Arming yourself with a knowledge of surgery can lessen the anxiety and/or uncertainty associated with that surgery.  One way to gain an insight with regard to your impending surgery is to ask your surgeon a series of pertinent questions.  Some of us do not have the luxury of having time to do the necessary research.  However, if you do have the time, the following list of questions were created by the American College of Surgeons to give you an idea of what to expect from surgery.  Let us see what we can learn from fellow ostomates by completing the Knowledge of Surgery Poll associated specifically with ostomy surgery.                 THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS SUGGESTS A LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ASK WHEN               YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMENDS SURGERY 1. What indications have led your doctor to suggest an operation? 2. What, if any, alternative treatments are available? 3. What will be the result if you do not have surgery? 4. What are the basic procedures? 5. What are the risks? 6. How can the operation improve your health or quality of life? 7. How long will you be in the hospital? 8. What can you expect for your recovery period? 9. When can you resume normal activities? 10. What effects will there be from the operation?   Arming yourself with knowledge before surgery Were you mentally prepared for your ostomy surgery?   No, not at all. I just barely knew what to expect. I was too scared to comprehend my surgery. It all turned out about the way I expected. If I had my ostomy surgery to do all over again I would have asked more questions. I had emergency surgery so I didn't know what to expect. view results

Don't forget to view the cartoon at the bottom of this page,
Larry Trapp / / Evansville Ostomy Chapter