How much time did you get for the surgical consult?

[ottagal]

I am in the process of compiling the list of questions for the surgeon and am trying to keep it to one page and to the point. The list of surgery questions in this thread was most helpful!

Typically, how much time did your surgeon allocate for the pre-surgery consult? Am I looking at 15 minutes, 30 minutes etc? The appt. is right before lunch (I hope he will have had a late morning snack to keep him going )I hate the thought of being rushed while making such important life altering decisions. Did your surgeon provide an email address or offer another means of correspondence if you had more questions after the consult?

Appreciate the great feedback!

 

[Nancy]

Well, don't forget that you will also be getting a physical exam in the allotted time frame, and that may be extensive.

Just make sure your questions are written down and are succinct. Whittle down your question list to the very most important ones for you, or the ones you are most worried about.

 

[ottagal]

Thanks very much Nancy! I completely forgot that I would also be getting a physical as part of the appt. I hope I can narrow down those questions. They all seem impt!

 

[Nancy]

Not only the physical exam, but I am sure the surgeon will give you a run down of your condition, and what the plans for surgery are and will go over what will be happening before, during and after surgery. They will have their own agenda to discuss and you have to allow for that. And he may be reviewing some test results, x-rays, etc., while you are in the exam room too.

There is a LOT the doctors have to discuss from their side of the equation. That's why it is important to keep your list short and to the point.

 

[Lynlw]

Well, don't forget that you will also be getting a physical exam in the allotted time frame, and that may be extensive.

Just make sure your questions are written down and are succinct. Whittle down your question list to the very most important ones for you, or the ones you are most worried about.

Justin didn't get a physical when we met with the surgeon. We met in a conference room, between cases with the one surgeon and the other surgeon we met in his office, not the exam room, but his office with his desk ect) to discuss surgery options ect.

Alot of times I had my list but the surgeon talked first and explained everything and he coverred alot of my questions in that, so I didn't really have to ask many questions.

 

[cuoricino]

I didn't get a physical either! I feel gipped!

I've met with 3 surgeons so far. First was not the cheif of surgery. Had my parents and boyfriend cram into his tiny office and we kept him for over an hour. He did not seem rushed and answered all my questions, and my mom's questions, and my boyfriend's questions, etc.

Second was chief of surgery at private hospital and same thing. Was only me and boyfriend, but still stayed in his office for over an hour.

Third was chief of surgery at public hospital and waited over 2 hours in waiting room, and sat with dr for only about 10 minutes. Good thing I only had a few questions left!!

Ironically I found the 3rd consult much more helpful than the other 2. In ten minutes, he was able to decisively tell me what he wanted to do, the risks, the advantages and all the rest. In the end, it is the consult that has made me feel more at ease about this surgery than anything else. Go figure!!!

I agree with what the others say, ask all your important questions, but keep it succint. The doctor will probably guide your conversation to what is most important in YOUR case anyway.

PS- all surgeons gave me all of their numbers (secretary, office line, AND cell number). Not sure how it works in Canada, but I find in Italy, every doctor I've met with has been very reachable. I feel very fortunate.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You paint a very good picture of the Surgeons in Italy.
You may be our First Member from Italy, or at least the first one I remember after several years of membership.

It sounds like they were very open to communicating with patients and addressed all your concerns. You were fortunate indeed! Having confidence in and feeling comfortable with your surgeon is a real Plus.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Roger Frank]

Five minutes...then he was on to his next victim!

 

[RI Mom]

My son's surgeon met just with me a few weeks ago and we spent an hour together going over the plan and my questions. We have also talked on the phone for at least 20 minutes and emailed back and forth at least 3 times. He gives his email out to any parent who wants it and frequently answers questions that way. I guess it just depends on the surgeon and how important they view communication with patients. I know that the surgeon was busy when he sat down with me because while I was waiting he called from the hospital to find out who his appointment was with. He was in the office 10 minutes later. He had to leave for a few minutes to take a call and came right back. I never felt rushed but I'm sure I put him behind that day....oh well......

