What to Take with You

When it comes to your medical history, don't trust your memory. Questions such as "When was your last tetanus shot?" can catch you off guard. If you don't already have copies of all your records, get them and make copies for your doctor. Here's a suggested inventory:

• Past and current medical conditions, hospitalizations, operations, and noninvasive cosmetic procedures (chemical peels, Botox TM , laser resurfacing).
  
• Lab work and results of other diagnostic procedures such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays.
  
• Details about allergies and sensitivities to foods, medicines, soaps, and potential irritants such as adhesive bandages and latex.
  
• Drugs you're taking, prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins and minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements.
  
• Dental history.
  
• Eye exam and eye surgery information.Take your eyeglasses and contact lenses to the consultation.

Do not conceal any health information because you think it's unimportant or because it might disqualify you. For example, tell the surgeon if you are currently a smoker. If you do not fully disclose all information, you could be putting yourself at unnecessary risk.

The Surgical Center

Find out where the doctor you're considering performs surgery. Rather than a hospital, the location is more likely to be an outpatient surgery center or the doctor's surgical suite. Ideally, it will be certified as a Medicare Ambulatory Surgery Center or accredited by one of the other nationally recognized oversight organizations; these include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), or the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Why is accreditation important? It increases the patient's level of safety. If a surgical center has been accredited, it has been inspected for its standard of care and its equipment, including emergency equipment. An accredited center will also have an established relationship with local hospitals and emergency rooms.

Questions to Ask the Surgeon

• What are your medical credentials?
• What procedure or procedures do you recommend for me?
• How many of these procedures have you performed?
• Are there alternatives that might accomplish my goals?
• What are the risks and side effects?
• May I talk to at least one of your patients who has had this procedure?
• Where will the operation be performed?
• How long will the operation take?
• What kind of anesthetic will be used?
• Will I have pain?
• How will I look after surgery?
• How long is the recovery period?
• What kind of postoperative self-care will be necessary?
• When can I go back to work and resume normal activities?

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