What you should know before going under the knife

48 million Americans undergo surgery each year. With advancements in medical technology, surgery is now a safer and more effective course of treatment than ever before. While surgery has come a long way, there still are (and will probably always be) risks.

Here are some tips to improve your outcome:

• Ask questions. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider about why this course of treatment has been recommended. Is surgery the best possible treatment? Are there any non-surgical alternatives? This would also be a great time to reach out to your insurance company to make sure what is covered and what isn’t.
• Prepare, properly. Follow any pre-surgery instructions to the T. Take any and all prescribed pre-surgery medications as recommended by your doctor. Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol. Eat properly and drink plenty of water. Being in the best health before surgery can help improve your condition after.
• Know what to expect after. Is nausea normal? How soon should you return to work after the procedure? Understand what recovery looks like. Reach out to a family member or friend to assist with errands such as grocery shopping and other tasks. Arrange for childcare if needed. Take the time to make a plan for your recovery so that you aren’t caught off guard. And remember to follow your doctor’s orders!