I have a hernia I need repaired,when I went in for the pre op exam they took chest xrays ,said there might be something on my lung.They want me to go in for a cat scan to see .I told them I don`t want to,I told them all I want to do is get the hernia fixed.They said if I don`t get the cat scan they won`t clear me for surgery.The thing is if there is something on my lung,and I don`t want surgery can they make me have it?I had a friend that had lung cancer and saw what their fixing it did to him,if I were to have something like that I will take my chances,.and if I die from it at least I won`t go out like my friend did,they carved him up like a turkey and he didn`t have any kind of quality of life.So basically what I`m curious to know if they do find something on my lung,is it possible I can`t get the hernia repaired if I don`t let them do what they want to me?
2007-10-13 04:39:28 · 15 answers · asked by strawbfan 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
They can't make you have surgery on your lung. BUT, the surgeon or anesthesia can refuse to to the hernia surgery if there's a lung problem.
2007-10-13 04:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by ckm1956 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No hospital can make you get a surgery you don't want. You have to give consent. However they can refuse to do a surgery or procedure if you have a separate problem that they for see might complicate it.
Your lungs might not be able to support you being put under or something like that.........
One thing to think about.....first a spot in your lung doesn't mean cancer. It can mean many things. They just want to rule out cancer and know what it is.
If it is cancer, then you should feel lucky it was accidentally found early and that now you might not have to endure what your friend did and still have a full recovery.
Also, if you don't get the scan, every day you are left to wonder is it or isn't it and maybe even endure the pain of a hernia you didn't need to as the scan showed the spot was nothing.....
Don't deal with it as though it is cancer until you know it is. If it isn't you can go on with your original hernia plan and put it all behind you. You can't deal with something you don't know about. You can only presume and hope you are making the better choice.
You can always decide what your going to do or not do when you get to each thing. Get the scan if it is cancer decide whats best for you. If it isn't then go ahead with hernia surgery...........
2007-10-13 12:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by savahna5 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you have the right to refuse treatment, even if it is against medical advice. You may have to sign something that says that they advised you that they saw something on your lung and you refused to allow them to further diagnose or rule-out ..... so that you or a family member cannot come back five years from now and sue; but you can refuse treatment or further testing.
They can refuse to perform the hernia repair if you do not comply with their full pre-op clearance procedure. They do these for a reason. The surgeon and hospital support staff have a right to know your health status coming into the Operating room. If they know what complications may arise, they will be better prepared to address them should they pose complications during your hernia repair. Not only that, but; it is in your best interest for them to know going into surgery.
I would have the CT scan. You can always refuse / decline treatment for whatever shows up...That remains your choice.
Comply, speak with your doctor. A spot on your lung given your experience with your friend I can only imagine from what you have written what feelings must be racing around in your mind. Your situation may be nothing...or so completely different from what your friend's circumstances were that your mind is way ahead of the situation at hand.
If it were me, I would get the CT. I would work toward clearance for the surgery I want. Speak with your surgeon IF they don't clear you for surgery for the spot on the lung. Plead your case to the surgeon at that time.
Deal with the spot on the lung separately...you will be referred to a different doc if they find anything suspicious probably for a biopsy (which is not major surgery or carving) just to know what you are dealing with and then you can make an informed decision about that when the time comes. Hope this helps. Take care of you.
2007-10-13 12:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by pamela 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are concerned with surgery and giving you anesthesia and how your breathing will be affected by lung problems. You do have the say so over what happens to your body as long as you are concious but they will not risk hernia surgery if you may have breathing problems during surgery. All hospitals require chest xrays prior to surgery so you will probably run into this everywhere. Why not at least explore finding out what the lung problem may be. It could be something simple and not lung cancer at all. If somehow it turns out to be cancer and you dont want treatment, you can refuse it.
2007-10-13 11:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by Diane M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't force you to have surgery if you are an adult. I would have the test to find out what the spot on the lung was. Then it may end up being nothing and you can have the hernia surgery. If not and they want to treat the spot before hernia surgery you can then make a choice based on all of the info.
2007-10-13 23:56:47 · answer #5 · answered by just_someone_23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes decisions must be made at the last minute. If it is necessary to save a life, it isn't unethical. I do think it is a good question (regarding ethics, medical costs and the right of a person to decide medical treatment) as to whether or not one should revive AIDs patients with full-blown AIDS, hook up feeding tubes and oxygen machines to braindead patients, keeping pregnant comatose women who can't breathe on their own alive to have the child, forcing cancer treatment, forcing diabetics to undergo renal analysis and kidney dialysis, etc.
Another issue--should anyone over the age of twelve be made to undergo blood transfusions if it is against his or her religion..children are one matter but should the court step in to force a sixteen-year-old JW with leukemia to have blood transfusions...I am not the type in favour of 'government and social institutions know best' for us which is patronizing and disrespectful but this is a loaded issue with two sides...what about Orthodox Jews who oppose organ donation and unnecessary autopsies. Some people figure religion doesn't matter in a secular society but that's like saying that a vegetarian doesn't care if you serve him a steak for dinner at the hospital.
2007-10-13 11:43:35 · answer #6 · answered by Desert Sienna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, just get the xray and when they tell you whats there, they can suggest to you what they want to do, and then you can decide what you want them to do.
Its your life; and no they can't make you do anything But they want to do the xray to make sure your lungs are able to handle the gas that puts you to sleep because they have to make sure with the xray you are about to have the surgery.
2007-10-13 12:33:18 · answer #7 · answered by kim w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A hospital cant force you to have surgery, but some doctors will just right to surgery just to take you out of your money. if you have a hernia, the best way to go is surgery, but its up to you man.
2007-10-13 11:59:39 · answer #8 · answered by Andy K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they can"t force you for what they like to do unless you will agree then the surgery will begin/
2007-10-13 11:44:45 · answer #9 · answered by sugar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
It is the reason why you have to sign a consent form.
Your body , your choise.
Get Well Soon x
2007-10-13 11:43:24 · answer #10 · answered by failte1950 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