Before Surgery

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MALE VOICE: Your doctor has recommended surgery. If it's not an emergency what are your options and how do you know whether the surgeon who is 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 a 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 he or she is in performing the surgery. How many years of experience does the surgeon have with this type of surgery? Approximately how many times has the doctor performed this procedure in the past year? And is the surgeon board certified in his or her specialty? Remember, you have the right to know what your doctors qualifications are, where he or she trained and if there's anything of the surgeons' 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 easier for you to learn more about your doctor. And finally, if you have any questions or even if you don't it's always best to get a second opinion from another surgeon before you undergo any non-emergency surgery.