Questions
about surgery
About
the surgery
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1.
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What
is the exact name of the surgery and how is it done?
Write down the name if you don't think you will remember
it.
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2.
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Why
do you need the surgery?
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3.
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Will
you be able to go home the same day of the surgery (outpatient
surgery)? If so, will you need to have someone take
you home after the surgery?
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4.
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Does
the surgery require an overnight stay in the hospital
(inpatient surgery)? If so, how long will you be in
the hospital?
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5.
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What
will you need to do to prepare for the surgery?
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6.
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What
are the risks and benefits? |
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How
often is this surgery successful? What does a successful
outcome mean? |
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What
can you do to improve the likelihood of success (such
as changing your diet or beginning certain exercises)? |
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What
is the risk of death or disability? |
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What
is the next step if the surgery fails? |
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What
is the likelihood that your problem will return after
surgery?
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7.
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What
kind of anesthesia will be used (local, regional, or
general)?
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8.
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How
long will the procedure take?
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9.
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What
is the cost of the surgery? Is it likely to be covered
by medical insurance? |
Costs
of treatment
Health professionals often do not know how much a procedure
or course of treatment will cost, but they can usually direct
you to the people who have the information, such as:
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A
staff person in their office. |
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The
hospital billing department. |
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A
staff person in the anesthesiologist's office. |
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A
pharmacist.A
pharmacist. |
Ask
your health professional about any hidden costs involved
in the procedure or treatment (follow-up visits, anesthesiologist
fees).
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Is
there anything you can do to reduce the cost? |
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Are
there any less expensive options available? |
Review
your health plan:
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Will
your medical insurance cover the cost of treatment?
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Do
you need a second opinion or preapproval before this
treatment will be covered? |
About
your choices
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1.
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Consider
your preferences for treatment. If you are not sure
what treatment is best for you, get a second opinion.
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2.
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Have
you considered all your options? Are there any nonsurgical
options to consider?
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3.
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How
critical is the timing of the surgery? Is there any
flexibility in when it is scheduled? Be prepared to
discuss your scheduling preferences. |
Second
opinion
The goal of a second opinion is not to prove or disprove
your doctor's recommendation. It is simply a way of exploring
options. If you are having difficulties choosing the best
treatment for you:
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Get
an independent opinion. |
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Ask
your primary care doctor rather than your specialist
to recommend who to see for a second opinion. |
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Find
a doctor from a different group practice, if possible.
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Consider
seeing a different type of doctor who can treat the
problem you have. An internal medicine doctor (internist)
is often a good choice, depending on what your medical
problem is. |
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Avoid
paying for the same test twice. Have lab results and
X-rays sent to the second doctor before your visit. |
If the
doctors' opinions are different:
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Consider
using your primary care doctor to help you sort through
your options. |
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Decide
which doctor you want to work with, and what your preferences
are for treatment. |
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Prepare
a list of questions before going back to the doctor
you have chosen. |
About
your surgeon
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1.
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What
is the surgeon's experience with this procedure? How
many procedures has he or she done per year? What is
his or her success rate?
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2.
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Does
the surgeon have board certification in this area?
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3.
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Will
another doctor be assisting your surgeon?
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4.
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Will
the surgeon be using a new instrument or piece of equipment
during the procedure? Has the surgeon been fully trained
in the use of the instrument or equipment?
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5.
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Who
will be giving the anesthesia? Discuss the anesthesia
options with your surgeon ahead of time.
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6.
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Will
anyone be in the operating room other than the doctors
and nurses needed to perform the surgery (such as a
person involved in training the surgeon on a new piece
of equipment)? |
About
your recovery
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1.
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What
should you expect during the recovery period? What is
normal?
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2.
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What
kinds of self-care could you be doing to help your recovery?
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3.
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Will
your activities be limited during the recovery period?
If so, which activities and for how long?
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4.
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What
help might you need while you recover?
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5.
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What
symptoms should you call your doctor about? |
Partnering
with your doctor
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1.
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Tell
your doctor your preferences for treatment. Are there
other options you would like to consider other than
surgery?
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2.
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Discuss
your biggest concerns about the surgery.
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3.
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Tell
your doctor the results you expect to get from the surgery.
What outcome would you consider to be a success? What
would you consider a failure? |
Preferences
for treatment
Given the risks and benefits of the tests or treatments
your doctor is recommending, consider the following:
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Do
you have any preferences? |
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Do
you have any concerns or fears about specific tests
or treatments? |
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How
bothersome are your symptoms? Would you prefer to live
with them rather than accept the costs and risks of
the test or treatment? |
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Do
you have the option of postponing your decision about
tests or treatments? |
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What
lifestyle adjustments (such as diet or exercise changes)
are you willing to make to manage your condition? How
confident are you in your ability to make these changes?
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Every
alternative involves some risks, inconvenience, or side
effects. Your doctor needs to know your preferences and
any concerns you have that might influence your treatment
choices. This information will help you and your doctor
design a treatment plan most likely to meet your needs.
