 to escort you home after surgery. HSS surgical personnel will escort you to the car and assist you during your departure. Keep the number of people who accompany you down to one or two. We follow national standards that do not permit children under the age of 14 to accompany you on the day of hospital discharge.

Most patients can expect to return to driving within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Should I pack a bag for outpatient surgery?

For outpatient procedures, the expectation is that you will go home the same day as your surgery, so you do not need to pack heavily. Just make sure to bring:

• A legal picture identification (driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, social security card, green card/permanent resident card, military ID). A copy is acceptable.
• Your insurance cards.
• X-rays or laboratory reports (if instructed by the staff).
• Any assistive device you use (e.g., cane, walker, brace).
• Your completed Health Care Proxy form.
• An up-to-date list of your current medications and dosages (do not bring actual medications unless instructed by the staff).
• Nonslip, flat, closed-toe athletic or walking shoes.
• A phone charger.
• A book, magazine, or hobby item to occupy time.
• Eyeglasses and/or dentures.

What should I wear on the day of my ambulatory surgery?

You should come dressed in casual, loose-fitting clothing and athletic footwear. You will receive a gown to wear during your procedure. 

If you are having surgery on your shoulder, elbow, or hand, a very loose button-down shirt is recommended. 

If you are having surgery on your knee, foot, or ankle, loose-fitting sweatpants or shorts are recommended to accommodate the bandage or brace (if needed).

Who will take care of me while I’m in the hospital?

In addition to your surgeons, your care team may include nurses, a radiologist, anesthesiologist, physical therapist, and other specialists. They all work together to ensure you receive the highest quality care.

Is outpatient surgery safe for elderly patients?

Every surgery depends on individual circumstances, but in most cases, outpatient surgery is entirely safe for elderly patients, and in some cases even preferable to traditional procedures.

How soon after surgery do patients go home?

In order to be discharged home, you must meet our established discharge criteria shown below. Most patients go home on the day of surgery. Occasionally, some stay in the hospital overnight for additional monitoring.

After surgery, you will be moved to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), also called the recovery room. Here, the nursing staff will care for you and monitor your progress.

HSS discharge criteria

In order to be discharged, you must be able to:

• Stand up and walk without feeling excessively dizzy or lightheaded.
• Tolerate food and liquids with minimal nausea.
• Have the ability to urinate if you have received a spinal anesthetic.
• Have your post-operative pain controlled.
• Demonstrate the proper use of crutches, walkers, or cane, if prescribed by your surgeon.

Will I need physical therapy?

Your surgeon may recommend physical therapy at home or near your home for your rehabilitation. You may be eligible to receive virtual physical therapy from an HSS physical therapist through our highly acclaimed telehealth program, HSS@Home.

HSS outpatient surgery locations

HSS performs outpatient surgeries at our main campus on the Upper East Side in New York City, at our collaboration with Stamford Health in Connecticut, and at these regional ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

New York City

• HSS ASC of Manhattan
• HSS West Side ASC

New Jersey

• HSS Northern NJ Surgery Center

Florida

• HSS Palm Beach ASC

Learn about some of the many surgeries we perform on an outpatient basis in the articles below.

Posted: 4/9/2025

Reviewed and edited by Michael P. Ast, MD, Chief of the Knee Service, Chief Medical Innovation Officer and Director of Ambulatory Surgery Center Strategy.