Same Surgeon, A New Adventure

After serving Silicon Valley, eastern Los Angeles County
and the North Orange County regions for twenty years, it is time to embark on a new path.

David B. Anderson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
has accepted a commission in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.
For records, please email us with your full name address and phone.
dbamdrecords@gmail.com or dbamdsupplies@gmail.com
There is a $35.00 charge for the first twenty five pages to get them out of our secure archives.
No medical questions will be answered. Your request to go to his non-medical administrator, and Dr. Anderson will not see your email.
Dr. Anderson and his staff thanks you for your years of support.
Blessings to all!

Our Mission

To provide our patients with optimal surgical and clinical care in a welcoming and structured setting.

Biography

Dr. Anderson has been a surgeon for twenty years. He graduated Cum Laude from University of California, Irvine with a degree in science. In addition to the usual surgical operations, Dr. Anderson specializes in advanced laproscopic surgical techniques, surgical oncology, and wound care.

Dr. Anderson attended medical school at the same university and graduated in the top five. He completed his internship and residency at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Los Angeles. He is a Diplomat for the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Anderson scored in the top half of one percent in the nation on the national board exams. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the Los Angeles Surgical Society.

His first practice was at the Kaiser Foundation Medical Group in Santa Clara. There, he taught medical students from Stanford during their surgical rotation. He moved back to southern California to join the Friendly Hills Medical Group, where he received accolades from peers and patients. Dr. Anderson served as Chief of Surgery at Friendly Hills and was on many committees.

During the time he had his solo practice, Dr. Anderson served as Chief of Surgery at Whittier Hospital, and as Chief of Surgery at Presbyterian Inter-community Hospital in Whittier. He garnered respect from the hospital administration, the medical community and patients. In the past, he also served as Chief of Surgery at Friendly Hills Medical Group, and director of student education at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara, California. He has taught medical students from Western University of Health Sciences and Stanford.

In 2008, he decided to accept a commission in the US Army Medical Corps to provide the nation's soldiers with the same high quality and compassionate surgical care that have been consistent benchmarks in his career.

Dr. Anderson is known as a "surgeon's surgeon." He is respected for both his surgical skill and his diagnostic acumen.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Cold and Flu Season

Patients with a cold or the flu must call us to cancel their appointments

We cannot expose pre- or post-operative patients, the staff or the surgeon to illness.

We also do not allow sick children or other family members who accompany you into either the waiting or the exam room. Please leave them at home to rest.

Hand sanitizers are located in the waiting room and in the exam rooms. Please use them upon arrival.

We will reschedule you for the first available appointment. Thank you for your understanding.

Special Considerations: Diet

Before and After Surgery: Your new diet for life. This hand out is given to ALL patients. It is especially good for patients with gallstones, as well as those with hemorrhoids, anal fissues. But everyone benefits from this information.

Special Considerations for you and your family --because you’re not in this alone.
To improve your diet, add foods that contain more dietary fiber. You can include some or all of the following:
1. Whole-grain foods (such as bran cereals) and breads (those made with whole wheat grains).
2. Fresh fruits (including the skin and pulp).
3. Dried or stewed fruits (such as prunes, raisins, or apricots).
4. Root vegetables (such as carrots, turnips, or potatoes).
5. Raw or fresh vegetables, such as cabbage. (Lettuce is actually low in fiber.)

Eating bran cereal in the morning is often the easiest way to obtain fiber. All-Bran, 100% Bran, Bran Buds, oat bran, oatmeal, and Raisin Bran are some of the high-fiber cereals presently available. Bran can cause rumbling intestinal gas and even some mild cramping, so it should be eaten in small amounts at first. The amount can be increased as the body gets used to it. The goal should be one to two large, soft, formed stools a day.