 

[netmiff]

my experience in a public hospital in Hamilton, ON., Sept 2007.

DH, my parents and I all crammed in to a teeny office; I asked first if there was any problem in bringing in the "whole team", and his attitude was that if they were my support group, they had to be there, and we'd manage to fit us all in somehow. He was about 1.5 hours behind when we got to him, I just figured someone eeded him more than I did at that moment. We were in for over an hour and did not feel rushed at all. Only physical I had was he had a quick listen to my heart, but I was scheduled for cath etc. and pre-op orientation, too. I had his office number, and his secretary was good at returning calls.

After, he himself was at my bedside between 6 and 8 am on at least a couple of occasios, and one of his earlydays, he called a medication change for me to the nurses station after midnight - my first thought was that I hoped he wasn't operating the next day!

If you have any more questions, do not hestate to e-mail me or PM me.

 

[lance]

One important hint .........................

One important hint .........................

try and remember to ask about the valve that will be used. Ensure it has a "good track record". e.g been used successfully over a period of time.

My initial meeting with the surgeon lasted 1/2 an hour. I was told the valve would be a mechanical because I was otherwise in good health and would outlast a tissue. Never saw her again 'til after the surgery. She listened to my heart and took my blood pressure.

 

[Lynlw]

I also wanted to add, don't be shocked if your surgical consult gets postponed, especially if your surgeon does transplants or the hospital has a trauma center. We had a couple consults postpend to either later or a different day, because of heart transplants (the other transplant surgeon was already in the OR) also if he is seeing you on a day he does ORs sometimes you end up waiting a little while.

 

[ottagal]

Thanks so much everyone for the great replies and recommendations. This is most helpful. I don't know what I would do without you!!!

 

[Bina]

My meeting with the surgeon (also a chief of CT surgery) did NOT include any physical exam.
That had been taken care of by my GP, Cardio, and later an internist.
I don't think that my meeting was overly long, I had a look at a model of the valve, chatted a bit,
but I didn't want any gory details. Hubby and I were already traumatized enough.
In Ottawa, as in Montreal, I'm sure that they are using the St. Jude if you go mechanical.
How about calling his secretary and asking her approx how much time is allocated for the visit?

 

[ottagal]

That's good information, Bina. Ok...where is that brain of mine!? That is an excellent suggestion to contact the surgeon's office and ask how long the consult will take.

 

[Bina]

I remember being "muddled"......it's no big deal. Breathe deep, exhale, relax.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I was completely dressed during my appointment with the surgeon, so no physical exam, although he did listen to my heart - more for entertainment than anything else probably as he had already reviewed all the tests and spoken with my Cardiologist. Anyone who ever heard my murmur always got quite a thrill and many doctors called in their colleagues to listen! However, the surgeon gave me as much time as I needed - I think about 30-45 minutes - between his morning and afternoon surgeries. I trusted my Cardiologist to refer me to a good surgeon and since I was formerly employed by the hospital, I knew he had a great reputation. My concerns were a) the scar; b) the recovery period; c) the hospital, so that's what my questions revolved around.

 

[netmiff]

In Ottawa, as in Montreal, I'm sure that they are using the St. Jude if you go mechanical.

I got a Carbomedics in Hamilton, never thought to ask what they would use - I hadn't found this place before my surgery; but we agreed on mechanical . . and mech -vs- tissue was brought up; I had some concerns re warfarin as bleeding strokes run on the female side of my mother's family

 

[Freddie]

Welllll.....for me, there was no physical exam, was shown a model of the heart and where the problem was and the type of mechanical valve they/he (surgeon) would use. I didn't really have a choice. Like Jeanette, I hadn't found this site before surgery. This was done by one of the surgeons "team" members and lasted about 45 minutes. I DID see the surgeon, Lord knows what he said, which lasted another 45 minutes.

Hey, here's a thought. Since your going to be seeing your surgeon just before lunch, why not bring him a granola bar or something to make him to stay 'put' while he's with you?

 

[Kathy McCain]

I had one of the best surgeons. However, I was DEFINITELY NOT IMPRESSED with the way he communicates with his patients!