tALKING WITH A SURGEON?
These ARE QUEStIONS YOU CAN ASK
TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians, DipABLM, Certified
Lifestyle Medicine Physician, East Hawaii Acute and Rural Health Clinic, Medical Director, Hilo Hawaii Medical Center
Surgery can be scary
That’s why some doctors, patients, caregivers and families used their experience to make this Pre-Surgery Guide – Questions Prompt List (QPL). This Guide has questions they think are important. You can circle the ones you want to ask and write your own questions on the back. It’s OK if you don’t want to ask some of these questions. You can ask the surgeon about whatever is important to you. You can tell the doctor/surgeon how much or how little you want to know. And you can ask the doctor/surgeon to explain anything you don’t understand. You have options for treatment. We hope this Guide helps you and your doctor/surgeon decide what’s right for you.
what can I expect before
and after my surgery?
Millions of Americans will undergo surgery each year. It is very important to be informed about the surgery being recommended, particularly if it is elective surgery (an operation you choose to have done), rather than an emergency surgery. All surgeries have risks and benefits. It’s important to understand them before deciding whether the procedure is appropriate for you.
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP
Founding Dean and Professor, Emory & Henry College, School of Nursing
The Pre-Surgery Guide – Question Prompt List (QPL) below, targets informational needs of patients, family and caregivers considering surgery. These questions can effectively change how you and family members communicate with physicians, improve you and family members’ psychological outcomes, and better meet patients’ informational needs. Download the Pre-Surgery Guide – Question Prompt List (QPL) to use when talking with your doctor/surgeon.
Should I have surgery?
What are my options?
What is likely to happen if I do have surgery? If I don’t have surgery?
In your opinion, will surgery make me feel better?
In your opinion, will surgery help me live longer? If so, how much longer?
Do I need to stop any of my medications early?
How do you think my daily life will look after surgery? Right after surgery? Three months later? One year later?
What will I be able to do that I cannot do now?
Will I have any tubes or drains put in during or after surgery? Will I need them at home?
I live in a rural area – when will I be able to go home?
In your opinion, how will this surgery affect my other health issues (such as diabetes or high blood pressure?
After I leave the hospital, what type of help you think I will need?
Can you describe serious complications and explain what those might mean for me?
If I’m too sick to speak for myself, how can I make sure you know my wishes?
If I decide to appoint someone to make medical decisions for me, what do I need to do to make those arrangements official?
Tips for Communicating with Your Healthcare Provider
• If you do not understand your healthcare provider’s responses, ask questions until you do.
• Take notes, and/or ask a family member or friend to accompany you and take notes for you.
• Ask your healthcare provider where you can find printed material about your condition. Many healthcare providers have this information in their offices.
• If you still have questions, ask the healthcare provider where you can go for more information.
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP
Founding Dean and Professor, Emory & Henry College, School of Nursing
Preparing for Surgery
Preparations for surgery depend on your diagnosis. Your physician will discuss with you how to prepare for your surgery. However, if you will undergo general anesthesia, you may be asked to do the following:
- Stop drinking and eating for a certain period of time before the time of surgery.
- Bathe or clean, and possibly shave the area to be operated on.
- Undergo various blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, or other procedures necessary for surgery.
- Sometimes a patient may be asked to take an enema the evening before surgery, to empty the bowels. Please check with your physician.
- Do not wear makeup the day of surgery.
- Do not wear nail polish.
- Do not wear your eye contacts.
- Leave valuables and jewelry at home.
- Advise the medical staff of dentures or other prosthetic devices you may be wearing.
Often, to make their experience more comfortable and efficient, patients are advised to bring the following:
- Loose-fitting clothes to wear
- Social Security card number
- Insurance information
- Medicare or Medicaid card
Obtaining a Second Opinion
- Asking another physician/surgeon for a second opinion is an important step in ensuring that this procedure is the best option for you. A second opinion can help you make an informed decision about the best treatment for your condition and can help you weigh the risks and benefits against possible alternatives to the surgery.
Remember, in the case of emergency surgeries, the surgery should be performed as quickly as possible and, most likely, there will not be time to obtain a second opinion. The necessity of getting a second opinion should always be weighed against the severity and urgency of the medical condition.
Contact
Need additional assistance? Contact us:
National Contact: Joan C. Smith
Phone: (571) 662-7220 | Email
This program was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (EADI #30051). The statements in this website are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), its Board of Governors or Methodology Committee.