You're talking about the first time you meet the surgeon and not right before surgery when you are doing all your pre-op testing and talking with the team correct?
We have alot of experience with talking to surgeons before surgery..and i think that list is a good list of questions in genral but like others mentioned in that thread, some of thse questions, about the hospital stay in general, wifi who can visit type questions, should be answerred by someone else on the "team" depending on how that hospital is set up, usually there is a contact person, maybe a nurse or PA, that can answer all the questions about the hospital stay.
We like to focus JUST on the actual questions about the surgery itself when we're talking to the surgeon. Questions about what his plan would be, what valve or other material he recomends and why, how long the surgery SHOULD last and how long on the heart lung machine, also how long do most people having the same surgery in the same age group/health usually have to stay in the hospital I also would ask how they plan on closing you. Some people just use glue or steri strip (tape) for the top/skin closing and others use staples that have to be removed. Also depending on what you need done, this is the time to discuss incisions and how big or little and if it will be down the sternum or between ribs and why he thinks that would be best for the surgery you need. Also depending what you know about the surgeon, ask how many of this surgery does he do and the success rate etc.
Then if there are any concerns we might have based on past experience or even if any other medical issue someone might have could play any part in the descions or the surgery or recovery.
Most surgeons will answer anything you ask, but most surgeons, especially in busy centers don't really have alot of time, inbetween doing surgeries, checking post op patients, meetings reports- so I try to respect that and rather focus on things about the surgery itself. I've also noticed surgeons are pretty good at knowing what people want to know and even tho I have a list of questions, I usually let them speak first and explain everything they are planning, and answer any questions the surgeon asks us and THEN I ask my questions he might not have answerred, usually tho most things were answerred before we've had to ask.
I think the more you can understand about your surgery and how hearts work as well as any choices you might have to make before you meet with the surgeon the better. Alot of the questions I had were mostly follow up type questions, depending on what answers he gave to the other questions, or when he was describing his plan, so the more I understood going in the better I could think of follow up questions about Justin's surgery and his unique set of concerns.
Also remember make sure you do understand what he is saying, If you're a little confused ask again or ask him to explain it alittle differently until you do understand. IF possible I think it is could to have someone with you during the meeting, sometimes it gets a little over whelming so it's good to have another person listening that you can talk with after the appt to make sure you both heard the same thing. But don't be worried you have to get every questions answerred right then, alot of time you don't think of more questions until your home and thinking about or talking to someone about what was discussed, you can always call the person they give you the contact info for to ask any questions.
Then when we go in for the pre-op day usually a day or so before surgery, thats when we meet the anesthia and discuss any questions or concerns about drugs before, during and after the surgery, as well as either the surgeon or sometimes a surgical fellow and other members of your team. It can be a very long day.
