The best way you can stay healthy is to be an active member of your own health care team. Patients who are informed about their medical treatment plan can better work with their doctors to make the right decisions. Wyomissing Surgical Clinic Ltd. hopes this website will help you realize the questions you should be asking yourself and your medical providers. It is our hope that by asking appropriate questions and receiving adequate information, you will increase your comfort level with your upcoming procedure.

What operation are you recommending?

Your Wyomissing Surgical Clinic surgeon will be happy to provide an explanation of the type of operation, technique to be used, and reason or reasons why it should be performed at this time. If at all possible, we will provide you with pictures and drawings to increase your understanding of our surgical plan. Feel free to share his information with your family members to help them understand the procedure.

	Why do I need the operation?
	Make sure you understand the goal of your surgery. You should know whether the goal is to cure your condition, prolong life, or relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

	What are the benefits of having the surgery?
	Before proceeding with your surgery, you should understand the expected or possible benefits of doing the procedure.

	What are the risks of having the surgery?
	Surgery does involve risks and side effects. Generally, the more invasive or complicated the surgery, the greater the risk of side effects. At the time of your surgical consult, your WSC surgeon will detail the risks of your specific surgery.

	Are there alternatives to surgery?
	We will be happy to discuss available alternatives to surgery. Sometimes there are non-surgical or medical treatments available. However, if we are recommending the surgery, obviously we believe it is the best alternative available to you at this time.

	What is your surgeon’s experience level doing this type of surgery?
	How many and how often a surgeon completes a surgery should be of great interest to you. Research has indicated that hospitals and surgeons that perform more surgeries like yours have better outcomes. We will be happy to share our experience level with you at any time.

What will happen if I don't have this operation?

If you choose not to have the surgery at this time, you should understand what will happen to your health. You should also understand that if the operation is not done now, whether or not it can be done at a later date. Surgery may be one of several choices, the only treatment available, or only part of an overall treatment strategy that includes other treatments (such as radiation or chemotherapy).

	Where will the operation be done?
	Active hospital settings with dedicated nurses/support staff and skilled surgeons improve the liklihood you will have a good surgical experience. You should schedule your surgery at a hospital that performs a large volume of the procedure you need. The Reading Hospital and Medical Center is one of the largest volume hospitals in Pennsylvania.

	Should I expect to be admitted to the hospital?
	Ask your doctor if you can expect to be admitted prior to or after your surgery. If you need hospitalization, ask how long you should expect to be in the hospital. Often surgery is done on an ambulatory basis. If this is the case, you will only arrive at the hospital the morning of your surgery and should go home the same day.

What kind of anesthesia will I need?

There are several types of anesthesia options including local, regional, and general anesthesia. Regional and general anesthesia are administered by a licensed Anesthesiologist who is a Physician specializing in this procedure. You will meet with your Anesthesiologist prior to your surgery. They will ask you many questions to select the correct method to properly sedate you for surgery. During your consult, the Anesthesiologist will go over the specific guidelines and risks for the anesthesia planned for your procedure.

	What is the recovery process after this procedure?
	Wound recovery and rehabilitation programs may be in order after your surgery. The Wyomissing Surgical Clinic staff will go over the average recovery time for your surgery, or if a long-term program of recovery will be required.

Second Opinions…
Getting a second opinion is important to many of our patients. In fact, you may be coming to us to seek a second opinion. If you are not yet ready to proceed with the surgery we have deemed necessary, we will be happy to refer you to other doctors within The Reading Hospital and Medical Center or outside our area for additional medical opinions.

Before seeking additional medical opinions, you may want to make sure your health plan will cover this expense.