Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery

Before you undergo any surgery, you will sit down with your doctor for a full evaluation. Whether you’ve had surgery before or not, it’s important to make sure you feel comfortable about the procedure. That means asking your doctor to clarify anything you’re unsure about.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand the need to ensure our patients' questions are answered to their fullest. Below are a few commonly asked, essential questions you might want to consider:

When will I need the surgery?
Making plans for your surgery is an important step towards ensuring you fully understand what to expect. Ask your doctor to explain how time-sensitive the surgery is and how soon you will need to have the procedure.

How long will process take?
Most surgeries take two to three hours, but that time could vary. Typically, this depends on the situation and how invasive it is. Ask if additional time to prepare is necessary and how long you will need to stay in recovery.

What is recovery like?
Ask your surgeon if you should expect any discomfort or pain after the surgery. It’s also common that you might need to limit your amount of activity or take off from work. Knowing if you can get back to your normal routine right away or not will clarify what you need to take care of and prepare for before surgery.

How will I need to prep?
Knowing what you can do before surgery to achieve optimal results can help make the experience run more smoothly. Are there any steps you need to take 24 hours prior to the surgery? Any foods or medications you should avoid? Each surgery and patient is unique, so even if you’ve undergone surgery before, it’s always crucial to ask if you’re unsure.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and non-invasive procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

Signs of a Healthy Colon

Your colon is an essential organ that helps your body eliminate toxins, so keeping it healthy is a priority. From eating the right foods to exercising regularly, you can lower your chances of digestive problems and colon discomfort. It also helps knowing the signs of a healthy colon. Below are three ways you can determine whether or not yours is a healthy one:

Know your diet. Eating plenty of fiber is known to clean out your colon. This is partially because it allows food to be pushed down more easily. So if you’re eating fiber-rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables, then you know your diet is healthy. If your diet is healthy then chances are that your colon is too.

Make a journal. Making note of when you have bowel movements can help you start to see patterns. By making a journal, you can indicate whether or not you are experiencing regular movements. If yoi do experience regular movements, then you probably have a healthy colon. For example, having a larger bowel movements in the morning or smaller ones throughout the day is a sign that your colon is right on track.

Analyze your comfort level. Do you experience bloating or gas? If so, your colon might not be functioning as well as it should, which could indicate that your body isn’t breaking down food the way it should. Also, do you experience pain with bowel movements? If you do, you might want to seek out medical help from your doctor.

If you or someone that you know has signs of an unhealthy colon and suspects the need for colorectal surgery, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in treating disorders within the stomach and small intestine, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with the utmost precision and care.