What are the benefits of having the operation?
Ask your surgeon what you will gain by having the operation. For example, a hip replacement may mean that you can walk again with ease.
Ask how long the benefits are likely to last. For some procedures, it is not unusual for the benefits to last for a short time only. There might be a need for a second operation at a later date. For other procedures, the benefits may last a lifetime.
When finding out about the benefits of the operation, be realistic. Sometimes patients expect too much and are disappointed with the outcome, or results. Ask your doctor if there is any published information about the outcomes of the procedure.
Reprinted from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
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