Consider the following tips, information, and guidelines in order to obtain the best care possible for your condition.
1.Be your own advocate. It is wise to do your homework about your diagnosis and make sure ALL your options are explained to you. Take notes during your consultation with your doctor, and write down your diagnosis. If your doctor does not discuss laparoscopy as an option, ask him or her about minimally invasive surgery as an option.
2.Ask questions. Please don’t be shy or be afraid to ask your doctor pointed and direct questions about his or her experience with minimally invasive surgery. Remember, the difference in recovery is dramatic with laparoscopy compared to open surgery, and you owe it to yourself to obtain all the facts.
3.Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery:
◦ Can the procedure be performed laparoscopically.
◦ How often does he or she perform this type of surgery?
◦ How many procedures does he or she perform per year?
◦ What is his or her success rate at completing the procedure laparoscopically?
◦ Is your doctor board certified and does he or she have operating privileges to perform laparoscopic surgery?
4.If your doctor does not offer laparoscopy as an alternative, ask him or her if the surgery can be completed that way. If your doctor tells you that the surgery cannot be performed through a minimally invasive technique, ALWAYS seek a second opinion to confirm. Be sure that the second opinion is from an experienced laparoscopic surgeon.
5.If a second opinion is necessary, obtain copies of your medical records. Ask for copies of medical records and test results, which are always available to you. If you need to, pay the small fee ahead of time in order to have your medical records copied and transferred for second opinion. You can provide the name and address of the physician from which you will seek a second opinion later (after you do your homework on who that doctor might be).
6.Obtain a second opinion from an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Make sure your second opinion is from an experienced laparoscopic surgeon who performs advanced laparoscopic techniques. Remember that if your physician informs you that the procedure cannot be performed laparoscopically, this usually means it cannot be performed with the standard techniques that most gynecologists use. If you seek an opinion from another gynecologist not experienced in advanced laparoscopic techniques and retroperitoneal dissection, there is a good chance that your second opinion will also say that the procedure cannot be performed laparoscopically. Patients need to understand that there are only a handful of specialists that perform advanced laparoscopic surgery routinely, including dissection of the retroperitoneal space, dissection of the ureter, removal of advanced scar tissue, and lymph node dissection. Among over 700 practicing gynecologists in the Washington DC metropolitan area, there are only a dozen board certified specialists that perform advanced laparoscopic surgery. If a second opinion is necessary, talk with you primary care physician regarding a GYN Oncologist or laparoscopic specialist for referral, or look through your insurance handbook under GYN Oncology. Be your own advocate – finding the best physician available to manage your care will ensure the best possible outcome for your surgery.
7.If your physician is not comfortable performing laparoscopic procedures and still wants to be involved with the surgery, often a second laparoscopic surgeon skilled in advanced laparoscopy can assist your physician in completing the surgery successfully.
8.Above all, you don’t need to feel as though you are “switching” doctors. If you have enjoyed good care with your present physician, you can still maintain a good relationship with your own doctor. Gynecologic oncologists, for example, are specialists in surgical procedures, and usually do not do obstetrics or general GYN care. They will not replace the care of a good patient/physician relationship for ongoing examinations and routine care.
9.Finally, make sure you get all the facts before proceeding with surgery. Understand why surgery is necessary and how the procedure will be performed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your doctor, seek a second opinion, or temporarily postpone the surgery if necessary to ensure you receive the best operation possible from a physician who can ensure you a good success rate with a laparoscopic approach.
In the last few years, major advances have been made in gynecologic surgery and laparoscopy. The use of advanced laparoscopic techniques has introduced new surgical options for patients that previously could only undergo open surgery. Complex benign and malignant GYN problems can now be treated laparoscopically with much less pain, reduced down time, little scarring, and faster recovery. Keep in mind that the surgery is being performed is to help fix a problem. If the problem can be fixed with the smallest incision possible, that is the way it should be done.