03 Nov 2023 Essential Questions Before Hernia Surgery

Empower your journey to hernia surgery: ask the right questions, make informed choices!

So, what should I ask my surgeon when discussing my hernia surgery? There are certainly many questions to ask, and to answer them takes time, but time is limited. Therefore, it is important to use the time wisely. As a hernia surgery specialist, some questions I have listed below are actually about evaluating your surgeon’s experience in this matter. Here are these questions:

– What is the diagnosis?

– Is non-surgical treatment possible?

– What happens if I don’t have surgery?

– What are the treatment options?

– Is laparoscopic/robotic technique suitable?

– What type of anesthesia will be used and what are the associated risks?

– How long will I stay in the hospital and what is the post-operative plan?

– What kind of recovery process can I expect after surgery?

– What is the success rate of this surgery and how is success defined in this case?

– What are the potential risks and adverse outcomes after the surgery?

– What is the estimated cost of this surgery and does my insurance cover it?

– What is your experience with the recommended surgery? How often do you perform it?

– Are you a member of a national/international hernia society?

– When was the last time you attended a conference or course related to hernias?

– Do you have any scientific articles related to hernias?

– Do you follow the guidelines published by the European Hernia Society?

Always ask. Take notes whenever you think of something and ask. The more informed you are, the better decisions you will make.

* A part of this blog post has been quoted with permission from the informational note ‘Evaluating a Doctor Before Surgery’ prepared by the Freedland Harwin Valori Gander Law Firm.