questions to ask surgeon

[labguides]

Our daughter (age 26) has appointment with surgeon ( Dr. Laks at UCLA) later this week for mitral valve repair. She wants me to go along. What are some of the questions, she should ask. She knows the obvious -- how many of these have you done?, the W questions. Any specific questions??? I appreciate your input.

 

[bvdr]

Let's see, for a start:

1. If the valve can't be repaired what is the back-up plan?

2. What type of incision are you planning on doing and why?

3. Will you please keep me pretty sedated in ICU while I am on the ventilator?

4. Will you please medicate me before removing my chest tubes?

5. What criteria do I have to meet in order to be discharged to home?

6. When I go home how will I know who to call, when to call, and in what circumstances should I call?


(number 3 and 4 were real important to me)

 

[Christina L]

Thanks, Betty. I have printed these questions off and have put them in my little packet to take to Cleveland, for my November 5 surgery. Great suggestions!

Glad that you are doing so well!

Westielvr: As for your daughter and questions, just ask any and all that come to your mind PLUS ones that you have compiled in a written list. Definitely you need to know how many valve repairs the surgeon has done and how successful he has been at doing them. I pray that your young daughter will have a very successful repair.

Chris

 

[labguides]

questions for surgeon

questions for surgeon

Betty,
Thanks for the specific questions to ask the surgeon. I appreciate your help! Having never been through this procedure, those are the kind of questions that we would not think to ask ahead of time.

 

[Kevin M]

It's good that she is bringing someone with her. When I went alone, I got myself all worked up and forgot half my questions even though I wrote them down.

With respect to the backup plan if the repair doesn't go well - be clear about your daughters thoughts about having children in the future. If they have to end up doing a replacement instead of repair, this could be important to your daughter. I don't know much about mitral valves, but if they are like aortic ones, there could be a decision between mechanical or tissue valve and childbearing has a dramatic effect on this decision.

Kev

 

[medtronic of borg]

speaking up

speaking up

She may want to go a little farther. Take a pocket size recorder and record the conversation. So you can review the answeres as given. Just a thought.

More people need to ask even the most trivial ?s because he or she may respond and say some little bit of information that trigers many more. I think we all talk about problems with dr's rn's the system, but never think that the patient is also a part of all this and need to stand up for her/him self. I guess what I'm saying is speak up girl!!!

 

[Kevin M]

Taping it is a great idea. I wish I had done that.
Good one.
Kev

 

[Guest]

*reviews Betty's suggestions*

*spots suggestion to tape record conversation*

*runs to grab list of questions I asked*

Ah, crap...now it's all chicken scratch to me .

Point is....do tape record. I really wish I had done that. But, nope...not me...I didn't think of that....LOL.

It is wonderful that you are going with her to discuss these issues with the surgeons. It is a good idea (imho) to have someone there with you so there is less of a chance of "misunderstandings" down the road.... My parents and a friend went with me to visit the surgeon before my surgery....I'm so glad they were there.

A couple other questions you might want to include....

What are my limitations after the surgery...and for how long?

How long do you expect me to be in the hospital following surgery?

HTH,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 30/swm
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[hensylee]

Go with her, get the information, bring it back here and then we can tell you much, much more - decipher what he said.

 

[Kathy]

I had many questions on a daily basis after surgery. I brought a legal pad and kept it next to the bed so my husband and I could write questions to ask the physicians when they made rounds each day.