Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Agreeing to Surgery

Posted on Mar 8 2021 - 10:25am by Editorial Staff

Millions of people undergo surgery every year. Surgery may be elective or emergency. It is advisable to get as much information about the surgery recommended by your healthcare provider.

It’s within your right to inquire about anything they would like to know about the surgery they may need. Asking questions about the surgeon’s surgical loupes may not be beneficial to you. Although asking questions concerning your insurance coverage may be very informative.

Before agreeing to undergo surgery, you need to ask your doctor or surgeon questions to ensure you make an informed decision. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and it helps reduce anxiety when deciding to agree to the procedure.  Here are some important questions you need to ask the doctor before surgery:

Is Second Opinion Necessary? 

To help set you at ease about making the right decision, getting a second opinion is advantageous. By seeking another doctor’s opinion, it can help bring up other issues that need to be addressed.

Some health plans require you to seek a second opinion before agreeing to elective surgery. The surgeon should refer you to several qualified individuals who perform the same procedure.

What Kind of Operation is Being Recommended? 

The doctor should explain to you the details of the surgery they are recommending. The kind of surgery should be explained to you step by step. The doctor can use examples to help you understand better.

Furthermore, you are expected to ask the doctor why they prefer certain methods. The doctor should expound on the multiple available methods and why they prefer a particular one. With such information, a patient can make an informed decision that best suits them.

Why Is the Operation Necessary? 

The reasons for surgery vary from ending pain to preventing pain to improving the body’s function. You should understand why the operation is suitable for you. The doctor should help you see the benefits of the operation.

All surgeries have risks and benefits. You should inquire about both the risks and benefits and weigh if you are willing to undergo surgery or sort after alternative treatment. You can decide to wait as the doctor observes if their condition improves.

What Are the Alternatives? 

You need to know whether you have the choice of other alternative treatments. The doctor can suggest nonsurgical treatments like a lifestyle change. Taking medicine is be another treatment plan to consider before agreeing to surgery.

The other treatment plans may be covered by your insurance, while the elective surgery needed is not. Therefore, it is advised to ask all other options to make an informed decision. The surgeon can suggest “watchful waiting” to monitor the progression of the condition. Sometimes, the only option remains to be surgery.

What Are the Benefits of the Surgery, and How Long They Last? 

All operations have benefits. You must ask about the specific benefits of the proposed elective surgery. The doctor should provide published information about the surgery benefits and how long they are meant to last.

Some operations may require a second operation after a while. Other surgical procedures produce a remedy that lasts a lifetime. Knowing this, you can manage your expectations about the surgery. It is also valuable to ask the surgeon about their success rate in the procedure.

What Are the Complications and Risks of the Surgery? 

Knowing that all surgeries have risks, you are expected to ask about all possible risks. You and your doctor should discuss the surgery’s specific risks and address the best way to minimize them. What happens without the operation should also be discussed.

The complications that arise after surgery should be explained to you in detail. Complications like pain and pain management, activities to avoid or to indulge in are essential for you to know during the recovery process. Having this information helps reduce anxiety and in making the right decision.

What Are the Doctor’s Qualifications? 

It is not a wise decision to depend on the family and friends’ recommendation of a doctor. We all have different preferences. It is only right to ask for the doctor’s qualifications before agreeing on surgery. You should make your own decision in the doctor you want to operate on you.

About the Author

Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.