15 Million Americans will have have surgery this year - are you ready?
Are you facing surgery? You are not alone. Every year, more than 15 million Americans have surgery.
Most operations are not emergencies and are considered elective surgery. This means that you have time to learn about your operation to be sure it is the best treatment for you. You also have time to work with your surgeon to make the surgery as safe as possible. Be active in your health care to have quality care.
Your regular doctor is your primary care doctor. He or she may be the doctor who suggests that you have surgery and may refer you to a surgeon. You may also want to find another surgeon to get a second opinion, to confirm if surgery is the right treatment for you. You might want to ask friends or co-workers for the names of surgeons they have used.
Make sure you ask some questions of your primary care doctor and surgeon before you have surgery. There are good reasons for asking these questions as the answers will help you make the best decisions.
Your doctors should welcome questions. If you do not understand the answers, ask the doctor to explain them clearly. Bring a friend or relative along to help you talk with the doctor. Research shows that patients who are well informed about their treatment are more satisfied with their results.