How many of us have checked ourselves into a hospital for a surgery just because we were told that we needed it? We pack our overnight suitcase and head for the hospital to be cut open and operated on without question. Never mind that your life is on the line every time you have surgery.
Do we assume that our doctor is completely right and that he has given us all the facts we need before agreeing to that surgery? If you assume that, then you are in for a rude wakeup call!
It is common knowledge to ask questions when you see your doctor. So why is it that so many of us stop asking questions when it comes to having surgery? Do we think that our doctor knows best? What is the real motive behind sending you to the hospital for an operation? To keep you healthy? Think again!
Let’s begin with some interesting facts about surgery that, chances are, you most likely do not know (and your doctor isn’t going to tell you!).
- Most doctors expect you to get a second or third opinion. They will not however, usually suggest that you do.
- Many surgeons are *not* board-certified in their specialty! If you wouldn’t fly on a plane piloted by a pilot who was not FAA-certified, why would you allow someone who was not certified to perform surgery? Your life is on the line any time you have surgery.
- You can speak to your doctor regarding donating your own, or family members’ blood for your surgery. Blood from a bank is seen by your body as a foreign substance, which heightens the chances of an adverse reaction. Using family or your own blood greatly diminishes this risk.
- Nearly all surgeons are paid as much as ten times more to perform a surgery than to manage your problem conservatively. So why wouldn’t they operate?
- Schedule your surgery as early in the week as possible. Many doctors go away over the weekend, leaving you in the hands of whomever is covering for them while they are gone. Scheduling a surgery early in the week ensure that your own doctor or surgeon will be around to check your progress.
- As of 2003, the number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is approximately 7.5 million! In fact, almost 25% of operations are *unnecessary*! However many hospital administrators push doctors to generate more money by scheduling more procedures. This goes on in many of America’s top hospitals! The Cleveland Clinic feels that this practice is so unethical, that they have begun paying their doctors a flat salary, regardless of how many operations they perform.
You have the right to ask questions and be as informed as possible before condoning a surgical procedure. This is your body, health and hard earned money we are talking about! Arm yourself with knowledge!
Questions to ask:
- To find out which doctor is best, ask the hospital employees.
- Ask the surgeon about their complication rate. Every doctor has one. If they say they don’t have one, then they are either hiding something, or they have not operated enough. Either way, you do not want them operating on you.
- Ask if you can speak to former patients. You get references for a babysitter or a mechanic, why wouldn’t you get one for a surgeon?
- Ask why you need this particular procedure at this time. Find out who will be performing the surgery and how many times they have performed this operation.
- Ask what the most common complications are and how you need to deal with them. Find out what your recovery will be like and who will be taking care of you during that time. Ideally, you want to hear that you will be seen on a regular basis until you have fully recovered.
The bottom line is, doctors want you to be informed, but not too informed. When your health, well-being and money is on the line, empower yourself with knowledge by asking as many questions as you need to. Never go blindly into having a surgical procedure just because one doctor suggested it.
Remember, the medical establishments exist to make profit, your health is secondary. Don’t allow your life to be put on the line unnecessarily. Don’t sacrifice your well-being just to help the hospitals and doctors collect more profit.
Make sure to get all the information before okaying any medical procedure. Don’t be a submissive pawn who helps the medical establishment get richer.
