Questions to ask your doctor
Anyone considering DBS should ask many questions of the physicians who will be treating them. Here are some of the questions you might ask.
- Am I a candidate for this therapy? Why? Why not?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of the therapy?
- What are the potential risks of the surgery?
- What are the side effects of the therapy? Can the side effects be controlled?
- What kinds of tests will be conducted before the surgery?
- What can I expect the day of surgery?
- How long does the surgery last? Is it painful?
- How long will I need to be hospitalized?
- Will my condition improve immediately after surgery, or will it take more time?
- What precautions will I need to take after surgery?
- How often will I need to return for follow-up visits? How many programming sessions to adjust the stimulation can I expect?
- Will I still need to take medication after having the DBS implanted?
Here are some other things to keep in mind when talking with physicians who provide Deep Brain Stimulation:
| Training |
- What is the physician's training and how many years has he or she been in practice?
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| Experience |
- What is the physician's experience in implanting the DBS system?
- How would the physician describe the satisfaction level of implanted patients?
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| Location |
- How frequently will you need to follow-up for programming?
- Where will the follow-up take place?
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| Comfort Level |
- How comfortable are you with the physician?
- Do you feel your questions and concerns are addressed?
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