Will I go home the same day?

Many ambulatory surgery patients go home the same day, but this depends on the procedure, anesthesia, recovery status, medical history, and facility requirements.

Where will my surgery be performed?

Wigley Feet coordinates surgical care through the in-house Surgical Suite and Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center. The setting is determined after consultation based on the procedure, safety needs, anesthesia requirements, insurance requirements, and physician judgment.

Can I choose the Surgical Suite or surgical center?

Patient preference may be discussed, but the final setting depends on medical appropriateness, procedure complexity, anesthesia needs, insurance requirements, facility requirements, and physician judgment.

Will insurance cover surgery?

Coverage depends on the patient's insurance plan, medical necessity, authorization requirements, deductible, copay, coinsurance, payer rules, and facility requirements. Wigley Feet can help guide patients through verification and authorization when applicable.

Can I drive after surgery?

Many patients should not drive after surgery, especially if sedation, anesthesia, pain medication, a surgical shoe, boot, or right-foot procedure is involved. Driving restrictions depend on the procedure and physician instructions.

How long is recovery?

Recovery varies by procedure and patient. Minor procedures may require less downtime, while reconstructive or more complex procedures may require a longer recovery period. Specific recovery expectations should be discussed during consultation.

Do I need someone to bring me?

A responsible adult may be required if sedation or anesthesia is used. Facility-specific instructions should be followed.

What should I bring on surgery day?

Patients should bring identification, insurance information, required paperwork, a list of medications, and any items specifically requested by the office or surgical facility.

Patient Education

What to Expect From Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Surgery

Preparing for Foot & Ankle Surgery With Confidence

A patient-friendly guide to consultation, surgical planning, procedure day, recovery, and follow-up.

Ambulatory foot and ankle surgery allows many patients to have procedures performed in an outpatient setting without an overnight hospital stay. Wigley Feet coordinates surgical care through our in-house AAAASF-certified Surgical Suite and our partnership with Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center, a Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory surgical center in Miami. The appropriate surgical setting is determined after consultation, medical review, procedure planning, anesthesia considerations, insurance requirements, and physician judgment.

Request Surgical Consultation Explore Surgical Center & Suite Call (305) 895-9528

Overview

What Is Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Surgery?

Ambulatory surgery means the procedure is planned as an outpatient procedure, usually allowing the patient to go home the same day. Depending on the procedure and patient needs, surgery may be performed in an office-based surgical suite or an ambulatory surgical center.

Not every procedure or patient is appropriate for every outpatient setting. Some patients may require an ambulatory surgical center, hospital setting, additional medical clearance, or a different care pathway.

Two Pathways

Your Surgical Pathway

Wigley Feet Surgical Suite

In-house AAAASF-certified office-based surgical suite.

Our in-house AAAASF-certified Surgical Suite supports select eligible office-based procedures in a controlled setting with coordinated follow-up through Wigley Feet.

Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center

Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory surgical center partner in Miami.

Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center is a Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory surgical center partner in Miami used for procedures that may require ASC resources, anesthesia support, insurance-based facility care, or a formal outpatient surgical center environment.

The recommended setting is determined during consultation and is based on the procedure, safety needs, medical history, anesthesia requirements, insurance requirements, facility needs, and physician judgment.

The Process

From Consultation to Recovery

Step 1

Surgical Consultation

The process begins with a consultation. During this visit, Wigley Feet evaluates the condition, reviews symptoms, examines the foot, ankle, leg, skin, nail, wound, nerve, or vascular concern, and discusses appropriate treatment options.

Medical history review Foot, ankle, or lower-extremity exam Imaging or diagnostic testing when needed Review of conservative treatment options Discussion of surgical options if appropriate Review of possible surgical setting Insurance and authorization guidance when applicable

Step 2

Pre-Operative Planning

If surgery is recommended, the team reviews the surgical plan and helps prepare the patient for the procedure. Requirements may vary depending on the patient's health, procedure type, anesthesia plan, surgical setting, and insurance requirements.

