“I am suggesting surgery for your ailment” – for some this may sound like a death sentence. It can create a variety of emotions starting from anxiety to depression .
Fear of surgery is a natural reaction till it is understood completely. Most of the times the cause of concerns are
- Fear of failure
- Fear of death
- Fear of worsening of pre existing problem
- Fear of excessive expenditure.
Believe it or not these fears exist even in the mind of the surgeon suggesting you the procedure. He takes up the challenge to help you but as a patient the primary responsibility is believing your surgeon.
There are sufficient scientific evidences to suggest that a patient with positive outlook towards the procedure has good outcome after a flawless surgery.
THE KEY FACTOR IS CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSON TO HOLD THE KNIFE.
Often the first reaction for many is to choose hospital ,based on the monetary restrictions. “ DON’T PRESUME THAT BEST SURGEONS ARE IN BIGGER EXPENSIVE HOSPITALS”
It is prudent to get operated in best infra structured environment but that not mandatory. Ask your surgeon the list of complications he anticipates in your case and if he can manage it with existing facilities.
“ SURGEON DISCUSSING COMPLICATION IS NOT HIDING FACTS PROBABLY HAS MORE EXPERIENCE”
A surgeon who gets candid with anticipated complication is ethically correct. If you are not preoperatively given adequate time the primary surgeon explaining procedure and complications don’t choose him/ her. He may have the excuse of being busy after surgery also.
“GOOGLE CELEBRATED DOCTOR IS NOT FINAL DESTINATION”
– Googling details about surgeon is not wrong.But not always all details are contributory/ correct. Personally enquire friends/ relatives/ patients also got operated by the surgeon. This enquiry is not for confirming the credentials but to assess the compatibility .
A more approachable surgeon is a safe bet rather a high profile surgeon with multiple assistants who hardly has time for you.
“FOREIGN DEGREES MAY NOT MAKE SENSE SOMETIMES”
Another mistake often done by people is to look at the countries the doctor has trained himself & have pre formed ideas. A degree based on UK/ USA doesn’t always imply that he is trained in the surgical procedure planned for you.
Feel free to ask your surgeon how often he does the procedure and if he can share details of similar surgery ( xrays/ scans)
Knowing your surgeon ( credentials/ working place/ experience ) is mandatory. But finalise the person who allays your fear, discusses your problems and promises to deliver the ideal procedure.
“ DON’T ASSUME THAT SENIOR MOST SURGEON IS THE BEST PERSON TO CARRY OUT THE PROCEDURE”
Feel free to ask the surgeon if he will be the operating person or a reliable subordinate would be designated. In busy hospital with more operative volume the senior consultant may not dedicate time for smaller procedures which can be handled by his team. Even though it doesn’t change the outcome it adds to your confidence once you get the assurance of main surgeon.