Please print this out, make your own comments, and take it with you to your doctor. We have left enough space to write the answers.
Are there any alternatives to Hysterectomy for my condition?
What tests will be performed Pre-Op? (Blood, EKG, etc) When will these have to be done?
Will a pregnancy test be done to assure that I am not pregnant at the time of my hysterectomy?
If you have arcylic nails, do they need to be removed? Can I wear any nail polish??
Can I keep my jewelry on (I recommend leaving jewelry that can not be worn during surgery at home)
Will I be able to take my vitamins, supplements or medications (bring a list of these) up until and after surgery. If not ask him to explain why and when you can resume the medications.
Are there any specific dietary needs/restrictons before, during, and after surgery.
Will I need a Bowel Prep?? If so, what kind and who will administer it and when?
Will I keep my cervix? (do I have a choice, if not why?)
If the cervix is taken, how will the vaginal wall be supported?
If I keep my cervix, will I still have monthly bleeding, spotting or cramps?
Will I keep my ovaries? (do I have a choice, if not why?)
If my ovaries have to be removed, what kind of HRT do you recommend? and when will I start it?
What type of surgery will I be having? What happens if you get into surgery and find you have to do a different type of surgery? (make sure this is written on your consent form)
Is there a less invasive surgery (such as totally laparoscopic hysterectomy), than the one that is recommended? If so are you trained to do it. If your doctor is not trained in the less invasive procedures, you might want to get a second opinion from a doctor who is.
How many of the type of surgeries that I am having, have you done? (you want to make sure you have an experienced surgeon)
Will there be anyone else assisting in my surgery?? Will there be any students watching or participating in my surgery?(Usually this requires your written consent so make sure you let your doctor know how you feel about this)
What are the possible complications and the specific percentage for each, relating to the surgery I will be having? (possible complications should be listed on your consent form)
What affect will the timing of my surgery in my menstrual cycle have on blood loss, post-operative nausea, and general recovery?(Ask this question of your anesthesiologist too)
What type of anesthesia will I be having?
Will I have a catheter during surgery? If so when will it be removed? Will the catheter increase my risk of Urinary Tract infection? If so, will using a smaller catheter decrease this risk?
Describe how we will manage my pain post op. What about at home?
Will I be offered the spinal administered long acting Morphine. Can you tell me about this?
Will you(my surgeon) be closing after surgery? If not you then who? What will be done to minimize scars?Will I have stitches, staples, Derma-glue, steri-strips?What sort of wound care will I require once I am home?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Will I have a private room or will I have to share, if so how many roommates will I have?
Can I use my cell phone in the hospital, if so what areas of the hospital can I use it (in my room, for my family, in the waiting area, lobby etc.)?
Will my room in the hospital be located on a surgical floor or maternity (If you will be upset by being on a maternity floor, this is a good time to mention it)
Where will my support person wait for me? Will he/she be there in my room when I come back?
What are the hospital visiting hours? When do you think I will feel like having visitors?
What is the general recovery time for my particular hysterectomy (or any other possible type of hysterectomy I may have?
When can I drive?
When can I go back to work? Specify what kind of JOB you have and the physical requirements it has in your question.
When can I have sex? what about non intercourse sexual activies?
What are lifting restrictions? How long?
What will you do to try to lower my risk of blood clots? Will you order anything special for this? Is there anything I can do to lower this risk?
Will my sex life/libido change due to the surgery?
What sort of activities/exercises will make my recovery faster?
What exercises are safe to do and at what interval post op? (treadmill, exercise bike, weight lifting,walking, jogging, sit up's etc)
What kind of housework will I be allowed to do?
Should I expect any bowel problems post op and should I start a stool softener?
Should I expect any bladder problems post op?
When can I bathe and shower?
use the space below to write your own questions
Please add to the list by responding to this post. After your suggestions are added, I will delete the posts to make it easier for printing
Becky2259@hysterhome.com
www.hysterhome.com
Are there any alternatives to Hysterectomy for my condition? What tests will be performed Pre-Op? (Blood, EKG, etc) When will these have to be done? Will a pregnancy test be done to assure that I am not pregnant at the time of my hysterectomy? If you have arcylic nails, do they need to be removed? Can I wear any nail polish?? Can I keep my jewelry on (I recommend leaving jewelry that can not be worn during surgery at home) Will I be able to take my vitamins, supplements or medications (bring a list of these) up until and after surgery. If not ask him to explain why and when you can resume the medications. Are there any specific dietary needs/restrictons before, during, and after surgery. Will I need a Bowel Prep?? If so, what kind and who will administer it and when? Will I keep my cervix? (do I have a choice, if not why?) If the cervix is taken, how will the vaginal wall be supported? If I keep my cervix, will I still have monthly bleeding, spotting or cramps? Will I keep my ovaries? (do I have a choice, if not why?) If my ovaries have to be removed, what kind of HRT do you recommend? and when will I start it? What type of surgery will I be having? What happens if you get into surgery and find you have to do a different type of surgery? (make sure this is written on your consent form) Is there a less invasive surgery (such as totally laparoscopic hysterectomy), than the one that is recommended? If so are you trained to do it. If your doctor is not trained in the less invasive procedures, you might want to get a second opinion from a doctor who is. How many of the type of surgeries that I am having, have you done? (you want to make sure you have an experienced surgeon) Will there be anyone else assisting in my surgery?? Will there be any students watching or participating in my surgery?(Usually this requires your written consent so make sure you let your doctor know how you feel about this) What are the possible complications and the specific percentage for each, relating to the surgery I will be having? (possible complications should be listed on your consent form) What affect will the timing of my surgery in my menstrual cycle have on blood loss, post-operative nausea, and general recovery?(Ask this question of your anesthesiologist too) What type of anesthesia will I be having? Will I have a catheter during surgery? If so when will it be removed? Will the catheter increase my risk of Urinary Tract infection? If so, will using a smaller catheter decrease this risk? Describe how we will manage my pain post op. What about at home? Will I be offered the spinal administered long acting Morphine. Can you tell me about this? Will you(my surgeon) be closing after surgery? If not you then who? What will be done to minimize scars?Will I have stitches, staples, Derma-glue, steri-strips?What sort of wound care will I require once I am home? How long will I be in the hospital? Will I have a private room or will I have to share, if so how many roommates will I have? Can I use my cell phone in the hospital, if so what areas of the hospital can I use it (in my room, for my family, in the waiting area, lobby etc.)? Will my room in the hospital be located on a surgical floor or maternity (If you will be upset by being on a maternity floor, this is a good time to mention it) Where will my support person wait for me? Will he/she be there in my room when I come back? What are the hospital visiting hours? When do you think I will feel like having visitors? What is the general recovery time for my particular hysterectomy (or any other possible type of hysterectomy I may have? When can I drive? When can I go back to work? Specify what kind of JOB you have and the physical requirements it has in your question. When can I have sex? what about non intercourse sexual activies? What are lifting restrictions? How long? What will you do to try to lower my risk of blood clots? Will you order anything special for this? Is there anything I can do to lower this risk? Will my sex life/libido change due to the surgery? What sort of activities/exercises will make my recovery faster? What exercises are safe to do and at what interval post op? (treadmill, exercise bike, weight lifting,walking, jogging, sit up's etc) What kind of housework will I be allowed to do? Should I expect any bowel problems post op and should I start a stool softener? Should I expect any bladder problems post op? When can I bathe and shower? use the space below to write your own questions
Please add to the list by responding to this post. After your suggestions are added, I will delete the posts to make it easier for printing
Becky2259@hysterhome.com
www.hysterhome.com
