Sometimes, the questions you ask yourself are the hardest to talk about with your doctor. 1 . What are the benefits of undergoing thi...
Sometimes, the questions you ask yourself are the hardest to talk about with your doctor.
1. What are the benefits of undergoing this procedure? How long will they last?
What your doctor
believes is best for you may not be what you think is best for yourself.
It is important to find out why this surgery is necessary and whether
this surgery will necessitate more surgeries later.
Some surgeries can
benefit you for the rest of your life, and some could require multiple
additional procedures. Knowing the possibilities of both the short-term
and long-term outcomes allows you to make a more informed decision and
have more realistic expectations.
2. Are there alternatives to surgery? What are the other treatment options?
Sometimes, surgery can
be avoided by taking medication or making lifestyle changes.
Establishing with your physician the risks and benefits of possible
alternatives to surgery is an important step in addressing the big
decision at hand. In some cases, surgery may not be necessary
immediately, but a condition will be monitored over time to take note of
changes.
It is important,
however, to understand the implications of foregoing surgery. Monitoring
a condition might need to be continued over the course of decades. Make
sure you keep copies of your medical files in case you move or change
doctors.
3. Should I get a second opinion?
If your surgery is not
an emergency, it can be helpful to tap the expertise of another
physician about the necessity of performing a procedure.
Most health plans,
including in certain instances Medicare, will provide coverage for
patients to seek a consultation with another physician about a procedure
if the case is not an emergency. Check with your primary care physician
for suggestions of other doctors who can perform the same procedure.
Bring your medical records during the consultation to avoid repeating tests that have already been performed.
For emergency procedures, a second opinion is not recommended. The severity of the medical condition should always come first.
4. What will the procedure cost?
The cost of surgery can be broken up into three parts:
a. The surgeon's fee.
b. Hospital fees or ambulatory surgical center fees (for outpatient services)
c. Other professional services such as surgical assistants, anesthesiologists, medical consultants
Be sure to consult your health plan to find out what portion of the cost you may have to pay out of pocket.
The Healthcare Blue Book is also a great tool to get a sense of how much your surgery should cost.
5. How long will it take to recover?
Recovery time depends on a number of factors such as age, health and type of procedure.
Certain equipment, tools
and medication may be necessary as you recuperate. Knowing ahead of
time which you will need after the procedure will help speed up your
recovery.
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