When planning a surgery it is important to find out as much information as you can from your surgeon, but it is also essential that you give your surgeon all of the information needed to make your surgery as safe as possible. Here are ten things you absolutely must discuss with your surgeon in order to have a safe and healthy outcome.

Medications

Your surgeon needs to know about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription, non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. Supplements are often overlooked when listing current medications, but it is very important that the surgeon is aware of any supplements as they can interact with anesthesia and may increase bleeding.

Smoking Habits

Patients should be sure to notify their surgeon if they smoke, or have smoked in the past. Smoking can also impair wound healing and cause greater scarring than non smokers experience.

Alcohol Intake

It is essential that patients are candid about the amount of alcohol they consume. Patients who are dependent upon alcohol can have issues ranging from tremors to seizures as they begin to experience withdrawal. If the surgeon is aware that the patient is chemically dependent upon alcohol they can prescribe medications that will relieve the symptoms and prevent some of the more serious complications.
Patients who are dependent upon alcohol may also have difficulty with pain control, as they are typically less sensitive to pain medication and require larger doses. If the surgeon is unaware of the alcohol use, the prescribed dosage may be inadequate.

Previous Illnesses and Surgeries

Surgeries leave scars, both internal and external, and can change surgeries that follow. A surgeon should be well aware of any previous surgeries, especially those that take place in the same region of the body. In addition to surgeries, any major illnesses should be disclosed as well, as a patient’s tolerance of anesthesia can be changed by previous and current illnesses.

Allergies

It is important to disclose all known allergies prior to having surgery. All allergies, including food, medications and those that cause skin irritation, should be included. By placing this information on your hospital chart, it will make the various departments of the hospital, including pharmacy and nutritional services, aware of the allergies. A good example is an egg allergy, which may not seem important when having surgery; however, many medications are formulated in an egg base, which could cause a serious reaction if given to the patient.

Past Issues With Surgery

The surgeon should be made aware with any problems with previous surgeries. This includes bleeding issues after surgery

Current Illness or Fever

If a patient begins to feel ill, or has a fever, in the days preceding surgery, the surgeon needs to be made aware. The surgeon may decide it is safe to continue with surgery or may opt to postpone the procedure. A fever is a sign of possible infection and should be disclosed, to prevent wasted time and energy for both the patient and the surgeon.

Current Health Conditions

Any current health issues a patient is facing should be disclosed to the surgeon. For example, a patient who is having a knee replacement surgery needs to make their surgeon aware of the fact that they are diabetic and using insulin. Without this information, the hospital is unable to provide care for all of the conditions, which could harm the patient.