4. Questions to Ask...
Your Surgeon Before An Operation:
- Why do you want to do the surgery?
- Exactly what will you do -- in simple terms?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- What are the chances of cure with surgery?
- What other treatments can you use instead of surgery?
- How many of these or similar operations have you personally performed?
- Are there any less extensive, less deforming, less painful operations than the one you are suggesting?
- How disfiguring will the operation be?
- What are the risks of the surgery?
- What are the risks of the other possible treatments?
- What is the risk of death or serious disability?
- Do you feel the benefits outweigh the risks? Why?
- What are the possible consequences of postponing the operation?
- What will happen if I don't have the surgery?
- How much will it cost? Is the surgery covered under my insurance?
- How long will my recovery take.
- How disabling will it be? How long will this last?
- Will I have to have drains, catheters, intravenous lines, transfusions?
- What are the possible after-effects?
- Whom do you suggest I see for a second opinion?
- Can this surgery be done on an outpatient basis?