Good Questions to ask your surgeon prior to surgery?????

  • Thread starter Thread starter marshrose
  • Start date Start date
M

marshrose

Guest
I searched but didn't see any threaRAB on good questions to ask and I'm coming up dry hoestly.
Was hoping those who have had surgery, if they could post their type of surgery/micro-d, fusion, disc replacement- and good questions to ask prior to surgery.

I see my surgeon again soon after rehernation from micro-d, and unfortunately prior to surgery I had an ESI that caused AGONY for 3 days and then I was back to where I started-immobile still. I cannot get another honestly it was worse than when I originally blew out 2 discs to begin with.

Any ideas or good questions to ask prior to surgery or contemplating it would be wonderful.

Thanks so much.


for Microdiscectomy-

Recovery time?

how are they going to control my pain after surgery (I was in agony after this one)?

Will I need someone at home to help me?/ for how long?

What is the chance of yet ANOTHER reherniation?
 
Hi rosepetal,
Basically it's the same recovery time as your 1st microD. And regarding the chance of re-herniation, unfortunately that too is the same percentage..about 5 to 10% of patients re-rupture disc. Its such a low percentage that I too was shocked when mine reruptured...and it was a very large one too. Make sure to ask all the questions you need at pre-op or feel free to call them..that is what we pay them for :)..also everyone is different, so they may have a different set of answers for you regarding what to expect.
Best of luck to you Hon!
 
Hi Rosespetal,
Here are the questions I had for my doctor prior to surgery. I edited out a few that would pertain only to my weird condition. Some of these may not apply to you, but maybe they'll trigger some other questions that do. I had a 360 fusion (incisions in both front and back).


Will the graft be my own bone, donor bone (cadaver?), or synthetic?

Will I be able to go upstairs once I get home? How long do I have to stay up there?

How long should I plan to abstain from sex?

How does the brace get fitted after surgery? Will I wear it 24/7? Sleep in it, shower in it, etc.?

Will I have a walker or other special equipment at home?

Do I use an enema prior to surgery?

Is there a weight limit guideline for lifting after surgery?

What is the hardware made of? Will I set off metal detectors? How often do these screws/roRAB break or come loose?

How common is it for the fusion not to happen?

Is there anything I can take (vitamin, etc.) that will help me to have a strong fusion? Are there things I shouldn
 
Always ask: How many surgeries of this kind the surgeon has done. Will it improve your quality of life and by how much. And has he ever been sued?
 
Make sre you are very comfortable with your doctor....I hate the cut and run docs....also ones who have issues with getting you meRAB as needed!...ask if he will stay with you and help you through this.

Who will be in the operating room with him?

I had a .....

Ortho (my doc)
Nuero.
vascular surgeon (saved my butt)
anesthisia X 2
General surgeon
and the nurses.....sounRAB busy but my doc was sure happy when we had problems and all the extra help was there.

Ask about donating your own blood if you have an issue with a transfusion.

Dont want to scare you but it was something I ran into....I am very happy I had my surgery and Im doing great now.

Also ask about the after care in the hospital...this is very important when you need care and its substandard....I was very impressed with my after care but have heard stories and Im glad I didnt have to deal with it.

Devon
 
Great suggestions and ideas!

I was wondering, since I have an orthopedic surgeon, my 2nd opinion if things turn to that was going to be a neurosurgeon that I know does spine surgeries, comes well recommended- some say it's better others say no? And me of all people are worried about insulting my surgeon with that 2nd opinion but, I'm going to haveto.

I herniated larger than what I had prior on the 2nd disc, and it's impinging the L5 nerve root, I cant fathom another microdiscectomy with the whopper I have in my back now. Let alone I lost alot of disc height already. IDK I'm just really worrying.

I'm glad to see the fusion questions as I dont know where the road may lead me I'm going to write some down for each surgery type and bring it with me when I go.

Keep them coming!
The have you been sued one OMG what a whopper of a question that is!!
 
One of the many questions I asked was..."If this was your Mother, Wife, or Daughter would you do this surgery on them and why?" Of course you can change the question if your a man. This question caught my doctor off guard and made him smile. His answer was what I needed to hear to make the decision to have surgery.
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Very good questions and helpful ideas! I am going for a second opinion soon just too see that it's the best for my situation. And I have a laptop now lol, its my lifesaver. I've been 80% bed bound- on my back bound, for 6 months total, within that a 2 level microdiscectomy that one of the 2 levels are now reherniated larger than prior to my surgery. I'm already stir crazy sick of TV and my only way to really get through the day is reading endlessly about back conditions and surgery options. I can't walk long at all and I limp and more pain just comes and breaks through the vicoden and neurontin. I'm sick of this back stuff for sure. I want it done and me back to living!
 
Back
Top