• Mar 06, 2017

Seeing a Surgeon?

So your primary care doctor wants you to see a surgeon.

By: Marissa Anderson, MD, General Surgeon.

Before you get too anxious, here are five things you should know about going to your initial surgery appointment.

1. A surgeon is a doctor trained in surgical care with expertise in a specific area. For example, at CHA we have surgeons who are experts in eye care (Ophthalmology), foot and ankle care (Podiatry), ear, nose, and throat care (Otolaryngology), bones and joints (Orthopedics) and many other areas. They perform surgery when needed, but they also see patients in the office.
2. A surgical consult is an expert evaluation of your health. When you see a surgeon for an office visit, they will review your medical records, talk with you about your health and explain your condition. They may perform an exam or ask you to get additional tests – like a CT or MRI. This will help them better understand your needs and suggest treatment options.
3. Your CHA surgeon may not recommend surgery, at least not right away. Surgeons see themselves as healers. They will not recommend surgery if there is a better option available. For example, your surgeon may recommend starting with non-surgical care, depending on your condition. In this case, they will develop a treatment plan that may include medications, diet, physical therapy or other interventions to help you.
4. If you do need surgery, it might not be too scary. We know that the prospect of surgery can be scary, and there are always risks involved. But you are in good hands with CHA. Our surgeons work as part of an excellent surgical team. All have completed comprehensive surgical training and are board-eligible or board-certified in their specialty. Many procedures can now be done in day surgery, which lets you recover at home. And many CHA surgeons have trained in minimally invasive care, which targets areas without damaging the surrounding tissues. This helps speed up the recovery process.
5. By seeing a CHA surgeon, your CHA primary care doctor will stay part of the team. Living in the Boston area, you have many choices for health care. Whether or not your insurance requires you get a referral, we recommend seeing a CHA surgeon. This lets your primary care doctor stay involved and advocate for your needs. This “coordinated care” leads to better health outcomes.

Disclaimer
This articles provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this article, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.