Re: list of questions pre-myo-here is a great list!!

[Guest guest]

I found this list on a fibroid info site, but don't recall which.

Hope the whole doc posts here..

· How often has your doctor performed this procedure?

· What are my risks if I do nothing about the fibroids?

· Will the fibroids come back?

· Will I be able to have children?

· Is this the most conservative option possible?

· How will my sexual, drive and, function be affected?

· What should I ask if I am " watching " my fibroids?

· How many fibroids do I actually have?

· What size is my fibroid(s) and how big is my uterus?

· Where is my fibroid(s) located (outer surface, inner surface,

or in the wall of the uterus)?

· Can I expect the fibroid(s) to grow larger?

· How will I know if the fibroid(s) is growing larger? Can I

have ultrasounds to monitor the size i.e.annually?

· What problems can the fibroid(s) cause?

· What treatment options will you consider if my fibroid(s)

becomes a problem?

· What are your views on treating fibroids with a hysterectomy

vs. other alternatives?

What should I ask if I need to treat my fibroid symptoms? (as above

and)

· In what part of my uterus is my fibroid(s) located?

· Should I be considering medical therapy (hormone treatment)

instead of surgery?

· Why are you recommending this particular type of surgery and

what can happen if I don't pursue the surgery at this time?

· Do you know about and do you refer any of your patients to

have the procedure known as uterine artery embolization?

· Do you do myomectomies?

· How often and what types (abdominal? hyseteroscopic?

laparoscopic?)

What happens if you start a myomectomy and you find that you can't

remove the fibroid? Will you go ahead and do a hysterectomy?

· What will my recovery be like (time to heal)?

· Ask about the benefits and the risks of any procedure your

doctor is recommending.

Will I require a blood transfusion? If so, can I give my own blood

prior to the operation?

· How do I know my fibroids won't recur?

Questions About the Doctor performing the Operation?

· · How many procedures has the doctor performed?

· · What are the hospital's and surgeon's complication rates?

· · Does he have a good reputation?

· · Does he go back for more medical education and training on

a regular basis?

· Does he keep up to date on the latest treatments and

technologies or do things the way he always has?

· Is this treatment part of a trial?

· · What aftercare will be given?

[Guest guest]

That's a good list. The difficult thing is to find a polite way of

asking without being so woolly you don't get the answer you

want. You need to put your questions across in a diplomatic way

that shows they're just routine questions you know you're

supposed to ask and it's not a lack of confidence in/criticism of

the doctor.

Roughly how many myomectomies have YOU done?

How often would you say the myomectomies you perform have to

be turned into a hysterectomy?

(Ditto)....had problems such as requiring transfusions, or

complications such as infections?

Can I do anything to avoid getting adhesions and is there any

way of preventing them occurring? (This invites an explanation of

how they avoid them in surgery).

Write down what was said in there and as soon as you're out of

there while everything is fresh in your mind. Write down and take

with you the questions you want to ask, with the most important

ones at the top or circled. Don't be rushed, as you won't get

opportunities to ask these questions very often. Also, failing to

ask a question could leave you worrying about it for months

afterwards before the operation. If they give you an odd

incomplete or incomprehensible answer, ask them to elaborate

further.

Good luck!

[Guest guest]

I would add to the list below--if you could bring a close friend or

close

relative(mom, sister)..or partner with you to your appointment to be

your second set of ears...

to help LISTEN to the answers. Doctors do not mind talking to both of

you & when

you leave the office--the two of you can discuss the doctor's answers

further.

Also--hee hee!! I had so many questions that I dropped off my list to

the doctor BEFORE

my appointment. I didn't want my new doctor to feel put on the

spot...but I needed my

questions answered. I put my " silly " questions @ the end of the list

and I left my appointment

with all of my questions answered.(by the way--there is no such thing

as a " silly "

question...if a question is on your mind...ask it and get your answer.)

: )