When planning a surgery it is important to find out as much information as you can from your surgeon, but it is also essential that you give your surgeon all of the information needed to make your surgery as safe as possible. Here are ten things you absolutely must discuss with your surgeon in order to have a safe and healthy outcome.
1. Medications
Your surgeon needs to know about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription, non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. Supplements are often overlooked when listing current medications, but it is very important that the surgeon is aware of any supplements as they can interact with anesthesia and may increase bleeding.2. Smoking Habits
Patients should be sure to notify their surgeon if they smoke, or have smoked in the past. Some smokers require more time to be taken off of the ventilator and supplemental oxygen once they are breathing on their own. Smoking can also impair wound healing and cause greater scarring than non smokers experience.3. Alcohol Intake
It is essential that patients are candid about the amount of alcohol they consume. Patients who are dependent upon alcohol can have issues ranging from tremors to seizures as they begin to experience withdrawal. If the surgeon is aware that the patient is chemically dependent upon alcohol they can prescribe medications that will relieve the symptoms and prevent some of the more serious complications.Patients who are dependent upon alcohol may also have difficulty with pain control, as they are typically less sensitive to pain medication and require larger doses. If the surgeon is unaware of the alcohol use, the prescribed dosage may be inadequate.
4. Previous Illnesses and Surgeries
Surgeries leave scars, both internal and external, and can change surgeries that follow. A surgeon should be well aware of any previous surgeries, especially those that take place in the same region of the body. In addition to surgeries, any major illnesses should be disclosed as well, as a patient’s tolerance of anesthesia can be changed by previous and current illnesses.5. Illicit Drug Use
Drugs, both prescription and illicit, can alter the way anesthesia effects patients. In addition, smoking illicit drugs, like smoking cigarettes, can alter the way a patient returns to breathing on their own after being on a ventilator.Illegal drugs can change the effectiveness of prescription pain medications, requiring different dosages and can have interactions with anesthesia drugs, causing serious complications.
6. Allergies
It is important to disclose all known allergies prior to having surgery. All allergies, including food, medications and those that cause skin irritation, should be included. By placing this information on your hospital chart, it will make the various departments of the hospital, including pharmacy and nutritional services, aware of the allergies.A good example is an egg allergy, which may not seem important when having surgery; however, many medications are formulated in an egg base, which could cause a serious reaction if given to the patient.
7. Past Issues With Surgery
The surgeon should be made aware with any problems with previous surgeries. This includes bleeding issues after surgery, briefly waking during surgery or anything else that was unusual. A patient who has had problems in the past is not necessarily going to have the same problems if they have surgery again, and problems that can reoccur may be prevented if the surgeon and anesthesia provider are aware of the issues.8. Current Illness or Fever
If a patient begins to feel ill, or has a fever, in the days preceding surgery, the surgeon needs to be made aware. The surgeon may decide it is safe to continue with surgery or may opt to postpone the procedure. A fever is a sign of possible infection and should be disclosed, to prevent wasted time and energy for both the patient and the surgeon.A patient who presents at the hospital for a scheduled surgery unaware that they have a fever may be sent home and the surgery appointment changed.
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