If a physician advises you to have surgery, you must determine whether surgery is in your best interest. Before you go under the knife, you will want to have a thorough understanding of the risks of the procedure, as well as the implications of choosing to skip surgery. Our Harrisburg medical malpractice lawyers discuss what questions you should ask before surgery.
Five Questions to Ask Before Surgery
Before agreeing to surgery, you should ask your surgeon the following questions:
What is the Surgery, and How is it Done?
While this may seem like an obvious question, too many patients agree to undergo surgery without understanding the procedure itself and how it is performed. You should ask your healthcare provider to explain the steps of the procedure to you. You should also find out if there are different ways of performing the procedure. You will want to ask the surgeon to explain why he or she chose to perform the procedure in a certain way.
Why Do I Need the Surgery?
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you have surgery for diagnostic purposes, preventive reasons, to ease pain, or to improve body function. Be sure to ask the surgeon why the procedure is necessary for you.
What are the Benefits and Risks of Surgery?
Part of discerning the necessity of surgery comes down to what benefits you can expect to experience and if these benefits are worth the risks. Be sure to ask if the benefits will be permanent or if you will need a follow-up surgery. Since every surgery comes with some level of risk, you will want to ask about potential complications. If you do not understand something, ask your surgeon to clarify.
Are There Any Other Treatment Options?
Surgeons have a saying, “A chance to cut is a chance to cure.” It is well known that surgeons like to operate, meaning that they will suggest surgical options before discussing alternative treatments. Even so, it is crucial that you ask your surgeon about any alternative therapies, including medicines, exercises, or diet changes.
If an alternative treatment may improve your condition, ask how much progress you can expect to see. You will also want to know at what point it may be time to consider surgery if your condition fails to improve.
What Will Happen if I Do Not Have Surgery?
Some medical conditions can improve in time without surgical intervention. You will want to ask your healthcare provider if the condition can improve on its own or if you can expect your condition to worsen. If there is a substantial chance that your health may deteriorate, this may be the incentive you need to get your surgery scheduled.
Choosing Compassionate Care
While you do not have much of a choice regarding what surgeon operates on you in an emergency, you can get the right surgeon for you for a less urgent procedure. At Marzella & Associates, we believe that our clients should be well-armed with information before making important health decisions. We will work with you to find a surgeon who specializes in your condition so that you can make an informed decision.
Tenacious Representation from Our Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you believe that you went under the knife for a needless procedure or you did not understand the risks associated with your surgery, our legal team is ready to help. We have helped thousands of clients recover maximum compensation on their medical malpractice claims. To arrange your complimentary, no-obligation consultation, contact us online or by phone.