Health Care Insurance

Recently we published some information on improving the quality and safety of your family’s health care by asking questions. Today we expand on that theme and share with you some information about asking questions if you are considering surgery.

Your first question should be “Why Do I Need an Operation?”

There are many reasons to have surgery and some operations can relieve and prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries can also be done to find a problem. Your doctor will tell you the exact purpose of the planned procedure.

Keep asking questions until you understand how the proposed operation will help your medical issue. For example, if something is going to be repaired or removed, find out why it needs to be done.

Your next question should be “What Operation Are You Recommending?”

Ask your surgeon to explain the surgery and how it is done. Your surgeon can draw a picture or a diagram and explain the steps in the surgery.

Also ask if there is more than one way of doing the operation? One way may require more extensive surgery than another. Some operations that were once quite invasive can now be done using much smaller incisions (for example, laparoscopic surgery).

With some surgeries you are requird to stay in the hospital for 1 or more days. Others let you come in and go home on the same day. Ask why your surgeon wants to do the operation one way over another.

Next you should ask it there “Are Alternatives To Surgery?”

Sometimes, surgery is not the only answer to a medical problem. Medicines or treatments other than surgery, such as a change in diet or special exercises, might help you just as well-or more. Ask your surgeon or primary care doctor about the benefits and risks of these other choices. You need to know as much as possible about these benefits and risks to make the best decision.

One alternative to surgery may be watchful waiting. During a watchful wait, your doctor and you check to see if your problem gets better or worse over time. If it gets worse, you may need surgery right away. If it gets better, you may be able to wait to have surgery or not have it at all.

Source: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/surgery/surgery.htm