Questions to Ask your Doctor AFTER Surgery

Now that you are through your surgery and ready for your first post-op appointment, here are a few questions you will want to be sure and ask:

• What possible side effects should I look for after treatment?
• What are the signs of infection?
• What do I do about constipation?
• What kind of timeframe am I looking at for recovery?
• Is it possible to completely recover from treatment of a Brain aneurysm/AVM/Stroke?
• What activities am I allowed to do?
• What medications am I allowed to take?
• Am I permitted to drive?
• Can I drink alcohol?
• Can I have sex and when?
• Can I dye my hair?
• What other types of doctors do you recommend I see? Do I need to schedule an appointment with a Neurologist, Neurophysiologist, Neuropsychiatrist?
• How can I help myself recover?
• Who do I call if I have questions about how I am feeling?
• Will there be any follow-up after treatment?
• I am nervous about the hardware that will be used to treat my brain aneurysm; if I bump my head will the coils/clips come undone?
• What is DVT (deep vein thrombosis)? What are the symptoms?
• Am I allowed to leave the country?
• Can I fly in an airplane?
• Are there support groups available?

Remember that no question is a bad question – so ask whatever you need to put your mind at ease, comfort your heart and walk away feeling some sense of relief.

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