Hip replacement surgery is a major operation, so choosing the right surgeon is of the utmost importance. The best way is to get a second opinion before undergoing hip replacement surgery. This will help you better evaluate your current surgeon, the current diagnosis, and decide about other options.
Instructions
Get a Second Opinion
1. Ask friends and family members who have had hip replacement surgery who their surgeons were. Also ask your family doctor or another doctor you trust what he knows about these surgeons before you get a second opinion or schedule a consultation for surgery.
2. Schedule a second opinion consultation by phone or in person. You can decide whether to tell the doctor that you are seeking a second opinion. Some patients prefer to not disclose this information, but it may help the new surgeon more quickly determine his professional opinion based on your original doctor's recommendation.
3. Make your second opinion appointment the same week after your initial consultation while you can still remember impotant details. Remember that the most in-demand surgeons require 6 months or more of lead time to schedule surgery, so you will want to make your appointment well in advance.
4. Use the same list of questions when you had your first consultation. Take careful notes and compare the second surgeon's answers to your first surgeon's answers.
5. Take some time after the meeting to make notes on your impressions of each surgeon you meet with. This will help you decide which course of action is best for you.
6. Schedule a follow up consultation with the surgeon of your choice and proceed with hip replacement surgery preparations.
7. Confirm with your insurance provider that your scheduled consultations and subsequent surgery are covered under your plan.
Tags: replacement surgery, second opinion, second opinion, Second Opinion, surgeon answers, This will