You should also try to follow these dietary rules:
1. Drink plenty of liquids, including fruit or vegetable juices and water. Drink at least six cups of water or fluid a day.
2. Eat slowly. Chew your food thoroughly. This allows the saliva and digestive juices of the stomach, liver, and pancreas to break down food more easily. It may also help prevent problems from developing in the lower digestive tract. Never eat in your car, at your desk, in front of the TV or ‘on the run’ where you tend to eat fast and not chew your food.
3 Eat your meals at regular intervals.
4. Add Metamucil or the generic “Psyllium” available at Trader’ Joe’s to your diet for the rest of your life. Look at the labels of the food you buy. Buy only high fiber products, for example Milton’s Whole Wheat Bread has the highest fiber content.
5. Cut out snacks, unless it’s fresh fruit or somethine else that is high fibre, low fat.
6. Watch spicy foods. If you feel sick, don’t eat them.
7. For gas, take GasX.

Avoiding Constipation

After your surgery, you might be less active and also might be taking antibiotics, painkillers or both.
The combination often makes surgery patients constipated.

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel. Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year.
Avoid constipation before and after your surgery.
It will cause nausea, vomiting, and cause you to strain. This is very bad if your have had anal fissures, hemorrhoids, gallstones or a hernia operation.
Before your surgery:
1 - 2 weeks before your surgery, start on a high fiber, low fat diet. Add Metamucil or the generic pysllium husks to your diet every morning and evening to establish a regular bowel movement routine. You can buy Metamucil at any pharmacy or grocery store. Generic Psyllium husk is available at Trader Joe's or any pharmacy or grocery store as well.

After your surgery: Unless directed otherwise, continue with your Metamucil.

If you become constipated, buy Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia. Follow the directions on the bottle, until you feel relief. This often will take 12 – 24 hours. Continue with the Metamucil.

Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures

In the weeks before your procedure:

You can temporarily relieve the mild pain, swelling and inflammation of most hemorrhoidal flare-ups with the following self-care measures:
_ Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a topical numbing agent.
_ Keep the anal area clean. Bathe (preferably) or shower daily to cleanse the skin around your anus gently with warm water. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem. Gently drying the area with a hair dryer after bathing can minimize moisture, which can cause irritation.
_ Soak regularly in a warm bath. Do this several times daily.
_ Apply cold packs. Sit on ice packs or cold compresses to relieve swelling.
_ Push back a prolapsed hemorrhoid. If a hemorrhoid has prolapsed, gently try pushing the hemorrhoid back into the anal canal.
_ Use a sitz bath with warm water. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or some pharmacies.
_ Don't use dry toilet paper. Use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper after a bowel movement instead.
_ Take oral medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may relieve your discomfort.


These self-care measures may relieve the symptoms, but they won't make the hemorrhoid disappear.

Things you should buy at the drug store. Please do this BEFORE your operation.

After your procedure or operation, you cannot SIT directly on your bottom! The staff expects you to bring the donut cushion in during your first post-operative visit and use it in both the waiting room and the exam room to sit on.

• Perineal Cushion or "Donut" cushion for sitting (these can be purchased from most pharmacies, and are also known as “donut cushions.” You can buy either the inflatable or foam.) Use the cushion at home, in the car and at work. If you want to cover the cushion, slip it inside a pillow case. If you buy an inflatable cushion, don't blow it up all the way. Just a little bit of air to cushion you when you sit. You can even use the inflatable cushions in the tub.

• A Sitz Bath for soaking and bathing the area with lukewarm water. These fit over the toilet seat. Fill the bag with warm water and soak. This will provide relief and you will feel better.

• Moist, flushable towelettes. You are not allowed to use toilet paper after your procedure or operation.

• Fiber. This will keep you from becoming constipated and straining. Brands such as Metamucil, Benefiber, and other generic brands all contain “Psyllium.” You can find “psyllium” at Trader Joes. You can also buy Metamucil capsules and cookies. Take this daily, for the rest of your life!

• Icepacks, or ziploc bags to fill with ice. Lie down with the ice packs, or put in the middle of the “donut cushion” and sit.

