It’s in your best interest to ask relevant questions about spine surgery so you know how to prepare, how to choose a best spine surgeon in Bangalore, and what to expect both after the surgery and in the long run.

Your surgeon may recommend surgery depending on how long you’ve had chronic back pain and how severe it gets over time and your neurological problems. If your surgeon advise surgery, here are some questions you can ask to learn more about their decision.

Choosing a good surgeon

When you choose a surgeon, you’re putting your faith in that person to make decisions that are in your best interests. When it comes to surgery, it’s critical to think about your surgeon’s ability, availability, and trustworthiness and also ask questions that are given below:

  • Ability: A single medical or spine problem can often have multiple solutions. Experience in particular surgeries, credentials, reviews by satisfied patients, level of confidence, to explain about complications of surgery. You can ask about the team members and get introduced yourself before surgery. Know the hospital you are undergoing surgery and know the infrastructure about the hospital and quality care of the hospital(operation theater, ICU and infection control policies. Know about the surgeon – neuro spine surgeon or ortho spine surgeon both have their own sub speciality which they are good at.  Example microscopic  spine surgeries are best done by neurospine surgeon, scoliotic procedures are best done by orthospine surgeons commonly. Some surgeons are best at both.
  • Availability: You will have access to a good medical team both before and after your operation. “Is my surgeon able to answer my questions, and will he or she be available after my surgery?” is an important question to ask.
  • Trust: Entrusting someone with your medical care necessitates a high level of trust. When you are under anaesthesia, you will eventually put your trust in your surgeon to do what is best for you. “Do I trust him or her to always do what is in my best interest?” is an important question to ask any provider, but especially your surgeon.

What are the alternatives to spine surgery?

Physical therapists, chiropractors, regenerative therapy providers, and spine surgeons in Bangalore all want to believe that their specialty will provide the best treatment for the patients they are treating because they want to help. When a surgeon says spine surgery is the only option, it’s critical for patients to see multiple providers. For many patients, an operation is the best option, but we all have a conflict of interest because we want to be the ones to solve the problem. All providers should be as conscious as possible of our ingrained belief that our specialty is the only solution.

What will be the result if I do not have an operation?

Three topics should be discussed with your surgeon: risks, benefits, and surgical alternatives. Many injuries improve over time, and some degenerative conditions become less bothersome. Waiting for an operation can put you at risk for long-term problems in some cases. However, for most people, the “tincture of time” can help them gain a better understanding of the issue.

If your surgeon has advised a spinal fusion, ask why would it be necessary?

To stabilise a spine that is too mobile or crooked, a spinal fusion of two or more vertebrae is frequently required. For many patients, a fusion will only complicate their recovery and increase their risk. Inquire if the same procedure can be performed without the use of a fusion.

 Would you advise the same operation to any of your family members?

This question may appear trivial, but it always causes the surgeon to pause and reflect. Your surgeon should get to know you well enough to make an informed decision with you about whether spine surgery is the best option for you.

Should I seek a second opinion?

The surgeon who advises you against seeking additional information or a second opinion on your problem is not giving you sound advice. “If you want a second opinion, you can ask me twice!” other surgeons have said. Medicine is as much an art as it is a science, and your problem may require a different operation (or none at all). It’s critical to get a second opinion on your condition, even if it’s just to confirm what you already know. Use this question as a litmus test to see if your surgeon has your best interests at heart.

Some additional questions that you can ask are as follows:

  • Is there any downside to waiting?
  • Is it possible that I am too young or too old for spine surgery?
  • Apart from spine surgery, what else can be done to alleviate my symptoms?
  • Is it possible that if I don’t have the spine surgery, my condition will worsen?
  • What are the operation’s risks?
  • What is the best way to find out if my insurance will cover spine surgery?
  • Is insurance going to cover all of the expenses or just a portion of them?
  • Is there anything I can do before the surgery to improve my chances of success?
  • What can I do to prepare my home before I go to the hospital?
  • How long will it take to get back on my feet after spine surgery?
  • After the spine surgery, how will I regain my strength?
  • How often have you performed this procedure?
  • What is the success rate of this type of surgery in terms of statistics?
  • Is it possible for me to speak with other patients who have undergone similar procedures?

Summary:

Hence, choosing the best spine surgeon in Bangalore is the foremost thing to do so as to have trustworthy advice and treatment. You don’t have to worry at all as our NeuroWellness spine and brain care centre has the best and qualified doctors that provide you with great treatment and advice. The reviews from our patients are excellent because of the successful surgeries that were conducted.

Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah is a leading Neurosurgeon and Interventional Neuroradiology Specialist at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. With over 23 years of experience, he's renowned for his expertise in brain and spine surgeries.Trained at prestigious institutions like Manipal Hospital and University Hospital Zurich, Dr. Ganesh is dedicated to providing cutting-edge neurological care. Read More : https://neurowellness.in/dr-ganesh-veerabhadraiah/