Learn About Benefits & Risks
What Are the Benefits of Having the Operation?
Ask your surgeon what you will gain by having the operation. For
example, a hip replacement may mean that you can walk again with
ease.
Ask how long the benefits will last. For some procedures, it is not
unusual for the benefits to last for a short time only. You may need a
second operation at a later date. For other procedures, the benefits
may last a lifetime.
When finding out about the benefits of the operation, be realistic.
Sometimes patients expect too much and are disappointed with the
outcome or results. Ask your doctor if there is anything you can read
to help you understand the procedure and its likely results.
What Are the Risks of Having the Operation?
All operations have some risk. This is why you need to weigh the
benefits of the operation against the risks of complications or side
effects.
Complications are unplanned events linked to the operation. Typical
complications are infection, too much bleeding, reaction to
anesthesia, or accidental injury. Some people have a greater risk of
complications because of other
medical conditions. There also may
be side effects after the operation.
Often, your surgeon can tell you what
side effects to expect. For example,
there may be swelling and some
soreness around the incision.
There is almost always some pain
with surgery. Ask your surgeon how
much pain there will be and what the
doctors and nurses will do to help
stop the pain. Controlling the pain
will help you to be more comfortable
while you heal. Controlling the pain will also help you get well faster
and improve the results of your operation.
What If I Don't Have This Operation?
Based on what you learn about the benefits and risks of the
operation, you might decide not to have it. Ask your surgeon what
you will gain—or lose—by not having the operation now. Could
you be in more pain? Could your condition get worse? Could the
problem go away?
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