Did you know that around 500,000 people in the United States of America get surgery on their lower backs each year? Spinal surgery is a serious procedure so it is normal to be a bit nervous and to have questions about spinal surgery for your surgeon.
While there is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to the spinal surgery procedure, there are certain questions that you should make sure to ask. This will give you a clearer picture of spinal surgery preparation and the benefits of spinal surgery.
The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn about the best questions to ask your spinal surgeon prior to getting your spinal surgery. Keep reading this article for the ten best questions to ask.
1. What Does the Spinal Surgery Procedure Involve?
One of the first things that you need to ask your spinal surgery surgeon about is what to expect when it comes to the procedure itself. This is important because there are a number of different types of spinal surgery, and each ranges in severity and recovery time.
Ask for a step-by-step breakdown of the procedure with all of the details. It is your right as the patient to know what will happen when the surgeon performs the surgery.
2. Why Do I Need Spinal Surgery?
Another question that you’ll want to make sure to ask is why you need the spinal surgery and the benefits that it will provide you if you get it. If your surgeon has their spinal surgeon’s qualifications then they’ll have no issues telling you more about your condition and the reasons for getting surgery.
This is also a perfect opportunity for the surgeon to tell you about the benefits of spinal surgery when it comes to your specific condition. This is part of what sets the surgeons at Neurosurgery One apart from the pack.
3. How Will Spinal Surgery Resolve the Issue?
You deserve to know how the spinal surgery that you’ll undergo is going to help you resolve the issues that you’re experiencing with your spine. This is important because there are some surgeries that will get rid of the issue altogether.
There are other surgeries that are like a temporary fix to the issue. You need to ask how the surgery will help with the issue to know how effective it will be in getting rid of your spinal issues.
4. Are There No Other Non-Surgical Options?
It is always smart to ask about other options that don’t involve surgery prior to going under the knife. Surgeries help with a lot of things, but they could also lead to other issues. You should always opt to try a non-invasive treatment option before going through with spinal surgery.
A good spinal surgeon won’t recommend going through with the surgery unless all other options have been attempted. If they’ve been tried without success then surgery is the next step in getting the treatment you need.
5. Should You Get a Second Opinion?
It isn’t a bad idea to ask your spinal surgeon about getting a second opinion on your back issues. You deserve to get multiple opinions as backs are tricky and something that went unnoticed might get spotted by a different set of eyes.
It is also a great way for you and your family to gain as much knowledge about your spinal procedure as possible. This will help you all to feel assured about the quality of care that you’ll get during your procedure.
6. What Happens if I Choose to Not Get Surgery?
You also might be curious to know what will happen to you if you choose to go without getting spinal surgery. This is important to know because you need to have an idea of whether or not your condition will get worse.
If your back issues will continue to deteriorate your quality of life then you should move forward with getting the surgery. If your back problems will remain the same and you feel that you can manage them then you should be okay with proceeding in life without the surgery.
7. How Long Is the Hospital Stay?
Another good thing to ask the spinal surgeon about is the hospital stay. There are some types of spinal surgery that are outpatient procedures. These operations will have you back home the same day as the procedure.
There are other types of spinal surgery that are more complicated. Some of these surgeries will require you to stay overnight at the hospital for monitoring purposes. Your surgeon should have no issues telling you how long you’ll need to stay at the hospital after your surgery.
8. What Does Recovery Look Like?
Many people worry more about the recovery process than the procedure itself. If you’re one of these people then it is smart to ask about the recovery process. This includes an expectation for how much pain you’ll be in after the surgery and the types of medicine that you’ll need to take.
You should also ask if you’ll need a wheelchair or if you’ll be bedridden during recovery. Another thing that you should ask your spinal surgeon about is what your recovery will look like on a longer timeline. Some spinal surgeries require extensive physical therapy to get you back to your best self, while others will have you back on your feet in a matter of weeks.
The best way to prepare for your upcoming spinal surgery is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. You’ll feel confident in the procedure, the surgeon, and the odds that you’ll make a full recovery.
Make Sure You Ask These Great Questions About Spinal Surgery
Spinal surgery is a big deal and it is important that you get as much information about the procedure and preparation as you can. The best way to do that is by asking questions about spinal surgery to the expert surgeon that is handling the procedure. Make sure you ask about the types of spinal surgery and what to expect when it comes to the recovery timeline.
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