Knowledge Is Power: 33 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery

By Christine Rekash

If you've just been diagnosed with heart valve disease or you're preparing for heart surgery, I would like to share the list of pre-op questions I had available when I met with my surgeon. From my journey, I've learned that knowledge is power. The more prepared you are for your surgery, the better you will understand the process and the less anxious you'll be. Confidence is key when undergoing any medical procedure.

I’m sharing these questions based on my personal experience with a repair to a leaking mitral valve via open heart surgery. While I was a candidate for a minimally invasive robotic repair, I chose the traditional, open heart surgical method after gaining answers to the questions below.

Tailor these questions below to your individual valve repair or replacement. Also, keep in mind my surgery was done by a traditional cardiac surgeon, via open-heart surgery. If you are candidate for TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), which is a less invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve, the procedure may likely be done by an interventional cardiologist who's highly skilled in catheter-based procedures.

Surgery

1.   What type of surgery am I a candidate for based on my valve disease diagnosis? Open heart surgery, mini sternotomy, minimally invasive robotic, mini thoracotomy, or a catheter-based procedure? 

2.   What are the risks associated with the traditional open-heart valve surgery (repair or replacement) versus the minimally invasive techniques such as robotic or mini thoracotomy or a catheter-based procedure?

3.   What are the advantages that outweigh the risks of this type of surgery?

4.   What are the advantages of the traditional open-heart surgery (repair or replacement) versus the minimally invasive robotic or a catheter-based procedure?

5.   Why do you prefer the traditional repair approach?

6.   What are the disadvantages of the traditional open-heart surgery (repair or replacement versus the minimally invasive robotic surgery)?

7.   Why do you feel these are disadvantages?

8.   From your experience, about how long does a repair last? Will the repair necessitate a replacement down the line?

9.   Is there a better time to have the surgery that will aid in my recovery, for example, summer versus winter or dry and sunny conditions versus wet and snowy weather?

10. Based on my current state of the heart, how quickly should my valve be repaired or replaced?

11. How will you repair my valve? With an annuloplasty ring or other devices?

12. Will my body organs be cooled down while on the heart and lung machine to preserve them?

13. How many patients have you performed this surgery on? What percentage had a favorable outcome?

Post-Surgery/Recovery

1.   What is the typical recovery time for someone at my age with my current state of the heart?

2.   How soon will I notice an improvement? Will I still feel the palpitations, sluggishness, lightheadedness, etc., that I feel now?

3.   Will I need to be on medications after the surgery? If so, which ones and for how long —lifelong or temporary?

4.   Are there risks of infection, and if so, what are they?

5.   What signs or symptoms should I be aware of, other than the commonsense ones, that would necessitate me seeking care in an ER? In other words, what are the potential side effects post surgically that I may be at risk for? For instance, will it be apparent if my valve “springs a leak?” Or if I develop blood clots? What about rapid heart rate post-surgery?

Diet/Daily Functions

1.   What is the soonest I can get out of the hospital?

2.   Is there a special diet during recovery?

3.   Any lifelong alterations: Will l be able to return to eating chocolate or wine? How will caffeine affect my new valve?

4.   Will I need a catheter during recovery?

5.   Will daily functions such as sneezing, coughing or bowel movements affect recovery?

6.   I have a hard time staying put. What is the recommended activity level for optimal recovery? Will I be sleeping a lot? Should I be able to move around doing household chores, such as folding laundry or vacuuming? Are there any advanced preparations that would help the transition of recovery?

Work

1.   How soon can I return to work?

2.   Would a modified work schedule be appropriate to transition to full time?

3.   Any limitations regarding my duties at work?

Support During Recovery

1.   Does the hospital have any support groups to recommend for further questions during my recovery?

2.   Is there a surgical liaison or designated valve coordinator I can contact for additional questions?

3.   Are there resources to read in advance of the surgery other than the American Heart Association’s Heart Valve Disease Resources | American Heart Association?

Overall Life Management

1.   What will be my prescribed method of monitoring the condition of the valve repair or replacement?

2.   Will the need for echos or stress tests be lifelong?

3.   Any ongoing medications needed?

Remember to always be your own advocate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your heart needs to feel 100% comfortable in the hands of your health care professional. Don’t give up; keep fighting with heart!

(Note: I am sharing these questions based on my personal experience, and this post should not be construed as medical advice.)

Learn more about Christine’s story in her Support Network blog posts here, here and here.

For more information on this health topic, visit heart.org.

Would you like help dealing with heart or stroke conditions -- either yours or someone else’s? Join us in the AHA’s Support Network! We are an online community of patients, survivors and caregivers where you can share your experience while getting encouragement, hope and informational resources from others who have been there. Membership is free and the benefits can be priceless. Register today.