How to Decide If You Should Have Surgery

There are so many instances where your doctor might talk about the possibility of having surgery with you. There are times where you really have no choice-the surgery might be a necessity to save your life.

There are also situations where surgery is one option for a condition you have, but you don't have to do it right away, and you may be able to explore other options first.

Surgery of any kind can have serious risks. For example, brain injuries can result from procedure complications and the use of anesthesia.

The risks are why you should never enter into a surgical procedure without fully weighing all the pros and cons.

The following are some considerations and things to keep in mind if you're at a point where you have to decide whether or not to do surgery.

What's Considered an Elective Surgery?

Sometimes we only consider cosmetic surgeries and similar procedures as elective, but in reality, there are a number of other things that can be considered elective.

During the coronavirus pandemic, some hospitals have stopped elective surgeries to deal with potential surges in patients, which led people to learn more about what an elective surgery is.

Some of the most common elective surgeries include joint replacement, hysterectomies, and gallbladder removal.

Of course, while it's not the only surgery that's elective, plastic or cosmetic surgery does fall into this category.

When we think about plastic surgery, we might just be thinking about procedures to improve your appearance, but there are also plastic surgeries for people who have been burned or disfigured in accidents, for example.

Exploratory surgery is another category where surgeons might use small incisions to go into the body and look for issues or potential complications.

Cardiovascular surgery can also be elective in many cases. Cardiovascular surgeries include angioplasty, bypass, and radiofrequency ablation.

A lot of heart surgeries are meant to improve the patient's quality of life.

When Might It Be Time for Surgery?

It's important to note that every person's case is different, and whether or not to get surgery and when to do so is something that should be part of detailed conversations with your doctor. Ultimately, you have the final say in things like this-not your doctor, although they are a trusted advisor.

If you're weighing your options, some of the indicators that it could be time for surgery include:

• You've tried all other options. Your doctor should have gone over and tried all available non-surgical treatments for your condition. For example, if you're thinking about joint replacement, you should have already tried medicines, lifestyle changes and physical therapy and injections first. If you have a heart condition, maybe you make lifestyle changes first. Once you've exhausted all other options and you're still experiencing pain or diminished quality of life, then you might think about surgery.

• Your condition may also be getting worse. A lot of people wait on surgery or more intensive treatment options hoping their condition will get better, and if that's not the reality, think about surgery at the discretion of your health care team.

• If your quality of life is declining, you might consider surgery. Quality of life is made up of factors such as your overall physical comfort, your mobility, your level of independence, your performance at your job, your relationships with your family and friends, and how your mental health and mood are affected by your condition or the pain it causes.

What Are the Risks of Surgery?

Before you get surgery, your doctor should go over the risks with you. Some of the possible risks of surgery can include:

• Complications from anesthesia. General anesthesia tends to be very safe and even if you have a serious underlying condition, you can likely undergo anesthesia without major complications. There are rare severe complications possible, however. These can include brain damage, heart attack, stroke or death.

• Hemorrhage means when you bleed too much. You can lose too much blood from the site of surgery, which can cause shock.

• Blood blots and deep vein thrombosis might develop when you're recovering from some surgeries. Your body will naturally try to boost clotting to stop bleeding following surgery. If you develop a deep vein thrombosis, it can cause complications such as collapsed lungs.

• Infections can occur in the lungs after surgery or at the site of a wound. When you're undergoing surgery that uses anesthesia, you may not breathe as deeply. When your lungs aren't fully operating, it can lower your oxygen levels and increase your risk of pneumonia. Wound infections can occur if bacteria enter your body at the site of your surgery. These infections can slow down your healing process and can affect tissue and organs that are nearby.

If you have certain underlying conditions, your risks may be greater during surgery. These underlying conditions include:

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Obesity

• Lung conditions like asthma or COPD

• Bleeding disorders

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• Alcohol or drug abuse

• Obstructive sleep apnea

What to Ask Before Surgery

If your doctor is recommending surgery, the following are some things to ask before you do the procedure:

• Why do you need the operation and are there any other treatment options that you haven't tried or explored yet?

• What are the specific alternatives available?

• What will the benefits of the surgery be? How long can you expect those benefits to last?

• What are the complications and risks of the specific surgery?

• How experienced is the health care provider in the particular procedure being recommended for you?

• Where will the health care provider perform the surgery? Is it inpatient or outpatient?

• What type of anesthesia will be given?

• What might your recovery be like?

• How much will the procedure cost? What will your responsibility be out-of-pocket?

Finally, before any surgery, you should fully trust your health care provider. You might want a second opinion, which is common in health care. A second opinion may shed more light on your condition and what your possible options are.