Changes You Must Make:

• Change your diet. Check for the “fiber” content in all of the foods you buy. For example, Milton’s Whole Wheat bread contains some of the highest fiber of any bread. You can find it at Trader Joe’s. Fiber should be a way of life. Please see the diet sheet attached to this page. (Avoid low fiber-high fat, high cholesterol, high carbohydrate foods. Say farewell to these foods).

And…. Don’t forget! Schedule at least a 30 minute walk into each day. Exercise prevents constipation.

Before Your Operation

Preparing For Your Surgery
Pre-Operative Instructions

Medication: Take medication as ordered for high blood pressure, heart conditions and seizures with small sips of water.
Insulin: No diabetic medication (PO or Insulin) the day of surgery. Diabetics should have a glucometer done before you arrive at the hospital.
Vitamins: Do NOT take vitamins or dietary supplements. NO Vitamin E.
Inhalers: If you use one, bring it with you.
Dental care: Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. If you wear dentures, you may leave them in place, but will be asked to take them out. Do not use denture adhesive.
Make Up: Do not wear makeup.

Cold Flu or Fever: Notify your surgeon
Menstruation: Call us a few days before the surgery if you get your period
Driving: Make arrangements for someone to drive, wait for you during and take you home. You are not allowed to drive home yourself.
Homecare: Make arrangements for someone to be with you the first night. Make sure they check on you throughout the night.
Valuables: Leave all jewelery at home.
Medications: Bring a list of medications with the name, dosages and how many times you take it.
Check with the office if you are uncertain about your medications.

Bring a copy of your insurance card. Please have someone with you to hand your things to when you finish checking in.

Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.
If you do, your operation will be cancelled.
Do not take illegal substances before your operation.
Illegal substances cause an irregular heartbeat.
If you have done so, or if you are accompanying the patient
and suspect they have taken them, please tell the nurse upon your arrival at the hospital. Your operation will be cancelled, and you will be referred back to your primary care physician.


It is customary for you to check in early, get prepped by the surgery team, with your operation to follow later. You actual operation might change due to operating room fluctuations. You and your escort should plan on being there most of the day.

Going Home: General Post-Operative Instructions

1. Someone must stay with you for the first 48 hours after your surgery. They must check on you frequently. Delegate all household chores, cooking, childcare, pet care and personal errands to other people. You may resume your normal shower and hair washing.

2. If Dr. Anderson gives you a prescription, have someone else go to the pharmacy and fill it for you. They should also buy gauze patches and band-aids similar to the size that you have now. Rite-Aid, Walgreen’s, Longs, and private pharmacies carry these things.

3. Call (or have someone call for you) our office after 9 a.m. at 562/ 907-9114 to
set up a post-operative visit. Our staff is very courteous. One of our staff members will assist you. Please have patience while they fit you into our schedule.

4. Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery until further notice from your doctor.

5. Do not make important personal or business decisions for at least 24 hours.

6. Do not drink ANY alcoholic beverages while taking your medication.

7. At first, eat light foods (jello, soup, etc.) and keep yourself hydrated with water or Gatorade (unless yoøu are diabetic).

7. Sometimes incisions bleed. A little bright red blood is not unusual. If this
happens, take off the original bandage and place a new one over it. Place a plastic bag with frozen ice or any frozen vegetable (like peas or corn) on the site. This will slow down the bleeding.

Call if this does not stop the bleeding.

8. If you split your incision, call your surgeon immediately.

9. No lifting, no running, no traveling, no working out at the gym, until given
the okay by your surgeon at your post-operative visit.

READ CAREFULLY!

10. Report the following signs, or any questions regarding your physical
condition to your surgeon immediately:

Excessive swelling on or around the wound area
Redness
Temperature of 101.5º F. or above
Increasing pain, vomiting or persistent nausea

11. Take all medication as directed. Do not stop taking your antibiotic mid
course. Dr. Anderson prescribes prescription medication for short term usage only and only when warranted.

12. When you have recovered, you will be referred back to your primary care physician.

Urgent or emergency calls after normal business hours will be answered by and forwarded to Dr. Anderson by the answering service. Do NOT hesistate to call if you feel something is wrong.