Going under the knife may be a necessity in some cases, but this is not always the case. That said, it’s important to make sure that you’re making the right call before you decide to undergo surgery. Asking these questions can make it easier for you to be sure that you’re happy with your decision and that you’re ready to handle the consequences of the procedure. Before you get ready and leave your home to get that procedure, here are four things that you should consider so that you can be sure you’re making the best decision.
1. How Long Will the Surgery Be?
The first thing that you should know before you leave your home for a procedure is how long the surgery is expected to be. This information can prove beneficial both to you and your family since it will be possible to make plans around the procedure. With this in mind, it’s important that your family, friends, or anyone who will be in the waiting room while the surgery is done know how long they should expect to wait. If there are any issues that could make the surgery take a longer time, these need to be clarified early on so as to assuage any unnecessary anxiety. This is an important detail to note when you consider the fact that studies show that more than 4,000 surgical errors occur every single year in the United States, according to Wilson & McQueen PLLC.
2. What Type of Anesthesia Will Be Used?
Another detail that you may want to clarify from the beginning is the specific type of anesthesia that’s going to be used for the procedure. Most people don’t like to be put under completely, and this is something that’s not a necessity for all surgeries. To make sure that you know what you can expect, it’s best that you talk to the surgeon in advance and discuss the anesthesia that’s going to be used, as well as its pros and cons. This way, you may find it easier to be calm throughout. This is an important consideration to make when you consider the fact that 3.6% of the adult population in the United States experienced post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD in the past year, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
3. How Much Pain Is to Be Expected?
Sometimes, pain is a side effect of surgery, including procedures meant to get pain under control. That said, it’s important to know exactly what to expect in terms of whether there’s likely to be pain, and how much could be felt after the procedure. You should also find out how long this pain should linger so that you know whether to seek help if the pain goes beyond a certain point or lasts for a given length of time. For instance, you may learn that 90% of people who have a knee replacement experience a significant reduction in the pain that they experience, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons or AAOS. When you know about pain and how much of it to expect, you can discuss pain management options before the procedure so that you get through the process with a clear idea of what to expect.
4. Is There a Risk of Blood Clots?
Last but not least, you may want to ask about the possibility of blood clots after the surgery. When you know about this, you could discuss whether it’s necessary for you to change your lifestyle or get a prescription for blood thinners after the procedure. These measures can help you manage the risk of deep vein thrombosis or DVT, a potentially risky issue if it’s not caught in good time.
If you can think about these four things before you go under the knife, you have a good chance of regulating your expectations. You can also make plans that could help make recovery faster and better for you. When all is said and done, you’ll have a better procedure if you can make the right preparations for it.