Millions of people in the US undergo some kind of surgery each year. No matter whether it’s general surgery or other types of elective procedures you’ve chosen, there will always be a couple of questions to ask before surgery on your side.
Why? Truth be told, every surgery will have a certain amount of risk to its benefits, and it’s crucial to understand them to assess whether the operation you will undergo is appropriate for you.
For example, if you opt for our surgical oncology in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Omar Rashid will take his time through a series of surgery consultations to explain the surgical process, give you guidance with post-op care, and even explain the necessary lifestyle changes you might have to make to prolong the effects of the procedure.
In general, informed patients are more satisfied with their outcomes, and we always strive to help them understand every step of the medical process.
As such, here’s a list of all the necessary questions to ask your surgeon before surgery.
What Type of Surgery Am I Being Recommended?
No matter whether a type of general surgery or a cosmetic procedure, a skilled surgeon should explain all the involved steps, the nature of the process, and the necessity for it. You should also ask your surgeon about alternative methods during surgery consultation, simply to explore your options and to let the surgeon tell you why they favor that particular course of action over any other method.
Why do I Need to Undergo the Procedure?
Know the main reasons for having the operation in the first place. Before surgery, ask your doctor to explain the diagnostics behind the problem and why this surgery is the one you should undergo. Lastly, also ask how this action may improve your health and conditions.
What are the Benefits?
This has to be among the most important questions to ask before surgery. How long will these benefits last? It’s crucial for your surgeon to speak about the benefits of that particular operation and they should also tell you how long these positive effects will last. Some types of procedures have short-lived effects, often requiring more surgeries to be performed. On that end, also ask for published info about surgical outcomes to help you form a more realistic picture.
Are There any Alternatives and Other Treatment Options Available Based on My Condition?
There are specific cases where lifestyle changes, non-surgical treatments, and medication may help with improving your condition without the need for surgery. This is also among the most important questions to ask your surgeon because you want to make an informed decision, taking into consideration all your options, weighing both the benefits and the associated risks.
Before surgery, your surgeon may opt for watchful waiting, monitoring your condition’s progression. In cases when your condition improves, your surgeon might even choose to postpone surgery.
Can I Skip Surgery?
If you choose not to have surgery, inquiries regarding the consequences are the questions to ask your surgeon, What will happen if you opt-out of surgery? Will the condition be able to resolve on its own, or will it lead to more severe consequences?
Are There any Risks and Complications that may result from having the Procedure?
As mentioned above, surgery will always have its own set of pros and cons. Have your surgeon outline all the outcomes that may happen following the operation. Have them tell you about bleeding issues, possible infections, and other side effects that may arise.
This is important because you will be the one who has to reach out to your healthcare provider if you think something might be wrong. Chances are, if complications arise, you might need immediate professional assistance, and you will want to catch any abnormalities timely. On that end, you should also ask about pain management options before surgery.
How Experienced is My Surgeon?
During surgery consultation, ask your doctor about their track record and experience with these operations. The fact is, you can drastically reduce the chances of complications if you choose an experienced surgeon. Ask about their background, learn how many times they’ve performed these procedures, ask about their success rate, and about the complications they’ve come across after performing surgery.
Should I Consider Getting a Second Opinion?
Depending on your healthcare plan, you may be required to get a second opinion before surgery. If that’s the case, a good doctor will be able to give you a list of qualified experts who also have the necessary experience.
What Type of Anesthesia Will I Get?
Another important question to ask your surgeon pertains to anesthesia. Will you receive regional, local, or general anesthesia? Ask what type of sedation is recommended for your specific procedure and who will administer it. If the person isn’t your doctor but a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist, ask if you can schedule a surgery consultation where you can meet them.
Where Will I Have The Surgery?
In the past years, many operations have been performed in surgical centers or as outpatient procedures, lowering the cost of the process because there is no need to pay for a hospital room. Still, there are some cases when inpatient procedures are performed. Before surgery, make sure to ask about your options and ask the surgeon about what they’d recommend.
What Will My Recovery Process Look Like?
It’s also crucial to ask about what to expect after the surgery, especially in the first few following days. Ask about how long you will be staying in the hospital, about the things you should avoid in the next few weeks or maybe months. If you will be needing any special supplies, ask your surgeon about them.
Also, ask about strategies that will enable you to better cope with the recovery process, speeding it up at the same time. Lastly, also ask about the usual time it takes to make a full recovery so you can resume your normal life.
How Much Will It Cost?
Depending on your healthcare plans, the coverage will vary on different types of surgery, meaning that you might have to pay for some of the costs. Ask about these also during consultation. Learn about the specific costs and about the coverage your insurance plan will guarantee. Because all the info might not be available to your surgeon, you might also have to reach out to your plan provider to know about the exact costs you will have to cover.
Make an Informed Decision
No matter the type of surgery you are facing, it’s essential to know as much as possible about the procedure. Explore all your options, learn about post-op care, the recovery process, and the cost of the operation.
While the experience of your surgeon is crucial for success, you having the necessary knowledge about the medical method can also go a long way in prolonging its benefits, reducing recovery time, and improving your overall condition.
That being said, feel free to reach out to us with all of your questions.