Desert Canyon Surgery Center

Our surgical suite is the space where Dr. Starkman performs all of his facial plastic surgery procedures on-site, within the office. The surgery area meets and exceeds the highest levels of safety standards for our patients, with a pre-operative bay, nurse’s station, recovery area, and sterilization rooms.

We offer a single-surgeon, single-subspecialty AAAASF-accredited surgery center, assuring privacy and exceptional safety. This center offers the same safety protocols of a hospital with the individual care of a private surgery center, but with a lower risk of infection because it is smaller. As a result, we have an outstanding safety record for all our patients. Unlike any hospital or surgery center, our surgical facility utilizes staff and equipment specialized only for facial plastic surgery procedures.

Board-certified anesthesiologists are available for procedures using sedation. Only IV sedation is used (instead of general anesthesia) for a quicker and more comfortable recovery following surgery. The on-location surgery center offers patients a discrete and specialized setting for their procedures.

To learn more about the surgical experience, please visit our Patient Experience page.

What does an AAAASF accreditation mean?

An AAAASF accreditation means that a surgical facility has met the high-set standards of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. This means that an AAAASF accredited surgical facility:

Is held to hospital standards
Is required to staff surgeons who are board-certified
Is required to staff surgeons who have hospital privileges for any procedure
Is required to have peer review and track data
Is required to provide a safe and clean surgical environment that must meet strict standards
Is required to use an anesthesia professional for deeper levels of anesthesia

What is an outpatient surgery center?

An outpatient surgery center is a surgical facility where the procedures are uncomplicated enough that they do not require the patient to stay overnight.

Is it safe to have surgery in a surgery center vs. a hospital?

Absolutely, as long as the surgery center has been AAAASF accredited and meets the safety protocols and standards of a hospital.

Is the risk of infection lower in a surgery center?

Yes, the risk of infection is lower in a surgery center because it is smaller than a hospital, with less patients and staff.

Who provides anesthesia in a surgery center?

Anesthesia is provided by a professional anesthesia specialist.

Is the cost the same?

Our surgery center is more cost-efficient compared to larger hospitals and surgical facilities.