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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Surgery: Questions to Ask the Doctor</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionFloat" id="sec-zm2256_sec"><p fingerprint="16bab78e" fingerprint-exact="1ff17dc4">Print this and fill in the information if your doctor recommends that you have a surgical procedure.</p><h2 fingerprint="2d5bd997" fingerprint-exact="f305843d">General questions</h2><ul fingerprint="cb265731" fingerprint-exact="0421d81d"><li>What is the name of the surgical procedure? </li><li>Why do I need surgery? </li><li>How soon should surgery take place? </li><li>What might happen if I delay or avoid the surgery? </li><li>What results should I expect from the surgery? </li><li>Are there any nonsurgical options? <ul><li><b>Yes ___ No___</b><b>If yes, describe</b>: </li></ul></li><li>Are there any less invasive surgery options? </li><li>What is the next step if this surgery doesn't work? </li><li>How much does the surgery cost? How can I find out? </li><li>Can it be done on an outpatient basis, and is that less expensive? </li></ul><h2 fingerprint="628373a7" fingerprint-exact="339c8b39">Questions to ask about the procedure</h2><ul fingerprint="4d31dec1" fingerprint-exact="9359382e"><li>Where will surgery be done? <ul><li><b>Outpatient location:</b></li><li><b>Hospital:</b></li></ul></li><li>How is the surgery done (laparoscopy or open surgery)? </li><li>What kind of anesthesia will be used (general, local, or regional)? </li><li>How long will the procedure take? </li><li>How successful is this procedure? </li><li>What are the risks associated with this surgery? </li><li>How much experience does the surgeon have with this procedure? </li><li>Has the procedure been done often in this hospital or surgery center? <ul><li><b>Yes ___ No___</b></li></ul></li><li>What complications might develop (both immediate and long-term)? </li><li>If a biopsy is being done, when can I expect to hear the results, and will my doctor call me? </li><li>Other questions: </li></ul><h2 fingerprint="e28c86a1" fingerprint-exact="c2e57ce0">Questions to ask about what to expect after surgery</h2><ul fingerprint="f84ebf7e" fingerprint-exact="1bc4f321"><li>How long will I have to stay after surgery? </li><li>How will I feel after surgery? </li><li>How much pain is there after this type of surgery? How is it treated? </li><li>How long will it take to recover from surgery? </li><li>Other questions: </li></ul><h2 fingerprint="d6e2f4e1" fingerprint-exact="cb204d9a">Questions to ask about what to expect when you get home</h2><ul fingerprint="89eb7113" fingerprint-exact="f776a66b"><li>What kind of care will I need at home? Are there any activity limitations? </li><li>How soon can I eat a regular meal? </li><li>How soon can I resume regular activities? </li><li>What symptoms should I watch for and report? </li><li>Other questions: </li></ul><h2 fingerprint="a0f7905e" fingerprint-exact="6d92b9d4">Reminders</h2><ul fingerprint="1b7c8504" fingerprint-exact="24bbacc6"><li>Ask for other information about the surgery. </li><li>Ask about a second opinion. </li><li>Ask how much the surgery will cost and if there are ways to reduce the costs. </li><li>State any concerns you have about having the surgery. </li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-zm2256-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="7bdae31a" fingerprint-exact="31448338"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Special" data-hw-document-href="tw9795" data-hw-section="aco0169" hw:document-type="Special" 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