Questions for Surgeon

[kkshadow]

Hey!

I'm scheduled to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon on Friday, June 16th. What are some good questions to ask, when I go? I know that I probably need a list of questions to ask. The last time I went to a surgeon was when I was 14 or 15 & at that time my parents asked all the questions.
My husband is going with me, so if I forget, he can have a copy of the questions & ask away!

[Suzy]

I would think first and foremost would be if Dr. is a scoliosis/spine deformaty specialistist and how many scoli surgerys Dr. has done. Being a back surgeon is not the same. This is a very specialised area and you need to make sure he is qualified. Find out with who and where he was trained in that area. I found out my Dr. had trained with Dr.Boachie after my research! Your Dr. should have this info available for you. I found a lot of orthopaedic Drs. don't do scoli surgery when I was shopping around. Did you ask about scoli experience prior to setting up appt? Also, if he has you go to have x-rays see if you can hand carry them because if you need to go to a different Dr. you will have them with you. (He shouldn't object To you holding on to the x-rays) if he can't do your surgery and you need to go to a specialist. Best wishes.

[makaylasmom]

I would also ask if he has any patients that have undergone this surgery that you could speak with. My surgeon was very happy to give me some name and numbers of patients that had scoli surgery with him. It also lets you know that he is confident, which is important.

[dawney]

I started a list everytime I think of the question I write it down. I go back on July 5th to sign consent forms and schedule my surgery. I have the ones that were already mentioned, but one that wasn't is what was the largest curve that he has ever done correction on.

[Snoopy]

Like everyone else has said, write down your questions so you don't forget any of them. I would suggest writing them in the order of importance to you, that way, if you don't get enough time to ask all of your questions, at least you will have the most important ones answered.

Good luck.

Mary Lou

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Hi Kim,
Like others have said, I am jotting down questions as they come to me. Most important at the top of the list... Major ones for me are length of operations(seems I'll be done in one day,but it's a biggy fusion so I'm concerned to know). If & how he will reduce the hump(1,2 ribs out?)
& another I really am curious about...I want him to draw my spine on a piece of paper! That is because I have 2 x-rays/ lumbar & thoracic to try & piece together & it's real hard to view my whole curve(scary). I'd love to have one x-ray of my whole spine...Ly
aug 1st surgery/ant/post....t2-sacrum? http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com

[sweetness514]

Hi Lynn,

I think that if you get new Xrays done they would probably be the long ones and that would solve that problem. Only a few hospitals(where orthopedics is a specialty) and one specialized back clinic do the long ones here, and I also don't like it when I go to the local clinic and have the two piece done, you can't see everything clearly on those. Now I have a disc of my Xrays, and can pop it in my computer, got it from my last appointment.

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Hi sweetness---
I'm getting the feeling that my 'curvy" body (spine) does'nt fit the screen well seeing that the MRI took double the time it was supposed to due to the technician telling me he could'nt fit me all on the screen at once....so did double images of each side.. Maybe it's the same for x-rays???
All I know is lately, I'm waking up at night again(& I had been so good..) With another operating room dream that scares the you know what out of me! Tylenol PM to night, I guess!!!! Ly

[makaylasmom]

My surgeons office put my X-Rays and MRI's on a DVD/CD Rom. That makes it easier to view and see. I know what you mean about the dreams... I keep having one that freaks me out too. Tonight has been emotional- only 10 days now till surgery! Yikes!!

[sweetness514]

Hi sweetness---
I'm getting the feeling that my 'curvy" body (spine) does'nt fit the screen well seeing that the MRI took double the time it was supposed to due to the technician telling me he could'nt fit me all on the screen at once....so did double images of each side.. Maybe it's the same for x-rays???
All I know is lately, I'm waking up at night again(& I had been so good..) With another operating room dream that scares the you know what out of me! Tylenol PM to night, I guess!!!! Ly

I doubt it would be the same for Xrays, even if you're curvy. Yes, getting some sleep and taking a sleep aid helps so much before the surgery