Medical clearance if needed Lab work if needed Imaging review Medication review Blood thinner instructions if applicable Diabetes or circulation considerations Insurance verification or authorization Transportation planning Post-operative shoe, boot, brace, or assistive device planning Work, school, or activity restriction planning

Step 3

Day of Surgery

On the day of surgery, patients should follow the specific instructions provided by Wigley Feet or the surgical facility. Instructions may include arrival time, fasting instructions, medication guidance, transportation requirements, and what to bring.

Arrive at the assigned location on time Bring identification and insurance information Wear comfortable clothing Follow fasting instructions if anesthesia requires it Have a responsible adult available if sedation or anesthesia is used Do not drive yourself home if instructed not to Follow all facility-specific instructions

Step 4

After Surgery and Going Home

Most ambulatory surgical patients go home the same day, depending on the procedure, anesthesia, recovery status, and facility requirements. Before leaving, patients receive instructions for dressings, medications, weight-bearing, activity limits, and follow-up.

Keep dressings clean, dry, and intact unless instructed otherwise Elevate as directed Use boot, surgical shoe, brace, crutches, walker, or scooter if prescribed Take medications only as directed Follow weight-bearing instructions Avoid driving until cleared Attend scheduled follow-up appointments

Recovery

Recovery Expectations

Recovery depends on the procedure performed, patient health, age, circulation, diabetes status, wound healing ability, activity level, work demands, and adherence to post-operative instructions. Some patients recover quickly from minor procedures, while reconstructive or more complex surgery may require a longer recovery period.

Specific timelines should be discussed during consultation. Every patient and procedure is different, and recovery expectations are personalized to your plan.

Safety

Warning Signs After Surgery

Patients should contact the office or seek urgent care if they experience concerning symptoms after surgery.

Fever Chest pain Shortness of breath Calf pain or sudden leg swelling Blue, black, or cold toes Severe uncontrolled pain Excessive bleeding Worsening redness or drainage Foul odor from dressing or wound New numbness or weakness Dressing that becomes soaked or falls off Any symptom the patient was instructed to report

If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, severe allergic reaction, signs of stroke, uncontrolled bleeding, or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Capabilities

Common Procedures That May Be Ambulatory

Many foot, ankle, soft tissue, nerve, nail, venous, and lower-extremity procedures may be performed in an outpatient setting when appropriate.

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Hammertoe Correction Bone Spur Removal Plantar Fasciitis Procedures Soft Tissue Mass Removal Ganglion Cyst Removal Biopsy Procedures Nail Unit Biopsy Peripheral Nerve Procedures Neuroma Procedures Venous Ablation Ingrown Toenail Procedures Wart or Skin Lesion Procedures Foreign Body Removal Abscess or Paronychia Drainage

The surgical setting is determined after consultation. Some procedures may be performed in the Wigley Feet Surgical Suite, some may be coordinated at Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center, and some patients may require another facility setting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ambulatory foot and ankle surgery coordinated through Wigley Feet's Surgical Center & Suite model.

Ready to Discuss Surgery?

The first step is a surgical consultation. Wigley Feet will review your condition, discuss treatment options, and determine whether an office-based Surgical Suite procedure, ambulatory surgical center procedure, or another pathway is most appropriate.

Request Surgical Consultation Explore Surgical Center & Suite Call (305) 895-9528

Accepted Insurances· 1595 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33162

This page is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, surgical clearance, or a guarantee of treatment. Not every patient or procedure is appropriate for an office-based surgical suite or ambulatory surgical center setting. Final treatment recommendations and surgical setting decisions depend on examination, diagnosis, medical history, imaging, circulation status, anesthesia requirements, credentialing, payer rules, authorization, procedural risk, facility requirements, and physician judgment. Insurance coverage, authorization, and patient responsibility vary by plan. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.