Questions to ask the surgeon

[pfsinger]

For those of us out there who have yet to undergo OHS, what are some questions we should be asking our surgeons at the surgery consult?

I have specific ones for me, but in general, what are things we would need to know?

Thanks!

 

[Cooker]

Where he/she graduated in their class

How many OHS per year. I have friend (RN) at the heart center so she gave me a couple of names to choose from. Maybe some folks here can recommend someone.

Good hunting!

Tom

 

[PJmomrunner]

I would ask (and did ask! ) how many of my specific procedures the surgeon has done, in your case on patients with a Blalock-Tausig Shunt and who have had a Tetrology of Fallot Repair. I presume that you are going to a surgeon who specializes in congenital heart defects. (If not...you should! ) I would familiarize myself with the hospital's OHS mortality, stroke and infection rates and ask the surgeon what his/hers are and what they are likely to be for you, given your age and general health status.

 

[pfsinger]

Thanks!
I know that my surgeon specializes in valve replacements. He is a cardiac surgeon in the Mayo Adult Congenital Disease Clinic and came highly recommended by my cardio (she's the clinic director). Here he is:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/cardiacsurgery-rst/11226374.html
I will ask about specific procedures he's done on people with my history.
I know that the success rate at Mayo for this surgery is 98%.

Is there anything else anyone can think to ask?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Kristy]

Plan B

Plan B

I wanted to know what Plan B and Plan C were; so once you are on the table and opened and if the surgeon finds that the original plan (or specific valve type) isn't going to work, what is the next step? I wanted to know the alternate plans so that I would be more prepared to accept the outcome if it were different than Plan A! Also, it was important that my surgeon know my preferences in different scenarios should we end up there.

Best of luck to you,
Kristy