Surgery Center - Dignity Health - Santa Maria, CA

At Dignity Health Surgery Center in Santa Maria, we perform a wide range of general and trauma procedures, including: 

• Anti-reflux surgery (Nissen fundoplication surgery)

• Appendectomy

• Bowel resection

• Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy)

• Gastrectomy

• Gastrointestinal surgery

• Hand surgery

• Hemorrhoidectomy

• Hernia repair surgery, including femoral hernia, inguinal hernia (open, laparoscopic and robotic), hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia and ventral hernia

• Liver biopsy

• PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube placement

• Pilonidal cyst removal

• Port-a-cath placements

• Splenectomy

We offer several weight loss surgeries, including conversion (weight loss surgery revision), gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. These bariatric surgeries help treat a variety of health conditions that can be worsened by obesity, such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Depression
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes

Robotic-assisted surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive approach that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision and control. These procedures require smaller incisions than traditional surgery, leading to less scarring, faster recovery, and less pain and discomfort.

Our bariatric surgery program in Santa Maria provides wraparound support to help you achieve your health goals. Our multidisciplinary team includes nurse coordinators, registered dietitians and bariatric surgeons. We work together to provide the best bariatric surgery outcomes for you. Our program includes:

• Free seminars and patient education
• Extensive physical and psychological assessments and support
• Weight loss support groups
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery
• Postoperative visits, calls, lab tests and monitoring
• Nutritional and lifestyle modification counseling
• Customized fitness program and access to the Health and Wellness Center
• Personal assistance with navigating insurance coverage

Weight loss surgery criteria are established by the National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. We typically recommend bariatric surgery for people who have not achieved lasting results with diet and exercise alone. You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you:

• Weigh more than 100 pounds over your ideal body weight
• Are ready to make a lifelong commitment to diet, exercise and behavioral changes
• Don’t have mental or behavioral disorders that may interfere with long-term weight loss
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (35 or higher along with certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea)
• Have tried multiple weight loss programs without lasting success

You can also complete our online weight loss health questionnaire, which guides you through a few simple questions about your medical history and lifestyle. It provides information based on your responses and can help inform a discussion with your health care provider about whether weight loss surgery may be right for you. Call us at (805) 332-8446 with any questions or to set up a consultation.

If your doctor determines that surgery is right for you, you must complete a medical and psychological preevaluation process to qualify for weight loss surgery. These requirements include: 

• Patients over age 45 must have had a colonoscopy in the last 10 years.

• Women over age 40 must have had a mammogram in the prior year.

• Women of childbearing age must be on active birth control and have had a pelvic exam in the prior year.

• Patients with active severe reflux disease must have had an upper endoscopy in the past year.

• Patients with diagnosed sleep apnea will need to have a functioning and adjusted CPAP machine prior to surgery.

Coverage for bariatric surgery can vary based on your insurance. You’ll want to call your insurer and ask if bariatric surgery is covered. Our experienced team can help you with this if necessary. If bariatric surgery is not a covered benefit, we have competitive cash rates.