If surgery is the best treatment for your parent's condition, the doctor will refer you to a surgeon. Knowing more about the operation will help you make an informed decision about how to proceed. It also will help you get ready for the surgery, which makes for a better recovery.
Ask the surgeon to explain what will be done during the operation and what reading material, videotapes, or websites you can look at before the operation.
Find out if your parent will have to stay overnight in the hospital or if the surgery can be done on an outpatient basis. Minor surgeries that don't require an overnight stay can sometimes be done at medical centers, or outpatient surgery.
Questions to ask the surgeon:
- What is the success rate of the operation? How many of these operations have you done successfully?
- What problems occur with this surgery? What kind of pain or discomfort can Mom/Dad expect?
- What kind of anesthesia is needed? Are there any risks associated with this anesthesia for elders?
- Will Mom/Dad have to stay in the hospital overnight? How long is recovery expected to take? What does it involve?
- Will Mom/Dad need special equipment following the surgery? What about special therapy (physical/occupational/etc.)?