Questions to Ask Before Surgery

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If you’re considering surgery, it’s important to ask the right questions before making a decision. You need to know what to expect from the surgery and what risks are involved. With this in mind, you should discuss your options with your doctor and get a second opinion if necessary. Today, we want to address just some of the questions you should ask a medical professional.

What is the aim of the surgery?

Firstly, you should ask what the aim or purpose of the surgery is. In other words, what are they trying to achieve with the surgery? What are the expected results? It’s important to have realistic expectations for the surgery. For example, Dr David Slattery is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon and will explain to you what can be achieved with surgery and what cannot.

What are the risks and side effects?

Furthermore, you should ask about the risks and side effects associated with the surgery. What are the chances of complications? What are the possible short-term and long-term side effects? As an example, let’s say that you’re considering a knee replacement. Some risks associated with this surgery include infection, blood clots, and nerve damage.

What are the alternatives to surgery?

There may be alternative treatments to surgery that can achieve the same results. For example, instead of a knee replacement, you may be able to get relief with physical therapy and/or medication. What are the alternatives and how effective are they?

What is the expected recovery time?

As you can imagine, recovery times vary depending on the surgery. A knee replacement, for example, has a much longer recovery time than a simple hernia repair. It’s important to know what you’re getting into and to have realistic expectations for your recovery. Will you need to book time off work? Can you expect to be back to your usual activities within a few weeks?

Who will perform the procedure?

You have the right to know who will be performing your surgery. In most cases, you’ll be able to choose between a few different surgeons. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, take the time to read up on each of them; check their credentials and look for reviews from past patients.

Is this route common for my position?

Next, you’ll want to ask your surgeon about their experience with this particular procedure. In some cases, there may be more than one way to fix your problem; your surgeon should be able to explain the pros and cons of each option. Are doctors recommending the most common route for people in your position?

What are the success rates?

Of course, you’ll also want to know what your chances are for a successful surgery. No surgery is guaranteed to be 100% effective, but you’ll want to know what the average success rate is for the procedure you’re considering. Deciding between a procedure with a 95% success rate and a 65% success rate requires a very different process.

What will happen if I choose against surgery?

If you’re not sure whether or not to have surgery, your doctor should be able to help you weigh the risks and benefits of each option. In some cases, surgery may be the only effective option. In others, you may be able to manage your condition with medication or other treatments. What will happen if you choose an alternative method? What will happen if you do nothing?

By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of the risks and benefits of surgery. You can also make a more informed decision about whether to go ahead with the suggestions of the experts!