should you ask a surgeon questions?

Question

My father was told he would have quadruple bypass surgery. The surgeon said that the first vein he was going to use for the graft was no good and the second one was "good enough." He also asked if my dad was a "heavy bleeder" and that when he went to do one of the grafts that the artery "oozed" and he wasn't expecting that. He also told us he's done "thousands" of these surgeries. He also did not repair all four arteries, just three large ones. Me and my sister had some concerns regarding complications and wanted an explanation as to why he didn't take the time to look for a better vein and what the chances are that dad may have to undergo more surgery in the future, but my brothers said "they knew what they were doing" and acted as if we didn't have a right to ask questions. What do you think?

Answer 1

you have EVERY right to ask questions. Ask them and keep asking until you get your answers.

Answer 2

absolutely! I am a RN. I work in the ICU with open heart surgeries. Sometimes surgeons, especially heart surgeons, are kinda standoffish, dont matter. You ask all the questions you need until you understand. Also involve nursing, sometimes they can help clarify what you just heard from the MD, but speak with the surgeon if you dont understand. My quetions would be was your dad taking blood thinners, aspirin, anything herbal that could cause bleeding? They sometimes dont bypass every blockage. The damage may be irreparable already or there may be enough "collateral circulation" from the other blood vessels from the other grafts. Under no circumstances should you assume that " they know what they are doing" There are surgeons I wouldn't let operate on the squirrels in my back yard!!

Answer 3

I want to answer your question and hopefully help alleviate some of your concerns. I had valve replacement surgery.The doctors had to remove my heart and cut it in half and replace my valve with a cows heart valve. I took my children, who were in my opinion, old enough to know what was going on and the seriousness of this type of operation with me on the day when the procedure was to be explained. The physician told me that I had every right to have every question and concern explained to me. He even advised me to see another doctor and get a second opinion. Before we left, he did something I greatly admired. He told my children in front of me that if they had any questions and wanted to ask him about anything that they would not address in my presence to call him and he would talk to them about risk, recovery,what could happen. I do not know if either of my kids ever called. However I would like to add that there are many people who choose not to discuss the situation because they are afraid that if the doctor tells them it is very risky, then that person will have a hard time attempting to act as if everything will turn out okay. That if the person having the operation sees how afraid someone very close to them is then they will take away the "hope" that everything will turn out okay. Sometimes what we perceive in areas that we as an individual are untrained in could cause unneeded anxiety. I hope your father is doing well.

Answer 4

When my father had a quad bypass also known as: CABG (coronary artery bypass graph) , they used four veins from his left leg to repair his heart. The night prior to surgery all of us were in dads room and one of the nurses brought in a TV and video for us to watch about the procedure. After she answered some questions we had and told us that the two lead cardiosurgeons would be speaking to us in the morning prior to surgery.
The next morning while dad was being "prepped" we were taken to a waiting area where the 2 surgeons came and explained every detail ( had a plastic "heart" to show us) of what was to take place. Explains about the heart/lung machine, how they will stop dads heart(not long- can't recall exact lenght of time) and remove from chest cavity,machine will do breathing for him, removal of veins from legs( pre determined night before) and so on...then told us of the risks involved.....and asked if we had any questions. They said someone will be out to inform us when dad was put on the heart/lung machine- when the surgery was done and that after that it would be about 1 1/2 hours before we could see him ( for just 5 mins) Our day started at 8am.... he was put on heart / lung at 11:15am.....surgery was over by 4pm.
His cardiologist and another doctor (a pulmonary specialist ) came out to talk to us about a "situation" that has arisen.Dad was resting comfortably and we could see him shortly ( just for 5 mins. and we all could not go in at once)Anyway- dad was now diagnosoed w/ Emphysema...( his chest x-ray was clear prior to surgery...or not?) They say it could have been due to the time on the H/L machine.....( never received straight answer for that -maybe because up to the night prior to dads surgery he was smoking nearly 3 packs / day!!!!!)
All in all I was pleased with the information we received.
Below is a link I hope may be of some interest.
My prayers are with you and your family. Hope your father has a speedy recovery.

Answer 5

I would imagine there are only so many veins that the surgeon could use, and he prolly didn't want to cut him all over the place looking for one. You could ask, but I would think that you could probably be a little more tactful in the way you ask it.

Answer 6

ASK< ASK ASK, It's your right to have all the answers in a language YOU can understand.You will not offend the surgeon, and its part of his job to make the patients and their families understand whats going on. Don't be shy, step up and open your mouth! Good luck to your dad!!

Answer 7

always ask all questions you have and investigate answers this is someon'e life not a replaceable item if a mistake is made.