Any time that you are told that you need to have surgery, it is fear-inducing news. There is just something about being made unconscious, and then having people cutting on you that makes most people think that it is not something they want to have done.
When you think about it too much, you can certainly appreciate these feelings. But at the same time with hundreds of thousands of surgical procedures being performed successfully in the US every year by capable surgeons like James P DeVellis, there is only a small chance that something will go wrong.
Orthopedic surgeons like Dr. DeVellis are highly trained to perform surgeries such as torn labrum repairs, knee replacements,and herniated disc surgeries. Here is how you get comfortable with needing orthopedic surgery:
Pick the best surgeon you can find
All surgeons are professionals but like everything else, there are those who have had issues with allegations of misconduct, there are good ones and great ones. You need to find one who is great and who will get you the best possible result from your operation. Your goal should be to find one who specializes in the type of problem you have and has experience doing hundreds of the type of operation you need.
If you have a sports type of injury look for a local surgeon who operates on professional athletes because he will be highly trained and will take particular care. If you are older, look for a surgeon who operates on seniors and understands the little things to tell them in order to ensure they recover well.
Keep notes of your injury history and doctor visits
As soon as you notice that you have a serious orthopedic issue you should start notating everything about the injury: how it feels. Is the pain constant or intermittent? Does it hurt when you move that part of your body? Does it hurt more in the morning or evenings? What treatments have you tried for the injury? Is the pain getting worse? And if so, over what period of time?
Also write down every doctor visit and when they occurred. Take good and constant notes because this will be helpful when your surgeon seeks to understand your condition intimately.
Ask your surgeon questions about your operation
You surgeon will go over the surgery with you in advance. He or she will seek to give you as much information about it so you can relax. Your job during this visit is to ask any relevant or other questions about the preparation for the procedure, the procedure itself, and the recovery. So make a list to ensure you do not forget anything important and be ready to get all of the important answers you need.
Post operation pain is normal
You should expect to have pain and soreness many months after your operation. Orthopedic surgeries will generally deal with areas of the body that have movement or support weight and there will be pain as movement occurs with the repaired arm, leg, back, hip, toe or other body part. This is a normal part of healing and the body’s way of letting you know that it recognizes that it went through an ordeal. But over time the pain will decrease and you will see the great results from your operation. So voluntarily follow your doctor’s orders post operation and it will give you the best chance to heal fast.
