@annie1 I know surgeons are very scheduled. You also have to be completely comfortable with whomever you choose to have surgery with. You need to trust that surgeon and their team completely because your life is in their hands. One of the surgeons I saw earlier on was a bit like that, and I could only talk to the PA with questions, and that was only after they finished the day's surgeries. The PA didn't want to stay on the phone answering my questions either and the surgeon wouldn't answer any. For me, this is a red flag and that was the start of my anxiety and panic attacks because this surgeon scared me, and then wouldn't answer questions. I feel a surgeon must answer all my concerns before I can trust them. If you feel like you need another appointment with the surgeon before agreeing to surgery, you could request that. Surgical nurses and Pas often try to protect the surgeons time by controlling patient access.

When I came to Mayo and saw the 6th surgeon on my quest, the initial consultation was a lot longer than any of the others and they were thorough about testing and reconfirming the diagnoses of other issues like thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) as well as explaining proposed surgery. The nurse was in the consultation and she always called me back and answered my questions and was very reassuring. When she asked what else she could do for me, I said "hold my hand", and she did that in the operating room as they administered anesthesia. My experience was excellent and not only did I have a great outcome, I also conquered my fears and they are no longer an issue. When I broke my ankle a few years ago, I contacted my Mayo spine surgeon for a recommendation for an orthopedic surgeon, and I sailed through that fearlessly.

Surgeons should also expect that you will seek second opinions. When I was looking for a surgeon, I always read everything I could find of their authored literature and looked for experience if they were speaking at spine conferences. The reputation of the surgeon and medical facility matter. You have to hire the surgeon you think is best for what you need and who can offer you a solution that you agree with and one who takes into account how your other health issues will impact surgery. You are choosing who you want to give the job. Some people accept these issues and some don't. You have to listen to what you feel is right to do. If you want to seek other opinions, there may also be a few months of waiting to see them, and you have to be willing to wait. If you feel your situation is more urgent, you can have surgery in a few weeks, but only you can decide when you are ready. There will also be a long time of recovery afterward that will be tiring, and probably some physical therapy and rehab a bit later.

You can change your mind and are not committed to a surgeon until you sign the release papers. You can change your mind and so can your surgeon. If you back out, they may not take you back, so make sure you have another surgeon lined up before you do. If they are not happy that you want to seek other opinions, that may be a red flag too.

What questions do you have that are not yet answered? Do you think the 2nd surgeon may offer a different solution? If either of them want a consultation with your bone doctor, that would be a smart thing in my book.

Jennifer