Author: Flying Chimp

Much of the surgery that I perform would be considered minor surgery where patients go home the same day. The important thing to, to remember for my patients is for them to know that I know to them no surgery is minor. Every surgery is a big deal, even though we may consider it minor as a procedure, all surgery is major to the patient.

Minimally invasive versus a more traditional open surgery as to which is better. Typically, patient dependent. Most surgery today that’s performed would be considered minimally invasive compared to the surgery 30 years ago. Incisions have just gotten smaller no matter what’s done often in the lumbar spine and in between or hybrid approach can be taken where the surgeon uses a very small incision that wouldn’t necessarily be considered minimally invasive.

But allows adequate visualization of everything to get the job done properly without leaving a large incision. And sometimes this sort of in-between approach is the best of both worlds, depending upon the patient.

Postoperatively or after surgery, it varies depending upon whether they have surgery as an outpatient or inpatient. Typically, in either case, patients get home health or a visiting nurse to help them the first couple days or, or week to recover after surgery. And then from there, a follow up becomes kind of a routine thing, and as patients, recover to the point where they can get more active, often the possibility of of physical therapy after surgery is discussed with them, whether they feel like they need it or not.

When a patient makes a decision to have surgery, the next step is to arrange scheduling, and that involves working with them on time and location, getting the surgery scheduled. Very often patients need preoperative clearance, which means going to an urgent care, seeing their primary care doctor to make sure they’re okay for surgery.

A lot of my patients are understandably anxious or afraid of surgery. I think one of the ways to address that is just take time to discuss with the surgeon your fears, potential outcomes, and potential risks, and develop a comfort level with that surgeon that they’re there to address those fears and, and help you through them if unexpected things happen.