Hemorrhoid Surgery, Are You Really Prepared?

on Friday, February 19

First on your mind should be whether you are fully informed? Do you know the right questions to ask? What do you need to know about the surgery and about your doctor? What question are you going to ask before the procedure? Most of us would draw a blank, so you need to give this some time. It will not do any good to wish you had asked after it is over.

There are many choices when thinking about Treatment for Hemorrhoids and many doctors.

  1. Does this doctor specialize in these kinds of surgery or in something else? Do you want a specialist or a general surgeon? If he is a specialist you would think he has done this many times, but it would be a good idea to ask. If he is a general surgeon it should be a required question.

  2. Has he reviewed all the possible ways of handling your situation, or did you say yes to the one (any maybe only) suggestion he offered?

  3. It is good to question the doctor as to why he thinks this is the best procedure. Why is this one better than the others?

  4. How long will the procedure take? Will there be an overnight stay at the hospital?

  5. What is the recovery process? How long, and with what limitation? Is there any procedures that would have a shorter or less painful recovery? When will I be able to do normal activities, like go back to work, eat regular food, and so on?

  6. Did he give you a list of all possible complications associated with this procedure and with a stay in the hospital?

  7. What if something goes wrong? If this is a surgery that will put you to sleep do you have a living will? Does the doctor know how you feel about taking Blood?

  8. Does someone need to stay with you during recovery, how much care will you need?

  9. The day before, the morning of, what foods and drinks can you have? Can you take aspirins, or blood thinners a day before, or a week before? Is drinking an alcoholic beverage before the procedure a danger?

  10. Does the doctor and anesthesiologist know all the medications you are taking, and if you have any diabetes, high blood pressure, and any other situation?

  11. Ask yourself, who else know this surgeon. Your family doctor should have suggested him. If not do you know others that have used him as a surgeon?

  12. Be careful of a doctor that does not like to answer questions. That is a red flag.

  13. Do you know all the costs, for the doctor, anesthesiologist, the room space, nurse team, recovery, and any longer term stay?

  14. Have you check to make sure your insurance company covers every part of the surgery?