Vim & Vigor - Summer 2019 - CH - 27

Laparoscopic
surgery.

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Don't Be Intimidated by the Lingo

Remember the bit about asking lots of questions? If your surgeon or
any other member of the healthcare team is talking in lingo or jargon,
don't be afraid to ask for definitions.
Here are some terms you might hear:
Minimally invasive surgery means smaller incisions, less pain
during recovery and likely faster healing time than open surgeries,
which are more involved and invasive surgeries that require larger
incisions and, generally, longer hospital stays. Laparoscopic surgery is another phrase for minimally invasive surgery-consider the
two interchangeable.
"For example, someone who has a gallbladder removed with an open
procedure may be in the hospital three to four days, whereas someone
who has it removed laparoscopically may only be in the hospital that
day and go home later in the day or the next morning," Daly says.
If you're having a robot-assisted surgery, know that robots aren't
in charge; doctors and surgeons are still in control, Daly says. The
machines just make difficult surgeries a little easier by allowing for
greater precision and smaller cuts to the body.
"Robots allow for better magnification and ease of use," Daly says. ■

INPATIENT VS.
OUTPATIENT:
PROS AND
CONS
As technology improves, more and
more surgeries can be conducted on
an outpatient basis, which means that
patients have the procedure and head
home the same day. One study found
that outpatient surgery rates grew by
32 percent from 1994 to 2014. During
the same period, inpatient surgeries
dropped by about 8 percent.
This can be good for patients, says
John Daly, MD, a surgeon and co-chair
of the American College of Surgeons'
patient education committee. People
typically recover much better at
home, with family and other caregivers to support them.
Outpatient surgeries also typically
have smaller incisions, lead to less
pain and require fewer pain-managing
narcotics than inpatient surgeries,
Daly says.
Still, it is important that you understand the logistics of your surgery,
such as how long it might take and
when you can reasonably expect to
head home.
And whether your surgery is inpatient or outpatient, it's crucial that you
and your caregivers understand the
parameters your doctors set for healing. After all, when you're not in the
hospital, you take on more responsibility for your recovery.
"Patients should know before they
go home: What can I eat? When can
I eat? What sorts of things are good
for me to eat? When can I begin to
exercise? When should I walk, and how
long should I walk? When can I bathe
or take a shower? What do I do about
the bandage that's on me? Can I take it
off and remove it? When?" Daly says.
"These are all questions that have
at their heart: What can I do, and
what are the limitations in what I can
do?" he says. "Patients should know
the answers."

S UMME R 2019

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2019 - CH

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