Lessons from Opening an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) | Business of Surgery Ep. 3

What does it actually take to build and operate your own ambulatory surgery center (ASC)?In Episode 3 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the realities of designing, building, and running a physician-owned surgery center—from navigating state regulations and construction delays to sourcing equipment, building the right team, and creating an exceptional patient experience.Rather than focusing on theory, Lauren walks through the practical lessons she learned while opening her own ASC, including the mistakes, unexpected challenges, and decisions she would make again.In this episode:Should you open your own ambulatory surgery center?The advantages of physician-owned ASCsBuilding an operating room from the ground upState regulations and accreditationConstruction challenges and project managementHow to save money on surgical equipmentWhen it's worth investing in premium equipmentDesigning a luxury surgical experienceHiring your first surgery center teamThe realities of owning and operating an ASCThe Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth.New episodes every Wednesday.Host: Dr. Lauren UmstattdConnect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_mdProduced by: The Hippocratic CollectiveSee more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com