Your doctor has recommended surgery. If it's not an emergency, what are your options? And how do you know whether the surgeon who was recommended is the right one to perform this procedure?
You need to educate yourself about the anticipated surgery and the surgeon.
First, ask the surgeon about non-surgical options. Sometimes a condition can improve with therapy or medication. These options should be explored.
Perhaps, there are other, less invasive, types of surgery. With this information, you will be able to weigh the risks and benefits of each procedure and make an educated decision. Before you have any elective surgery, ask your doctor about potential complications and how often they occur.
Of course, in addition to the risks, you need to know what results the doctor expects, if the surgery is successful. Unless you are able to weigh the potential benefits of any surgery against the risks, you are not in the best position to make a decision. Find out from your doctor what will happen after your surgery, in terms of follow-up care and the length of recuperation.
As for the surgeon, you need to know: How experienced is he/she in performing this surgery. How many years of experience does the surgeon have with this type of surgeries? Approximately how many times has the doctor performed this procedure in the past year? Is the surgeon Board Certified in his/her specialty?
Remember, you have the right to know what your doctor's qualifications are, where he/or she trained and if there is anything in the surgeon's history that should concern you. A good place to start is by clicking the link on our website entitled "Checking Out Your Healthcare Provider." This link will make it easy for you to learn more about your doctor.
Finally, if you have any question, or even if you don't, it is always best to get a second opinion from another surgeon before you undergo any non-emergency surgery.
