- How long will I be in the operating room?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- Describe what I can expect after surgery in the way of pain, noise, light, visitors, activity, food and tubes.
- Where will I have incisions?
- Will I be in a special unit after surgery?
- How soon will I get out of bed?
- Why is surgery the best option for me?
- Are there any alternatives to surgery?
- Do you do Minimally Invasive Surgery?
- Am I a candidate for that approach?
- What are the possible complications of this type of surgery?
- When can I drive?
- When will I be able to have sex?
- What symptoms should I look for after surgery that could mean a problem?
- Are you (the doctor) available all the time in case I have a question or problem once I'm home?
- Will I be on a special diet the rest of my life?
- What kind of exercise will I have to do and for how long?
- How will I feel when I get home?
- Will I need any new medications after surgery? Are there any side effects to any of these drugs that I need to know about?
- Can you order something for me in case I get constipated after surgery?
- How many surgeries like mine have you done?
- How many surgeries like mine have they done at the hospital where I'm going?
- Will I have cardiac rehabilitation ordered for me after surgery? Why not (if the physician says no)?
- How often do the arteries clog up again, requiring me to have more surgery later on?
- Where do the blood vessels come from that you will use to bypass the clogged arteries? How will you get them out? (One surgeon shared that the mammary artery bypass lasts the longest. For some reason that artery doesn't get much plaque build up, but you will end up with some numbness from its removal).
- What will I need to do, or have done, before the surgery? Will they shave me?
- Will you order something to help me relax the night before and morning of surgery?
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