3 Things To Consider Before Getting An Elective Surgery
For some people, having surgery is something that their body needs in order to survive. But in other situations, surgery can be something that can either improve the quality of your life or simply be something you want that won’t necessarily alter your health in a positive way. In this type of situation, the surgery would generally be considered elective.
Because undergoing surgery can be dangerous regardless of the type of surgery you’re having, here are three things you should consider before having an elective surgery that isn’t deemed medically necessary.
Your Overall Health
As was mentioned above, having surgery for any reason can be dangerous to your body. So especially if you’re choosing to have a surgery that your body doesn’t really need, it’s important that you give yourself the best chance of recovering fully by being in the best possible health before you get the surgery done.
According to Dr. Millicent Odunze, a contributor to Very Well Health, the surgeon that’s performing your surgery should check to ensure that your overall health is good before they go forward with the surgery. If the doctor determines that your body isn’t healthy enough for elective surgery, you can either wait until you’re in better health or consider some of your other options. Getting an elective surgery when you know you’re not in the best health is a good way to wind up with complications that otherwise could have been avoided, so it’s best not to take on this unnecessary risk.
The Cost To You
If you have medical insurance, you will usually be covered at least partially for a surgery that’s deemed medically necessary. However, you might not have the same type of insurance coverage if you’re undergoing an elective procedure.
Because of this, Dr. Larissa Hirsch, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, recommends that you speak with your insurance carrier before you get too far down the path of an elective surgery. If you don’t have any type of financial reimbursement available to you, you might find that the cost of the surgery is too much for you to handle on your own.
What Your Alternatives Are
Surgery is a very serious thing, even if the surgery isn’t medically necessary and you’re in good health. The risks that come along with surgery are real and have the potential to cause you more harm than good. With this in mind, Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that you always consider your alternatives before you settle on elective surgery. By knowing your non-surgical options, you’ll be making the most informed decision possible.
If you’re thinking about having an elective surgery, consider the information presented above to ensure that this is something you really want and are ready to do.
